Nebraska Wins 2 of 3 vs. #7 UCLA
The Huskers’ series against UCLA held multiple implications and the reason for this was simple – they were the last ranked team with any high-quality RPI value left on Nebraska’s schedule until the Big 10 Tournament May 6th-9th being held at Maryland. (Don’t ask why – but the Terps won’t qualify for it and the site isn’t worthy of Division 1 post-season play.)
This made at least a series victory imperative if they were to keep hopes alive for a national top 8 seed to clinch a NCAA Super Regional should
they come out on top in Round 1. And the Huskers did just that bookending a thrilling 6-5 loss Saturday with 4-1 and 8-4 wins on Friday and Sunday respectively.
In game 1, Alexis Jensen and Jordy Frahm combined to stymie the Bruins as Hannah Camenzind caught fire late swatting a 2-run homer in the 5th and walking in another in the 6th to lead a 4-1 win.
In game 2, the Huskers entered the bottom of the 7th trailing 6-3 when Lauren Camenzind and Frahm opened the inning with back-to-back jacks to cut the lead to 1. The Huskers then loaded the bases with one out before Jensen and Sammie Bland ended it suddenly 6-5 with hard line drive outs.
In game 3, Frahm homered to lead off the game with another dinger – her 3rd straight going back to Saturday afternoon – and set the tone for the 2nd in which Jensen, Hannah Camenzind and Ava Kuszak would all homer to center field in a 6-run inning which would carry them to an 8-4 win.
Jensen Nets Multiple Weekly National Honors
Husker freshman Alexis Jensen was named the National Freshman of the Week by Softball America, D1 Softball and Softball on Sports Illustrated, the organizations announced Tuesday.
She went 2-0 in the circle last weekend and helped the #6 Huskers to the above series win over UCLA. In her two appearances, she held the Bruins to a single run on Friday and then 4 on Sunday. This raised her record to 14-2 as she struck out 11 and walked only 4 finishing with a 3.18 ERA against a Bruins squad which was hitting .410 with an on-base% of .522 and averaging 11.7 runs per game entering the weekend.
At the plate, Jensen was only 1-for-8 but the one hit was a 283-foot 2-run as the opening dagger of the above 6-run 2nd inning on Sunday which gave the Huskers a 7-2 lead that UCLA could never catch in the 8-4 victory.
She is now a three-time Softball on Sports Illustrated Freshman of the Week. She somehow managed to not take home any conference honors while winning NATIONAL POTW awards, but whoever makes those selections this season appears to grade straight off of statistical success with little to no consideration of the quality of opponent.
Other Notes and Storylines
- Nebraska pulled away late in a Tuesday twilight tussle to grab an 8-2 win over Creighton. The Huskers entered the 5th tied 2-2, but plated 6 runs in the final three innings for the win. Jensen came on to pitch the final four frames after Kylie Magee again struggled in a spot start and shut down the Jays allowing only 1 hit and striking out 7.
- The Creighton game showed how strength of schedule plays into RPI which ignores margin a victory. Nebraska entered the game #2 nationally while Creighton sat back at #151. After Nebraska’s victory? Creighton remained at #151 while Nebraska dropped back to #3.
- Jesse Farrell left the game in the bottom of the 6th with an apparent foot or knee injury – her status is not yet known. The good news was Carlie Muhlbach came on to replace her, Carlie’s first appearance since her back was injured reeling in a popup against UNO back on March 8th – after she had replaced an injured Farrell in that game.
- Muhlbach made it thru Tuesday’s game unscathed.
- UCLA had some wild travel in the days leading up to the Huskers matchup. They played Rutgers the previous weekend, then flew back to Los Angeles late Sunday. They then flew to Lincoln a few days later and the flight out Sunday night after a noon game did not leave until 9pm. At least they were on spring break last week.
- The Huskers are now in 2nd place in the Big 10 at 8-1. Washington , who has crept up to the 13th in polls is 12-0 and sits alone on top. However, they do have Oregon and UCLA left on their schedule. (The Huskers split with the Huskies in Clearwater, but those do not count in the conference standings.)
- Nebraska finishes with Rutgers (#84), Wisconsin (#47), Minnesota (#138), Iowa (#61) and Penn State (#56). Running the table may be imperative, especially given how much losing to bad teams can drop someone. The good news is that as more games are played, the less the needle moves on RPI.
- In post-game interviews Sunday, Coach Rhonda Revelle and Jensen fully understood the implications of winning the series and were practically giddy. Revelle called Jensen a “dawg” and then quickly tried to make it clear it was the D-A-W-G version, which is the highest compliment among male teammates, and not an insult.
- We all had a good laugh, and, yes, everyone knew exactly what she meant.
- Jensen? She was very excited about the wins and promised she would soon be taking part in a big victory dessert to be determined. Interviewing Lex is never not enjoyable.
- On paper, Rutgers is a mismatch. They have decent hitting and one okay starter, but the Huskers hit 42 points higher with more power and Scarlet Knights pitching is similar to UCLA’s as it turns disastrous when anyone but Kelsey Hoekstra enters the game. The staff ERA difference is Rutgers 5.50, Huskers 2.15.
Corn Nation Players of the Games
Yep, I got so dialed into the UCLA games, I forgot about picking the winners of our prestigious, yet non-existent award – but we’re getting closer (see below). So without further delay, here’s your winners:
Game 1 – Hannah Camenzind/Alexis Jensen – Camenzind drove in 3 of the Huskers 4 runs while going 1-for-2 with 2 walks and a homer. Jensen threw 5 innings allowing only 4 hits, 1 run and striking out 6. Camenzind has made the 3rd spot in the order hers and Jensen is one of the country’s best freshmen.
Game 2 – Jordy Frahm – Frahm threw a complete game holding UCLA to 6 runs and 8 hits while striking out 7. Those numbers don’t wow you? Add into that equation the Bruins’ 11.7 runs per game and the fact the wind was blowing out to left at 20-30mph with gusts over 40. At the plate? She was 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 solo HR’s in the late innings. Just another day at the office.
Game 3 – Hannah Camenzind/Alexis Jensen – No you’re not seeing double. Hannah Cam went 2-for-4 with a double and a 3-run homer. Jensen pitched 6 innings allowing 4 runs and struck out 5 (winds blowing out at 15-20 mph that day) and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a tape measure blast to open the 2nd inning fireworks.
While there is no actual trophy, I asked Meta AI to “take a swing” at making one. It’ll do.
