Olivia Ferrell pitched a complete game and struck out a career-high 10 batters, but her effort was not enough for the Nebraska softball team in a 2-0 loss to Southeastern Louisiana.
The Huskers tallied six hits on the afternoon including doubles from Cam Ybarra and Peyton Glatter, but Nebraska stranded eight runners on base. NU was only 2-for-15 with runners on base and just 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, as the Huskers could not deliver the clutch hit one day after scoring 14 runs.
A two-run homer by SLU sophomore Lexi Johnson in the top of the fourth inning was enough for the Lions to ink the win and move to 4-0 on the year. Heather Zumo (3-0) recorded the win for Southeastern in the circle. The senior pitched six innings, giving up six hits and two walks while tallying six strikeouts. Mary-Cathryn Comeaux earned the save, pitching one inning and recording two strikeouts.
Ferrell (0-2) was able to hold the Lions scoreless in the first three innings, allowing only one hit and tallying five strikeouts. But in the fourth, Madisen Blackford led off with a single and Johnson followed with a two-run homer over the center field fence on an 0-2 pitch.
The Huskers looked to respond to the 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ferrell reached first on an error and Glatter walked, putting runners on first and second. But NU was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, as a fly out and a ground out stranded the runners.
Nebraska got into scoring position in the bottom of the sixth inning after Ybarra had a leadoff double followed by a single from Abbie Squier. With runners on first and third with no outs, the Huskers looked to cut into the 2-0 deficit but a pop up, strikeout and ground out ended the inning.
After Ferrell struck out the side in the top of the seventh to record double-digit strikeouts, Nebraska had one final chance in the bottom of the seventh. Courtney Wallace delivered a pinch-hit single to lead off the inning and force an SLU pitching change. But the next three Huskers were retired as Nebraska fell to 3-4 on the season.
Nebraska returns to action on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT to face UT Arlington. The Huskers will also face Northern Colorado at 3 p.m. CT.
Husker Softball blanked by Southeastern Louisiana
