Huskers Drop Heartbreaker to No. 11 Duke

Jordyn Bahl took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but the No. 16 Nebraska softball team fell in an extra-inning battle to No. 11 Duke, 3-0, on Friday afternoon at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. 

The game was scoreless after seven innings before Duke (9-3) produced its only two hits of the game to plate two three runs in the top of the eighth inning, which began with a runner placed on second base due to the tiebreaker rule.

Nebraska's offense threatened throughout the game but could not come through with a clutch hit. The Huskers (9-4) were 0-for-14 with runners on base in the game and were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Nebraska had a runner at third base in two of the first four innings, including a runner thrown at home in the bottom of the first.

The lack of timely hitting spoiled a stellar outing from Bahl (4-2). Although she was charged with three runs (two earned), Bahl allowed only two singles and did not allow a hit through the first 7.0 innings while striking out 10. Duke had only one base runner advance past first base in the first seven innings.

Bahl and Lauren Camenzind notched two hits each, including a double and triple from Bahl. Nebraska out-hit Duke, 5-2. All-American Cassidy Curd (4-1) earned the win for Duke, as she tossed a five-hit shutout.

After a scoreless seven innings, an RBI fielder's choice and a two-run single gave Duke a 3-0 lead. Nebraska was then retired in order in the bottom of the eighth.

NU will face off against San Jose State and Howard tomorrow, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. (CT) and 10 p.m. (CT), respectively. Both games will be streamed on FloSoftball and can be heard for free across the Huskers Radio Network. 

Postgame Notes

• Nebraska is 9-4 on the season, with all four losses coming to teams that are currently ranked in the NFCA Top 20. 
• 14 of Nebraska’s 28 at bats came with runners on base, but the Huskers were 0-for-14 in those situations.
• Jordy Bahl was charged with two earned runs in the eighth inning, which began with a runner placed on second base. The two earned runs snapped Bahl's streak of 34.1 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
• Bahl went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and a triple to post her fifth multi-hit game of the year and her third game with multiple extra-base hits.
• Bahl now has 13 extra-base hits in her 11 starts in the batting order this season.
• Lauren Camenzind also went 2-for-3 to post her sixth multi-hit game of the year.