The Nebraska softball team (28-13, 8-4 Big Ten) opened the three-game series with a 12-2 five-inning run-rule victory over Indiana (31-13, 9-3 Big Ten) in Bloomington on Friday night. The Huskers got out to an early 7-2 lead before the game was delayed for nearly two hours due to weather in the middle of the second inning. The Big Red did not slow down when play was resumed, adding five more runs while holding IU hitless after the delay.
Nebraska was dominant on offense, recording 15 hits including six Huskers who finished with two or more hits. Sydney Gray led the NU offense, finishing 3-for-4 with a homer, three runs and two RBI. Billie Andrews added three hits and two runs while Katelyn Caneda added two hits and four RBI.
Courtney Wallace moved to 18-8 on the season, earning the win in the circle for Nebraska. Wallace held the Hoosiers to just two hits in the first inning before only allowing three baserunners to reach the rest of the game.
Brianna Copeland (15-2) recorded the loss for Indiana. Copeland pitched 1.2 innings, giving up nine hits and seven runs. Heather Johnson added 3.1 innings of work, giving up six hits and five runs (three earned).
The Huskers got on the board early with three runs in the first inning. Billie Andrews led off with a single. Caneda followed, reaching first on a fielder’s choice with Andrews out at second. Gray recorded a single through the left side while a single from Mya Felder loaded the bases. With two outs, Caneda scored on a pass ball, and the runners advanced to second and third. Abbie Squier followed with a double to right center, scoring two, and giving the Huskers a 3-0 lead.
Indiana responded with two runs in the bottom of the first. Two singles and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for the Hoosiers. Two walks drove in two Indiana runs, cutting NU’s lead to one, making it a 3-2 game.
The Big Red scored four runs in the top of the second. With two outs, Billie Andrews added her second hit of the day with a double to right center. Caneda followed with a single up the middle, scoring Andrews. Gray singled to put runners at first and second. Felder doubled to right center, scoring two. Brooke Andrews added the third double of the inning, scoring Felder. The Huskers extended their lead to 7-2.
A nearly two hour weather delay halted play in the middle of the second inning.
The Hoosiers looked to cut into the lead, putting runners on second and third after a walk, error and ground out, but a strike out and a ground out got the Huskers out of the inning while stranding two IU runners on base.
NU added two runs in the top of the fourth. Billie Andrews led off with a single. Caneda reached on a fielder’s choice while Andrews was out at second. Gray drove in two runs with a home run to right field, extending the Big Red lead to 9-2.
Nebraska tallied three more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Squier led off with a single to right field, advancing to third after a wild pitch and a ground out. With two outs, Abbey Newlun and Billie Andrews were walked to load the bases. Caneda singled to the pitcher, advancing to third and scoring three runs after a throwing error by Indiana, giving the Huskers the 12-2 lead.
The Hoosiers looked to make a late rally with a leadoff walk, but a strikeout and a double play secured the 12-2 five-inning run-rule victory for Nebraska 12-2.
The Huskers return to action Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. (CT) in Bloomington for game two of a three-game series against Indiana. Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr. The game will also be streamed live on BTN+ (subscription required).
Game Notes
Courtney Wallace moved to 18-8 on the season. 18 marks the most wins in a season for the fifth-year senior.
Sydney Gray recorded three hits and three runs in tonight’s game. This tied the junior’s career bests in both hits and runs.
Katelyn Caneda’s four RBI tonight marks a career-best for the freshman.
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