Home Runs Lead Bulldogs over Huskers

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Columbus, Ga. ?Freshman Cassie Kleinsmith belted her first career home run to break up a sixth-inning no-hitter but it was not enough as the 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team dropped its second game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., falling to No. 16 Georgia, 3-1.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (3-2) was hurt by the long ball in a complete-game effort for the Huskers (7-3). DeBuhr allowed four runs on seven hits and surrendered two home runs. Michelle Green (3-1) earned the win for the Bulldogs (7-6).

 

Kleinsmith belted her home run off a 1-0 pitch with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Huskers threatened to add more when senior Sheena Lawrick sent a two-out line drive to center field with fellow senior Anne Steffan on second base. Georgia center fielder Sojourner Moody initially came in on the ball, but made a terrific adjustment to make an outstretched catch as she was falling backwards to preserve the 3-1 lead.

 

In the top of the fourth, Jessica Doucette reached on a one-out single before Ashley Godfrey sent a two-out home run over the wall in right center to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

 

Courtney Knight led off the sixth inning with Georgia’s second home run of the game to push the Bulldogs’ lead to 3-0.

 

Georgia added another run in the seventh. Jessica Gilmore led off with a double and scored on a one-out infield single by Charvi Greer.

 

Offensively, NU managed only two hits, the home run by Kleinsmith and a single by Steffan. Juniors Jessica Yoachim and Elizabeth Rock each saw their eight-game hitting streaks snapped in the loss.

 

NU plays Massachusetts tomorrow at 9 a.m. (CST) in the final game of pool play. Bracket play is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.