Hill Pitches Huskers Past Vikings

Lincoln ? Senior right-hander Molly Hill tossed a two-hit shutout for the second straight day to lead the Nebraska softball team past Augustana College, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Bowlin Stadium on the final day of the Husker Fall Classic.

 

Nebraska is now 3-0 in its opening tounament of the fall season, having outscored its opponents 10-0. Hill picked up her second victory of the fall, striking out nine while not issuing a walk. In 14.0 innings so far this fall, Hill has allowed just four hits while striking out 20 and walking just one.

 

Offensively against the Vikings, Nebraska pounded out seven hits and added one walk and one hit batter but could only produce one run. Senior Amanda Duran produced the game's only RBI as part of a 2-for-3 day. Duran had one of the Huskers' three doubles, while sophomore Heidi Foland also collected a multi-hit game while finishing 2-for-3.

 

Nebraska missed out on an early scoring chance in the top of the first. Senior Darcy Rutherford led off with an infield single and alertly took second when no Augustana player covered the base. She was left stranded there after a ground out, a line out and another ground out.

 

The Huskers cracked the scoreboard in the top of the fourth. Senior Crystal Carwile drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third with Duran at the plate. Duran then worked the count full before lacing an RBI double to the gap in right center.

 

A pair of defensive miscues nearly cost the Huskers in the sixth. After a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt left runners at first and second with no outs after NU was unsuccessful in trying to get the runner out at second. Hill then recorded an out before Ally Rutherford hit a grounder to third, but the Huskers were unable to record an out on the play after no one covered third base and freshman Jamie Gay then threw late to first. With the bases loaded and one out, Hill coaxed a foul out and a ground out to preserve the 1-0 lead.

 

Nebraska wraps up the Husker Fall Classic at 5 p.m. this evening against UNO.