From Nebraska Athletics Communications:
The Nebraska softball team came from behind to post a pair of victories in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday. The Huskers rallied from an early three-run deficit to run-rule Montana, 15-4, in five innings in the first game of the day. NU then trailed by two runs against Sacramento State before coming from behind for a 5-4 win.
In game one, Nebraska trailed 4-1 after one inning, as a pair of Husker errors led to four unearned runs in the first frame. The score remained the same until Nebraska erupted for 13 runs in the top of the fourth. The Huskers sent 17 batters to the plate in the big inning, producing 10 hits including six doubles and one home run. NU set season highs in hits (16), runs (15) and extra-base hits (8) against Montana, while all 10 Huskers who had an at bat produced at least one hit, including six players who had multiple hits. A total of nine players scored a run in the game and eight had at least one RBI.
Emmerson Cope (1-0) earned her first career victory against Montana with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Cope combined with starter Sarah Harness and fellow reliever Caitlin Olensky to not allow an earned run against the Griz.
Cope then earned the save in game two, in relief of Kaylin Kinney, who took the win. Kinney allowed three runs in 6.0 innings, while Cope pitched the final inning and gave up one run on a pair of singles.
Nebraska trailed Sacramento State 2-0 after two innings. The Huskers then scored five runs over the next three innings to build a 5-2 lead. But the Hornets answered back with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings before Nebraska held on for its third consecutive victory.
Offensively, Bella Bacon and Alina Felix each went 2-for-3 against Sacramento State, with both players producing their third consecutive multi-hit game. Bacon and Felix both led Nebraska with 4-for-6 days on Saturday, while Peyton Cody, Sydney Gray and Ava Bredwell all homered for the Huskers on Saturday.
Nebraska (5-3) wraps up the weekend on Sunday with a rematch against Sacramento State at 10 a.m. (Central).
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Game 1: Nebraska 15, Montana 4
Behind a 13-run fourth inning, the Nebraska softball team rallied for a 15-4 five-inning victory over Montana in the first of two games Saturday at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M.
The scoring outburst helped Nebraska overcome a shaky defensive start, as the Huskers trailed 4-1 after allowing four unearned runs in the first inning. Nebraska sent 17 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, producing 10 hits, including six doubles and home run. The Huskers also benefitted from three walks and one error in the inning.
Behind the big inning, Nebraska (4-3) set season highs for hits (16) and runs (15). The Huskers also had eight extra-base hits, another season high. All 10 Huskers who had an at bat produced a hit, with nine players scoring a run and eight producing an RBI.
Samantha Bland, Brooke Andrews, Ava Bredwell, Bella Bacon, Alina Felix and Ashley Smetter all had two hits apiece. Bland added a career-high two doubles, while Bredwell had a double and a home run as both players drove in two runs. Sydney Gray and Caitlynn Neal each had three RBIs to lead the Huskers.
In the circle, Nebraska’s three pitchers did not allow an earned run. Sarah Harness made the start and was charged with four unearned runs in 2.2 innings. Emmerson Cope (1-0) relieved Harness and earned the first win of her career by tossing 1.1 innings of two-hit, shutout relief. Caitlin Olensky then pitched a perfect fifth inning to wrap up the victory.
Grace Haegele (2-2) took the loss for Montana, which fell to 3-5 on the season. Haegele gave up five runs (four earned) in 3.0-plus innings.
Nebraska took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Andrews reached on a one-out single and was at second base with two outs following a stolen base. Bacon then brought Andrews home with a two-out RBI single to right field.
The Husker defense faltered in the bottom of the frame as Montana took a 4-1 lead, scoring four unearned runs. The first two batters reached on throwing errors before Nebraska missed a chance at an out on a soft infield single. Riley Stockton then hit a hard ground ball that deflected off a Husker glove for a two-run single. Following a wild pitch and a ground out, Jessica Stanfield delivered an RBI single to right with the first ball hit to the outfield in the inning. Grace Hardy capped the inning with an RBI single to left that made it a 4-1 game.
Nebraska still trailed by three until erupting for its 13-run fourth inning. The Huskers loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of walks and an error. Felix then drove in the first run with a bases-loaded walk that marked the end of the day for Haegele. Peyton Cody came on to pinch hit and greeted new pitcher Emmalyn Brinka with a two-run double that tied the game at 4-4. Neal gave Nebraska the lead with a sacrifice fly that scored Cope. Bland followed with an RBI double that scored Ashley Smetter before an RBI bunt single from Andrews put Nebraska on top 7-4. Bredwell brought Andrews home with an RBI double, Nebraska’s fifth consecutive hit.
