WINONA, Minn. – The No. 20 Winona State softball team set a program record with its 18th consecutive victory, earning 11-0 and 6-0 wins over Bemidji State Friday in Winona.

WSU starting pitchers Ashley Walker and Hanna Lythberg combined to allow just three hits in the sweep, with Walker giving up one and Lythberg two as the Warriors moved to 38-6 overall and 21-3 in NSIC play.

The victories allowed the Warriors to break the previous school record of 17 consecutive wins set in 2002.

Walker was in command in the opener, giving up just a single hit in four innings of work while striking out nine. The junior did not allow a run in the game, moving her record to 14-4 on the year.

The Warriors were able to put one run on the board in the bottom of the first with Ashley Walker singling to score Reed Karsten who had reached on an error.
Walker was able to score again in the third inning, hitting a double and then crossing home plate on a passed ball to make the WSU lead 2-0.

Winona State's third run of the game came in the fourth inning, with Allyson O'Herron leading off the frame with a single. Shannon Nelson pinch ran for O'Herron and moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Kullmann down the third base line. Nelson was able to make her way to third base with no BSU player covering the bag and scored on an errant throw.

That was just the beginning for the Warriors in the inning, as the team went on to score eight more runs to move its lead to 11-0. Karsten sent WSU's next run home on a fly ball with Walker plating two with her second double of the game. Morgan Lintz, Mary Turitto and O'Herron had consecutive RBI singles as well to stretch the lead to 9-0. Natalie Kalmes finished the offensive explosion for the Warriors, recording a two-run single to plate Turitto and O'Herron.

The Warriors were able to collect 12 hits in the opener, with Walker going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles. Brooke Piotrowski and O'Herron also posted a pair of hits to lead the team's offensive output.

Lythberg struck out six while pushing her record to 19-2 on the season in game two. She carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, scattering just two hits in her complete game shutout.

Winona State was able to put its first run on the board in the third inning of game two, with Evie Schaller hitting a single off the fence in left field to score Lintz.

The Warriors would cross the plate five more times in the sixth inning to move the score to its 6-0 final. Shannon Nelson singled and was driven home by Karsten's single to start things in the inning. Walker followed with another double to plate Karsten while Lintz singled to drive home two more. O'Herron finished the scoring for WSU with a RBI single to center field.

WSU was able to post 13 hits in game two, with O'Herron recording singles in three of her four at bats. Karsten, Walker, Lintz and Schaller added a pair of hits to lead the Warrior cause.

Winona State will close its regular season Saturday with a 12 pm doubleheader against Minnesota Crookston.