May 10, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Nebraska softball team scored three late runs to erase a 3-1 deficit and rally for a 4-3 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night at the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City.

A three-run fourth inning gave the Jayhawks a 3-1 lead before the Huskers plated two runs in the fifth and the game-winning run in the sixth. With the victory, the 10th-seeded Huskers advance to face No. 2 seed Oklahoma on Saturday at 11 a.m.

"I'm very proud of this team," Revelle said. "They play with a ton of heart and they play hard for each other. Our whole lineup is contributing and I give a lot of credit to Molly tonight. Other than one inning, she kept them off balance for the whole night."

In a complete-game effort, Nebraska pitcher Molly Hill allowed just three runs (two earned) while striking out seven and allowing only six hits. Valerie George took the loss for Kansas. In relief of starter Allie Clark, George allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in 3.1 innings.

Nebraska took a 1-0 lead in the second as freshman Heidi Foland scored on an RBI triple from sophomore Whitney Bartett.

Kansas took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the frame, converting with runners at first and second with no outs. Val Chapple led off the frame with an infield single off of Hill and Liz Kocon then laid down a sacrifice bunt. On her bunt, Kocon advanced Chapple to second but she would up safe at first when the umpires met and determined that NU first baseman Crystal Carwile interfered with Kocon's ability to run to first.

Amanda Jobe then fouled off five two-strike pitches before shooting an RBI single up the middle to score Chapple with the tying run. On the play, a Husker error allowed the runners to move up to second and third. The error allowed Betsy Wilson to drive a two-run double to right to put the Jayhawks in front, 3-1.

Nebraska responded with two runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 3-3. In the sixth, Nebraska again got the first two runners on base before a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out for the top of the Husker order. KU recorded the second out at home on a ground ball from Mullin before a wild pitch allowed Foland to score the go-ahead run for the win.