Huskers Sweep North Dakota State Doubleheader

Nebraska swept its doubleheader against North Dakota State on Sunday, winning game one 11-2 and winning game two, 1-0. The games couldn't have been more different as the first had 22 combined hits, including 14 for Nebraska. Four Huskers had multiple hits including Alyvia Simmons, Tristen Edwards, Courtney Wallace and Bree Boruff. Additionally, Madi Unzicker had a two-run homer. Game two was a pitching battle. Nebraska recorded just four hits, but it would be enough, as the Husker pitchers allowed just one hit in the second game. 

Game 1: Nebraska topped NDSU 11-2 in the first game of the day. Ferrell started in the circle for the Huskers and picked up the win. She went 4.0 innings, allowing one run off six hits. She also had three walks and five strikeouts. Alyvia Simmons and Courtney Wallace led the offense with three hits and two runs each. Wallace also pitched 3.0 innings. She gave up two hits and one run and also had two strikeouts. 

Tristen Edwards and Bree Boruff each had a pair of hits, while Rylie Unzicker, Lindsey Walljasper, Madi Unzicker and Lexey Kneib each had one hit, en route to a 14-hit game for the Huskers.

In the top of the second, NDSU scored one run off two doubles. The Huskers took the lead in the bottom of the third. Kneib hit a leadoff single. Sarah Yocom pinch ran for her and moved to second off a single from Boruff. Simmons singled to load the bases with no outs. Edwards hit a deep double that scored three runs, giving the Huskers a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the fourth, the Bison loaded the bases with a double, a walk and a single, but the Husker defense was solid and got out of the inning without allowing a run. Nebraska did damage in the bottom of the inning, scoring six runs and sending 12 batters to the plate to take a 9-1 lead. Wallace hit a leadoff single and Madi Unzicker drew a walk. Boruff singled, scoring Wallace. Then, with the top of the order up, Simmons singled to load the bases. Back-to-back hits by Rylie Unzicker and Edwards scored two more runs. With the bases loaded, Samantha Owen drew a walk to bring another runner across the plate. Walljasper found a gap on the left side to bring in a run and a Bison error allowed one more run to score.

NDSU cut the lead, scoring one run in the top of the fifth, after drawing two walks and hitting two singles. NU loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning. Simmons hit a double and Rylie Unzicker drew a walk before Edwards was hit by a pitch. However, the Huskers were unable to score, but still held a 9-2 lead heading into the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wallace hit a triple and Madi Unzicker homered to center field to put the Huskers up 11-2. 

Game 2: In a tough pitching battle, the Huskers shut out the Bison, 1-0, in the second game of the day. Regan Mergele started and pitched 3.0 innings, without giving up a hit. She also had five strikeouts. Lindsey Walljasper finished the game and picked up the win, going 4.0 innings. She gave up one hit and had two strikeouts. 

On offense, NU finished with four hits. Tristen Edwards, Alyvia Simmons, Bri Cassidy and Bree Boruff each had one.

The Huskers got right to business, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Simmons hit a leadoff double and moved to third on a ground out. Then, she scored on a wild pitch.

The Bison got the tying run to third in the top of the fifth after a walk and two stolen bases, but the Husker defense didn't allow the run to score. Neither team would score the rest of the game.

Nebraska finishes its fall season Oct. 6-7 when it hosts the Big Red Fall Classic. The Huskers will play two games each day. On Saturday, NU faces off against Colorado State at 10 a.m., followed by a game against UNO at 12:30 p.m. Colorado State and Omaha will then play a 10-inning game at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Nebraska plays Colorado State at 10 a.m in a 10-inning game and UNO at 1 p.m.