LINCOLN, Neb. - For the first time in Nebraska Wesleyan University's NCAA Division III era, three Prairie Wolves softball standouts have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region IX First Team, the organization announced Friday afternoon.
Graduate pitcher Elise Warneke, third baseman Paige Davison, and designated player Lyndsey Roth earned first-team honors, marking the program's first All-Region first team selections since 2015 and the most first-team honorees in a single season in program history.
Warneke capped her stellar career with a 25-9 record and 2.26 ERA while striking out 134 batters over 210.2 innings pitched. The workhorse pitcher recorded five complete game shutouts and held opponents to a .231 batting average. Warneke's 25 wins ranks first in single-season program history, and her career total of 60 victories also stands at the top all-time at NWU.
Davison, a four-year starter in the infield, ranked second for the Prairie Wolves with a .372 batting average and 51 hits. The senior posted five doubles, two home runs, and 19 RBIs while maintaining a .910 fielding percentage at the hot corner. Davison started 44 games this season and concluded her career with 153 starts, which is top five in program history.
Roth dominated from the designated player position, hitting .431 with 53 hits and 32 runs scored. The senior slugged .659 with three home runs and a school record 15 doubles while recording a team-best .538 on-base percentage. Roth drew 31 walks against just 16 strikeouts and ranked first on the team with 34 RBIs.
The trio helped guide Nebraska Wesleyan to a 32-13 overall record and the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance. The Prairie Wolves posted a 10-6 mark in conference play and secured their first A-R-C tournament championship.
The NFCA All-Region teams honor softball student-athletes from the association's 10 regions with first, second and third-team selections. NFCA member head coaches from each respective region vote on the teams, and all honorees become eligible for selection to the 2025 NFCA Division III All-America teams.
