LAS VEGAS ‹ Behind a balanced offensive effort, the Nebraska softball team raced to a 7-0 lead after three innings and held on for a 7-2 victory over Southern Utah in game one of a Monday doubleheader in Las Vegas.
Nine Huskers had a hit in the victory, as Nebraska pounded out 10 hits in the game. NU also got RBIs from five different players and five players scored at least one run.
In the circle, junior right-hander Molly Hill (5-3) earned her second straight victory. Hill allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits in a complete-game effort.
Katie Kearns (0-4) took the loss for Southern Utah, which fell to 6-18. Kearns worked only 2.1 innings, allowing six runs on six hits.
A pair of leadoff infield singles set Nebraska up for a two-run first inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, Mullin scored the game's first run on a wild pitch. Junior Amanda Duran then scored on an RBI single from freshman Ashley Guile.
In the bottom of the third, Nebraska sent 10 batters to the plate and had seven consecutive batters reach base while scoring a season-high five times. Mullin scored again on a perfectly placed, squeeze bunt that turned into an RBI infield single for junior Crystal Carwile. Leading 3-0, the Huskers then loaded the bases with only one out for freshman Julie Brechtel, who promptly greeted new pitcher Meghan Wilson by ripping a 2-0 pitch to the gap in left center for a two-run double.
Junior Haley Long then lined a 1-2 pitch to right field for an RBI single that put NU in front, 6-0. Sophomore Whitney Barrett then reached on an RBI, bloop single to center that scored Brechtel. A throwing error moved the runners up to second and third before Southern Utah put an end to the streak of seven straight runners reaching base by retiring the next two hitters.
From there, the Nebraska offense went stale, allowing Southern Utah to mount a mini rally. The Thunderbirds used an error and a two-out single to plate their first run in the top of the fifth. Lindi Kennedy then drilled a 3-0 pitch over the wall in center for a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth.
The Thunderbirds then put two runners on base in the seventh before Nebraska (12-10) wrapped up its eighth victory in its last 10 games.
Mullin led the offense with a 2-for-4 day that included two runs and two stolen bases.
Hastings goes 2-0 at Tucson Invitational
Hastings College went 2-0 in the first day of the Tucson Invitational. The Broncos defeated Waldorf College 12-5 in game one and then took on Triton College in game two, winning 11-0.
The highlight of the day for the Lady Broncos was Stacey Paladino's grand slam against Waldorf College to seal the game for Hastings (9-5). The Broncos continue play in the invitational Tuesday, taking on Cardinal Stritch at 4:30 p.m. and Lubbock Christian at 6:30 p.m.
* BASEBALL
Broncos fall 18-8 to Oklahoma City University
Hastings College dropped an 18-8 decision to Oklahoma City University on Monday night in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Broncos are now 7-14 on the season and will travel to Edmond, Okla. for a nine-inning game with Oklahoma Christian starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
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