Huskers Run-Rule Golden Eagles

The No. 19 Nebraska softball team defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, 12-2, in five innings in the first of two games Friday afternoon at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. 

Kylee Magee (1-0) claimed the victory for NU (2-0), as she struck out four batters and only allowed one earned run across three innings. Emmerson Cope pitched the final two innings for the Big Red and retired every batter she faced. Natalie Herrington (0-1) took the loss for the Golden Eagles (0-1).

Ava Kuszak hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to finish off the run-rule win, registering four RBIs as part of a 2-for-4 day. Kuszak, Jordyn Bahl, Cope and Kacie Hoffmann each had two hits, and Cope added a home run and three RBIs.

Southern Miss took a 1-0 lead without recording a hit in the top of the first, taking advantage of a Nebraska error to start the game.

The Huskers answered with a four-run bottom of the inning. Kuszak reached first after being hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bahl brought Kuszak to the plate on a single through the left side and got to second on the throw home. Bahl then scored on a passed ball two batters later to give the Big Red a 2-1 lead. Samantha Bland and Abbie Squier got on base in back-to-back at bats before Hoffman single drove them both home and extended the lead to 4-1. 

USM scored again in the top of the second to cut the Husker advantage to 4-2. 

NU continued to stretch its lead in the bottom of the second, as Bahl reached first on a fielder’s choice, and Cope hit her eighth career home run to make the score 6-2. 

Bahl notched her second hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth and was sent home by a single from Cope. Dakota Carter pinch ran for Cope and scored after a single by Olivia DiNardo and a Golden Eagle throwing error. The score stood at 8-2 after the fourth inning.

Going into the bottom of the fifth, the Huskers maintained an 8-2 lead. Hoffmann walked, Katelyn Caneda singled and Natalia Hill walked to set up a walk-off grand slam for Kuszak, who scored the 11th home run of her career to gift Nebraska a 12-2 victory.

Postgame Notes

• Kylee Magee made her first start in the circle for the Huskers after she missed most of the 2024 season with Arizona State due to injury.
• Kacie Hoffman and also made her first start for the Big Red.
• Nessa McMillen had her first career at bat for NU.
• Ava Kuszak had a career-high four RBIs and tied her career high with three hits.
• Jordyn Bahl tied her career high with two hits.
• Emmerson Cope tied her career high with three RBIs.