NU notes: Nebraska claims fifth tournament title
Lincoln – The third-ranked Nebraska bowling team won its fifth tournament of the season, winning the Big Red Invitational on Sunday in front of a nation-wide television audience on the Big Ten Network
Nebraska finished the tournament in first place with an overall average of 224.1 over 62 matches, with No. 1 McKendree right behind with an average of 222.6. No. 7 Arkansas St. places third with their average of 215.9.
"The team's performance this week was extraordinary," said Head Coach Paul Klempa. "They showed up all weekend, including on the big stage of live TV on the Big Ten Network. I would like to thank the Big Ten Network for choosing to broadcast our final match and give us an opportunity to be seen all across the country. This was an important week for the team to show the home crowd and the entire nation on television how talented they are. They handled the pressure and distractions very well and it paid off for our second consecutive tournament title and the fifth title of the season. I am proud of this team and how they conduct themselves and their business."
Two Huskers made the all-tournament team this weekend, as All-American Cassidy Ray placed third with a pinfall of 1,172 in five games and All-American Kayla Verstraete finished fifth with a score of 1,143. They are joined by Arkansas State's Emma Stull (1,193, first), and McKendree Bearcats Rebecca Hagerman (1,175, second) and Cassidy Courey (1,153, fourth).
Nebraska started day three with best-of-seven baker-style play against the top-ranked McKendree and battled hard to take a 4-2 win by a score of 1,357-1,340. The Huskers took an early lead in the first game by a score of 233-201, but fell to the Bearcats in game two (248-207). NU rebounded in the third game (245-224) and brought that momentum with them in game four (235-215) to make it 3-1. In game five, Nebraska took a loss (214-191), but recovered in the sixth game to finish the match with a 246-238 win.
Heading into the final match of the tournament, the Huskers faced Valparaiso as they made their BTN debut and won the match 4-2 by a score of 1,272-1,094. Nebraska excelled in their first game, taking a win by a score of 257-193, but fell in the second game (206-161). Nebraska fell behind 2-1 as Valparaiso edged the Huskers 202-198 in the third game. The Huskers regrouped and claimed victory in game four by a score of 220-144 with a final shot rolled by Gwen Maeha, and built off the momentum to win the fifth game by a score of 224-167 with help in the final frame from Amara Smith Speights. Nebraska closed out the match with a 212-182 victory to win 4-2 and finished with the highest team average after three days of competition.
The Huskers wrap up the regular season at the Music City Classic on March 18-20 in Smyrna, Tenn.
Big Red Invitational Final Results
- Nebraska (224.1)
- McKendree (222.6)
- Arkansas St. (215.9)
- Youngstown St. (215.6)
- Central Missouri (205.4)
- Wisconsin Whitewater (204.7)
- Valparaiso (191.5)
- Quincy (185.8)
Huskers Fall in Game One to Jayhawks
The Nebraska softball team (6-5) fell to Kansas (7-4) Sunday afternoon, 13-5. Despite recording four doubles, the Huskers were unable to stop the Jayhawks offensive momentum throughout the game.
Courtney Wallace (5-2) started in the circle for the Huskers. The senior pitched 2.1 innings giving up six hits and six runs. Kaylin Kinney pitched 3.0 innings while Caitlyn Neal came in during the bottom of the sixth for her first appearance in the circle this season.
Offensively, sophomore Sydney Gray led the Huskers going 3-for-3 and adding two RBIs.
Mya Felder added two doubles and three RBIs.
For Kansas, Katie Brooks (3-2) recorded the win, walking three and giving up eight hits. Offensively, Savanna DesRochers led the Jayhawks going 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
The Jayhawks struck first in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Ashlyn Anderson doubled to right center. Shelby Gayre followed it up with a double down the right field line, scoring Anderson. The Huskers were able to get out of the inning after a ground out to second base.
Nebraska responded in the top of the second with a lead off double from Courtney Wallace. Mya Felder followed with a double to left field, scoring Wallace to even the game to 1-1. Kaylin Kinney popped up for the first out followed by a strike out from Brooke Andrews. Billie Andrews hit a single to left field, but Felder was tagged out at home.
Kansas took the lead again in the bottom of the second. A walk and a single put a runner in scoring position. Lyric Moore doubled to left field to score one, making it 2-1. Haleigh Harper followed it with a single to right field, scoring two. NU was able to get out of the inning, but KU led 4-1 after two innings.
In the top of the third, Cam Ybarra led off with a fly out to right field. Sydney Gray reached first on a single to right center field. Abbie Squier was hit by a pitch, advancing Gray to second. Peyton Glatter was walked to load the bases. Wallace reached first but Gray was out at home. Felder hit her second double of the day down the left field line, scoring two to cut Kansas' lead to 4-3.
The Jayhawks added two more in the bottom of the third. A walk put Olivia Bruno on base. The Huskers tallied the first out with a ground out to first base. Savanna DesRochers hit a two-run homer over the right center fence. Kaylin Kinney came in to pitch, and NU was able to record the last two outs and head into the fourth inning down, 6-3.
The Huskers responded in the top of the fourth inning. Brooke Andrews started the inning off with a double down the left field line. Billie Andrews flied out, but advanced Brooke Andrews to second. Ybarra flied out, advancing Brooke Andrews to third. Gray followed with a strong hit to the shortstop, scoring Brooke Andrews to make it a 6-4 game.
