Lafayette, La. –
Matt Hopper went 3 for 4 with four RBI, while Jamie Rodrigue pitched
seven innings of solid relief, as No. 11Nebraska won its fourth straight
game, defeating No. 25 Wichita State, 8-7, Sunday afternoon at the
Mardi Gras Ball in Lafayette, La.
Hopper, whose three-run
homer capped a four-run third inning, added a two-out RBI single in
the sixth off WSU reliever John Tutaum, providing the Huskers (6-3)
with the winning run in a see-saw contest which saw the lead exchange
hands four times. Hopper, who leads NU with a .487 average, extended
his hit streak to 10 games dating back to last season, as NU improved
to 6-3 with the victory.
Rodrigue pitched seven
innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out
a career-high nine to improve to 1-1 on the season. Rodrigue’s
previous high was eight strikeouts against Kansas State last March
11.
“I was able to hit
my spots with my cutter and and that was the big thing today,”
Rodrigue said. “I got ahead of hitters to keep them off balance
and force them to hit the ball on the ground"
Tetuan (0-1) took the loss,
allowing three runs in relief of WSU starter Justin Maureau, as neither
starter was involved in the decision.
"I was proud of the
way we battled, win or lose today," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn
said. "We had to get up at 6:30 a.m. to get ready after playing
last night and we played hard.
"We have seen a lot
of different styles in the first nine games and it is getting us ready
for our Big 12 opener at Texas Tech next weekend," Van Horn said.
Wichita State plated the
first run in the top of the second inning. Randy Walker led off the
frame with a double to right center, stole third and scored on a one-out
RBI single Mark Johnson. The Huskers got the equalizer in the bottom
of the inning. With two outs, Josh Hesse drew a walk before Jeff Blevins
doubled to the wall in left center, scoring the tying run.
In the top of the third,
the Shockers, regained the lead, scoring a pair of runs of NU starter
Waylon Byers, who lasted just two innings in his first collegiate
start. Don Rogers led off with a single to right before Eric Absher
sent a Byers offering over the fence in right center for his first
homer of the season, chasing the left-hander.
NU broke through in the
third, scoring four runs of WSU starter Justin Maureau. Jeff Leise
was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before Willie Jones hit
a grounder to second baseman Brian Burgamy, whose throw pulled WSU
shortstop Brandon Green off the bag, putting runners on first and
second. With the infield playing for the sacrifice bunt, Adam Stern
pushed a single past the infield into right for an RBI. Hopper gave
the Huskers the lead at 5-3 with a three-run homer, his second of
the season, to left center.
“That was a big win
for us,” Hopper said. “Our team has come a long way and
we have learned what it takes to get things dome. They came out aggressive
and we had to play tougher then them today”
The Shockers closed to
within 5-4 on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Green before scoring a pair
of unearned runs in the sixth. After a walk and a single put runners
on first and second, Kent Becker sacrifice bunt was misplayed by Hesse
and thrown down the right field line, allowing both runners to score,
giving the Shockers a 6-5 advantage.
The Huskers took the lead
for good in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three times off Wichita
State reliever John Tetuan. Hesse led off with a walk and moved to
second on a single by Jeff Blevins, who went 2 for 4 on the day. With
one out, Jeff Leise singled to left, scoring Hesse with the tying
run. Pinch hitter Brandon Eymann gave the Huskers a 7-6 lead with
an RBI single before Hopper’s third hit of the day, a two-out
single, plated the third run of the inning.
WSU cut the lead to 8-7
in the seventh, manufacturing a two-out run, as Burgamy was hit by
a pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single
by Randy Walter. Rodrigue put the clamps on a final Shocker comeback,
retiring the final seven hitters.
Nebraska returns to action
this Friday, March 3, when the Huskers travel to Lubbock, Texas, to
take on the Red Raiders in the Big 12 Conference opener. NU will play
a three-game series with the Red Raiders and conclude the five-game
road trip with a twinbill against Southern Utah on Tuesday, March
6.
Nebraska Huskers 8, Wichita
State 7
(Feb 25, 2001 at Lafayette, La.)
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Wichita State............012 012 100 - 7 8 2 (4-2)
Nebraska Huskers.... 014 003 00X - 8 10 1 (6-3)
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Pitchers: Wichita State - Maureau; Tetuan(6); Atkins(8). Nebraska
Huskers -
Byers, W.; Rodrigue, J.(3).
Win-Rodrigue, J.(1-1) Loss-Tetuan(0-1) T-2:34 A-0
HR WSU - Absher (1)
HR NEBRASKA - Hopper, M. (2)
Mardi Gras Ball
Source: University
of Nebraska Sports Information
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