Huskers Fall in Tournament Opener

Tallahassee, Fla. - Cassie Palmer’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning lifted No. 25 North Carolina past the 15th-ranked Husker softball team, 3-1, Friday morning in the first game of the Florida State Invitational at JoAnne Graf Field.

 

Palmer’s blast ? the only hit in the three-run inning ? spoiled a solid start for junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr. DeBuhr (5-2) had shut out the Tar Heels until surrendering the home run.

 

In the decisive inning, DeBuhr walked the first batter and the next hitter put down a bunt and the Huskers tried to get the out at second, but pinch runner Marissa May beat the throw. After a fly out, Palmer pulled DeBuhr’s 1-0 pitch over the wall in left for the game-winning hit.

 

With the loss, Nebraska dropped to 12-3 on the season, while UNC improved to 15-5. Lisa Norris earned the win, allowing one run on five hits while posting a career-high eight strikeouts.

 

NU got off to a quick start, scoring one run in the top of the first. Senior Lizzy Aumua got Nebraska started with an infield single on a 2-1 pitch and promptly stole second. Freshman Crystal Carwile put the Huskers on the board when she ripped an RBI single to right field on a 2-0 pitch to score Aumua.

 

Nebraska would only get three more hits the rest of the way though, as the Huskers were outhit, 6-5.

 

DeBuhr tossed 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four.

 

Nebraska looks to get back on the winning track when it faces St. John’s at approximately 11:40 a.m.