LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Wesleyan's comeback bid came up just short Tuesday as Bellevue's eight-run third inning proved too much to overcome in an 8-7 loss at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex. The Prairie Wolves (17-5) clawed back from a six-run deficit but couldn't complete the rally against a resilient Bruins squad.
HOW IT HAPPENED
NWU struck first in the opening frame when Paige Davison singled, stole second, and scored on a wild pitch. Addi Duranski extended the lead in the second with a solo blast to center, her first of the year, making it 2-0.
Then came the avalanche. Bellevue sent 11 batters to the plate in the third, capitalizing on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. A two-run single, a pair of RBI doubles, and a three-run homer by Miranda Garcia highlighted the inning, putting the Bruins up 8-2.
The Prairie Wolves answered immediately. Davison crushed a two-run shot in the bottom half, cutting the deficit to 8-4. NWU kept chipping away in the fifth. Lyndsey Roth laced an RBI double, Val Gerlach followed with another, and Kamdyn Sprunk drove in a run with a single to make it 8-7.
But Bellevue's Katie Cunningham silenced NWU's bats late, stranding the tying run in scoring position during a scoreless sixth and seventh to secure the save.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Davison finished 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs.
- Roth and Gerlach combined for four hits and two RBI.
- Eva Fahrnbruch (5-3) took the loss on the mound.
- NWU left four runners on base, including the tying run at first in the seventh.
UP NEXT
The Prairie Wolves will be back at home on Thursday, April 3 against the College of Saint Mary's. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska.
