SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State softball team fell short to Augustana in the NSIC Tournament Semifinals by a score of 5-0.
The Warriors struggled to catch fire offensively, collecting zero hits in the contest and leaving four runners on base. Starting pitcher
Izzy Howe allowed zero runs until the top of the fifth inning where the Vikings would score the first runs of the game giving Augustana the 2-0 lead. WSU had trouble finding the answers as the Vikings scored three in the top of the sixth and finished the game with a 5-0 final score.
AUGIE (5) – WSU (0)
In the first inning, Winona State would go three up three down with all batters striking out swinging. After another 1-2-3 inning for the Warriors offense, they would find a small spark in the bottom of the third inning. Starting with Johnson reaching base off a throwing error, WSU would find
Nicole Weinberger getting walked and a base runner on second and first. Unfortunately, after a SAC bunt from
Alyssa Woelfel to advance the runners, Weinberger would get thrown out at home plate after a strikeout passed ball and the inning would end shortly after.
After giving up four total runs,
Jayda Berg would relieve Howe at the mound in the sixth inning. WSU was still unable to get the offense going with five innings of only three batters stepping up to the plate. In the bottom of the sixth inning,
Tiegan Mancuso would collect a walk and advance to second on a wild pitch. This would be the final base runner for Winona State, as in the seventh inning, WSU would go three up three down and end the game with a score of 5-0 in favor of Augustana.
Howe went 5.1 innings and allowed four runs on five hits while striking out seven batters. Berg pitched the final 1.2 innings an gave up one run on two hits. Four Warriors reached base via two walks, an error, and a dropped third strike in the ballgame.
The Warriors now await the NCAA softball selections that will be announced on Monday, May 11th on www.NCAA.com. The NCAA Regionals are scheduled for May 14-16.
