Kilat Fitzgerald / Winonan

The Winona State University softball team showed its ability to bounce back after opening losses in all three doubleheader matchups with wins to salvage a split during their six-game homestand.

The day started out with the Warriors facing off against Minnesota State University, Mankato in a pitcher’s duel that was evenly matched until the 10th inning.

The Mavericks were the ones to make the only run of the game, which was scored on a bases- loaded walk issued by senior Hanna Lythberg.

The pitchers made worthy adversaries for each other throughout the first match.

Lythberg scattered six hits in 10 innings while striking out four and walking five, while Mavericks’ Coley Ries struck out 24 batters and allowed three walks.

Tuesday’s second game allowed the Warriors to successfully launch an offense against the Mavericks when they took victory with a score of 3-1.

Senior hitter Natalie Kalmes busted out a two-run home run during the first inning.

A Maverick RBI double was recorded in the fourth but this was answered by sophomore Jamee Schleis bringing back the Warriors by two during the fifth inning.

“They’re a very good program,” Lythberg said regarding the Mavericks. “Every game with them is a tight one. Kind of let them know they’re not going to walk all over us. I’m very excited, especially since it’s our senior weekend. We’re looking pretty good.”

On Saturday, the Warriors celebrated senior day, with Winona State graduating five players.

Warrior head coach Greg Jones said the seniors have made a lasting impact on the team.

“Seniors are a really important part of this program,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of people leaving that can’t be replaced.”

The Warriors then faced off against Minnesota State University, Moorhead on Saturday, splitting another doubleheader.

The first game went to the opposing Dragons, who pulled ahead with three runs against the Warriors’ two.

In the bottom of the seventh, with the Warriors behind 3-1, sophomore Mariah Schultz started things off by lining a deep double over the center fielder’s head, putting a runner in position to score.

Schultz scored on a Schleis single down the right field line following back-to-back strikeouts. A groundout by sophomore Paige Keegan ended the comeback hopes for Winona State.

The Warriors returned in game two to defeat the Moorhead Dragons 3-0.

In the first inning, Kalmes’ sacrifice fly scored senior Reed Karsten for the first run of the game. In the same inning, first-year Lani Van Zyl brought in Schleis with an RBI single to left field to make it 2-0.

Keegan was responsible for the final score when she allowed Karsten to score again, and set the board at 3-0 where it stayed until the end.

Sunday’s doubleheader followed the same pace, with the first game being met with defeat before swinging back in the next.

Game one had the Warriors on the losing end of a 7-0 score.

Schleis said the team’s ability to respond after defeat was important.

“It was very crucial that we make a comeback after the first game,” Schleis said. “We got a better approach, it’s all about adjustments.”

Game two had the Warriors back on their feet with a 6-2 win. Schultz and junior Jordan Petersen followed up a leadoff flyout with back-to-back singles before Karsten walked to load the bases.

Schleis used this setup to coax a walk to tie the game 2-2.

That was all the scoring the Wolves recorded that day, with the Warriors walked out with the win after four more runs.

“We needed to stick our spikes in the ground,” Jones said. “ I was really happy with their decision.”

Winona State (29-14 overall) will host Augustana University on Wednesday for another doubleheader at 3 p.m. before heading to the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University over the weekend.