OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha's five run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning tied the game, but Nebraska scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning for an 8-5 win. Omaha is now 20-21 overall, while the Cornhuskers improve to 23-18.
Nebraska starter Kaylan Jablonski kept Omaha bats quiet through five innings, before surrendering five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jablonski gave up five hits and struck out nine Mavericks. Emily Lockman pitched two perfect innings of relief to pick up the win.
Omaha's freshman Jaylee Hinrichs (11-9) pitched 8.0 innings allowing four earned runs on eight hits while allowing four walks and striking out one batter.
Nebraska got on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning. The Cornhuskers opened the inning with a walk and an infield hit. A sacrifice bunt put runners into scoring position, Kiki Stokes beat out an infield hit to allow the game's first run to cross the plate.
Two Omaha errors in the top of the fourth allowed Nebraska to take a 5-0 lead. Mattie Fowler opened the inning with a single before Jablonski walked. The Mavericks committed errors on back-to-back plays allowing Nebraska to take a 2-0 lead. Two more Husker singles made the score 5-0 after four innings.
Omaha's bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth. Allie Mathewson reached first base on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a bunt single by Kelly Pattison. Lizzie Noble laced a two-out triple down the left field line to put the Mavs on the board. Campbell Ditto worked a walk to put two runners on base for freshman Megan May. May smashed a three-run homerun to right field to tie the game, 5-5.
Nebraska loaded the bases to open the top of the eighth inning. Alicia Armstrong hit a three-run double to left center field for an 8-5 Cornhusker lead.
The Cornhuskers retired the Mavericks in order in the bottom of the eighth to secure the win, 8-5.
May went 1-for-3 on the evening with a home run and three RBIs. Noble had a 1-for-4 performance at the plate with a triple and two RBIs. Lia Mancuso went 1-for-3 with a double.
The Mavericks start an eight game road trip this weekend against Summit League foe South Dakota on Saturday and Sunday. Games on Saturday are scheduled to start at noon and 2:00 p.m., while Sunday is set for an 11:00 a.m. start.
