TUCSON, Ariz. – Facing two teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last season, the Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team fell 3-0 to Nebraska and 14-0 in five innings to No. 18/16 ranked Arizona on Friday at Hillenbrand Stadium.
 
In the game against the Huskers, who won the Big Ten Tournament last season, the Lions held Nebraska scoreless in five of the seven innings and had three hits. Arizona went to the Women's College World Series last season and used a big first inning to take the win over the Lions.
 
Coach Brittany Miller said, "to be the best, we have to play the best. We will continue to go on this journey together, while growing and learning from these experiences!"
 
GAME 1: NEBRASKA 3, A&M-COMMERCE 0
The Lions put two on base in the top of the first as did the Huskers in the bottom of the first, but both were held scoreless. Ava Bradwell hit a one-out double to right center in the third and she came around to score on an RBI base hit by Mya Felder.
 
Once again in the fourth, the Lions had two runners on base, but could not score. The Huskers added their other two runs in the game in the bottom of the fifth. Felder hit a one-run double to left that scored Caitlynn Neal and Dakota Carter, who pinch ran for Felder, scored an unearned run on a single by Sydney Grey.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Lions had the bases loaded with one out, but once again were held without a run. Another runner reached base in the top of the seventh, but once again they were shutout.
 
The Lions had three hits in the game, two came off the bat of Diamond Sefe (Carson, Calif.), who went 2 for 2 in the game. Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial) had the other hit. Kaydee Bennett (Caddo Mills) stole a base.
 
Neal, Felder had two hits each for the Huskers. Julia Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) threw six innings once again, she allowed two earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and struck out two.
 
For the Huskers, Sarah Harness tossed 5.1 innings of shutout ball with five strikeouts, while Courtney Wallace came in to get the save with 1.2 innings pitched and one strikeout.
 
GAME 2: No. 18/16 ARIZONA 14, A&M-COMMERCE 0 (Five Innings)
The Wildcats pounded early with 11 runs before the second out was recorded in the bottom of the first on 11 hits and one error, and also left two on base. The Lions used three pitchers in the inning.
 
Allie Skaggs had seven RBIs in the game, with four coming on one swing of the bat in the first. She hit a grand slam to left for the first four runs of the game with an out in the first. Tayler Biehl recorded a RBI in the first, while Jasmine Perezchica and Blaise Biringer hit two-run singles each. Olivia DiNardo hit an RBI double, and Skaggs collected another RBI with a single to center for the Wildcats' 11^th run of the inning.
 
Arizona added its 12^th run of the game in the second on an RBI groundout by Paige Dimler and the final two runs came on a two-run home run to center by Skaggs in the third. The Wildcats were held scoreless in the fourth.
 
The Lions had just one hit in the game, and it came from Elizabeth Guerrero (International School of Americas) in the first. That was the only baserunner in the game for the Lions. Anissa Arredondo (San Antonio – Warren) got the loss, tossing just 0.1 innings and allowed four earned runs. Madeline Janssen (Earlham, Iowa) allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings of relief.
 
Aissa Silva got the win for the Wildcats, tossing five shutout innings and striking out five. DiNardo went 4 for 4 in the game, while Skaggs went 3 for 3, and Biehl had two hits.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions and the Wildcats meet again on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. MST. A&M-Commerce faces CSUN right after the game against Arizona.