Huskers Defeat UNLV in Dramatic Fashion

Fullerton, Calif. ? The 20th-ranked Nebraska softball team came from behind twice, the last time erasing a four-run deficit, to defeat upset-minded UNLV, 10-8, in both team’s final games at the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The Huskers fought back from a 2-0 third-inning deficit and an 8-4 fourth-inning deficit before taking the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. Trailing 8-4, Nebraska managed six two-out runs over the fifth and sixth innings to complete the comeback in dramatic fashion. For the game, nine of the 10 Husker runs were scored with two outs.

 

Prior to tonight’s game, NU had not come back to take a lead in any game this year in which the Huskers had trailed at any point in the game.

 

“It was great to have a come-from-behind victory,” NU Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. “I knew we hadn’t had one in a long time."

 

Senior right-hander Peaches James (14-5) earned the win for NU (19-11) in relief of sophomore starter Summer Tobias. In 3.2 innings, James allowed two unearned runs on two hits. James struck out five Rebels to increase her career strikeout total to 699.

 

Kacey Ellis (2-5) took the loss for UNLV (17-19), allowing five runs (three earned) in 2.2 innings.

 

UNLV opened the scoring with an unearned run in both the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. Leading 2-0 in the top of the second, UNLV appeared poised to break the game open.

 

With the bases loaded and no out, junior Anne Steffan threw home to force out Bridget Byrne before Morgan Bostwick lined into a double play. Tobias snagged Bostwick’s liner and tossed to third to complete the double play and end the inning with no further damage.

 

NU was able to come from behind and take its first lead of the game in the bottom of the third. Freshman Devin Porter was hit by a 1-2 pitch to lead off the inning and sophomore Jessica Yoachim’s sacrifice bunt moved Porter into scoring position. Following a strikeout by Steffan, Porter advanced to third on a wild pitch and the Huskers started their first of three two-out rallies.

 

Senior Nicole Trimboli had an RBI single to score Porter and junior Sheena Lawrick followed with a walk. With runners on first and second, sophomore Trisha Tannahill singled up the middle to score Trimboli and tie the game at two. Freshman Jamie Waldecker, a Garden Grove, Calif., native, followed with another single to score Lawrick and give NU a 3-2 lead.

 

NU

 then successfully executed a double steal, with Waldecker taking second and Tannahill coming home to make it 4-2. The Huskers' comeback from the two-run deficit was the first time all season it was able to take the lead in a game in which it trailed.

 

UNLV struck back with a monster fourth inning. The Rebels scored six runs in the inning, sending 11 batters to the plate. The six-run inning is the highest single-inning run total NU has allowed this season.

 

The Rebels were helped by two Husker errors and two walks, each coming with the bases loaded. Only two of the six runs in the inning were earned. The inning was highlighted by a two-out, two-run double by Bostwick, followed by an RBI single by Wendy Godwin.

 

Down 8-4, Nebraska used five two-out runs in both the fifth and the sixth innings to pull out the dramatic victory.

 

NU managed to claw to within one with a three-run fifth inning. Lawrick led off the frame with a double. With one out, Waldecker reached on an error to put runners on the corners for sophomore KoKo Tacha, who singled to score Lawrick and cut the UNLV lead to 8-5. With two outs, pinch hitter Katie Linke delivered a two-run single to right field on a 1-2 pitch to close the gap to 8-7.

 

The Huskers completed the comeback in thrilling, two-out fashion in the bottom of the sixth. Trimboli drew a one-out walk and then stole second. Lawrick and Tannahill each followed with a walk to load the bases. After Waldecker popped out, Tacha tied the game at eight with an infield single that scored Trimboli.

 

Senior Liz Lawhorn was then hit by a 2-1 pitch to score Lawrick for the game-winning run. Porter followed with a walk to score Tannahill and increase the lead to 10-8.

 

Revelle applauded the Huskers’ ability to stay calm and focused during their comeback effort.

 

“We were able to come back because we really stayed within ourselves,” Revelle said. “We took it one step at a time, one single at a time, one base runner at a time. I thought the team really pulled together to pull it out.”

 

Nebraska was led offensively by Tacha and the middle of its order. The Huskers’ Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters went a combined 4-for-8 with seven runs scored, two RBIs and four of the Huskers' six walks. Tacha finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and two runs driven in, including the game-tying RBI. Lawhorn finished with the game-winning RBI.

 

Today’s win capped an 11-day road trip for Nebraska. NU finished the trip with an 8-3 record, including a win over fourth-ranked Florida State and a 1-0 defeat to No. 7 Oklahoma. The Huskers return to action this Wednesday when they travel to Omaha to face Creighton at 5 p.m. before the conference season starts on Saturday and Sunday.