Huskers Split Pair of Games in Kansas City

The Nebraska softball team continued its fall exhibition season on Saturday, splitting a pair of games at the Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City.

In the opener, Nebraska defeated Kansas City, 6-1. The Huskers then lost 1-0 to South Dakota State in game two.

Nebraska was strong in the circle on Saturday, allowing only two runs and just seven hits in 14.0 innings.

Offensively, Brooke Andrews and Sydney Gray both hit home runs on Saturday, with Andrews driving in four runs.

After playing twice on Saturday, Nebraska plays again on Sunday, when the Huskers host Creighton at Bowlin Stadium (free admission).

Game 1: Nebraska 6, Kansas City 1
Sarah Harness earned the win against Kansas City, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings. She allowed only two hits and struck out seven. Caitlin Olensky pitched the final 2.0 innings and allowed one run on one hit.

Offensively, Brooke Andrews went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and four RBIs. Samantha Bland was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI, while Sydney Gray also homered.

The Huskers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Gray’s solo home run two batters into the game. 

Nebraska extended its lead to 4-0 with a three-run fourth inning. Bland brought home the first run of the inning with an RBI single that scored Dakota Carter. Two batters later, Andrews doubled to center to score Caitlynn Neal and Bland and give the Huskers a four-run lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Harness worked around a leadoff double to keep the Roos scoreless. 

UMKC then got on the scoreboard with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the sixth. 

Nebraska answered back with two runs in the top of the seventh. Bland led off with a double which set the stage for Andrews’ two-run homer.

Olensky then retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to wrap up the victory.

Game 2: South Dakota State 1, Nebraska 0
Game two was a pitcher's duel, and South Dakota State made a lone run in the top of the first inning hold up in a 1-0 win.

The Jackrabbits took advantage of a leadoff walk to start the game, scoring the game's lone run on a two-out, RBI double.

Nebraska had chances to answer in each of the first three innings but was unable to do so. The Huskers had a one-out base runner in the bottom of the first, a pair of base runners with one out in the bottom of the second and two leadoff base runners in the bottom of the third but could not produce a run. Double plays ended both the second and third innings.

Neither team mounted much of a scoring threat the rest of the way, as the Jackrabbits held on for the 1-0 victory.

Jordy Bahl took the loss, allowing one run in a complete-game effort where she fired a four-hitter and struck out 13.