Huskers Stampede Bison

LINCOLN?Junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr pitched her fourth consecutive shutout and the Huskers took advantage of some costly defensive miscues Friday, as the 16th-ranked Nebraska softball team defeated North DakotaState, 8-0, in five innings during the first game of the Big Red Tournament at Bowlin Stadium.

 

With the win, NU improved to 19-4 on the season, while NDSU dropped to 5-18.

 

DeBuhr was masterful again in the circle, as she allowed only three hits while striking out seven Bison. The effort ran her season record to 9-3, while extending her streak of not allowing an earned run to 25 innings. The Beatrice, Neb., native has held opponents scoreless in each of her three home starts this season.

 

Senior left fielder Trisha Tannahill led the Husker lineup against North DakotaState with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, including a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Freshman Crystal Carwile also went 2-for-3 and scored a career-high three runs.

 

The Huskers came out swinging with a three-run first inning. Senior Lizzy Aumua hustled out an infield single to lead off before senior Jessica Yoachim struck out swinging. Aumua plated NU’s first run on an error at first base after junior Jamie Waldecker reached on a wild pitch following another strikeout. Carwile then recorded Nebraska’s second base hit before Tannahill’s first double into the left field corner put the Huskers up 3-0.

 

Nebraska used another NDSU error to add two more runs in the third inning. With Carwile on third and Waldecker on second with two outs, freshman Brittany Pascale hit a grounder through Bison shortstop Casie Conrad’s legs, allowing both Husker runners to score.

 

A three-run fifth inning brought the run rule into play to seal the Husker win. After Waldecker led off with a single to right center and Carwile reached on another error by Conrad, Tannahill followed with her second double of the game to drive in pinch runner Meghan Mullin. Carwile then scored after Conrad’s third error of the day with Pascale at the plate. The eight-run rule kicked in the following play, as junior Devin Porter pushed home Tannahill, who beat the throw home from third baseman Jackie Currie.

 

The Big Red Tournament continues Friday with game No. 2 of the triple-header, as North Dakota State faces Akron at 2:30 p.m. The day concludes with the Huskers taking on Akron at 5 p.m.