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Around the Bases: Feb. 8, 2025

Reitzheadshotby:Nicole Reitz•02/08/25•

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Courtesy of Northwestern Athletics

Around the Bases is Softball America’s free daily recap of the day’s biggest games. We’ll highlight four marquee matches and run toward the plate with other notable moments.

No. 9 Texas Tech 6, No. 21 Nebraska 5 

Despite high anticipation for a Nijaree Canady and Jordy Bahl matchup, Canady did not start in the circle for the Red Raiders. But, if we weren’t going to see that duel in the circle, we were surely going to see it at the plate. Bahl had been cruising through six innings with nine strikeouts, leaving Texas Tech struggling at the plate. With one swing of the bat, Canady’s three-run bomb took what was almost a shutout to a whole new ball game. 

Freshman Brenlee Gonzales started on the mound for Texas Tech, and after just three batters and two runs from Nebraska, the switch was made to left-handed pitcher Chloe Riassetto. The Huskers continued with the bats and tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the fifth inning and one more in the sixth, seemingly rolling to victory. But after Canady shook up the vibe, the game slipped away from the Huskers and Bahl. With runners in scoring position and two outs in the bottom of the seventh,  Alana Johnson bounced one to Nebraska shortstop Ava Kuszak, who couldn’t handle it, allowing the game-winning run to cross.

No. 18 Northwestern 4, No. 8 Duke 1 

It just wasn’t Duke’s day. After a gnarly 10-3 upset loss to Missouri earlier in the day, they dropped game two to Northwestern. 

Lauren Boyd was dialed in on the mound for Northwestern, starting the contest by tossing four strikeouts over two innings. The Wildcats found their way to the board first as Izzy Cunnea drove in a two-out RBI single. With one out and bases loaded, a walk from Boyd gave Duke their sole run, but Boyd was fired up in the third inning and put up back-to-back strikeouts.

Freshman Kaylie Avvisato continued to have a spectacular opening weekend and took the lead for the Wildcats in the third with a two-out double. A wild pitch from Sophie Garner-MacKinnon and wheels from Avvisato tacked on another run for the Wildcats.

Boyd threw a complete game and finished with seven strikeouts.

No. 6 Tennessee 12,  No. 18 Northwestern 1

Tennessee held a hitting clinic during their run-rule victory against Northwestern. 

Riley Grudzielanek took the mound for the Wildcats and the Vols had no trouble putting up runs early in the first inning. An RBI single from Taylor Pannell and a sac fly from Amayah Doyle gave Karlyn Pickens plenty of cushion before she entered the circle. 

Northwestern cut the lead by one when Emma Raye hit a one-out sac fly, but the Vols responded loudly. Elle Dodge ripped her first career home run, Gabby Leach tripled, and Pannell had an RBI double. 

From there, the runs just kept pouring in. Dodge’s second home run of the night, aggressive base running, a double from Alannah Leach, and a passed ball by Northwestern, allowed for added insurance runs. 

Pickens was a standout on the mound, finishing with six strikeouts and three hits. 

No. 10 Florida State 8,  No. 4 Oklahoma State 0 

In their second matchup of the season, Florida State was looking for revenge over the Cowgirls. With immaculate offense and an electric two-hit shutout victory from Anabelle Widra in the circle, they got the job done in walk-off run-rule fashion. 

With bases loaded, Kennedy Harp tripled for the third time this weekend, starting the Seminoles off with a three-run lead. In the fourth, the bats kept moving, and FSU capitalized on OSU’s errors. Jahni Kerr singled on a bunt and advanced to second on an error by Rosie Davis at second. She then advanced to third on an error by Tallen Edwards at third, which allowed Amaya Ross to score. 

In the bottom of the fifth, the possibility of ruling was nearing, and Kerr went ahead and added two more runs on a bases-loaded single up the middle. Isa Torres then singled to left field for an RBI that ended the matchup.

Players of the Day

Grace Matej led Utah State with 3 RBI to upset Baylor in a 6-4 victory. The win marks Utah State’s first over a ranked opponent since 2022. Right-handed pitcher Carly Limonsnero held it down on defense throwing a full seven innings with two strikeouts. 

Washington freshman Alexis DeBoer hit three home runs between the two outings against Alabama and Western Michigan.

Somehow an outfield of Korbe Otis and Kendra Falby got more talented this offseason. Freshman Taylor Shumaker hit two home runs in Florida’s 13-1 win over Michigan and she drove in a pair in the early game versus Delaware.

Notre Dame’s Jane Kronenberger hit a two-run walk-off home run for the team’s first win of the season and to beat the previously undefeated Missouri Tigers. She had three RBIs in the 4-3 win.

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