Huskers Drop Game Two to Jackrabbits

The Nebraska softball team (1-1) dropped game two of the Houston Invitational to South Dakota State, 1-0, on Friday. A solo homer in the first inning from junior Jocelyn Carillo was enough to seal the victory for the Jackrabbits (1-0). 

Junior Kaylin Kinney pitched the complete game for the Big Red, holding SDSU to four hits and only four base runners after the solo shot. Kinney (0-1) took the loss despite a strong outing.

For the Jackrabbits, Tori Kneische (1-0) recorded the shutout, pitching the complete game and holding the Huskers to only three hits and four base runners. 

After the first inning home run, South Dakota State only reached scoring position twice the rest of the game. In the second inning, a walk and a single to right field put runners at second and third, but Sydney Gray turned a pop up bunt into a double play at third base to end the inning. 

SDSU's sophomore Mia Jarecki singled to center field in the third inning and reached scoring position after stealing second base, but Nebraska was able to work out of the inning. 

NU recorded its first hit in the top of the fourth with a single to center field from senior Courtney Wallace. She stole second, but NU was unable to bring her home. 

In the fifth inning, Caitlynn Neal tallied the second hit of the afternoon with a two-out single to left field, but Nebraska was unable to capitalize on the hit. 

Freshman Katelyn Caneda recorded her first hit as a Husker with a leadoff single to center. Caneda advanced to second on a wild pitch and was in scoring position with no outs for the top of the order, but a pop out and a line-drive double play ended the threat.

Nebraska again put the tying run on base in the top of the seventh when junior Abbie Squier was hit by a pitch with two outs, but a fly out two pitches later ended the game. 

The Huskers return to action on Saturday for day two of the Houston Invitational. NU will take on Lamar starting at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. matchup with Houston. Both games will have a live radio call from Nate Rohr on the Huskers Radio Network. Game one will be streamed live on maxxsports.tv while game two will be on ESPN+ (subscription required).