MANKATO, Minn. (February 20, 2021) - The Nebraska Wesleyan softball team took the field for the first time in 344 days at the MSU Sports Dome in Mankato, Minnesota. NWU fell to Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 11-3 in game one and 14-2 in game two.

The Prairie Wolves wasted little time getting the season started as they produced a big two out rally in the second inning. Taylor Styskal started the inning with a single to right then moved into scoring position on an error by the outfielder. Kailey Bailey got aboard during the next at-bat and moved Styskal to third with a single to left field. With two outs and two runners on base, Ashlee Mayorga drilled a home run to left field for an early, 3-0, Nebraska Wesleyan lead. However, Wisconsin-Eau Claire bounced back and held NWU scoreless the rest of the game.

The Blugolds carried the momentum over from game one into game two as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead. The Prairie Wolves fought back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Abby Armentrout hit a leadoff single to center field. In the next at-bat, Valerie Gerlach went deep with a two-run home run to left field. But the offense would slow down for Nebraska Wesleyan with only two extra-base hits over the final two innings of the game.

Notable Stats and Performances
-Ashlee Mayorga and Valerie Gerlach combined for five RBIs over the two games
-Taylor Styskal recorded a hit in both games for NWU
-In game two, the Prairie Wolves recorded three extra-base hits
-Wisconsin-Eau Claire's head coach Leslie Huntington earned her 500th career win in game one

What's Next
Nebraska Wesleyan travels to St. Louis, Missouri for six games over three days starting with Webster University on Friday, March 5.