Huskers Drop First Contest At Capital Classic Late Thursday

Sacramento, Calif. -- First-year softball team, Louisville, knocked off the Huskers, 3-0, late Thursday night in the first game of Sacramento State's Capital Classic. Nebraska managed just three hits against Cardinal pitchers to fall to 12-12 on the year. Louisville improved to 15-5.

The Cardinals scored the game's only runs in the first two innings. Coleen Coughlin doubled to left field to start off the game and three batters later Melissa Jacobo homered to left to make it 2-0 Louisville. In the top of the second inning, Coughlin once again got the Cardinals going with an infield single. Val Smith, Louisville's next batter, then doubled to left scoring Coughlin from first. The Huskers wouldn't reach base until the bottom of the third when Ginger Taylor bunt singled to lead off the inning against pitcher Tara McClure. But Taylor was caught stealing a few pitches later, ending the rally. Nebraska's other two hits came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jenifer Williams hit a one-out single to center. Taylor then collected another infield single to advance Williams to second. Alice Brewer hit into a fielder's choice that put runner on second and third with two out. But Jenny Voss, who was batting as the designated player, hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

McClure held Husker batters to just three hits while striking out eight and walking one. Leigh Ann Walker picked up the loss for the Huskers after surrendering three runs and eight hits in 6.1 innings pitched. Taylor went 2-for-2 for the Huskers while Coughlin went 4-for-4 for the Cardinals with two runs scored.

Nebraska will play three pool play games on Friday. The Huskers will take on S.E. Missouri State at 1 p.m. (central), Sacramento State at 3 p.m. and Utah at 7 p.m.