Lincoln - A 19-hit
performance by the Wichita State Shockers spoiled the 2012 home finale for the
Nebraska baseball team (32-20, 12-9 Big Ten) on Tuesday night at Hawks Field.
The Shockers got out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked
back, as they coasted to a 13-2 win.
Juniors
Chad Christensen and Josh Scheffert each had two hits on the night and Richard
Stock hit his team-leading 16th double of the season, but three Shocker home
runs and a 5-for-5 night from Johnny Coy proved too much.
After
WSU took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-out, two-run homer by Coy, the
Huskers looked to score a run in the bottom of the frame on a line drive by
Stock, but shortstop Erik Harbutz made a leaping catch to snag a ball that
would have easily reached the gap in left-center field.
The
night didn't get any better for the Huskers in the bottom of the second when
Scheffert led off the inning with a blast to right-center-field. Right fielder
Don Lambert robbed Scheffert of his ninth home run and held onto the ball after
crashing on the wall.
Nebraska
cut the Shockers lead to five, 7-2, in the bottom of the sixth, but could get
no closer as WSU piled on six runs over the final three innings.
The
Huskers will be back on the field in less than 48 hours when they open a
three-game series at Michigan on Thursday night at 5:05 p.m. (CT). Freshman
Kyle Kubat is scheduled to get the ball for the Huskers as they look to secure
a spot in the Big Ten Tournament.
With
three games remaining in the regular season, NU sits in a tie for fourth place
and is one-game out of second place. The series with the Wolverines continues
on Friday at 5:05 p.m. and concludes on Saturday at 12:05 p.m.
Greg
Sharpe and Jeff Culhane will have the call of all three games on the Husker
Sports Network and each game will be streamed live on BTN.com (subscription
required).
