Jayhawks Top Huskers in Final At Bat

Lawrence, Kan. - After being shut out for the first 13 innings of Wednesday's doubleheader, the Kansas Jayhawks plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for a 2-1 game two victory over the Nebraska softball team at Arrocha Ballpark.

Trailing 1-0 with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, Elle Pottorf lined an 0-2 pitch into center field for a two-run walk-off single. Pottorf's hit marked Nebraska's first loss when leading after six innings since the final game of the 2007 season.

It was another disappointing result for the Huskers, who fell to 26-11 overall and 3-5 in Big 12 play. All five of Nebraska's conference losses have come by two runs or less, while all four of Nebraska's Big 12 road defeats have come by a single run, including three in the opponent's final at bat.

The Huskers were lacking clutch hits again in the loss, as Nebraska had runners at second and third with no outs in the first and again had runners at second and third with only one out in the fifth but failed to score both times. The Huskers were just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the nightcap.

Freshman right-hander Ashley Hagemann (6-4) took the loss for NU. Hagemann faced just two batters in the seventh inning, but the game-winning run was charged to her. Senior right-hander Molly Hill, who tossed a two-hit shutout in game one, was effective again in game two. Hill tossed 6.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while working around four walks.

Val George, who entered the game on a personal five-game losing streak, allowed only one run on five hits in a complete-game effort. Her pitching helped Kansas remain tied with NU with a 3-5 conference record, while the Jayhawks improved to 13-22 overall.

In a game of missed chances for the Huskers, Nebraska wasted a golden opportunity to jump out to an early lead in the top of the first. A leadoff walk and an error put runners at second and third with no outs, but the next two Huskers both struck out on three pitches before a ground out ended the inning.

The Huskers did not miss another chance in the top of the third. Senior Haley Long was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and stood at third base following a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. Sophomore Kelli Linke then quickly fell behind in the count 0-2 before ripping a two-out double to center to score Long and put NU in front 1-0.

Kansas threatened for the first time in the top of the fifth. A one-out error and a two-out walk put a Jayhawk in scoring position for the first time. Sophomore Julie Brechtel then made a nice ranging play to her left to take a potential base hit away from Liz Kocon and end the inning.

In the top of the sixth, Nebraska had runners at second and third with only one out but failed to score again.

The Jayhawks also missed an opportunity in the bottom of the frame, as a leadoff single, a sacrifice and a walk put runners at first and second with one out. Hill escaped the jam by recording a strikeout and a ground out.

After the Huskers wasted a pair of one-out singles in the top of the seventh, Sara Ramirez led off the bottom of the seventh with a single before Hill was taken out. Hagemann came on and retired the first batter as Dougie McCaulley attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt but was called out for touching the ball in fair territory. Hagemann then allowed a single to put runners on first and second with one out.

Hill then re-entered the game and walked the next batter on four pitches to load the bases. She then jumped ahead of Pottorf 0-2 before Pottorf lined a single to center. Senior Meghan Mullin made a strong and accurate throw home to try and throw out the tying run, but Val Chapple slid in just ahead of the tag.

Mullin and Linke were the stars of a frustrating offensive night for the Huskers. Mullin finished 2-for-2 with a walk, while Linke finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and the lone extra base hit of the game, a double.

Following the conclusion of a four-game road trip, the Huskers return home to host 20th-ranked Texas on Friday and Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.

Box Score 2009 Nebraska Softball Nebraska at Kansas (Game 2) Apr 08, 2009 at Lawrence, Kan. (Arrocha Ballpark)

Nebraska 1 (26-11,3-5 Big 12)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Mullin, Meghan cf........ 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 Rutherford, Darcy lf..... 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Linke, Kelli dp.......... 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 Haget, Nikki pr......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Carwile, Crystal 1b...... 3 0 1 0 0 1 10 1 1 Duran, Amanda c.......... 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 2 Brechtel, Julie 2b....... 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 Foland, Heidi 3b......... 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 Barrett, Whitney ss...... 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 Long, Haley rf........... 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 Hill, Molly p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Hagemann, Ashley p...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals................... 25 1 5 1 1 4 19 10 7

Kansas 2 (13-22,3-5 Big 12)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ McCaulley, Dougie cf..... 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Chapple, Val 3b.......... 3 1 2 0 1 1 1 4 0 Kocon, Liz rf............ 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 Pottorf, Elle dp......... 3 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 Stanton, Ally pr........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jobe, Amanda 1b.......... 2 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 Crisosto, Stevie lf...... 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Hile, Brittany c......... 3 0 0 0 0 2 5 0 2 Fesmire, Kolby ss........ 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 Clark, Allie ph......... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Ramirez, Sara 2b......... 2 1 1 0 1 0 4 1 0 George, Val p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Totals................... 24 2 5 2 6 4 21 10 10

Score by Innings R H E ----------------------------------------- Nebraska............ 001 000 0 - 1 5 1 Kansas.............. 000 000 2 - 2 5 2 -----------------------------------------

Note: 1 out, 2 runners LOB when the game ended.

E - Foland(9); Jobe 2. LOB - Huskers 7; Jayhawks 10. 2B - Linke(3). HBP - Long. SH - Mullin(4); Duran(4); Jobe. SB - Mullin(16).

Nebraska IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP -------------------------------------------------- Hill, Molly......... 6.0 4 1 1 6 4 22 29 100 Hagemann, Ashley.... 0.1 1 1 1 0 0 2 2 10

Kansas IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP -------------------------------------------------- George, Val......... 7.0 5 1 1 1 4 25 29 92

Win - George (8-11). Loss - Hagemann (6-4). Save - None. HBP - by George (Long). Pitches/strikes: Hill 100/60; Hagemann 10/4; George 92/63. Umpires - Start: 6:29 pm Time: 2:00 Attendance: 728 Hill faced 3 batters in the 7th. Game: NU37