Huskers Beat Colorado State, Tie UNO

Lincoln - The Nebraska softball team defeated Colorado State and tied UNO on the second day of the Big Red Fall Classic on Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.

The Huskers opened the day with a 9-6 victory over the Rams, rallying from an early 2-1 deficit. In game two, Nebraska trailed 6-4 after seven innings, but the game was pre-determined to last 10 innings, and the Huskers rallied for a 6-6 tie.

Nebraska is 5-0-1 two-thirds of the way through its eight-game fall exhibition schedule. The Huskers take on Colorado State at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bowlin Stadium, before wrapping up fall action at home on Sunday, Oct. 11 against Creighton. Admission for all fall games at Bowlin Stadium is free.

Game 1
Nebraska - 9
Colorado State - 6

In game one, Nebraska earned a 9-6 victory over Colorado State. Nebraska jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when senior Kiki Stokes drew a leadoff walk and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Kaylan Jablonski.

Colorado State answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead after one inning of play. That remained the score until the top of the fifth, when Jablonski hit a three-run homer to give Nebraska a 4-2 advantage. The Huskers then loaded the bases with two outs before senior Mattie Fowler delivered her second hit of the day, a two-run single that stretched the lead to 6-2.

In the top of the sixth, Jablonski drove in another run with an RBI double before freshman Alyvia Simmons delivered a two-out RBI single to give the Huskers an 8-2 lead. Nebraska capped the inning by successfully executed double steal, with junior Lotte Sjulin swiping home to push the lead to 9-2.

Colorado State attempted a comeback with four runs over the sixth and seventh innings, but the Rams would get no closer than 9-6 and the game was called after eight innings due to a pre-determined time limit.

Jablonski drove in five runs for the Huskers and earned the start in the circle, allowing one  run in 1.0 inning. Junior Cassie McClure earned the win after allowing two runs in 5.0 innings of work. Sophomore Taylor Kadavy allowed two runs in 1.0 innings and classmate Caitlin Bartsch had a perfect inning of work.

Game 2
Nebraska - 6
UNO - 6

Nebraska and UNO played to a 6-6, 10-inning tie in game two. The game was scoreless until a pair of walks and two UNO errors helped Nebraska score twice to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Sophomore Austen Urness then capped the three-run inning with an RBI single.

Nebraska held its 3-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth, when the Mavericks put up five runs to grab a 5-3 lead.

The Huskers got a run back on an RBI single from sophomore Kaylan Jablonski in the top of the seventh, but UNO answered right back with a run in the bottom of the frame.

Nebraska pulled even at 6-6 in the top of the eighth on a two-run triple from senior Kiki Stokes in what proved to be the final run of the game. The Huskers had a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth when senior Alicia Armstrong and Jablonski began the inning with back-to-back singles, but the Huskers were unable to score.

Senior right-hander Emily Lockman went 6.2 innings, allowing six runs while striking out six. Junior right-hander Cassie McClure tossed the final 3.1 innings and did not allow a run, scattering five hits and striking out two.