LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the 9^th inning, including the game-winning run on an infield single by Madi Francis to give the Prairie Wolves a 4-3 victory over Concordia in game one of a GPAC softball doubleheader.  The Bulldogs held on to win the second game 5-4 as the two teams split a thrilling night of softball.
 
NWU had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the 7^th inning as Maddy Ethen led off the inning with a double.  She moved to third on a sacrifice but was stranded there after back-to-back strikeouts.  The Prairie Wolves threatened again in the first extra inning as NWU had the bases loaded with just one out.  However, Concordia stranded all the runners once again as they induced two straight fly outs to right field.
 
The Bulldogs appeared to deal the knockout punches as they opened the 9^th inning with back-to-back solo home runs.  Concordia led 3-1, needing just three outs to earn the win and hand NWU their fourth consecutive GPAC loss.
 
However, NWU didn't give up and mounted a comeback.  With one out, Hunter Bailey singled to left center just over the shortstops head.  Pinch hitter Brianne Conover followed that with a hit over the second baseman's head putting the tying run on first base.  Kassie Knauss got the third straight hit with a single to load the bases for Rachel Kubik.  Kubik sent a blast over the centerfielders head to tie the game with a 2-run double.  A ground out put two runners on with two outs and the game tied.  Madi Francis hit a slow roller to the shortstop and dove head first into the base to beat the throw and allow the winning run to cross the plate.
 
NWU had nine hits in the game, compared to only five for the Bulldogs.  Kubik was 2-4 with two RBI to lead the NWU attack.  Marisa Garver started the game on the mound and had a solid outing going 8+ innings allowing three earned runs on five hits.  LeighAnn Novotny got the final three outs to earn the win.
 
Game two was just as exciting, although it did not look good early for NWU.  Concordia took advantage of an error in the 2^nd inning and got four straight hits to plate four runs and take an early 4-0 lead.
 
The Prairie Wolves slowly chipped away at the lead.  Nicole Vana scored on a fielder's choice in the 4^th inning to make the score 4-1.  In the 5^th inning, NWU got one more run as Vana singled in Knauss.
 
Concordia added an insurance run with another solo HR in the top of the 6^th inning and that would prove to be a huge run.
 
Trailing 5-2 headed to the last inning, the Prairie Wolves put on their rally caps one more time.  Rachel Kubik hit a long ground rule double to left field to open the inning.  She scored on the next batter as Jordan Arndt singled up the middle.  Madi Francis kept the momentum rolling as she hit a long fly ball off the right fielders glove as she raced back towards the fence.  Vana hit a sacrifice to put runners at 2^nd and 3^rd with one out.   Maddy Ethen grounded out to the second baseman to allow another run to score making it 5-4 with two outs.  Concordia sealed the win getting a fly out to end the game.
 
NWU outhit Concordia in game two as well with 11 hits compared to nine for the Bulldogs.  Rachel Kubik was a perfect 4-4 with a double as she had six total hits on the night.  Knauss was 2-4 to help lead the NWU attack.
 
The Prairie Wolves are back at home on Saturday to face NAIA nationally-ranked Morningside College.