NU Gets Second Straight Sweep With Wins Over Tech

Lincoln - For the second straight day, redshirt freshman Heather Martin recorded a clutch hit late in the game to give the Nebraska softball team the win and the sweep of a league opponent. Monday, Martin's hit came with the Huskers down 1-0 in the fourth and put the Huskers up for good in a 2-1 win against Texas Tech after beating the Red Raiders 1-0 in game one at the Husker Softball Complex. The Huskers improve to 8-4 in the league and 24-13 overall with the sweep. Nebraska now stands solidly at third place in the Big 12 stadings, two games behind both Texas and Oklahoma.

All-American Jenny Voss went to the hill for both games Monday, but opened up shaky in game one. Voss loaded the bases in both the first and second innings but was able to escape unscathed. Meanwhile, Nebraska's offense failed to get a hit until the third inning. In the third, Jenifer Williams led off and drew a walk. A wild pitch by Texas Tech pitcher Amanda Renfro advanced Williams to second with one out. Following a Jennifer Lizama fly out, Ginger Taylor singled to left center to put runners on the corners. With two outs, Taylor took off for second in a steal attempt and TTU catcher Kristi Tunnell threw to second with nobody covering it. The ball skated into the outfield allowing Williams to score from third. Voss did the work from there, setting the Red Raiders down in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh to seal the 1-0 win. Lizama, Taylor and Pinkepank collected Nebraska's only hits.

Neither team could get much offense going in the beginning innings of the second game. But in the third inning, Tech was able to get one run across. Sandy Butler hit a grounder to third baseman Cindy Roethemeyer who scooped it up and tossed it to first. Tech's runner on second took off for third on the play, prompting NU first baseman Jamie Fuente to throw to first. The throw was errant however, and Tech's runner came home easily. Nebraska trailed until the fourth. Fuente led off with a double to right center and was pinch ran for by Jessica Draemel. Ellen Middleton then singled to right center to put runners on the corners. A Leigh Suhr ground out advanced Middleton to second. Pinkepank then popped up for the second out of the inning. Rhonda Revelle then chose to pinch hit Heather Martin for Taylor, the designated player. The move payed off as Martin singled down the left field line scoring both Draemel and Middleton. With a one-run cushion, Voss again dominated Tech in the final innings, allowing just one hit in the final three. Middleton led all Huskers with a 2-for-3 performance and a run scored.

Voss allowed no earned runs in 14 innings on the mound, while striking out five, walking two and surrendering nine hits.