The Huskers, who improved to 12-5 on the season, broke open a 5-3 contest by scoring eight runs in the seventh inning, all with two outs, highlighted by a pair of bases loaded walks and three Gopher errors.

Third baseman Brandon Eymann paced the Husker offensive attack, going 3-for-4 with six RBI, highlighted by a two-run double in NU's five run fourth and a three-run homer in the eighth. The senior from Papillion, Neb., has homered in each of the past two games after not hitting one in NU's first 15 contest and has driven in 10 runs in that span. Daniel Bruce and Jed Morris also had three hits, as the Huskers pounded out 16 hits in reaching double figures for the fifth time this season. NU also showed timely hitting, punching in its first 16 runs all with two outs.

The Huskers erased a 1-0 deficit in the fourth, scoring five runs with two outs off Gopher starter C.J. Woodrow, who dropped to 1-3 with the loss, to take the lead for good. With one out, Morris and Matt Hopper reached on back-to-back singles, putting runners at first and second. Two batters later, Justin Seely tied the score with an RBI single to left, opening the floodgates for the Big Red. Eymann gave the Huskers the lead with a two-run double down the first base line, plating Hopper and Seely. NU then tallied a pair of unearned runs, as UM third baseman Ben Pattee's throwing error plated one run before a failed pickoff attempt tallied the Huskers' final run of the frame.

The Gophers cut the Husker advantage to 5-3, scoring a pair of runs off NU reliever Steve Hale, who replaced starter Waylon Byers in the fourth. Scott Howard singled and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch by Hale for UM's first run before Ben Pattee's RBI single put the hosts within two. Hale picked up the win, throwing four innings of relief to improve to 1-1 on the season.

Nebraska then put the game out of reach in the seventh, scoring eight unearned runs off relievers Jay Ganger and Jeff Moen. After loading the bases with one out, Ganger struck out Matt Hopper and got Jeff Blevins to hit a grounder to third, but Pattee misplayed the bounce, allowing a run to score. The error, Pattee's second of the night, proved to be costly, as Seely and Eymann both coaxed bases loaded walks, extending the margin to 8-3. Bruce and Leise also added RBIs in the eight-run frame for NU.

NU added three runs in both the eighth, on Eymann's second homer of the season, and ninth innings for its final total, as nine Huskers had at least one hit in the win.

The Huskers conclude the two-game set Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m., as freshman left-hander Brian Duensing (0-0, 13.50 ERA) will make his first career start for Nebraska. He will be opposed by Gopher right-hander Craig Molldrum, who is 1-1 with a 7.30 ERA.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.