WINONA, Minn. - Following a .500 performance in Florida, the Winona State University baseball team will use the momentum of a three-game winning streak to take on Minot State University in Sioux Falls, S.D. between March 8-10.
On the 2024 spring trip, Winona State shook off a sluggish start to claim wins in their final three games in the sunshine state, highlighted by a 28-3 record setting victory.
March 2: Ashland University 8, Winona State 3 | Winona State suffered an 8-3 setback at the hands of the Ashland Eagles in the opening game of the Warriors' 2024 spring trip. A
Mason Trocke triple scored A Berreth in the fourth frame and WSU added two runs in the seventh when
Ryland Wall and
Austin Beyer both collected RBI with singles, but AU scored three runs in the sixth and two more in thee seventh to pull away from the Warriors.
Drew Lingen took the loss for WSU and Cam Scott claimed the win for Ashland.
March 2: Seton Hill 6, Winona State 5 | WSU used a battle-back effort to force extra-innings against Seton Hill (Pa.) University in the Warrior's second game of the day, but SHU scored a single run in the top of the 10th and held off WSU in the bottom of the frame. Using the international tie-breaker format, the Griffins scored following a wild pitch and sacrifice fly to go up 6-5. In the bottom half of the tenth,
Cole Fuecker was placed on second base to begin the inning and stole third but SHU's Michael Marinchak retired the Warrior side.
Jess Ondell went 2-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored.
March 3: Northwood University 13, Winona State 8 | The Warriors jumped out to a 5-0 lead after five, but the Timberwolves scored eight runs across the middle innings to climb back into the game. For the second consecutive contest, WSU went to extra-innings in search of a victory but Northwood would score five runs in the top of the 12th to deny WSU the win. The Winona State pitching staff combined for 18 strikeouts and
Mason Beltrand took the loss for WSU.
Alex Berreth,
Austin Beyer and
Jack Funke all had two hits in the game and
Mason Trocke added a triple. The Warriors racked up five stolen bases in the contest.
March 3: Winona State 11, Davis & Elkins 7 | Winona State turned the tide of the 2024 Florida spring trip with an 11-7 win over Davis & Elkins College.
Josh Gullickson led the Warrior way, going 4-for-5 with two RBI. The top of the WSU lineup helped jump start the offense, with
Joshua Hawksford and
Jack Funke both enjoying 3-for-5 outings against the Senators. Funke had a home run and was one of three Warriors with a pair of RBI.
Logan LeTourneau started and went five innings, striking out four and walking just one.
Nevin Wall and
Owen Schmidt both had appearances on the mound in the victory.
March 4: Winona State 7, Thomas More 2 | WSU continued their winning ways, holding TMU to just a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to post a second straight victory. Down 2-1, Winona State rallied to score three runs in the seventh inning and add three more across the final two frames for the win.
Nathan Osborne had a home run from the lead off spot and scored twice.
Cameron Kramer went six full innings, striking out three.
Andrew Regner took the hill for the final three innings, holding Thomas More scoreless.
March 5: Winona State 28, Notre Dame College 3 | The Warriors approached the all-time Winona State single-game run scored mark with a dominating 28-3 win over Notre Dame College.
Connor Weed was 4-for-5 at the plate with a home run and five RBI. Josh Hawksford,
Jack Funke and
Mason Trocke all added homers in the blowout. WSU had 28 hits as a team;
Kole Hinrichsen threw the first five frames, scattering three hits and striking out five.
Chandler Schmidt and
Cole Stanchina both had relief appearances for WSU.
Joshua Hawksford scored five times in the game, tying the all-time Winona State runs scored in a game record, joining Jonathan Nelson and Ben Barrone at the top of the Warrior list.
Winona State (3-7, 0-0 NSIC) will play Minot State University (4-10, 1-3 NSIC) in a neutral-site four-game series beginning on Friday, March 8 and concluding on Sunday, March 10. The Warriors will take on the Beavers at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D. WSU will be the visiting team in all four match-ups against MSU. Game time for the Friday contest has been moved from a noon start to 2 p.m. due to forecast temperatures.
