Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 LINCOLN, Neb. -- In the GPAC home opener for Nebraska Wesleyan softball, the Prairie Wolves swept past Northwestern College with a pair of 5-1 victories on Saturday afternoon at University Place Park.
NWU improves to 9-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while Northwestern falls to 10-15, 1-5 in GPAC.
The Prairie Wolves scored three runs in the bottom of the 4th inning of the opening game to break open that contest.
Nicole Vana got an RBI single to drive in
Madi Francis, then
Maddy Ethen hit a fly ball to right field that was dropped by the outfielder allowing two more runs to score.
They added two more runs in the 5th inning as
Kassie Knauss drilled a double in the right field gap to score
Betsy Reimer. Knauss would come around to score on a single by
Jordan Arndt.
That is all Nebraska Wesleyan would need as Northwestern did score a single run in the 6th, but nothing else.
Marisa Garver got the complete game victory allowing one run on seven hits while striking out five.
Kassie Knauss and
Madi Francis both had two hits to lead the Prairie Wolves offense. Knauss had two doubles, while Francis had a triple.
The Prairie Wolves got off to a quick start in the second game as they scored two runs in the 1st inning. Knauss continued her hot hitting as she hit a double into left center field to score Reimer. The next batter
Rachel Kubik doubled over the head of the centerfielder to drive in Knauss.
Northwestern cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the 5th inning, but the Prairie Wolves were able to limit the Red Raiders offense. Twice Northwestern loaded the bases, but they only came away with one run.
NWU added three insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Marisa Garver got her first hit of the season as she lined a double over the first baseman's head to drive in one run.
Betsy Reimer followed that up with a single up the middle to drive in two more runs and secure the win.
Kassie Knauss continued her offensive surge with two more hits and another RBI.
Betsy Reimer also had two hits with two RBI and a stolen base.
LeighAnn Novotny recorded the victory pitching five innings allowing six his and one earned run. Garver got her first save of the year by pitching the final two innings.
