Baylor Rallies for 6-3 Victory in 10 Innings

Waco, Texas ? The Nebraska softball team lost three one-run leads, including two in extra innings, in a 6-3 10-inning loss to No. 9 Baylor on Sunday at Getterman Stadium. NU took its final lead of the game at 3-2 in the top of the 10th, but BU’s ChelsiLake launched a walk-off grand slam home run in the bottom of the inning to give Baylor the victory.

 

With the loss, Nebraska falls to 24-14 this season and 2-5 in the Big 12 Conference and 0-4 in extra-inning games. Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (14-12) took the loss. DeBuhr did not allow an earned run until the eighth inning and finished the game surrendering six runs (four earned) in nine innings of work.

 

Lisa Ferguson (14-1) earned the victory for Baylor, which improved to 37-6 on the season and 5-3 in league play. The win also snapped a seven-game Nebraska winning streak in the series.

 

After putting at least one base runner on in each of the first four inning, NU pushed across its first run in the top of the fifth. Junior Elizabeth Rock reached on an infield single to lead off the inning. Following a strikeout by senior Anne Steffan, junior Jessica Yoachim reached first on a fielder’s choice and Rock was out at second on the play. That brought senior Sheena Lawrick to the plate, who hit the first pitch to the gap in right-center and Yoachim raced around to score and put the Huskers up 1-0.

 

Baylor tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out rally aided by a Nebraska error. Lake reached on a two-out walk before Osburn lined a single to left field. The ball skipped past NU left fielder Carmen Kier, allowing Lake to score and Osburn to advance to second. Kim Wilmoth flew out to right to end the inning.

 

Neither team scored in the seventh so the game headed into extra innings. Lawrick led off the eighth inning by homering to right-center field on a 2-1 pitch to put Nebraska back in front.

 

The Lady Bears answered in the bottom of the eighth with another two-out rally. Harmony Schwethelm led off with a single, but was forced out at second on a terrific diving play by Yoachim, the Huskers’ third baseman, on a ground ball off the bat of Carrie Leerberg. Leerberg then stole second and remained there with two outs after a ground out by Tessa Lynam. Lake was then intentionally walked to put runners at first and second for Osburn.

 

Osburn sent a 2-1 pitch into left-center field for a game-tying RBI double, her third hit of the game.

 

The international tie breaker came into effect in the 10th inning and Yoachim was placed on second for Nebraska. Lawrick worked the count to 2-2 before singling up the middle to score Yoachim and give the Huskers’ their third lead of the game at 3-2.

 

In Baylor’s half of the 10th inning, Schwethelm was placed on second and Katie Ottens attempted to sacrifice her to third. Ottens laid down a bunt and Schwethelm advanced to third and Ottens wound up safe at first when no one covered first base. Tessa Lynam then drew a walk to load the bases before Lake’s game-ending home run.

 

Nebraska threatened throughout the game, but managed just one run in the first seven innings. The Huskers had at least one runner in eight of the 10 innings and had the leadoff hitter reach base in seven of the final nine innings.

 

The Huskers nearly took the lead in the top of the second inning before hitting into some hard luck. Junior Trisha Tannahill reached on an error to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Devin Porter. Kier then drew a walk and junior KoKo Tacha reached on a fielder’s choice. On Tacha’s ground ball, Baylor attempted to force out Tannahill at third, but she beat the throw to load the bases. Rock then lined a pitch up the middle that was snared by Ferguson, who threw to second to complete an inning-ending double play.

 

Lawrick led NU offensively finishing 4-for-5 with a double and a home run and three RBIs. Tannahill went 2-for-5 to collect a multi-hit game.

 

Nebraska returns home on Wednesday for a mid-week Big 12 game with IowaState at 4 p.m. at Bowlin Stadium.