Huskers Upset Fourth-Ranked Seminoles

Fullerton, Calif. - Senior right-hander Peaches James outdueled Florida State left-hander Jessica van der Linden on Thursday in a matchup of two of the top pitchers in the nation. James (13-4), improved to 4-1 against ranked teams this season and 2-0 against top-five teams in the 20th-ranked Huskers’ 1-0 victory over fourth-ranked Florida State at the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif.

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Nebraska improved to 18-9 on the season and 2-0 at the tournament with the victory, while Florida State dropped to 32-4 overall and 1-1 in the tournament.

 

James, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing only three infield singles and striking out five. The victory was the 74th of James’ career, which moved her into third place in career victories at Nebraska, passing her pitching coach Lori Sippel, who had 73 between 1985 and 1988.

 

The shutout was James’ eighth of the season and her second in as many starts against top-five teams. James also shutout No. 3 California, 3-0, on Feb. 28. After blanking the Seminoles, James has now gone 44.1 innings without allowing an earned run.

 

"Peaches set the tone on defense with her poise and presence in the circle," NU Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "The defense then made some key plays behind her. I thought it was our most complete game of the year."

 

Van der Linden (15-3), the reigning National Player of the Week, allowed her first earned run in 53 innings and only her fifth earned run of the season in 113 innings when junior Anne Steffan scored in the top of the first.

 

Steffan led off the game with an infield single and stole second. Following a strikeout by senior Nicole Trimboli, junior Sheena Lawrick singled to center to put runners on the corners for sophomore Trisha Tannahill. On a 3-2 pitch, Tannahill grounded out to first, scoring Steffan to give NU the only run it would need.

 

Steffan finished the game 3-for-3 and scored the game-winning run. Tannahill’s RBI ground out was her team-leading fifth game-winning RBI of the season.

 

Steffan, who is hitting a team-high .406 on the season, increased her batting average against ranked teams to .579 (11-for-19) with her performance against the Seminoles.

 

"When you have a game featuring two of the top pitchers in the nation, it was key that we were able to manufacture a run in the first," Revelle said. "I thought Anne [Steffan] was great today and really set the tone for our offense."

 

Nebraska secured its 18th victory of the season with some great defense in the bottom of the seventh. Van der Linden was hit to lead off the inning. FSU’s Lesley Palmer then attempted to sacrifice pinch runner Tatiana George to second, but was unsuccessful when first baseman Sheena Lawrick fielded the bunt and gunned down George at second base.

 

With a runner on first, the Seminoles’ Beth Wade hit only the second ball out of the infield against James. Wade sent a hard-hit line drive towards the gap in left center, where Trisha Tannahill made a nice diving grab for the Huskers. Elisa Vasquez grounded out to sophomore third baseman Jessica Yoachim for the final out.

 

The Huskers, 2-0 and in first place in Pool A, conclude pool play tomorrow with a 3 p.m. (CST) contest against No. 23 Arizona State.