The headline really does tell the story today.
Jordy Frahm plunked Iowa’s leadoff hitter and allowed a run-scoring double down the third-base line to their second which put Iowa up 1-0.
The next Iowa base-runner would not reach until the top of the 6th inning with the Hawkeyes trailing 7-1.
Bahl retired 15 Iowa hitters in a row, before plunking Avery Jackson and then striking out the next 3 to end her work day with a 1-hit shutout striking out 11 and walking no one. The Huskers, who put up 7 in the game’s
first three innings before quieting, would finish things in the bottom half of the frame. First, Jesse Farrell would smoke a single to left scoring Hannah Coor.
Then, for some odd reason, the Iowa shortstop would shade beyond the hole to her right almost behind their third baseman. In a game where the Huskers had not threatened often to left – and Bland herself had taken one to the track in right-center in her previous at-bat – one had to wonder if she was in a hurry to end things. Whatever the reasoning, Sammie hit a soft two-hopper right up the middle…and no one was there.
Iowa had a chance to nail pinch-runner Katelyn Caneda who was flying home as center fielder Devin Simon threw an absolute pea to the plate, but their catcher couldn’t come up with it and the game was over.
The Huskers scored 6 of their 9 runs in the first two innings with perhaps the most exciting play being a two-out Hannah Camenzind bases loaded single to right which scored 2 runs. The throw went home, so Hannah attempted to sneak to second but was thrown out by the catcher. However, Hannah Coor saw this and streaked home ahead of the throw back getting a hand down just ahead of the tag for a 6-1 lead.
If Jordy was the MVP in the circle, Camenzind earned that honor at the plate going 4-for-4 with a double and 4 RBI’s. She hit to every field, the biggest one being a liner which tailed over the left fielder’s head just missing a trip over the wall which it struck near the top. Kacie Hoffman and Coor also managed multi-hit days in the victory.
Game two starts shortly and will also be broadcast on the B1G+ app. You may listen if you need on the Huskers Radio Network.
