CONROE, Texas – The Omaha softball team dropped a narrow loss to Nebraska Sunday morning, falling 4-3 on the final day of the Lone Star Collegiate Classic. The Mavericks are 0-5 (0-0 Summit League), while the Cornhuskers are 3-2 (0-0 BIG 10).
Leaders for Omaha
Junior
Emma Dargy led the Mavericks at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Junior
Hailey Bartz added a 2-for-4 effort with two runs scored. Freshman
Lexi Burkhardt added a double, while freshman
Sydney Schelkopf and junior
Emily Klosterman each had a hit.
Sophomore
Sydney Hampton (0-2) took the loss in the circle, pitching 7.0 inning. Hampton allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Leaders for Nebraska
Rylie Unzicker led the Cornhuskers at the dish, going 2-for-4 with a double, home run and an RBI. Sister Madi Unzicker hit a three-run homer. Courtney Wallace, Bri Cassidy and Lexey Kneib also had hits for the Huskers.
NU used three pitchers on the day. Starter Lindsey Walljasper went 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk. Wallace (1-0) picked up the win by throwing 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits. Regan Mergele earned her second save of the season.
Inside the Lines
Nebraska took the lead in the top of the second. Cassidy led off with a double and moved to third on an error. Madi Unzicker then lofted a three-run shot to center for a 3-0 Husker lead. Rylie Unzicker then hit a solo shot for a 4-0 advantage.
Omaha cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third. Bartz and Schelkopf opened with back-to-back singles to start the inning. Dargy then doubled to score Bartz with Schelkopf advancing to third. Freshman
Janae Cameron lofted a sac fly to center to bring home Schelkopf to make it a 4-2 game.
The Mavericks added a run in the bottom of the fifth. Bartz singled to open the inning and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Dargy then hit an RBI single to left. Omaha had runners on second and third, but a double play ended the inning.
Mergele entered the game in the sixth and retired six of the seven batters she faced to secure the Nebraska victory.
Up Next
Omaha returns to the field next weekend at the Red & Black Showcase in Athens, Ga. The Mavericks open tournament play against Buffalo and Georgia on Friday, Feb. 15. Links to live stats will be available on OMavs.com.
