Harness Throws No-Hitter in Win over Aggies

Sarah Harness pitched a no-hitter while Brooke Andrews and Katelyn Caneda each notched home runs as the Nebraska softball team (6-6) picked up the 5-0 shutout victory over New Mexico State Friday night in Las Cruces, N.M. The Aggies moved to 5-5 on the season. 

Harness (2-2) fired the 40th no-hitter in school history and the first since 2016. She was just one out away from the fourth perfect game in program history, as the Aggies’ only base runner reached on a two-out error in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

With Harness cruising, Brooke Andrews and Katelyn Caneda led on offense, both tallying two hits including a home run. Abbie Squier added an RBI single to help the Big Red. 

Aydenne Brown (2-2) recorded the loss for New Mexico State, pitching 4.0 innings while giving up three hits and three runs. Emily Dix and Jordin King both saw time in the circle for the Aggies as well, each giving up a run. 

After both teams failed to have a baserunner in the first two innings, Brooke Andrews had the first hit of the game with a lead off home run to left field to give the Huskers a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Katelyn Caneda added a single, but NU was unable to score any more as Nebraska took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the inning. 

The Huskers added three more in the top of the fifth. Ava Bredwell led off with a single followed by Brooke Andrews reaching on a walk. Abbie Squier moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Katelyn Caneda smashed her first career homer with a three-run shot to left center to put the Big Red ahead, 4-0. 

NU added another run in the sixth inning. With one out, Courtney Wallace singled to right field. After Wallace was caught stealing, Bredwell was walked followed by a single from Brooke Andrews. Abbie Squier singled up the middle, scoring Bredwell and extending the NU lead to 5-0. 

As Harness looked to close out on a perfect game in the bottom of the seventh, a fielding error gave the Aggies their first baserunner of the night. However, Harness responded with her 10th strikeout of the night, securing the no-hitter victory over New Mexico State. 

The Huskers return to action Saturday, Feb. 25 to face CSU Bakersfield at 5:30 p.m. (CT). It will be followed by a matchup with New Mexico at 7:30 p.m. (CT). Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr.

Game Notes

• Sarah Harness pitched her second career no-hitter and first as a Husker. Harness recorded the 40th no-hitter for Nebraska. 
• This marked the first no-hitter since Kaylan Jablonski had one against Purdue on April 29, 2016. 
• This marked the second no-hitter that Nebraska recorded at New Mexico State. The last occurred in 2015 when Jablonski and Cassie McClure combined for a no-hitter against Montana. 
• Brooke Andrews’ home run in the third inning marked her second of the season. 
• Katelyn Caneda smashed a homer in the fifth inning. This marked her first collegiate home run. 
• Tonight’s shutout marked Nebraska’s fifth this season.