Sooners' Late Run Secures 1-0 Win

Fullerton, Calif. - Senior right-hander Peaches James, fresh off a 1-0 victory over fourth-ranked Florida State in her last start, found herself in another pitcher's dual today against seventh-ranked Oklahoma. This time, it was James (13-5) who took the hard-luck loss in the Sooners' (26-8-1) 1-0 win over No. 20 Nebraska (18-11) in the first round of bracket play at the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif.

James pitched well, allowing only one run on seven hits, while striking out seven and allowing no walks. OU left-hander Kami Keiter (4-2) scattered two hits in her complete-game effort.

With both pitchers at the top of their games, the game appeared destined for extra innings until Oklahoma mounted a two-out rally in the top of the seventh.

Mariee Mena got things started with a one-out single up the middle and was lifted for pinch runner Stacia Aleman. James got the next hitter to fly out before the Sooners' Jessica Leslie hit a 2-0 pitch to the gap in right center for a two-out, RBI double that scored Aleman. Aleman's run halted James' streak of 53 innings without allowing an earned run.

Keiter retired Nebraska's Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to secure the one-run victory.

Offensively, James and junior Anne Steffan were the only Huskers to record a hit. Steffan singled with one out in the bottom of the sixth to give Nebraska a chance to take the lead. Following a fly out by senior Nicole Trimboli, Steffan attempted to steal second, but was called out on a close to end the inning.

With the loss, Nebraska drops to 5-4 on the season in one-run games and 3-4 in 1-0 games.

NU concludes play at the Kia Klassic at 7 p.m. (CST) tonight against UNLV. The Huskers defeated the Rebels 8-0 in five innings in the tournament opener on Wednesday.