Mar. 30, 2011
 
Kalkowski and Farmer's bats come alive in win
 
Lincoln, Neb. — Kash Kalkowski went 3-for-4 and Kurt Farmer drove in four runs as Nebraska (18-9) won its ninth straight home game in a 6-1 victory over Doane (16-8) on Wednesday afternoon at Hawks Field. The game was a rescheduled contest from March 8 when it was postponed due to inclement weather.

Kalkowski improved his season batting average to .410 with this fifth consecutive multiple hit game by singling in three of his four at bats. Farmer went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including a 2-out, 2-RBI single up the middle in the seventh that helped NU double its 3-0 lead to 6-0 through seven innings.

"There is a little different style," head coach Mike Anderson said. "I thought our guys were a little over aggressive. Some got themselves into some trouble that way and (then) they got themselves out, but that is part of what happens sometimes on a Tuesday and Wednesday. I was ok with it, I felt good about the day."

All eight of Nebraska's hits were singles, as NU saw seven Tiger pitchers. Doane starter Jacob Bartek (0-1) took the loss by allowing two runs on one hit in two innings of work, while Nebraska starter Tyler Niederklein (3-1) earned his third win of the season in a pre-determined outing. Niederklein did not give up any hits and struck out four of the six batters he faced in the first two innings, while five other Husker hurlers combined to keep the Tigers in check the final seven innings.

"I thought our pitching staff did what they needed to do," Anderson added. "I'm pleased that we scored runs early. That's what I think has to happen on a Wednesday. You start to feel comfortable; you start to do the things that you want to do. This was a good opportunity for us. Doane is a class program, Jeremy Jorgensen does a great job, and I told them we would invite them back, so it's a good day."

Nebraska struck early as Kale Kiser was walked and Bryan Peters got hit by a pitch in the bottom of the first. Kalkowski, who moved up to the 3 hole with the absence of third baseman Cody Asche, then blooped an RBI single into right field. Farmer then brought in Peters for the second run on a sacrifice fly to right field and then drove in the third run of the game in the third inning with an RBI single to center.

Asche missed his first game of the season after he suffered a concussion in the fifth inning of Sunday's game at Texas Tech. His status remains day-to-day. Farmer started at third base for the first time this season, while Josh Scheffert moved from right field to first base. With Asche's absence, Michael Pritchard earned his sixth start of the season.

Nebraska will have one day off before hosting Oklahoma State this weekend at Hawks Field. The Cowboys are coming off a series upset of No. 4 Texas last weekend in Stillwater. The series kicks off Friday at 6:35 p.m., and continues Saturday (2:05 p.m.) and Sunday (1:05 p.m.). Saturday will be the first of six NET telecasts.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.