Softball Streak Snapped at Seven on Senior Night

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April 26, 2010

Nebraska Wesleyan won game one 2-1 to extend their winning streak to seven games, but Sioux Falls came back in the nightcap to defeat the Prairie Wolves, 5-3, to ruin NWU Softball Senior night on a rainy evening in Lincoln.

The Prairie Wolves (22-8, 13-3 GPAC) got a complete game three-hitter from Alysia Wittmaack to win the first game. Wittmaack struck out nine and allowed no earned runs to improve to 14-2 on the season.

Lauren Bodfield drove in both NWU runs on a single in the first inning and a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third to account for all the scoring.

Sioux Falls got their only run in the top of the sixth as they took advantage of a pair of NWU errors.

Nebraska Wesleyan had just four hits off USF starter Lindsey Johnson. Dani Bryant was 2-2 with three stolen bases, Ashley Stang had a triple and Bodfield had the RBI single.

In game two, the Cougars (9-21, 6-12 GPAC) got out to a 4-0 lead after just three innings. Jamie Sorensen hit a two-run home run in the top of the third for the big hit of the game.

NWU chipped away with one run in the fifth inning and really threatened in the bottom of the sixth.

Marcia Kennedy tripled in the right field corner, then Ashley Stang drove her in with a double to left field. A walk and hit batter loaded the bases for pinch hitter Melissa Blomstedt who walked to bring in another run. The bases remained loaded for Megan Beckstead who hit a hard grounder right at the third baseman who stepped on third for the force out to end the rally.

Sioux Falls added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and held on for the win.

Abby Wilmes (7-2) got the loss for NWU allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits with two walks in just 2+ innings of work. Brenna Maguire threw the final 5.0 innings allowing a run on four hits.

Christina Bonrud got the win for Sioux Falls allowing six hits and three earned runs.

Kennedy was 2-4 to lead the NWU offense in game two.

Nebraska Wesleyan continues its busy week of games on Tuesday (Apr. 27) when they travel to Orange City, Iowa for a doubleheader at Northwestern College.