Rutgers softball is swept by Nebraska in 1st Big Ten road trip
The Rutgers softball team fell in all three of its games against Nebraska this weekend. The Scarlet Knights (23-15, 1-5) now ride a three-game losing streak with another road series coming up next weekend.
Friday's matchup started off strong for Rutgers, with the team scoring three runs just in the first inning. The hosts took the lead shortly after, scoring four in the second with the help from a three-run homer by Brooke Andrews.
A solo shot from graduate student utility Gabrielle Callaway added to the Knights’ efforts, but they could not keep up with the Cornhuskers (25-9, 5-0). The six-inning game ended with Nebraska scoring six additional runs off junior pitcher Jaden Vickers in the sixth, ending the game with a final score of 12-4.
Saturday afternoon hosted a much closer game for Rutgers.
Junior pitcher Ashley Hitchcock got the start and held the Cornhuskers to only two runs with four strikeouts. Despite her performance, the Knights could not get much offense going while they were at the plate.
The program was held to only five hits and one run by Olivia Ferrell. Rutgers’ lone run was brought in by a fly-out from freshman infielder Maddie Lawson that scored sophomore shortstop Kyleigh Sand.
Though it was a close one, the Knights did fall after seven hard-fought innings and were unable to keep the losing streak at one. Ferrell was credited with the win, making it her 13th victory of the season for Nebraska.
Yesterday, Kaylin Kinney held Rutgers off the scoreboard and only giving up one hit, which was to sophomore outfielder Leilani Chavez.
The five-inning game was a tough loss for the Knights as it fell 9-0. Hitchcock was the pitcher credited with the loss, giving up five runs, including a three-run blast to left field from Kinney.
Mya Felder also hit one out in the third, widening the Cornhuskers' lead. Vickers then came in to pitch for two innings and gave up four runs in the process.
Nebraska is now in the mid of a 10-game winning streak after its weekend sweep of Rutgers. Meanwhile, the empty-handed weekend drops the Knights to 1-5 in the Big Ten play.
Rutgers will look to get back in the win column on Friday when the program travels to face Indiana in Bloomington. The 1st of the 3 matchups is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday’s games will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network+.
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