Huskers improve at Mary Nutter classic

It was a mixed result this past weekend when Nebraska softball traveled to California to compete at the Mary Nutter collegiate classic in Cathedral City. After going 0-5 the previous weekend at the Unconquered Invitational, the Huskers took that experience and a positive attitude back out on the road. In a tournament containing top 25 talent, Nebraska went 2-5.

Mary Nutter collegiate classic

On Friday afternoon Feb. 20, the Huskers met San Diego St. on the diamond. Nebraska snapped their five-game losing streak with 10-0 five-inning victory over San Diego State. It was a scoring explosion. Facing the reigning Mountain West Pitcher of the Week, Erica Romero, the Big Red filled the bases. Nebraska blasted 10 hits with 10 walks.

Leading the NU offense was junior Alicia Armstrong who went 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and scored three runs. Sophomore MJ Knighten went on a tear, smashing a three-run triple and collecting three RBIs.

Husker pitcher Emily Lockman went the distance in the fourth run-rule victory of the season. Allowing four hits and striking out four, she is the first pitcher this season to shut out San Diego State.

Saturday, Feb. 21 did not begin well. Huskers started the day facing the No. 14 LSU tigers. A 10-run first inning sunk Nebraska, 10-2. NU freshman pitcher Kaylan Jablonski (0-3), allowed 10 runs on five hits including a three-run homer and walked five in 0.2 innings. The Huskers would plate their two runs in the bottom of the third off the bats of freshman Gina Metzler, junior Kiki Stokes and sophomore Cassie McClure.

Nebraska rebounded in game two Saturday to upset No. 10 Tennessee, 5-2. Emily Lockman and Cassie McClure combined on the mound for the victory. Lockman started, allowing two runs on four hits and struck out five. McClure pitched in relief, allowing only one hit and one walk to earn her first save as a Husker.

Kiki stokes

Kiki Stokes was a scoring machine for the Huskers against the Lady Vols. Stokes began the game with a lead off home run and sealed the victory with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning. She went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs against Tennessee. Stokes was 9 for 10 this weekend against ranked opponents with only one strike out. (Last year she turned in a .297 average placing 6th for the team behind returning Huskers Armstrong, Fowler and Knighten.)

Sunday Feb. 22 turned out to be a “no good, very BAD” day indeed. In a crazy seven-inning contest, Nebraska fell to Oregon St. 11-10 despite a valiant comeback.  Trailing by six in the top of the seventh, Nebraska plated six runs to tie the game at ten runs apiece. But Oregon State got the walk-off win when the Huskers committed a run-scoring error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Huskers committed a season-high four errors, allowing a season-high seven unearned runs and stranded a season-high 11 base runners in this game.

Nebraska ended out the tournament with a 5-1 loss in six innings against No. 12 UCLA. The game was called after six innings due to Nebraska’s travel schedule. All the scoring occurred in the third inning. Nebraska scored their only run on an RBI ground out from junior Dawna Tyson. However, UCLA came right back to take a 5-1 lead. Husker pitcher Emily Lockman gave up a two-run single to Stephany LaRosa and a two-run triple to Kylee Perez for the Bruins.

Coach Rhonda Revelle and her staff continue to inspire this young squad. They knew there would be challenges this year.

Nebraska (6-9) travels to Tulsa, Okla. next weekend (Feb.28-Mar.1) for the Tulsa Tournament. They will play two games on Saturday and two more on Sunday. Stay tuned for further updates and always wear red . .BE LOUD AND PROUD and GO BIG RED!!