Nevada rallies past Kansas, 5-4
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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball was one out away from a series-opening victory when Nevada stormed back with a five-run two-out rally to down the Jayhawks, 5-4, on Friday night at Free State High School.
Kansas (22-23) maintained a two-run lead for six and two-thirds innings before the Wolf Pack (23-17) came from behind to steal the victory. Despite falling behind heading into the bottom of the seventh, KU bounced back adding two runs and leaving the tying run at third base before Nevada could seal the Friday night win.
Junior catcher Harli Ridling gave Kansas an early lead in the opening frame with her ninth long ball of the season. Ridling two-run shot over in the fence in right field put KU out in front 2-0 over Nevada.Junior catcher Harli Ridling
The Jayhawks threatened to add to their lead in the second frame, but Nevada go out of the inning with a pair of Jayhawks stranded in scoring position.
Sophomore Alexis Reid hurled six and two-thirds shutout innings and was one strike away from a complete-game shutout. In her 31st start of the year, Reid struck out four, while giving up five earned runs and eight hits.
Kansas looked to extend its lead in the fifth inning, but Nevada’s starter McKenna Isenberg ended the threat with two Jayhawks on base. The Jayhawks’ offense came close to added runs to the scoreboard in the sixth and loaded the bases. Despite the bases full of KU runners, the Wolf Pack were able to get out of the jam with a fielder’s choice and a ground out. In all, Kansas left eight runners on base in the first game of the series.
Nevada’s bats came alive in the top of the seventh and took the lead after scoring five runs on four hits. Junior outfielder Erika Hansen drove in three of the Wolf Pack’s five runs with a double to centerfield while the bases were loaded.
The Jayhawks fought back in the home half of the seventh and loaded the bases after a pair of walks and a single. Senior infielder Taylor Dodson drove in the first KU run with a single, while freshman outfielder Brittani Reid made it a 5-4 ballgame with a fielder’s choice. Kansas had the tying run on third base, but Isenberg recorded the final out, giving Nevada the 5-4 victory.
UP NEXT
Kansas continues its three-game series against Nevada on April 22 at 7 p.m., at Free State High School. The game will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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