Five-Run First Powers NU to 8-1 Win

The Nebraska softball team scored five runs just six batters into the game Saturday, and the Huskers never looked back in an 8-1 win over Rutgers in the first game of a doubleheader in Piscataway, N.J.
 
Junior Peyton Glatter highlighted the Huskers' fast start with a first-inning grand slam. Glatter paced the offense with a 2-for-3 day that included her first career grand slam, a walk, two runs and a career-high-tying four RBIs. Senior Tristen Edwards did not record an official at bat for the second straight game. Edwards walked once and was hit by a school-record three pitches Saturday after she drew three walks and was hit by one pitch on Friday. Sophomore Brooke Andrews – who homered twice on Friday – added two more hits on Saturday, including an RBI double.
 
The early offense was more than support for junior right-hander Courtney Wallace, who added an RBI single at the plate. Wallace (5-2) tossed a five-hitter and allowed only one run in a complete-game effort.
 
Nebraska improved to 11-7 with its eighth win its past 10 games. Ashley Hitchcock (1-6) was charged with the loss for Rutgers (3-15) after allowing five runs in 1.0 inning.
 
Nebraska started quickly with the five-run first inning. Senior Rylie Unzicker led off with a single to right field and freshman Billie Andrews followed with a bunt single. Edwards was hit by a pitch to load the bases before senior Cam Ybarra brought Unzicker home with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. Wallace then drew a walk to load the bases again before Glatter sent the first pitch she saw over the wall in left center for a grand slam.
 
Rutgers nearly got a run back in the bottom of the second on a two-out single, but the Huskers were able to throw a runner out at home plate.
 
The Scarlet Knights did get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. A one-out walk came around to score on a two-out RBI single from Kiersten Withstandley, cutting the Husker lead to 5-1.
 
Nebraska answered back with two runs in the top of the fourth despite recording only one hit in the inning. Glatter walked, freshman Kaylin Kinney was hit by a pitch and senior Ally Riley advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Brooke Andrews then came through with an RBI double to right center. Another walk to Unzicker loaded bases and then with two outs, Edwards was hit by another pitch to force in a second run and stretch the lead to 7-1.
 
The Huskers added an insurance run with a two-out rally in the top of the sixth. After the first two batters were retired, Edwards was plunked again and Ybarra followed with a single. Wallace then helped herself with an RBI single to make it 8-1.