Huskers Escape with 3-1 Win

Lubbock, Texas ? The 15th-ranked Nebraska softball team manufactured two runs without the aid of a hit to break a 1-1 tie in the top of the sixth inning to escape with a 3-1 win over upset-minded Texas Tech on Sunday at Rocky Johnson field.

 

The win preserved another great outing by senior right-hander Peaches James. The reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week tossed a complete-game three-hitter. James allowed only one unearned run while striking out 10 Lady Raiders. The victory was James’ 15th straight and improved her overall record to 28-5.

 

Erin Crawford (8-13) suffered her second straight loss to the Huskers. In six innings of relief, Crawford allowed two unearned runs on three hits.

 

After watching Texas Tech tie the score at one in the bottom of the fifth, Nebraska struck back for two runs in the top of the sixth.

 

Sophomore pinch-hitter Katie Linke led off the inning with a walk. Sophomore pinch-runner KoKo Tacha advanced to second on a wild pitch and sophomore Jessica Yoachim drew a one-out walk to put runners on first and second.

 

Both runners advanced on a past ball and Tacha came home on senior Nicole Trimboli’s sacrifice fly to left field. On the play, Yoachim advanced to third. Sophomore Trisha Tannahill was then intentionally walked.

 

NU made the score 3-1 when it successfully executed a double steal, with Tannahill swiping second and Yoachim coming home.

 

The Huskers’ jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when junior Anne Steffan led off the game with a bunt single. She stole second and moved to third on Yoachim’s sacrifice bunt. Steffan came home when Trimboli grounded out.

 

Texas Tech answered back with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Lisa Lawler led off with a double to left-center for the Lady Raiders’ second hit of the game. Ashleigh Renfro followed with a strikeout, but reached safely when first baseman Jamie Waldecker couldn’t handle catcher Brittney Yolo’s throw. On the play, Lawler scored and Renfro wound up on third. Renfro was then thrown out at home after Ashley Parker reached first safely on a bunt single.

 

Steffan was the only Husker to record two hits, while Trimboli drove in two runs.

 

NU returns home to host Northern Colorado for a doubleheader on Tuesday at Bowlin Stadium First pitch is set for 3 p.m.