The Nebraska softball team capped off a dominant weekend in Bloomington, Ind., with a 4-2 win on Saturday afternoon to complete a three-game series sweep of the Indiana Hoosiers.
It all started with a five-inning, 12-2, run-rule performance on Friday night. The Huskers raced out to a 7-2 lead before a weather delay halted the series opener for two hours.
Sydney Gray led the Husker offense going 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and two runs batted in. Billie Andrews added three hits and two runs and Katelyn Caneda had two hits and four RBIs.
You can't script this… or can you? 😏
Lightning delay finishes up and who other than Desert Thunder alum @sydneygray_2 to go yard and strike ⚡️ for the Huskers! pic.twitter.com/j9ZvndV0FA
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) April 15, 2023
Indiana pitcher Brianna Copeland entered the night 15-1 and she couldn’t escape the second inning. Nebraska peppered her for nine hits and seven runs.
The schedule was altered to a doubleheader on Saturday and the Huskers rolled into game one with the momentum from Friday night. The game ended with a score of 8-6 in favor of Nebraska.
Brooke Andrews and Abbie Squier both finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Caneda and Billie Andrews also added two hits each. The Huskers finished with 11 hits.
Just getting started 💪@AbbieSquier sends a ball over the fence to extend the lead! pic.twitter.com/4797dm8x6t
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) April 15, 2023
Abby Newlun got in on the action in Nebraska’s 4-2 win in the series finale. Newlun had two of the team’s nine hits.
Courtney Wallace continues to set a new career-high in victories with her 19th win of the season and Brooke Andrews tied her sister, Billie, for the team lead with her 11th home run of the season.
No doubt about it. 💣
HR #11 on the year for @brookeandrews_. pic.twitter.com/bMXPFgyXB3
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) April 15, 2023
The series sweep pushed Nebraska into sole possession of second place in the Big Ten standings. At 10-4, the Huskers trail Northwestern (13-1) and return home for a midweek against in-state foe Creighton on Wednesday before welcoming Wisconsin to Bowlin Stadium.
Wisconsin enters this weekend in fifth place (7-5) and was just swept by Northwestern.
Postseason Possibilities
Nebraska entered the weekend against Indiana on the bubble. The sweep flipped the script in the Division I RPI rankings.
The Huskers were No. 39 and are now No. 31. Meanwhile, Indiana fell to No. 37. When it comes to the conference, the Huskers have the fourth-highest RPI. Northwestern (9), Ohio State (29), Michigan (30) are the teams in front.
In last week’s Bracketology, Nebraska was predicted to make a higher-seeded regional and most likely in Stillwater. This week, it looks like Nebraska could move to a lower-seeded host like Arkansas because of the jump in RPI.
According to the Massey Ratings, the Huskers have a strength of schedule of 43 which only trails Northwestern in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are No. 12.
Remaining Schedule
April 19 vs Creighton
April 21-23 vs Wisconsin
April 28-30 at Northwestern
May 5-7 vs Ohio State
May 10-13 Big Ten Tournament at Champaign, Ill.
Maren covers softball for Hail Varsity and co-hosts the Behind the Plate with Maren and Nate podcast.
