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Columbus, Ga. ? Sophomore left fielder Jessica Yoachim scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead No. 14 Nebraska to a 1-0 win over Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon in the final game of pool play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
With no score after the top of the eighth inning, the Huskers sent Yoachim to second base in accordance with the international tiebreaker rule. Freshman shortstop Devin Porter moved Yoachim to third with a sacrifice bunt. Junior second baseman Anne Steffan sent a shot to third base. Virginia Tech third baseman Shanel Garofalo bobbled the ball, and Yoachim raced home for the winning run.
The Huskers finished 1-2 in pool play and earned the No. 8 seed in the silver bracket. NU will face California, the silver bracket’s top seed, at approximately 5:30 p.m. CST. Win or lose, Nebraska (7-6) will continue tournament play Sunday morning.
Against the Hokies (6-4), senior right-hander Peaches James (5-3) was the winning pitcher, as she did not allow a run and gave up just one hit in the final three innings. James struck out four Virginia Tech players. Sophomore right-hander Summer Tobias threw the first five innings, holding the Hokies scoreless on three hits while striking out three and yielding one walk.
Katie Maynard was the pitcher of record when NU scored in the bottom of the eighth and fell to 2-3 on the year. Karie Morrison relieved Rachel Pacheco in the bottom of the sixth and allowed one hit in 1.1 innings. Pacheco threw the first 5.2 innings, holding the Huskers scoreless on one hit while striking out five.
After leaving runners on in the third, fourth and sixth innings, Nebraska has its best chance to score during regulation in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, designated player Katie Linke drew a walk. NU then sent pinch hitter Jocelyn Evans to the plate for Carmen Kier. Evans1b ripped a shot to right field, putting runners on first and second for Yoachim. However, Yoachim flied out to left, sending the game into extra innings.
Virginia Tech opened the eighth with Rhodes on second base by way of the international tiebreaker rule. Kelly Brown reached on a bunt single to put runners on the corners. James then struck out pinch hitter Sarah Prosise. After Garofalo grounded out, James intentionally walked Evans to load the bases for pinch hitter Ciara Chaffee. James then struck out Chaffee.