MANKATO, Minn. – Nebraska Wesleyan wrapped up its opening weekend with a 3-1 record at the Mankato Dome Games, splitting its matchups on Sunday. The Prairie Wolves fell to Saint Mary's (Minn.) 8-2 in the morning but rebounded with a 4-3 win over Carleton College in the afternoon.

How It Happened

Game 1: Saint Mary's 8, Nebraska Wesleyan 2

The Prairie Wolves ran into a relentless Saint Mary's lineup that churned out 14 hits and put runs on the board in six of seven innings. NWU kept things close early, holding the Cardinals to just one run through two innings. But a three-run third inning gave Saint Mary's breathing room.

Nebraska Wesleyan's offense got on the board in the fourth when Val Gerlach launched a two-run homer to left, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The Cardinals responded immediately, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting to add four insurance runs over the final three innings.

Elise Warneke took the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on seven hits over three and one-third innings. Lyndsey Roth led NWU offensively with two hits, both being doubles.

Game 2: Nebraska Wesleyan 4, Carleton 3

The Prairie Wolves bounced back in dramatic fashion against Carleton. Elise Warneke turned in a strong outing, holding the Knights to four hits over seven innings while striking out sx] batters.

NWU wasted no time getting on the board, plating two runs in the first inning. Hanna Roth scored on a past ball from third base before Val Gerlach added an RBI double to make it 2-1.

Carleton responded in the fourth, taking advantage of a pair of walks and a two RBI double to retake the lead at 3-2.

Trailing late, Nebraska Wesleyan came through in the clutch. In the sixth, Kenzie Heedum put down a bunt that the Knight's catcher struggled to gather. Jenna Kimberling, who walked earlier in the inning, took advantage of an errant throw at second bas and scored, making it 3-3. With Heedum on third, Eva Fahrnbruch delivered the game's biggest swing. She hit an RBI single to right field, putting NWU back on top 4-3. Elise Warneke shut the door in the seventh, stranding the tying run at third to seal the win.

Up Next

Nebraska Wesleyan will take the field again on March 9th, traveling to Melbourne, Florida for their Spring Break Trip. They will play 12 games in Florida, before returning to play at Home on March 18th.