The No. 11 Nebraska softball team turned in its most complete effort of the season as the Cornhuskers shutout UCF, 6-0, Saturday in Clearwater, Fla. Jordy Frahm (2-3) propelled Nebraska to the victory, throwing a three-hit shutout in the circle, striking out seven while walking just one, while also hitting two home runs and driving in three runs.
Frahm got the Huskers (5-4) off on the right foot, hitting a leadoff home run off Knights (8-3) starter and Lincoln native Reagan Vokoun. Nebraska resumed scoring in the second. With two out, Bella Bacon, in her first at-bat of the season, ripped a double to right-center. Lauren Camenzind followed with a double to right-center, scoring Bacon to double the Huskers’ lead. UCF mounted its biggest scoring threat in the bottom of the second, putting two on with none out. But then Zoe Calvez popped up a bunt and NU third baseman Samantha Bland made a diving catch for the first out. Frahm then struck out the next two hitters to turn away the Knights in the second.
Nebraska offense re-ignited in the fourth. With one out, Hannah Coor drew a walk. She moved to second when Bacon singled to left. Lauren Camenzind followed with a single to left, scoring Coor to boost the lead to 3-0. Dakota Carter, pinch running for Bacon, was thrown out trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt, but Frahm clubbed a two-run homer to left to push the lead to 5-0. The Huskers tacked on one more run in the sixth. Muhlbach led off the inning with a double to left-center. Her pinch runner, Natalia Hill, moved to third when Coor flied to center. Hill scored when Bacon reached on an error by the shortstop.
Nebraska now prepares to face No. 1 Texas Tech Sunday in Clearwater. First pitch has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to forecast inclement weather.