Huskers Split On Day One of Big Red Fall Classic

The Nebraska softball team hosted the Big Red Fall Classic this afternoon at Bowlin Stadium. In the opening game, the Huskers stumbled 5-2 against the Rams of Colorado State. Nebraska rebounded in game two with a 1-0 victory over Nebraska-Omaha. In the final game of the day, the Rams upended the Mavericks 4-3.

Alyvia Simmons was the most productive Husker on the day, going three for eight at the plate, earning a walk and stealing one base. She recorded all three RBI’s for the Big Red today.

Game 1: Although Nebraska outhit Colorado State 6-5 in the opening game, the Huskers fell 5-2. The Rams did all their damage in the second inning, plating five runs on five hits. Colorado State held on to the 5-0 lead until Simmons put the Big Red on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning. Simmons singled to center field and scored both Sarah Yocom and Lexey Kneib to cut the CSU lead down to 5-2. The Rams went scoreless in the top of the seventh inning and shutout the Huskers in the bottom of the seventh to claim the 5-2 victory.

Simmons had a team leading two hits, followed by Kneib, Courtney Wallace, Lindsey Walljasper and Samantha Owen each with one hit apiece. Both Wallace and Kneib notched a double in the game. Yocom and Kneib each had one run, while Simmons recorded both RBI’s.

Ashley Michelena, Danni Klein, Haley Donaldson, Corina Gamboa and MaKenzie Miller led the Rams with one hit apiece. Donaldson, Gamboa, Miller, Brenna Scudellari and Nicole Valdez scored the runs for CSU. Klein had a team-high two RBI’s, while Gamboa, Miller and Michelena each plated one runner.

Jessica Jarecki picked up the pitching win for Colorado State with six strikeouts. She also gave up six hits, two runs and four walks in 7.0 innings. Walljasper suffered the loss in the circle for Nebraska after surrendering five hits, five runs and five walks in three innings of play while also recording four strikeouts. Regan Mergele also pitched three innings for the Huskers and piled up three strikeouts to go with two walks. Karlee Seevers pitched one inning and gave up no runs and zero hits.

Game 2: Nebraska rebounded in game two with a 1-0 victory over Nebraska-Omaha. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning when Simmons singled to right field to score Sarah Yocom for the win. Nebraska outhit UNO 6-4.

Yocom notched a double in the victory. Simmons, Walljasper, Rylie Unzicker, Tristen Edwards and Bree Boruff each racked up a single. Yocom had the lone run and Simmons recorded the game-winning RBI. Liv Ferrell pitched the first three innings, fanning three batters, giving up two hits and allowing four walks. Wallace pitched the final four innings for the Big Red and allowed two hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts.

Natalie Mostek led the Mavericks with a double. Emma Dargy, Lexi Burkhardt and Sarrah Mains each had a single in the game. UNO gave up five hits, one error and three walks as a pitching committee. Nebraska-Omaha also struck out three Nebraska batters as a team.

Nebraska will wrap up the Big Red Fall Classic on Sunday with games against Colorado State and Nebraska-Omaha. Opening pitch between the Huskers and Rams is slated for 10 a.m. and game two between the Huskers and Mavericks will follow.