Jordy Bahl almost singlehandedly carried No. 16 Nebraska softball to a win over No. 11 Duke. Almost.
Despite Bahl throwing 7.1 no-hit innings while hitting a double and a triple, the Blue Devils defeated the Huskers 3-0 in eight innings Friday at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. The loss drops Nebraska to 9-4 overall, with all four losses against ranked foes.
The Huskers had their chances offensively but could never break through with a clutch hit. Nebraska was 0-for-14 with runners on base and 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Huskers hit into two double plays and stranded a runner at third in three innings.
Meanwhile, Bahl showed her All-American form in the circle for most of the game. After allowing a leadoff to D’Auna Jennings to begin the contest, Bahl retired the next 17 batters she faced, striking out eight. After another two-out walk to Jennings in the sixth, Bahl retired the next four she faced, completing seven innings without giving up a hit.
But with the game deadlocked 0-0, the international tiebreaker rules were applied and a runner was placed on second base to start the inning. Amiah Burgess drew a walk and the runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball. After Bahl’s 10th strikeout of the game, Brooklinn Thomas hit a ground ball to shortstop. Ava Kuszak threw home, but Gabriella Mike avoided the tag to score the game’s first run. With two on and one out, Thessa Malau’ulu hit a squibber in front of the plate. Ava Bredwell threw to third too late, loading the bases. After Bahl struck out Jennings for the second out, Ana Gold lined a two-run single to left for the Blue Devils’ first hit to boost Duke’s lead to 3-0.
Nebraska now prepares to take on San Jose State and Howard Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., respectively, in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.