May 10, 2008

Photo Gallery 

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Nebraska advanced to its first Big 12 Championship Game since 2004 with a 6-1 semifinal victory over sixth seeded Texas Tech on Saturday at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. With the win, the Huskers become the first No.10 seed to advance to the title match, which will be televised on FSN at noon on Sunday.

Nebraska jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead three batters into the top of the first as junior Crystal Carwile belted a three-run homer to center. Texas Tech answered back in the bottom of the frame. The first two batters reached on back-to-back singles before a one-out RBI single from Jennifer Bowers that landed just inside the left-field foul line.

The Huskers added two more in the second as junior Haley long hit a two-run single up the middle to score junior Darcy Rutherford and Carwile giving NU a 5-1 advantage.

In the fifth, a leadoff walk and a hit batter put Huskers on first and second with no out. Sarah Losleben came on in relief for the Red Raiders and recorded two quick outs before sophomore Whitney Barrett got caught in a two-out rundown attempting to steal second and she remained in the rundown long enough for Long to score from second to give the Huskers a 6-1 advantage. In the circle, Hill made her seventh straight start and third in less than 24 hours. In winning her third straight decision, Hill (15-16) surrendered just one run on eight hits in a complete-game effort. Hill also struck out five and did not walk a batter for the first time in 28 starts this season.

"I'm so proud of this group for everything that they've fought through," Nebraska Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "This is why you play the game. I'm looking forward to continuing to compete tomorrow and to play as one."

The Husker defense did not commit an error while turning two double plays to help Hill work around the eight hits. Texas Tech (23-36) saw its season come to an end with the loss. Ashly Jacobs took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) in only 1.1 innings. Jacobs shut out the Huskers earlier this season before picking up both of Texas Tech's regular-season wins against Nebraska.

Hill retired the final seven batters of the game to send the Huskers into their seventh title game in the 13-year history of the Big 12 Championship.