Huskers Fall Late to Shockers

The Nebraska softball team (34-21) fell late to No. 21 Wichita State, 6-5, in round one of the NCAA Stillwater Regional Friday night. 

The Huskers took an early 5-0 lead as Mya Felder led the way with four RBI including a two-run homer and a two-RBI single. However, the Shockers (44-10) responded with six unanswered runs to secure the come-from-behind victory. Sydney McKinney led the way for the WSU offense, finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run. 

Courtney Wallace (23-15) recorded the loss in the circle for the Huskers. Wallace pitched 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and six runs (three earned). Harness pitched the final 0.2 innings recording two straight outs. 

Alex Aguilar (15-2) earned the win for Wichita State. Aguilar pitched the final 5.0 innings, giving up seven hits but holding NU to one run. Lauren Howell started in the circle for WSU, pitching 2.0 innings and giving up four runs on two hits. 

The Huskers took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Billie Andrews led off with a double. With two outs, Felder smashed a two-run home run to center field to put NU ahead. 

NU extended the lead with three runs on two hits in the top of the third. Ava Bredwell was hit by a pitch and Billie Andrews was walked to put runners on first and second. Aguilar entered the circle for WSU. Wallace singled up the middle to load the bases. With one out, Felder drove in two runs with a single to right field, moving Wallace to third. Brooke Andrews reached on fielder's choice as one run scored. The Huskers led 5-0 going into the bottom of the third inning.

WSU got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, a fielding error from NU gave the Shockers their first base runner of the inning. The Huskers got a groundout to initially end the inning, but Wichita State challenged the call, and it was overturned to an infield single. A walk loaded the bases with two outs. Lauren Lucas doubled to right center, driving in two runs. NU went into the sixth inning ahead, 5-2. 

The Shockers recorded four runs on four hits to take the 6-5 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. An NU fielding error put the WSU lead off batter on first. A wild pitch advanced the runner while a single put runners on first and third. Bailey Urban hit an RBI single to drive in the first run of the inning. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third with no outs. Krystin Nelson hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one. McKinney followed with an RBI double. A walk put runners on first and third with one out. Lauren Lucas hit an RBI single, as runners advanced to second and third on the throw. Sarah Harness entered the circle for NU, recording the final two outs of the inning as the Shockers took the 6-5 lead. 

The Big Red looked to rally in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but a fielder's choice and a line out secured the Shocker 6-5 victory late Friday night. 

The Huskers return to action Saturday, May 21, against UMBC at 4:30 p.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

• Mya Felder smashed her 10th home run of the season in the first inning. She marks the third Husker to record a double-digit home run total this season joining Billie and Brooke Andrews. 
• This marked Felder's third game with four RBI this season. She also recorded four RBI against Omaha and Kansas City.