INDIANOLA, Iowa - Nebraska Wesleyan University softball overcame an early deficit to defeat Luther College 5-1 in the A-R-C Tournament quarterfinals. With the victory, the Prairie Wolves advance to face #2 seed Wartburg with a championship game berth on the line.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Luther struck first in the opening frame when Raven Allen singled down the right field line and scored on an error following a bunt single, giving the Norse an early 1-0 advantage.
The Prairie Wolves nearly answered in the second when Taylor Korecky doubled to right center, but Luther pitcher escaped the jam with back-to-back strikeouts to maintain the lead.
Nebraska Wesleyan erupted for five unearned runs in the decisive third inning. Eva Fahrnbruch started the rally with a single up the middle, and Hanna Roth reached on an error. After a sacrifice bunt by Paige Davison, Lyndsey Roth drove in the tying run on a fielder's choice. An error by the Norse third baseman allowed Val Gerlach to reach and Hanna Roth to score the go-ahead run. Following another Luther miscue, Kamdyn Sprunk delivered the knockout blow with a two-run double down the left field line. Jenna Kimberling capped the scoring with an RBI single up the middle, pushing the lead to 5-1.
Starting pitcher Elise Warneke settled in after the first inning, allowing just two hits over the final six frames. She effectively worked out of potential trouble in the fifth when Luther put a runner in scoring position with a double, and again in the seventh when the Norse managed a two-out single. Warneke induced a pop-up to second baseman Jenna Kimberlin to secure the victory and advance the Prairie Wolves in the tournament.
GAME LEADERS
- Kamdyn Sprunk - 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R
- Eva Fahrnbruch - 1-for-3, 1 R
- Lyndsey Roth - 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
- Jenna Kimberling - 1-for-3, 1 RBI
- Elise Warneke - 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan (29-11) advances to face #2 seed Wartburg College in the A-R-C Tournament semifinals with a championship game berth at stake. The Prairie Wolves look to continue their momentum behind the pitching of Elise Warneke, who improved to 22-7 on the season with today's victory.
