SIOUX CENTER, Iowa - Winona State defeated the Truman State Softball team in the opener 7-1 and then needed nine innings to complete the sweep on Sunday taking game two 8-7. The Bulldogs will be back at it starting at 9:30 Monday morning against Southwest Minnesota State.
The Warriors plated runs in the first, third and fourth innings to go up 6-0 on the Bulldogs in the opener. Lily Arndt led off the fifth with a double and Emily Wood followed with a single to move Arndt to third. Cassie Smith picked up the RBI as she grounded into a fielders choice.
Winona State would get the run back on a two-out double in the sixth.
Cali Coombs went 2-for-3 as did Cameryn Patterson at the plate for the Bulldogs.
In game two, the Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead with run in the first and two in the second.
Charlotte Chelich doubled with one out in the fourth and scored on a single to right field off the bat of Patterson.
Winona grabbed a 5-1 lead on a two-out triple that scored two in the sixth.
The Bulldogs got a clutch two out double from Madi McCarty in their half of the sixth after they had loaded the bases.
Down two and in their final at bat, Cassie Smith led off the seventh with a double and Chelich brought her in with a single to left. Wood followed with a base hit and moved the tying run to second. Patterson was then drilled by a pitch to load the bases with one out.
After a strikeout, Abbie Danchus watched four straight pitches out of the zone to draw the game-tying bases on balls.
In the eighth, the Warriors were able to push across a run to take the lead. However the Winona State couldn't seal the deal as their pitching staff issued three straight walks with one out to load the bases.
Wood grounded out to first but scored Smith to level the score at six each, unfortunatly Patterson ground out leaving the runners in scoring position.
With no one on and two outs in the top of the ninth, a walk followed by a double led to two runs for Winona State to take an 8-6 lead.
The Bulldogs would fight back again with Brooke Nutter connecting on a lead-off single and Danchus following with a double. McCarty brought the 'Dogs closer with an RBI groundout and moved the tying run to third.
After fouling off three straight pitches, Breianna Klein hit a ball to the right side and Winona State came home for the play at the plate and was able to get Danchus out.
Smith, Chelich and Patterson all collected two hits in the second game and McCarty drove in three runs.
Game statistics will be posted when available.
