Nebraska softball team falls in extra innings at No. 12 Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. -- Two-out runs came back to haunt the Nebraska softball team again on Saturday, as the 12th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners scored three times with two outs, including the game-winning run in the eighth inning of a 3-2 victory over the Huskers at the OU Softball Complex.

Oklahoma never led until All-American Samantha Ricketts recorded a walk-off RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. The single capped a 4-for-5 day for Ricketts, as Oklahoma improved to 29-11 on the season and 6-3 in Big 12 play.

It was a game of missed opportunities for the Huskers, who lost their third straight game to fall to 25-9 on the season and 2-3 in Big 12 play. Not only did all of Oklahoma's runs score with two outs, but every Sooner who scored reached base by either a walk or a hit-by-pitch. Extra innings were needed after a bases-loaded walk allowed OU to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth.

While the Huskers helped the Sooners in their two-out rallies, Nebraska missed several chances offensively to put more runs on the board. NU stranded 11 through the first seven innings, while the Huskers had five plate appearances with a runner at third and less than two outs in regulation, but managed to get a runner home just twice.

Two-out runs have been a costly theme for Nebraska in conference play this season. In each of the Huskers' three Big 12 losses, every run has scored with two outs. Two of NU's conference setbacks have been by just a single run - including two losses in the opponent's final at bat - while the third loss was by a score of 2-0.

On Saturday, strikeouts stuffed out a Nebraska scoring threat in the top of the first. Seniors Meghan Mullin and Darcy Rutherford led off with back-to-back singles before OU starter D.J. Mathis recorded a strikeout.

Senior Amanda Duran then walked to load the bases for fellow senior Brittany Pascale. Pascale nearly brought home the game's first run when she sent a hard grounder down the third base line that was touched in foul territory before crossing the bag in fair ground. Pascale then struck out before a pop out ended the threat.

Mullin got things started again the third with a leadoff walk. She advanced to second on a passed ball before senior Crystal Carwile was hit by a one-out pitch and the Huskers executed a double steal to put runners at second and third.

Just as she did in the first inning, Mathis came back with a strikeout before Pascale ripped an RBI single through the left side to give NU a 1-0 lead. The run also snapped a 17-inning scoreless streak for the Husker offense.

Oklahoma answered back with a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame. Amber Flores was hit by a two-out pitch before Samantha Ricketts hit a fly ball to left center that dropped for an RBI double, as Rutherford came up just short on a diving attempt.

The Sooners nearly took the lead one inning later. Katie Norris led off with a double before a wild pitch and a walk brought freshman right-hander Ashley Hagemann into the game. A stolen base put runners at second and third with no outs before Hagemann coaxed a pair of pop outs and a strikeout to wiggle out of the jam.

The top of the Husker order again got things started in the fifth, as Mullin drew a leadoff walk and Rutherford followed with a bunt single. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third and after Carwile lined out to the pitcher, Duran laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to give the Huskers a 2-1 lead.

On the play, the Sooners threw home allowing Duran to reach safely, but Rutherford was thrown out at third after rounding the base too far. The next two batters then walked on nine pitches to load the bases before sophomore pinch-hitter Kelli Linke lined an 0-1 pitch into center that went right to OU's Krystle Huey.

After escaping an inherited jam in the fourth, Hagemann created her own trouble in the bottom of the fifth. She quickly retired the first two hitters, before allowing a two-out double.

Hagemann then walked the next two batters on nine pitches to load the bases before forcing in the tying run with a four-pitch walk to Karolyne Long. Senior starter Molly Hill then came back into the game and recorded a ground out to keep the game tied.

In the bottom of the eighth, Hill issued a leadoff walk and with two outs and first base open she intentionally walked Flores to put runners at first and second. Ricketts then ended the game with her fourth hit of the day, as her grounder found its way into center field for the game-winning hit.

Hill (15-6) took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits in 6.0 innings of work. Hagemann was charged with one run on only one hit in 1.2 innings, while the duo combined to walk eight and hit two. Alle Allen (13-2) earned the win in relief for OU, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing only two hits and striking out five.

Offensively, Mullin scored both Husker runs while adding a single and a pair of walks. Rutherford went 3-for-4, while Duran and Pascale accounted for NU's other two hits. The Huskers were out-hit 7-6 in the game.

Nebraska will look for a split in the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.