INDIANOLA, Iowa (May 10, 2025) - Nebraska Wesleyan softball completed a historic day at the American Rivers Conference Tournament on Saturday, defeating Wartburg 4-3 in the semifinals before claiming the championship with a commanding 5-1 victory over Central. The conference title is the program's first since 1986, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Graduate pitcher Elise Warneke was dominant throughout the day, earning both wins to improve her season record to 24-7. The Prairie Wolves now stand at 31-11 overall and will learn their NCAA Tournament destination during Monday's selection show at 10:00 AM.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the semifinal against Wartburg, the Prairie Wolves struck quickly with Taylor Korecky delivering a two-run triple down the right field line in the first inning, scoring Val Gerlach and Lyndsey Roth. Wartburg responded with one run in the bottom half and eventually tied the game 3-3 in the fourth. The decisive moment came in the sixth when Hanna Roth lined a clutch single to right center, scoring Jenna Kimberling with what proved to be the winning run. Warneke worked through trouble in the seventh, stranding two Knights on base to secure the 4-3 victory.

The championship game showcased NWU's offensive balance and pitching prowess. The Prairie Wolves jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by Val Gerlach's RBI single and a bases-loaded walk to Taylor Korecky. Jenna Kimberling added a sacrifice fly to cap the three-run outburst. Central managed to scratch across a run in the fifth to cut the deficit to 3-1, but NWU responded with two insurance runs in the sixth. Paige Davison scored on a fielder's choice and throwing error, followed by Paige Comstock crossing the plate on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 5-1. Warneke was in complete control throughout, scattering five hits while requiring just 83 pitches to complete the championship victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Prairie Wolves combined for 16 hits across both games, with Hanna Roth (3-for-6), Paige Davison (2-for-3 in championship) and Val Gerlach (3-for-7) leading the offensive charge.
• Taylor Korecky delivered crucial RBIs in both games, including the game-changing triple in the semifinal.
• Elise Warneke pitched all 14 innings on the day, allowing just 4 runs on 12 hits while striking out five.
• NWU's defense committed just one error across both games, compared to four total errors by their opponents.
• Jenna Kimberling contributed defensively with 7 assists and offensively with the game-winning run in the semifinal.
• The championship game saw the Prairie Wolves capitalize on walks, drawing 5 free passes while Warneke issued none.