The RoundHouse | 5/21/2023 12:55:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
STILLWATER, Okla. - The run scored, the season ended and it didn't seem real. The Shockers stood on the infield, hesitant to leave, while Nebraska celebrated.
 
After Friday's rally, after Saturday's offensive resurgence and more late-inning heroics, the Shockers ran out of innings.
 
"It's a tough way to go out," Wichita State coach Kristi Bredbenner said.
 
The Huskers eliminated Wichita State 9-8 in nine innings in the Stillwater NCAA Regional at Cowgirls Stadium. The Shockers (44-12) lost to No. 6 national seed Oklahoma State 6-0 earlier Saturday in the winner's bracket final.
 
Nebraska (36-21) will face the Cowgirls in the regional championship game at 3 p.m. Sunday and will need to win twice to advance to a super regional.
 
"This team just kept coming," Nebraska coach Rhonda Revelle said. "Wichita State kept coming. I don't feel like one team lost. Nobody gave in. We just happened to score the last run."
 
Wichita State broke out of its hitting slump with Lauren Mills homering twice and doubling. Krystin Nelson added her first home run of the season and the Shockers totaled eight extra-base hits. They led 6-3 entering the bottom of the seventh and 8-6 entering the bottom of the ninth.
 
It wasn't quite enough. The Huskers hit three home runs, worked five walks and totaled 13 hits. They drove in five two-out runs, hitting 6 for 13 with two outs.
 
In the seventh, the Huskers rallied to tie it 6-all with two outs against starter Lauren Howell. Cailtynn Neal hit a two-run home run and Mya Felder singled in the tying run.
 
 

THE SHOCKERS BREAK THE TIE IN THE TOP OF THE 9TH! 🔥#RoadToWCWS x 🎥 ESPN+ / @GoShockersSBpic.twitter.com/68EaPyLTj9

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 21, 2023

 
 
"We just couldn't seem to get any luck," Bredbenner said. "They had a really great approach at the plate. They jumped on every pitch that we put a little bit too much on the plate. We did the same thing. We just didn't do it enough."
 
In the ninth, the Shockers rebuilt their lead on doubles by Lauren Lucas and Mills to go up 8-6.
 
"I'm sure it was an awesome game to watch," Bredbenner said. "It was not an awesome game to watch in the vistors dugout."
 
The Huskers gave reliever Alex Aguilar no time to settle in. Felder homered on her second pitch. After a single and a walk, Ava Bredwell doubled to tie it and move Sydney Gray to third with the winning run. Gray slid in with the winning run, ahead of a throw from second baseman Sami Hood, on a bouncing ball from Katelyn Caneda.

BY GOD SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN!

LoLo just left the yard for the 2nd time tonight!

💣💣 | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/nEsaq9IhfK

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 21, 2023

 

Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.