Husker Bats Come Through in 7-1 Victory

Lincoln ? The Nebraska softball team exploded for seven runs on 10 hits in a 7-1 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday in front of a season-high 1,031 fans at Bowlin Stadium. The win was the Huskers’ ninth straight over the Red Raiders and 16th in the last 17 meetings.

 

NU improved to 26-15 overall and 4-5 in the Big 12 with the victory, while Texas Tech dropped to 22-16 and 2-7.

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr had another solid outing, as she picked up a complete-game victory to improve to 16-13 on the year. She did not allow an earned run and surrendered just five hits, while striking out 10 to post her third consecutive double-digit strikeout game.

 

Erin Crawford (13-9) took the loss for Tech, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 3.1 innings.

 

Offensively, junior Elizabeth Rock went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while senior Anne Steffan, junior Jessica Yoachim and senior Sheena Lawrick each recorded a multi-hit game. Lawrick finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Yoachim finished a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.

 

Nebraska ended an 0-for-23 slump with runners in scoring position en route to taking an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Yoachim drew a one-out walk and Rock reached on an infield single. Junior Trisha Tannahill was hit by a 3-2 pitch to load the bases for Lawrick. Lawrick delivered with a two-run single to score Yoachim and Rock before a pair of ground outs ended the inning.

 

The Huskers nearly added another run in the second inning. Steffan reached on a two-out single before stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Yoachim then reached on an infield single and then headed for second. She was caught in a short rundown before Texas Tech threw home to get Steffan, who was trying to score from third.

 

Texas Tech cut Nebraska’s lead in half with a two-out rally in the top of the third. Natalie Enderlin reached on a two-out single and Jennifer Corkin reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Kelly Rhyne then brought Enderlin home with an RBI double before DeBuhr struck out Jennifer Bowers to leave pinch runner Brandy Moulin stranded at third and Corkin stranded at second.

 

NU answered back with two runs in the third inning. Rock got things started with a single and she advanced to third on a double by Lawrick. Both runners then scored on a two-run double off the bat of sophomore Devin Porter to put the Huskers ahead 4-1.

 

The Huskers added three more runs in the fourth to close out the scoring. Steffan reached on a one out single and advanced to second on an error. Yoachim then sacrificed her to third, but wound up safe at second following another Red Raider error. Rock then singled to score Steffan and Yoachim advanced to third on the play.

 

Yoachim and Rock both came home on a wild play. Yoachim scored from third on a wild pitch and Rock moved up to second. Rock then came all the way around to score when Tech catcher Lisa Lawler attempted to get Yoachim at home, but her throw ended up in right field allowing Rock to score.

 

Nebraska and Texas Tech wrap up the season series at Noon tomorrow.