Huskers Win Big in Home Opener Against Shockers

The Nebraska softball team (9-5) opened the weekend with a 10-4 win against Wichita State (9-5). The Huskers were led by the Andrews sisters who each recorded a home run in the win. 

In the circle, Olivia Ferrell (4-2) recorded the win after pitching a complete game. The senior tallied seven strikeouts while giving up eight hits. 

For Wichita State, Erin McDonald (1-3) received the loss. McDonald pitched 5.0 innings, striking out three, walking three and giving up four hits. Caitlin Bingham pitched 1.0 inning, giving up four hits and three runs. 

The Shockers were the first to strike, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Lauren Lucas led off with a solo homer over the left field fence. Ferrell responded with a strikeout, but Lainee Brown followed it up with a double down the right field line. Wylie Glover grounded out, but advanced Brown to third. Sydney McKinney was able to make it a three-run game with a home run over the right center field fence. The Huskers went into the bottom of the second inning down, 3-0. 

Wichita State added to its lead in the top of the third inning. An error from Billie Andrews allowed Zoe Jones to reach first. Neleigh Herring lined out, followed by the fourth strikeout for Ferrell. However, Lauren Lucas walked, putting Jones in scoring position. Krystin Nelson hit a single to center field, scoring Jones to extend the Shockers lead to 4-0. 

The Huskers cut WSU's lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ava Bredwell led off with a walk and advanced to scoring position when Billie Andrews was walked. Cam Ybarra hit a double to left center, scoring Bredwell. A wild pitch from McDonald scored Billie Andrews and advanced Ybarra to third, making it a 4-2 game. 

The Big Red took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after a three-run inning. Peyton Glatter was hit by a pitch and advanced to second after Ava Bredwell reached first on an error by the third baseman. Billie Andrews followed, reaching first on an error by third base, advancing Bredwell to second and scoring Glatter. Cam Ybarra hit a single to right field, scoring Bredwell and Billie Andrews. Nebraska headed into the top of the fifth inning up 5-4. 

The Andrews sisters led NU in the bottom of the sixth, each notching a home run. Brooke Andrews led off with a solo homer over the center field fence. Peyton Glatter reached first after being hit by a pitch for the second time of the game. Ava Bredwell hit a single and was able to advance on a throwing error. Billie Andrews notched a three-run homer over the left field fence to go up 9-4. Cam Ybarra followed it up with her second double of the game to right center. A groundout from Mya Felder advanced Ybarra to third. Abbie Squier hit a single up the middle to bring in another run. The Huskers were able to claim a 10-4 victory over the Shockers. 

Nebraska returns to action Friday, March 4 at 2:30 p.m. for another matchup against Wichita State. Following the game against the Shockers, the Huskers will take on South Dakota State at 5 p.m. The games will be live streamed on BTN+ and broadcasted live on the Huskers Radio Network with the call by Nate Rohr and Mattie Fowler Burkhardt. Tickets are available at Huskers.com/Tickets. 

Game Notes

• Today marks the first time Billie and Brooke Andrews both hit home runs in the same game. 
• Brooke Andrews home run was the first she has recorded at Bowlin Stadium. 
• Cam Ybarra hit a season-high two doubles.