Softball to Open Season at Mankato Dome Games - Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics (2024)

Lincoln, Neb.- Nebraska Wesleyan's Softball team is set to begin its season at the Mankato Dome Games this weekend. The Prairie Wolves will play four games over the course of Saturday and Sunday.

MANKATO DOME GAMES INFORMATION

• The games will take place at the MSU Dome in Mankato, Minnesota.
• Nebraska Wesleyan will face off against St. Olaf College, St. Catherine University, Gustavus Adolphus College, and Saint Mary's University.

SERIES INFORMATION

• Saturday will mark the second meeting between the Prairie Wolves and Oles. In the only prior match up, Nebraska Wesleyan defeated St. Olaf 2-1 onFebruary 19th, 2022.
• Saturday will mark the seventh meeting between the Prairie Wolves and Wildcats. St. Catherine leads the series 4-2. Last season, St. Catherine defeated Nebraska Wesleyan 7-3 on February 19th, 2023.
• Sunday will mark the second meeting between the Prairie Wolves and Golden Gusties. In the only prior match up, Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Gustavus Adolphus 8-3 on February 25th, 2018.
• Sunday will mark the second meeting between the Prairie Wolves and Cardinals. In the only prior match up, Last season, Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Saint Mary's 7-6 on February 18th, 2023.

GAME TIMES & LIVE STREAM

• Saturday, February 17th, 2024: Saturday will see the Prairie Wolves take onSt.Olaf College at 6:00 p.m. and St. Catherine University at 8:30 p.m.
  • NWU vs. St.Olaflive stream
  • NWU vs. St. Catherine live stream
• Sunday, February 18th, 2024: Sunday will see the Prairie Wolves take on Gustavus Adolphus College at 1:00 p.m. and Saint Mary's University at 3:30 p.m.
  • NWU vs. Gustavus Adolphus live stream
  • NWU vs. Saint Mary's live stream

SCOUTING THE PRAIRIE WOLVES
Nebraska Wesleyan enters 2024 looking to improve upon last season's 21-18 record. Nebraska Wesleyan's roster features a number of returning players, including catcher Val Gerlach.Last season, Gerlach started at catcher in all 39 games and maintained a batting average of .354. Gerlach tied for the team lead in home runs with four and had a slugging percentage of .549. Gerlach also led the team in RBIs with 28 and finished second in hits with 40.Defensively, Gerlach held a .996 fielding percentage.As a team Nebraska Wesleyan had a batting average of .294, hit 18 home runs, had 183RBIs and carried a slugging percentage of .410.

MARY YORI PROFILE
Head Coach Mary Yori enters her ninth season as the head coach of Nebraska Wesleyan's softball progam.Yori was hired as Nebraska Wesleyan's first full time head softball coach in June of 2015. In eight seasons as head coach, Yori has complied a 151-128 record and wasthe 2016 AD3I All-Independent Co-Coach of the Year. Under Yori's leadership, Nebraska Wesleyan has seen both individual and team success. Yori coached Nebraska Wesleyan to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2022 and has won 20 games five times. Last season Yori helped pitcher Elise Warneke earn first team All-Conference and third team NFCAThird Team All Region honors. In Yori's time at Nebraska Wesleyan, 10 athletes haveearned NFCA/NCAA III scholar athlete honors.

RETURNING FOR ONE MORE YEAR
Following a stellar senior season, Elise Warneke is back for her fifth year. Last year, Warneke was a force to be reckoned with going 17-10 with a 3.51 era. Warneke pitched 20 complete games and had 161 strikeouts. Her stellar numbers earned her first team All-Conference and third team NFCA Third Team All Region honors.

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN SOFTBALL TRADITION
Nebraska Wesleyan's lone conference championship occurred in 1986. That season saw Nebraska Wesleyan post an 8-4 conference record in the NIAC. Nebraska Wesleyan's onlyNCAA tournament appearance occurred in 2022. That season saw Nebraska Wesleyan go 23-16 overall, and 8-8 in American Rivers Conference Play.

SCOUTING ST. OLAF COLLEGE
St. Olaf is yet to play a game in 2024. Last season, St. Olaf went 21-20 overall and 14-7 in conference play. Head coach Kayla Hatting will enter her eighth season in 2024.

SCOUTING ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY
St. Catherine is yet to play a game in 2024. Last season, the Wildcats went 19-20 overall and 13-9 in conference play. Head coach Colleen Powers will enter her sixth season in 2024.

SCOUT GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
Gustavus Adolphus is yet to play a game in 2024. Last season, the Golden Gusties went 24-18 overall and 14-8 in conference play. Head coach Coley Ries Welter will enter her fourth season in 2024.

SCOUTING SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
Saint Mary's is yet to play a game in 2024. Last season, the Cardinals went 21-18 overall and 13-9 in conference play. Head coach John Tschida will enter his ninth season in 2024.