Huskers Bounce Back with 3-1 Win

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<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Columbus, Ga. ? Senior Sheena Lawrick went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a home run and sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr did not allow an earned run as the 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Massachusetts in the final game of pool play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

With the win, Nebraska improved to 8-3 overall and 1-2 in pool play. DeBuhr (4-2) picked up her fourth victory, while Jenna Busa took the loss for Massachusetts (1-3).

 

DeBuhr surrendered seven hits and allowed only a single unearned run in the first inning of a complete-game effort. She was helped offensively by Lawrick and fellow senior Kira Boerkircher. Lawrick tied her career highs with two doubles and a home run.

 

Boerkircher finished 1-for-1 with two walks, reaching base a career-high three times. Her two walks were a new career high, while her one base hit tied her career high. Junior Anne Steffan also enjoyed a good game offensively, finishing 2-for-4.

 

UMass took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. A single, an error and a walk loaded the bases with two outs when Lesley Ferrara reached on an infield single that scored Hilary Puglia with the game’s first run.

 

NU answered right back in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. Junior Jessica Yoachim fought back from a 1-2 count to draw a one-out walk and start the rally. Fellow junior Elizabeth Rock followed with an infield single and Lawrick tied the game with a double to center field. With runners on second and third, junior Trisha Tannahill reached safely on a bunt single as the runners held at second and third.

 

After a strikeout by freshman Cassie Kleinsmith, Boerkircher lined a single to right for her first hit of the season. The single scored Rock and gave the Huskers a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Devin Porter grounded out to short to end the inning.

 

The Minutewomen threatened again in the top of the second. Three of the first four hitters singled to load the bases with only one out for the middle of the UMass order. DeBuhr dug in and retired Puglia, the No. 3 hitter, on a pop out to second and the Minutewomen’s cleanup hitter KJ Kelley on a fly out to left.

 

Lawrick’s home run to lead off the third inning extended the Huskers’ lead to 3-1. The homer was a towering shot over the fence in right center field on a 2-1 pitch.

 

Nebraska now awaits word on which bracket it will compete in and which team it will face. Bracket pairings are expected early this afternoon. Check back with Huskers.com for complete details.