By: Pete Watkins

BISMARCK, N.D. - The Winona State University baseball team faced Minot State in a must-win contest for both squads as the Warriors and Beavers both looked to battle back into contention for the 2023 NSIC Baseball Tournament title. 

Winona State had dropped their opening contest to Minnesota State by a 10-1 scoreline the evening before while Minot State had lost to Minnesota Crookston, 7-3.  In a back-and-forth game that saw WSU twice come back to tie MSU, the Warriors ultimately outlasted Minot State 8-7 in 10 innings, advancing to the third round of the competition. 

The Beavers and Warriors found themselves tied 4-4 after nine innings, with both teams held scoreless in the final two frames in regulations. However, in the tenth, WSU scored four runs in the top of the inning, only to see Minot State threaten with an offensive outburst of their own in the bottom of the same frame. After a Beaver single put the go-ahead run at the plate,  Tveite retired the final two Minot State batters for the victory. 

Jess Ondell continued his hot streak for Winona State, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Over the course of the last seven games, Ondell has gone 14-for-24 at the plate with two home runs and nine RBI. Ryland Wall added a pair of hits to the Warrior effort and led WSU with three RBI against the Beavers. 

On the mound, Justin Firpo got the Warrior start and went a solid six innings, scattering six hits and allowing three runs, all earned. Firpo struck out three Beavers and gave way to Davis Zeutzius in the sixth. Peter Tveite threw the final 3 and 1/3 innings for WSU, earning the win in relief. Tveite gave up three runs while striking out two. 

As a team, Minot State finished with seven runs on 12 hits while committing two errors. Winona State scored eight times while collecting 11 hits and were flawless in the field. 

Minot State concludes the Beaver season at 29-19 overall. Winona State moves to 23-28 on the year and 1-1 so far at the NSIC tournament. WSU will face the winner of Augustana - St. Cloud State in a Thursday, May 11 contest scheduled to start at 6 p.m.