Ava Bredwell homered in the eighth inning to drive in two runs to power the Nebraska softball team to a 7-6 eight-inning victory over Tulsa in the first of two games Friday for the Huskers in Lawrence, Kansas.
Bredwell produced the first home run of her career and her three RBIs were a career high. Bredwell, Courtney Wallace and Sydney Gray were all 2-for-4 on the day to lift Nebraska (16-9).
Courtney Wallace (7-4) earned the win, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing one run.
Samantha Pochop (5-7) took the loss for Tulsa, which fell to 9-16 on the season after losing to the Huskers. Pochop allowed seven runs and 11 hits.
The Golden Hurricane led early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. A lead off walk, followed by a strikeout and a stolen base, but a runner in scoring position. With two outs, a single through the left side, scored one, making it a 1-0 game headed into the second inning.
The Huskers responded in the top of the fourth adding two runs. A string of singles from Sydney Gray and Courtney Wallace, and a ground out from Olivia Ferrell, but runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Abbie Squier scored Gray. Ava Bredwell followed up with a single, scoring Wallace, taking the lead and making it a 2-1 game.
Tulsa battled back to take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. A walk and a single, but runners at first and second. A fielder’s choice got the first out, but advanced a runner to third. A single loaded the bases followed by a three-run double for the Golden Hurricane to retake the lead.
After a quiet fifth inning, the Big Red added three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Sydney Gray led off with a single. Camyl Armendariz came in to pinch run for Gray. Courtney Wallace hit a double to center field, advancing Armendariz to third. Olivia Ferrell followed with a single up the middle, advancing Wallace and scoring Armendariz. Anni Raley came in to pinch run for Ferrell. Squier recorded the first out with a pop up. Raley stole second to add another runner in scoring position. Peyton Glatter hit a single up the middle, advancing on the throw to second, and scoring Wallace and Raley. Nebraska went into the bottom of the sixth with the lead, 5-4.
The Golden Hurricane tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth. A double put a runner in scoring position. Courtney Wallace came in to pitch. A single advanced a runner to third. Tulsa scored on a fielder’s choice with the runner out at second. The Huskers were able to work out of the inning with a ground out.
NU and Tulsa were unable to break the tie in the seventh, and headed into extra innings.
NU was able to take the lead in the top of the eighth. Ferrell was placed at second in accordance with tiebreaker rules. Ava Bredwell then notched her first career home run to put the Huskers up two.
Tulsa scored one on a bunt, but were not able to score any more. The Huskers claimed the victory, 7-6.
The Huskers are set to play at approximately 1:15 p.m. CT. NU will face South Dakota and the game will be broadcasted live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr.
Game Notes
Billie Andrews started the game off with a lead off single to extend her hitting streak to 22 games.
Sophomore Abbey Newlun made her fourth start this year at first base.
Olivia Ferrell reached 92 strikeouts on the season after tallying eight against Tulsa.
Ava Bredwell notched her first career home run in the top of the eighth inning.
The last time the Huskers won in extra innings was March 12, 2021 against No. 23 Michigan. NU won, 5-4, in eight innings.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login