SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Winona State University softball team used a quick-strike offense in game one and an impressive late-inning effort in game two to claim a sweep of Truman State University in a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Playing in a dome in Sioux Center, Iowa, the Warriors moved to 3-1 on the season with a pair of wins over the Bulldogs. WSU relievers
Logan Anderson and
Izzy Howe earned wins in games one and two, respectively, and
Jayda Berg claimed the save in the nightcap, providing strong Warrior efforts from the pitching circle.
Game 1: WSU 7, Truman State 1
Abbie Hlas opened the Warrior offense early, notching a lead-off double in the first inning and eventually scoring on a
Kiley Slaats triple moments later. Slaats would also cross the plate in the first inning, courtesy of a fielder-choice RBI from
Teaghen Amwoza. The two-run WSU opening frame would be all
Greg Jones' squad would need to claim the win, although Winona State would add three runs in the third inning and lone tallies in both the fourth and sixth innings for the 7-1 Warrior win.
WSU enjoyed shutout softball through the first four innings until TSU scored a solo run in the fifth frame. Warrior starter
Izzy Howe would effectively manage the game thoughout the contest, scattering three hits over ten batters faced. Howe had notched six strikeouts of Bulldog batters in her seven innings of work.
Game 1 WSU Stat Standouts
Abbie Hlas, 4-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs scored
Kiley Slaats, 2-for-4, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
Teaghen Amwoza, 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Izzy Howe, 7 IP, 6 K's, 1 Walk
Game 2: WSU 8, Truman State 7 (9-innings)
For the second time in two games,
Abbie Hlas sparked a fast start for WSU, earning a lead off walk and scoring on a
Teaghen Amwoza sacrifice fly to give Winona State a 1-0 lead.
WSU would score two more runs in the second inning before being held scoreless throughout the middle innings of the contest. Truman State got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning to trim the Warriors lead to 3-1 and then the Bulldogs scored two runs in the sixth and seventh frame to tie the contest 5-5 after seven.
In extra innings, the two teams traded runs in the eighth and then Winona State put up a pair of scores in the top of the ninth to take a narrow, one-run lead.
Savannah Serdynski's double to center field scored
Macy Brodin, and
Tiegan Mancuso singled in Serdynski to give WSU the 8-6 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Truman State was able to score once in the bottom of the ninth, but eventually, WSU would close out the frame - and the win - when
Jayda Berg came on in relief of
Izzy Howe in the ninth to shut the kennel door on the Bulldogs. Berg earned the save and received some essential help from the WSU infield, with the Warriors throwing out the potential game- tying run at the plate with one down in the inning.
Game 2 WSU Stat Standouts
Abbie Hlas, 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 1 run scored.
Sam Keller, 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 walks.
Tiegan Mancuso, 2-for-4, 2 runs scored, 1 walk, 1 RBI.
Abby Smith, 6 IP, 3 K's, 2 walks, 4 runs against, all earned.
Izzy Howe, 2/3 IP, winning pitcher.
Jayda Berg, 1 IP, earned the save.
Up Next: Winona State (3-1, 0-0 NSIC) will continue play at the Sioux Center Dome Tournament on Monday, February 19, taking on Upper Iowa University in a doubleheader, beginning at 11 a.m.
