The Nebraska softball team (5-6) was tied with No. 4 Oklahoma State after six innings, but two runs in the seventh powered the Cowgirls to a 3-1 victory at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M.
Trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh, NU put a runner on first after being hit by a pitch before Oklahoma State closed out the victory to move to 10-1 on the season.
In the circle, Courtney Wallace (4-3) recorded the loss. Wallace pitched 1.0 inning, giving up five hits and two runs. Kaylin Kinney started the game and re-entered in the seventh, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up nine hits while holding the Cowgirls to one run.
Lexi Kilfoyl earned the win and moved to 2-0 on the season after pitching the compl ete game for Oklahoma State. Kilfoyl recorded five strikeouts while holding NU to two hits and one run.
Offensively, Caitlynn Neal and Abbie Squier were the lone Huskers to record hits. Neal smashed a solo homer to center field in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1. Squier recorded an infield single in the bottom of the sixth, but NU was unable to bring her home, leaving her stranded on first at the end of the inning.
Chyenne Factor and Morgan Wynne led the Cowgirls on offense. Both finished the day 3-for-4 while Factor recorded an RBI.
OSU was the first to score with one run in the top of the second. Singles from Cheyenne Factor, Morgyn Wynne and Audre Schneidmiller brought home a runner for the Cowgirls to take the 1-0 lead.
Oklahoma State looked to extend their lead in third with two singles, but a timely strikeout from Kinney and two ground outs got the Huskers out of the inning, holding the Cowgirls scoreless.
Katelyn Caneda marked the first NU baserunner of the day as she reached after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the third inning. However, a hit into a double play forced the Big Red out of the inning.
Kinney and the Nebraska defense worked out of two runners on and one in scoring position in the fourth inning. With one out, a single from Wynee put the first runner on. A fielder’s choice took Wynne out at second. Megan Bloodworth singled to left center, putting a runner in scoring position, but a pop up to third got NU out of the inning without giving up a run.
Neal evened the score at 1-1 with a solo homer to center field in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Neal smashed her second home run of the season to even the game. The Huskers looked to add another after Mya Felder reached on a walk, but NU was able to move Felder around, going into the fifth inning, tied 1-1.
The Cowgirls threatened with loaded bases in the top of the sixth. Courtney Wallace came in as relief to pitch. Two singles put runners at first and second. Two fielder’s choices took a chance away from OSU to score, but a single to third base from Rachel Becker loaded the bases. A fielder’s choice to Andrews at shortstop once again got the Big Red out of the inning while holding Oklahoma State scoreless.
NU looked to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth after a lead off single from Abbie Squier gave Nebraska its second hit of the day. The Huskers were not able to bring Squier home after recording three straight outs.
OSU took the lead in the seventh with two runs. Kiley Naomi started the inning with a single up the middle, advancing to second on the next pitch after a passed ball. Micaela Wark was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second. A wild pitch advanced runners to second and third. Katelynn Carwile drove in a run with a single up the middle. With runners on the corners and no outs, Kinney re-entered the game in the circle. Factor added a single to left center, driving in the second run of the inning. With two outs and runners at first and third, Kinney recorded a strikeout to get out of the inning. NU went into the final half inning down, 3-1.
Felder reached first to start the bottom of the seventh after being hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and a double play ended the game as the Cowgirls claimed the 3-1 win.
The Huskers return to action today, Feb. 24, against New Mexico State. The game is set to begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. (CT). 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 on https://www.wacinternational.tv/nmsu/.
Game Notes
Caitlynn Neal’s home run in the fourth inning marked her second homer of the season.
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