Lincoln - The Nebraska
baseball team (15-8, 0-0 Big Ten) was unable to overcome a four-run eighth
inning by the Northern Colorado Bears on a rainy Wednesday afternoon at Hawks
Field, resulting in a 6-4 loss and a split of the two-game series. The Huskers
took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run
pinch-hit home run from Pat Kelly to go up 3-2, but the NU bullpen was unable
to hold onto the win.
Kelly's
third home run his in past five games came after a one-out double from Kash
Kalkowski and it was the second pinch-hit home run by a Husker this season
after Josh Scheffert hit one against South Dakota State. Kelly leads the team
with a .457 batting average (16-for-39), while producing three doubles, one
triple, three home runs and 12 RBI's on the year.
The
momentum looked to be in the Huskers' favor after Luke Bublitz shutout the
Bears in the top of the seventh for the second straight inning and the first
two Huskers in the bottom of the frame reached on a leadoff walk from Michael
Pritchard and a single by Rich Sanguinetti. The Bears then went to Chris Hammer,
who ended the Huskers' rally with three straight outs.
The
top of the eight started out fine for NU with a leadoff fly out from Adrian
Schenk, but the next seven Bears reached base on four singles and three walks
to plate four runs.
With
a 6-3 lead, Hammer sent the Huskers down in order in the eighth and allowed his
first base runner when he hit Bryan Peters to lead off the ninth. After a
groundout from Pritchard moved Peters to second, Sanguinetti singled to center
to score Peters and reached second on a fielding error by the Bears' center
fielder. Hammer regained his composure and retired Chad Christensen and
Scheffert in order to close out the game.
The
Husker now turn their attention to the Illinois Fighting Illini, who visit
Hawks Field this weekend for a three-game series that starts on Friday at 6:35
p.m. It will be Nebraska's first ever Big Ten Conference game and to celebrate,
fans will be treated to fireworks after the game. Due to the fireworks, the lot
behind right field will not be open. Fans are encouraged to get to the game
early due to the parking adjustment.
Nebraska
is scheduled to start junior right-hander Tom Lemke on Friday night, while
Illinois will send junior righty Kevin Johnson to the mound.
