Huskers End Big 12 Tournament

Oklahoma City - Despite another solid outing from junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr, the 14th-ranked and second-seeded Nebraska softball team was unable to find its rhythm offensively and committed a season-high four errors in a 2-0 loss to Kansas Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship.

The loss eliminated Nebraska (42-10) from the tournament. With the win, Kansas (36-24) advanced to its first-ever championship game. With the three remaining teams all seeded fifth or lower, the 2006 postseason champion is guaranteed to be the lowest-seeded winner in the 11-year history of the Big 12 Championship.

DeBuhr did not allow an earned run in the circle, stretching her streak to 23.1 innings without allowing an earned run. She allowed just a pair of singles and six baserunners, three of whom reached base via an error. DeBuhr also finished the game with 10 strikeouts without allowing a walk.

Kassie Humphreys (16-16) picked up her eighth shutout of the season, allowing just three hits while striking out seven.

Kansas used a leadoff bunt single and a key Nebraska error to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Destiny Frankenstein surprised the Husker defense with a bunt for the first Kansas hit off DeBuhr in 11.2 innings. Frankenstein then moved to second on a sacrifice, advanced to third on a ground out and scored with two outs when junior Carmen Kier misplayed a ball to third.

While the Jayhawks used small ball to manufacture a run in the top of the inning, Nebraska was unable to do the same in the bottom of the frame. Senior Katie Linke led off with a single before DeBuhr popped up a bunt to the catcher and Kier struck out after fouling off three bunt atempts.

KU added an insurance run in the top of the seventh aided by a leadoff single and a pair of Nebraska errors, including a two-out error that led directly to Frankenstein crossing home plate for the second time in the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Nebraska was retired in order for the third time in the game and the second time in as many innings. Offensively, seniors Trisha Tannahill (1-for-2 with a double and a walk), Lizzy Aumua (1-for-3 with a double) and Katie Linke (1-for-3) recorded the only hits for NU.

Nebraska now awaits word on its NCAA Tournament fate. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNews.