Huskers Rally Past No. 19 Baylor

Lincoln ? The No. 16 Nebraska softball team twice rallied from one-run deficits and scored five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to earn a 7-4 win over No. 19 Baylor on Saturday in front of 948 fans at Bowlin Stadium.

 

The Huskers improved to 32-7 overall and 6-3 in the Big 12 Conference with the win, which also secured a series split with the hot-hitting Lady Bears. Baylor fell to 28-17 and 7-5.

 

Freshman right-hander Molly Hill improved to 17-1 this season. Hill fought hard to earn the win, allowing four runs on 10 hits while tossing her first complete game in Big 12 play.

 

Lisa Ferguson, who earned the win in Friday's game, took the loss for Baylor. Ferguson (15-11) allowed four runs (three earned) in 1.1 innings of relief. Ashley Monceaux started and surrendered just two unearned run in 3.2 innings.

 

Baylor used the long ball to build a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and added two more solo home runs in the fourth and seventh innings. In four league games this week, the Lady Bears solidified their ranking as the top power-hitting team in the conference by slugging 12 home runs.

 

The home runs did not deter a resilient Nebraska. Baylor led 3-2 after scoring two runs in the top of the fourth before Nebraska responded to take the lead with a two-run fifth. Senior Lizzy Aumua drew a leadoff walk in the fifth and Baylor brought in Ferguson to relieve Brittany Turner. Senior Jessica Yoachim then reached on an infield single and a throwing error by Ferguson advanced Aumua to third. After Yoachim stole second, freshman Crystal Carwile singled to right field to score Aumua and Yoachim and give NU a 4-3 lead.

 

Nebraska added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Devin Porter took the first pitch of the inning to the gap in left center for a leadoff double. The Huskers put runners at first and third when senior KoKo Tacha laid down a sacrifice bunt and was safe at first when Baylor unsuccessfully attempted to get Porter at third. Senior Katie Linke then singled to left to score Porter with what proved to be the game-winning run.

 

Leading 5-3, the Huskers did not let up as Aumua recorded an RBI sacrifice that scored Porter. A throwing error on the play by BU second baseman Kyle Conroy allowed Tacha to score to give NU a 7-3 lead.

 

Baylor made things interesting in the top of the seventh before a great defensive play by Yoachim closed out the game. After a quick out, Kelly Osburn homered to cut the lead to 7-4. Harmony Schwethelm followed with an infield single to bring up the Lady Bears' No. 3 hitter, Brette Reagan. Reagan laced a line drive up the middle and Yoachim made a spectacular diving catch and threw to first to complete a game-ending double play.

 

Great defense also helped NU in the top of the sixth, as Yoachim fielded a grounder, tagged the runner advancing to second and threw to first to complete an inning-ending double play.

 

In a complete team effort, seven different players recorded a hit and four Huskers added an RBI. Nebraska also coaxed four walks and recorded four sacrifices. Yoachim's sacrifice in the bottom of the first was the 41st of her career, tying her with Gloria Von Rentzell for the school record.

 

After hitting four home runs in a 7-3 win on Saturday, Baylor took its first lead of the game when Reagan homered to left in the top of the first.

 

Nebraska answered the run in the bottom of the frame. Aumua led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice slap from Yoachim. Junior Jamie Waldecker was then retired on a great diving stop by the second baseman. Carwile then popped a ball into shallow left field that was misplayed by the shortstop, allowing Aumua to score the game’s tying run.

 

Senior Trisha Tannahill followed with a double to the gap in right center to score Carwile and give the Huskers a 2-1 lead.

 

Baylor regained the lead in the top of the fourth. ChelsiLake led off with a home run to tie the game at 2-2 and a two-out bloop single from Jordan Daniels plated Monceaux to give the Lady Bears their final lead of the game at 3-2.

 

Nebraska then went on to outscore Baylor, 5-1, over the final 2 1/2 innings.

The win moves Nebraska into third place in the Big 12 standings behind Texas and Texas A&M and one game ahead of Baylor.

 

Nebraska returns to action on Tuesday, when the Huskers travel to Ames, Iowa for a 3:30 p.m. game with the Iowa State Cyclones. That game can be heard live in Lincoln on 105.3 FM and on Huskers.com.