WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University baseball team wrapped their four-game site-reversed series against the University of Mary on Saturday, March 30, in the cozy confines of Loughery Field.
Winona State opened the series on Friday with a pair of wins over UMary in impressive fashion, but on Saturday WSU settled for a split, winning game one 9-1 but falling 9-6 in game two.
Game 1: Winona State 9, UMary 1 | Winona State saw
Pierce Gritzmaker throw a complete game, two-hit gem in leading the Warriors to a key NSIC victory. Gritzmaker held the Marauders - leading all of NCAA Division II baseball in home runs - to just a solo homer and third-inning single. Gritzmaker struck out eight UMary hitters and did not allow a walk in the contest. The right-handed sophomore from Woodbury, Minnesota, received strong run support from the Warrior offense in a balanced WSU effort.
WSU was led at the plate by
Cole Fuecker who went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Winona State took advantage of a pair of Marauder wild pitches in the sixth and seventh inning to pull away from UMary in the contest. Marauder starting pitcher Jaxon Zanolli took the loss for the visitors.
Game 2: UMary 9, Winona State 6 | WSU received a solid outing from starting pitcher
Cameron Kramer but the UMary bats came alive late to ding the Warrior bullpen for five runs in the seventh inning to deny the Warriors the sweep. Warrior reliever
Peyton Lee was saddled with the loss.
Connor Weed delivered a solo home run in the fourth inning and WSU held a 6-3 lead in the sixth inning but UMary would use home runs in the sixth and seventh frames to pull ahead for the win.
Ryland Wall was 2-for-4 and
Alex Berreth had two RBI but the Warriors could not take advantage of six walks in the game, stranding six runners.
Cole Fuecker and
Alex Berreth both had stolen bases for head coach
Seth Wing.
Winona State (12-14, 9-7 NSIC) is next in action on Friday, April 6 when they host the University of Minnesota Crookston to being a four-game home stand against the Golden Eagles.