Leading 8-4, Montana finally recorded the second out of the inning but Nebraska was not done. After Cope singled, Gray hit a three-run homer to make it 11-4. Felix followed with a single and Smetter doubled to put Huskers on second and third. Neal then had a two-run double to make it 13-4 before Bland capped the 13-run inning with an RBI double that scored Neal.
Nebraska added to its lead in the fifth when Bredwell led off with her first home run of the season. Leading 15-4, the Huskers loaded the bases with only one out but could not produce another run. But it did not matter after Olensky made quick work of the Griz in the bottom of the fifth.
Nebraska takes on Sacramento State in its second game on Saturday.
Postgame Notes
Game 2: Nebraska 5, Sacramento State 4
The Nebraska softball team erased a two-run deficit to rally for its third consecutive win, defeating Sacramento State 5-4 in its second game of the day Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M.
Nebraska (5-3) trailed 2-0 after two innings before tying the game with a pair of runs in the third inning. NU went on to build a 5-2 lead, and the Huskers held on after the Hornets scored a single run in both the sixth and seventh innings. Sacramento State had 11 hits in the game, including six leadoff singles in the Hornets' seven turns at bat. But Nebraska limited Sacramento State to just 4-for-19 with runners on base.
Kaylin Kinney (3-2) earned the win, scattering nine hits while allowing three runs with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Emmerson Cope picked up her second save despite allowing the first run of her career. Cope pitched the seventh inning and allowed one run on a pair of singles.
Offensively, Bella Bacon and Alina Felix both finished 2-for-3, with each producing their third consecutive game with multiple hits. Bacon led Nebraska with two RBIs, while Felix, Brooke Andrews and Peyton Cody had one RBI apiece. Cody's RBI came on her first home run as a Husker.
Caroline Evans (2-1) allowed five runs on seven hits in 4.0-plus innings to take the loss for the Hornets (5-2).
Sacramento State manufactured a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Haley Hanson led off with a single and stole second base. She moved to third on a Husker error and scored on a squeeze bunt.
The Hornets used a similar strategy to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. A leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt put a runner at second base who scored on a two-out, RBI single.
A leadoff single for the third straight inning and a stolen base gave Sacramento State a runner at second with no outs in the top of the third. But Kinney responded with back-to-back strikeouts and a ground out to keep it a 2-0 deficit.
Nebraska put its first runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third. Caitlynn Neal drew a one-out walk before Brooke Andrews was hit by a two-out pitch. Ava Bredwell then singled to load the bases and Bacon delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single up the middle to tie the game.
Kinney worked around another leadoff single in the top of the fourth before Cody led off the bottom of the frame with a home right to right field to give Nebraska its first lead at 3-2. Alina Felix followed with a single before Smetter hit a ball that dropped in between three players in shallow right field, but Sacramento State was able to field the ball on one hop and throw to second in time to force out Felix. Caitlynn Neal then singled and Samantha Bland walked to load the bases with one out before Andrews stretched the lead to 4-2 with an RBI ground out.
The Huskers added to their lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Bacon led off with a single - her second hit of the game - to force a Sacramento State pitching change. New pitcher Keeli Smith retired the first two batters she faced before Felix delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 5-2.
Sacramento State brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the sixth after the first two batters reached on consecutive singles. Kinney then coaxed a double play before a two-out infield single cut the Husker lead to 5-3.
The Hornets continued to try and rally in the top of the seventh. A leadoff single and a ground out put a runner at second base with one out. An RBI single then cut the lead to 5-4 but on the play, Nebraska was able to tag out batter as she tried to advance to second base. Cope then coaxed a ground out to end the inning.
Nebraska wraps up play at the Troy Cox Classic on Sunday with a rematch against Sacramento State at 10 a.m. (Central).
Postgame Notes
The Nebraska softball team came from behind to post a pair of victories in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday. The Huskers rallied from an early three-run deficit to run-rule Montana, 15-4, in five innings in the first game of the day. NU then trailed by two runs against Sacramento State before coming from behind for a 5-4 win.
In game one, Nebraska trailed 4-1 after one inning, as a pair of Husker errors led to four unearned runs in the first frame. The score remained the same until Nebraska erupted for 13 runs in the top of the fourth. The Huskers sent 17 batters to the plate in the big inning, producing 10 hits including six doubles and one home run. NU set season highs in hits (16), runs (15) and extra-base hits (8) against Montana, while all 10 Huskers who had an at bat produced at least one hit, including six players who had multiple hits. A total of nine players scored a run in the game and eight had at least one RBI.
