NU Pounds Shockers, 7-1

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Wichita, Kan. ? Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr allowed only three hits in a complete-game two-hit effort as the 18th-ranked Nebraska softball team improved to 2-0 at the Shocker Classic with a 7-1 victory over host WichitaState in Wichita, Kan., on Friday night.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

DeBuhr struck out nine while walking only one for Nebraska (14-5). She allowed only two hits, with both hits coming off 0-2 counts. Margo Pruis (5-4) took the loss for the Shockers (12-7).

 

Offensively, senior Anne Steffan and juniors Elizabeth Rock and Trisha Tannahill each recorded multi-hit games.

 

NU manufactured a run in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Steffan doubled to lead off the bottom of the first, extending her hitting streak to a career-high 16 games. Junior Jessica Yoachim sacrificed her to third with a bunt. Rock then successfully executed a squeeze bunt to score Steffan and Rock wound up safe at first as WichitaState elected to try to get Steffan at home.

 

The Huskers threatened to add to their lead in the third inning. Freshman Cassie Kleinsmith lined a one-out single to right field and Steffan followed with an infield single to put runners at first and second. Steffan’s single was her second hit of the game and marked her sixth consecutive multi-hit game and the 12th time in the last 13 games that she has recorded more than one hit.

 

A passed ball allowed Kleinsmith and Steffan to move up to second and third with only one out, before Yoachim popped out and Rock struck out to end the inning.

 

Nebraska struck again in the fourth inning. Senior Sheena Lawrick led off with a double to the gap in right center on a 3-0 pitch. She advanced to third on a ground out by sophomore Jamie Waldecker. Fellow sophomore Devin Porter followed with a double to right field that scored Lawrick and increased the Huskers’ lead to 2-0.

 

With runners at first and third and only one out, junior KoKo Tacha struck out swinging. Following a stolen base by Tannahill, Kleinsmith grounded out to second to end the threat.

 

Wichita State got on the board in the top of the fifth when Tawnya Guthrie homered to right field off an 0-2 pitch from DeBuhr.

 

NU answered right back in the bottom of the inning. Steffan led off with a double, her third hit of the game, and Yoachim followed with a walk. Rock laid down a bunt and beat the throw to first and Steffan wound up scoring from second on the play. Yoachim and Rock advanced to second and third on the throw home. Lawrick then drew another walk to load the bases.

 

After WSU’s third baseman made a diving catch on a ball off the bat of Waldecker, Porter successfully excuted a squeeze bunt to score Yoachim and put the Huskers’ up 4-2. With runners on second and third and two outs, Tannahill came through with a clutch hit, a two-run single up the middle that scored Rock and Lawrick.

 

The Huskers added a final run in the sixth inning. Kleinsmith drew a leadoff walk and Yoachim drew a one-out walk. With runners at first and second, Rock laid down a perfect bunt and in an attempt to get her at first, an errant throw allowed Kleinsmith to score.

 

Nebraska resumes play at the Shocker Invitational at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday against Missouri-KansasCity. Live stats for that game will not be available, however live stats for Nebraska’s 5:30 p.m. contest against Texas Tech will be available.