FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Omaha used four runs in the top of the seventh inning to win its opening game of the Colorado State Classic against Drake, 8-4. The win moves the Mavericks to 7-7 on the season, while the Bulldogs are now 7-8 overall.
Carly Nielsen (1-1) pitched around a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh inning to pick up her first career win. Nielsen allowed one hit and retired three batters in her only inning of work.
Freshman Jaylee Hinrichs pitched six innings on Friday, but did not factor in the decision. Hinrichs allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking two batters and striking out two.
Drake took advantage of an error, a wild pitch and two hits to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Omaha evened the score in the top of the third inning. Lia Mancuso drew a two-out walk from Bulldog starter Rebekah Schmidt. Then Campbell Ditto crushed her fourth homerun of the season to even the score, 2-2.
The Mavericks took the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Allie Mathewson drew a one out walk and advanced to third on a bunt single from Mancuso. Tonya Peterson drove in Mathewson with an infield single. Mancuso crossed the plate following a throwing error on the Drake third baseman to give Omaha the lead, 4-2.
Drake answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. The first three Bulldog batters reached base. Hayley Nybo doubled to right field to drive in two unearned runs to tie the game at 4-4.
UNO blew the game wide open in the top of the seventh inning. Tonya Peterson got things going by drawing a one out walk. Kylie Schwarting pinch ran for Peterson and immediately stole second base. Lizzie Noble singled and Bailey Schulenberg drew a walk to load the bases for Omaha. Freshman Megan May cleared the bases by doubling to right field. Tara Trede brought May home with a single up the middle to give the Mavs an 8-4 lead.
The Bulldogs made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Sarah Ryan was hit by a pitch and Kelsey Wright singled to right to put two on with no outs. Omaha brought in Nielsen who retired the first two batters she faced. Drake's Laura Brewer loaded the bases with a single to left field. Nielsen induced a fly ball to left field to seal the Omaha win.
Peterson went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Noble added two base hits and scored a run. Ditto added a homerun and two RBI, while May had a double with three RBI. Mancuso went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and scored two runs.
The Mavericks (7-7) continue play on Saturday against Valparaiso at 10 a.m. (CT) and Colorado State at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
