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The Nebraska softball team advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinal with a 3-2 win over UMBC (26-17) on Saturday night in Stillwater, Okla.
Home runs gave NU's offense a spark as Billie Andrews and Ava Bredwell each recorded homers, driving in all three runs. UMBC found use of the home run shot as well as Emily Riggs led the Retriever offense with a two-run homer.
Courtney Wallace moved to 24-15 on the season with the win in the circle for the Huskers. Wallace pitched the final 3.2 innings, allowing only one hit. Sarah Harness started the game, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up five hits and two runs while striking out four.
Courtney Coppersmith (8-3) recorded the loss for UMBC. Coppersmith pitched the complete game, giving up five hits and three runs.
The Huskers took the 2-0 lead after Katelyn Caneda led off with a single to right field followed by a one-out two-run home run from Billie Andrews in the bottom of the third inning.
UMBC evened the game at 2-2 with a two-run shot from Emily Riggs in the top of the fourth. Madison Wilson led off with a walk. With one out, Riggs smashed a ball to center field to drive in two runs. With one out and a runner on first, Wallace entered the circle, recording the last two outs of the inning.
NU regained the lead, 3-2, with a lead off homer from Ava Bredwell in the bottom of the fifth.
The Retrievers looked to score, reaching scoring position after a walk and a single in the top of the sixth, but NU worked out of the inning, holding the 3-2 lead.
Nebraska recorded three straight outs in the top of the seventh to secure the 3-2 victory.
The Huskers return to action at approximately 8 p.m. (CT) to take on No. 21 Wichita State in the NCAA Regional Semifinal. Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr. It will also be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required).
Game Notes
- This marked the first meeting between the two teams.
- Billie Andrews smashed her 16th home run of the season in the bottom of the third inning. Andrews is now tied for second-most home runs by a junior in a season with Jennifer Lizama who also tallied 16 in 1999.