Gabe Swansen went 3-for-4 at the plate and matched his career high with six RBI, as No. 24 Nebraska knocked off No. 16 Vanderbilt with a 6-4 win at the MLB Desert Invitational on Saturday night at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Huskers (1-1) scored six runs on eight hits, while the Commodores (1-1) tallied four runs on seven hits.

Swansen doubled twice and homered for the first time this season while driving in a career-high six runs for the third time in his Husker career. Cayden Brumbaugh was 2-for-5 with a double, while Joshua Overbeek recorded a triple on the night. Case Sanderson scored a team-high two runs, and the sophomore joined Riley Silva with NU’s other two hits on Saturday.

Ty Horn allowed three runs on four hits across four innings in the start. The sophomore struck out a career-high six batters and issued a pair of walks in the no-decision. Jalen Worthley picked up the victory after pitching 1.2 scoreless innings in relief to maintain the lead for the Huskers. Tucker Timmerman tossed 2.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out a pair. Luke Broderick collected the save in his Husker debut after tossing a scoreless ninth inning with a punchout.

The Huskers raced out to a three-run lead in the opening frame behind a pair of base hits. Brumbaugh led off the evening with a single up the middle, while walks to Max Buettenback and Dylan Carey loaded the bases for the Big Red with no outs.

Swansen came through for the NU offense, hammering an 0-2 breaking pitch to the wall in left-center for a bases-clearing RBI double to give the Huskers a 3-0 lead.

The Commodores answered immediately with two runs of their own to make it a 3-2 game after the first. A leadoff homer plated the first run, while a pair of doubles into the right-center alley trimmed the Big Red’s lead to one.

Sanderson reached on a one-out single to left in the top of the third, before Swansen ripped an RBI double down the left-field line for his fourth RBI on the night to double the lead to 4-2 for the Huskers.

Horn drew a groundout and collected his career-high fifth and sixth punchouts of the night in the bottom of the fourth to maintain Nebraska’s 4-2 lead through four innings of play.

Vandy capitalized on a trio of walks in the bottom of the fifth after a two-out RBI infield single to third brought the Commodores within a run. Worthley induced a ground ball with the bases loaded and two outs to hold onto the one-run lead going into the sixth inning.

Sanderson reached on a one-out walk to set the table for Swansen’s towering, two-run shot into the berm in left field that stretched the Huskers’ lead to three at the seventh-inning stretch.

Timmerman retired the Vandy offense in order in the bottom of the seventh with a trio of groundouts to keep the 6-3 advantage heading into the final two innings.

The Commodores cut the NU lead to two in the bottom of the eighth with a pair of hits. A one-out double into the right-center gap put one in scoring position, before a sharp line drive ricocheted off Carey’s glove for a two-out RBI single.

Broderick took the mound in the ninth for the Huskers and struck out the first batter he faced. The junior induced a pair of lineouts from the next two hitters to clinch Nebraska’s 6-4 win over Vanderbilt.

Nebraska continues play at the MLB Desert Invitational, as the No. 24 Huskers face San Diego State tomorrow night at Sloan Park. First pitch between the Big Red and Aztecs is set for 6 p.m. CT.

Bahl Tosses No-Hitter in 10-0 Five-Inning Victory

Behind a strong offense and a no-hitter from Jordyn Bahl, the No. 18 Nebraska softball team (7-2) downed the Northern Colorado Bears by a score of 10-0 in five innings in its second game on Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M.

Bahl (3-1) grabbed the pitching victory after allowing no hits and striking out five batters. She did not allow a ball to leave the infield and worked around a pair of walks and two hit batters.

The no-hitter is the fourth of Bahl’s career, including two perfect games, and the 41st in Nebraska softball history. The previous most recent no-hitter for the Huskers came from Sarah Harness in a 5-0 victory over New Mexico State on Feb. 24, 2023. 

Grace Algrim (0-1) took the loss for the Bears. 

Ava Bredwell paced the offense with a 2-for-3 game with four RBIs on a grand slam. Samantha Bland added two RBIs of her own while Lauren Camenzind had two hits.

After the first two innings were scoreless, Bredwell registered her second hit of the day to reach base in the top of the third, and Bella Bacon reached immediately after on an error. A Hannah Camenzind single scored Bredwell and an Ava Kuszak sacrifice fly sent Bacon to the plate. Bahl then executed a squeeze bunt to score Hannah Camenzind as NU took a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Lauren Camenzind singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bland then notched her second home run of Saturday, a two-run shot that extended the lead to 5-0. The Huskers went on to load the bases on an error, a Bacon single and a Kuszak walk. A two-out wild pitch sent Bacon to the plate to give Nebraska a 6-0 lead.

Emmerson Cope walked to start the fifth inning, and Abbie Squier came into pinch run. Hoffmann singled to reach first and advance Squier to second. Lauren Camenzind then reached on a bunt single to load the bases and Ava Bredwell homered to put the Huskers up 10-0. 

