LINCOLN, Neb. — Eva Fahrnbruch tossed a complete game and
Jenna Kimberling delivered the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning as Nebraska Wesleyan softball defeated College St. Mary (NE) 3-1 Monday at NWU Championship Stadium at Sandhills Global Youth Complex, getting the Prairie Wolves back into the win column.
Fahrnbruch (8-7) went the distance, allowing just one earned run on five hits while walking none and striking out two across 7.0 innings. All eight of her wins this season have come via complete game, a total that is just one shy of her combined career wins entering this season. Kimberling's fourth home run of the season was the decisive blow, moving her into a tie for second on Nebraska Wesleyan's all-time career home run list with 13.
Catie Ingalls finished 2-for-3, while both Ingalls and Kimberling stretched their reached base streaks to two games. Monday's victory marked Nebraska Wesleyan's sixth game this season hitting at least one home run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Neither team could generate much offense through the first four innings, with Fahrnbruch and CSM starter Shaylynn Campbell both keeping the opposing lineups in check.
The Flames broke through first in the top of the fifth when Victoria Placzek tripled to right field and came around to score on a Kayla Kitzman RBI single to give St. Mary a 1-0 lead.
Nebraska Wesleyan answered immediately in the bottom half. Ella Wolff worked a walk and came around to score on an Ingalls RBI single to center to knot the game at 1-1.
The Prairie Wolves took control in the sixth. Kimberling led off with a home run to left center, her fourth of the season, to put NWU ahead 2-1. Later in the inning, Paige Comstock lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score the speedy Hayden Thomas from second base and push the advantage to 3-1.
Fahrnbruch then retired the side in order in the seventh, getting a groundout, a foul out and a groundout to seal the victory.
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan hosts Buena Vista for a doubleheader Wednesday, April 15 at NWU Championship Stadium at Sandhills Global Youth Complex. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. In between games, the Prairie Wolves will honor the 2025 American Rivers Conference Tournament Championship team.
