Nebraska softball run-rules Penn State 9-1 in Big Ten Tournament, advance to semifinals
Nebraska softball shortstop Ava Kuszak cracked a single up the middle to record back-to-back walk-off wins. Jordy Bahl scored and the Huskers earned their 23rd run-rule of the season and advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
After a tough start, the Huskers and Jordy Bahl settled in to run-rule Penn State 9-1 in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
“At the beginning, there in the first inning, I was trying to do a little too much, not keeping it simple,” Bahl said on the Big Ten Network afterward. “I know that keeping it simple is something I need to do. I definitely settled in. Our offense responded right away so that was fantastic. All around a great team win. Everybody played their part.”
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The Huskers (39-12, 17-5) will face No. 2 UCLA (48-9, 17-5) at 4 p.m. CT on Friday, May 9 on the Big Ten Network. The Bruins outlasted No. 10 Indiana 5-4 with a walk-off single.
Bahl pitched five innings and allowed two hits and one run. The Husker ace walked one batter, hit one with a pitch and had one wild pitch all in the first inning.
Mady Volpe started in the circle for PSU. She was pulled after two outs and eight batters. The right-handed pitcher gave up two hits, five runs, walked three and recorded two wild pitches. RHP Jiselle Hernandez took over and pitched 1 1/3 innings. She gave up one hit, two runs, two walks and struck out two. Righty Abigail Britton relieved Hernandez to pitch 2 2/3 innings. The freshman allowed five hits, two runs, two walks and struck out one.
Ava Bredwell led the Huskers with three RBI in her final Big Ten Tournament. Fellow senior Abbie Squier batted in two runs. Bredwell went 3-of-3 at the plate on Friday.
Tough start, impressive turnaround
Penn State struck first, taking advantage of a hit by a pitch and a wild pitch. Meagan Ricks scored thanks to a Haylie Brunson single to left field. Bahl gave up two hits in the top of the first but struck out Natalie Lieto to leave two on base.
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Nebraska fought back immediately. They capitalized on three walks, a throwing error and two wild pitches. Seniors Abbie Squier had a 2-RBI triple and Ava Bredwell added a 2-RBI single.
After a tough start and a lead-off walk in the second, Bahl settled in beautifully to strike out three straight batters. She and her defense retired 12 straight batters. She had eight strikeouts in the run.
The Huskers added two runs in the second to go up 7-1. Olivia DiNardo‘s single through the right brought home Bahl. Hannah Camenzind‘s sacrifice fly scored Ava Kuszak. Both Bahl and Kuszak were walked by Hernandez.
In the bottom of the fourth, Nebraska softball loaded the bases. H. Camenzind’s hit helped Penn State throw out Bahl, who hit a lead-off single, at home. Penn State’s defense and Britton kept the Huskers from scoring.
In the back half of the fifth inning, Bella Bacon and Bredwell crushed back-to-back doubles to start the half inning and go up 8-1. Kuszak sent a single up the middle for Bahl to score and end the game in a run-rule.
“On second base, I could see the look in her eye and I knew she was going to get it done,” Bahl said. “So I was ready to go the second she swung the bat with two strikes and two outs. It was fun to be out there. I knew she was going to get it done. She’s a clutch player.”
Next up, Nebraska faces No. 2 UCLA at 4 p.m. CT on Friday, May 9.