Bahl then closed out the shutout and no-hitter with a strikeout, a ground out and an infield pop out in the bottom of the fifth.

The Huskers will close Troy Cox Classic competition tomorrow, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. with a rematch against Montana in Las Cruces, N.M. The Huskers defeated Montana, 13-4 in six innings, in Saturday's first game. The game can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network. 

Postgame Notes

  • Nebraska has scored at least 10 runs in each of its first four games this weekend. The last time that the Huskers had four straight games with 10+ runs was a four-game stretch at the Hotel Encanto Invitational in Las Cruces in 2015. 
  • Jordyn Bahl threw a no-hitter, the fourth of her career, including two perfect games. It is the 41st no-hitter in program history and the first since Sarah Harness on Feb. 24, 2023. 
  • Through the first four games this weekend, Bahl is 2-0 in the circle and has thrown 10.0 shutout innings, allowing only two singles. At the plate, Bahl is 6-for-12 with two doubles, four homers, eight RBIs and six runs scored.

Huskers Grab Third Run-Rule Victory of Weekend

The No. 18 Nebraska softball team continued its dominance at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M., with a 13-5 six-inning victory over the Montana Grizzlies on Saturday morning.

So far this weekend, the Husker bats have racked up 40 hits, 15 home runs and 22 extra-base hits while scoring 43 runs in three games, none of which went the full seven innings. 

Nebraska (6-2) hit five more home runs gainst the Grizzlies, giving the Huskers five home runs in all three games this weekend. It is believed to be the first time in program history that NU has had five home runs in three straight games.

Ava Kuszak led the offense on Saturday morning, going 3-of-5 and notching three runs and two RBIs and a home run in the process. Jordyn Bahl went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs while Olivia DiNardo, Lauren Camenzind and Bella Bacon each had two hits. Bacon, Samantha Bland and Talia Tokheim joined Kuszak and Bahl with home runs in the game.

Emmerson Cope (2-0) claimed the win in the circle, as she pitched 2.1 innings of relief and allowed only one run. Kylee Magee started the game for the Huskers and allowed no earned runs in 2.0 innings, and Hannah Camenzind finished it out with 1.2 scoreless innings. 

Siona Halwani (2-3) took the loss for Montana. 

Montana struck first with a four-run first inning fueled by two Husker errors. After the two errors prolonged the inning, the Griz went up 1-0 on a Sveva Sweeney single that scored Presley Jantzi. Hannah Jablonski then knocked a three-run homer that extended the Grizzly lead to 4-0. 

In the bottom of the second, NU cut into the lead and made the score 4-1 after Lauren Camenzind, who reached base on a walk, was sent home by a Bacon RBI single. 

Cope and Bahl walked and Olivia DiNardo hit a single to load the bases in the bottom of the third, but the Huskers couldn’t convert and the Montana lead remained 4-1. 

Bland blasted her first home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth, and Talia Tokheim followed it up with a solo homer of her own to cut the Grizzly advantage to 4-3. Bacon hit the Huskers’ third straight home run to tie the score at 4-4. That marked the second time in two games that NU has hit back-to-back-to-back home runs.

Cope and Kuszak followed the homers with consecutive singles, and the Big Red grabbed a 5-4 lead on a Bahl RBI double that sent Cope across the plate. DiNardo’s second hit of the day scored Kuszak and Bahl and extended NU’s lead to 7-4. Kacie Hoffmann walked and Lauren Camenzind singled to load the bases for Bland, who started the inning with a home run. A Bland single sent DiNardo home, and Nebraska ended the inning with an 8-4 lead.

Jantzi singled up the middle to score Grace Lopez for the Grizzlies and make the score 8-5 in the top of the fifth.

Nebraska’s bats continued to dominate in the bottom of the fifth, as Kuszak kicked off the inning with her third home run of the weekend. Bahl immediately followed with a homer of her own. The Huskers held a 10-5 lead going into the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Ava Bredwell and Hannah Camenzind each reached on a single, and Kuszak’s third hit of the day sent Bredwell home. Bahl scored Camenzind on an RBI ground ball, with Bahl reaching on an error. Hoffmann reached on yet another error, and Kuszak crossed the plate to close out the 13-5 run-rule victory for the Big Red. 

The Big Red will continue with Saturday’s action with a game against Northern Colorado at 12:45 p.m. (CT). The matchup is free to listen to on the Huskers Radio Network. 

Postgame Notes

  • In the bottom of the fourth inning, Samantha Bland, Talia Tokheim and Bella Bacon hit back-to-back-to-back home runs, marking the second time NU hit three straight homers this weekend. 
  • Ava Kuszak and Jordyn Bahl then hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning.
  • Bahl and Kuszak have each notched a homer in all three games so far this weekend. 
  • Kuszak tied career highs in runs (3) and hits (3).
  • The Huskers have hit five home runs in three straight games for what is believed to be the first time in program history.
  • Bella Bacon tied her career high in hits with two.

