Huskers No-Hit in Home Finale

Lincoln ? The Nebraska softball team drew six walks against OklahomaState’s Marjorie Johnson but could not muster a hit as the Huskers were no hit for the first time since the 2000 season in a 2-0 loss to OSU on Sunday in the final regular-season home game of the year.

 

NU was last no hit on May 21, 2000 against Arizona in the NCAA Regional Finals in a 5-0 loss. Sunday’s loss dropped the Huskers to 30-17 overall and 6-7 in the Big 12 Conference. OSU improved to 32-17 and 7-8.

 

Johnson (12-4) walked six and struck out 11 in tossing the first no-hitter of her career. After walking seven and allowing four hits in Saturday’s game, the freshman again struggled with her control, throwing only 62 of her 122 pitches for strikes. It would not matter, however, as NU stranded all six of the runners who drew a walk.

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (18-14) took a tough loss for NU, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven. With her strikeout of Jennie Killman in the second inning, DeBuhr recorded her 236th strikeout of the season to break the Nebraska sophomore strikeout record, set by Jenny Voss in 2000.

 

Oklahoma State took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Courtney Totte drew a two-out walk and scored on an RBI double from Tara Jeffery to the gap in left-center field.

 

Just as it did on Saturday, Nebraska loaded the bases in the second inning, but failed to score. Sophomores Jamie Waldecker and Devin Porter and freshman Cassie Kleinsmith each drew a two-out walk before senior Kira Boerkircher struck out looking to end the inning.

 

The Cowgirls added to their lead with more timely hitting in the fourth inning. Jeffery was hit by a pitch to start the inning and stole second as Megan Carey struck out. She then came home to make it 2-0 on an RBI single off the bat of Dominique Van Nortwick.

 

Boerkircher drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth in what proved to be NU’s final scoring threat. Johnson retired the final nine hitters she faced to close out the game.

 

The game also marked the final home game for Boerkircher and fellow seniors Anne Steffan and Sheena Lawrick. The trio were honored before the game and have compiled a 164-65 overall record to date.

 

Nebraska returns to action on Wednesday when it opens a season-ending five-game road trip at IowaState. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.