BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Nebraska Wesleyan softball team rode a complete game pitching performance from Elise Warneke and timely second-inning offense to edge Greenville 2-1 in Thursday's NCAA Regional opener at Inspiration Field. With the victory, the Prairie Wolves (32-11) advance to face tournament host Illinois Wesleyan, winners of 23 straight games, in Friday's winner's bracket matchup.
How it Happened
Warneke (25-7) was masterful in the circle, scattering six hits across seven innings while allowing just one unearned run. The right-hander induced 20 outs via ground ball or fly out, demonstrating pinpoint command throughout the afternoon in the low-90s heat.
The Prairie Wolves broke through in the second inning with the only offense they would need. Kamdyn Sprunk singled to lead off the frame and moved to third on Eva Fahrnbruch's bunt single. Kenzie Heedum delivered the first run with an RBI bunt single that scored Sprunk. After a walk, Paige Davison lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home Fahrnbruch for what proved to be the decisive run.
"I just tried to keep my mindset the same as any other game," said Heedum, who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. "I know my role and so I was just telling myself to go up there and just do it."
Greenville threatened immediately in their half of the third, pushing across an unearned run after taking advantage of two Nebraska Wesleyan errors to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The game's defensive highlight came in the fifth inning when Heedum made a spectacular diving catch in left field to get a huge out with a runner on.
"I knew she had a tendency to pull it into left field," Heedum said. "I just read it right off the bat. No fly zone. You either go until you have it or you hit the fence."
Up Next
The Prairie Wolves now face an Illinois Wesleyan team that demonstrated remarkable resilience in their comeback victory over Bethany Lutheran earlier Thursday.
"Illinois Wesleyan did a really nice job in that first game with their comeback," said head coach, Mary Yori. "They are a really good team and we will try to put our best foot forward, and try to keep fighting."
The tournament hosts have won 23 consecutive games entering Friday's matchup with Nebraska Wesleyan. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Inspiration Field.
Game Notes
- Hanna Roth reached base two times with two walks and a stolen base.
- Greenville's pitcher Sarah Salas suffered her first loss of the season (11-1).
- Nebraska Wesleyan has now won six of its last seven games.
- Temperature at first pitch was in the mid-80s with attendance recorded at 122.
- Game time was a brisk 1 hour and 47 minutes.
