Ferrell Fires 3-Hitter in 2-1 Win

Lincoln – Senior right-hander Olivia Ferrell fired a three-hitter, allowing only one run to lift the Nebraska softball team to a 2-1 victory over Maryland in game one of Friday's doubleheader at Bowlin Stadium.

Ferrell needed fewer than 90 pitches in her sixth complete game of the season. She allowed only three singles - including two infield singles - and struck out four while walking none. Behind her effort, Nebraska moved to 17-16 on the year. Trinity Schlotterbeck (6-6) pitched well in a losing effort for Maryland (14-19), allowing two runs on five hits.
 
Offensively, junior Anni Raley was 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and she was also hit by a pitch. Freshman Billie Andrews homered, while her sophomore sister Brooke was 1-for-3, as was freshman Caitlynn Neal. Senior Tristen Edwards walked in each of her three plate appearances.
 
Nebraska jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Billie Andrews homered to center field with one out.
 
Maryland pulled even with a run in the top of the third. A leadoff double, a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base preceded a game-tying sacrifice fly.
 
The Huskers regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Edwards worked a leadoff walk and stole second. She then gave Nebraska a 2-1 lead on a two-out, RBI single from Raley.
 
Nebraska missed a chance to add to its lead in the bottom of the fifth. Neal led off with a double. After the next two batters were retired, Edwards was intentionally walked before senior Cam Ybarra lined out to center to end the inning.

The Huskers also stranded a pair of runners in the sixth, but it would not matter. Ferrell allowed a two-out single in the top of the seventh - snapping her streak of 13 consecutive batters retired - before wrapping up the win with a lineout.