Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team out hit Central Oklahoma in both games of a double header but lost two to the Bronchos, 4-3 and 9-8, Friday evening in Edmond.
UCO improves to 22-10 (7-3) while the Lopers fall to 14-18 (5-9).
In the night cap, UNK almost rallied from a 9-0 hole. After seeing the 'Chos score seven times in the second thanks to four hits and four walks, the Lopers struck for two runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Senior catcher
Erin Dwyer (Elmwood) had a two-run homer in the fifth with senior outfielder
Rebecca Wyatt (4 for 5) having an RBI single in the fourth. On the mound, senior
Nicole Larsen (Murrieta, Calif.) blanked UCO between the fourth and sixth innings.
With one out in the Loper seventh, the 'Chos committed a key error. That gave Kearney life as senior outfielder
Paige Hamelin (2 for 4) followed with a single. After UCO got a strikeout, junior second baseman
Molly Stern (2 for 3, two runs) smacked a three-run homer to left.
A single and RBI triple by Wyatt (Glendale, Ariz.) made things more interesting and forced UCO to go to its bullpen. Nicole Brady picked up her second save by getting a pop up to second.
Leaving nine runners stranded, UNK tallied 12 hits and drew six walks. Besides Wyatt and Stern (Peoria, Ariz.), junior DP
Kayla Carter (Mesa, Ariz.) went 2 for 3 with two runs from the nine hole.
The Bronchos made all four of its hits count in game one. Catcher Tori Collet hit a solo homer in the second and then three singles directly followed a two-out walk in the fifth. Those back-to-back-to-back hits tied the game at three.
An illegal pitch then brought home the winning run. UCO also benefitted from a throwing error on the third single of the fifth, allowing the runners to advance a base.
From her leadoff spot, Wyatt went 3 for 4 with senior third baseman
Makenzi Dallas 2 for 4 with an RBI from the two hole. Dallas (Phoenix, Ariz.) later left the nightcap due to a nagging injury. On the mound, Larsen (4-7) was the tough luck loser, allowing three earned in 4.2 innings.
Kearney is at Northeastern State Saturday afternoon.
