Junior Chloe Odle threw a complete-game four-hit shutout in the nightcap and three teammates combined on a 11-hitter in game one to help Nebraska Kearney sweep a double header from Sioux Falls, 1-0 and 3-0, in Sioux Center, Ia.
For the second time this year, UNK (8-7) is playing games indoors. Tomorrow, the Lopers face Southwest Minnesota State (5-3) in a double header beginning at 11 a.m.
Odle (Beloit, Kan.) didn’t walk a Couger and struck out one while issuing six ground outs and 12 fly outs. All four hits allowed were singles, and the Butler C.C. transfer is now 3-1.
At the plate, UNK broke a scoreless tie in the sixth thanks to a double steal. Junior third baseman Gianna Galli (Stockton, Calif.) led off with a double and then pinch runner Avery Rios (Parker, Colo.) took third on a sac bunt. After junior first baseman Daniella Morillas (Newcastle, Calif.) was plunked and sophomore Kalli Ulven (Blair) came into run, the Lopers pulled off the thievery.
With two down in the top of the seventh, UNK strung together four consecutive singles to add two insurance runs. Finally, both Galli and sophomore right fielder Bailey Peterson (Oakdale, Calif.) went 2 for 3 with USF led by Lauryn Foudree (6.2 IP, nine K’s & one walk).
In the opener, Morillas threw the first 3.1 innings; freshman lefty Teilar Fry (Carson, Calif.) tossed the next 2.1 with junior Zakayia Fredrick (Temple, Texas) working the final 1.1 innings to earn the save. The trio worked around three walks and three doubles to keep USF scoreless. Cougar Maddi Duncan (7.0 IP, 11 K’s & three walks) was the tough luck loser.
Junior left fielder Zaria Brigham (Victoria, Texas) and junior second baseman Alyssa Fortik (Raymond) recorded back-to-back singles — UNK’s only hits of the game — to start the second with Fortik then stealing second. A grounder to second by freshman designated player Haley deMontel (Bellevue East) brought home the game’s lone run.
USF’s first two batters were a combined 5 for 8, but they stranded 13 to UNK’s seven.
