Huskers Take Two From Northern Colorado

Lincoln ? The Nebraska softball team combined for 17 runs on 23 hits in two games against Northern Colorado Tuesday night, defeating the Bears, 9-1 in the five-inning first game of a doubleheader before picking up an 8-2 win in the second game at Bowlin Stadium. With the victories, the Huskers improved to 36-12 in 2004 and extended their winning streak to seven.

The Huskers were led on the evening by sophomore third baseman Jessica Yoachim, who went 5-for-8 with four runs scored, and senior outfielder Nicole Trimboli, who went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and a home run.

Freshman right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (2-1) was the winning pitcher in game one, allowing just one hit and striking out six in five innings of work. Sophomore right-hander Summer Tobias took the win in game two, pitching a complete game and holding the Bears to two runs on 11 hits while striking out seven, as Northern Colorado fell to 6-26 on the season.

The Huskers return to Big 12 Conference action Wednesday when they play host to Kansas at 5:30 p.m. at Bowlin Stadium.

Game 2: Nebraska 8, Northern Colorado 2
Senior centerfielder Nicole Trimboli went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and produced her seventh home run of the season to lead Nebraska to an 8-2 victory over the Bears in game two. Trimboli was one of four Huskers with multiple-hit games, as NU racked up 11 hits off UNC pitchers Danelle Sayler and Stephani Miller.

Sophomore right-hander Summer Tobias (6-6) was the winning pitcher, pitching a complete game and holding the Bears to two runs on 11 hits while striking out seven. Danelle Sayler took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in three innings of work.

With Nebraska trailing 1-0 after the bottom of the first, Trimboli launched a 3-0 pitch over the left field fence. Jessica Yoachim also scored on the two-run blast to give NU a two-run lead. The Huskers added another run in the second. Liz Lawhorn led off and singled to left. She advanced to second on an error by the Bears, and later scored on a wild pitch with two outs.

After a scoreless third, the Huskers produced a two-run fourth inning. Brittney Yolo led off and drew a walk. After Devin Porter grounded out and Steffan popped up, Yoachim reached on a bunt single. UNC third baseman Ashley Martinosky’s throw to first sailed into right field, and both Husker runners scored.

The Huskers scored another unearned run in the fifth, then added two runs in the sixth. Lawhorn laced a bases loaded single to left, sending Tannahill home. Yolo accounted for the second run with a fielder’s choice RBI.

Northern Colorado answered in top of the seventh when Whitney Platten knocked in a run with a bases loaded single to left.

Game 1: Nebraska 9, Northern Colorado 1
Freshman right-hander Ashley DeBuhr improved to 2-1 and captured her first career victory at Bowlin Stadium in the Huskers’ 9-1, run-rule victory over Northern Colorado in game one. DeBuhr did not give up an earned run, allowing just one hit and striking out six in five innings of work.

The Husker offense exploded for 12 hits, led by sophomore third baseman Jessica Yoachim’s 3-for-4 effort. Redshirt freshman Carmen Kier was 2-for-2 with a career-best two runs and a career-best two RBIs. Kier produced the first home run of her collegiate career with a two-run blast in the bottom of the fourth. The hit was just the second of her career.

Leading 3-1 after three, Nebraska took control with a five-run fourth inning. After Brittney Yolo led off with a single, Kier smacked a 3-0 pitch over the left center fence for her first career home run. NU made it 7-1 when Trisha Tannahill plated Anne Steffan and Yoachim with a two-run double. Tannahill advanced to third on a wild pitch by Danelle Sayler, and then scored on another wild pitch increase the Husker lead to 8-1.

The Huskers clinched the run-rule victory in the bottom of the fifth when Kier scored on an error by UNC third baseman Ashley Martinosky.

Stacey Moon (1-9) took the loss for Northern Colorado, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 3.1 innings of work. Sayler gave up one run on two hits in one inning of relief.