Lincoln, NE (April 28th, 2025)- With the American Rivers Conference title race hanging in the balance, Nebraska Wesleyan softball (26-9, 8-4 A-R-C) enters a pivotal final week of regular-season play, beginning with a Tuesday doubleheader at #23 Central (22-8) and culminating in Saturday's home finale against Luther (22-16).
LOCATION, GAME TIME, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Nebraska Wesleyan will visit Central on Tuesday, April 29th, with game one set for 2:00 p.m., and game two to follow at 4:00 p.m. The Central Dutch Network will
live stream both games, Central will carry
live stats. The Prairie Wolves will close out the 2025 regular season at home on Saturday, May 3rd against Luther College. The Prairie Wolves and Norse will play a double header with game one set for 1:00 p.m., and game two set for 3:00 p.m. Nebraska Wesleyan's team1sports page will
live stream both games. Nebraska Wesleyan will carry
live stats.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
With three wins this week, the Prairie Wolves—currently second in the A-R-C—would clinch at least a share of their first conference title since 1986. A veteran lineup ranks Division III with a .343 team batting average, fueled by eight hitters batting .300+, including senior
Lyndsey Roth (.490, 47 hits, 32 RBIs). The team's
.461 slugging percentage and 210 runs scored show its explosiveness. The duo of
Elise Warneke and
Eva Fahrnbruch (25 combined wins, 119 strikeouts) anchors a staff with nine shutouts, backed by a
.962 fielding percentage.
HEAD COACH MARY YORI
Head Coach
Mary Yori is in her tenth season as the head coach of Nebraska Wesleyan's softball program. Yori was hired as Nebraska Wesleyan's first full time head softball coach in June of 2015. In ten seasons as head coach, Yori has complied a 203-148 record and was the 2016 AD3I All-Independent Co-Coach of the Year in her first season leading the Prairie Wolves. Yori coached Nebraska Wesleyan to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2022. Last season, Yori helped lead the team to a 26-11 record and an A-R-C tournament appearance. Coach Yori also had five athletes named to the A-R-C All-Conference Team, with
Lyndsey Roth and
Val Gerlach also 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 THE DUTCH
Central enters Tuesday with a 22-8 record. The Dutch have lost their last two games by a total of two runs. Through 30 games, Central has posted a slash line of .337/.426/.406, while scoring 227 runs on 264 hits. Defensively, the Dutch have a .975 fielding percentage with 569 put outs. Central's pitchers have combined to post an ERA of 3.95. The Dutch are coached by George Wares, in his 41st season. Wares is the winningest coach in Division III softball history with 1,287 victories.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CENTRAL
Tuesday will mark the 19th and 20th meetings between Nebraska Wesleyan and Central, with each team having nine wins.
SCOUTING THE NORSE
Luther enters this Saturday with a 22-16 record. The Norse are on a two game winning streak after sweeping Buena Vista last weekend. Through 38 games, Luther has posted a slash line of .286/.362/.367, while scoring 187 runs on 304 hits. Defensively, the Norse have a .944 fielding percentage with 765 put outs. Luther's pitchers have combined to post an ERA of 3.11. The Norse are coached by Renae Hartl, in her 24th season.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST LUTHER
Saturday will mark the 18th and 19th meetings between Nebraska Wesleyan and Luther. The Norse hold a 12-5 all-time series lead.
