SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Warriors used a balanced offensive attack and clutch pitching performances to earn a 6-2 win over UMary in their NSIC Tournament opener.
The Warriors held a slim 2-1 lead after five innings before
Connor Weed delivered a huge two-RBI triple in the seventh to extend the advantage to 4-1. Winona State added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning to seal the game.
WSU received a strong group performance on the mound from
Nathan Vela,
Carson Jones, and
Max Strecker, who combined to limit UMary to just two runs while stranding 15 Marauder baserunners. The Warriors played a clean game defensively, committing no errors in the 6-2 victory.
WSU (6) – UMARY (2)
After Winona State went scoreless in the top of the first, Vela was able to escape the bottom of the first after UMary loaded the bases with one out. A leadoff single from
Jack Funke in the second inning was erased after a double play.
After drawing a leadoff walk in the third inning,
Max Pederson moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. The top of the frame ended when the Marauders turned their second double play on the day. UMary loaded the bases again with two outs in the bottom of the third. Vela evaded again with no harm after getting a foul out from the Marauders.
In the top of the fourth, back-to-back Warriors were hit by pitches with two outs. Weed loaded the bases after a single to third base. WSU was unable to break into the scoring column, leaving all three runners stranded.
Consecutive one-out walks drawn by
Connor Greuel and
Josh Hatano gave Winona State a great chance to strike first in the top of the fifth. The Warriors jumped to a 1-0 lead after a fielder's choice by
Payton Kohnle led to an error, scoring Greuel. WSU extended their lead to 2-0 after an RBI single by
Dylan Harer plated Hatano. UMary got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Warriors' edge to 2-1.
WSU used an
Adam Wall walk and single from Funke to put runners on second and third with one out in the seventh. Weed then mashed a triple to left center, making it 4-1, after Wall and Funke crossed home. A solo homer from the University of Mary cut their deficit to 4-2 after seven innings. Strecker tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the eighth inning, sending the Warriors into the ninth needing just three outs for the win.
Wall hit a leadoff double to center field to open the ninth frame. Weed was later hit by a pitch followed by a wild pitch, placing runners on second and third with one out.
Hunter Guenther had an RBI ground out, scoring Wall with Weed also scoring on an error on the play, adding two crucial insurance runs to make it 6-2. UMary loaded the bases with two outs in bottom of the ninth, but Strecker closed the door with a strikeout to give WSU a 6-2 win in their NSIC Tournament opener.
Funke, Greuel, and Weed all had two hits in the win. Weed added a team-high two RBI while Hatano and Wall each drew two walks apiece.
Vela (3-3) earned the win, going 5.0 innings, allowing one run on seven hits. Jones went 1.2 innings, giving up one run. Strecker got the save, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Winona State (26-24, 20-16 NSIC) will play two-seed Minnesota State at the Birdcage on Thursday, May 7 with first pitch at 3:30pm. MSU defeated Minot State 9-0 in their NSIC Tournament opener.
