SIOUX CENTER, Iowa. - The Winona State University softball team used an explosive leadoff portion of the Warrior lineup to jump out in front of Upper Iowa University in a pair of softball contests played in Sioux Center, Iowa on Monday, downing the Peacocks 12-3 in game one and 9-1 in game two.
Winona State scored four runs in the top of the first inning in game one and enjoyed a two-run start in the opening frame of the second game to pull away quickly from Upper Iowa in both contests. The Monday sweep of UIU, combined with the Warriors' 2-0 Sunday against Truman State, moved the Winona State winning streak to five contests.
Game 1: Winona State 12, Upper Iowa 3
Winona State posted four runs in the top half of the first inning to set the tone in game one of the non-conference twin bill. WSU added two more runs in the second inning and used a five-run fourth frame to put the contest on ice in the Sioux Center Dome.
WSU would collect 12 hits in the game and Warrior starter
Jayda Berg would scatter 11 UIU hits over five innings with a pair of strikeouts for the win. The series-opening victory for Winona State over Upper Iowa extended the Warrior winning streak against the Peacocks to 15 consecutive wins, dating back to March 28, 2017.
Game 2: Winona State 9, Upper Iowa 1
Sam Keller hit a first-inning home run with
Abbie Hlas aboard to push Winona State out to a 2-0 lead early on. WSU would add two more runs in the second inning and three in the third to put the game away in quick fashion.
UIU spoiled the shutout bid by Winona State starter
Abby Smith with a single score in the fifth inning, but Smith held the Peacocks to just four hits on the afternoon. In contrast, WSU roughed up UIU's pitching staff for 15 hits, nine runs - all earned - and four walks.
Next Up: Winona State (5-1, 0-0 NSIC) will travel to Topeka, Kansas for the Washburn University Tournament. WSU will play five contests on the weekend, beginning with a pair of games on Friday, February 23, against Rockhurst University and Washburn University, respectively.
