Nebraska Rallies for 4-2 Win Over Indiana

Freshman Billie Andrews picked an opportune moment to deliver her first career hit, as her two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted the Nebraska softball team to a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Indiana in game two of a doubleheader Friday in Leesburg, Fla.

Nebraska trailed 2-1 before scoring once in the fifth and twice in the sixth to pick up its first win of the season. With the victory, Nebraska (1-1) salvaged a split of the doubleheader after Indiana (1-1) came from behind for a 3-1 win in the first game.

While Andrews delivered the winning hit, junior Courtney Wallace scored the winning run to cap a superb all-around day for the Omaha native. Wallace produced two of Nebraska’s four hits, finish 2-for-4 at the plate. In the circle, Wallace (1-0) started and earned the victory, allowing two runs on only four hits in 6.0 innings. Freshman Kaylin Kinney pitched a perfect seventh inning in her Husker debut to earn her first career save.

Macy Montgomery (0-1) took the loss in relief for Indiana, allowing two runs in her only inning of work. Natalie Foor started and pitched the first 5.0 innings for the Hoosiers, striking out six and allowing only two hits and two runs (one earned).

Just as they did in game, the Huskers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore Keana “KP” Pola led off the bottom of the second with a single and Wallace followed with another single. On Wallace’s single, sophomore pinch runner Brooke Andrews went from first to third, and she scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch.

Nebraska threatened again in the bottom of the third. Senior Rylie Unzicker drew a leadoff walk, stole second and was on third base with only one out. But the Huskers were unable to bring her home.

Indiana tied the game on a one-out Desiree Dufek solo home run in the top of the fourth.

In the top of the fifth, Indiana pinch hitter Abby Meeks led off with a triple when Unzicker just missed a diving catch in left field. Taylor Lambert then re-entered for Meeks and gave the Hoosiers a 2-1 lead when she scored on a one-out sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the inning, a leadoff error and one-out walks to Unzicker and Billie Andrews loaded the bases with Huskers. Senior Tristen Edwards then tied the game when her fly ball down the right field line was dropped, allowing Unzicker to score the tying run. Nebraska still had the bases loaded and with two outs, Pola put a good swing on a ball but hit a line drive directly to the right fielder.

With the game still tied, Indiana went to the bullpen to start the sixth inning. Wallace greeted Montgomery with a single before freshman Sydney Gray moved Wallace into scoring position with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt. Senior Ally Riley then drew a walk and was lifted for freshman pinch runner Camyl Armendariz, putting Huskers on first and second with one out. After a strikeout, Unzicker was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Billie Andrews, who delivered  her game-winning two-run single up the middle.

The Huskers return to action tomorrow with another doubleheader at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex, facing Michigan State twice. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 9 a.m. (Central).