SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State, ranked No. 8 in the latest Top 25 national poll, showed why it’s one of the top teams in the country by sweeping Southwest Minnesota State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball on Friday by scores of 12-4 and 8-2.

The games were scheduled to be played in Marshall, but were moved to Sherman Park in Sioux Falls because of poor field conditions.

WSU improves to 26-4 overall, 5-1 NSIC, and has now won 22 straight over SMSU dating back to the 2009 season. SMSU drops to 6-15 overall, 1-5 NSIC.

In the opener, SMSU jumped on the board in the home half of the first as Abbie Decker walked and moved to second on a one-out single by Emma Grote. Bailey Johnson then laced an RBI single to center to score Decker and give SMSU a 1-0 advantage.

WSU took the lead in the fourth, taking advantage of an SMSU error, to score four runs (two earned) on two hits and build a 4-1 lead.

SMSU rallied back and tied the game in the fourth inning taking advantage of three walks and two wild pitches by WSU relief pitcher Jaida Reynen. Mackenzie Clouse started the rally and then a pair of walks loaded the bases. Decker cut the deficit to 4-2 with a ground out, before a pair of wild pitches scored two more runs to tie the score at 4.

The game wasn’t tied for long as the Warriors used a two-run home run from a Rylee Stout and a three-run home run from Katie Schlegel in the top of the sixth to help propel an eight-run inning off of nine hits.

Grote led SMSU’s five-hit offense with a 2 for 3 performance.

Shelby Crank started in the circle for SMSU and pitched the first four innings and earning a no-decision before being relieved by Athena Golling (3-5) to start the fifth inning. Crank re-entered the game after two batters in the fifth and finished the game tossing 4 1/3 innings and allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight eights. Megan Cull also pitched in the fifth inning for the Mustangs.

In game two, the Warriors scored two runs on three hits in the first and then added four runs-including a three-run homer-in the fourth to build a 6-0 lead.

SMSU cut into the lead as Kaylee Hentges smashed a two-run home run over the left-centerfield fence making the score 6-2. It was Hentges’ second home run this season.

WSU picked the two runs right back in the top of the fifth with a two-run home run to build back a six-run lead.

Cull (0-6) tossed the complete for SMSU in the circle, allowing eight runs on nine hits with six strikeouts.

Hentges finished 2 for 3 to pace SMSU’s six-hit offense.

Southwest Minnesota State returns to action on Thursday with a doubleheader versus Concordia-St. Paul at the West St. Paul Dome in West St. Paul. The games were scheduled to be played at CSP.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications