Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team had five extra base hits, including two home runs, but it wasn’t enough to catch Cameron, 8-5, or Oklahoma Baptist, 8-4 (8 innings), Sunday in Edmond, Okla.
The games are a part of the UCO/OC Festival. The tourney was pushed back two full days due to cold weather and field conditions. The Lopers (2-6) will play games Monday at 10 am. Vs. Colorado Christian (at UCO) and vs. Southern Nazarene (in Choctaw, Okla.).
UNK was poised to beat the OBU Bison (1-0) from the Great American Conference as it scored two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to erase a 3-0 hole. Junior shortstop and leadoff hitter Abbie Vodicka (Lincoln Pius X) smacked a two-run double in the fifth and then was plunked with the bases loaded in the sixth. That brought in the go ahead run; the Lopers took the lead thanks to a single, error, three straight walks and that hit-by-pitch. Kearney could’ve busted things open but junior Shianne Eddings got a strikeout with the bases full.
The Bison forced extra innings by tallying a run in the bottom of the seventh. Senior first baseman Emily Richardson reached via error and then a pinch runner scored from second on another UNK miscue. Lincoln junior Kelsey Goodban did get a strikeout with a runner at second to push things to the eighth.
UNK went quietly in its half of the inning but the Bison didn’t. With one down a pop up landed in between the pitcher and first baseman. Another infield single followed, this time a bunt that hugged the first base line. The umpires determined UNK didn’t tag the batter. A traditional single to left center loaded the bases with Richardson, OBU’s cleanup hitter, belting a “Grand Slam” to end things.
OBU was paced by sophomore second baseman and two-hole hitter Kylie Kawamura (4 for 5, one run) with Eddings and sophomore Kayleigh Jones allowing no earned runs in a combined 3.2 innings of relief work. Kearney junior left fielder Avery Wood went 2 for 3 with two runs to lead UNK with Colorado seniorMelissa Gellermann allowing just one earned run over the first 3.2 innings.
The Cameron Aggies (4-1), from the Lone Star Conference, out hit UNK 11-7 in the early game. CU scored three runs in each of the first two innings and then added a two spot in the third. Leadoff hitter Brenna Busby and cleanup hitter Callie Christensen each homered and finished 2 for 3 with two runs and three RBI’s.
UNK got homers from Colorado junior first baseman Hailey Schaneman and Blair sophomore catcherKatie Gosker but the Lopers were blanked over the final four innings. Lincoln junior center fielder Carlee Liesch went 3 for 4 with California junior Hannah Ice strong in the circle, allowing no earned runs in 5.0 full innings of relief work.
