The Nebraska softball team (32-16, 12-7 Big Ten) fell to Northwestern after a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth secured the walk-off victory for the Wildcats (32-10, 17-2 Big Ten) on Saturday afternoon in Evanston, Ill.
The Wildcat offense rallied late with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings while a two-run blast in the ninth from Kansas Robinson secured the victory. Kelsey Nader added three hits on the day with one run and one RBI.
The Huskers got out to a 6-2 lead with the help of a pair of home runs from Mya Felder and Billie Andrews. Both finished with two hits while Andrews added three runs.
Courtney Wallace (21-10) recorded the loss in the circle for Nebraska. The fifth-year senior pitched the final 6.2 innings, allowing 11 hits and seven runs while striking out a season-best seven batters. Sarah Harness started for NU, pitching 2.0 innings, giving up one hit and one run.
Danielle Williams moved to 14-1 on the season, earning the win for Northwestern. Williams pitched the final 5.2 innings, holding the Huskers to two hits and two runs (one earned). Lauren Boyd pitched the first 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and four runs (three earned), while Williams and Boyd combined for 12 strikeouts.
The Wildcats got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Nikki Cuchran hit a sacrifice fly to score one.
Felder evened the game at 1-1 with a lead off home run to right field in the second inning.
The Huskers went ahead, 2-1, in the top of the third. With one out. Billie Andrews hit a double to left center. Andrews advanced to third after a single from Katelyn Caneda. Sydney Gray grounded out, scoring Andrews.
Northwestern tied the game with one run in the bottom of the third. Courtney Wallace entered the game in the circle for the Huskers. With two outs and a runner at second, a wild pitch on a strikeout put runners at first and third. A walk loaded the bases as Nader hit a single, scoring one, and evening the game at 2-2.
A three-run fourth inning gave the Big Red the 5-2 lead. Caitlynn Neal led off with a single up the middle. With one out, Bredwell added a single to put runners at first and second. Williams entered the circle for Northwestern, walking Billie Andrews. Caneda added a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run. With two outs, Felder reached on an error, the second and third runs of the inning.
Billie Andrews extended the Husker lead to 6-2 with a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning.
The Wildcats rallied in the bottom of the seventh to score four runs on three hits and force extra innings. Hannah Cady left off with a double to left field, advancing to third on a wild pitch. A walk and a wild pitch brought in one run. Angela Zedak added a single through the left side, advancing the runner to third. A walk loaded the bases. With one out, Lauren Sciborski entered as a pinch hitter, hitting a three-run double to left center to tie the game. After a huge strikeout from Wallace, a runner’s interference sent the game to the eighth inning, tied at 6-6.
After a scoreless top of the eighth for the Huskers, Northwestern threatened with runners on second and third and one out, but two straight outs sent the game to the ninth inning.
Nebraska looked to take the lead in the top of the ninth. With one out, Felder reached first on a Northwestern error. Brooke Andrews was walked to put a runner in scoring position, but a fielder’s choice and a groundout stranded two NU base runners, as the game remained 6-6 headed into the bottom of the ninth.
Nader led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double to left center. After a strikeout and a ground out, Robinson smashed a two-run homer for the 8-6 walk-off victory in nine innings.
The Huskers return to action for the final game of the series on Sunday, April 30, at 1 p.m. Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr. The game will have live television coverage from the Big Ten Network.
Game Notes
Today’s extra-inning game marked the third game that went to extras this season.
The Huskers moved to 2-1 in extra-inning games this season.
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