Just four defensive outs shy of a second win over a nationally ranked foe, the No. 19 Nebraska softball team surrendered six runs in the final two innings as No. 13 Texas Tech came back to win, 6-5, Saturday in Clearwater, Fla.
Jordy Bahl had kept the powerful Red Raiders offense at bay through the first five innings, allowing just three hits and no runs. But in the bottom of the sixth, Mihyia Davis beat out an infield single. Raegan Jennings reached on an error by NU shortstop Ava Kuszak. Alana Johnson followed with a single to left, loading the bases. After a ground out by Anya German drove in Davis and cut the Huskers lead to 5-1, NiJaree Canady smashed a three-run homer to center, cutting Nebraska’s lead to 5-4.
Texas Tech resumed their push in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff, pinch-hit single by Victoria Valdez. With one out, Davis singled to center, moving Valdez’s pinch runner, Bailey Lindemuth, to second. After a Jennings ground out advanced Lindemuth to third and Davis to second, Johnson hit a grounder to short that was mishandled by Kuszak, resulting in an error, allowing Lindemuth and Davis to score to win the game.
The contest started out in Nebraska’s favor, starting with the Red Raiders’ decision to not start Canady, an All-American pitcher, and instead give the ball to freshman Brenlee Gonzales. After Kuszak reached on an error and Bahl singled, Olivia DiNardo ripped a two-run single to right, giving the Huskers the early lead. With that, Chloe Riassetto was summoned from the bullpen. The score remained 2-0 Nebraska until the fifth. Kuszak led off the inning with a single to left. Bahl reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt, moving Kuszak to third. After Bahl was caught stealing, DiNardo drove in Kuszak with a groundout. Kacie Hoffman singled to right field with two out. Her pinch runner, Nessa McMillen, moved to second on a wild pitch, then scored on Hannah Camenzind’s single to center to make it 4-0. Then in the sixth, Bella Bacon reached second on a dropped fly ball to left, then scored on a Lauren Camenzind single to left to push the lead to 5-0, before Tech mounted its comeback.
Nebraska will conclude its stay in Clearwater, Fla., with a third game against a ranked opponent as the Huskers take on No. 24 Mississippi State Sunday at noon.