FREMONT, Neb. -- Nebraska Wesleyan assured themselves of playing on day two of the 2015 GPAC Softball Tournament as they opened the tournament with a 11-4 victory over Hastings College on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 29) in Fremont, Neb.  NWU now advances to play the winner of the game between No. 2 seed Midland and No. 7 seed Concordia.

NWU put together two big innings to put the game away.  Trailing 1-0 heading into the 2nd inning, the Prairie Wolves strung together six runs in the top of the 2nd on just two hits.

The Prairie Wolves took advantage of three walks and a hit batter and used some key baserunning to score the runs.  Betsy Reimer hit an RBI single and Rachel Kubik walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run.  The big hit was a 2-run single by Brittany Gentry.

NWU kept the foot on the peddle in the 3rd inning as they scored four more runs to go up 10-1.  In the 3rd, the Prairie Wolves took advantage of two Hastings errors to score three unearned runs.  Betsy Reimer hit another RBI single and Gentry walked with the bases loaded to allow another run to score.

The game appeared to be ready to end after five innings due to the run rule but Hastings put together a two-our rally.  Anna Gerhard hit a three-run double for the Broncos to make the score 11-4 and extend the game.  That was the only damage Hastings would get as the game ended 11-4.

Marisa Garver got the complete game victory for NWU allowing four earned runs on seven hits.

NWU finished with eight total hits, all singles.  Reimer led the way going 3-5 with two RBI and a stolen base.  Gentry finished 2-2 with three RBI while Kassie Knauss also had two hits.

With the win, the Prairie Wolves are secured to play on day two of the GPAC Tournament that will continue at Fremont.