OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha softball team opened the 2016 campaign with a pair of games at the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. on Friday. In the opener, UNO trailed early and fought its way back to top UC Santa Barbara in nine innings, 17-16. In the second game of the game, the Mavericks lost to North Texas in five innings, 11-3.
The Mavs are 1-1 on the season and play two games on Saturday. UNO plays Purdue at 4 p.m. (CT), before playing tournament host and No. 13 Arizona at 8 p.m.
Omaha 17, UC Santa Barbara 16
The Mavericks found themselves in an early hole as the Gauchos put three runs on the board in the bottom of the first on four hits. Omaha got a run back in the top of the second on a Bailey Schulenberg home run.
UNO took the lead in the top of the third using three hits to push five runs across the plate. Lia Mancuso and Kelly Pattison each reached base to start the inning. Following a wild pitch, Lizzie Noble hit an infield single allowing Mancuso to score. Sydney Hames laced a single up the middle to bring in Pattison. Megan May was hit by a pitch to load the bases for catcher Campbell Ditto. Ditto turned on a pitch and roped a double to right center field scoring Hames and Noble. A Tara Trede sacrifice fly brought May in from third to cap the scoring.
UC Santa Barbara tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, 6-6. The Gauchos used a two-out, three run home run to level the score. They retook the lead an inning later on a solo home run by Samantha Lujan. Omaha responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to take an 8-7 lead. Noble drove in Mancuso to tie the game and then Hames singled to left to bring in Nicole Warren.
Not to be outdone, Santa Barbara took advantage of an Omaha error and two hits to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth. After inducing a ground out to start the inning, the next three batters reached base forcing the Mavericks into a pitching change. UCSB's Sierra Altmeyer welcomed Lizzie Noble by lining a double to right center scoring two runs. Later in the inning, a Lujan single brought in the third run and a 10-8 lead.
The Mavericks answered the challenge in the next half inning by plating five runs on four hits and a UCSB error. Ditto opened the inning with a single and Schulenberg reached on an error in the outfield. Mancuso loaded the bases with a bunt single. Pattison singled to right field to score Ditto. Warren earned an RBI when she drew a bases loaded walk to allow Kylie Schwarting to cross home plate. Hames came up clutch again driving in three runs with a double to center.
Omaha got the first out of the seventh inning, but Santa Barbara was able to force extra innings on a three-run home run from Jessica Johnston. The Mavericks pushed across two runs in the top of the eighth only to see the Gauchos even the score in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the ninth, Warren smashed a two-run home run put the Mavs up 17-15. Abbie Clanton allowed one run in the bottom of the ninth before inducing a game ending fly out.
Four different Omaha players had at least two hits in the season opener. Hames went 3-for-6 at the plate with five RBI and a run scored. Ditto was 3-for-5 with a double and a home run while driving in four. Warren went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, three RBI, and a stolen base. She also hit her first homer of the year.
Freshman Laura Roecker started the game for the Mavs and pitched 5.1 inning allowing nine earned runs and striking out two. Noble pitched 1.2 innings of relief allowing four earned runs on five hits. Clanton picked up the win by pitching two innings in relief. The junior allowed one unearned run on two hits and struck out one.
North Texas 11, Omaha 3 (5 Innings)
In the night cap, North Texas took advantage of four Omaha errors and scored seven runs in the top of the third inning. The Mavericks were able to put three runs on the board in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to catch the Mean Green.
North Texas struck first by putting up three runs on four hits in the top of the second. After recording the first out, starter Abbie Clanton gave up a home run to Bryana Wade. After back-to-back singles, NTU scored its second run of the inning off an UNO error. A Bailey Thompson sacrifice fly drove in the third run of the inning.
In the third, Wade hit a solo home run and Kelli Schkade hit a three run homer to chase Clanton. Lizzie Noble allowed two runs before the Mavs could get out of the inning. Omaha was able to get on the board in the bottom of the inning. Lia Mancuso reached on a bunt single and Kelly Pattison drew a walk to give UNO two runners on base with one out. Nicole Warren emptied the bases with her second home run of the season.
North Texas added a run in the top of the fourth on another home run from Schkade. In the bottom of the inning, Omaha was able to put two runners on base but were unable to score. After a quick top of the fifth, UNO tried to rally in the bottom half of the inning. Noble was able to reach base, but the Mean Green were able to work around the hit and keep the Mavericks off the board.
Hames again led Omaha at the plate with a pair of singles. Warren was 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Noble and Mancuso each had singles.
