SIOUX CENTER, Iowa -- It came down to the last pitch of both games and in the end it was Dordt College that swept past Nebraska Wesleyan in the GPAC softball opening doubleheader for both teams.

The Defenders won the first game, 1-0, in eight innings then used a six-run 6th inning to earn a 6-5 victory in the nightcap.

Neither team scored through the first seven innings of the opening game.  NWU was retired in order in the first five innings until they had a threat in the 6th inning.  Maddy Ethen opened the inning with a single, followed by a one out single from Danelle Snyder.  Betsy Reimer reached on an error, but the inning ended on a play at the plate off a fielders choice.

Once the game went to extra innings, Dordt led the bottom of the 8th inning off with a walk.  Kassidy Van Voorst then stole second and advanced to third base on a wild pitch.  Samantha Johnson drove in Van Voorst with a single for the game-winner.

Nebraska Wesleyan managed four hits in the game, led by Danelle Snyder with two hits.  Marisa Garver gave up six hits and took the loss on the mound.

Game two got off to a similar start as neither team scored through the first three innings.  Finally the Prairie Wolves broke through in the 4th inning.  Rachel Kubik led off the inning with a solo home run.  Two batters later, Maddy Ethen added another solo home run to give NWU a 2-0 lead.

The 2-0 lead held up until the bottom of the 5th inning.  That inning would be one that the Prairie Wolves would like to forget.  Dordt scored six runs on seven hits with one error as they bolted out to a 6-2 lead.

NWU responded with two runs in the top of the 6th inning.  Nicole Vana cut the lead in half with a two-run home run to make the score 6-4 headed to the 7th inning.

In the 7th inning the Prairie Wolves started the inning off with a single by Danelle Snyder.  She moved to second base with two outs, then advanced to third on a hit by Jordan Arndt.  Rachel Kubik continued her big day with a line shot to right center field that drove in Snyder making it a one run game.  Pinch runner Nicole Belfiore advanced to third base with the tying run.  Madi Francis walked to load the bases for Vana.   Vana hit a ground ball to shortstop who touched second base to end the game.

NWU finished with 13 total hits, two more than Dordt College. Kubik led the way going 3-4 with a home run and two RBI. Snyder added two hits for the second straight game.

Claire Poppe started the game  and pitched 4+ innings allowing two runs, one earned.  Garver came in for relief and took the loss giving up seven hits and four runs in two innings.