No. 3 Texas Rallies Past No. 17 Nebraska

Austin, Texas ? The 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team saw No. 3 Texas twice rally from two-run deficits in the fourth and fifth innings, as the Longhorns posted a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Huskers on Sunday in front of 1,180 fans at McCombs Field.

 

Nebraska (20-6 overall, 0-2 Big 12 Conference) broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the fourth, only to see Texas (35-3, 2-0) score a pair in the bottom of the inning. The Huskers answered right back with two more in the top of the fifth, but the Longhorns added three in the bottom of the inning to provide the final margin.

 

The Huskers helped the Longhorns’ cause in both innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Texas scored one run, while only recording one hit. Freshman right-hander Molly Hill hit the first two batters of the inning and issued a one-out walk that loaded the bases without the aid of a hit.

 

Kacie Gaskin then ripped a 1-0 pitch to left center that scored a pair of runners to tie the game at 2-2.

 

Junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr then relieved Hill and did not allow any further damage, recording a strikeout and pop out to leave runners stranded at second and third.

 

It appeared the Huskers had once again taken control of the game after they plated two more runs in the top of the fifth. But just as they did in the fourh, the Longhorns answered right back in the bottom of the frame.

 

Just as a walk and two hit batters hurt the Huskers in the fourth, a key defensive miscue in the bottom of the fifth allowed Texas to score three runs and take its first lead of the game at 5-4. MicKayla Padilla led off the inning with a single to center field. Leadoff hitter Tina Boutelle then laid down a bunt that went right back to DeBuhr.

 

DeBuhr fielded it cleanly and threw to first, but no one was covering the base and the ball rolled all the way to the right field corner, allowing both Padilla and Boutelle to score to tie the game. DeBuhr then retired the next two hitters before Amber Hall sent a two-out homer over the wall in center to put the Longhorns on top for good.

 

Cat Osterman relieved Denny for the top of the sixth inning and earned the save, but not before the Huskers made things interesting in the seventh. Senior pinch hitter Katie Linke flied out to the wall in left for the first out, missing a home run by a few feet. Senior Jessica Yoachim then reached on a two-out error and junior Jamie Waldecker singled to put runners at first and second with two outs, before freshman Crystal Carwile struck out to end the game.

 

Denny (14-2) earned the win for Texas, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in five innings.

 

DeBuhr (9-5) was the hard-luck loser for the second straight day. In 2.2 innings of relief, DeBuhr surrendered three hits and was credited with three earned runs.

 

NU converted the first scoring opportunity for either team in the top of the fourth when NU took its first lead. Waldecker drew a leadoff walk and after a fielder’s choice, senior Trisha Tannahill drew a walk. Senior KoKo Tacha then fell behind in the count 0-2 and after a ball, fouled off three straight pitches before lacing a line drive to the gap in right center that scored Carwile and Tannahill to put the Huskers up 2-0.

 

The Huskers' fifth-inning rally came in much the same fashion. Senior Lizzy Aumua reached on a one-out single and Yoachim reached when her slap was misplayed by the Texas third baseman. Waldecker then took the first pitch she saw to the wall in right center for a two-run double that brought Aumua and Yoachim home to give Nebraska its final lead at 4-2.

 

Waldecker was the star offensively for NU, finishing 3-for-3 with a walk, a double and two RBIs. Tacha finished 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Aumua and junior Carmen Kier also recorded hits. Nebraska, which out-hit Texas 6-5, lost for the first time all season when out-hitting the opponent. NU is now 18-1 this season when out-hitting the opponent.

 

In the first league start of her career, Hill allowed two runs on only two hits in 3.1 innings. Hill had allowed just one base runner through the first three innings before surrendering the two hit batters, walk and double in the fourth.

 

Nebraska returns to action on Tuesday, when the Huskers travel to Omaha to face Creighton at 6 p.m.