MONTGOMERY, Ill. (WLCSports.com) – No. 8 seed Wisconsin Lutheran College saw its 2026 season come to an end with a 5-4 loss to No. 5 seed Lakeland in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament game on Thursday at Bedrosian Stadium.

The Warriors finished the season 18-23 overall, while the Muskies improved to 25-15-1 and advanced to face No. 4 seed Aurora in another single-elimination contest Thursday at 4 p.m.

WLC struck first in the second inning when sophomore right fielder Maritza Martinez (Kenosha, Wis.) launched a solo homerun to left field for a 1-0 lead. LU answered with single runs in the second and third innings to move in front 2-1.

Wisconsin Lutheran threatened in the fourth after Martinez singled with two outs, but Lakeland cut down the tying run on the bases to end the inning.

The Warriors responded with their biggest rally in the fifth. Freshman Peyton Crutcher (Ashwaubenon, Wis.) drew a leadoff walk before freshmen Anna Bracke (Brookfield, Wis.) and Rebecca Reddeman (Canton, Mich.) delivered back-to-back singles to load the bases. Sophomore Kylie Gaston (Albertville, Minn.) then cleared the bases with a three-run double to left-center field, giving WLC a 4-2 advantage.

Wisconsin Lutheran had another scoring chance later in the inning after junior Sommer Krull (New London, Wis.) singled and sophomore Natalie Jordan (Cincinnati, Ohio) stole second, but the Muskies escaped further damage.

LU regained the lead with three runs in the sixth inning to take a 5-4 edge. The Warriors mounted one final threat in the seventh. Reddeman singled and sophomore Daylanna Morgese (Milwaukee, Wis.) followed with another base hit to put the tying run in scoring position with one out, but Lakeland retired the final two batters to secure the win.

Martinez and Reddeman led WLC at the plate by going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Martinez also scored once and Gaston drove in three runs. Sophomore Alyssa Dinnauer (Dousman, Wis.) allowed three earned runs over five innings with five strikeouts and a walk. 

Lexi Howard paced the Muskies with two hits and two runs scored, while Madelyn Abler collected two RBIs. Lily Pettit earned the win in relief, allowing two hits over 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Wisconsin Lutheran made its sixth NACC Tournament appearance and first since 2019.