Huskers split on opening day of NFCA Leadoff Classic
Lincoln -- The No. 15 Nebraska softball team went 1-1 in pool play Friday on the opening day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic, defeating Long Island, 8-3, before falling to fifth-ranked California, 2-1, at South Commons Fields.

The Huskers, now 6-5 on the season, will finish pool play Saturday at 9 a.m. against No. 10 DePaul, which also defeated Long Island and lost to Cal Friday.

Against Long Island (4-4), the Huskers trailed 3-0 in the fourth inning after Alicia Ciccarello sent Sonia Zapata, Rosette Rough and Shannon Payne home with a single to right field off NU pitcher Penny Cope.

Freshman Katie Decker took over in the fourth for Cope, who gave up two hits and three earned runs in four innings of work. Decker held LIU scoreless for the next three innings, and the Huskers exploded offensively in the bottom of the sixth, putting up eight runs in a stretch that was highlighted by a two-out single from Kim Ogee that scored three Huskers.

Decker took the win for NU, allowing two hits and no runs in the final three innings of the game. Crystal Eubanks took the loss for Long Island, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs - all in the sixth inning. Amanda Buchholz led the Huskers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI.

In the nightcap, Nebraska suffered its second loss of the season to California. The Bears also defeated NU at the UNLV Classic on Feb. 17, 6-5.

Cal used a double in the bottom of the fourth by sophomore Veronica Nelson to drive in senior Paige Bowie to earn the win 2-1 win over the No. 15 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic pool play at South Commons Fields. With the win, Cal improves its unblemished record to 9-0 on the year while Nebraska falls to 6-5 in 2001.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Paige Bowie broke up Leigh Anne Walker