LINCOLN, Neb. (February 13th, 2025)- Nebraska Wesleyan softball is set to begin its season at the Mankato Dome Games this weekend. The Prairie Wolves will play four games over the course of Saturday and Sunday.
LOCATION, GAME TIME
The Mankato Domes Games will take place in Mankato, Minnesota, where the Prairie Wolves will compete against Gustavus Adolphus College, the College of St. Scholastica, Saint Mary's University, and Carleton College. On Saturday, February 15th, Nebraska Wesleyan will face Gustavus Adolphus at 6:00 p.m. and the College of St. Scholastica at 8:00 p.m. On Sunday, they'll take on Saint Mary's University at 10:30 a.m., before wrapping up the tournament with a 3:30 p.m. game against Carleton College.
SCOUTING THE PRAIRIE WOLVES
After securing their third consecutive 20-win season and posting their most wins since 2011, Nebraska Wesleyan softball enters the Mankato Dome Games eager to kick off the 2025 season. Last year, the Prairie Wolves finished 2-2 at the season-opening challenge. This season, NWU returns several key contributors from last year's squad, including pitchers
Elise Warneke and
Eva Fahrnbruch, who combined for a 23-10 record in 2024. The team also brings back players at nearly every position. Behind the plate,
Val Gerlach is set for a breakout sixth year, while
Lyndsey Roth looks to elevate her game from last season. The Prairie Wolves' infield features the dynamic trio of
Paige Davison,
Jenna Kimberling, and
Kamdyn Sprunk, while the outfield returns strong arms in
Hanna Roth and
Addi Duranski. Offensively, NWU finished 2024 with a .327 batting average, hitting 24 home runs, driving in 215 RBIs, and scoring 240 runs. Defensively, the team posted a .958 fielding percentage with 726 putouts, while their pitching staff finished with a solid 2.95 ERA.
HEAD COACH MARY YORI
Head Coach
Mary Yori is entering her tenth season at the helm of Nebraska Wesleyan's softball program. Hired in June 2015 as the university's first full-time head coach, Yori has posted a 177-139 record during her tenure. In her inaugural season, she was named the 2016 AD3I All-Independent Co-Coach of the Year. Under her leadership, the Prairie Wolves made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2022. Last season, Yori guided the team to a 26-11 record and an appearance in the A-R-C tournament. She also saw five of her players named to the A-R-C All-Conference Team, with
Lyndsey Roth and
Val Gerlach earning NFCA All-Region Third Team honors.
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN SOFTBALL TRADITION
Nebraska Wesleyan's lone conference championship occurred in 1986. That season saw Nebraska Wesleyan post an 8-4 conference record in the NIAC. Nebraska Wesleyan's only NCAA tournament appearance occurred in 2022. That season saw Nebraska Wesleyan go 23-16 overall, and 8-8 in American Rivers Conference Play.
SCOUTING GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
Gustavus Adolphus is yet to play a game in 2025. Last season, the Golden Gusties went 23-19 overall and 16-6 in conference play. Head coach Coley Ries Welter will enter her fifth season in 2025.
SCOUTING SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
Saint Mary's is yet to play a game in 2025. Last season, the Cardinals went 32-11 overall and 17-5 in conference play. Head coach John Tschida will enter his 10th season in 2025.
SCOUTING COLLEGE OF ST. SCHOLASTICA
St. Scholastica is yet to play a game in 2025. Last season, the Saints went 8-28 overall and 5-17 in conference play. Head coach Kallee Wilkins will enter her second season in 2025.
SCOUTING CARLETON COLLEGE
Carleton is yet to play a game in 2025. Last season, the Knights went 15-21 overall and 6-16 in conference play. The Knights are led Amy Erickson.
