Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - Winona State gunned down Southwest Minnesota State at the plate to get the final out of the game and complete a 3-2 comeback to take the 2009 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament championship Saturday afternoon in Marshall, Minn.

WSU improves to 44-11, while SMSU drops to 32-21.

SMSU now must wait for the NCAA to announce bids for the upcoming Central Region tournament.  Despite winning the NSIC regular season title, the Mustangs have yet to crack the Central Region rankings this season.  The top eight-ranked teams in in the final regional ranking will receive a bid.  The announcement is expected to be made tomorrow afternoon.

Stacy Stuzynski worked a complete game on the mound for the Warriors, giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out 10.  She improves to 22-5.

Sara Silke also went a complete game for SMSU in the loss, allowing four hits and striking out four.  She drops to 5-6 on the year.

The Mustangs held onto a 2-0 advantage heading into the sixth inning.  SMSU posted one run in both the first and third innings, the first coming when Kristin Braden scored on an error by WSU right fielder Terra Halron and the second on an Amanda Tucci single that scored Meaghan Laetsch.

It was an inside-the-park home run that allowed the Warriors to take a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning.  Halron sent a ball deep into left field where Laetsch made a diving attempt at the catch but was off the mark.  Halron took advantage of a recovering Laetsch and managed to beat out the throw to home.

Struzynkski retired SMSU in order in the bottom half of the inning to retain the lead.

WSU went scoreless in the top of the seventh and give the Mustangs a one-run deficit to work from.

Kiley Peterson got things going immediately for SMSU when she singled from her lead-off spot.  Seibring entered to pitch run for the designated player.  A sacrifice bunt by Andrea Fennern next moved Seibring, the tying run, to second base.  Struzynski got Jessica Pacsoza looking on the ensuing batter, giving Laetsch a shot to drive in the tying run.  The junior delivered, slapping a single to center field.  Seibring was waved home, and the throw from center field was on the money, giving WSU the final out of the contest.

Halron finished 1 for 3 with three RBIs for WSU.

Laetsch was 2 for 4 for the Mustangs; Tucci had the lone SMSU RBI.