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No. 22 Nebraska takes series opener at Washington

Grace Johnsonby:Grace Johnson•about 22 hours
Screenshot 2025-04-25 at 10.25.07 PM
Photo courtesy of Nebraska Athletics

No. 22 Nebraska stood one pitch away from ending the game in the fifth inning. Washington, however, refused to go down easily and forced a full seven innings of action-packed softball. The Cornhuskers still took the series opener 12-8.

In the circle, Nebraska’s ace Jordy Bahl faced off against Washington’s Sophia Ramuno. Both starting pitchers opened strong, but the offenses from both teams quickly stole the spotlight.

The Huskers’ offense came alive in the third inning, sparked by the bottom of their lineup. Junior infielder Bella Bacon quite literally brought home the bacon with a solo shot to kick things off. Lauren Camenzind followed with a double to right field.

Bahl, one of the best two-way players in the game, then helped out her own cause by going yard for a two-run home run – her 15th long ball of the season.

Nebraska kept the momentum going in the fourth. This time, Hannah Camenzind got things started with a solo shot that prompted a pitching change. Senior pitcher Stevie Hansen came in to relieve Ramuno, but Nebraska piled on five more runs and four hits before the Huskies finally escaped the inning.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Nebraska held a commanding 9-0 lead and needed just three outs from run-ruling Washington. With two outs, a runner on second, and a full count, Washington faced its final strike. Freshman infielder Jade Bubke wasn’t ready to end the night—she launched a ball to left field to keep the Huskies alive and avoid the early ending.

After being so close to a run-rule win, Nebraska responded in the sixth with three more runs courtesy of a three-run home run from Ava Kuszak to put the Huskers up 12-2. Kuszak, who had a two-run shot in the fourth inning, had her third multi-home run game of the season. 

Still facing the threat of a run-rule loss, Washington needed two more runs in the sixth to stay alive. Freshman infielder Alexis DeBoer delivered with an RBI single to make it 12-3. The fifth-year utility player Charity Sevaaetasi brought two more runners home with a clutch two-RBI single to center, trimming the deficit to 12-5 and once again avoiding the mercy rule.

Down to their last inning, the Huskies needed seven runs to extend the game. Sophomore catcher Jadyn Glab launched a three-run homer, but it wasn’t enough.

Despite Washington’s gritty effort to dodge a mercy-rule loss twice—Nebraska ultimately claimed the win.

While Nebraska had the lead the entire game, Washington should not hang its head too low. The Huskies did not roll over but instead forced a full seven inning game that was packed with energy and action. Proving that they can compete against a dominant Nebraska team.

Nebraska improves to 34-11 overall, while Washington drops to 31-13. The teams will face off in game two at 6 p.m. ET

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