Box Score
LINCOLN, Neb. - The UNO Maverick softball team dropped a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Nebraska before 173 fans at Bowlin Stadium Tuesday evening in the first game between the schools as Division I opponents.
On a rainy day in which the Mavs traveled to Lincoln on just a few hours' notice, UNO (10-9) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and held on to it for three innings. The Huskers (16-12) scored two runs in the fourth to take the lead, and UNO was unable to tie the game despite getting a runner on second with one out in the top of the seventh.
The loss snapped the Mavs' six-game winning streak. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Omaha in the afternoon, but heavy rains forced the game to be moved to Lincoln and played in the evening.
After a 30-minute rain delay before the game started, the Mavs came out patiently in the first inning.
Tonya Peterson drew a four-pitch walk, and
Ashley Lynch laid down a bunt single. The throw to first went into right field, allowing Peterson to advance to third. After back-to-back strikeouts,
Amber Lutmer walked to load the bases for
Molly Negrete, who also walked to score Peterson.
Dana Elsasser allowed just two hits in the first three innings, both harmless singles by Taylor Edwards. NU's Ashley Hagemann was just as dominant, retiring the UNO side in order from the second through sixth innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, Nebraska finally cracked Elsasser. The Huskers put runners on second and third with one out, and Courtney Breault hit a grounder that scored Tatum Edwards, who beat the Mavericks' throw home. After Madison Drake struck out, Thomason scored on a Maverick error for a 2-1 lead.
In the seventh, UNO put up one last threat. With one out gone,
Emma Wright doubled to center field.
Kiley Thalken came on to pinch run, but Hagemann recorded two strikeouts to finish off the win.
Despite her stellar outing, Elsasser took the loss to fall to 5-5. The sophomore allowed just six hits and one earned run. Elsasser has not allowed more than one earned run in six straight starts. Hagemann (11-10) allowed four hits, one earned run and notched 14 strikeouts.
The Mavs will now turn their focus to the Great West Conference Weekend Cluster. UNO will play two games each against its fellow three conference opponents. The results of the weekend will be used to determine seeding for the Great West Conference Tournament in May.
