No. 10 Nebraska softball run-rules No. 19 South Carolina 9-1 in five innings

Huskers post 13 hits and two home runs to end Gamecocks' seven-game winning streak

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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No. 10 Nebraska softball (7-4) ended No. 19 South Carolina's seven-game winning streak behind an electric offense, posting 13 hits and two home runs to run-rule the Gamecocks 9-1 in five innings on Friday at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California.

Why it matters

This was a key non-conference matchup between two ranked softball programs, with Nebraska asserting its dominance over South Carolina, who had outscored opponents 48-6 before this loss. The run-rule victory showcases Nebraska's offensive firepower and ability to bounce back from an early-season loss against UCF.

The details

Nebraska took control of the game in the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs to take a 4-0 lead. Jesse Farrell hit a two-run triple, and Ava Kuszak added a two-run homer. South Carolina got on the board with a solo home run from Arianna Rodi in the fourth, but the Huskers exploded for five more runs in the fifth to end the game early. Carlie Muhlbach, Hannah Coor, and Farrell all drove in runs in the fifth.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 20, 2026 in Cathedral City, California at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
  • Nebraska third baseman Sammie Bland returned to the lineup after suffering a left shoulder injury against UCF on February 14, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida.

The players

Alexis Jensen

Nebraska's left-handed starting pitcher who earned the win, pitching three innings and allowing one run.

Jordy Frahm

Nebraska's senior right-handed pitcher who earned the save, pitching four innings and allowing two hits and no runs.

Sammie Bland

Nebraska's third baseman who returned to the lineup after suffering a left shoulder injury earlier in the season.

Nealy Lamb

South Carolina's starting right-handed pitcher who lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and two runs.

Arianna Rodi

South Carolina's player who hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to get the Gamecocks on the board.

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What’s next

Nebraska will next face Hawaii at 2:30 p.m. CT in the second game of their doubleheader.

The takeaway

This run-rule victory over a ranked opponent showcases Nebraska's offensive firepower and ability to bounce back from an early-season loss, positioning them as a team to watch in the competitive Big Ten softball landscape.