Johansson, Moore Claim Titles On Day Two in Arkansas

Nebraska track and field’s final day at the prestigious Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., was highlighted by two titles and a trio of all-time marks.

The Husker women put four athletes in the top six of the shot put, led by Axelina Johansson getting the event win, throwing 18.32m (60-1 ¼). Kalynn Meyer finished fourth (17.07m, 56-0), and Mine De Klerk (16.78m, 55-0 ¾) and Kellyn Kortemeyer (16.68m, 54-8 ¾) placed fifth and sixth. Kortemeyer’s personal-best throw moves her up to 10th on the Husker all-time list as she is now the fifth current Husker thrower in the top 10. In the men’s shot put, Cade Moran placed fifth with a season-best 18.67m (61-3). 

Micaylon Moore won the men’s triple jump with a mark of 15.95m (52-4), while Balvin Israel jumped a PR 14.43m (47-4 ¼) for the 10th-place finish. In the women’s triple jump invitational, Velecial Williams jumped 13.35m (43-9 ¾) to improve her fifth-best all-time Husker mark and earn fourth. Rhianna Phipps placed ninth, 13.00m (42-8). 

The Huskers went two, three and seven in the women’s high jump, as Ela Velepec was second (1.80m, 5-10 ¾), Brooklyn Miller was third (1.75m, 5-8 ¾) and Karsyn Leeling finished seventh (1.65m, 5-5). In the men’s high jump invitational, Tyus Wilson led the way, clearing 2.20m (7-2 ½) for fourth. Reid Nelson (2.15m, 7-0 ½) and Mason Kooi (2.10m, 6-10 ¾) rounded out the group of Huskers in eighth and 11th, respectively. 

Arina Razina cleared 4.09m (13-5) in the women’s pole vault to place fourth. Kylie Clark cleared a personal-best 4.24m (13-11) in the pole vault invitational, finishing 11th.

Nebraska improved two top five all-time marks and set personal bests in the men’s 800m invitational, as Niko Schultz earned 11th (1:47.42) and Pradeep Senthilkumar ran to 15th (1:48.60). 

Kavian Kerr finished eighth in the men’s 200m, running 21.22, while Darby Thomas led the group of five Huskers on the women’s side with a 30th-place finish and a time of 24.27. 

In the men’s mile, Jack Witte was the top Husker finisher, running a PR 4:05.53 for an 18th-place finish. On the women’s side, Brynna McQuillen ran 4:51.33 for 22nd. 

Logan Lebo, Tyrell Pierce, Schultz and Senthilkumar competed in the men’s 4x400m relay, running 3:10.81 for 15th. 

Up next, the Huskers return home for the Nebraska Tune-Up on Friday, Feb. 21 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track. 

Pole Vault
4. Arina Razina 4.09m (13-5)
15. Jacelyn Neighbors 3.94m (12-11)
16. Aspen Fears 3.94m (12-11)

Pole Vault Invitational
11. Kylie Clark-Fox 4.24m (13-11) PR

High Jump
2. Ela Velepec 1.80m (5-10 ¾) PR
3. Brooklyn Miller 1.75m (5-8 ¾)
7. Karsyn Leeling 1.65m (5-5)

8. Ashriel Dixon 2.00m (6-6 ¾)
8. Desire Tonye-Nyemeck 2.00m (6-6 ¾)

High Jump Invitational
4. Tyus Wilson 2.20m (7-2 ½)
8. Reid Nelson 2.15m (7-0 ½)
11. Mason Kooi 2.10m (6-10 ¾)

800m Invitational
11. Niko Schultz 1:47.42 PR
15. Pradeep Senthilkumar 1:48.60 PR

Triple Jump 
1. Micaylon Moore 15.95m (52-4)
10. Balvin Israel 14.43m (47-4 ¼)

Triple Jump Invitational 
4. Velecia Williams 13.35m (43-9 ¾) PR
9. Rhianna Phipps 13.00m (42-8)

200m
30. Darby Thomas 24.27
46. Kelsie Belquist 24.71 PR
47. Abrielle Artley 24.74 PR
49. Seven Hicks 24.78
51. Bariborve Deebom 25.12 

8. Kavian Kerr 21.22

Shot Put
1. Axelina Johansson 18.32m (60-1 ¼)
4. Kalynn Meyer 17.07m (56-0)
5. Mine De Klerk 16.78m (55-0 ¾)
6. Kellyn Kortemeyer 16.68m (54-8 ¾) PR 
11. Amelia Flynt 16.27m (53-4 ½)

5. Cade Moran 18.67m (61-3)
24. Kael Miedema 17.20m (56-5 ¼)

Mile 
22. Brynna McQuillen 4:51.33
42. Taya Skelton 5:00.63

18. Jack Witte 4:05.53 PR
32. Sam Kirchner 4:09.48
39. Dennis Chapman 4:10.71
69. Kaleb Sharp 4:28.74