Huskers Fall 1-0 in Extra Innings

Omaha ? The 22nd-ranked Creighton softball team hit just two balls out of the infield in 8.1 innings, but the second one proved to be the difference as Jessica Merkel hit a 1-1 pitch from sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr over the wall in right-center field to lift the Bluejays to a 1-0 nine-inning victory over Nebraska on Thursday night.

 

DeBuhr (15-13) took a tough loss for NU (25-15, 3-5 Big 12). She pitched a complete game allowing just one on four hits, including three infield singles. She also struck out 12, marking her ninth double-digit strikeout game of the season.

 

Abby Johnson (13-2) earned the win for Creighton (33-4), tossing a complete game six-hitter.

 

Offensively, NU out-hit the Bluejays 6-4 and lost for just the second time this season when out-hitting the opponent. Nebraska left 10 runners on base for the second straight game, including stranding runners in seven of the nine innings.

 

Junior Trisha Tannahill continued to produce at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with an intentional walk to pace NU.

 

Nebraska threatened in nearly every inning and had two runners on in each of the second, third and eighth innings.

 

In the second, Tannahill and sophomore Devin Porter reached on back-to-back one-out singles but were stranded at first and second following a strikeout by sophomore Carmen Kier and a pop out by freshman Cassie Kleinsmith.

 

One inning later, the Huskers threatened again. Junior Elizabeth Rock reached on an error and advanced to second on a single by senior Anne Steffan. Junior Jessica Yoachim then reached on a fielder’s choice and Rock was retired at third on the play. Lawrick reached on another fielder’s choice before Waldecker struck out to end the threat.

 

In the eighth, Yoachim reached on an error to begin the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice from senior Sheena Lawrick. Following a strikeout by Waldecker, Tannahill was intentionally walked before Porter popped up to second to end the inning.

 

Creighton threatened to win the game in the bottom of the inning with a two-out rally. Katie Ayers led off the inning with a bunt single and was replaced at first by Lauren Flores who reached on a fielder’s choice. Following a pop out, Johnson drew a two-out walk and Christine Fukumoto reached on another infield single when she hit a blooper that fell on the infield. The inning ended when Mary Egan sent a grounder to short where Porter forced out Johnson at third.

 

Nebraska returns home this weekend to host a pair of games agains Big 12 foe Texas Tech. First pitch for Saturday is scheduled for 3 p.m. and fans attending the Red-White Spring football game can enter Bowlin Stadium free of charge with their football ticket stub.