No. 1 Nebraska softball came back to defeat South Dakota, 4-1, Friday at Bowlin Stadium/Rhonda Revelle Field in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Trailing 1-0 through four innings with just one hit, the Cornhuskers stormed back with two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to advance to the regional semifinals to face Grand Canyon, 5-1 winners over Louisville Friday.
The Coyotes jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Autumn Iversen lined the first pitch of the top of the fourth inning over the fence for a home run. Nebraska had a chance to answer in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded and no outs, but a foul out, fly out and strikeout fizzled the threat.
The Huskers had to wait until the fifth to answer. With two outs, Jordy Frahm ripped a double double the left-field line. Hannah Coor followed with a triple to center, scoring Frahm to tie the game. Hannah Camenzind then doubled to right, scoring Coor to give Nebraska a 2-1 lead. Then in the sixth, a two-run double by Kacie Hoffmann all but iced the game for the Huskers.
Alexis Jensen was again dominant in the circle, save one pitch to Iversen. She threw five innings and allowed one earned run and two hits while striking out six. Frahm came out of the bullpen to earn her 11th save of the year, throwing two perfect innings.
Nebraska now prepares to take on the Lopes Saturday at noon at Bowlin Stadium/Rhonda Revelle Field. Pregame coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. on B-107.3.