Winona State University (28-13) used a four run eighth and a two run ninth inning to defeat Concordia University (30-12) 11-6 on Friday afternoon in the NSIC tournament semifinals in Wayne, Neb.

What started out as a pitcher's duel turned out to be a high scoring affair with the Warriors bats doing the most damage down the stretch. Winona State scored 10 of their 11 runs from the sixth through ninth innings while the Bears' four run seventh was not enough to fend off the second-seeded Warriors.

Trailing 1-0 after four innings, Matt Borman socked a bases-loaded two-run double down the right field line to put Concordia on top. The two-bagger scored Jake Schmidt, who pinch ran for John Maciej after a leadoff single, and Derek Mason, who walked. With Borman on second and Greg Winegarden, who reached on a bunt single to third, on third base with no outs, the Bears were unable to put any more runs on the board.

Concordia carried the 2-1 lead through five innings behind starter Blake Devries, who shut WSU down in the early going, scattering five singles and surrendering just one unearned run while mowing down three Warriors.

But WSU manufactured two runs in the sixth to reclaim their one run lead, 3-2.

The Bears responded by sending 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the inning, pushing four runs across led by a two run single to right by Mason Reinhart. But they stranded the bases loaded to end the inning, once again leaving valuable runs on base.

The Bears led 6-3 after six innings and the Warriors scored two more off of Devries in the seventh, cutting it to a one run game, chasing Devries from the contest.

He finished seven innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Borman relieved Devries for the eighth inning and took the loss, giving up four runs on four hits with one walk while retiring just two Warriors to fall to 7-2.

Winona State added a two run home run in the ninth to put the exclamation point on their late inning victory, advancing the Warriors to the NSIC Championship.

The Bears continue to compete in the double-elimination tournament and take on Wayne State immediately following their 11-6 loss to the Warriors. The Wayne State/Concordia winner moves to the NSIC Championship to take on Winona State tomorrow at noon.

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