ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winona State University earned a hard-fought victory over Concordia University, St. Paul in today's second game to earn a doubleheader split at Barnes Field in St. Paul, Minn.
The Warriors bounced back after a 12-4 loss in game one to defeat the Golden Bears in extra innings 14-10 in game two.
Game 1 | WSU 4, CSP 12
Cole Fuecker got Winona State on the board early with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. In their first at-bats of the contest, the Golden Bears took the lead with a double from Noah Juliar and a three-run home run from Charlie Harms. Kaden Johnson added one more run to Concordia's lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, CSP added seven insurance runs coming from a grand slam by Trett Joles, a two-run home run by Johnson, and a ground-out RBI by Will Husemann. Chipping away at the lead, Winona State crossed home plate three times on a double from Fuecker and singles from
Dylan Harer and
Ryland Wall in the top of the seventh. WSU unable to pull together any more runs, the Golden Bears took game one 12-4.
Game 2 | WSU 14, CSP 10
Adam Wall recorded a ground-out RBI in the top of the first inning, giving the Warriors a 1-0 lead early. Adding three runs to the lead in their next at-bats, Winona State scored off doubles from
Ben Hefel and Fuecker. Tying up the score at four runs a piece in the bottom of the fourth inning, Concordia scored off a single from Harms and a three-run home run by Husemann. Taking the lead back in their next at-bats, WSU recorded four runs in the top of the fifth off a solo home run by
Jess Ondell and doubles from
Garrett Hietpas and Fuecker. In the bottom of the eighth, CSP clawed away at the scoring differential by bringing the lead to within one run off Kal Brohmer and Joles crossing home plate on a pair of walks with the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly to left field by Tomas Lee, and a single by Husemann. Increasing the lead to three runs, Winona State scored off a single from Hefel. In bottom of the ninth, Concordia was able to extend the game to extra innings after tying up the score at 10 runs a piece with a single from Joles and a double from Lee. With the bases loaded in the top of the 11th, Winona State's Fuecker smashed a monstrous home run to right center field, clearing the bases and giving the Warriors a four-run lead. Holding CSP scoreless in the bottom of the 11th, WSU walked away with a 14-10 victory.
Individual Leaders:
- In game one, Easton Arendt and Fuecker led the Warriors in hits each with three. Fuecker led the team in RBIs with two. Cole Stanchina led Winona State on the mound, pitching 4.0 innings and striking out two batters.
- In game two, Fuecker led the Warriors in hits with four and RBIs with seven. Drew Lingen led Winona State on the mound, pitching 2.0 innings and striking out one batter. After his performance, Lingen received his first win of the season.
Team Comparison:
- Winona State collected a total of 81 at-bats, 27 hits, 18 RBIs, and 18 runs.
- Concordia collected a total of 74 at-bats, 27 hits, 22 RBIs, and 22 runs.
- The Warriors as a team recorded a batting average of .350 on balls in play in game one and .429 in game two.
- The Golden Bears as a team recorded a batting average of .400 on balls in play in game one and .324 in game two.
Winona State University is next in action on Friday, April 18th, when they kick off a three-game weekend series against Southwest Minnesota State University, ending on Saturday, April 19th. Friday's doubleheader is set for 1:30pm and 3:30pm, and Saturday's game is set for 12:00pm at Loughrey Field in Winona, Minn.
