Carwile Powers Huskers Past Aggies

Tempe, Ariz. ? Freshman Crystal Carwile belted a double and two home runs and drove in five runs in the 21st-ranked Nebraska softball team’s 7-2 victory over UtahState Saturday afternoon at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

 

Carwile drove in the game’s first run with an RBI double in the first inning that scored senior Lizzy Aumua. After a ground out in her second at bat, Carwile hit a solo home run in the fifth and a three-run shot in the seventh to produce five of Nebraska's seven runs.

 

In the circle, freshman Molly Hill (3-0) picked up her second victory of the day, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing two runs on five hits. Junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr stepped into a tough situation to earn a key save for NU. DeBuhr stepped in with the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom of the sixth and Nebraska holding a 4-2 lead. DeBuhr stepped in and retired all five of the batters she faced, including posting three strikeouts.

 

The win was the Huskers’ second victory of the day and third straight since a season-opening loss to No. 7 Stanford. Earlier Saturday, Nebraska (3-1) rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Cal State Northridge 3-2.

 

Nebraska started quickly against Utah State, scoring one run in the top of the first. Aumua led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice from fellow senior Jessica Yoachim. After a hard lineout by junior Jamie Waldecker, Aumua scored the game's first run on Carwile's RBI double to left.

 

In the third inning, the Huskers loaded the bases with no outs, but were unable to capitalize. Senior KoKo Tacha drew a walk, Aumua reached on an infield single and Yoachim coaxed another walk. Waldecker was the next batter and she hit into hard luck for the second straight at bat, sending another line drive to the second baseman, who made a leaping catch and threw to second to get Aumua for the double play. Carwile then grounded out to second to end the inning.

 

Nebraska cracked the scoreboard again in the top of the fifth. Aumua and Yoachim reached on back-to-back infield singles and the pair perfectly executed a double steal to put runners at second and third for Waldecker. With the count 1-1, Waldecker laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Aumua and Yoachim also raced home on the play before UtahState could make a play. Carwile then hit her second home run of the day, a solo shot that gave Nebraska a 4-0 lead.

 

Utah State cut into the lead over the next two innings to get as close as 4-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Whitnie Ray hit a solo home run to make the score 4-1. The Aggies threatened to tie or even take the lead in the bottom of the sixth before DeBuhr closed the door. Utah State loaded the bases with only one out and Amy Schaible drove in the Aggies' second run with an RBI single that spelled the end of the day for Hill. DeBuhr worked out of the jam and retired the side in order in the seventh to secure the victory.

 

In addition to Carwile's big day, Aumua finished 4-for-4 after going 2-for-2 in the first game of the day. Aumua, who is 12-for-15 on the season, has reached base safely in her last nine plate appearances and is 8-for-8 over that stretch.

 

Hill also produced a big day. In both games, the right-hander from Wayne was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, racking up 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings of work.

 

Nebraska closes the 2006 Kajikawa Classic on Sunday at 10 a.m. (central) with a game against Nevada.