DECORAH, Iowa – The Luther College Softball team swept Nebraska Wesleyan University 4-2 and 7-4 in the regular season finale. The doubleheader marked the final American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) games at Betty Hoff field. The team also set a new single season record for stolen bases with 62 this year. That beats the previous record of 58 set in 2009. Luther is now 22-16 and finishes the regular season 10-6 in conference play. The Norse will be the no. 3 seed for the conference tournament.
Game 1: Luther 4, Nebraska Wesleyan 2
In the bottom of the first,
Mya Larsen stolen base tied the single season record. The Prairie Wolves scored a lone run in the fourth but the Norse tied the game with an rbi single from
Evie Strigel. She stole a base setting the new school single season record. Later, in the sixth the Norse trailed by one but then pinch hitter
Azaria McDonough recorded her first career rbi single that tied the game at 2-2.
In the seventh,
Alexa Stevermer and the defense faced four batters giving Luther the chance to walk it off. With one on and one out
Madi Elwood knocked it out of the park for the 4-2 victory and went 3-for-3 at the plate. It was just her second of her career and in back-to-back games.
Stevermer pitched her ninth career game of the season picking up her 13
th win in the circle. Giving up eight hits, two runs, one walk and seven strikeouts.
Chloe Wagner was 3-for-3 with two runs and two doubles.
Game 2: Luther 7, Nebraska Wesleyan 4
The Norse scored seven runs on 13 hits. Two runs were scored in the first, three in the second and two in the third.
Raven Allen and Wagner were both 2-for-4 with two rbi and one double. Strigel was 3-for-3 with a run.
Isabelle Staton earned the win pitching five innings allowing three runs, five walks and three strikeouts. She is now 9-8 on the season.
Nebraska Wesleyan finishes their season 14-23 and 5-11 in the A-R-C.
Up next the A-R-C Tournament hosted by no. 1 seed Wartburg College. The Norse as the no. 3 seed will face no. 6 seed Coe College in the single elimination tournament. The winner of the tournament receives and automatic bid for the NCAA Division III National Tournament. First pitch will be at 4:30 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa.
Championship website
