Huskers Felled by Late Red Raider Comeback

The No. 19 Nebraska softball team took a 5-0 lead into the sixth inning against No. 13 Texas Tech, but a pair of costly errors led to six unearned runs as the Red Raiders claimed a 6-5 come-from-behind victory on Saturday evening at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. 

Jordyn Bahl (1-1) took the loss in the circle despite not allowing any earned runs and striking out 10 batters, while Brenlee Gonzalez claimed the victory for Texas Tech. 

The Red Raiders ultimately took advantage of four Husker errors to mount a comeback with a four-run sixth inning and a two-run seventh inning, with five of the six runs scoring with two outs. 

Olivia DiNardo notched three RBIs and two hits for the Big Red, and Ava Kuszak also contributed two hits.

The Big Red struck quickly in the top of the first, going up 2-0 on a DiNardo single that scored both Kuszak and Bahl. Both reached base earlier, Bahl with a single and Kuszak on an error. 

Texas Tech was threatening in the bottom of the second with runners on second and third and one out, but a Bahl strikeout and an Bredwell tag out at the plate kept the Husker lead 2-0. 

Through the next three innings, neither team had scored and Nebraska maintained its 2-0 advantage. 

In the top of the fifth, Kuszak reached base on her second hit of the night, advanced to third on a Bahl sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate after a DiNardo single. Hannah Camenzind singled to center field to send home Nessa McMillen, who pinch ran for Kacie Hoffmann, and NU extended its lead to 4-0. 

The Big Red continued the offense in the top of the sixth, as Bella Bacon got to second on a Red Raider fielding error. Dakota Carter pinch ran for Bacon and a Lauren Camenzind single allowed Carter to score and make the advantage 5-0. 

Texas Tech fought back in the bottom of the sixth, as it scored four runs, three of which came from a NiJaree Canady home run. The Huskers still held a 5-4 edge going into the final inning.

The Red Raiders took advantage of a Nebraska error in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs on a two-out ground ball to clinch a 6-5 victory.

The Huskers will close out the NFCA Leadoff Classic tomorrow, Feb. 9 at 12 p.m. (CT) against No. 24 Mississippi State in Clearwater, Fla. The game will be streamed for free on GameChanger and can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.