A four-run, two-out rally in the fourth inning powered Team Billie Andrews to a 4-2 win over Team Cam Ybarra in a fall scrimmage Saturday afternoon for the Nebraska softball team.
Team Billie Andrews plated all four of its runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run double from Rylie Unzicker that proved to be the game-winning hit.
Courtney Wallace earned the win in the circle for Team Billie Andrews. Wallace allowed two runs in 2.0 innings of work, allowing three hits and striking out one. Kaylin Kinney started and re-entered to earn the save. Kinney tossed a combined 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three. Caitlynn Neal also pitched for Team Billie Andrews in the fifth and sixth innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one in 2.0 scoreless innings.
Karlee Seevers took the loss for Team Ybarra. Seevers pitched a total of 3.0 innings (the third, fourth and sixth innings) and allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out one. Oliva Ferrell tossed the other 3.0 innings (first, second and fifth) and did not allow a run while giving up only one hit and striking out three.
Offensively, Unzicker and Billie Andrews each had two hits for the winning team. Unzicker was 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and three RBIs, while Andrews finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a hit-by-pitch. Neal reached in three of her four plate appearances out of the leadoff spot, going 1-for-2 with two walks and a pair of runs scored.
Ferrell, Samantha Owen and Ally Riley all produced two hits for Team Ybarra. Ferrell was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Owen finished 2-for-3. Riley went 2-for-3 and hit the only home run of the game.
After a scoreless first two innings, Team Ybarra took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Tristen Edwards began the inning with her second walk of the day. She moved to second on a ground out from Ybarra and scored on a two-out RBI single from Ferrell.
In the bottom of the third, Team Billie Andrews loaded the bases with one out on an infield single by Neal, a walk to Unzicker and a hit-by-pitch to Billie Andrews. But Seevers coaxed a pair of ground outs to escape the jam without any damage.
Riley then led off the top of the fourth with a solo home run to extend Team Ybarra's lead to 2-0 before Team Billie Andrews' four-run response in the bottom of the fourth.
Anni Raley led off with a single before MJ Green worked a walk. Wallace then sent a line drive to right that Peyton Glatter fielded on a short hop and threw to second for a force out. A Wallace stolen base put runners at second and third before a pop out marked the second out. A walk to Neal loaded the bases before Unzicker lined a 3-2 pitch to left center for a three-run double. Billie Andrews capped the inning with an RBI single to score Unzicker and put her team on top 4-2.
Team Billie Andrews missed a chance to tack on insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Abbie Squier began the inning with a double off the top of the fence in left and Brooke Andrews followed with a perfectly-placed bunt single. A caught stealing at second base marked the first out of the inning before Neal walked and Unzicker reached on a bunt single to load the bases. But Seevers escaped the jam with an infield pop up and a strikeout.
Kinney then retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to preserve the win.
Nebraska will host the third of its four fall scrimmages next Saturday at Noon, with a free live video stream available on Huskers.com.
Riley Unzicker provided the game-winning hit with a three-run double.