The Nebraska softball team (12-6) started the weekend with a win against Sacramento State (11-9). The offensive battle between the two teams was showcased in the 10-9 win with a walk-off two-run homer from Cam Ybarra for the Big Red.
Olivia Ferrell (6-3) recorded the win for the Huskers, pitching 2.0 innings and recording four strikeouts.
For the Hornets, Marissa Bertuccio (11-9) pitched a complete game, walking five batters and giving up 13 hits.
It was an offensive battle throughout the afternoon. The Hornets struck first with a two-out solo homer from Lexie Webb in the top of the first inning to take the lead, 1-0.
The Huskers responded in the bottom of the second inning. Kaylin Kinney led off with a hard hit ball to third base. Brooke Andrews moved Kinney to scoring position after a sacrifice bunt. Squier reached base after being hit by a pitch, but was out on the fielder’s choice from a ground ball by Payton Glatter. With runners on first and third, Glatter stole second, forcing the throw down and scoring Kinney to make it a tied game at 1-1 going into the top of the third inning.
Nebraska took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. A lead off walk but Billie Andrews at first. Cam Ybarra took advantage with a double to right center, scoring Andrews to go ahead, 2-1.
Two walks and two homers in the top of the fourth inning led to Sacramento State regaining the lead, 5-2. Nikki Barboza hit a three-run home run over the right center field fence with no outs. After a strikeout and a ground out, Lewa Day added a homer of her own to right field.
The Big Red cut the lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Singles from Courtney Wallace, Billie Andrews and Ybarra loaded the bases. Singles Sydney Gray and Mya Felder helped cut the lead.
However, the Hornets had another big inning in the top of the fifth inning. A string of singles from Lexie Webb, Carley Morfey, Rylee Gresham, Caroline Evans and Lewa Day extended Sacramento State’s lead to 9-5.
The Huskers would add four more to cut the lead to 9-8 in the bottom of the fifth. Abbie Squier started the inning with a double followed by a single from Wallace. Billie Andrews notched her first double of the year to score Squier. Ybarra hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Wallace, while Gray singled to score Billie Andrews. The Huskers went into the top of the sixth down, 9-8.
After a scoreless sixth inning for both teams, Ferrell struck out three in a row to give Nebraska the final chance. After Wallace reached on a fielding error by third base, Billie Andrews hit a deep ball, but the left fielder was able to get it. Ybarra smashed a two-run homer over the right center field fence to claim the win, 10-9.
The Nebraska softball team (13-6) claimed its second win of the day against Cal State Fullerton (14-8) Friday afternoon in Fullerton, Calif. In a defensive battle, the Huskers were able to hold off the Titans for a 3-1 win.
Senior Olivia Ferrell (7-3) dominated in the circle for the Huskers, pitching the complete game, tallying six strikeouts and eight hits.
In the circle for the Titans was Mirandi Raci and Alexia Silvas. Raci (3-2) earned the loss, pitching 4.0 innings, giving up three hits and walking two. Silvas did not give up a hit through 3.0 innings and recorded two strikeouts.
The Titans only run of the afternoon game in the bottom of the first inning. After Hannah Becerra was walked, Deshea Hill flied out, giving Becerra the chance to tag and advance to scoring position. Daisy Munoz singled to shortstop, scoring Becerra and putting the Titans up 1-0.
The Huskers responded quickly to take the lead. Kaylin Kinney led off in the top of the second inning, reaching first on an error by second base. Abbie Squier followed with a single up the middle, advancing Kinney to second. Glatter reached first on an error by the shortstop, loading the bases. A single up the middle from Ava Bredwell scored Kinney and advanced Squier and Glatter. Caitynn Neal reached on a fielder’s choice, recording the first out at third and scoring Squier. Billie Andrews hit a single down the left line to load the bases. Cam Ybarra grounded out, but scored Neal and Bredwell to go up, 3-1.
A defensive battle, both Nebraska and Cal State Fullerton kept runners out of scoring position until the bottom of the fifth inning. Alexa Neil was walked and advanced to second when Kika Ramirez hit a single to left field. Megan Delgadillo grounded out, but advanced the runners to second and third. A ground out from Becerra and a fly out from Hill held the Titans to no runs despite being in position.
NU worked to add to their lead in the top of the sixth inning. Kinney was hit by a pitch to reach first but was out second when Squier hit a ground ball for a fielder’s choice. Squier stole second, and advanced to third with a ground ball from Glatter. However, the Big Red was not able to capitalize, heading into the bottom of the sixth ahead, 2-1.
The Huskers were able to hold the Titans to only one run through seven to take the second game of the day, 2-1.
The Big Red return to action Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m. CT to face Boston.
