Wolves Drop Three To Open Tuscon Trip

Posted on March 9, 2025 by - Sports

Tucson, AZ (NSUWolves.com) [SAT] – The Northern State University baseball team took advantage of key opportunities but ultimately came up short against Winona State, 9-7, in the opening game of their four-game series. The Wolves recorded seven runs on nine hits throughout the game. However, a powerful late-game surge from WSU, which saw them score six runs after the fifth inning, put the victory out of reach for Northern State.

THE QUICK DETAILS

Final Score: NSU 7, WSU 9

Records: NSU 2-6 (NSIC 0-5), WSU 1-11 (1-0)

 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Winona State was the first to score with one run in the top of the first
  • Northern State responded in the second with a single by Jordan Hull that scored Drew Benson
  • Dylan Soulek followed up with a single to right field that scored Hull to take the lead. On an error by the Warriors, Soulek scored to extend the lead by two runs
  • Brennan Phillips closed out the second inning with a single to left field that scored Michael Benevides, putting the Wolves ahead 4-1
  • The Warriors chipped away in the top of the third with a sacrifice fly that cut the lead in half
  • WSU added four runs over the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead, 7-4
  • In the bottom of the sixth, Nicholas Ochoa scored on a throwing error by the defense, followed by a single by Benevides that scored Soulek to trail by one
  • The Warriors extended their lead by two runs in the top of the ninth
  • On an error by WSU, Kyle Konechne scored in the bottom of the ninth to narrow the gap to two runs
  • The Wolves tallied seven runs off nine hits with one error on the day
  • Lance Behrens recorded the loss in 4.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts against 24 batters faced

NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Brennan Phillips: 2-for-4, 1 RB
  • Drew Benson: 2-for-5, 1 double
  • Nick Friedges: 1-for-2, 1 double, 1 walk
  • Jordan Hull: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run, 1 stolen bas
  • Lance Behrens: 4.1 innings pitched, 5 strikeouts

______________

Tucson, AZ (NSUWolves.com) [SUN]  – The Northern State University baseball dropped both games to Winona State in NSIC action, losing 8-5 and 4-1. In game one, the Wolves scored five runs on 13 hits, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Nicholas Ochoa and Michael Benevides in the second inning. Game two turned into a pitcher’s duel, with Braxton Kusler pitching 4.2 innings and recording seven strikeouts. On the day, NSU totaled six runs on 17 hits.

THE QUICK DETAILS

Game 1 Final Score: NSU 5, WSU 8

Game 2 Final Score: NSU 1, WSU 4

Records: NSU 2-8 (NSIC 0-7), WSU 5-1 (3-0)

 

HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1

  • Northern State was the first to score, with a sacrifice fly by Nick Fridges that brought home Dillon Castellanos in the first inning
  • Winona State responded with one run in the top of the second to tie the game
  • Nicholas Ochoa and Michael Benevides hit back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the second to give NSU a two-run lead
  • The Warriors took the lead after two scoreless innings, with three runs in the fourth
  • WSU extended their lead in the fifth and sixth innings with four more runs
  • Castellanos hit a single up the middle that scored Benevides and Ochoa to cut the deficit to 8-5
  • The Wolves recorded five runs off 13 hits with two errors
  • Carson Zimmel took the loss, pitching 4.2 innings and recording one strikeout

 

NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Dillon Castellanos: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 run, 1 double
  • Michael Benevides: 2-for-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 home run
  • Nicholas Ochoa: 2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 home run
  • Casey Vining: 2-for-4, 1 double

 

HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2

  • After a scoreless first inning, Winona State recorded two runs in the top of the second to take the lead
  • The Warriors extended their lead with two runs in the top of the fifth to go up by four
  • Kyle Konechne put the Wolves on the board with a single through the right side, scoring Nicholas Ochoa
  • Northern State tallied one run off five hits to close the game
  • Braxton Kusler took the loss, pitching 4.2 innings with seven strikeouts against 23 batters faced

 

NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Kyle Konechne: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
  • Brennan Phillips: 1-for-2, 1 walk
  • Nicholas Ochoa: 1-for-3, 1 run
  • Braxton Kusler: 4.2 innings pitched, 7 strikeouts

 

UP NEXT

Northern State closes out their four-game series against Winona State tomorrow, Monday, March 10. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. from Tucson, AZ, against the Warriors.

← Back to Sports News