After losses on Friday and Saturday to No. 12 Minnesota, the Nebraska softball team found their “groove” to post a 5 -3 victory Sunday afternoon. NU avoided the sweep with a good pitching performance by Emily Lockman plus a complete offensive effort by Husker bats.
Husker Coach Rhonda Revelle is an excellent coach who takes every opportunity to motivate her players with uplifting messages about life lessons. Hoping to change the dynamic, she tweeted out early Sunday morning this thought for the day to her team –
Battle...be tough...be FULL of courage!! OUR MIND IS OUR MOST POWERFUL MUSCLE...how will we CHOOSE to use it???
— Rhonda Revelle (@RhondaRevelle) March 29, 2015
Coach Revelle gives a brief pre-game interview with Husker Sports Network prior to each game. She said before Sunday’s game that Minnesota is a great RPI opponent and playing against them strengthens Nebraska’s RPI ranking. “The one thing about great opponents” she said, “they force you to get better because they reveal and expose the things you need to work on.”
The Big Red found out what they needed to work on in the two losses to Minnesota – pitching and hitting. Husker pitcher Emily Lockman, who has had an up and down season thus far, went the distance Sunday to give her team a fighting chance to win. She gave up only 3 runs on 8 hits, striking out 3.
Backing her up, the Husker defense made better plays on the diamond and in the field. Nebraska turned two double plays in the game.
That'll do! #Huskers turn a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning with a bang, NU trying to keep the early momentum flowing.
— huskers W (@huskers_w) March 29, 2015
Offensively, the Huskers got the bats going early and maintained the momentum throughout the game. NU scored two runs in the first, one run each in the third and fourth innings and one in the sixth.
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Sotball equipment (photo courtesy of morguefile.com)
It was a balanced effort for the Nebraska offense up and down the line up. Every one contributed but Steph Pasquale, MJ Knighten and Kiki Stokes continue to anchor and spark Husker bats. Steph Pasquale had two hits with an RBI. Kiki Stokes had two hits and scored a run with an RBI. MJ Knighten had an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend her hitting streak to 13 games.
With this victory, Nebraska improves to 18-14 overall and 6-2 in conference play. Husker softball will be in action again Tuesday with a doubleheader against North Dakota State beginning at 3 p.m.at Bowlin Stadium. Stay tuned for further updates and as always, GO BIG RED!!