Huskers Hang on for 4-2 Win

<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Las Cruces, N.M. ? Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr struck out a career high 11 batters and senior Anne Steffan went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a run scored as the 19th-ranked Nebraska softball team picked up its seventh straight victory with a 4-2 win over New Mexico State on the final day of the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M.

 

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska improved to 7-1 with the win while New MexicoState fell to 8-8. DeBuhr (3-1), a native of Beatrice, Neb., did not allow a hit through the first four innings and finished with a complete-game six hitter. Sarah Seagraves (6-5) took the loss for the Aggies.

 

It took DeBuhr only one time through the order to record her seventh strikeout and surpass her previous career high for strikeouts in a game. She struck out the side in the top of the first before striking out two batters in both the second and third innings to record her seventh punch out. DeBuhr also recorded the first 10-strikeout game of her career with a strikeout of Ashley Woods in the fifth inning.

 

Offensively, Nebraska pounded out 10 hits, its third consecutive double-digit hit game. The Huskers have produced at least nine hits in each game of their current seven-game winning streak.

 

NU scored the game’s first run in the third and threatened to break the game open. Junior Elizabeth Rock, Steffan and junior Jessica Yoachim reached on consecutive infield singles to begin the inning. Lawrick then picked up an RBI with a four-pitch walk that scored Rock.

 

With the bases loaded and no outs, junior Trisha Tannahill flied out to left and Steffan tagged up from third base on the play. Steffan appeared to beat the throw for the game’s second run, but was ruled out after a good throw by New MexicoState’s left fielder Cassandra Gonzales.

 

The Huskers added another three runs in the fifth inning. Steffan led off with a single and Yoachim advanced her to second with a sacrifice. Lawrick followed with a double off the wall in right field on a 3-0 pitch to score Steffan. Tannahill followed with a double off the wall in left to put runners at second and third with only one out.

 

Following a strikeout by sophomore Jamie Waldecker, Porter produced a two-out, two-run single to left center to put NU on top 4-0.

 

After being held hitless for the first four innings, the Aggies scored two runs on three hits and an error to cut the Huskers’ lead in half in the fifth. Ashley Roszkos scored on an RBI double by Rose Tirre. On the play, Mailei Hilva also scored on an error by Nebraska freshman left fielder Cassie Kleinsmith. Following a bunt single, NMSU had runners at first and third with one out before DeBuhr coaxed a pop out and a ground out.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, the Aggies loaded the bases with two outs on two one-out singles and a two-out walk before DeBuhr buckled down to strikeout Rebecca Lebsack to end the game.

 

With the win, NU went a perfect 5-0 at the tournament to claim the 2005 Troy Cox Classic championship.

 

The Huskers return to action next weekend when they travel to Columbus, Ga., for the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Nebraska’s first game is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CST) Friday, February 25 against Cal-State Northridge.