Huskers Sting Yellow Jackets, 9-1

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Columbus, Ga. ? After scoring only six runs in pool play, the 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team scored nine runs in 9-1 five-inning victory over 15th-ranked Georgia Tech to open bronze bracket play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. With the win, NU (9-3) advanced to the semifinals of the bronze bracket, while the Yellow Jackets (13-4) fell to the consolation bracket.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Sophomore Jamie Waldecker hit her first home run of the season, a three-run shot to cap a five-run fourth inning for the Big Red. Waldecker finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, while senior Sheena Lawrick capped an excellent day by going 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three RBIs. Earlier in the day, Lawrick went 3-for-3 with a home run and two doubles in the Huskers’ 3-1 win over Massachusetts.

 

Sophomore Carmen Kier also had a good night at the plate, finishing 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

 

Freshman right-hander Jordan Keen picked up the win to improve to 4-1 on the season, allowing one unearned run on six hits in a complete-game effort. Sarah Wood (2-1) took the loss for Tech, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits in 3.1 innings.

 

The Huskers got off to a quick start, scoring the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. Junior Jessica Yoachim reached on a one-out walk and Lawrick followed with a single. Junior Trisha Tannahill then drove in Yoachim with a single up the middle to put Nebraska up 1-0.

 

NU added three more runs in the second inning. Kier drew a one-out walk and junior Elizabeth Rock then reached on a fielder’s choice. Senior Anne Steffan followed with a single to load the bases and Kier scored when Yoachim singled to left field on a 0-2 pitch.

 

With the bases still loaded, Lawrick picked up her first RBI of the game with a ground out that scored Rock. Steffan also came home on the play on a throwing error by the second baseman.

 

Georgia Tech broke through in the top of the fourth inning. Savannah Brown reached on an error and advanced to third on back-to-back singles by Katie Donovan and Amy Hosier. With the bases loaded, Keen coaxed an RBI ground out from Stephanie Butler. Brown scored on the play to pull the Yellow Jackets with in 4-1.

 

With the bases still loaded, Keen buckled down and struck out Stephanie Butler and Liz Bartle to end the threat.

 

NU closed out the game with its five-run fourth inning. Kier, Rock and Steffan reached on consecutive infield singles to start the inning. After a pop out by Yoachim, Lawrick drove an opposite-field double to the wall in left center to score Kier and Rock.

 

Tannahill the popped out before Waldecker’s three-run home run that gave NU an insurmountable 9-1 lead.

 

Nebraska next plays Lehigh on Sunday at 10 a.m. (CST). A loss would end NU’s tournament and a win would put the Huskers in the bronze bracket championship game. Live stats for the contest are available by clicking on the above link.