James Leads Huskers to 5-0 Win at OSU

Stillwater, Okla. - Senior right-hander Peaches James single-handedly crushed any thoughts Oklahoma State had of an upset by tossing a complete-game, one-hit shutout and belting two solo home runs at the plate to lead No. 22 Nebraska to a 5-0 victory over the Cowgirls Sunday afternoon. With the win, James (17-5) improved to 2-0 in Big 12 play and 3-0 this week.

Nebraska, winners of four straight and 11 of its last 14, improved to 2-0 in league play and 22-11 overall. The Huskers defeated OSU, 10-2, Saturday in the series opener.

On the day, James tied a career high with three hits and set a new career high with her two home runs. She finished the day 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, including the game-winning RBI, her solo home run in the top of the second. In the circle, James recorded her eighth double-digit strikeout performance of the season with an 11-strikeout effort. The Papillion-LaVista graduate struck out the side in the second inning on only 10 pitches.

Sunday's outstanding performance capped a great weekend for James. Offensively, James finished the weekend with a .571 average (4-for-7) three runs scored and three RBIs. James reached base at a .625 clip and her three home runs helped her post an incredible slugging percentage of 1.857. In the circle, James was just as dominant over the weekend. The Big 12 Pitcher of the Week the last two weeks, James posted a 2-0 mark over the weekend, allowing only two runs in 13 innings of work.

Nebraska outfielders Nicole Trimboli and Trisha Tannahill joined James with multiple-hit games. Trimboli went 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Tannahill went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

After James’ first home run of the day in the top of the second inning, NU scored two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. In the top of the fifth, junior Anne Steffan reached base on an error to start a two-out rally for the Huskers. Trimboli followed with a single up the middle, advancing Steffan to third. Trimboli wound up on second, advancing on the throw to third. The Cowgirls then pitched around junior Sheena Lawrick, walking her on four straight pitches. Sophomore Trisha Tannahill then lined the next pitch into left for a two-run single to put NU ahead, 3-0.

 

In the top of the sixth, James led off the inning with her second home run of the game?and third of the weekend?an opposite field line drive over the wall in right. Senior Liz Lawhorn drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Steffan singled to left to put runners on the corners. NU then executed a double steal, with Steffan taking second and Lawhorn scoring to increase the Huskers’ lead to 5-0.

Jessica Hoppock (15-12) took her second loss of the weekend for Oklahoma State (19-17), which dropped to 0-2 in conference action.