DeBuhr Pitches Huskers Past Rattlers

Tallhassee, Fla. ? Junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr tossed a two-hit shutout and fanned 10 to lead the 15th-ranked Nebraska softball team to a 3-0 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday in the final game of pool play at the Florida State Invitational.

 

DeBuhr (6-2) struck out seven of the first nine batters she faced and retired the final 11 hitters. Offensively, NU (14-3) scored three runs on eight hits, continuing its early-season production. The Huskers have scored more runs in the first 17 games of the season than any other team in the 31-year history of Nebraska softball.

 

Nebraska cracked the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Three consecutive singles from junior Carmen Kier and seniors Lizzy Aumua and Jessica Yoachim loaded the bases with one out. On a wild play, the Huskers scored two runs when the first pitch to junior Jamie Waldecker was in the dirt and got away from the catcher. That allowed Kier to score, but after the catcher was unable to find the ball, Aumua scored from second and Yoachim advanced to third.

 

Waldecker then put the Huskers up 3-0 when she successfully executed a squeeze bunt to score Yoachim.

 

Florida A&M spoiled DeBuhr’s no-hit bid and threatened to score in the bottom of the fourth. Tiffany Johnson reached on a bloop single and Kenycia Bird followed with a bunt single. The runners advanced to second and third on a sacrifice, but DeBuhr got Alacia Stafford to foul out to end the inning.

 

The Huskers tried to add an insurance run with a two-out rally in the top of the seventh. Aumua reached on an error and Yoachim recorded her third hit of the game. With runners on second and third, Waldecker flew out to center to end the threat.

 

DeBuhr then retired the Rattlers in order in the seventh to secure the victory.

 

Yoachim paced the NU offense, finishing 3-for-4 as six Huskers collected a hit in the win.

 

Nebraska finished pool play with a 2-1 record and advanced to the gold championship bracket. The Huskers will play tonight at 5 p.m. (central) against Indiana.