WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University earned a hard-fought victory over Southwest Minnesota State University in today's second game to take home first two of three-game weekend series.
Building off the 11-7 win in game one, the Warriors defeated the Mustangs in extra innings in game two with a walk-off home run from
Cole Fuecker.
Game 1 | WSU 11, SMSU 7
After a scoreless first inning, Winona State's bats came alive in the bottom of the second, getting on the board first after recording seven runs with doubles from
Ryland Wall and
Adam Wall, a two-run home run from
Ben Hefel,
Josh Hatano scoring from third on a fielder's choice play at second base, and a single from
Josh Gullickson. In the top of the third inning Southwest Minnesota State recorded their first runs of the contest, crossing home plate three times with a two-run home run from Owen Latendresse and a single from Carter Lang. Adding one run to the lead in the bottom of the third, the Warriors scored off a single from
Garrett Hietpas. In the bottom of the fifth, WSU added three insurance runs to the lead, with a double from Fuecker, bringing in three runners. Clawing away at the scoring differential, SMSU recorded four runs off singles from Brock Woitalla, Levi Lampert, and Henry Hammrich, as well as a sacrifice fly from Latendresse, allowing Woitalla to cross home plate. With no team recording any more runs for the contest, Winona State took game one 11-7.
Game 2 | WSU 8, SMSU 7
Nathan Wheeler, Lampert, and Latendresse got the Mustangs on the board first with a sacrifice fly and a pair of singles in the top of the first inning. Bringing the lead to within one, the Warriors recorded two runs in the bottom of the second with a triple from A. Wall and a ground-out RBI from R. Wall. Taking the lead by one run in the bottom of the third, WSU recorded two runs off a two-run home run to left center field from Fuecker. Taking the lead right back in the top of the fifth, Southwest Minnesota State recorded two runs off a single from Lang. In the top of the sixth, the Mustangs added two runs to the lead off a sacrifice fly from Cory Bantam, allowing Caleb Gardow to cross home plate, and Lang being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Winona State brought the game to within one run in the bottom of the seventh with a double from Fuecker. WSU forced the game into extra innings in the bottom of the ninth with a ground-out RBI from Hietpas, allowing
Klayton Hawkins to cross home plate. Holding the Mustangs scoreless in the top of the 10th, Winona State's Fuecker smashed a walk-off solo home run over the left field wall the give the Warriors the 8-7 victory.
Individual Leaders:
- In game one, R. Wall led WSU in hits with three. Fuecker led the team in RBIs with three. Pierce Gritzmaker led Winona State on the mound, pitching 5.1 innings and striking out seven batters. After his performance, Gritzmaker received his third win of the season.
- In game two, Fuecker led WSU in hits with three and in RBIs with five. Max Strecker closed for Winona State, pitching 1.1 innings and striking out two batters. After his performance, Strecker received his second win of the season.
Team Comparison:
- Winona State collected a total of 64 at-bats, 23 hits, 18 RBIs, and 19 runs.
- Southwest Minnesota State collected a total of 72 at-bats, 20 hits, 14 RBIs, and 14 runs.
- The Warriors as a team recorded a batting average of .458 on balls in play in game one, and .360 in game two.
- The Mustangs as a team recorded a batting average of .409 on balls in play in game one, and .345 in game two.
Winona State University is next in action on Saturday, April 19th, when they finish out the three-game weekend series against Southwest Minnesota State University. Saturday's contest is set for 12:00pm at Loughrey Field in Winona, Minn.
