Huskers Top Hawkeyes in 10 Innings

Iowa City, Iowa - The junior battery of Jamie Waldecker and Ashley DeBuhr lifted the 14th-ranked Nebraska softball team to a 1-0 10-inning victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Pearl Field.

DeBuhr was dominant once again in the circle, tossing a three-hit shutout as she stretched her streak to 33.1 innings without allowing an earned run. She faced just two batters over the minimum and did not allow a Hawkeye to advance past first base in any of the 10 innings.

While DeBuhr (25-8) was in control in the circle, Waldecker provided the offensive heroics as her two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning scored senior KoKo Tacha with the game-winning run. The game-winning hit capped a 2-for-5 day for Waldecker, who was hitting against her high school teammate, Iowa freshman right-hander Brittany Weil.

Weil (27-15) took the loss for the Hawkeyes (39-21), allowing just one run on five hits in 9.2 innings.

Friday's game was a pitcher's duel from the start. DeBuhr retired the first 11 Hawkeyes before Emily Nichols reached on an infield single with two outs in the top of the fourth. Nichols was then promptly picked off by Waldecker.

The Huskers' best scoring chance before extra innings came when they got their leadoff hitter on for the second time in the game in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Lizzy Aumua led off with an infield single, advanced to second on a sacrifice from fellow senior Jessica Yoachim. Aumua then advanced to third when Waldecker flew out to the wall in left. Freshman Crystal Carwile then struck out swinging on a 3-2 count to end the inning.

Erin Riemersma became Iowa's second base runner when she reached on a one-out bloop single in the top of the seventh. The Hawkeyes sacrificed her to second before Summer Downs grounded out to third to end the inning.

Nebraska threatened again with a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Devin Porter lined a one-out single into right and advanced to second on a passed ball. DeBuhr then popped out to short on a 3-1 pitch before Linke hit a line drive that appeared headed for right field before Riemersma made an outstanding diving catch on a ball tailing away from her to retire the Huskers.

Iowa got just its third base runner of the game when Mindy Heidgerken lined a single into center field with one out in the top of the eighth. The Hawkeyes then appeared to take a 1-0 lead when Sami Baugh hit a grounder that deflected off the glove of DeBuhr for a base hit. On the play, the ball got away and Heidgerken crossed home plate, but the first base umpire ruled her out for leaving first base early and there was no pitch.

Nebraska nearly mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth. Senior Trisha Tannahill coaxed a walk and stole second before Porter was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second for DeBuhr. DeBuhr fell behind in the count 0-2 and worked it to 2-2 before striking out swinging.

The Huskers had a golden opportunity to end the game in the bottom of the 10th. Linke drew her third walk of the game and senior KoKo Tacha followed with a bunt single to put runners at first and second with no outs. Weil then got the next two hitters before Waldecker lined a single down the left field line to score Tacha and lift the Huskers to the win.

Nebraska will play the winner of Friday's night game between 10th-seeded California and Illinois State at 2 p.m. on Saturday in day two of the double-elimination regional.