March 30, 2006
Box Score
LINCOLN, Neb. - A pair of early runs failed to translate into a win for the University of Northern Iowa softball team Thursday, as the Panthers dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 19 Nebraska at Bowlin Stadium.
The Panthers jumped on the board in the first inning, with Brittany Ruzicka (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) translating a lead-off double into a run on an RBI single by Nikki Ferden (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott) one batter later.
Nebraska had no trouble answering in the bottom of the frame, however, scoring three runs on a pair of hits to jump out to a 3-1 lead.
UNI put together some offense again in the second inning, with Stefaney Shalla (Kalona, Iowa/Mid-Prairie) stroking a double to plate Uju Ibekwe (South Holland, Ill./Thornwood), who reached when she was struck by a Molly Hill pitch. Ibekwe, UNI's starting pitcher, continued in the circle in the bottom of the inning despite being hit in her pitching arm.
After a scoreless third, Nebraska put up a run In its half of the fourth frame, with Carmen Kier going deep to left field to extend the Huskers' lead to 4-2 and secure the win.
Ibekwe and Monica Wright (Morrison, Ill./Morrison) combined to allow just five hits over seven innings in the circle, with Ibekwe (3-8) taking the pitching loss. Wright allowed a single hit in two innings of relief, holding the Huskers scoreless in the sixth and seventh.
The Panthers (8-20-1, 0-6 Missouri Valley Conference) continue a road swing through Nebraska with a three-game series against Creighton in Omaha this weekend. Action gets underway at noon both Saturday and Sunday.
