Game recaps contributed by Winona State University Athletics
Edited for brevity and clarity
The Winona State Warriors (4-14) coming off of a three win weekend, took on the Bemidji State Beavers (7-13) on a double header Sunday, March 26 at Maxwell-Loughrey Field. The Warriors took game one after a six run first inning and Mitchell Stalsberg’s 10-strikeout performance led Winona State to a seven inning 8-3 victory. In the second game of the day, stranded baserunners proved costly for the Warriors as they fell 5-2 splitting the day.
Mitchell Stalsberg got the nod to take the mound as the Warriors starter in game one versus the Beavers. Derek Martin doubled to left field driving in two, bringing the first inning advantage to 6-0.
Stalsberg set down his third batter in a row on strikes to begin the second inning. Joe Kubera had the lone hit for Winona State in the second, before a ground out and a strikeout ended the inning.
By the end of the third, the Warriors had a 8-0 lead. A one out double by Ben Boser to begin the fifth inning set up Bemidji State for their first run of the contest as he stole third and advanced home on a throwing error.
Mitchell Eady took the mound with a seven-run lead in the final inning of play. A one-out single accompanied by a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Boser singled to right driving in one as Bemidji State attempted a late comeback. Left fielder Michael Hommes made a diving catch on Rumpca’s fly out scoring one more before a strikeout ended the contest at 8-3 in favor of the Warriors.
Hayden Krimmer took the mound for the Warriors in game two of the double header. After a leadoff fly out, Hommes laid out for a diving catch in left before Krimmer set down the third batter swinging.
By the second inning the Warriors were threatening with runners on first and third before a ground out ended the inning scoreless.
Bemidji State opened the third inning with a single, it led to a double, scoring the first run of the game.
Looking to get on the scoreboard, Jesus Cazares reached on an infield single with one out in the inning. Mitchell Heid followed two batters later with a two out single, putting base runners on first and second before a strikeout put an end to the scoring attempt.
Taylor Field gave Winona State a spark tripling off the right field wall to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. Two consecutive pop outs and a strikeout stranded Field on third keeping Winona State off the scoreboard.
The Warriors first two batters reached base in the bottom half with Kubera getting hit by a pitch and Cazares’ single to left field. Following a strikeout, Heid drilled a double to center scoring Kubera and advancing Cazares to third. A groundout brought Field to the plate with two outs with two on, as Stigman got the strikeout ending the inning with the score at 3-1.
Pinch hitter Sam Kohnle doubled to left center trying to keep the Warriors hopes alive before a ground out ended the contest with a 5-2 Beaver victory.
Bemidji State was able to hold the Warriors in check on Monday, March 27, beating the Warriors 6-1 and 4-2 in the afternoon twin bill. The Warriors were held to 13 hits and 2-14 hitting with runners in scoring position.
Winona State struck first, scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the second. The Beavers struck back in the top of the third, scoring three runs. The big hit, a two run homer to right field, was the first homer of the season at Maxwell-Loughrey field. Bemidji State added on two more in the fourth, increasing their lead to 5-1.
Beaver pitcher Connor McNallan continued to shut down the Warriors, holding them to three hits through five innings. The Beavers would tack on another run in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 6-1.
The Warriors were never able to get to McNallan, who earned the complete game win. In seven innings of work he struck out two and allowed just five hits. He stranded six runners and the only run he allowed was unearned.
Nathan Krause went 2-2 with a walk for Winona State. Kipp Youngquist had the lone RBI on the day, driving in Paul Mutch.
Sam Litchty put the Beavers up 1-0 with a solo shot down the line in right field with two outs in the first inning. Collin Eckman doubled the lead in the third with a homer over the wall in right field. Winona State put runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the third. Joe Kubera got Winona State on the board with a single to left field, driving in Kipp Youngquist.
After a quick fourth inning the Beavers got back on the board in the top of the fifth. A one out triple led to a RBI single, putting Bemidji State up 3-1. They would add to that lead in the sixth, scoring on a two out infield single. Winona State quickly answered back in the bottom of the inning. Cazares singled with one out and scored on Sam Kohnle’s single to right center.
Trailing 4-2 in the seventh Winona State put runners on first and second with one out. Unfortunately, the Warriors could not get another hit and stranded the runners on base. Winona State threatened again the bottom of the ninth, again putting runners on first and second with one out. Just like in the seventh the Warriors could not drive the runners in as two fly outs to right field ended the threat and the game.
