The Wildcats, who improved to 16-11 and 3-3 in the conference, were on the ropes, as Nebraska loaded the bases in the ninth off reliever Mitch Walter. Drew Anderson reached on a fielder’s choice before Will Bolt, who had two of NU’s nine hits, walked to put runs on first and second. Walter then picked off Anderson at second before Jeff Leise’s double put runners at second and third. Daniel Bruce was hit by a pitch to load the bases by Walter got Jed Morris to ground out to first to end the game and pick up his third save of the season.

The Huskers, who dipped to 17-9 overall and 7-5 in conference play, left 10 runners on base in lost in falling to 1-7 in one-run contests in 2002.

NU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as Jeff Blevins’ sacrifice fly that scored Leise, who went 2-for-5 and score both runs for the Big Red. The Husker center fielder reached on an error and stole second to move into scoring position before a wild pitch pushed Leise to third.

Nebraska had an opportunity to extend the lead in the third, loading the bases with one out, but Wildcat starter Kevin Melcher got out of the jam, as Blevins’ grounded into a fielder’s choice before Matt Hopper grounded to first to end the inning.

It would be the Huskers’ best chance off the Wildcat starter, as Melcher, who improved to 4-1 win the win, allowed two runs - one earned - in 6.2 innings. He allowed seven hits, struck out six and left with KSU clinging to a 3-2 lead

Kansas State came back to tie the score at 1-1 in the third, as Osmar Castillo drew a one-out walk before coming home on Brandon Taylor’s RBI double to left center. The Wildcats then tallied an unearned run in the fourth to take a 2-1 advantage. With two outs, Jeremy Rogers walked and moved into scoring position on a Blevins’ error. The miscue would prove to be costly, as Castillo drove in Rogers with a soft single to left.

After leaving the bases loaded in the fifth, the ‘Cats scratched home a run in the sixth off Marsden. One-out singles by Brad Anzman and Osmar Castillo off Marsden ended the afternoon for the Husker starter. Steve Hale then walked Pat Maloney to load the bases. The NU reliever got Ty Doty to strike out, but the ball went through the legs of catcher Jed Morris for a passed ball, allowing Anzman to score from third.

Marsden pitched well in defeat, as he allowed one earned run in 5.1 innings. The left-hander scatted six hits and struck out four in dropping to 1-1 on the season. Hale kept NU within striking distance, throwing 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.

The Huskers cut the Wildcat lead to 2-1 in the top of the seventh, as Bruce doubled home Leise with a shot to the gap. KSU than brought in Walter to face Morris, who grounded out to second to end the inning.

Nebraska returns home to play five games in six days at Hawks Field, beginning with Tuesday’s contest against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Huskers and Panthers are scheduled to play a two-game series with contests scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6:35 p.m. and Wednesday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.