A late home run powered Penn State to a 2-1 win over the Nebraska softball team Friday at Bowlin Stadium.
In a duel between two pitchers who rank in the top 10 nationally in wins, Bridget Nemeth fired a two-hitter and did not allow an earned run to improve to 16-1 on the season. Kaylin Kinney (14-9) pitched well for Nebraska, tossing a five-hitter but one of those hits was a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Penn State improved to 27-7 on the year and moved ahead of Nebraska in the Big Ten standings with a 6-1 conference record. The Huskers saw their six-game winning streak snapped and fell to 22-14 on the year and 5-1 in Big Ten play.
Nebraska struck first, taking advantage of a Penn State error to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Billie Andrews reached on a leadoff error before Brooke Andrews doubled down the left field line. After a lineout to first, a passed ball brought Billie Andrews home with the game's first run.
The pitchers dominated the next three innings before back-to-back infield singles and a sacrifice bunt gave Penn State runners at second and third with one out in the top of the fifth. But Kinney escaped the jam with a strikeout and a comeback grounder to the circle.
In the bottom of the fifth, Nebraska loaded the bases with two outs on an error, a Caitlynn Neal single and an intentional walk to Billie Andrews, but the Huskers were unable to add to their lead.
In the top of the sixth, a one-out walk was followed by a Maddie Gordon two-run home run that gave Penn State a 2-1 lead.
The Huskers were then retired in order in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Nebraska and Penn State continue their three-game series with game two Saturday at 1 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
- Nebraska lost for the first time this season when holding its opponent to fewer than three runs. The Huskers had been 9-0 this season when holding their opponents to fewer than three runs.
- Kaylin Kinney tossed a 7.0-inning complete game for just the second time in her career but for the second time this season.
- Caitlynn Neal singled in her first at bat, giving her a hit in four consecutive at bats stretching over three games.