STORM LAKE, Iowa – Nebraska Wesleyan scored four runs in the top of the 9^th and had the tying run at 3^rd base but a fielder's choice ended the game as the Prairie Wolves valiant effort at a comeback came up just short in a 8-7 loss at Buena Vista in Iowa Conference baseball action on Tuesday night in Storm Lake, Iowa.
 
NWU trailed  8-1 after seven innings as the Beavers scored four in the 1^st innings, one in the 2^nd and three more in the 7^th to build up the big lead.
 
The Prairie Wolves (11-17, 4-8 IIAC) started chipping away in the 8^th inning.  Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Brook Johnson who walked to bring in one run.  Kyle Hunter then singled to drive in Owen Gubbels making it 8-3.  With the bases loaded the threat was ended with a double play.
 
Matt Orozco led off the top of the 9^th with a double to give NWU a chance.  Two straight outs made the game look bleak, but the Prairie Wolves kept battling.  James Babic singled in a run and move to second on an error.  Gubbels walked and David Morris reached on a bunt single.  Johnson drove in one run with a single, followed by another RBI hit from Hunter.  Aaron Ochsner singled to load the bases with the tying run at 3^rd base.  A ground out to second forced Ochsner out at second to end the game.
 
Buena Vista (16-8, 7-2 IIAC) finished the game with 13 hits, but only four came after the 3^rd inning.
 
NWU relief pitcher Sam Condello threw four innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits.  Cam Lolow gave up two runs in two innings and Nick Bruno pitched a scoreless 8^th.  Starting pitcher Micah Hoage threw only the 1^st inning, giving up four earned runs on six hits.
 
The Prairie Wolves outhit BVU 15-13, but left 15 runners on base.  Brook Johnson, Kyle Hunter and Owen Gubbels each had three hits in the game.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan is back on the road this weekend for a 3-game series at Wartburg College.