On April 26, two Big Ten juggernauts faced off as Nebraska softball took on conference leader Northwestern in the first game of its weekend series. Coming into this game, the Wildcats were 15-2 in Big Ten play and 29-9 overall.
The Huskers had their hands full in this game as they faced off against Northwestern’s senior ace Ashley Miller, who had a 1.14 ERA heading into the night. Nebraska didn’t back down from Miller, however, it got in its own way on the path to a 6-5 loss.
To open the game, senior pitcher Sarah Harness sat down the first three Wildcat batters. The Huskers found some offense early as senior infielder Billie Andrews opened up the bottom of the first with a bunt to get an early baserunner. It did not take long for Andrews to get back home as freshman outfielder Samantha Bland hit a two-run home run to give Nebraska an early 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, Harness continued her strong start as she only allowed one baserunner on a walk to keep Northwestern at bay. The Huskers looked like they were going to produce more runs as they got two baserunners in the bottom of the frame however both were left stranded.
It seemed like Harness was going to coast again in the top of the third after forcing two quick outs, however, sophomore infielder Kansas Robinson launched a solo home run to cut the deficit in half.
This home run opened the floodgates for the Wildcats as they promptly loaded the bases and scored on a fielding error to tie up the game 2-2. Harness closed the inning out, but the damage was done.
In the bottom of the frame, Miller worked a 1-2-3 inning to slow down Nebraska's offense. Harness did the same in the top of the fourth, however, Miller replicated her third-inning performance sitting down the Husker offense in order.
Northwestern opened up the fifth inning with a walk and a single to get two quick baserunners. The Wildcats advanced a runner to third and quickly capitalized, scoring on a sacrifice fly to take their first lead of the game. The scoring didn’t end there as Northwestern scored the runner from first and took a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
Nebraska threatened in the fifth, getting two runners in scoring position. However, it left both on base. The Huskers did quell the Wildcat bats in the top of the sixth and found a little momentum heading into the bottom of the frame.
In the frame, Nebraska sparked some offense, loading the bases with one out. Andrews walked with the bases loaded however the Huskers did not score as junior catcher Ava Bredwell left early. Despite the setback, Nebraska capitalized on the opportunity as sophomore infielder Katelyn Caneda hit a single to tie the game up 4-4. After this hit, Northwestern took out Miller in favor of freshman pitcher Renae Cunningham, who got it out of the inning.
In the final inning, senior pitcher Kaylin Kinney subbed in for Harness and ran into issues right away. The Wildcats opened up the frame with a single and a throwing error from Kinney in the next at-bat gave the Wildcats two runners with no outs.
A sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position and a sacrifice fly scored the runner from third while advancing the other from second. A wild pitch gave Northwestern another unearned run to put its lead at 6-4, backing the Huskers up against the wall.
Nebraska gave a valiant effort in the bottom of the seventh as freshman utility Emmerson Cope hit a solo home run to close the gap. However, it was not enough as the Huskers fell 6-5.
This loss brings Nebraska to 27-20 overall and 10-7 in conference play. The Huskers are back in action Saturday as they try to even up the series against Northwestern.