Huskers Pull Out 2-1 Victory

Columbia, Mo. ? Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr held a potent Missouri offense to just one run on three hits and junior Trisha Tannahill doubled home the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth inning, as the Nebraska softball team upset the 15th-ranked Tigers, 2-1, on Saturday at University Field.

 

DeBuhr had a perfect game through four innings and faced just five batters over the minimum. She struck out seven and walked only two while improving to 21-16 on the season. The win upped Nebraska’s record to 33-18 overall and 9-8 in the Big 12 Conference. With one game to go in the regular season, NU is currently in fifth place in the league standings, but could finish anywhere from fifth to seventh place.

 

Erica Peterson (16-3) suffered only her third loss of the season for Missouri (37-11, 9-8), allowing one run on one hit in three innings of relief.

 

NU struck first when sophomore Jamie Waldecker gave the Huskers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second with a one-out, solo home run to right-center.

 

Jen Bruck broke up DeBuhr’s no-hit bid and tied the game when she a 2-0 pitch over the wall in right-center for a game-tying solo home run. The Tigers threatened to add more when they loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk, but DeBuhr struck out Leanne Bowers to end the threat.

 

NU answered back in the top of the sixth. Junior Jessica Yoachim drew a walk to start the inning and was replaced on the base path by fellow junior Elizabeth Rock, who reached on a fielder’s choice. Following a fly out from senior Sheena Lawrick, Tannahill doubled down the left field line to score Rock and put the Huskers up 2-1.

 

Missouri had a one-out baserunner in the bottom of the seventh, before DeBuhr retired the final two hitters to wrap up her complete-game victory.

 

Sophomore Devin Porter recorded the lone multi-hit game for either team, finishing 2-for-3.

 

Nebraska and Missouri close out the regular-season tomorrow at 2 p.m.