Emmerson Cope (1-0) earned her first career victory against Montana with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Cope combined with starter Sarah Harness and fellow reliever Caitlin Olensky to not allow an earned run against the Griz.
Cope then earned the save in game two, in relief of Kaylin Kinney, who took the win. Kinney allowed three runs in 6.0 innings, while Cope pitched the final inning and gave up one run on a pair of singles.
Nebraska trailed Sacramento State 2-0 after two innings. The Huskers then scored five runs over the next three innings to build a 5-2 lead. But the Hornets answered back with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings before Nebraska held on for its third consecutive victory.
Offensively, Bella Bacon and Alina Felix each went 2-for-3 against Sacramento State, with both players producing their third consecutive multi-hit game. Bacon and Felix both led Nebraska with 4-for-6 days on Saturday, while Peyton Cody, Sydney Gray and Ava Bredwell all homered for the Huskers on Saturday.
Nebraska (5-3) wraps up the weekend on Sunday with a rematch against Sacramento State at 10 a.m. (Central).
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Game 1: Nebraska 15, Montana 4
Behind a 13-run fourth inning, the Nebraska softball team rallied for a 15-4 five-inning victory over Montana in the first of two games Saturday at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M.
The scoring outburst helped Nebraska overcome a shaky defensive start, as the Huskers trailed 4-1 after allowing four unearned runs in the first inning. Nebraska sent 17 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, producing 10 hits, including six doubles and home run. The Huskers also benefitted from three walks and one error in the inning.
Behind the big inning, Nebraska (4-3) set season highs for hits (16) and runs (15). The Huskers also had eight extra-base hits, another season high. All 10 Huskers who had an at bat produced a hit, with nine players scoring a run and eight producing an RBI.
Samantha Bland, Brooke Andrews, Ava Bredwell, Bella Bacon, Alina Felix and Ashley Smetter all had two hits apiece. Bland added a career-high two doubles, while Bredwell had a double and a home run as both players drove in two runs. Sydney Gray and Caitlynn Neal each had three RBIs to lead the Huskers.
In the circle, Nebraska’s three pitchers did not allow an earned run. Sarah Harness made the start and was charged with four unearned runs in 2.2 innings. Emmerson Cope (1-0) relieved Harness and earned the first win of her career by tossing 1.1 innings of two-hit, shutout relief. Caitlin Olensky then pitched a perfect fifth inning to wrap up the victory.
Grace Haegele (2-2) took the loss for Montana, which fell to 3-5 on the season. Haegele gave up five runs (four earned) in 3.0-plus innings.
Nebraska took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Andrews reached on a one-out single and was at second base with two outs following a stolen base. Bacon then brought Andrews home with a two-out RBI single to right field.
The Husker defense faltered in the bottom of the frame as Montana took a 4-1 lead, scoring four unearned runs. The first two batters reached on throwing errors before Nebraska missed a chance at an out on a soft infield single. Riley Stockton then hit a hard ground ball that deflected off a Husker glove for a two-run single. Following a wild pitch and a ground out, Jessica Stanfield delivered an RBI single to right with the first ball hit to the outfield in the inning. Grace Hardy capped the inning with an RBI single to left that made it a 4-1 game.
Nebraska still trailed by three until erupting for its 13-run fourth inning. The Huskers loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of walks and an error. Felix then drove in the first run with a bases-loaded walk that marked the end of the day for Haegele. Peyton Cody came on to pinch hit and greeted new pitcher Emmalyn Brinka with a two-run double that tied the game at 4-4. Neal gave Nebraska the lead with a sacrifice fly that scored Cope. Bland followed with an RBI double that scored Ashley Smetter before an RBI bunt single from Andrews put Nebraska on top 7-4. Bredwell brought Andrews home with an RBI double, Nebraska’s fifth consecutive hit.
Leading 8-4, Montana finally recorded the second out of the inning but Nebraska was not done. After Cope singled, Gray hit a three-run homer to make it 11-4. Felix followed with a single and Smetter doubled to put Huskers on second and third. Neal then had a two-run double to make it 13-4 before Bland capped the 13-run inning with an RBI double that scored Neal.
Nebraska added to its lead in the fifth when Bredwell led off with her first home run of the season. Leading 15-4, the Huskers loaded the bases with only one out but could not produce another run. But it did not matter after Olensky made quick work of the Griz in the bottom of the fifth.
Nebraska takes on Sacramento State in its second game on Saturday.
Postgame Notes
- Nebraska scored 15 runs in the game, marking its first time scoring 15 or more runs since Feb. 25, 2023 against New Mexico (15).
- NU also set season highs with 16 hits and eight extra-base hits.
