LINCOLN, Neb. - Fresh off a conference tournament championship and NCAA Regional appearance, the Nebraska Wesleyan softball program has new visions coming into the 2026 preseason including a new head coach, new faces, and the same championship mindset that defined the 2025 campaign.
Finishing 2025 off with a 32-13 overall record, in addition to the 10-6 conference record, made last season a great one. They ranked third in the conference in batting (.319 team average, 242 runs). The team had a strong offensive play, also ranking fourth in conference for pitching with Junior
Eva Fahrnbruch and
Jaedyn Ratzlaff returning to the mound from last year.
Senior Jenna Kimberling anchors the returning core after starting all 45 games in 2025. The stellar infielder hit .307 with 33 RBIs and three home runs while posting a .970 fielding percentage on 203 chances, making her one of the most reliable defenders in the conference.
Junior pitcher Eva Fahrnbruch returns to the circle alongside Jaedyn Ratzlaff, giving the Prairie Wolves a proven 1-2 punch. At the plate, Fahrnbruch joins Taylor Korecky and Kenzie Heedum, a trio that combined for 72 hits and 55 runs in 2025.
Heedum was particularly clutch in the postseason, going 2-for-3 with the game-winning RBI in Nebraska Wesleyan's NCAA Regional victory over Greenville in Bloomington, Illinois.
While the Prairie Wolves graduated key contributors, including six-category statistical leader
Lyndsey Roth and ace pitcher
Elise Warneke, they've reloaded with 13 talented newcomers ready to make an immediate impact. Combined with three returning seniors in leadership roles, the depth is there to sustain success.
New head coach, Courtney Medina, is coming off a phenomenal three year stint as the head coach of the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars, and she is ready to bring that success right on over to Nebraska Wesleyan. Not only did she lead her team last year to their first winning streak in six years, but also built a program of defined academic excellence. Her team had the highest GPA in school history and that is sure to continue at Nebraska Wesleyan as the Prairie Wolves also had 13 players named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes in the 2025 season.
Nebraska Wesleyan enters the season ranked No. 8 in the American Rivers Conference preseason coaches poll, right above Buena Vista and right below both Dubuque and Coe, the team is ready to turn the amazing season they had last year, into an equally as productive season this year. The Prairie Wolves open their season against preseason No. 5 Saint Mary's at the Bethany Kwik Trip Invitational in Minnesota before heading to Cocoa Beach, Florida for spring break trip where they will play 12 games (March 8-14). They'll return home for a four-game home stand before diving into conference play.
The Prairie Wolves season is fast approaching for the softball team and they couldn't be more ready. A new coach, a new team, a new year. Coming off of their conference tournament championship last year, they are ready to do it again. Entering their 2026 season, the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves softball team is ready to develop, dominate on and off the field, and of course, win.
