Nebraska Beats Northern Iowa, 4-2

Lincoln? Junior Carmen Kier belted her fourth home run of the year and senior KoKo Tacha posted her second two-RBI game in the last three contests to lead the No. 19 Nebraska softball team (22-6) to its 22nd win of the year over Northern Iowa, 4-2, on Thursday.

 

Kier’s fourth home run of the year comes just halfway through the season after entering the year with just two homers in her career. Tacha's two RBIs give her 15 this season after entering her career with only 17 RBIs in her first three seasons.

 

Northern Iowa came out swinging with its first batter as Brittany Ruzicka immediately connected at the plate, punching a fly ball to left field that was too far behind senior Trisha Tannahill. Ruzicka advanced to third on a passed ball with Nikki Ferden up to the plate before Ferden scored her with a line drive that bounced off Carmen Kier’s glove on the third-base line for the Panthers' first run.

 

The Huskers were quick to answer in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Jessica Yoachim advanced to first on a one-out walk and darted to third on two stolen bases before a ground ball to right field from freshman Crystal Carwile brought her home.

 

With Carwile on base, junior Jamie Waldecker walked to first before Tacha continued the Husker scoring drive with a two-out single up the middle, bringing in Carwile and Waldecker to put the Huskers up 3-1.

 

The Panthers answered in the top of the second as Uju Ibekwe advanced to first after being hit by a pitch and second on a Kelly Papesh sacrifice. Ibekwe scored the Panthers' second run on a double to right center from Stefaney Shalla.

 

Junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr relieved freshman Molly Hill in the top of the fourth inning to earn the win. DeBuhr allowed just two hits and struck out six in four innings, as she improved to 10-5 on the season.

 

Hill tossed the first three innings, allowing three hits and posting five strikeouts.

 

Despite the chill in the air, Kier got the Huskers sizzling in the bottom of the fourth inning with a home run off the scoreboard in left field, putting the Huskers up 4-2.

 

Carwile, Tacha and Kier each produced RBIs on the night, while Yoachim finished with three stolen bases and Porter drew a pair of walks.

 

The Huskers will get a one-day break before facing No. 17 Oklahoma in a weekend double-header, beginning with Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and closing the weekend with a noon game on Sunday.