SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 14 Winona State softball team used a three-run sixth inning to rally past Sioux Falls and post a 4-2 win Thursday afternoon in WSU's opening game of the NSIC/US Bank Tournament at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls.

The Warriors – the No. 2 seed in the tournament – entering the bottom the sixth found themselves down 2-1 to the ninth-seeded Cougars, a team that upset No. 8 seed St. Cloud State earlier in the day to face WSU in the double-elimination tournament.

But Winona State was able to push across the three runs in the inning, as Natalie Kalmes got things started with a one-out single to left field. Allyson O'Herron in the next at-bat brought Kalmes to third with a double to left center. After Jamee Schleis was hit by a pitch, the Warriors had the bases loaded with their biggest threat of the game.

After Lexi Perez reached on a fielder's choice and Kalmes was out at the plate, the Warriors had two outs in the inning and still had not pushed across a run. But WSU caught a break in the following at-bat when Reed Karsten hit a ball to second base that was misfielded by Sioux Falls second baseman Erin Scott allowing pinch runner Shannon Nelson and Schleis to score what would be the game winner. In the next at-bat, senior Ashley Walker gave the Warriors some breathing room, tacking on an insurance run with a single through the left side to score Perez and make it 4-2.

Hanna Lythberg (21-7) earned the win in the circle in relief of starter Ashley Walker. Lythberg tossed 3.2 innings, while giving up just two hits and striking out six Cougars. Walker, despite the quick hook, struck out four batters and gave up five hits and one earned run in 3.1 innings pitched.

The Cougars scored first, getting an unearned run in the top of the first when a throwing error by Lexi Perez allowed USF's Scott to score from third. The Cougars then made it 2-0 in the fourth on an RBI single by Leah Husemoen before Lythberg would enter and shut down the Sioux Falls offense.

Freshman third baseman Jamee Schleis cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double to center field – her second double and sixth RBI of the season – that scored Kalmes.

Karsten finished the day 3-for-4, while Kalmes was 3-for-3 with a run scored.

Winona State (43-12) is back in action Friday against No. 3 seed Minnesota State – which beat Upper Iowa 3-1 Thursday – for a noon first pitch at Sherman Park.