Box Score

MARSHALL, MINN.: Winona State held off a late rally to defeat No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State 4-1 on Sunday in Marshall to win the NSIC Tournament.  The win gives WSU the automatic bid to the regional tournament.  Southwest drops to 38-10 overall, while Winona is now 35-13.

Winona has held hitless by SMSU's Sara Silke for 4.1 innings, but the Warriors finally strung together two hits in the fifth inning, but were unable to score.  However, the Warriors got on the board in the sixth when Jenny Wilmes ripped a two-run double down the left field line to make the score 2-0.  WSU led 4-0 after a two-out, two-run single by Chelsea Rosenow in the seventh.

SMSU did not go away quietly.  Kiley Petersen led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk against WSU starter Chelsey Ewing, followed by a single from Amanda Opatz.  Freshman Kristen Braden followed with a double down the right field line to score pinch runner Katie Turner.  The Warriors went to the bullpen and Kristen Fossell, who struck out the next two batters.  Erin Dickhausen ripped a line drive to the outfield, but left fielder Mollie Bjelland made a diving catch to end the game.

For SMSU, Silke pitched all seven innings to take the loss.

Braden led the Mustangs offensively with two hits.  Seniors Dickhausen and Opatz closed out their careers in Marshall with one hit each.

Amanda Burkhart and Amanda Tucci were both named to the all-tournament team.  Burkhart was 9-for-16 (.563 average) in five games in the tournament, with six RBI, three doubles and two runs scored.  Tucci went 5-for-14 (.357 average) at the plate, with two runs batted in, one double and one run scored.

SMSU will find out tonight what seed it will get in the upcoming regional tournament, to be held this week in Emporia, Kan.  The Mustangs entered the week ranked first in the region.