Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State continued conference play with a pair of home losses, 5-1 and 3-1, to #21 Winona State.
With the results, the Mavericks move to 18-12 on the season and 3-5 in conference play while the Warriors move to 23-5, 8-0 in the NSIC
Game 1
Lexi Schoper (3-1)
started the game for the Mavericks and took the loss after pitching 5.1 innings, while allowing eight hits and five runs.
Caitlin Stone pitched 1.2 innings of relief striking out two batters while allowing a hit. Jordyn Kleman (12-1) started for the Warriors and earned the win, holding Minnesota State to one run on three hits.
Defense was the name of the game through the first three innings as neither team capitalized on chances to score, before Winona State got on the board with a homer in the fourth inning. The Warriors built on their lead with a run in the first and three runs in the sixth. In the bottom of the seventh inning the Mavericks managed to break through and score a run when
Emma Schifferle hit
Cori Kennedy home, cutting the lead to 5-1, but weren't able to keep the rally going, resulting in the loss.
Game 2
Mackenzie Ward (9-8) started the second game for the Mavericks, taking the loss despite striking out 11 batters, while allowing three runs on seven hits. Liz Pautz (7-2) started for the Warriors and earned the complete game win while striking out 13, allowing eight hits and a run.
Winona State wasted no time getting on the board getting a runner across the plate in the first on a fielders choice, but the Mavericks answered back in the third inning. With
McKenzie Paap on second,
Cori Kennedy drilled a double to right center field to tie the game at one.
The final blow was dealt in the fifth inning when the Warriors launched a two-run homer to dead center, giving them the pivotal 3-1 lead they would maintain for the win.
Kennedy finished the game going 3-4 from the plate with the scoring double and a walk to lead the way on offense for the Mavericks.
Minnesota State will remain home for a pair of weekend doubleheaders with Augustana and Wayne State Saturday and Sunday.
