A five-run first inning powered the Nebraska softball team to a 6-3 victory over Cal State Fullerton in the second of two games Sunday at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.
Cal State Fullerton (9-6) scored twice in the top of the first inning but Nebraska (8-6) scored all the runs it would need in the bottom of the inning. The five-run frame was capped by a three-run homer from Emmerson Cope, her first career home run.
Cope finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a career-high three hits. She also earned the start in the circle and threw the first 2.0 innings, allowing three runs. Caitlin Olensky (2-0) relieved Cope and earned the victory with 4.0 shutout innings, giving up only one hit. Sarah Harness picked up her first save of the season after she retired the side in order in the seventh.
In addition to Cope's three hits, Billie Andrews finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. In five games at the Mary Nutter Classic, Andrews went 13-for-21 (.619) with a double and four home runs.
Staci Chambers (5-2) took the loss for Cal State Fullerton, allowing six runs (two earned) in 1.0-plus innings.
Cal State Fullerton scored twice in the top of the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead on a pair of RBI singles.
Nebraska answered back in the botttom of the frame. Billie Andrews led off with a single and stole second before a throwing error put Huskers on first and third with one out. Bella Bacon then cut the deficit in half with an RBI single that scored Andrews and made it 2-1. Samantha Bland followed with another RBI single to tie the game. Cope then hit a 1-2 pitch over the fence in center for a three-run homer that put the Huskers on top 5-2.
Fullerton came back with a pair of singles to start the top of the second inning. But Cope coaxed back-to-back force outs at third base and a ground out to third to end the inning.
Nebraska added to its lead in the bottom of the second. Brooke Andrews led off with a double and scored on an RBI double from her younger sister Billie.
Cal State Fullerton matched Nebraska with back-to-back doubles in the top of the third to cut the Husker lead to 6-3.
But the Titans would get only one hit the rest of the way as Olensky and Harness combined for 5.0 shutout innings.
After playing its first 14 games of the season away from home, Nebraska hosts the Big Red Invitational on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Bowlin Stadium.
Post-Game Notes
- Nebraska homered for the ninth consecutive game.
- Billie Andrews went 2-for-4 to extend her hitting streak to nine games. She has multiple hits in four consecutive games.
- Before being retired in the fourth inning, Andrews had a hit in six consecutive at bats.
- Emmerson Cope hit a three-run homer in the first inning, the first home run of her career.
- Cope finished 3-for-3 to record her first career game with multiple hits.
- Caitlin Olensky tossed a career-high 4.0 innings.
- Olensky also had her first career plate appearance in the fourth inning, drawing a walk.
- Sarah Harness earned her first save of the season.