INDIANOLA, Iowa – Eli Horner delivered the game-winning pinch hit RBI single in the 11th inning, capping a tense pitchers' duel and giving Nebraska Wesleyan a 1-0 victory over Simpson on Tuesday night at McBride Field.
The Prairie Wolves (16-13, 5-8 A-R-C) survived a chaotic 10th inning, where Simpson had the potential winning run erased on an interference call, before Horner's clutch hit sealed the win. Robbie Ross dominated with nine scoreless innings, and Max Brammier slammed the door in the 11th to secure the shutout.
How It Happened
Ross was nearly untouchable, scattering three hits and striking out eight over nine innings. He worked out of jams in the third and eighth, stranding runners in scoring position both times. Simpson's Trey Castile matched him zero for zero, fanning 12 in seven innings of work.
Simpson threatened in the bottom of the 10th, putting runners on first and second with one out. But a controversial interference call on a potential double-play ball ended the rally, keeping the game scoreless.
In the 11th, Aaron Chazin worked a leadoff walk, moved to third on a single by Easton Johnson, and scored when Horner, pinch-hitting in a high-leverage spot, ripped a single through the right side to score what would end up being the game-winning run. Brammier entered with the bases loaded in the bottom half and needed just one pitch to induce a game-ending popout, earning the save.
Key Performers
- Robbie Ross (NWU): 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 8 K, 1 BB
- Eli Horner (NWU): 1-for-1, GW RBI (pinch-hit)
- Max Brammier (NWU): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, save
- Tommy Fiocchi (NWU): 2-for-4, triple
- Jack Carver (NWU): 2-for-4, double
Up Next
The Prairie Wolves stay on the road for a weekend series against Central. First pitch is set for Friday at 3 p.m. in Pella, Iowa.
