KU Knocks Off Nebraska, 2-0, Moves On to Big 12 Final
May 12, 2006
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OKLAHOMA CITY –
Kansas softball knocked off second-seeded Nebraska, 2-0, Friday at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium to advance to the 2006 Big 12 Championship game for the first time in conference history. The sixth-seeded Jayhawks (33-24) have won six straight games and will face either No. 5 Oklahoma or No. 7 Missouri in the championship Saturday at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks capitalized off four Husker errors to score runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Nebraska (42-10), ranked 14th in the nation, is the second top 25 team defeated by KU in as many days. The Jayhawks knocked off third-seeded, #19 Baylor, 5-1, Thursday in their first game of the tournament.
Destiny Frankenstein, who scored both of KU’s runs, and Serena Settlemier, the 2006 Big 12 Player of the Year, each notched hits in the win. The Jayhawk defense was errorless for the second straight game.
After leading off with a bunt single in the top of the fifth, Frankenstein advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Moppin. With one out, Heather Stanley grounded out to first base, allowing Frankenstein to move to third. Nettie Fierros reached on a fielding error by Husker third baseman Carmen Kier and Frankenstein scored on the hit-and-run, 1-0.
The Jayhawks added an insurance run in the top of the seventh off two Nebraska errors. Frankenstein reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Husker catcher Jamie Waldecker. With two outs, NU second baseman Jessica Yoachim mishandled a Stanley grounder and Frankenstein scored the Jayhawks’ second run of the game from third.
All-Big 12 First Team pitcher Kassie Humphreys (16-16) held the Huskers scoreless for her eighth complete-game shutout of the season. Humphreys struck out seven, gave up just three hits and walked one in seven innings to get her fourth straight win in the circle.
NU ace Ashley DeBuhr (24-8) was solid for the Huskers, fanning 10 Jayhawks, allowing just two hits and walking one in the seven-inning effort.
With a win against Missouri Friday night (7 p.m.), Oklahoma will move on to face the Jayhawks in the championship game. Should the Tigers win Friday night, the teams will play an elimination game Saturday at 11 a.m., with the winner advancing to the final.
All of KU’s Big 12 Championship games are broadcast live on KLWN 1320 AM with Jud Easterday and Aaron Clopton calling the action. Live Gametracker is also available for all games.
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