OMAHA, Neb. -- The Nebraska Wesleyan softball team scored nine unanswered runs including two in the top of the 9th inning as the Prairie Wolves rallied back to defeat College of Saint Mary 9-7 in GPAC softball action on Thursday afternoon (Mar. 31) in Omaha, Neb.

Game two of the doubleheader did not get started due to poor weather conditions and darkness.  The game is rescheduled for Friday, April 22 in Lincoln.  Start time is set for 5 pm.

College of Saint Mary got off to a great start and it looked like NWU would remain winless to start conference play.  The Flames led 7-0 after four innings, needing just one more run to end the game with the run rule.  NWU stranded that game-ending runner at first base and began their comeback at the plate.

The Prairie Wolves erupted for four runs in the top of the 5th inning as they cut the lead down to three runs.  Kassie Knauss doubled to drive in a run to jump start the inning and would score on a single by Jordan Arndt.  Madi Francis followed that with the big hit of the inning as she doubled to centerfield to drive in two runs.

Trailing by three runs heading into the final inning, NWU needed to score three of suffer their third straight conference loss.  Knauss led the inning off with a single, then advanced to second on a hit by Rachel Kubik.  Arndt came up big as the next batter belting a double to left field to drive in Knauss and Kubik.   Madi Francis moved the runner to third base and pinch runner Kennedy Greene would tie the game scoring on an infield single by Nicole Vana

Neither team scored in the first extra inning forcing the game to head to the 9th.  In the top of the inning, Arndt walked to lead off the frame.  She moved to second on a one out sacrifice. Nicole Belfiore hit a single through the left side to drive in Arndt and then moved to second on the throw. The next batter Danelle Snyder provided an insurance run with another RBI single to put the Prairie Wolves up two runs.  

The CSM bats continued to be silent in the bottom of the 9th as the Prairie Wolves got the win.

LeighAnn Novotny came in to get the win on the mound in relief.  She threw 6 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits.

NWU finished the game with 16 total hits as seven Prairie Wolves had 2-hit games.  Arndt drove in a team-high three runs with a double, Francis had two RBI and a double while Knauss was 2-5 with a double and two runs scored.

Nebraska Wesleyan is back in action on Saturday afternoon as they host Northwestern College at University Place Park.