Feb. 8, 2002

Box Score

PHOENIX - Freshman Jackie Kerrigan allowed just one run and three hits in her collegiate debut, but was tagged with the loss in a 1-0 defeat against No. 12 Nebraska on Friday in the second round of the Fiesta Bowl Tournament at Rose Mofford Softball Complex.

Kerrigan got no help from the Rebels (2-2) offense, which produced only two hits itself. Only senior catcher Melissa Inouye and freshman first baseman Morgan Bostwick could manage singles off the Huskers' Leigh Ann Walker, who struck out 12.

Nebraska (2-0) jumped out to a very early lead when leadoff hitter Kim Ogee singled. Ogee quickly stole second and soon scored on a single by cleanup hitter Nicole Trimboli.

The single run proved to be all the Huskers would need as the Rebels had two opportunities to get on the scoreboard but converted neither. Inouye's single followed a Bridget Byrne walk, and both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch by Walker. Walker rebounded, however, with a pair of strikeouts before getting Amber Campbell to pop up and end the inning.

Campbell almost got her revenge in the seventh, driving a long ball to left field. But again luck was on Nebraska's side as left fielder Lisa Wangler hauled the ball in as she ran into the fence to seal the out and the Rebels' fate.

Despite the loss, Kerrigan fanned five batters and did not allow a pair of late-inning fielding errors to develop into scores.

UNLV returns to the Rose Mofford Softball Complex on Saturday to face two top-25 opponents. The Rebels tangle with No. 24 Massachusetts at 1:30 p.m. before a 5:30 p.m. date with No. 5 California.