WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team will host Southwest Minnesota State University in a doubleheader today, April 3, coming off a 2022 home opener on Saturday that was one for the record books. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. at Maynard R. Johnson Field in Winona, Minn.
Southwest Minnesota State will face the most recent Warrior pitcher to throw a perfect game, as
Liz Pautz retired 15 batters in order on Saturday in a 8-0 five-inning win over the University of Sioux Falls. With the perfect game, Pautz becomes just the third player in the history of the program to achieve the feat. And, if a record setting first game wasn't enough, WSU battled back to win in walk off fashion in game two, as a
Marissa Mullen three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning provided WSU a 8-6 win in the back half of the twin bill. Pautz returned to the circle in that contest, earning her second win of the day in relief while Mullen delivered three home runs in the contest.
The last time Winona State and SMSU faced off, the two teams battled in the 2021 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) softball tournament, with WSU edging the Mustangs 2-1 on May 14, 2021. The Warriors have won the last ten meetings between the two squads.
Currently, Winona State is 16-8 overall, 2-0 in NSIC play and have won three of their last four contests. Southwest Minnesota State University is 9-16 overall and 1-1 in NSIC play. Earlier this week, the Mustangs split with the University of Sioux Falls, dropping game one versus the Cougars 11-7 but winning the nightcap, 3-0.
Heading into the weekend,
Liz Pautz ranked second in all of NCAA Division II softball in strikeouts per seven innings (13.5) and total strikeouts (148). In the power department, four Warriors each have hit four home runs on the season, with
Rylee Stout,
Marissa Mullen,
Libby Neveau and
Teaghen Amwoza all atop the long ball leader board for Winona State.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
@WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words:
Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
