Huskers Drop Second Straight to Houston

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Houston, Texas ? Houston’s Kristin Glowacz belted a school-record three home runs as the Cougars defeated the 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team 6-2 on Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Classic in Houston, Texas. Junior Trisha Tannahill hit her first home run of the season in the loss, the Huskers’ second straight to Houston after a 4-3 eight-inning setback on Saturday.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (5-4) surrendered four runs (three earned) in four innings in a losing effort for NU (12-5). DeBuhr allowed only four hits, but gave up three home runs. Angel Shamblin (5-2) earned the win for Houston (12-10).

 

The Huskers took an early lead with a lone run in the top of the first. Senior Anne Steffan drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the game and stole second. She advanced to third on a ground out by junior Elizabeth Rock before senior Sheena Lawrick drew a walk. With runners at the corners and two outs, Lawrick took off for second and got caught in a rundown. On the rundown, Steffan came home with the first run of the game and Lawrick ended up safe at second.

 

The Cougars tied the game in the bottom of the second when Glowacz homered to center field on a 1-0 pitch.

 

Houston added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth aided by back-to-back home runs. Glowacz sent the first pitch of the inning over the fence in right-center field for her second home run of the game. Jennie Davis then took DeBuhr’s next pitch deep to left to increase the Cougars’ lead to 3-1. A one-out double by Brandi Clark scored Michelle Keith with the third run of the inning.

 

NU threatened in the fifth inning with runners on first and third with no outs. Steffan led off with a single and Yoachim sacrificed her to third and reached first safely on an error by the second baseman. With Rock down in the count 0-2, Yoachim took off for second base. Rock swung and missed at the pitch and Steffan was thrown out trying to advance to home. Yoachim ended up at third, but Lawrick flew out to left to end the inning.

 

Steffan’s single extended her career-best hitting streak to 14. She finished 2-for-3 with a walk to lead the Huskers offensively.

 

Glowacz’s third home run of the game, a two-run shot in the fifth, put UH up 6-1.

 

NU scored its final run in the sixth inning when Tannahill belted her home run off a 2-0 pitch.

 

Nebraska continues its travels next weekend when its heads to Wichita, Kan., for the Wichita State Tournament, Friday through Sunday, March 11-13. The Huskers first game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Friday against Valparaiso.