Feb. 26, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Robin Mackin tossed a three-hit shutout to lead the Nebraska Softball team (8-5) over No. 11/8 Georgia Tech, 2-0, Friday night at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Yellow Jackets stranded eight runners on base, including six in scoring position. The Huskers scored both of their runs in the seventh inning against Tech freshman Hope Rush.
Redshirt senior Jen Yee, a teammate of Mackin on the Canadian National Team, singled in the first inning to extend her hitting streak to 12 games. Junior Kristine Priebe and sophomore Kate Kuzma had the other Tech hits. Rush (5-2) allowed two earned runs on six hits and six walks. She struck out four batters. Mackin, a 2007 All-American, limited the Jackets to three hits. She walked two and struck out five.
Both teams had ample scoring chances early but were unable to score, including the first inning when they each had the bases loaded and one out. In the bottom of the first inning, Yee singled on the first pitch and then sophomore Kelsi Weseman was hit by a pitch putting two on with one out. Two batters later, Priebe singled to load the bases but Mackin was able to get out of the jam.
In the second inning, Nebraska loaded the bases once again; this time with two outs, but Rush got a strikeout to end the threat. Three of her four strikeouts on the evening came in the second inning.
Tech had another chance in the third as a hit and an error put runners at the corner with one out. Mackin then proceeded to Priebe on a pop-up and strike out Kuzma to leave two more on.
Nebraska had another scoring chance in the fifth as a two-out walk was followed by a double to the gap. With the runner heading home, a relay throw by junior Christy Jones in center to Weseman at shortstop to Kuzma at the plate preserved the scoreless game.
Both pitchers proceeded to settle down as Rush retired nine of the next 10 batters and the game quickly moved to the seventh inning still scoreless. Rush got the first out of the inning but back-to-back walks with one out gave the Huskers two on with just one out. Rush got ahead of Ashley Guile 1-2, but she worked the count full and served the 3-2 pitch into left field scoring the game’s first run. Mackin later added a sac fly and that was more than enough offense.
Jones drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Mackin retired both Yee and Weseman to end the game.
The 2010 NFCA Leadoff Classic continues through Sunday at the South Commons Complex and Stadium in Columbus, site of the 1996 Olympic Games. The Yellow Jackets still have games coming up against Arkansas (Saturday at 11:00 a.m.), No. 18/20 Louisiana Lafayette (Saturday at 6:30 p.m.) and Iowa (Sunday at 10:00 a.m.). Live audio and stats for every game is available at www.RamblinWreck.com.
