LINCOLN, Neb. (Apr. 17, 2024) - The Buena Vista University softball team went on the road Wednesday afternoon for an American Rivers softball doubleheader, but the Prairie Wolves pulled away late in each game to capture the sweep by scores of 5-3 and 8-0, respectively.

The Prairie Wolves built a 3-0 first inning lead during the opener by recording three RBI singles. BVU cut into that lead in the fourth when Amanda Franke reached on an error by the shortstop that scored a run. Keirsten Trayte, who singled earlier in the inning for the team's only hit of the game, then scored on a catcher's obstruction at the plate.

It remained a one-run game until the sixth when Neb. Wesleyan plated a pair of insurance runs on a 2-run homerun that made it 5-2. The Beavers were then retired in order in the seventh to end the game.

Nebraska Wesleyan finished with nine hits in the game but only the homerun went for extra-bases.

Kali Irlmeier went the distance inside the circle for the Beavers, allowing five runs and scattering nine hits, walking one and striking out one. 

NWU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two with an RBI double and would never trail. BVU put the first two batters on base in the second but failed to score and also had runners at second and third in the fourth with two outs but couldn't push across a run.

The Prairie Wolves began to pull away in the bottom of the fourth after four of the first five batters reached with hits. They went on to score four runs on five hits in the frame to go in front 5-0. NWU added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth to end the game early. BVU tried to mount a rally in the sixth when Paige Druskis singled to lead off the inning and then moved to third one batter later on a double from Nattie Murillo. From there, though, a pair of line outs and a ground out ended the threat.

Maddy Elwood finished 2-for-3 to help lead the way for the Beavers at the plate while Druskis and Murillo added one hit apiece. Senior Jamie Wendt made her first start since February 11.

Trayte suffered the loss for BVU and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four runs and six hits while striking out two. Grace Fuhrman pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) and four hits.

Buena Vista (7-24, 0-10 A-R-C) returns home to host Luther College on Saturday, Apr. 20 for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. The day has been tabbed as the annual Cancer Awareness games for BVU.