Hill Pitches Huskers Past Bluejays

Omaha, Neb. ? Freshman right-hander Molly Hill tossed a complete-game three-hitter and allowed just one run as the 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team defeated Creighton, 3-1, Tuesday night at the Creighton Sports Complex.

 

Nebraska (21-6) was victorious, despite being held to a season-low one hit. Creighton (12-13) actually out-hit the Huskers, 3-1, but walks and wild pitches spelled doom for the Bluejays.

 

While the offense struggled, Hill was in command in the circle. Hill improved to 12-1 on the season with the win and also struck out 10 Bluejays to mark her fourth double-digit strikeout performance of the season.

 

Cassidy Nee (5-6) took the loss for Creighton. Nee allowed three runs on just one hit, but walked four batters in 3.0 innings. Nee also threw four wild pitches, two of which directly resulted in Husker runs.

 

Nebraska jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Senior Lizzy Aumua drew a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice from fellow senior Jessica Yoachim. She came home on a wild pitch for the game’s first run.

 

A wild pitch led to another Husker run in the top of the third. Yoachim reached on a one-out walk and advanced to third when junior Jamie Waldecker doubled down the right-field line. Yoachim then scored on another wild pitch. NU still had runners at second and third with only one out, but a pair of ground outs ended the inning.

 

The Huskers snagged their third run without recording a hit in the fourth inning. Junior Devin Porter led off for Nebraska, advancing to first after being hit by a pitch. Porter advanced to second and third on a pair of wild pitches and came home when junior Carmen Kier was credited with a sacrifice fly to left field.

 

Creighton plated its first run in the bottom of the sixth. After recording only one hit against Hill in the first five innings, Jamie Reiss singled to third base on a bunt and eventually scored on a double down the left-field line from Jessica German.

 

The Bluejays loaded the bases with two outs in the inning, but were unable to push another run across as Hill struck out Mary Egan to end the threat.

 

Hill then retired the side in order in the seventh to secure her 12th victory of the season.

 

The Huskers return home on Thursday for a 6 p.m. contest with Northern Iowa. That game will be aired on the Pinnacle Sports Network (1400 AM in Lincoln) and will also be streamed live on Huskers.com.