Erin Cochran/Winonan
The Winona State University men’s baseball team is currently split with wins and losses at 3-3 from their debut at Mall of America Field.
At the season-opener against Augustana, the Warriors lost both games falling 11-7 in game one and 4-3 in game two.
In game one, the Warriors were behind in the fifth inning 9-1 but with three consecutive singles and loaded bases, no outs, Derek Wojcik brought in the first runner followed by Kyle Sill to bring the score to 9-4.
In the bottom of the fifth, Augustana got two more hits to take a lead by seven. The Warriors continued their fight and in the sixth they scored three more times to attempt a late rally.
Ultimately, a taken base by Seth McMullen, two runners batted in and a Wojcik RBI single brought the final score to 11-7.
In game two, the Warriors gave up a run in the first and second innings but gained them back in the fourth after scoring three times, taking a 3-2 lead. Ben Sebesta brought home McMullen on a double. Ben Weeks had a two-run home run to keep the Warriors on top.
A RBI single by an Augustana player solidified their victory.
Tyler Zumla pitched the first four innings and Scott Freiburger finished the last three.
The Warriors split the Saturday, Feb. 16 games against Minnesota State Mankato, falling 0-14 in game one and winning game two 3-0.
In the game one loss of 0-14, the Warriors had just three hits: Tyler Nehring, Sill and Brett Young hit singles.
In game two, McMullen hit a solo home run to left-center field to open up the first inning. Jordan Plamann added another in the fourth and scored on RBI single by Lucas Crimmins.
The victory came in the fifth as Brett Young brought home Sill on a running base hit.
The doubleheader on February 24 against Wisconsin-Parkside brought home two wins to split the wins and losses total to 3-3.
In game one, Tyler Zemla picked up his first victory at the mound while Chase Blazier moved his pitching record to 2-0.
The first run didn’t come until the fourth inning as Ryan Ledvina scored on an error by Wisconsin-Parkside. Four more runs were added in the seventh by a Wojcik double, followed by a single by Cody Strang and a single by Wasilik. Plamann brought home the 5-0 victory on a two-run double.
This week, McMullen was named to the 2013 Tino Martinez Award Watch List. This award is given to the top player in NCAA Division II baseball.
In the preseason, McMullen was named 2013 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year after he hit .360 with 49 RBIs and nine home runs last season. He also claimed all-region, all-conference and All-American selections as the Warriors went to their third consecutive NCAA Regional Tournament.
Last season the Warriors went 29-22 and in the past two seasons they went 71-40 with head coach Kyle Poock leading.
The Warriors are 3-3 overall and will return to action in Winter Haven, Fla. as they take on Grand Valley State March 6.
The team will be in Florida until March 10 and they will return to Mall of America Field March 16 for a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul. The first home games will be March 23 against the Bemidji State Beavers with the first pitch scheduled for noon.
Contact Erin at [email protected].
