Nebraska softball sweeps Friday doubleheader at ACC/Big Ten Challenge

ATLANTA — A pair of one-run victories Friday got Nebraska off to a good start in the ACC/Big Ten softball challenge.

A two-run home run by junior first baseman Madi Unzicker powered the No. 22-ranked Huskers to a 2-1 victory over Boston College before NU held off a furious Georgia Tech rally for a 6-5 win.

In the opener, the Eagles (1-5) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run by first baseman Cami Sellers before the Unzicker blast to left field in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore shortstop Tristen Edwards started the rally with a one-out single to right field.

Olivia Ferrell, a freshman pitcher from Elkhorn South, earned her second victory of the season for the Huskers (7-1). Ferrell pitched four innings, giving up two hits and striking out two. Senior Kaylan Jablonski earned her second save with three innings of one-hit ball.

Jablonski earned the victory over Georgia Tech by pitching five innings, striking out two and giving up just three hits over the first three and last two innings. The Huskers had a 6-0 lead after three innings.

Five of those runs came in the third inning with a couple of loud hits — a three-run homer by Edwards and a two-run home run by Jablonski.

Junior college transfer Regan Mergele loaded the bases by issuing three walks before giving up a two-out grand slam to Yellow Jackets right fielder Breanna Roper in the fourth inning. Jablonski worked her way out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh to preserve the win.

Nebraska will face Georgia Tech at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Huskers’ third of four games in the three-day conference vs. conference event.

Georgia Tech (0-4)……000  410  0—5  5  0

Nebraska (7-1)…………015  000  0—6  7  1

W-Kaylan Jablonski (4-0). L-Brooke Barfield (0-1). 2B-GT, Crosby Huckabay; N, Taylor Otte. 3B-N, Alyvia Simmons. HR-GT, Breanna Roper, Katie Krzus; N, Tristen Edwards, Jablonski.

Boston College (1-5)……..000  100  0—1  3  0

Nebraska (6-1)…………….000  200  x—2  4  0

W-Olivia Ferrell (2-0). L-Jessica Dreswick (1-1). 2B-BC, Allyson Moore; N, Edwards. HR-BC, Cami Sellers; N, Madi Unzicker.

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