Huskers Bounce Back with 9-2 Win

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Las Vegas, Nev. ? A solid debut performance by freshman right-handed pitcher Jordan Keen and plenty of offensive production by the top of the order lifted the 18th-ranked Nebraska softball team to a 9-2 victory over TexasState at the Louisville Slugger UNLV Desert Classic late Saturday. With the win, Nebraska improved to 1-1 on the season, while TexasState fell to 3-2.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Keen (1-0), a native of Sarasota, Fla., tossed a complete game allowing only five hits and two runs (one earned). Katie Ann Trahan (3-2) allowed nine runs (six earned) on 10 hits in 5.1 innings of work for the Bobcats.

 

Offensively, the top of the Husker order set the table with help from the No. 9 hitter, junior Elizabeth Rock. Senior Anne Steffan and junior Jessica Yoachim, who bat first and second in the order, went a combined 6-for-8 with five runs scored, while Rock finished 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Steffan and Yoachim each finished 3-for-4 with Steffan scoring three times and Yoachim crossing the plate twice.

 

With Rock, Steffan and Yoachim consistently reaching base, Nebraska’s No. 3 and No. 4 hitters, senior Sheena Lawrick and sophomore Jamie Waldecker, produced six RBIs, highlighted by Waldecker’s two-run single in the fifth inning and Lawrick’s grand slam in the sixth inning. Lawrick finished 1-for-1 with a home run, four RBIs, two runs scored and three walks.

 

Despite a powerful effort from the Nebraska offense, TexasState scored twice in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Amy Hromadka led off with an infield single and Amy Krueger followed with another infield single, with Hromadka advancing to third following a throwing error by Steffan.

 

After a fly out, Hromadka came home when Waldecker's attempted pick off throw at third ended up in left field. The Bobcats added a second run in the frame when Kristin Gunter scored Krueger with a two-out double.

 

Nebraska broke through for its first runs of the game in the top of the third. Rock, a transfer from Mt.SAC, recorded her first career hit, a one-out infield single and Steffan followed with a bunt single. On Steffan’s single, each player moved up a base following a throwing error by the third baseman and Rock then scored and Steffan advanced to third on an errant throw by the right fielder on the same play.

 

After a lineout by Yoachim, Lawrick drew a two-out walk and stole second to put runners at second and third for Waldecker. Steffan and Lawrick came home to give Nebraska a 3-2 lead when Waldecker reached on a throwing error by the second baseman.

 

In the fifth inning, Steffan lined a ball into left field for a one-out single and Yoachim followed with an infield single. Lawrick drew her third walk of the game to load the bases for Waldecker, who came through with her first hit of the season, a two-run single to right field to give the Huskers a 5-2 lead.

 

Nebraska struck for four more runs in the sixth inning. Rock drew a one-out walk before Steffan and Yoachim followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases for Lawrick. On a 1-1 count, Lawrick sent a bullet over the fence in right-center field to clear the bases and increase Nebraska’s lead to 9-2.

 

On the day, four Huskers scored more than one run while three Huskers had multi-hit games, including junior Trisha Tannahill, who finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk.

 

NU Head Coach Rhonda Revelle was happy to see the team rebound from a loss to Tennessee earlier in the day.

 

"It's nice to get the first win under our belt," Revelle said. "Jordan pitched a very good game in her first outing and we had some bright spots, but we also have areas we need to work on."

 

The Huskers wrap up their opening weekend with a pair of games on Sunday. Nebraska is scheduled to play 16th-ranked OregonState at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) and UC Santa Barbara at 4:30 p.m.