Huskers Pick Up Fourth Straight Win

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Las Cruces, N.M. ? The 19th-ranked Nebraska softball team extended its winning streak to four straight with a 3-0 win over New Mexico (0-6) at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, Nev. Newcomers Elizabeth Rock, a junior college transfer, and freshman Cassie Kleinsmith drove in two of NU’s three runs to pace the Huskers (4-1).<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (1-1) picked up her first victory of the year, tossing 4.2 innings of scoreless relief. Fellow sophomore right-hander Jaime Borg made her first career start and allowed only one hit in 2.1 innings of work. Ashley Perkins took the loss for New Mexico, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits in a complete-game effort.

 

The Huskers cracked the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore Jamie Waldecker singled with one out and advanced to second when sophomore Carmen Kier drew a two-out walk. With runners at first and second, Rock doubled to right-center field to score Waldecker with the game’s first run.

 

NU added a second run in the fifth on Kleinsmith’s RBI single. Junior Sheena Lawrick reached on a one-out single and stole second before Kleinsmith drove her home to put the Huskers’ ahead 2-0.

 

The Huskers closed out the scoring with one run in the seventh. Junior Jessica Yoachim reached on an error by the shortstop to start the inning and Lawrick followed with a single. On Lawrick’s single, Yoachim scored and Lawrick wound up on second after a throwing error by New Mexico’s left fielder Kristina Schmallen.

 

The Huskers first threatened in the top of the second when they loaded the bases with only one out. Junior Trisha Tannahill reached on an error, Waldecker drew a one-out walk and junior KoKo Tacha followed with a single. After Kier was ruled to have swung on a 2-2 pitch in the dirt, Rock appeared to reach on an infield single, but was called out.

 

New Mexico threatened in the bottom of the third inning but was unable to break the scoreless tie. Following a fly out to right to start the inning, three consecutive hitters reached base via a walk, a hit batter and another walk. DeBuhr then relieved Borg with the bases loaded and one out and coaxed an infield pop out and a ground out to end the threat.

 

Nebraska finished Friday with a 2-0 record at the Classic after defeating ColoradoState 2-1 in the first game. On the day, the Huskers’ pitching staff did not allow an earned run, while the NU offense pounded out 17 hits in 56 at bats for a .304 average.

 

With four hits on the day, Lawrick finished the day 4-for-6 and now has a five-game hitting streak to open the season. Tacha and Rock each finished the day with three hits.

 

Nebraska resumes play at the Troy Cox Classic tomorrow when it faces Texas-San Antonio at 10 a.m. (CST). Live stats will be available by clicking on “Live Stats” on the left menu bar on the Huskers.com main page. It was also announced today that the Huskers’ Sunday contest with New MexicoState will be video streamed live on HuskerNside.com, the Nebraska Athletic Department’s premium website.