Winona State University maintained a position for a potential postseason berth, after gathering two wins in their weekend series with Sioux Falls at Loughrey Field.

The Warriors lost the opener of the three-game series to the Cougars, 7-4, and bounced back the following game with a walk-off by junior outfielder Chad Herbst in the bottom of the ninth to give Winona State the win 7-6.

In game one the Cougars got the best of the Warriors, losing 7-4.

Sioux Falls came out of the gate putting up the first run of the game.

In the bottom of the second, Winona State responded with four runs started off by junior outfielder Andrew Pliner three-run homer.

Junior catcher Nick Nalewanski made a sacrifice fly to center field, which brought sophomore first base Austin Savary home pushing the score to 4-1.

However, Sioux Falls would go on a tear for the rest of the game bringing in six unanswered runs to win the game.

In game two, the Cougars carried their momentum from the first game, as they came out and scored 3 runs to end the second inning.

In the third inning, Winona State evened up the score when sophomore infielder Zach Stange brought in first-year catcher Derek Baumgartner, and junior first basemen Sam Kohnle had an RBI single to center field bringing Stange home. This was all followed by a Herbst RBI that brought in sophomore infielder Tanner Williams.

The Cougars ran the score up to 6-3 within the fifth inning off of a couple of RBI singles but, Winona State would make a comeback.

The rally started with a two-run home by Williams run that helped Stange get his second run of the game. Then another home run that was blasted by first-year outfield Mitchell Seager to make the game 6-6.

In the ninth inning Herbst hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Stange home and give Winona State the walk off win.

Senior pitcher Parker Holmstrom struck out five batters and gave up zero runs over four innings played in relief.

In the last game of the weekend series, which celebrated the seniors of the team, the Warriors took the last game over the Cougars 6-4.

The game started very slow through the first five innings, but Sioux Falls got the ball rolling in the top of sixth, scoring four runs.

Eventually, Winona State got off of the ground, scoring three runs off of Seager’s double to left field, which sent Nalewanski home.

Junior shortstop Derek Martin singled to right field, advancing Stange and pushed Loomis and Seager home making it a 4-3 affair.

In the eighth inning, Stange brought Seager and Nalewanski in for the score and Martin singled through the left side bringing Loomis in for the score and ending the game at 6-4 Winona State.

The Warriors will look to carry the momentum of the series win against Concordia University, St. Paul, who they play Wednesday, May 1 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at home.