Ogee Leads Huskers to 8-3 Win at Iowa State

Ames, Iowa - Junior center fielder Kim Ogee went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three runs scored to lead the No. 4 Nebraska softball team to a 8-3 win over Iowa State Wednesday afternoon at the Southwest Sports Complex. NU had its second multiple-home run in as many days, as junior catcher Amber Burgess went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh. With the victory, the Huskers improved to 38-8 overall and 8-3 in the Big 12 Conference.

Peaches James (17-5) picked up the win for Nebraska, allowing three runs on eight hits while recording three walks and four strikeouts in her 15th complete-game start of the season.

Erica Martinez (8-11) took the loss for ISU, allowing five runs on five hits while yielding five walks and striking out seven Huskers. Martinez entered the game in the top of the fourth in relief of Lindsey Herrin, who allowed three runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of work for Iowa State, which fell to 15-18 overall and 5-7 in the league.

Nebraska took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Ogee cranked a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for a leadoff home run. It was Ogee's team-leading ninth homer of the season and her first since April 1 against Southwest Missouri State.

The Cyclones answered in the bottom of the first, when Herrin ripped a two-run single to right field, plating Julia Lindsey and Adi Blackmon for the 2-1 lead.

Iowa State then widened the gap to two runs in the bottom of the third. James walked Diana Reuter with one out. Reuter advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lindsey. Blackmon then singled to NU shortstop Amanda Buchholz, who overthrew Nicole Trimboli at first, and Reuter continued home on the error for an unearned run and a 3-1 ISU lead. James struck out Erica Martinez to end the inning.

Nebraska evened the score with a two-run third inning. Freshman right fielder Anne Steffan led off with a bunt single, then stole second. Ogee followed with a double to left center to score Steffan. Ogee advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Leigh Suhr, and she scored on a sacrifice fly by Trimboli, tying the score at 3-3.

NU took control in the top of the fourth. Buchholz led off with a single, and then advanced to second when Liz Lawhorn walked with one out. After Martinez struck out Steffan, she walked Ogee to load the bases and then walked Suhr, as the Huskers took a 4-3 lead. With the bases still loaded, Trimboli sent a two-out single over the second baseman's head, scoring pinch runner Cindy Roethemeyer and Ogee for the 6-3 advantage.

The Huskers added two more runs in the top of the seventh. Burgess sent a shot 30 yards past he 190-yard left field fence for a two-run homer that made it 8-3, Nebraska.

The Huskers return to action when they play host to No. 24 Texas A&M this weekend. NU will meet the Aggies at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, following a pre-game ceremony to dedicate Nebraska's new field. The Huskers will face A&M at 1 p.m. Sunday.