Huskers Split Day Two at UNI Dome Classic

The Nebraska softball team split a pair of games Saturday morning at the UNI Dome Classic, falling to Iowa State 7-4 in the first game before rebounding with a 10-1 six-inning win over Drake in game two.
 
A two-out fourth-inning grand slam broke a 3-3 tie and powered Iowa State (2-0) to its 7-3 win. All seven of the Cyclone runs scored with two outs and the hits were even at seven apiece. Nebraska (2-2) bounced back scoring in five of its six innings during its run-rule victory over Drake (1-1). Seven Huskers had a hit and six scored a run against the Bulldogs, as Nebraska produced double-digit runs (10) and hits (12) for the first time this season.
 
In the first game, Iowa State started the morning off strong with three runs in the first inning. The Cyclones loaded the bases with no outs before starting pitcher Kaylin Kinney struck out the next two batters. But with two outs, a ground-rule double over the left field fence from Camille Marin scored two runs. A wild pitch brought in a third run to make it 3-0. 
 
The Huskers tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the second. Abbie Squier started the rally with a one-out single to center field. Two batters later, Mya Felder singled to right field to bring in Squier for the first run of the day and her first RBI as a Husker. Walks from CaitlynnNeal and Billie Andrews loaded the bases for Brooke Andrews, who scored Neal with the tying run on an RBI fielder’s choicer where UNI retired Billie Andrews at third base.
 
There would be only one more scoring inning the rest of the way. The Cyclones loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth on a pair of singles and a hit batter. Kinney was pulled after the hit batter and Olivia Ferrell came on in relief and surrendered a grand slam that proved to be the difference.
 
Kinney (0-1) took the loss, as she was charged with six runs while striking out five in 3.2 innings. Ferrell allowed one run on three hits in 3.1 innings. Offensively, Squier went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, setting a career high in hits, while Felder was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
 
In game two, Nebraska bounced back for a run-rule win against Drake. While the offense stole the show, Courtney Wallace was outstanding in her second start of the year. Wallace (2-0) allowed only two hits and one run in 5.0 innings, striking out five. Kinney pitched a perfect sixth inning to wrap up the victory.
 
Offensively, four Huskers finished with multiple hits. Sydney Gray led the way with a 3-for-3 day that included a double, a home run and a career-high five RBIs. Brooke Andrews and Squier were each 2-for-4, and Squier scored a career-high three runs. Wallace helped herself out by going 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple.
 
The Huskers started off strong, scoring two runs on two hits in the first inning. Billie Andrews walked to lead off then stole second base. Squier brought her home with an RBI single to center field to plate the first run of the game. Gray capped the inning with an RBI single to center field that scored Squier. 
 
NU extended the lead in the top of the third. Brooke Andrews started the inning off with a double to center field, and Squier followed with a deep fly ball to right field that resulted in an error and Andrews crossing home plate. Gray then homered to left field, scoring Squier and extending the lead to 5-0. 
 
Wallace added another run in the top of the fourth, hitting a triple to right center to be in scoring position for Billie Andrews, who produced an RBI single to center to make it 6-0.
 
Nebraska added another run in the top of the fifth inning. Ferrell started the inning with a single to shortstop. Ava Bredwell, who pinch ran for Ferrell, advanced to second on a wild pitch while Gray reached first after she was walked. Felder then hit an RBI single to center field, bringing in the seventh run of the game. 
 
Drake responded in the bottom of the fifth inning. After being no-hit and shut out through the first four frames, a walk, single and wild pitch put Bulldogs on second and third before a two-out infield single scored what proved to be Drake’s lone run of the game. 
 
The score did not stay 7-1 long as Gray hit a two-run ground-rule double in the top of the sixth.Gray eventually moved to third base on an error, and Felder hit a sacrifice fly to account for the 10-1 margin. 
 
The Nebraska softball team is back in action Sunday at 9 a.m. when the Huskers take on South Dakota State. The game will be on ESPN3 and live on the Huskers Radio Network. 
 
Day 2 Game Notes  

• Kaylin Kinney made her first start of the season in the circle against Iowa State.
• Abbie Squier had a career-high three hits against Iowa State and a career-high three runs against Drake. On the day, Squier was 5-for-8 and scored four times.
• Sydney Gray had her first home run of the year against Drake, and she set career highs with three hits (3-for-3) and five RBIs.
• Courtney Wallace recorded her first triple of the season in the top of the fourth inning against Drake and the seventh of her career.
• All eight runs Nebraska allowed in its two games Saturday scored with two outs.