Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska softball team went toe-to-toe with No. 1 Michigan for the third straight game, but a two-run seventh-inning homer powered the Wolverines to an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Huskers in the series finale in front of 1,311 fans.

The Huskers scored six runs over their first two innings, but only led 6-4 as Michigan benefitted from two unearned runs in each of the first two frames. The Wolverines tied the game with a single run in the top of the fifth before Sierra Lawrence hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the seventh to provide the winning margin.

With the win, Michigan won the series, rebounding from Friday’s 1-0 loss to Nebraska. The Wolverines improved to 29-4 on the season and 7-2 in Big Ten play, while the Huskers fell to 25-14 overall and 6-5 in league play.

All-American Megan Betsa rebounded from a shaky start to earn the victory. Betsa (13-2) started and faced only five batters before being pulled after allowing three runs on two hits. Betsa then re-entered the game to start the third inning and did not allow a run or a hit over the final 5.0 innings, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters.

Sophomore Kaylan Jablonski (5-5) took the loss despite pitching well in relief. Jablonski was charged with two runs in 3.0 innings of work, and she allowed only two hits. Junior Cassie McClure earned the start and allowed six runs in 4.0 innings, but only two of the runs were earned.

Offensively, senior Kiki Stokes finished 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs, while Jablonski was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Nebraska scored six runs on six hits after producing only two runs on five hits in the first two games of the series combined.

A leadoff double and a walk gave Michigan runners at first and second in the top of the first inning. A strikeout marked the first out before a second walk loaded the bases. Lindsay Montemarano then hit a ground ball to short that was fielded cleanly by senior Alicia Armstrong, but Armstrong’s throw to home was wild allowing two runs to score. Leading 2-0, Michigan still had runners on second and third with only one out before McClure struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

Nebraska came back with three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-2 lead. Stokes led off with a single, before junior MJ Knighten and Armstrong both walked to load the bases with no outs. Jablonski scored the Huskers’ first run with a sacrifice fly to left before senior Mattie Fowler followed with a single to load the bases again. A wild pitch allowed the tying run to score before sophomore Madi Unzicker was hit by a two-out pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run and give Nebraska a 3-2 lead.

Another Husker error helped Michigan regain the lead in the top of the second. A leadoff double, a sacrifice bunt and an error gave the Wolverines runners on first and third with one out. Sierra Romero then lifted a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game on what would have been the third out. Kelsey Susalla capped the inning with a two-out RBI single to move Michigan back in front, 4-3.

In the bottom of the second, Stokes led off with a double and scored on a one-out RBI single from Armstrong. Jablonski then drilled a double over the right fielder’s head to score Armstrong and give Nebraska a 5-4 lead. Sophomore Austen Urness capped the inning with a two-out, RBI single to make it 6-4.

Michigan trimmed the lead to 6-5 in the top of the third on a two-out, RBI single from Aidan Falk.

Nebraska was held scoreless in the bottom of the third before Michigan loaded the bases with one out in the top of the third. But the Wolverines were held scoreless for the first time when a soft line drive off the bat of Montemarano turned into an inning-ending double play.

Michigan used a pair of bunt singles to get its first two runners on base in the top of the fifth and force a Husker pitching change. Jablonski came on in the circle and walked the first batter she faced to load the bases with no outs. A one-out sacrifice fly tied the game at 6-6. Michigan had the bases loaded again with two outs but could not take the lead.

Neither team really threatened again until the top of the seventh, when Lawrence lined the first pitch she saw over the fence in left for the game-winning two-run homer.

Following five home games in five days, Nebraska has the week off before traveling to Northwestern for a three-game series on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.