Nebraska softball is into the Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship for the first time since 2015.
The Huskers added their second come-from-behind victory in as many days Friday in East Lansing, walking-off Ohio State 2-1 in the conference semifinals. NU will play the winner of Northwestern and Michigan Saturday at 10 a.m. CT.
The Buckeyes got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning. Meggie Otte drilled a stand-up triple to bring in the run but the Husker defense didn’t allow more than that.
Nebraska then struck back with their own run in the bottom of the fourth. Syd Gray came in to score on an Abbie Squier single.
Courtney Wallace then exited the game after pitching 4.0 innings of one-run ball, giving up just three hits and walking one.
Olivia Ferrell took over in the circle, spinning 3.0 shutout innings while giving up three hits. Ferrell would be needed on the other side though, as the Husker hitters had the last at-bat in the tied game.
Kaylin Kinney started the inning with a double to right field. After initially getting up 3-0 in the count and being unable to get a sacrifice bunt down, Ava Bredwell struck out swinging.
Typically, a pinch hitter for the pitcher would be the call. But coach Rhonda Revelle had trust in her senior captain.
Ferrell took the 1-1 pitch deep to right center, scoring Kinney and walking-off the Buckeyes to advance to the conference title game. Ferrell had not batted since April 10 in a series also played at Michigan State, but came up big when needed.
Nebraska has never won the Big Ten Tournament, but will have as good a chance as any Saturday