Six-Run Eighth Inning Caps Husker Comeback

Ames, Iowa ? After watching Iowa State score four two-out runs in building a 5-1 lead through the first two innings, the Nebraska softball team responded with 10 unanswered runs, including six with two outs in the decisive eighth inning, to cap an 11-5 come-from-behind victory over the Cyclones at the Southwest Athletic Complex on Wednesday.

 

The win improved Nebraska’s record to 31-17 overall and 7-7 in the Big 12 Conference. Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (19-15) earned the win for NU, tossing a complete game, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out 11.

 

Alyssa Ransom (10-16) took the loss for ISU, which fell to 16-28 overall and 2-12 in the Big 12.

 

The game was tied at five when Nebraska exploded for its six-run eighth inning. Sophomore Devin Porter reached on a one-out single, but was replaced by freshman Cassie Kleinsmith, who reached on a fielder’s choice. Kleinsmith alertly advanced to second on her fielder’s choice after ISU failed to cover the base.

 

With a runner at second and two outs, NU mounted a furious rally. Senior Anne Steffan was intentionally walked before junior Jessica Yoachim hit a chopper to the third baseman. A slight bobble from Diana Reuter allowed Yoachim to reach first safely. With the bases loaded, junior Elizabeth Rock tripled over the right fielder’s head to clear the bases and put the Huskers ahead 8-5.

 

Senior Sheena Lawrick then singled to score Rock and junior Trisha Tannahill launched a deep two-run home run to right field to lift the Huskers to the final 11-5 margin.

 

Offensively, junior Katie Linke went a career-high 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Lawrick also had a three-hit game, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Rock went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Yoachim and Porter also finished with multi-hit games.

 

In the circle, DeBuhr surrendered five runs in the first two innings before settling down to toss a scoreless final 6.2 innings, including retiring 11 straight Cyclones at one point.

 

After being no-hit in their last game, the Huskers were quick out of the gate, beginning the game with three consecutive singles. Lawrick came up with the bases loaded and lifted a fly ball to center field to score Steffan with the first run. Yoachim advanced to third on Lawrick’s sacrifice and Rock stole second to put runners at second and third for Tannahill. Tannahill went down swinging for the second out, before sophomore Jamie Waldecker sent a line drive to center field where Fallon Johnson made a nice diving catch to end the inning.

 

Iowa State answered back in the bottom of the first to take a 4-1 lead. The Cyclones had runners at first and third with two outs following a one-out double and a two-out single. Ashley Killeen stepped to the plate and quickly fell behind in the count 0-2. She worked the count to 2-2 before singling through the right side to score Cary Akins with the tying run.

 

With two runners on, Diana Reuter came to the plate and like Killeen, fell behind in the count 0-2 before sending a 1-2 pitch over the wall in right field for a three-run home run.

 

The Cyclones added another run in the bottom of the second. Jen Bigbee led off with a double to the gap in right-center on a 1-2 pitch. She advanced to third on a past ball and scored when Kim Rodgers singled to center field on an 0-2 pitch.

 

All three of ISU's run-scoring hits came with two strikes and two came with two outs.

 

NU had a chance to cut into the lead in the top of the third. Just as in the first inning, the Huskers’ first three hitters reached base to load the bases for the middle of the Nebraska lineup. Lawrick came up with the bases full and popped out to second, before Tannahill grounded into a double play to end the inning.

 

After leaving four runners on base in the first three innings and hitting into two double plays, NU finally got a key hit with runners on base in the top of the fourth inning. Waldecker led off the inning with a single and Linke followed with another single. Porter then took a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left field for a three-run home run that closed the gap to 5-4. It was the first home run of Porter’s career.

 

The Huskers struck again in the fifth inning. Lawrick led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Tannahill and moved to third on a passed ball. Waldecker then drew a one-out walk to put runners on the corners. Linke then lined a pitch off Ransom that scored Lawrick with the tying run. Linke ended up safe at first with a single and pinch runner Kira Boerkircher advanced to second on the play. Porter then grounded into the Huskers’ third double play of the game to end the inning.

 

Nebraska returns to action this weekend when it travels to Norman, Okla., for a two-game series with the Oklahoma Sooners. Saturday’s game will start at 11 a.m. and will be televised by ESPN2. Sunday’s game begins at 1 p.m. and will be carried by ESPNU. Both games can also be heard live on KKUL and Huskers.com.