Nebraska Wesleyan University has marked a new era for its baseball and softball teams with a special ceremony dedicating new, state-of-the-art facilities at Championship Village at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex.
The ceremony moved to Snyder Arena on Friday March 21, due to winter weather conditions earlier in the week. It featured remarks from Nebraska Wesleyan President Darrin Good, Director of Athletics, Dwight Merilatt, and student-athletes representing both the baseball and softball teams. Senior center fielder Hanna Roth (softball) and senior pitcher Theo Hughes (baseball) shared their excitement about the new facilities and what they mean for the future of their programs.
"The Nebraska Wesleyan softball team is super grateful for these new fields, and we are extremely excited to be allowed to play on a field we can call our own ," Roth said. "These fields will allow our program to grow and create a pathway with the youth in Lincoln"
The excitement is off the charts for the entire team," Hughes said. "Being able to have the experience of playing at a brand new state of the art facility is an experience that every student athlete want to have.We are grateful to be able to play in such an amazing facility."
The ceremony also included symbolic first pitches, with President Good and tossing baseballs and softballs into gloves held by baseball and softball student-athletes
Merilatt says this is a historical moment for the University. "We now have two of the premier venues for Division III softball and baseball in our region." Merilatt said. "I am so glad our student-athletes and coaches will be able to practice, compete, and represent Nebraska Wesleyan University at the brand new complex."
The new fields feature top-tier amenities, including synthetic turf, modern dugouts, and spectator seating designed to enhance the game-day experience. The facilities are part of the larger Sandhills Global Youth Complex, which has become a hub for youth and collegiate baseball and softball in the region.
"This is just the beginning," Merilatt added. "We're building something special here, and we can't wait to see what the future holds."
Nebraska Wesleyan's baseball team will host its first game at Championship Village against Loras College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. while the softball team will play a doubleheader against Grinnell on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.