No. 18 Nebraska Softball escapes upset in extra-inning win over South Dakota State

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The No. 18-ranked Nebraska softball team escaped an upset Friday afternoon, beating South Dakota State 8-5 in eight innings in the first game of the Wichita State Tournament at Wilkins Stadium.

The Huskers built a solid 4-0 lead by the top of the fifth inning, scoring 2 runs in the first, 1 in the fourth and 1 in the fifth.

Eventually, the Jackrabbits’ offense woke up and exploded for 4 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game.

An Akayla Barnard home run in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Jackrabbits their first lead of the game, putting the pressure on the Huskers.

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Emmerson Cope hit her second home run of the game to right-center field, tying the game and forcing extra innings.

Nebraska proceeded to rattle off three runs in the top of the eighth inning to secure its 13th win of the season.

As a team, the Huskers totaled 13 hits and committed zero errors. The Jackrabbits racked up five hits and committed one error.

Ava Kuszak, Jordyn Bahl and Cope each tallied three hits and scored two runs, while Cope knocked in a team-high four RBIs.

Bahl (6-2) secured the win for the Huskers, pitching two innings in relief while allowing no hits, no runs and fanning three.

The Huskers are currently playing No. 16 Oklahoma State in their second game of the day.

Nebraska and the Cowboys are tied at 0 in the top of the fourth inning.