OMAHA, Neb. – Wet field conditions made Saturday afternoon's doubleheader into a single game. Western Illinois defeated Omaha 5-3 to kick off the three-game series with the Leathernecks..
Omaha is now 21-27 overall and 5-9 in Summit League play, while Western Illinois improves to 17-21 overall and 7-9 in league play.
Western Illinois starter Kayla Kirkpatrick allowed only two hits through the first six innings, before Omaha rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Leatherneck reliever Teagan Walsh retired two Mavericks to earn the save. Omaha starter Jaylee Hinrichs (12-13) pitched 6.1 innings allowing five earned runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts. Kat Barrow pitched the final 0.2 innings allowing no runs or hits.
WIU took the lead in the third inning. Tierney Bottino hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Karissa Kouchis to put the Leathernecks up, 1-0.
Omaha loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth on three walks. Kirkpatrick wriggled her way out of trouble as she induced pinch hitter Sydney Hames to pop out to shortstop.
Western Illinois tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth inning off a hit batsman and a two singles.
The Mavericks put pressure on the WIU pitching staff again in the bottom of the sixth. Kelly Pattison led off with a walk and went to third on a one out single from Lizzie Noble. Kirkpatrick pitched her way out of trouble by retiring the next two UNO batters.
Western Illinois increased its lead to 5-0 in the top of the seventh. The Leathernecks opened the inning with three straight singles capped off by an RBI base knock from Bottino. Kelsey Marlow hit into a fielder's choice to drive in the second run of the inning. Barrow retired the final two batters she faced to prevent further damage.
The Mavericks started their comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh. Nicole Warren put Omaha on the scoreboard with a one out home run to left field. Pinch hitter Carly Nielsen reached base with a single down the right field line. Allie Mathewson blasted a two-run home run to center field to cut the score to 5-3.
Following the home run by Mathewson, Western Illinois replaced Kirkpatrick with Walsh. Kelly Pattison greeted Walsh with a single to center field. The Leathernecks pitcher would retire the next two batters to give Western Illinois the victory, 5-3.
Mathewson and Warren each hit home runs for the Mavericks. Nielsen, Noble, Pattison, and Lia Mancuso each had singles for Omaha.
Prior to the game, Omaha recognized four seniors for their contributions to the UNO softball program. The seniors playing in their final home series in a Maverick softball uniform are Kat Barrow, Allie Mathewson, Carly Nielsen, and Tonya Peterson.
Omaha and Western Illinois will wrap up the season on Sunday with a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. Links for live stats can be found at OMavs.com.
