Tannahill's Slam Powers Huskers to 4-1 Win

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Waco, Texas ? Junior Trisha Tannahill hit a two-out grand slam in the third inning to give sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr all the run support she would need in the Huskers’ 4-1 victory over the ninth-ranked Baylor Lady Bears on Saturday at Getterman Stadium.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Tannahill’s grand slam was the first of her career and her second round-tripper of the season. Following the home run, which erased a 1-0 Baylor lead, DeBuhr retired 15 of the final 16 hitters to preserve the victory.

 

DeBuhr improved to 14-11 with the win, allowing just one run on three hits in a complete-game effort for NU (24-13, 2-4 Big 12). The win was the Huskers’ seventh straight over Baylor and 23rd win in the last 24 series meetings.

 

"I just thought whe was a bulldog," NU Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel said of DeBuhr's performance. "Anytime they seemed to think they had something going, she put an end to it. That was really nice to see. The key moment was after Trisha's home run, Ashley retired the next four hitters."

 

The loss dropped Baylor to 36-6 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12 Conference. It also marked just the second time in 34 games that the Lady Bears lost when scoring first.

 

Baylor struck for the game’s first run in the bottom of the second. Tessa Lynam led off with a single and Stephanie Pomes followed with a walk. After a strikeout, both runners moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt from Carrie Leerberg. Melissa Huffhines then hit a bloop single to right field to score Lynam. Pomes also tried to score on the play, but was thrown out by NU right fielder Elizabeth Rock.

 

NU struck back immediately to take a 4-1 lead after Tannahill’s grand slam in the top of the third inning. Rock reached on a throwing error by the pitcher and senior Anne Steffan was hit by an 0-2 pitch to put runners on first and second. Junior Jessica Yoachim loaded the bases with an infield single.

 

Senior Sheena Lawrick then flew out to center field. It appeared Rock might tag up on the play, but a solid throw from Baylor centerfielder Harmony Schwethelm kept Rock at third. Sophomore Jamie Waldecker then popped out before Tannahill stepped to the plate. Tannahill worked the count to 3-1 before clearing the bases with a home run to right-center field.

 

Nebraska and Baylor wrap up the series tomorrow at Noon at Getterman Stadium.