Huskers Drop Second Straight

Fullerton, Calif ? Lone runs in the first and seventh innings proved to be enough for the DePaul Blue Demons in a 2-0 win over the 18th-ranked Nebraska softball team late Friday at the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif.

 

NU, which had just three hits and left three runners on base, was shutout for the first time since a season-opening loss to Tennessee.

 

The loss spoiled a solid outing by sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr for Nebraska (18-7). DeBuhr (9-6) allowed one run on two hits in the first inning and then did not allow another hit until a one-out solo home run in the seventh. For the game, she allowed two runs on three hits while posting 12 strikeouts, one shy of her career high, which she set last night against No. 14 Washington.

 

Nebraska’s best opportunity to score came in the bottom of the first. Senior Anne Steffan and junior Jessica Yoachim drew a pair of walks to begin the inning. With runners on first and second and no outs, junior Elizabeth Rock struck out and senior Sheena Lawrick flew out to left field. Sophomore Jamie Waldecker then grounded out to third to end the inning.

 

For DePaul, Saskia Roberson led off the game with a single to right field and advanced to second when the ball got by Rock in right field. Dana Kenney followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. Jessica Evans then reached on a bloop single to left field to load the bases. Following a strikeout, Linda Secka hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Roberson with what proved to be the winning run.

 

Secka gave the Blue Demons an insurance run with a solo home run with one out in the seventh inning. Her home run was the first hit for DePaul since the first inning.

 

Steffan finished 1-for-2 with a walk for Nebraska. Her third-inning single extended her school-record hitting streak to 22 straight games.

 

With the loss, Nebraska finished fourth in its pool and will play host Cal-State Fullerton at 4 p.m. on Saturday in the consolation bracket.