Huskers Run Past Mavericks

The Nebraska softball team (18-8) claimed the run-rule victory in the second game of a doubleheader against Omaha on Wednesday night. The Huskers picked up the win after outscoring the Mavericks (13-8), 11-3, in six innings.  

Mya Felder led the Big Red offense, finishing the night 3-for-4 with one home run and four RBI. Billie Andrews added three hits including a solo home run shot while Katelyn Caneda finished the three hits and two runs. 

Sarah Harness started in the circle for the Huskers and pitched 3.2 innings, allowing no hits and one run while striking out five. Courtney Wallace (11-4) earned the win with 2.1 innings of relief work, allowing four hits and two runs. 

Sydney Nuismer (6-3) recorded the loss for the Mavericks. Nuismer pitched 5.1 innings, giving up 12 hits and 10 runs. 

Billie Andrews put the Huskers ahead early with a leadoff home run in the first inning, putting Nebraska ahead, 1-0. 

NU added four more in the third inning. Billie Andrews led the inning off with a single. Neal doubled to right center, putting runners at second and third. Felder smashed a ball to left field, recording a three-run home run as NU took the 4-0 lead. 

Omaha had its first runner on base in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Olivia Aden was hit by a pitch. However, a ground out from the next batter stranded Aden, and the Mavericks remained scoreless. 

The Huskers added another run in the fourth. Caneda reached first after a leadoff walk. With two outs, Caneda advanced to second after a ground out from Gray. Billie Andrews reached on an Omaha throwing error as Caneda scored, giving NU the 5-0 advantage. 

The Mavericks added a run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, a walk and two hit by pitches loaded the bases. A fielder's choice brought in a run as the runner at second was out. Another walk loaded the bases, but Wallace entered to record a strikeout to get the Huskers out of the inning. NU went into the fifth inning ahead, 5-1. 

Omaha threatened in the fifth. With two outs and a runner at first, Rachel Weber doubled down the left field line, putting runners in scoring position. A walk loaded the bases, but NU worked out of the inning with a fielder's choice. 

The Huskers tallied six runs on seven hits in the sixth. Caneda led off with a double. The freshman scored after Squier doubled to right field. Dakota Carter entered as a pinch hitter, recording her first career hit with a single to right field. Billie Andrews hit a single to the pitcher, loading the bases. Neal hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Squier. Felder added a single, scoring another. With one out, Brooke Andrews hit a single up the middle, scoring two. Caneda added her second hit of the inning with a single up the middle, scoring Andrews and giving the Big Red the 11-1 lead. 

The Mavericks added three in the bottom of the sixth off of two hits and a walk, but it was not enough as Nebraska claimed the run-rule win, 11-3. 

The Huskers return to action Sunday, March 19 against Kansas City in Lawrence, Kan. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. (CT). Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr. 

Game Notes

• Billie Andrews led off the game with her 10th home run of the season. The home run marked the fifth time this season that Andrews had homered in Nebraska's first at bat of the game.
• Caitlynn Neal and Ava Bredwell extended their hitting streaks to 14 consecutive games.