MARSHALL, Minn. - The Winona State University baseball team faced off with Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, April 20, looking to make up ground in the NSIC standings while kicking off a three-game series against the Mustangs in Marshall, Minnesota.
Winona State battled in both games but came up short on each end of the doubleheader, first losing 2-1 in a pitchers' duel and then falling late in a 11-7 setback in the nightcap.
Game 1: SMSU 2, Winona State 1 | Peter Tveite turned in a solid complete-game performance on the hill for Winona State but the Warrior bats were held largely in check by Mustang starter Kolby Kiser, as the two pitchers combined for a tight, one-run ballgame. Tveite scattered seven hits over the 7-inning affair but an unearned run led to series-opening setback for WSU.
Winona State managed just four hits in the game with
Cole Fuecker collecting half that haul and driving in the lone Warrior RBI. Fuecker plated
Connor Weed who had taken advantage of being hit by a pitch and advancing on a Mustang error moments earlier. However, Fuecker's single to score Weed was the only offense in the contest for WSU in the opening match-up.
Game 2: SMSU 11, Winona State 7 | WSU battled back to score two runs in the second inning after the host Mustangs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the opening at-bats for both teams. Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State would trade runs across the middle innings and were tied 7-7 after six frames but SMSU would pull away with four more runs across the final three innings for the 11-7 victory.
Connor Weed led the WSU offense in game two, racking up a fifth inning home run among his two hits and scoring twice himself. Warrior teammate
Jess Ondell also delivered a long ball, belting a solo shot in the third inning.
Ryland Wall added a double to the WSU effort but Winona State left 12 runners on base in the four-run loss.
Kole Hinrichsen had the start on the mound for WSU, going five full innings, allowing six runs, five of which were earned. Hinrichsen struck out four and walked four before giving way to
Cole Stanchina.
Boyd Skelley combined with Stanchina to close out the sixth inning.
Mason Beltrand threw the final two Warrior frames, allowing four runs and was saddled with the loss to the Mustangs.
Winona State (14-25, 11-18 NSIC) and Southwest Minnesota State (23-14, 17-11 NSIC) will wrap up play in their three-game series tomorrow at noon.
