Luther advanced to the best-of-three America Rivers Conference Tournament championship series after defeating Buena Vista University 3-2. This was the third victory for the Norse today.

Kendra Cooper (18-5) was handed the ball for the third time in the circle and responded with another brilliant effort. Cooper allowed two runs on three hits, walked two and struck out five. She finished the day throwing a total of 257 pitches, 90 in the win over Coe, 91 in the first win over BVU and 76 in this game. The Beavers scored a run in the first and seventh innings.

Luther scored twice in the third and added an insurance run in the sixth. Sydney Schultz led the attack with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and driving in two runs. Schultz hit a two-run home run in the third, following a lead-off double by Hannah Halverson. Emily Versnik drove in Luther's final run on a sacrifice fly that scored Leah Crown who was pinch running for Abby Spore who started the frame with a single.

Luther will now face Nebraska Wesleyan University tomorrow. The No. 6 seed Prairie Wolves won the Pod 2 title defeating No. 3 Central 4-2, defeating No. 7 Dubuque 8-2, and defeating Central 9-4.

Tomorrow's match-up will take place at Coe College with the first game scheduled to begin at noon. The second game is slated for 2:00 p.m. If necessary, the third game of the championship series will take place Sunday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m.

The Norse and Prairie Wolves last met on April 17-18 for their three game conference series. Luther took came one 8-2 but NWU recorded a 5-3 win in game two of their doubleheader. The rubber match went to Luther, again by a score of 8-2.