Huskers Drop Season Opener, 5-0

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Las Vegas, Nev. ? Behind four home runs and an outstanding outing by All-American pitcher Monica Abbott, the 14th-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols handed the 18th-ranked Nebraska softball team a season-opening 5-0 loss at the Louisville Slugger UNLV Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., on Saturday.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

With the win, UT improved to 7-0 on the season, while NU dropped to 0-1. Abbott picked up her fourth victory of the season while extending her season-opening scoreless inning streak to 32. Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (0-1) took the loss for the Huskers, allowing five earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

 

Tennessee strung together four consecutive hits, including back-to-back-to-back home runs in a four-run second inning to take control of the game. Tonya Callahan drew a one-out walk preceding the three consecutive home runs by Abbott, Shannon Doepking and Lindsay Schutzler.

 

The Lady Vols added another run with a one-out home run from Catherine Card in the top of the third inning before DeBuhr responded. DeBuhr retired the next nine hitters following Card’s home run. Over her final four innings, DeBuhr allowed only one hit and two base runners.

 

DeBuhr was relieved in the seventh inning by fellow sophomore right-hander Jaime Borg, who made her collegiate debut in the circle after playing outfield in 2004. Borg retired the first two hitters she faced, before allowing a single. The Lincoln native then recorded her first career strikeout against Stacey Jennings, the Lady Vols’ cleanup hitter.

 

Offensively, NU pounded out three hits against Abbott, who had allowed only five hits in her first six appearances ? including four starts ? of the season. Seniors Anne Steffan and Sheena Lawrick and junior Trisha Tannahill each went 1-for-3 with a single at the plate, while Steffan added a stolen base.

 

Nebraska continues play at the Desert Classic at 7:30 p.m. today with a game against TexasState at the Stephanie Lynn Craig softball complex.