Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Midland batters combined for 27 hits in a GPAC softball doubleheader on Tuesday night (April 8) as the Warriors swept Nebraska Wesleyan in scores of 11-6 and 8-5 at University Place Park.

NWU drops to 10-12 overall, 1-5 in GPAC play and remains winless at home this season with an 0-6 record.

Midland starting pitcher Sammy Hislop held NWU to only three hits in the opening game, but the Prairie Wolves were still within one run heading into the 6th inning.  The Warriors jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after two innings.  In the 3rd inning, Betsy Reimer drew a two out walk.  She then stole second base, went to third base on an errant throw by the catcher and advanced home on an error by the outfielder throwing the ball back to the infield.  NWU also scored in the 4th inning without putting the ball in play as Madi Francis walked, moved to second on an infield single, went to third on a sacrifice and scored on a wild pitch.

The Prairie Wolves allowed a run in the top of the 5th inning to make the score 5-2, but they quickly regained momentum in the bottom of the inning.  The first two batters reached base then Rachel Kubik singled up the middle to drive in Hunter Bailey.  Francis was the next batter and hit a pop fly into shallow left field.  The second baseman made the play, but Kayla Randel tagged up and scored on the play.  NWU had the tying run on third base but she was stranded there.

Midland then opened the game up with six runs on six hits in the top of the 6th inning.  NWU did load the bases in the bottom of the inning with three straight walks and was able to plate two runs.

Hislop limited the Prairie Wolves to only three hits and struck out 10 batters, but did walk eight batters.  Hunter Bailey, Kassie Knauss and Rachel Kubik recorded singles for the NWU hits.  Megan Cottier took the loss allowing 13 hits and 11 runs (7 earned) in six innings.

NWU opened up a 3-0 lead in the second game of the doubleheader.   Reimer singled, stole second and scored on a single by Francis in the bottom of the 1st to put the Prairie Wolves up 1-0.  In the 2nd inning, Kayla Randel hit a long double deep in the left field corner to drive in two runs and put the Prairie Wolves ahead 3-0.

Midland's hitters caught fire in the 3rd inning as they strung together five hits and plated four runs to retake the lead.  NWU answered in the 4th inning with Randel getting an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.  Betsy Reimer doubled and Rachel Kubik was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out, but the Prairie Wolves couldn't take the lead.

The Warriors scored two runs in the 5th and two more in the 6th as they continued their hot hitting at the plate.  NWU tried to mount a late rally in the 7th as Kubik led off with a triple and scored on a single by Nicole Belfiore, but that was all they could score.

NWU finished with nine total hits as Randel, Reimer and Belfiore each had two hits.  Randel drove in three runs and Belfiore got her first RBI of the year.  Marissa Garver took the loss on the mound allowing 13 hits and six earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The Prairie Wolves are right back in action on Wednesday as they travel to Sioux City, Iowa to play Morningside College in a makeup game.