Nebraska Stays Alive With 3-1 Win Over Creighton

Lincoln, Neb. --- Senior right-hander Peaches James tossed a two-hit shutout to lead second-seeded Nebraska to a 3-1 win over sixth-seeded Creighton in an NCAA Tournament Region 5 elimination game Sunday morning at Bowlin Stadium.  The Huskers, who improved to 45-16 overall and 3-1 in the regional, will face top-seeded California at approximately 12:30 p.m.

With a win over NU, the Bears (49-11) can secure a bid to the NCAA Women's College World Series. A Nebraska victory would force a second game between the teams in the double-elimination bracket.

The Huskers' game against Creighton, which was began Saturday night at 7 p.m., was stopped at 7:14 p.m. Play resumed Sunday at 10 a.m. in the top of the second inning with no outs and Nebraska's Trisha Tannahill at the plate with a  3-1 count. Tannahill drew a walk, but was thrown out at second when Waldecker reached on a fielder's choice. After James struck out, Lawhorn drew a two-out walk. With runners on first and second, Kier ripped a 2-2 pitch to the warning track for a two-run double. Kier finished the scoring when she crossed the plate on a throwing error by CU third baseman Jamie Reiss.

Creighton finally responded in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Stacey Rybar drew a walk, and Melanie Dorsey reached on an NU error. Christine Fukumoto then ripped an RBI single to left, plating Rybar.

Abby Johnson (13-3) took the loss for Creighton after giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits in the first four innings. Tammy Nielsen threw the final three innings in relief and did not give up a hit or a run while striking out two.

James improved to 37-8 in her 38th complete game of the year. She racked up 10 strikeouts against the Bluejays and surrendered just one walk.

Nebraska Notes...Nebraska leads its all-time series with Creighton 70-29, including 4-0 in 2004. The Huskers are 5-1 all-time vs. the Bluejays in the NCAA Tournament, including 2-0 in the 2004 regional.

Carmen Kier, R-Fr., DP, Nebraska...Kier drove in two runs in the top of the second with a two-out double, the first two-bagger of her career. The hit was Kier's first since May 15 against Baylor. It was her first extra-base hit since May 2 against Texas A&M, when she produced a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.  

Peaches James, Sr., RHP, Nebraska...James has been the winning pitcher in all four of Nebraska's wins over Creighton in 2004...NU record 388 strikeouts in 2004...NU career record 937 strikeouts...James had 10 Ks against Creighton and recorded her 20th double-digit strikeout performance of the season...CU's run in the sixth was their first against James in 29.1 innings. It was also the first earned run James has given up in 29 innings.

Creighton Notes...Creighton's three wins at the Lincoln regional were its most ever in the NCAA Tournament...Creighton scored a single-season record 282 runs in 2004.

Christine Fukumoto, Jr., OF, Creighton...Fukumoto produced an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth for Creighton's only run. The run was the Bluejays' first against NU in 33.2 innings, dating back to a 4-2 loss to the Huskers April 16 at Bowlin Stadium.