Huskers Knock Off Jayhawks, 7-3

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lawrence, Kan. ? Sophomore Jamie Waldecker homered and drove in three runs and a five-run fifth inning propelled the Nebraska softball team to a 7-3 victory over Kansas on a chilly afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark on Wednesday.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (12-9) was perfect through four innings in picking up her 12th victory of the season for Nebraska (21-11, 1-2 Big 12). DeBuhr allowed three runs on five hits in a complete-game effort, striking out 11. Kassie Humphreys (3-3) took the loss for KU (15-11, 0-2), allowing four runs on four hits in four innings of work.

 

NU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior Jessica Yoachim drew a one-out walk and stole second. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on a two-out infield single off the bat of Waldecker.

 

Waldecker gave the Huskers a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Leading off, she took the first pitch from Humphreys over the wall in left field for a solo home run, her fifth of the season.

 

In Nebraska’s five-run fifth inning, NU sent 11 batters to the plate and drew four walks and added a hit batter. Sophomore Devin Porter led off the inning with a double to left field. Freshman Cassie Kleinsmith then drew a walk before senior Anne Steffan struck out for the first out of the inning. Yoachim then singled to load the bases.

 

Senior Sheena Lawrick drew a walk to score Porter and Waldecker was hit by a pitch to score Kleinsmith and increase the Huskers’ lead to 4-0. Yoachim scored the third run of the inning when she came home on a wild pitch. Junior Trisha Tannahill drew another walk to load the bases once again. Porter then recorded her second hit of the inning, singling through the left side to score Lawrick and make the score 6-0.

 

Sophomore Carmen Kier pinch hit for junior Elizabeth Rock and drew another bases loaded walk to score junior pinch runner KoKo Tacha with the final run of the inning.

 

Offensively for the Huskers, Porter, Waldecker and Yoachim each finished 2-for-3 in the game.

 

KU’s Destiny Frankenstein broke up DeBuhr’s perfect game when she led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a deep home run to center field to put the Jayhawks on the board. Serena Settlemier hit another home run to center one batter later to make the score 7-2.

 

Nebraska returns home this weekend to host fourth-ranked Texas in a two-game series at Bowlin Stadium. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game can bee seen live on NET Sports and College Sports Television (CSTV).