- All 10 Huskers who had an at bat produced a hit, while nine players scored a run and eight had an RBI.
- Six Huskers produced multiple hits in the game, while five had multiple RBIs.
- The Huskers scored 13 runs on 10 hits in the fourth inning. Through the first six games of the season, Nebraska’s season highs for a game were seven runs and eight hits.
- Alina Felix had two hits for the second straight game, the first two multi-hit games of her career.
- Bella Bacon produced a multi-hit game for the second straight game, a first in her career.
- Ashley Smetter, who made her first career start at second base (second career start overall) went 2-for-3 to produce her first career multi-hit game.
- Samantha Bland set career highs with two doubles and two RBIs.
- Emmerson Cope and Ashley Smetter each set a career high with two runs scored.
- Nebraska's freshmen pitchers Emmerson Cope and Caitlin Olensky combined for 2.1 scoreless innings against Montana. The two have thrown 7.1 scoreless innings through Nebraska's first three games in New Mexico.
Game 2: Nebraska 5, Sacramento State 4
The Nebraska softball team erased a two-run deficit to rally for its third consecutive win, defeating Sacramento State 5-4 in its second game of the day Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M.
Nebraska (5-3) trailed 2-0 after two innings before tying the game with a pair of runs in the third inning. NU went on to build a 5-2 lead, and the Huskers held on after the Hornets scored a single run in both the sixth and seventh innings. Sacramento State had 11 hits in the game, including six leadoff singles in the Hornets' seven turns at bat. But Nebraska limited Sacramento State to just 4-for-19 with runners on base.
Kaylin Kinney (3-2) earned the win, scattering nine hits while allowing three runs with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Emmerson Cope picked up her second save despite allowing the first run of her career. Cope pitched the seventh inning and allowed one run on a pair of singles.
Offensively, Bella Bacon and Alina Felix both finished 2-for-3, with each producing their third consecutive game with multiple hits. Bacon led Nebraska with two RBIs, while Felix, Brooke Andrews and Peyton Cody had one RBI apiece. Cody's RBI came on her first home run as a Husker.
Caroline Evans (2-1) allowed five runs on seven hits in 4.0-plus innings to take the loss for the Hornets (5-2).
Sacramento State manufactured a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Haley Hanson led off with a single and stole second base. She moved to third on a Husker error and scored on a squeeze bunt.
The Hornets used a similar strategy to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. A leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt put a runner at second base who scored on a two-out, RBI single.
A leadoff single for the third straight inning and a stolen base gave Sacramento State a runner at second with no outs in the top of the third. But Kinney responded with back-to-back strikeouts and a ground out to keep it a 2-0 deficit.
Nebraska put its first runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third. Caitlynn Neal drew a one-out walk before Brooke Andrews was hit by a two-out pitch. Ava Bredwell then singled to load the bases and Bacon delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single up the middle to tie the game.
Kinney worked around another leadoff single in the top of the fourth before Cody led off the bottom of the frame with a home right to right field to give Nebraska its first lead at 3-2. Alina Felix followed with a single before Smetter hit a ball that dropped in between three players in shallow right field, but Sacramento State was able to field the ball on one hop and throw to second in time to force out Felix. Caitlynn Neal then singled and Samantha Bland walked to load the bases with one out before Andrews stretched the lead to 4-2 with an RBI ground out.
The Huskers added to their lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Bacon led off with a single - her second hit of the game - to force a Sacramento State pitching change. New pitcher Keeli Smith retired the first two batters she faced before Felix delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 5-2.
Sacramento State brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the sixth after the first two batters reached on consecutive singles. Kinney then coaxed a double play before a two-out infield single cut the Husker lead to 5-3.
The Hornets continued to try and rally in the top of the seventh. A leadoff single and a ground out put a runner at second base with one out. An RBI single then cut the lead to 5-4 but on the play, Nebraska was able to tag out batter as she tried to advance to second base. Cope then coaxed a ground out to end the inning.
Nebraska wraps up play at the Troy Cox Classic on Sunday with a rematch against Sacramento State at 10 a.m. (Central).
Postgame Notes
- Nebraska's win was its third straight, and the Huskers have come from behind in all three wins.
- Bella Bacon had a career-high two RBIs in the game, her first career game with multiple RBIs. She finished 2-for-3 for her third straight game with multiple hits.
- Alina Felix also finished 2-for-3 to produce her third consecutive game with multiple hits.
- First-year transfer Peyton Cody hit her first home run as a Husker in the fourth inning. The homer was the 21st of her career.
- Emmeron Cope earned her second save in three games for the Big Red.
