Huskers Defeat OU In Front of Record Crowd

Lincoln -- Senior right-hander Peaches James picked up her 12th straight win to lead the No. 18 Nebraska softball team to a 2-1 victory over No. 17 Oklahoma Saturday afternoon at Bowlin Stadium. James, who tossed 11 strikeouts in a complete-game effort, improved to 25-5 in 2004 and moved into third on the NU single-season victories list.

The double-digit strikeout effort was the 13th of the season for James, who did not give up an earned run and yielded just three walks.

The Huskers set a Bowlin Stadium regular-season attendance record with 1,523 fans. The mark was also the second-highest attendance ever at the venue.

With the victory, Nebraska improved to 31-12 overall and maintained its lock on first place in the Big 12 standings with a 9-0 league record. The Huskers also improved to 7-4 against ranked teams and 6-1 at home. The Huskers have not allowed an earned run at Bowlin Stadium (seven games, 49.0 innings) this season.

No. 17 Oklahoma fell to 31-15-1 overall and 5-5 in the conference. Nebraska collected five hits off OU pitcher Kami Keiter, who struck out six and did not give up an earned run in 6.0 innings of work. The Sooner defense struggled behind Keiter, committing four errors.

Husker sophomore third baseman Jessica Yoachim had the most success against Keiter, going 2-for-3 with a run scored, while junior second baseman Anne Steffan was 1-for-4 with a run scored, extending her hitting streak to seven games.

The Huskers and Sooners will meet again Sunday at 1 p.m. at Bowlin Stadium. The game will be broadcast live in Lincoln on KKUL 105.3 FM.

After Oklahoma scored an unearned run in the top of the first, Nebraska countered in the bottom of the inning. Steffan led off and reached safely on a bunt single. Yoachim followed with a bunt single. Keiter overthrew first, and Steffan raced around third and scored on the error to tie the game.

The Huskers stranded two runners in the bottom of the second, failing to capitalize on back-to-back singles by Katie Linke and Liz Lawhorn. Then, in the top of the third, James found herself in a jam. Norrelle Dickson led off and reached on an error. Heather Scaglione followed and drew a walk. With two outs, both runners advanced a base on a double steal. James then struck out Fox to end the Sooners’ scoring threat.

Nebraska took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Yoachim led off and reached on an error, then continued on to second. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Trimboli. Trisha Tannahill followed and grounded to second, and Yoachim beat the throw at plate for the lead.