A four-run sixth inning pushed Indiana ahead of No. 18 Nebraska softball, 6-2, Friday at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln. The loss was the Huskers’ third in the last 15 games and snapped a four-game winning streak for Nebraska.
The Hoosiers took a 1-0 lead in the third. With two outs, Avery Parker singled to left, scoring Alex Cooper. The Cornhuskers responded in the bottom of the fourth. After Ava Kuszak drew a one-out walk, Emmerson Cope homered to right field to put Nebraska ahead, 2-1.
That lead held until the sixth. After two walks and an infield single loaded the bases, Cooper singled up the middle, scoring Aly VanBrandt to tie the game. A second runner, Madalyn Strader, tried to score, but was thrown out by Natalia Hill. IU coach Shonda Stanton disputed the call and was ejected from the game. But after Brianna Copeland re-loaded the bases with a flare single on the infield, Taylor Minnick drove a three-run double to left field, clearing the bases to push the Hoosiers ahead, 5-2.
The Cornhuskers had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the sixth, as the first three batters of the inning walked. But two foul outs and a strikeout squashed the scoring threat and left the bases loaded. Indiana tacked on another run in the seventh during a bizarre inning in which Nebraska coach Rhonda Revelle was ejected after calling for an eighth team conference, one more than allotted by rule.
Jordy Bahl (18-5) took the loss, allowing five earned runs and six walks in six innings. Brianna Copeland earned the win out of the bullpen, allowing two earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
The Huskers will try to even the two-game series Saturday at Bowlin Stadium. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.