For the second day, Husker pitching failed to stop the potent offense of the Gophers as the Nebraska softball team fell to Minnesota softball 8-3. Minnesota pitching frustrated Husker bats over the course of the game.
Husker freshman Kaylan Jablonski earned the start in the pitching circle. She held Minnesota scoreless for 2 innings. In the Minnesota 3rd, the Gophers strung together three singles before a wild pitch, and a double to center field scored 3 runs, putting the visitors up 3-0 over Nebraska.
A double from Granger makes it 3-0 for the Gophers, two-out rally doing damage here in T3, Jablonski looking to escape this inning.
— huskers W (@huskers_w) March 28, 2015
Nebraska offense was unable to plate any runs until the bottom of the 4th. Dawna Tyson got the Husker engine going with her single to center. Kat Woolman followed with her single to right. Kylee Muir doubled to center field, scoring Woolman and Tyson. Jablonski helped out her own cause by singling to right field, scoring Muir. The Huskers were retired when Kiki Stokes grounded out to second base. The score now tied at 3-3 gave Nebraska a boost.
Single by Kaylan Jablonski and we have a tie game at Bowlin Stadium. Top of the lineup up for the #Huskers #OSTW
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) March 28, 2015
With the 2nd pitch of the Minnesota fifth, Jablonski served up a homer blasted to right field. The Gophers took back the lead at 4-3 and chased Jablonski out of the pitching circle. For the second day in a row, Cassie McClure entered the game in relief to retire the side.
In the 6th, McClure failed to silence Gopher bats. Minnesota plated two runs to lead 6-3. The Husker offense failed to put anything together to score in the bottom of the frame.
Walker continues her hot streak at the plate, this time a double off the wall in left, and it's now 6-3 in T6, still two outs.
— huskers W (@huskers_w) March 28, 2015
Minnesota wasn’t finished. They tagged McClure for 2 more runs in the Gopher 7th. Leading 8-3, a dominant Minnesota offense was demonstrating why they lead the B1G Ten.
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In a valiant effort, Nebraska attempted to put together a 7th inning rally, but a 5-run deficit is a lot to overcome. Kiki Stokes was hit by a pitch and MJ Knighten singled up the middle. McClure reached on a fielding error advancing Knighten to second and Stokes to third. Husker catcher Steph Pasquale reached on a fielder’s choice sending the runners. Stokes headed for home and was thrown out at the plate. With two outs, Dawna Tyson popped up to end the game.
#Huskers fall 3-8 to Minnesota in Game 2 of the Series. See you tomorrow for Game 3 at 12 pm #OSTW pic.twitter.com/X3zjRNDTJX
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) March 28, 2015
Minnesota ends the day having won the series. Big Red will attempt to avoid the sweep on Sunday in game three beginning at noon. Nebraska needs to find some consistency in the pitching circle and plate runs early to avoid last minutes heroics. Stay tuned to find out if they do and as always, GO BIG RED!!