DUBUQUE, Iowa – LeighAnn Novotny pitched a complete game 3-hit shutout to give Nebraska Wesleyan a 1-0 victory over the University of Dubuque in game one of an IIAC softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in Dubuque, Iowa.  The Spartans came back to take the second game 6-1 to earn a split on the day.
 
Novotny scattered the three hits, all singles, while striking out six and walking none to improve to 10-4 on the season.
 
The Prairie got their only run of the game in the top of the 6^th inning.  Jordan Arndt reached base on an error by the first basemen then Danelle Snyder drove her in with a single and the only run of the game.  NWU managed just five total hits in the contest.  Morgan Shipley was 2-2 to lead the way, while Nicole Vana was 1-2 with a double.
 
Dubuque jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings of game two and that is all they would need.  The Spartans added three runs in the bottom of the 6^th to go up 6-0.
 
NWU scored their only run in the top of the 7^th inning, but it wasn't enough as the Spartans earned the victory.
 
The Prairie Wolves finished with seven hits in the game.  Snyder was 2-4 with a double and had the Prairie Wolves only RBI once again. 
 
Claire Poppe took the loss on the mound for NWU allowing three earned runs in 1 2/3 innings of work.  Jesse Briley pitched the final 4 1/3 innings giving up seven hits and three runs.