Kansas had their biggest inning of the game in the bottom of the fourth. A lead off walk followed by a double play gave the Huskers their first two outs. Bruno hit a single followed by Cheyenne Hornbuckle reaching first on an error by Ybarra. DesRochers hit a double to right field, scoring one. Moore followed with a single, advancing to third on a throwing error and scoring two. Harper followed with a single to bring in another run. The Huskers were able to get out of the inning, but went into the fifth down 10-4.
Nebraska added another run in the top of the sixth. Billie Andrews was walked and reached second on a ground out from Ybarra. Gray hit a single up the middle, scoring Billie Andrews. Squier was hit by a pitch, putting a runner in scoring position, but Glatter struck out. The Huskers went into the bottom of the sixth down 10-5.
The Jayhawks finished the game after adding three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. DesRochers singled down the right side followed by a double from Moore to center field. Harper singled to left field, scoring DesRochers. Peyton Renzi doubled to right field, scoring Moore. Caitlyn Neal entered the game to pitch for Kinney. Madison Hirsch reached base on a fielder's choice while the runner at home was out. The game ended after Renzi scored on a passed ball.
The Huskers fall in game one, 13-5.
Nebraska will start the second game of the day at approximately 3:50 p.m. against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. Live stats are available on Huskers.com and updates will be posted on Twitter (@HuskerSoftball).
Huskers Claim Game Two At Kansas
The Nebraska softball team claimed the second game against Kansas (7-5) with the help of a seventh inning rally to move to 7-5 on the season.
In the circle, Olivia Ferrell (2-2) started for the Huskers. The senior pitched a complete game, recording seven strikeouts and allowing eight hits.
For Kansas, Savanna DesRochers (0-1) recorded the loss, pitching one inning, giving up two hits and three runs. Kasey Hamilton started for the Jayhawks, pitching 6.0 innings, striking out seven batters and allowing eight hits.
The Huskers struck first in the top of the second inning. Abbie Squier was walked to get on base. Wallace grounded out, but advanced Squier to second. Neal reached first, after a hard hit ball to the shortstop. Brooke Andrews hit a single to the pitcher, scoring Squier. NU took the early 1-0 lead.
The Jayhawks responded in the bottom of the third. Macy Omli led off the inning with a double to left field. Ashlyn Anderson followed with a double of her own to left field, scoring Omli to tie the game at 1-1. Olivia Bruno walked while DesRochers struck out looking. Cheyenne Hornbuckle loaded the bases after reaching on an error by Sydney Gray. Jordan Richards hit a single to right field, scoring Anderson and Bruno. The Huskers were able to get out of the inning with a strikeout but headed into the top of the fourth inning down 3-1.
Nebraska added two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Billie Andrews led off with a single to center field. Ybarra fouled out while Gray flied out. With two outs, Billie Andrews stole second while Mya Felder was at bat. Felder hit a single up the middle to score Billie Andrews. Squier singled to center field, scoring Camyl Armendariz (who was pinch running for Felder) to make it a tied game at 3-3.
The Huskers had a big seventh inning, adding HOW MANY runs. Mya Felder led the inning off with a walk. Olivia Ferrell grounded out, but advanced Felder to second. Abbie Squier singled to left center. Courtney Wallace was walked, loading the bases. Peyton Glatter entered the game for Caitlyn Neal and recorded the second out of the inning. Brooke Andrews reached first on a third base error, scoring Felder. Billie Andrews hit a single to right field, scoring Squier and Wallace to put NU on top, 6-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kansas' Macy Omli hit a deep ball to left field, but Abbie Squier was able to make the play for the first out of the inning. Squier recorded the second out after Anderson hit a shallow fly ball to left field. Olivia Bruno hit a solo home run over the center field fence to make it a 6-4 game with two outs, but DesRochers grounded out to first base to end the game.
Huskers claimed game two, 6-4.
Nebraska is back in action Monday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. CT against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. Live stats will be available on Huskers.com and updates will be posted on Twitter (@HuskerSoftball).
Huskers Improve Times at Mizzou Qualifier
Columbia, Mo. -- The Nebraska swimming and diving team sent five swimmers to the Mizzou Qualifier over the weekend. The meet gives swimmers across the country a last chance to improve their times before the NCAA releases qualifiers for the NCAA Championships hosted in March.
Seniors Autumn Haebig, Madesyn Ronquillio and Shannon Stott, along with junior Molly Rosenthal and freshman JoJo Randby represented NU in Missouri.
After finishing sixth in the 200 freestyle at the Big Ten Championships, Haebig (Grafton, Wis.) shaved almost a full second off of her time to clock a 1:44.79. That time is well under the B-cut time and puts her in a good position to qualify for nationals. Haebig also competed in the 50 freestyle and notched a 23.49.
Rosenthal (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) represented Nebraska's distance corps, swimming a 4:51.98 in the 500 freestyle.
Stott (St. Albans, Great Britain) swam a career-best 100 butterfly time of 54.25, followed up with another career-best and a B-cut in the 200 butterfly with a 1:58.23.
Ronquillio (Tracy, Calif.) had a 54.80 in the 100 backstroke and a season-best 100 butterfly time of 55.90. Randby, an Omaha-native, cut over half a second off her career-best 100 freestyle time to swim a 50.92 and a 23.74 in the 50 freestyle.
The final NCAA Championships qualifiers are set to be announced on Wednesday, March 2. Divers look to compete in the NCAA Zone Diving competition from March 7-9 in Madison, Wis. and the NCAA Championships will take place in Atlanta, Ga., March 16-19.
