Huskers Lose 3-1 to Indiana in Game One

Senior Tristen Edwards delivered a pair of extra-base hits for the Nebraska softball team Friday morning, but her effort was not enough as the Huskers dropped their season opener 2-1 to Indiana in the first game of a doubleheader at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex in Leesburg, Fla.

Edwards finished 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. She had two extra-base hits in her first game of the 2021 season after ranking second nationally with 21 extra-base hits in 23 games during the shortened 2020 campaign. As a team, all three of Nebraska’s hits went for extra bases, as sophomore Keana “KP” Pola also doubled.

In the circle, senior right-hander Olivia Ferrell pitched well in a losing effort. In 5.1 innings, Ferrell (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits, while striking out seven and walking just one.

Emily Goodin, who led the Big Ten with 10 wins last season, was strong in the circle for Indiana. She tossed a three-hitter and struck out nine while allowing only three base runners in the game. Offensively, Gabbi Jenkins and Bella Norton each had two hits and one RBI for the Hoosiers.

Nebraska jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Edwards led off the top of the fourth inning by lining a 3-2 pitch over the fence in center for a solo home run.

Indiana answered with back-to-back doubles to begin the bottom of the frame, tying the game at 1-1. An RBI single followed to give the Hoosiers a 2-1 advantage before Ferrell prevented further damage with a fielder’s choice and an inning-ending double play.

Following Edwards’ home run, Goodin retired 12 of the final 13 hitters. The lone exception was Edwards’ two-out double in the top of the sixth, but she was left stranded in scoring position.

In the bottom of the sixth, Ferrell struck out the first batter before consecutive singles marked the end of her day. Junior right-hander Courtney Wallace came on in relief and walked her first batter to load the bases with only one out. Wallace bounced back to strike out the next batter before a two-out, RBI infield single pushed the Hoosier lead to 3-1.

Goodin then retired the Huskers in order in the top of the seventh.