Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- Winona State raced to a 6-0 lead before holding on to earn a 6-3 victory over Minnesota State Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The loss for the Mavericks forces the “If Necessary” game between the two teams which is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Warriors – who won the coin toss were the home team – jumped on Maverick starter Kendra Huettl in the bottom of the first inning. Rightfielder Dallas Schmacker opened the inning with walk before first baseman Molly Link singled through the right side.

Centerfielder Mollie Bjelland then put the Warriors on the scoreboard as she took a 1-1 offering and hit it over the rightfield fence.

Catcher Kathy Crudo and third baseman Katie Betry each singled chasing Huettl from the game in favor of sophomore Courtney McKelvogue.

McKelvogue would end the damage as she got second baseman Kaitlin Hardie to groundout to end the inning.

The Warriors added another run in the top bottom of the second when Bjelland drove in leftfielder Brooke Piotrowski who had singled to lead off the inning.

Bjelland’s day continued in the bottom of the fourth as she hit a two-run double down the left field line pushing the Warrior lead to 6-0.

The Mavericks cut the lead in the top of the seventh as senior first baseman Natalie Spicer drew a four-pitch walk. Senior third baseman #Julie O’Neal# – who was behind 0-2 in the count – then planted a two-run home run over the leftfield fence to cut the lead to 6-2.

Freshman designated player Lindsay Erickson then fought a six-pitch at bat before doubling to left-centerfield. Sophomore pinch runner Eryn Edgerton replaced Erickson at second before scoring on a single off the fence by junior centerfielder Chelsea Erickson.

Sophomore shortstop Abby Sonner would walk to chase Winona State starter Stacey Struzynski as Courtney Strang entered the contest.
Strang would strikeout junior second baseman Amanda Umhoefer before walking junior rightfielder Melanie Upchurch to load the bases for sophomore leftfielder Lauryn Morris.

The first offering to Morris would get away from Crudo at the plate but she recovered to throw out Chelsea Erickson at the plate and end the Maverick threat.

The loss forces the “If Necessary” game as MSU falls to 50-13.

To view the game stats, click HERE