The Nebraska Wesleyan softball team scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally from a three-run deficit to win game two of the GPAC doubleheader, 9-8, over Dana College on Tuesday night (Apr. 21) in Lincoln, Neb. The Prairie Wolves scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to get a 4-3 extra innings win in the first game.
Tuesday's games were part of the Strike Out Cancer promotion for NWU softball as the Prairie Wolves wore pink uniforms and all proceeds went towards the American Cancer Society.
Nebraska Wesleyan trailed 8-5 heading into the bottom of the 7th inning of game two. A leadoff walk was followed by a single and a fielder's choice to load the bases. Marcia Kennedy walked to bring in the first run. Another fielder's choice by Amy Peterson scored Anna Brownell and the bases were still loaded with no outs. Kelsey Hamik tied the game with a single down the left line, then Ashley Stang had the game-winning hit with a shot into left field to plate with winning run.
The Prairie Wolves at one point led 5-2 heading into the sixth inning. However a disastrous inning allowed Dana to score six runs and go up 8-5. NWU committed five errors and the Vikings had four hits to plate the six runs.
Game one was more of a pitcher's dual as each team only scored in one inning. NWU plated three runs in the bottom of the third as Marcia Kennedy hit a 3-run triple.
Dana would tie the game in the top of the fifth as the Vikings had a pair of doubles, a single and a sac fly off of NWU starter Brenna Maguire.
Neither team would score again so the game went to extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth, Jenna Turner led off with a single. Kennedy bunted her to second. Jamie Jaques then reached on an error allowing Turner to move to third. Kelsey Worley then drove the ball to right field for a sacrifice fly to bring in the winning run.
Maguire started for NWU and struck out seven in 5.0 innings. Alysia Wittmaack came in to pitch the final three innings to get the win.
Nebraska Wesleyan improved to 18-14 overall and 10-8 in the GPAC. The Prairie Wolves host Hastings College on Thursday (Apr. 23) in the final home game of the season.
