Virginia Falls In Defensive Battle With Nebraska

HOUSTON – The Virginia softball team (4-1) out-hit the Huskers but a home run proved to be the difference in the defensive battle as Nebraska (4-1) took the 2-0 victory over the Cavaliers to close out the Houston Invitational.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Nebraska took the lead in the fourth inning with a two-run home run from Mya Felder that scored Courtney Wallace who had singled up the middle.

Virginia got a chance in the final inning, putting runners at the corners with two outs, but the Huskers made the play to get out of the inning and grab the win.

Molly Grube (1-1) took the loss in the start, allowing two runs on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts through 4.0 innings of work.

Courtney Wallace (2-0) worked the complete game for Nebraska, allowing six hits while walking one and striking out four in the complete-game shutout.

NOTES ON THE GAME
• This was the first meeting between the teams and Nebraska now leads the series 1-0.
• Virginia out-hit the Huskers, tallying six to only four hits for Nebraska.
• The Huskers are unranked but are receiving votes in the preseason NFCA Coaches Poll.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“What a pitcher’s duel. Molly Grube threw the ball really, really well. Hats off to Courtney Wallace. She kept us off balance, but we fought to the end and gave ourselves a chance to win the game with one swing in the seventh inning.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia returns to the road next weekend with a single game at Greensboro on Thursday (Feb. 16) before the Cavaliers will jump into play in the ACC/Big 10 Softball Challenge at North Carolina over the weekend. First pitch at Greensboro is set for 4 p.m. before the Hoos will face Maryland and Minnesota in the weekend games hosted by UNC.