Baseball 2001
Sillman Helps Huskers
Rebound with 12-1 Victory
March 17
Shreveport, LA. - Mike Sillman made the most of his first career
start, allowing one runs in eight innings of work, as fifth-ranked
Nebraska concluded its five-game swing through Louisiana with a 4-1
record, downing Centenary, 12-1, at Shehee Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Sillman, a freshman from Millard South who had thrown just 7.1 innings
in his first four appearances, scatted six hits and allowed one run,
a solo homer by Nick Grenda in the sixth, throwing 95 pitches to pick
up his first collegiate victory for the Huskers, who improve to 16-4
on the season, their best start since 1988. With the loss, Centenary
falls to 8-15-1.
"Mike gave us exactly
what we needed today," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said. "Playing
five games in six days, we didn't have a lot in the bullpen, but Mike
gave us eight strong innings. Early on, he was able to get through
quickly, throwing four pitches one inning and six in another. He had
all of his pitches working, especially when he got ahead of hitters."
"I had a great defense
behind me today," Sillman said, as the Huskers who turned a pair
of double plays to thwart Gent rallies. "I was able to throw
strikes and knew they would make the plays out there."
While Sillman handcuffed
the Gents offense, sophomore centerfielder Jeff Leise paced the Husker
offensive attack, going 2 for 3 with a pair of homers and a career-high
six RBI. The Creighton Prep graduate, who has three homers in the
last two games, broke open the contest with a three-run homer in the
second and tallied NU's final runs with a three-run shot in the ninth.
The Omaha, Neb., native extended his hit streak to 18 games and walked
three times in the win
The Huskers roughed up
Centenary starter Kevin Cassidy, scoring five runs in the second and
adding a pair in the third, as he lasted just 3.1 innings in falling
to 2-2 on the season. In the second, consecutive doubles by Dan Johnson
and John Cole to lead off the inning plated the first run before Jeff
Blevins walked, putting runners on first and second. Jed Morris sacrificed
the runners over before Brandon Eymann's grounder to second scored
Cole with NU's second run of the frame. With two outs, Will Bolt drew
a walk before Jeff Leise sent a Cassidy offering over the right field
fence for his third homer of the season, and second in as many games,
to give NU a five-run advantage.
"I think scoring the
five runs early was important." Van Horn said. "We were
able to take the wind out of their sails early and it allowed us to
relax."
In the third, Blevins increased
the Husker lead to 7-0 with a two-run homer to center, his first of
the season, to chase Cassidy, who allowed seven runs on six hits.
The Huskers added single
runs in the sixth and seventh innings before Leise's second homer
of the day, a three run shot to right, provide the final margin. NU
pounded out 12 hits, including three by catcher Jed Morris, who went
3 for 4. Johnson and Cole also had two hits apiece in the victory.
Nebraska returns to action
on Tuesday, March 20, when the Huskers travel to Wichita State to
take on the Shockers. NU won the earlier meeting, 8-7, in Lafayette,
La., on Feb. 25.
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