A Pair of Grand Slams Lifts Huskers to Win Over Bears

The Nebraska softball team moved to 5-4 after a five inning win over the Northern Colorado Bears (1-7). A pair of grand slams from Cam Ybarra and Billie Andrews lifted the Huskers to a 15-3 win Saturday afternoon.

Along with the grand slams from Ybarra and Andrews, Sydney Gray added a pair of her own home runs, a two-run homer in the top of the first and a two-run homer in the top of the fifth. This is the second game this weekend that the Huskers have recorded four or more home runs in a game. 

In the circle, Olivia Ferrell (1-2) pitched four innings, recording six strikeouts. Kaylin Kinney came in for the fifth inning to close it out for NU, allowing two hits and a run. 

For the Bears, Isabelle Dinapoli (0-3) received the loss after giving up three hits and six runs in 1.1 innings. Erin Caviness pitched 3.2 innings, tallying nine hits and nine runs while walking three. 

The Huskers struck early after Ybarra hit a double to get on base and Gray hit a two-run homer to put NU on the board early in the top of the first inning. 

The Bears responded in the bottom of the first. Riley Plogger hit a double down the left field line to be in scoring position. It was followed up with a single from Kaileigh Holland to left center that scored Plogger. A walk added another runner while a single down the right field line from Jenna Kobernick brought in another run. UNC evened it out to 2-2 heading into the top of the second. 

The game was not even for long as Brooke Andrews reached base on a walk. Abbie Squier added a single and Billie Andrews was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ybarra nailed a grand slam deep to right center to make it a 6-2 game. 

The Big Red added another run in the top of the third inning. Peyton Glatter reached base on a walk, and then Caitlynn Neal came in to pinch run for the junior. Abby Newlun singled to shortstop and looked to advance to second. On the throw, Neal scored before Newlun was tagged out, extending the lead to 7-2.

An eight-run fifth inning sealed the deal on the victory for Nebraska. Gray singled to the shortstop to reach first. Kinney reached on a fielder's choice; however, Gray was out at second. Courtney Wallace hit a single to center field, advancing Kinney, and a single from Neal loaded the bases. Brooke Andrews hit a big double down the left field line to score Wallace and Kinney. Squier walked to load the bases again, and Billie Andrews took advantage with a deep ball over the right center fence for the second grand slam of the game. Ybarra followed up with a single through the right side of the field. Gray added another two-run homer on the day with a deep ball over the right center fence.

Northern Colorado looked to come back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kinney came in to pitch and walked the first batter. A single from Holland put a runner in scoring position, but Peyton Gale grounded into a double play. Kobernick singled to right center to bring in a run, but it was not enough for the Bears as the Huskers were able to win 15-3 in five innings. 
The Huskers return to action Sunday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. CT to face Southeastern Louisiana. The game will broadcasted live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the play-by-play call from Nate Rohr. 

Game Notes 

• Cam Ybarra recorded a grand slam in the top of the second inning. 
• Billie Andrews recorded a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning. 
• The last time the Huskers had two grand slams was against Wisconsin on April 30, 2014 when Taylor Edwards and Hailey Decker combined for two in a 12-0, 5 inning win. 
• Sydney Gray recorded two two-run home runs during the game. 
• This marks the second game this weekend that the Huskers have recorded four or more home runs in a game. 
• McKinley Malecha made her first appearance behind the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning.