Winona State University’s baseball team faced a rough patch this week after an alteration to their schedule when the weather took hold of the field and made for difficult playing conditions.  

The three-game series against Concordia St. Paul would conclude with the Warriors going 1-1 against the Golden Bears.  

After winning the game one matchup 17-13, game two was suspended due to darkness and unfortunately resulted in a loss for Winona State as Concordia was leading 16-12 at the time the game was suspended. Game three between the two teams was canceled.  

Traveling to Wayne State, the Warriors would earn a split at their next pair of NSIC games.  

In game one, Peyton Lee allowed just two runs in his first six innings of work. Wayne State was able to plate two runs in the second inning, but Lee scattered just two hits through the next four innings.  

Dane Weiland hit a solo shot over the left field fence in the third inning, claiming the only run scored in the game for Winona State. 

Heading into the final inning, the Warriors trailed 1-2 before the Wildcats scored seven runs and held on for the landslide win at 9-1. 

Despite this loss, the team is improving with every game they play with one another.  

“The last five years, they’ve kind of taken a slight dip, which is not necessarily a setback, but just not the level that I think we should be at,” Head Coach Seth Wing said. “Were taking some of the stat lines from last year as a team and improving each statistical category, taking a step forward in them.” 

With communication, a good attitude and strong work ethics both on and off the field, during practice or in games, the team always puts their all into every matchup and can often turn a short losing streak into one of victories.  

In game two, the Warriors demonstrated such ability and turned their luck around as Mason Trocke scored the first run after Ryland Wall grounded into a fielder’s choice. Steele Beatty then scored after Joshua Hawksford reached on Wildcat error.  

Winona State then tagged on another three points in the fourth inning on a Cooper Kapanke double which drove in Trocke and then a Wall single to lead Beautty and Kapanke home. 

Pierce Gritzmaker started on the mound for Winona State and Peter Tveite came on in relief in the second inning. He would pitch six innings and allow three unearned runs on eight hits while striking out three batters, earning the win. 

Wayne State scored three unearned runs in the seventh inning, but that would end the scoring in the ballgame as the Warriors held on to snag the 6-5 win. 

“The goal for this team is to win a conference championship,” Kapanke said. “We haven’t had a super-hot start to the year, but I think we all believe in the talent that we have and the work we’ve put in for months now.”  

Such a goal is certainly within their grasp, as Winona State now sits at 19-20 overall and 15-9 within the NSIC.  

The team will leave home once again next week, to face Minnesota State University – Mankato for a doubleheader, then to Upper Iowa University to finish up the week with another three-game series where they will hopefully secure a few more wins.