Winona State Softball Sweeps Minot State in Weekend Road Trip

The Warriors remain undefeated in conference play with a dominant doubleheader performance.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a softball game, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, gold, and crimson colors overlapping to create a sense of movement and energy on the field.Winona State's dominant doubleheader sweep over Minot State showcases the Warriors' well-rounded offensive and defensive prowess as they remain undefeated in conference play.Winona Today

The Winona State University softball team swept the Minot State Beavers in a doubleheader, winning the first game 8-4 and the second game 10-2. The Warriors, who are now 29-4 overall and 8-0 in conference play, were led by strong pitching performances and timely hitting throughout the two games.

Why it matters

Winona State's dominant sweep over Minot State keeps the Warriors undefeated in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play, solidifying their position atop the standings. The team's success on the road also demonstrates their ability to win in tough environments as they continue their push towards the postseason.

The details

In the first game, Winona State jumped out to an early lead thanks to a two-RBI double from Ava Smith. The Warriors then added runs in the middle innings, including an RBI walk from Lila McNeill and a two-RBI single from Bryn Elsenpeter. Elsenpeter also hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to provide additional insurance. In the second game, the Warriors scored in every inning, led by RBI hits from Whitley Wischmeier, Elsenpeter, and Jaden Johnson, as well as a solo home run from Hannah Soderbeck.

  • The doubleheader sweep took place on March 29, 2026.
  • Winona State's next games will be a doubleheader against Southwest Minnesota State on April 3, 2026.

The players

Izzy Howe

The Winona State pitcher who started the first game, striking out four batters in two innings pitched.

Ashley Theisen

The Winona State pitcher who came in relief and secured the win in the first game.

Ava Smith

The Winona State player who hit a two-RBI double in the first inning of the first game to give the Warriors an early lead.

Bryn Elsenpeter

The Winona State player who hit a two-RBI single in the first game and a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Jayda Berg

The Winona State pitcher who threw all seven innings in the second game, striking out three batters without any walks.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong this weekend and take care of business on the road. I'm really proud of how the team performed and kept their focus throughout both games.”

— Winona State Head Coach

What’s next

Winona State will face Southwest Minnesota State in a doubleheader on April 3, 2026 as they look to continue their undefeated conference run.

The takeaway

Winona State's dominant sweep of Minot State on the road keeps the Warriors undefeated in NSIC play and positions them as a top contender in the conference. Their ability to score runs in bunches and get strong pitching performances demonstrates their well-rounded team that will be tough to beat as the season progresses.