In a Friday night game at Bowlin Stadium, Husker softball rallied from four runs down to win their first conference game of the season over the Michigan State Spartans, 15 – 10. The wild “slugfest,” with 25 combined runs between the two teams, was the second most in school history.
Here is an Inside Look into the #HuskerSoftball 15-10 Win vs. Michigan State at Bowlin Stadium pic.twitter.com/73WSKCpIH4
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) March 21, 2015
Sophomore right-hander Cassie McClure was in the circle for the Huskers. She held MSU scoreless for two innings. However, she ran into trouble as the Spartans jumped on top of the Huskers 4 -0 in the top of the third inning. With help from two MSU errors, the Nebraska offense got going in the bottom of the third to plate three runs, cutting the lead to 4-3. Michigan State came right back in the fourth to score two more runs, chasing McClure from the circle. NU senior pitcher Emily Lockman entered the game, limiting further damage and holding the score at 6 -3.
The Husker bats exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-6 lead. Nebraska loaded the bases and Kiki Stokes hit a line drive to left field scoring a run to cut the lead to 6-4. MJ Knighten followed with a single and Alicia Armstrong tied the game with a two-run single. With the Nebraska offense running in high gear, Cassie McClure blasted a three-run homer over the scoreboard in left field.
THAT ONE'S NOT COMING BACK! McClure blasts that one out to make it 9-6 and bring the home crowd to its feet. Crushed it over the scoreboard.
— huskers W (@huskers_w) March 21, 2015
Michigan State wasn’t done yet. They were able to load the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth. MSU hitters got the better of Lockman and the NU defense broke down a bit adding an error to the mix. Four runs were plated and the Spartans took back the lead 10-9 in the top of the fifth. With Husker bats still hot, Nebraska scored two runs to take back the lead 11-10 to end the inning.
Emily Lockman was able to retire Michigan State in the top of the sixth. Nebraska plated four more runs in the bottom of the frame when senior Steph Pasquale hit a pinch-hit grand slam to widen their lead to 15 – 10.
It only took @HuskerSoftball's senior transfer @stephpasquale_ ONE PITCH to make an impact in the #B1G: #GrandSlam pic.twitter.com/dmvFH3wopf
— Corn Fed Sports (@CornFedSports) March 21, 2015
Lockman finished out the game, closing out Michigan State in the top of the 7th to get the save and the WIN!
With the victory, the Huskers improved to 13-12 on the season and are 1-0 in conference play. Nebraska and Michigan State play game two on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. It is “Bark in the Park” day where Husker fans can bring their pet along to cheer for the Cornhuskers! Stay tuned for further updates and as always, GO BIG RED!!