Nebraska’s Bella Bacon (3) catches an out during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Bowlin Stadium on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska’s Bella Bacon (3) catches an out during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Bowlin Stadium on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Huskers tallied 10 hits and eight runs, while only allowing one hit and zero runs to conquer an 8-0 run-rule victory in six innings. After a wild weekend in Columbus, the win was much needed.
The Minnesota Gophers (13-15, 2-2 Big Ten) came into Lincoln on Friday for the first game of a weekend series. After a series loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Huskers (20-8, 1-1 Big Ten) looked to rebound in game one. As for the Gophers, they split two two-game series with Penn State and Michigan State.
“I thought we had very spirited practices,” head coach Rhonda Revelle said. “This team wants to be good, it’s not because of lack of heart or lack of hustle, it’s just that we needed to get things connected.”
Junior pitcher Jordy Bahl started in the circle for Nebraska (11-3). She entered the matchup with 85 innings under her belt, while recording 108 strikeouts and 27 walks. The Gophers gave the ball to freshman right-hander Natalie Susa (1-0). She came into the contest with only 11 innings pitched, while striking out 10 and walking eight.
Bahl kicked off the game hot, fanning the first two Gopher hitters, followed by a weak grounder to the pitcher.
The Camenzind sisters struck in the bottom of the first, giving the Huskers a 2-0 lead when junior center fielder Hannah Camenzind hit a single to center. Later, junior second baseman Lauren Camenzind drove in Hannah with a single to right field, which also scored junior designated player Olivia DiNardo from a throwing error by the right fielder.
That lead extended in the third inning when junior right fielder Kacie Hoffmann launched a blistering no-doubt shot well over the right field wall for a 3-run home run, making the score 5-0.
“My first at-bat I didn’t want to hit the ball on that side of the field,” Hoffmann said. “I knew when I was going out there, I was just going to try and hit something on the right side and score those runners.”
Nebraska’s offense was not done there. The lead grew even more in the bottom of the fifth when Lauren cranked a double to right center to score freshman pinch runner Kennadi Williams. Two batters later, junior first baseman Bella Bacon ripped a single up the middle to score Lauren, putting the Huskers up 7-0 after five innings.
The Huskers called game in the sixth inning when DiNardo hit a single up the middle to score junior shortstop Ava Kuszak to secure the victory.
Bahl’s dominant performance landed her her 12th win of the season. She faced feisty Minnesota hitters who drew multiple full counts, but Bahl ultimately won the battles throughout. Bahl ended the game with seven strikeouts through six innings of work.
“That’s a scrappy team who has a lot of hitters that don’t swing and miss very often,” Bahl mentioned. “When you get at-bats in full counts you don’t want to stretch the zone too much, but it’s a game of inches.”
Minnesota would end the game with only one hit and adding two errors in the field. The lone hit came from senior shortstop Margaret Tobias.
The two teams are back in action tomorrow for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on Nebraska Public Media and Big Ten Plus.
sports@dailynebraskan.com
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
