The Nebraska softball team (14-7) fell to No. 23 Wichita State Friday night in the opening game of the Shocker Classic in Wichita, Kan. Talia Tokheim hit a two-run homer in the seventh to pull within two, but the Shockers held on, winning 10-8.
Sarah Harness recorded the loss in the circle for Nebraska, moving to 5-3 on the season. The junior pitched 1.1 innings, giving up three hits and seven runs (five earned). Kendall Mangel entered in the second inning, pitching 4.2 innings, giving up six hits while allowing three runs (two earned).
Alison Cooper (6-2) earned the win for the Shockers. Cooper pitched 5.0 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs. Alex Aguilar added 2.0 innings of work, giving up six hits and five runs (four earned).
Tokheim led the Big Red offense. The freshman went 2-for-3 with two homers, a sacrifice fly and four RBIs. Mya Felder added three hits and a run while Brooke Andrews finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run.
For the Shockers, Lauren Lucas led as she finished 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Taylor Sedlacek added two hits and five RBIs.
Wichita State got on the board first with three runs in the first inning. A walk and a catcher’s interference put the first two batters at first and second. Lauren Lucas doubled to right center, scoring two. Harness walked the next two batters to load the bases. With one out, a walk brought in the third runner in. NU was able to record two outs with a strikeout and a pop up to get out of the inning, down 3-0.
Nebraska responded with one run in the second. Brooke Andrews led off with a walk. Talia Tokheim followed, reaching on a Shocker fielding error. Abbie Squier reached on a fielder’s choice as Tokheim was out at second, while Andrews scored on a throwing error. The Huskers left one runner stranded as they cut the WSU led to 3-1.
The Shockers added five in the bottom of the second inning. Sydney McKinney led off with a triple to center field, scoring on an error. With one out, a single and two walks loaded the bases. Mangel entered the game in the circle for NU, recording the second out of the game. Taylor Sedlacek smashed a grand slam, scoring four. Wichita State extended its lead to 8-1.
The Huskers worked to cut the lead, adding four in the third. Neal and Felder led off with singles and Bredwell was walked to load the bases. Caneda singled, scoring Neal. Brooke Andrews doubled to left field scoring two. Alison Cooper entered the game in the circle for Wichita State. Tokheim hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Caneda, as NU went into the bottom of the third down 8-5.
Wichita State added another run in the bottom of the fourth. The Shockers loaded the bases after two singles and a walk. On a fielder’s choice, the NU defense recorded a double play at second and third, but WSU was able to score one, extending its lead to 9-5.
Tokheim cut the lead to 9-6 with a solo homer to center field in the top of the fifth.
The Shockers took advantage of an error in the bottom of the sixth. Lucas led off with a single, advancing to second after a NU error. With two outs, Sami Hood doubled to right center, scoring Lucas, and extending the Wichita State lead, 10-6.
Nebraska looked to rally in the seventh. Brooke Andrews led off with a single followed by a two-run homer from Tokheim. Squier added a single. Ashley Smetter entered as a pinch hitter, reaching on a fielder’s choice as Squier was the first out of the inning at second. Billie Andrews was walked to put runners on first and second. Neal lined out to second base as Andrews was out at first on the play as the Shockers claimed the 10-8 victory.
The Huskers return to action Saturday, March 11, to face Missouri State at 12 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
Caitlynn Neal, Ava Bredwell and Mya Felder all extended their hit streaks to nine games in a row with a hit after each recording at least one hit tonight.
Talia Tokheim recorded her first multi-home run game with two tonight. Tokheim is the second Husker to record a multi-homer game this season. Billie Andrews had two home runs in the win over Texas A&M on Feb. 18, 2023.
Tokheim has recorded a hit in the last six games she has appeared in.
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