BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Nebraska Wesleyan University's softball season concluded Friday afternoon as the Prairie Wolves fell 1-0 to Bethany Lutheran in an elimination game at the NCAA Division III Bloomington Regional. NWU finishes their 2025 campaign with a 32-13 overall record after making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in since 2022.

How It Happened

The elimination contest quickly developed into a classic pitcher's duel between NWU graduate Elise Warneke and Bethany Lutheran's Meyer, with both hurlers matching zeros through the first four innings.

Warneke worked efficiently through the Vikings' lineup, scattering three hits through four frames. NWU threatened in the top of the fourth when fifth-year center fielder Hanna Roth drew a leadoff walk and Davison delivered the team's lone hit of the afternoon with a sharp single to left. The Prairie Wolves ultimately stranded both runners as Meyer escaped the jam with a strikeout.

Bethany Lutheran broke through in the fifth when Linn entered as a pinch hitter and lined a single on a bunt. After stealing second base, Linn scored the game's only run on Weidner's two-out single through the right side of the infield.

The Prairie Wolves mounted one final rally in the seventh inning when Val Gerlach worked her second walk of the game with no one out. A wild pitch advanced pinch runner Becca Chloupek to third, but Meyer secured the final two outs to preserve the 1-0 victory and end Nebraska Wesleyan's season.

Game Notes

• Warneke (25-9) was outstanding in her final collegiate appearance, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out two over six innings. The sixth year workhorse finished her career with 60 wins, the most in program history.
• Bethany Lutheran's Meyer earned the victory, limiting the Prairie Wolves to just one hit while walking four and striking out one in the complete game shutout.
• Davison's fourth-inning single proved to be Nebraska Wesleyan's only hit of the contest. The Prairie Wolves worked four walks, with Gerlach drawing two free passes.

Nebraska Wesleyan's season concludes after making their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in program history.