BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Nebraska Wesleyan University softball team dropped a 6-1 decision to host and 20th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan in the second game of the NCAA Division III Bloomington Regional on Friday afternoon. The Prairie Wolves will look to bounce back in an elimination game today at 4 p.m. against the winner of the Bethany Lutheran-Greenville matchup.

How It Happened

Illinois Wesleyan wasted no time establishing momentum, jumping out to an early lead with a three-run first inning. The Titans capitalized on timely hitting and strung together four consecutive hits to build their advantage.

NWU graduate pitcher Elise Warneke settled in after the difficult opening frame, keeping the Prairie Wolves within striking distance by allowing just one run over the next three innings. Warneke finished with two strikeouts despite the challenging outing.

The Prairie Wolves broke through in the bottom of the fifth when junior second baseman Jenna Kimberling laced a single down the right field line to advance Kamdyn Sprunk to second. Sprunk later scored on sophomore Eva Fahrbruch's sharply hit single to left field. The RBI marked Fahrnbruch's 15th of the season.

Illinois Wesleyan responded with an insurance run in the top of the sixth, extending their lead to the final margin of 6-1.

By The Numbers

• The Titans outhit Nebraska Wesleyan 11-3 in the contest, with Kimberling, Fahrnbuch, and graduate catcher Val Gerlach accounting for the Prairie Wolves' three hits.

Up Next 

Nebraska Wesleyan (32-12) will face the winner of Bethany Lutheran and Greenville in an elimination game on Friday at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to Saturday's action, while the loser will see their season come to an end.