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EMPORIA, Kan. — The remarkable postseason run for the Winona State University softball team ended Sunday on the doorstep of the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament.
Top-seeded Emporia State defeated the No. 6-seeded Warriors 9-1 in five innings in the North Central Regional tournament championship at Turnbull Field.
The No. 6 nationally-ranked Hornets advance to the eight-team national tournament for the second time in three years. The Warriors ended their season as Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament champions and regional tournament runner-ups in the deepest postseason run in program history.
“That’s something we talked about afterward,” WSU coach Greg Jones said, “to not let one game reflect what a great season and great postseason we had. We had a tremendous year.”
WSU (38-15) led briefly, 1-0, after freshman Mollie Bjelland hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the second inning. The Warriors ended the inning with three hits but were held to one run and left runners on first and third. WSU didn’t have a
hit the rest of the way, finishing with three hits and no walks.
ESU (44-15) responded with the tying run in the bottom of the second. The Hornets then put up four runs in both the third and fourth innings to put the Warriors away.
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Miranda Campbell hit a two-run home run in the third inning and a grand slam in the fourth to lead the Hornets. Campbell finished 2-for-3 with home runs No. 16 and 17 and six RBIs.
“She just had one of those tournaments where she had everything going,” Jones said. “And today was no different. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap.”
ESU left fielder Jessie Wiard went 3-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, while shortstop April Huddleston went 2-for-3 with two doubles.
WSU had its hands full with ESU starter Samantha Sheeley, who pitched a complete game with two strikeouts and no walks to defeat the Warriors for the second time in as many days at the regional tournament. Sheeley pitched a one-hit shutout against the Warriors on Saturday.
Senior right-hander Kristen Fossell started for the Warriors and was roughed up for five hits and five runs (four earned) and lifted after 2 2/3 innings. Freshman Stacey Struzynski came on in relief and was tagged for four runs while recording just one out.
Fossell, Bjelland and freshman designated player Annie Stuedemann represented the Warriors on the all-tournament team.
ESU led all teams with seven players on the all-tournament team, including Wiard, Huddleston, Sheeley and Campbell.
“We’re really excited about where we are,” Jones said. “Not only as a young team, but to have that kind of experience, one game away for the College World Series, and know where we want to go. To have our nucleus coming back is a big thing for us.”
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