The Nebraska softball team (32-17, 12-8 Big Ten) smashed a season-high five home runs, but it was not enough as No. 22 Northwestern (33-10, 18-2 Big Ten) scored six runs in the fifth inning to ultimately win, 9-10, on Sunday afternoon in Evanston, Ill. 

The Huskers got out to an early 2-0 lead, fell behind 2-4, before taking a 9-4 lead headed into the bottom of the fifth. The Wildcats went on to score six runs on four hits and one error to take a 9-10 advantage before the game was halted for nearly two hours due to rain. Once play resumed, Nebraska was unable to rally, as Northwestern claimed the win. 

Billie Andrews and Mya Felder led the Husker offense, each smashing two home runs. Abbie Squier added a solo homer as seven of NU's nine runs came from home runs. 

Northwestern's offense was led by Skyler Shellmyer who finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs while Hannah Cady added a three-run homer. 

Courtney Wallace (21-11) received the loss in the circle for the Huskers. Wallace entered in the bottom of the fifth inning, pitching 0.2 innings, giving up four hits and six runs (four earned). Sarah Harness started in the circle and re-entered after the delay, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing six hits and four runs. 

Danielle Williams moved to 15-1 on the season for the Wildcats as she pitched the final three innings for Northwestern. Williams held the Huskers to just no hits and just one run. Cami Henry started for the Wildcats, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing five hits and six runs including four homers. Sydney Supple added 1.2 innings of work, giving up two hits and two runs. 

The Huskers got out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. With one out, Katelyn Caneda was walked. With two outs, Felder hit a two-run homer to give NU the early advantage. 

The Wildcats responded with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Two singles put runners on first and second. Cady smashed a three-run homer to take the lead with one out. A single and a double scored one more as Northwestern went into the second inning ahead, 4-2. 

Two home runs and three hits powered the Huskers in the second inning. Squier led off with a solo shot to right field. With two outs, Alina Felix added a single to center field. Billie Andrews followed with a homer to right field, scoring two, as Nebraska regained the lead, 5-4.

Felder smashed her second home run during her second at-bat in the top of the third, extending the Husker lead to 6-4. 

Three runs and two hits in the fifth inning gave Nebraska the 9-4 lead. Billie Andrews added her second homer of the day with a lead off shot to center field. Caneda followed with a double. Williams entered the circle for Northwestern, hitting Gray with a pitch and walking Felder to load the bases. With one out, Squier was hit by a pitch, bringing in the second run of the inning. Caitlynn Neal struck out, but a wild pitch scored Gray as the Huskers went ahead. 

Northwestern tallied six runs and four hits in the bottom of the fifth to take the 10-9 lead. Wallace entered the circle for Nebraska. With two outs, a walk and two singles loaded the bases. A single from Kendall Peterson cleared the bases. Another single, a walk and a wild pitch put runners at second and third. A fielding error and a wild pitch scored two more runs before the game was delayed due to inclement weather in Evanston. 

After nearly a two-hour rain delay, the game resumed play. Sarah Harness re-entered the game and recorded the third out to move to the sixth inning.

Nebraska looked to rally in the seventh with one on and two outs, but a line out secured the Wildcat victory, 9-10. With the win, Northwestern claimed a share of the Big Ten regular season title. 

The Huskers return to action next weekend, May 5-7, for the final weekend of the regular season for a three-game series against Ohio State at Bowlin Stadium, in Lincoln, Neb. Fans can listen to the action live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr and Mattie Fowler Burkhardt. All three games will also be streamed live on BTN+ (subscription required).

Game Notes

  • Nebraska's five homers were the most recorded in a game this season and was just one shy of the school record of six which was set against Creighton in 1996. 
  • Mya Felder had two home runs in today's game. This marked the first time this season Felder has had a multi-homer game and her fourth time in her career. 
  • Billie Andrews also had two home runs in today's game. This marked the second time this season Andrews has had a multi-homer game and her fifth time in her career. 
  • Andrews moves to sixth all time in Nebraska history in home runs with 41 in her career. She is now tied with MJ Knighten (2014-17).

Huskers Conclude Season at Big Ten Championships

After the third round was canceled due to rain, Nebraska concluded the 2022-23 season with a 12th place finish at the Big Ten Championships in Galloway, N.J., Sunday afternoon. 

The weather was a factor all weekend, as teams on the Par-71, 7,111 layout at Galloway National battled wind and rain throughout Friday's round. The Huskers managed a 315 (+31) in the driving rain. After conditions cleared Saturday, the Big Red managed a 294 (+10) in the second round. However, the inclement weather returned Sunday, forcing the cancelation. In two rounds, Nebraska finished with a score of 41-over 609.  

No.3 Illinois captured their eighth straight Big Ten Championship with a team-score of eight-under 560 in two rounds. The title marks Fighting Illini's 13th in the last 14 years. Mac McClear (Iowa) and Daniel Svard (Northwestern) finished as co-medalists with a three-under 139.  

Reed Malleck secured a second-round 73 (+2) which helped him finish as Nebraska's top golfer. The junior from York, Neb., finished tied for 41st with a two-round score of 152 (+11). 

Grant Jabenis finished right behind Malleck, as the sophomore placed tied for 43rd. His second round two-over par 73 helped him climb the leaderboards after a first round 80 (+9). 

Gentry Scheve finished tied for 46th with a 36-hole score of 154 (+14). Davis Johnson finished tied for 53rd with a two-round aggregate of 157 (+17). The freshman from Chaska, Minn., bounced back from a first round 85 (+14) and posted the best round in the tournament among Huskers with his second-round 72 (+1). 

Will Marshall, who finished tied for 57th, rounded out the Husker contingent in New Jersey. 

Team Leaderboard
1. Illinois    292-268=560 (-8) 
2. Northwestern    298-279=577 (+9)
3. Wisconsin    299-284=583 (+15) 
4. Indiana    308-278=586 (+18)
T5. Ohio State University    300-289=589 (+21)
T5. Iowa    306-283=589 (+21)
T7. Purdue    316-280=596 (+28)
T7. Minnesota    314-282=596 (+28)
9.   Michigan State    310-288=598 (+30)
10. Rutgers    311-290=601 (+33)
11. Penn State    314-288=602 (+34)
12. Nebraska    315-294=609 (+41)
13. Michigan    324-288=612 (+44)
14. Maryland    333-290=623 (55)

Nebraska Lineup
T41. Reed Malleck 79-73=152 (+11)
T43. Grant Jabenis 80-73=153 (+12)
T46. Gentry Scheve 78-76=154 (+14)
T53. Davis Johnson 85-72=157 (+17)
T57. Will Marshall 78-81=159 (+19)