WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State baseball team had an impressive day, sweeping their doubleheader against Bemidji State University.
In the first game, the Warriors dominated with a 12-0 victory. This power move was highlighted in the seventh inning when Winona scored two additional runs, thanks to hits from Kyle Yu and Ryland Wall. They held off Bemidji State, who couldn’t manage to score, sealing a commanding win.
Game 1: Winona State 12, Bemidji State 0
The Warriors kicked off the scoring in the third inning with a single from Alex Berreth. They added three more runs in the fifth inning through singles by Jess Ondell and Josh Gullickson. By the sixth inning, Winona State had really found their rhythm, scoring six runs. Joshua Hawksford took advantage of a wild pitch to score, followed by singles from Ondell, Gullickson, and Ben Hefel. Hawksford also helped Ondell score with a sacrifice fly. Ultimately, the Warriors ended the game with two more runs in the seventh, focusing on strong batting.
Game 2: Winona State 6, Bemidji State 5
The second game was much tighter. Bemidji started strong, scoring first in the third inning with a single from Beau Thoma. Winona answered back in the fourth inning, with Gullickson tying things up. The lead bounced back and forth, but WSU regained the edge in the eighth inning thanks to aggressive plays, including an error from BSU’s pitcher and a wild ball that allowed Berreth and Ondell to cross home plate. The game came down to a nail-biting finish. In the final moments, Winona’s catcher Tyler Flis made a key play, throwing out a runner trying to steal second base, clinching a 6-5 victory.
Individual Performers:
- In the first game, Yu, Wall, and Berreth each delivered stellar performances, batting a perfect 1.000. Pierce Gritzmaker also made headlines, pitching a solid seven innings and securing six strikeouts.
- Game two showcased the talents of Yu and Gullickson again, each maintaining a 1.000 batting average. Easton Arendt took charge on the mound in this game, also pitching six innings.
Team Comparison:
- Winona State had a total of 85 plate appearances, recording 24 hits and 16 RBIs across both games.
- Bemidji State had 70 plate appearances, with 16 hits and four RBIs.
- The Warriors boasted a batting average of .531 in game one and .269 in game two, while the Beavers recorded .350 in the first game and .321 in the second.
As the Warriors gear up for their next match on March 28th, they’re looking to maintain this momentum in the final two games of their four-game series against Bemidji State.
This impressive showing reflects a larger trend in college baseball where teams are focusing on a more aggressive and dynamic style of play. Experts from the sports community note that aggressive baserunning and strong pitching are becoming crucial for success in NCAA games. According to recent stats, teams that focus on these strategies have a significantly higher win rate.
Stay tuned to see if Winona State can keep up their winning streak!
Check out this related article: Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins Face Tough Challenge in Non-Conference Doubleheader – A Tough Loss but a Bright Future!
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