Spencer Ellingson / Winonan

Due to the snowstorm last week, the Winona State University baseball team had to play its home opener at its opponent’s ball field, where the Warriors lost all three games to the University of Minnesota Crookston.

The Warriors struggled in a weekend that never reached above 40 degrees.

“Yeah, it was cold,” Winona State head coach Kyle Poock said. “But [Crookston] had to play in it as well.”

Winona State lost 4-2 in a seven inning game on Thursday before falling 6-5 in nine innings in the nightcap.

In the opener, the Golden Eagles recorded four runs in the third inning before using an RBI single in the eighth inning to win the second game after the score was tied 5-5.

The Warriors second game on Friday was canceled due to weather.

The Warriors were disappointed that they did not get a chance at the final game.

“It would have been nice to get another shot at them.” senior Tyler Nerhing said. “But we just need to move on.”

On Friday afternoon, they lost 8-7 in a game that went extra innings.

After being shutout the first five innings, the Warriors scored seven runs in four innings to force extra innings in the final game.

Nerhing got the Warriors on the board in the sixth inning with a two-run double.

Sophomore Taylor Field had the solo run in the sixth inning on a home run to left center field.

The Warriors racked up two more runs in the eighth including Nehring’s third RBI of the game.

Junior Jesus Cazares completed the seven-run comeback with a two run home run in the ninth inning.

Sophomore Josh Nielsen and senior Mitch Voter combined for three shutout innings to help the Warriors come back.

The Warriors were able to load the bases in the bottom of the tenth with two outs. However, they were unable to score.

Voter was credited with the loss after giving up the game-winning single in the top of the tenth inning.

The Warriors started from behind in their first game on Thursday as well.

They allowed two home runs in the third inning including a three run home run to deep left field.

The Warriors attempted to make a comeback in the fourth inning, scoring two runs, including a solo home run by Voter.

The Golden Eagles got the game-winning run on a two out single after junior Andrew Geislinger committed an error to allow the winning run to get into scoring position.

The Warriors were unable to make a comeback the last two innings, striking out five times in six at bats to end the game.

Cazares said the game was close all the way through.

“It was a fun and thrilling game,” Cazares said, “We just couldn’t get the outs when we needed them and that was the story of the weekend.”

The Warriors were disappointed dropping all three games in their conference opener.

“Its hard getting pumped up for the home opener,” Cazares said, “and than having to travel but that’s no excuse we need to play a full game.”

Winona State (3-13) will play its home opener this weekend when it faces the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday at noon.