Huskers Upset No. 3 California, 3-0

Columbus, Ga. ?  Senior right-handed pitcher Peaches James tossed a five-hit shutout to lead the No. 14 Nebraska softball team to a 3-0 upset of third-ranked California (15-2) Saturday night at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. James, who improved to 6-3 on the season, yielded just four walks and struck out one in her seventh complete game of 2004. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

NU tallied five hits off <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Cal pitchers Kelly Anderson and Kristina Thorson, surpassing its production from its first three pool play games of the tournament. Junior first baseman Sheena Lawrick led the Huskers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

 

“I think the big difference for us between yesterday and today was that we capitalized on our scoring opportunities,” NU Coach Rhonda Revelle said. “None of it came easily, but we just hung in there.

 

“I also thought that all day, both Peaches and Summer (Tobias) threw with courage and conviction, and the defense played beautifully behind them.”

 

With the win, Nebraska improved to 8-6 overall and evened its NFCA Leadoff Classic record to 2-2. NU, the eighth seed in the tournament’s silver bracket after going 1-2 in pool play, will now face Notre Dame at 10 a.m. CST Sunday in the silver semifinals. The winner will advance to the silver bracket championship game at noon Sunday.

 

The last time Nebraska defeated a team ranked in the nation’s top three was also against Cal. NU upset the No. 3 Bears, 6-1, Feb. 15, 2003, at the UNLV Classic. Nebraska is 14-8 all-time vs. California and has won the last three meetings in the series.

 

Today’s victory was also NU’s second win over a top-10 team in 2004. The Huskers defeated No. 7 Michigan Feb. 14 at the UNLV Classic.

 

Anderson (9-1) took the loss for California. Anderson threw the first 1.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while yielding three walks and striking out one.  Thorson threw the final 4.2 innings and allowed two hits but did not give up a run.

 

For the first time in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, the Huskers scored in the first inning. Anne Steffan led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on a Cal throwing error. Lawrick followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Nicole Trimboli then hit a sacrifice bunt, scoring Steffan for the 1-0 lead. After Trisha Tannahill grounded out and Jocelyn Evans walked, Britney Yolo reached on an error by California third baseman Vicky Galindo. Lawrick scored on the error, increasing the Huskers’ advantage to 2-0. James then struck out to end the inning.

 

Nebraska added another run in the second. Anderson walked Lawhorn and Carmen Kier to lead off the inning, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Steffan. Lawrick then ripped an RBI single to right, plating Lawrick for the 3-0 lead. Cal then made a pitching change, bringing in Thorson, who got the next two outs.

 

Cal threatened to score in the top of the seventh. With runners on first and second and two outs, Galindo flied out to right, as Liz Lawhorn made a diving catch to secure the win.

 

“Liz gave everything on that diving catch,” Revelle said. “There were so many standout performances today. It was just a wonderful team effort.”