Harness Shuts Out Cardinals in Husker Debut

Sarah Harness tossed a one-hit shutout and Nebraska recorded 14 hits in a 7-0 victory over Lamar Saturday afternoon. 

Harness (1-0) was brilliant in the circle while tossing her first career shutout as a Husker. She fanned 11 batters in 6.0 innings. Harness allowed only one hit, which came in the first at-bat for Lamar. 

On offense, Billie and Brooke Andrews led the Big Red, combining for six of Nebraska's 14 hits. Courtney Wallace and Katelyn Caneda each added two hits while Sydney Gray finished with two RBIs. 

Aaliyah Ruiz (0-3) recorded the loss for the Cardinals. Ruiz pitched 2.1 innings, giving up eight hits and five runs. 

Billie Andrews hit her first homer of the season with a leadoff shot in the first inning to give NU an early 1-0 lead. 

The only hit for Lamar came in the first inning as Sam Bean hit a single up the middle. With one out, a walk advanced Bean to second, putting the Cardinals in scoring position, but two strikeouts from Harness got NU out of the inning.  

NU extended its lead to 5-0 with four runs in the second inning. Abbie Squier led off with a single to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Caitlynn Neal. Ava Bredwell recorded her first double of the season, scoring Squier. Four consecutive singles Brooke Andrews, Katelyn Caneda, Billie Andrews and Courtney Wallace, scored one and loaded the bases. Sydney Gray recorded a sacrifice fly, scoring Caneda. A ground out from Mya Felder ended the inning. 

Two walks in the bottom of third inning put Lamar in scoring position for the second time, but a two-out strikeout got the Huskers out of the inning once again. 

After being held scoreless in the third inning, the Big Red added two more in the fourth. Billie Andrews led off with a single. With one out, Gray doubled to right field, scoring Andrews. Felder singled to second base, advancing Gray to third. Squier added a sacrifice fly out, scoring Gray, and putting the Huskers ahead 7-0. 

Lamar looked to score in the sixth inning after two walks with one out put the Cardinals at first and second. However, the Huskers stranded the runners after a ground out and a fly out. 

NU was able to hold Lamar the last inning, winning 7-0. 

Nebraska returns to action at approximately 3 p.m. (CT) to face Houston. Fans can listen to the live radio call by Nate Rohr on Huskers Radio Network. The game will also be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required). 

Game Notes 

• With her home run in the first inning, Billie Andrews is now tied for 10th all-time in Nebraska history with 28 career home runs. 
• Sarah Harness made her first career start as a Husker in the circle.
• Harness tallied 11 strikeouts. This marks the first time a Husker recorded 10 or more strikeouts since Olivia Ferrell recorded 10 on March 13, 2022 (at Long Beach State).