Huskers Shut Out Lions in 3-0 Victory

The Nebraska softball team (11-6) recorded its sixth consecutive win after taking down Texas A&M-Commerce (2-15) Friday afternoon. The Huskers shutout the Lions, winning 3-0. 

Sarah Harness (4-2) earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings. Harness held Texas A&M-Commerce to three hits while striking out five. Courtney Wallace earned the save after entering in the sixth inning and holding the Lions scoreless. 

Julia Sanchez (0-4) pitched the complete game for Texas A&M-Commerce, recording the loss. Sanchez gave up eight hits and three runs (two earned). 

On offense, Caitlynn Neal and Mya Felder led the Huskers. Both recorded two hits including a double while Felder added two RBIs. Ava Bredwell and Katelyn Caneda each added a double while Sydney Gray finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. 

Diamond Sefe led the Lion offense, going 2-for-2 while Tatum Wright added a single. The Huskers were able to hold Texas A&M-Commerce to no extra-base hits on the day. 

The Lions reached scoring position early in the first inning. After being hit by a pitch, Kaydee Bennett reached scoring position after stealing second. A fly out in foul territory moved Bennett to third, but Harness recorded a strikeout for the third out, holding Texas A&M-Commerce scoreless in the first. 

The Huskers responded, putting two runners on with a lead-off walk for Billie Andrews and a single from Neal. With two outs, Courtney Wallace walked to load the bases, but NU was unable to capitalize, stranding three. 

After a quiet second inning for both teams, Nebraska took the lead in the bottom of the third. With one out, Bredwell doubled to right center. Felder followed it with a single to second base, scoring Bredwell, going ahead, 1-0. 

Texas A&M-Commerce threatened in the top of the fourth. A single and a walk put runners at first and second with both runners advancing to second and third after a passed ball. The Huskers held the Lions after forcing a ground out and a pop up to keep the lead. 

The Big Red added two runs in the bottom of the fifth. After a fly out from Billie Andrews, Neal doubled to left center. With two outs, Felder doubled to left field, scoring Neal. Wallace reached on a fielding error, advancing Dakota Carter, who was pinch running for Felder, to third. A single up the middle from Gray scored Carter, putting the Huskers ahead, 3-0. 

The Lions loaded the bases in the top of the sixth. With one out, a single down the left line added the first base runner. The next batter was hit by a pitch followed by a single to left field to load the bases. Wallace came in to pitch and recorded the final two outs to hold Texas A&M-Commerce scoreless, stranding three base runners. 

Texas A&M-Commerce looked to rally in the seventh with one out and one on, but NU recorded two straight outs to secure the 3-0 shutout victory. 

The Huskers return to action Saturday, March 3, to face Weber State with first pitch set for 1 p.m. (CT). Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr and Mattie Fowler Burkhardt. It will also be streamed live on FloSoftball (subscription required). 

Game Notes

• Nebraska's shutout victory marked its eighth shutout this season. 
• Katelyn Caneda's double in the first inning marked her seventh straight game reaching base. 
• Caitlynn Neal's single in the first inning marked her fifth straight game recording a hit. 
• Ava Bredwell's double in the third inning marked her fifth straight game recording a hit. 
• Mya Felder's single in the third inning marked her fifth straight game recording a hit.