The Nebraska softball team took a major step toward achieving its postseason goals on Friday.
Entering its final regular-season series with a first-round bye in next week’s Big Ten Tournament on the line, Nebraska’s hard-hitting lineup powered a crucial victory. A five-run fourth inning lifted Nebraska to a 7-6 win over Minnesota on Friday in Minneapolis.
The win, combined with the day’s other results from around the conference, elevated Nebraska (28-21, 11-8 Big Ten) into third place in the Big Ten standings. The Huskers can now earn a first-round bye without the need of any outside help provided they win the final two games of the series against Minnesota (26-23, 12-9).
The Gophers proved in the series opener that such an effort will not be easy.
Nebraska raced out to a fast start when third baseman Sydney Gray and designated player Emmerson Cope hit back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the first inning. Minnesota quickly earned a run back on an RBI single in the bottom half of the frame, then took a lead of its own in the second inning.
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Five consecutive batters reached base during a two-out rally for Minnesota that included two walks, two hit batters and a crucial two-RBI single. The stretch of play led to the Gophers taking a 4-2 lead and knocking Nebraska starting pitcher Kaylin Kinney out of the game having thrown just 1 2/3 innings.
Senior Sarah Harness then calmed things down for Nebraska in the circle, eventually earning the victory as she pitched the final five-plus innings.
That opened the door for Nebraska to find success against Minnesota pitcher Jacie Hambrick in her second time through the Husker batting order. Nebraska threatened early and often in the fourth inning as a fielding error and Peyton Cody's double placed two runners in scoring position with no outs.
An RBI single from first baseman Bella Bacon and a perfectly executed squeeze bunt from center fielder Brooke Andrews tied the game at 4-4 — and the Huskers were far from done in the inning. Shortstop Billie Andrews’ infield single put Nebraska back in the lead, then left fielder Samantha Bland drove a ball deep into the outfield for a two-RBI double.
Every single Nebraska starter reached base at least once as the Huskers totaled 11 hits.
“We were picking good pitches in the zone that we were getting good swings on,†Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle told the Big Ten Network midgame.
It turned out that each of those runs were necessary. While Harness had pitched four scoreless frames entering the seventh inning, Minnesota nearly put together a dramatic late comeback.
Down to her team’s final out, Minnesota’s Nani Valencia drove a two-RBI double into center field that cut Nebraska’s lead to one run. With the tying run in scoring position, Harness induced a popup that sealed the victory for good.
The pressure will now shift to Nebraska for the series’ final two games as the Huskers look to keep their place in the conference standings. The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on BTN.