April 21, 2008

Lincoln, NE (UWIRE) -- The Nebraska softball team continued its struggles over the weekend with a pair of road losses to Oklahoma State 3-1 and 8-2 in Stillwater, Okla.

On Saturday, Nebraska jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third when Heidi Foland reached on an infield single, stole second base and scored on a line-drive single by Darcy Rutherford.

The lead wouldn't last, though, as Oklahoma State scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the third off of NU starting pitcher Alex Hupp.

Hupp took the loss, going two and one-thirds innings and giving up three runs on three hits while walking five. The loss snapped a personal three-game winning streak for Hupp. Molly Hill came in relief, giving up no runs on three hits in three and two-thirds innings of work.

Rutherford led the NU offense with two hits. Crystal Carwile, Kelli Linke and Foland had a hit each.

On Sunday, the Cowgirls scored early and often cruising to an easy 8-2 victory.

OSU scored one in the second and two in the third, making it 3-0 before Carwile blasted her seventh home run of the season to make it 3-1.

A four run sixth inning, however, would seal the deal for OSU.

Hill took the loss, going four and two-thirds innings giving up six runs on eight hits. Hupp came in relief and was unable to record an out, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and walked two.

Linke made her college pitching debut, coming in relief of Hupp. She went one and one-third inning and gave up no runs on one hit.

Carwile led the way for the offense, scoring both runs for the Huskers.

Meghan Mullin, Linke and Whitney Barrett also had a hit each.

With the losses, Nebraska fell to 17-23 on the season and 1-10 in Big 12 Conference play.

Next action for the Huskers will be a doubleheader against North Dakota State on Wednesday at Bowlin Stadium.

(C) 2008 Daily Nebraskan via UWIRE