Huskers finally get first Big 12 win of season

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By TOMMY DAHLK / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska softball coach Rhonda Revelle hasn’t had this reaction after a game in awhile.

“Yay,” Revelle said with a big laugh. “Let that be all I say.”

After being shutout 7-0 by Baylor in the first game of a doubleheader at Bowlin Stadium, the Huskers finally picked up their first Big 12 win of the year in a 5-0 game two victory.

“It (getting a conference win) was a sigh of relief,” first baseman Crystal Carwile said. “It really was. We came out, swung our bats and made some amazing plays on defense. We just kept on fighting and we finally got it.”

Just like during the past couple of weeks, the Huskers struggled in practically every area in game one. To make matters worse, Baylor’s Tiffany Wesley collided with catcher Ashley Guile at home in the top of the third. Guile left the game with a concussion.

Things looked bleak at that moment for NU, but the Huskers looked quite different in the second game.

“I was like, ‘Who cares, that (first) game is over with, they don’t expect us to come, and it’s like we are playing possum right now or something,’ ” pitcher Alex Hupp said.

After managing only one hit in the first game, Nebraska’s offense came alive in the bottom of the second in game two. Carwile led the inning off with a double down the right field line and was brought home on freshman’s Kelli Linke’s triple. Small ball and a Baylor error gave the Huskers two more runs in the inning and a 3-0 lead.

Carwile again came up big and hit an RBI single in the third.

Yes, the improved offense was a good sign, but Revelle was more pleased with the Huskers’ defense.

“The second game, I thought we pursued the ball more,” Revelle said. “If our pitchers can get us ground balls. then we need to get outs for our pitchers.”

The Huskers committed three errors in the first game but didn’t record any in game two. The defense helped Hupp throw a three-hitter.

Nebraska also got an amazing effort from junior catcher Brittany Pascale, who has dealt with shoulder problems all year and was forced into action after Guile went down. The position was already thin before Guile’s fall — a week ago, starter Amanda Duran was lost for the year with a hand injury.

Despite still recovering from surgery on her throwing arm, Pascale handled the pitchers well and inspired the Huskers.

“I tip my hat to her,” Revelle said. “She’s really been the leader of us as far as being guts and fire.”

Reach Tommy Dahlk at 473-7431 or tdahlk@journalstar.com