Unearned Runs Hurt Huskers in 3-1 Loss

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<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? Megan Willis went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two Nebraska errors led to a pair of unearned runs in the 22nd-ranked NU softball team’s 3-1 loss to No. 5 Texas on Sunday at Bowlin Stadium in front of a season-high 1,020 fans.

Cat Osterman (15-3) picked up the win for Texas (28-5, 3-1 Big 12), tossing a perfect 3.1 innings of relief, including eight strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (12-11) took the loss for Nebraska (21-13, 1-4) allowing only one earned run in seven innings.

 

Defensive miscues proved to be the difference in the game, as Texas’ last two runs were all aided by Nebraska errors.

 

Texas scored the game’s first run in the top of the fourth inning. Jacqueline Williams reached on a one-out double after her fly ball to shallow left field fell in between NU left fielder Cassie Kleinsmith and shortstop Devin Porter. Pinch runner Lizi Sowers came home on a two-out double by Willis one batter later.

 

The Huskers used patient hitting to mount a two-out rally to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Sheena Lawrick began the inning with a single. Sophomore Jamie Waldecker then reached on a fielder’s choice and was lifted for pinch runner KoKo Tacha.

 

With two outs, junior Katie Linke drew a hard-fought walk and junior Elizabeth Rock drew another walk to load the bases for sophomore Devin Porter. Porter worked the count to 2-2 before being hit by a pitch to score Tacha with the tying run. Texas then brought in Osterman in relief and she struck out Kleinsmith to end the inning.

 

The Longhorns took advantage of a costly Nebraska error to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth. Christina Gwyn reached on an error to start the inning and came home on another two-out RBI double from Willis.

 

UT added another unearned run in the seventh inning to increase its lead to 3-1. Amber Hall led off the inning with a single before UT loaded the bases on an error and a fielder’s choice where no out was recorded. Pinch runner Monica Askew came home on a fielder’s choice from Gwyn before DeBuhr coaxed a pair of pop outs to end the inning.

 

Nebraska was retired 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh. Offensively for the Huskers, Steffan and Lawrick each finished 1-for-3. NU managed just three hits in the two-game series against the Longhorns.

 

The Huskers remain at home for a pair of mid-week games against North DakotaState on Wednesday and Thursday. First pitch on Wednesday is set for 6 p.m. with Thursday’s game set for a 2 p.m. start.