LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Wesleyan stranded the game-tying run at third base in the top of the 9th inning as the Prairie Wolves held on for a 6-5 victory over Bethany College in the home opener for NWU baseball on Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 2).

Bethany loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 9th inning when NWU turned to senior Pete Sitorius.  Sitorius moved to pitcher from third base and struck out Randy Ventura for the first out.  He then got a ground ball to second to record the final out of the game as he picked up the save.

NWU trailed 3-0 headed to the bottom of the 4th inning when the Prairie Wolves got the bats going.  Sam Ayars got a bunt single and scored on a double by Sitorius.  Two batters later, Mark Korsakas sent a high fly ball over the center field fence for a 3-run home run to give NWU the 4-3 lead.

Bethany regained the lead with two runs in the 5th inning, but NWU would make a comeback once again.  Jame McKain singled to open the inning, then Ayars got another bunt hit to put two runners on.  Sitorius singled through the right side to drive in one run, then an errant throw by the outfielder allowed Ayars to score from first.

Neither team scored the final three innings as the Prairie Wolves earned their second win of the year.

Brody Murphy earned the victory on the mound to improve to 2-0.  Murphy came in to pitch 4 1/3 innings of relief allowing two earned runs with three strikeouts.  Jordyn Johnson started for NWU and went four innings allowing three runs on five hits.

Pete Sitorius finished 2-3 with two RBI and got the save on the pitching mound.  Sam Ayards went 3-4 with two runs scored.

NWU will now be off until their spring break trip to Florida.