HUSKERS SOFTBALL Recap – Our Ladies Answer the Bell: #1 NEBRASKA 11 – UNO 4

View Link

Anyone who saw the original Rocky remembers this sage piece of advice from Apollo Creed’s (and later Rocky’s) legendary trainer Duke. He was so impressive at delivering speeches and advice such as this that in Rocky IV after Duke’s pre-training monologue, Stallone said, “Thanks, Tony,” using the actor’s real name and it was left in the movie.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning with the game tied 4-4, Coach Rhonda Revelle took to the circle and called in everyone, even the outfielders. I have no idea exactly what she said, but I’m guessing the general message was something along the lines of the gif above.

With perhaps a little “let’s settle down” thrown in for good measure. They listened.

Jordy Frahm did what she does leading off the top of the 4th by smashing a double to left center. An infield single by Hannah Camenzind, who would reach base in all five of her plate appearances, and an Ava Kuszak fielder’s choice to the UNO third baseman, who failed to make a play, filled the bases. Kacie Hoffman slapped a grounder to short and the only play was at second allowing Frahm to score.

Then Jesse Farrell came up and simply blasted a 3-run homer to dead center and for all intents and purposes, the game was over although there were still a few innings to play. Ava Kuszak added a 2-run tater in the 5th and Sammie Bland, currently on a tear, lined one over the left field wall in the 6th to provide the final 11-4 margin, but those shots were that extra chocolate chip cookie after dinner.

If the Mavericks’ Marra Cramer’s tying 3-run blast in the bottom of the 3rd inning was a standing 8-count for the Huskers, then Jesse Farrell’s was the knockdown that turned the tide of this fight followed by a couple of 10-8 rounds and a blow-out majority decision for Nebraska.

The shorter version without all the boxing allusions? Consider Coach Revelle’s message received.

Hannah Camenzind made her bid for Player of the Game in the two-way manner. At the plate, she reached base in all five appearances by going 2-for-2 with 3 walks. And in the circle, she recovered from shaky performances in her two previous outings by throwing 4 shutout innings against the Mavs allowing only a hit and a walk. She came on in the 4th inning for Alexis Jensen who struggled in her three innings of work giving up 4 runs.