Nebraska Rallies for 3-2 Victory

Tempe, Ariz. ? Freshman right-hander Molly Hill tossed four innings of one-hit relief and the Husker offense scored three unanswered runs as the Nebraska softball team rallied for a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cal State Northridge on Saturday on the second day of the Kajikawa Classic at the Tempe Sports Complex.

 

Hill (2-0) was brilliant in relief of junior starter Ashley DeBuhr. In four innings, Hill allowed just one infield single and struck out five. DeBuhr tossed the first three innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out four.

 

The win improved Nebraska’s record to 2-1 on the season, while Cal State Northridge dropped to 1-2.

 

Offensively for the Huskers, freshman Crystal Carwile hit her first career home run to put NU on the board and senior Jessica Yoachim drove in the game-winning run with a bases-loaded walk that scored junior Carmen Kier in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Lizzy Aumua had another outstanding game at the plate, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk. Aumua has now reached base safely in nine of her first 12 plate appearances of the 2006 season.

 

Cal State Northridge was the aggressor early on, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Amanda Peek led off with a double, but it appeared DeBuhr would work out of the jam. DeBuhr got two quick outs before Janine Grund deposited a 1-1 pitch over the wall in center for a two-run shot that gave the Matadors an early 2-0 lead.

 

In the bottom of the first, Nebraska was prepared to answer but ran into some tough hitting luck. Aumua led off with an infield single and stole second base. With one out, junior Jamie Waldecker hit a hard shot to third, where CSUN’s Kelly Zakosek made a diving stop. Waldecker reached first safely, but Zakosek’s stop kept Aumua at second. Senior Trisha Tannahill was the next batter and she laced a line drive that ricocheted off Zakosek’s glove and to the shortstop, who started an inning-ending double play.

 

NU did answer in the bottom of the second when Carwile led off with her solo home run. Carwile fell behind in the count 1-2 before belting a shot to left center.

 

With the top of the Cal State Northridge order up for the second time in the top of the third, the Matadors threatened again, but DeBuhr was able to work out of the jam this time. After the leadoff hitter popped out, CSUN loaded the bases on three consecutive hits. Heather Martin then fell behind 0-2 and fouled of five straight pitches before DeBuhr struck her out swinging. DeBuhr then coaxed a ground out from Jenny Cochran to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.

 

The Huskers also had their top of the order up in the third and after they threatened but were unable to produce in the first, they produced one run the second time around. Aumua led off the frame with an infield single and advanced to second on an errant throw from the third baseman. Yoachim then sacrificed her to third and she came home on a wild pitch.

 

Hill relieved DeBuhr in the top of the fourth inning and retired the side in order. In the bottom of the inning, junior Carmen Kier reached on a one-out single and DeBuhr, who remained in the lineup as the designated player, followed with a double to right center to put runners at second and third. With two outs and two on, Aumua drew a walk to load the bases for Yoachim, who drew another walk to score Kier and give the Huskers the lead.

 

Neither team mounted a serious threat the rest of the way as Nebraska held on for the 3-2 victory. The Huskers will aim for their third consecutive victory this afternoon when they face Utah State at the Tempe Sports Complex.