LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan split its American Rivers Conference doubleheader against Loras on Saturday, falling 6-5 in a back-and-forth opener before bouncing back with a 2-0 shutout victory in Game 2. The Prairie Wolves moved to 21-8 (3-3 A-R-C) behind a complete-game gem from pitcher Elise Warneke in the nightcap.

Game 1: Loras 6, NWU 5

Loras jumped ahead early with a five-run first inning, capitalizing on two doubles.The Prairie Wolves chipped away, scoring in the third on a sac fly from Lyndsey Roth and adding another in the fourth on an RBI single from Addi Duranski.

NWU mounted a late rally in the seventh, plating three runs on a fielder's choice from Kamdyn Sprunk, an RBI double by Jenna Kimberling, and a run-scoring double from Taylor Korecky. But Loras escaped with the win after stranding the tying run on second base.

Warneke took the loss despite striking out three, while Kimberling (2-for-4, RBI) and Duranski (2-for-4, RBI) led the offense.

Game 2: NWU 2, Loras 0

Warneke dominated in the circle, scattering three hits and striking out two in a complete-game shutout. The Prairie Wolves scratched across runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The first run came on an error that allowed Sprunk to score. The second came on an RBI single from Paige Davison that scored Hanna Roth, who doubled earlier in the frame.

Loras threatened in the sixth, putting two runners on, but Warneke induced a pop-up to end the inning.

Davison (2-for-3, RBI) and Roth (1-for-3, run) provided the offensive spark in the win.

Up Next

NWU travels to face Buena Vista in another A-R-C doubleheader next Wednesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.