LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Wesleyan softball team (10-14, 2-2 A-R-C) returned to action Wednesday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader with No. 21 Central (17-3, 1-1 A-R-C) in a battle. The Prairie Wolves defeated the Dutch in the first game of the afternoon, 5-1, before dropping game two, 2-1. A rematch of last season's American Rivers Conference championship game, the Prairie Wolves earned the regular season series with Central for the fourth-straight season. Freshman
Kylie Fullerton was the star of game one, finishing with two hits and four RBIs to lead Nebraska Wesleyan at the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Nebraska Wesleyan 5, Central 1
Overall, Nebraska Wesleyan scored five runs on seven hits and committed three errors, while Central scored one run on five hits and committed no errors.
At the plate, freshman Kylie Fullerton led the Prairie Wolves, going 2-for-4 with four RBI. Senior Jenna Kimberling went 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored including a solo home run, while freshman Catie Ingalls went 1-for-1 with two runs scored. Junior Eva Fahrnbruch and senior Kenzie Heedum each had one hit.
In the circle, Fahrnbruch got the start, pitching a complete game seven innings, allowing one run, on five hits, walked one and struck out one.
The Dutch jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, with a pair of singles to give the Dutch an early 1-0 advantage.
The Prairie Wolves got on the board in the bottom of the first with one run to tie the game. Nebraska Wesleyan then took the lead in the bottom of the third, with Kimberling leading off the inning with a solo blast to left center to give the Prairie Wolves a 2-1 advantage.
Nebraska Wesleyan continued in the bottom of the fourth. With three Prairie Wolves on base, Fullerton delivered a double off of the top of the fence in deep center field, driving in three runs for the 5-1 advantage.
The Nebraska Wesleyan defense shut down Central in the top of the seventh, with Fahrnbruch forcing a pair of induced groundouts to end the game.
Game 2: Central 2, Nebraska Wesleyan 1
Overall, Nebraska Wesleyan scored one run on four hits and did not commit an error, while Central scored two runs on five hits and committed no errors.
At the plate, Ingalls went 2-for-3. Heedum went 1-for-2 and scored the only Prairie Wolf run. Kimberling finished with one hit.
In the circle, Jaedyn Ratzlaff got the start, pitched five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walked four and struck out one.
Central answered the pitching dual in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs for a 2-0 advantage.
Heedum opened the bottom of the sixth with a single to left. After advancing to third on a single and a passed ball, she raced home on a Hayden Thomas groundout, making the game 2-1.
The Prairie Wolves would looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Fahrnbruch opened by drawing a walk, but the Prairie Wolves were unable to get into scoring position as the Dutch made three straight fielders choice at second base.
UP NEXT
The Prairie Wolves are back in action when they travel to Loras for a doubleheader. The trip will begin with the doubleheader on Friday, April 10 at 2 p.m. CT in Dubuque, Iowa.
