WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team will host the University of Minnesota Crookston today, Saturday April, 9, in a NSIC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Maynard R. Johnson Field in Winona. 

Originally scheduled to be held in Crookston, the WSU - UMC contests will have the Warriors as the away team in both games. 

Reigning NSIC Pitcher of the Week Liz Pautz will look to lead the rebound effort for Winona State (18-10  / 4-2  NSIC) after dropping a pair of games at 14th-ranked Augustana on Tuesday.  Pautz has earned a 12-4 overall record this season and has racked up 176 strikeouts this season, one of the top totals in NCAA Division II softball. Abbie Hlas has thrown over 45 innings this year and notched her second shutout win of the season in a 11-0 victory over Southwest Minnesota State last weekend. The versatile Hlas has been instrumental at the plate as well, batting .402 over 28 games.

Other offensive standouts for the Warriors include Sam Keller and Kayla Kerkman, both of whom are hitting .391 on the season so far, while Marissa Mullen and Rylee Stout have combined for nine home runs and 41 RBI from the heart of the WSU lineup. 

Minnesota - Crookston arrives in Winona with a 12-19 overall mark and 3-3 NSIC record. The Golden Eagles are coming off a pair of losses to the University of Mary on Thursday and have dropped 13 straight contests to WSU. The last time the two teams tangled, Winona State defeated UMC by scores of 5-0 and 7-1 in Winona on April 18, 2021. 

For the most up-to-date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
 

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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.