OMAHA, Neb. -
Amber Lutmer's bases-loaded walkoff single in the bottom of the eighth scored
Lia Mancuso for a 5-4 win over Wichita State in the Omaha softball team's home opener at Westside Field at Westbrook on Tuesday.
The Mavericks improved to 17-9 overall, while Wichita State fell to 15-10.
The Mavs had taken a 4-0 lead after two innings, thanks to a three-run blast by
Campbell Ditto. After
Nicole Warren singled to left field, Mancuso laid down a sacrifice bunt and her hustle forced an error by the first baseman, allowing Mancuso to reach second and Warren third.
Allie Mathewson then hit an RBI fielder's choice to the first baseman, whose throw home did not beat Warren in time. Ditto then stepped in and hit a towering three-run home run just over the left field fence to make it 4-0.
Wichita State got on the board in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs to make it 4-2 Mavs. After a two-out double down the left field line, Liz Broyles sent a pitch over the right field fence to cut the Mavs' lead in half.
The Shockers put together a rally in the top of the seventh, though, to tie the game at 4-4. A walk, passed ball and Maverick error led to WSU runners on second and third with no outs. Broyles then singled home Ashley Johnson, and later Paige Luellen grounded to third to score Jaegers to tie the game at 4-4.
Dana Elsasser escaped the jam with runners on the corners.
In the bottom of the eighth, Mancuso led off with a hard single to the pitcher. After
Tara Trede struck out, Mathewson cranked a double off the wall in center field to put Mancuso on third with one out. Ditto drew a walk, loading the bases for Lutmer. The senior finished off a 3-for-5 day at the plate with a laser past the third baseman's glove to score Mancuso from third for the winning run.
Ditto was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run. Mathewson was 2-for-5 with a run and RBI. Mancuso was 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Elsasser (14-4) got the win, throwing the complete game with three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and five walks.
The Mavs are back at home this weekend to open Summit League play. UNO hosts South Dakota in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Friday at Westside Field at Westbrook.
