DeBuhr Dominant in No-Hit Effort

Lincoln - In a masterful performance, junior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr tossed her second career no-hitter and struck out a season-high 16 batters to lead the 17th-ranked Nebraska softball team past Kansas, 1-0, on Wednesday at Bowlin Stadium.

DeBuhr faced just two batters over the minimum, allowing only two walks. The Beatrice, Neb., native set the tone for the game in the top of the first when she struck out all three Jayhawk batters on just 12 pitches. She then struck out the side in the second en route to retiring the first 12 batters she faced.

DeBuhr not only started strong, but finished strong as the last eight outs she recorded came via the strikeout. Thirteen of her 16 strikeouts were swinging as she baffled the Jayhawks all night long. Her 16 strikeouts topped her previous season high of 15 and were just one shy of her career high of 17.

"Ashley threw a gorgeous game," NU Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "We talk about wanting to get an 'A' in softball and tonight Ashley got an 'A+'. (Junior catcher) Jamie Waldecker put it best when she said, 'That was the best game I've ever had the opportunity to catch.' "

With her outstanding outing, DeBuhr picked up her ninth shutout in her last 14 games and her second straight against Kansas. She improved to 19-6 on the season with the win.

DeBuhr's efforts pushed Nebraska's record to 36-8 on the season. The Huskers also improved to 10-4 in the league and moved into second place in the Big 12 standings after Texas A&M fell to Texas.

Kassie Humphreys (12-15), who no-hit the Huskers in a losing effort in the first league meeting between the teams, took the loss, allowing one run on three hits in 3.1 innings of work. Kansas fell to 27-22 overall and 6-8 in the Big 12.

Nebraska produced the only run DeBuhr would need in the top of the fourth. Freshman Crystal Carwile led off the inning with a single up the middle. Senior Trisha Tannahill was then retired on a great running catch by KU left fielder Betsy Wilson for the first out. Junior Devin Porter followed with a single to put runners on the corners for senior Katie Linke, who delivered an RBI single through the left side to score Carwile.

Linke produced the game's only RBI, while Porter finished 2-for-2 with a walk. Tannahill did not record a hit, but was hit by a pitch for the 10th time this season, a Nebraska single-season record. The hit-by-pitch also marked the 17th of her career, tying Jane Kremer's school record.

Not to be outdone, fellow senior and Kansas native Jessica Yoachim recorded her 42nd career sacrifice in the win, passing Gloria Von Rentzell for first place on the NU career chart.

Nebraska returns to action Thursday, April 27, when the Huskers host Creighton at 6 p.m.