Wallace Shuts Out Houston

The Nebraska softball team (3-1) handed Houston (2-1) its first loss of the season as the Huskers claimed the 7-0 victory. 

Courtney Wallace (2-0) earned her second complete game shutout of the season. The senior held the Cougars to four hits and tallied five strikeouts. 

For Houston, Kenna Wilkey (1-1) recorded the loss after pitching 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and four runs. 

Offensively, Billie Andrews, Mya Felder, Caitlynn Neal and Ava Bredwell all added two hits while Andrews and Bredwell each chipped in two RBIs. 

BIllie Andrews followed up game one with another leadoff home run to give the Huskers an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. 

The Cougars looked to respond in the bottom of the first. A single and an error put runners on first and second, but a double play and a fly out got the Huskers out of the inning. 

The Huskers looked to score in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Caitlynn Neal singled to center, followed by a single to right field from Ava Bredwell. NU was unable to capitalize, and the score remained 1-0. 

The Cougars reached scoring position in the bottom of the fourth after a single and a stolen base, but two strikeouts and a ground out, kept Houston off the board. 

Houston reached scoring position in the bottom of the fifth. A hit and a passed ball put a runner at second, but after a walk a fielder's choice at third got NU out of the inning. 

The Big Red extended its lead in the top of the sixth. Felder led off with a single, advancing to second on an error. Squier was hit by a pitch, and Felder and Squier advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt from Neal. Ava Bredwell hit a single to center field, scoring two. A fly out from Katelyn Caneda advanced Bredwell to third. Billie Andrews had a hard hit ball back to the pitcher, scoring Bredwell. The Huskers went into the bottom of the sixth ahead, 4-0. 

NU added three more runs in the top of the seventh. Sydney Gray singled followed by a double from Felder put runners at second and third. Squier singled, scoring Gray, and advancing to second on the throw. Neal added a single to center field, scoring Felder. A passed ball added the third run of the inning, but a double play and a ground out ended the inning. NU took a 7-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh. 

The Cougars loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two singles and a walk, but Wallace responded with two strikeouts and a pop up to secure the 7-0 victory. 

The Huskers return to action Sunday, Feb. 12. NU will face Virginia at 9:30 a.m. (CT). Fans can listen to the action live with the call from Nate Rohr on Huskers Radio Network. It will also be streamed on maxxsports.tv. 

Game Notes 

• Billie Andrews' leadoff home run moved her into 10th all-time in Nebraska history with 29 career home runs. 
• Today's game marked Courtney Wallace's sixth career shutout.