Iowa City, Iowa – The Nebraska softball team (17-28, 5-12 Big Ten) recorded more hits than Iowa (18-25, 4-13 Big Ten) but was haunted by a pair of errors, as the Huskers gave up three unearned runs in a 3-1 loss to the Hawkeyes. With the loss, the Huskers split the doubleheader after winning game one earlier on Wednesday. 

Nebraska had seven hits, while Iowa only had five. Tristen Edwards and Samantha Owen each had two, while Alyvia Simmons, Bri Cassidy and Madi Unzicker each had one. 

Lindsey Walljasper (8-11) started the game and pitched 5.0 innings. She gave up two unearned runs on three hits and recorded five strikeouts. Regan Mergele pitched 1.0 inning of relief. She gave up one unearned run on two hits and had two strikeouts.

Iowa’s Allison Doocy (14-13) pitched a complete 7.0 innings. She gave up one run on seven hits and had six strikeouts.

The teams played four scoreless innings before Nebraska took a 1-0 lead in the fifth. Cassidy singled and Rylie Unzicker ran for her. Unzicker moved to second on Lexey Kneib’s sac bunt. Ally Riley pinch hit and moved Unzicker to third with a grounder and Simmons singled to score a run. In the bottom of the inning, Iowa scored two unearned runs to take the lead. The Hawkeyes drew a leadoff walk to put the tying run on base with no outs. A sac bunt moved her to second and she scored a dropped fly ball. With a runner on second, an infield single scored the go-ahead run.

The Hawkeyes scored another unearned run in the sixth after two hits and a Husker error. 

In the seventh, Madi Unzicker hit a leadoff single, but Iowa would get three straight outs to end the game. 

Nebraska returns home this weekend for a three-game series against Maryland. First pitch is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m.