SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State softball team took down the SMSU Mustangs in the Quarterfinal of the NSIC Tournament with a score of 4-2.
The Warriors' offense was able to catch fire in the fourth inning after the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs scored in the top of the inning. In the bottom of four,
Braelee Jodarski would launch a three-run home run to left center and give WSU a 3-1 lead. After SMSU added a run in the top of the sixth, Jodarski would send out a second insurance home run to give Winona State the 4-2 lead where they would hold out in the top of the seventh.
WSU (4) – SMSU (2)
After a pair of 1-2-3 innings from both Southwest Minnesota State and Winona State pitchers, the Warriors recorded their first baserunner of the day when
Indigo Fish drew a walk in the bottom of the third inning. However, Winona State would not break through offensively until the fourth. Starting pitcher
Izzy Howe held the Mustangs hitless through the first three innings, but Southwest Minnesota State eventually found its way onto the scoreboard in the fourth following the Warriors' lone error of the game.
After a pair of back-to-back singles from Fish and
Lila McNeill, shortstop Jodarski would send a rocket to left center giving Winona State a 3-1 lead. Going into the fifth inning, Howe took down the first three batters with assistance from the stellar WSU defense, and the Warriors were unable to score after a lead off
Alyssa Woelfel walk. In the top of the sixth inning, pitcher
Jayda Berg would relieve Howe and successfully get out of a bases loaded situation while only giving up one run.
Going into the bottom of the sixth, Jodarski would send her second home run of the day to deep center field giving the Warriors some insurance runs and a 4-2 lead going into the final inning. First Team All-NSIC pitcher Berg would secure her fourth save of the season after creating two ground outs and a lineout to right field. The Winona State Warriors would take down the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, 4-2 in the seventh.
Howe went 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out five batters for the win. Berg earned the save after not allowing any hits in two innings of work. Jodarski's two homers aided her 2-3 day at the plate while three other Warriors scattered hits in the ballgame.
Winona State (48-8, 26-4 NSIC) will play five-seed Augustana at Bowden Field on Thursday, May 8th at 12:00pm. Augustana defeated Minnesota State 15-14 in their opening NSIC Tournament game.
