The 23rd-ranked NC State softball team dropped its home opener, 7-2, to Nebraska on Friday afternoon at Dail Softball Stadium in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Freshman right-hander Sydney Nester (2-2, 3.98 ERA) started and took the loss for the Wolfpack (3-3), allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk in three innings of work.

The Huskers (4-2) jumped on Nester early, plating one run in each of the first two innings with a home run and an RBI single before opening the game up in the third inning.

With two outs and runners on second and third, Nester’s 1-0 pitch found too much of the plate and pitcher Lindsey Walljasper sent it flying over the left field fence to put Nebraska up 5-0.

Nebraska tacked on another run in the top of the fourth as center fielder Rylie Unzicker drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the Huskers’ lead to 6-0.

The Wolfpack mounted a small rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, with junior infielder Skylar Johnston scoring on a two-out error and Angie Rizzi drawing a two-out, bases-loaded walk, cutting the score to 6-2. Senior second baseman Natalie Jones had a chance to further cut down the lead, but struck out looking to halt the Pack’s rally.

Shortstop Tristen Edwards hit a solo homerun to center field in the top of the seventh inning to add an insurance run for the Huskers, but the damage was already done.

Walljasper (2-0, 1.65 ERA) stifled the Pack offense all game, pitching six innings, striking out nine batters and allowing just five hits and two walks.

Sophomore left fielder Sam Russ led the Pack with two hits (2-4, double) and a stolen base, and Johnston (1-1), junior right fielder Brigette Nordberg (1-3) and sophomore first baseman Randi Farricker (1-3) each chipped in a single.

The Pack will return to action in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at 3:45 on Friday afternoon at Dail Softball Stadium.