Feb. 18, 2011
 
Huskers could not catch up after falling behind.
 
San Marcos, Texas — Nebraska fell behind 4-1 against Texas State starter Mitchell Pitts and could not recover in the late innings as the Huskers dropped their 2011 season opener against the Bobcats, 7-2, Friday afternoon in San Marcos, Texas.

Pitts went six innings and gave up only one run on two hits to earn the win, while Nebraska's Tyler Niederklein took the loss, giving up three runs on seven hits in five innings. Pitts had seven of Texas State's 13 strikeouts on the day.

"They (Texas State) did a good job pitching today," Nebraska head coach Mike Anderson said. "They really changed speeds most the time. To come right out of the chute against a guy that can change speeds like that is difficult. Texas State's a good team. They did a good job of locating and being in the strike zone."

After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the lone run Pitts allowed was a solo homer to sophomore Josh Scheffert that tied the game in the top of the second. Scheffert led off the frame by taking the 1-2 pitch into the netting behind the left field wall to tie the game 1-1.

Niederklein regrouped after giving up a first inning RBI single to Kyle Kubitza and held the Bobcats scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings. The Bobcats put runners on the corners in the fourth, but Niederklein forced Tyler Sibley into a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Texas State produced three hits, including a pair of doubles from Bret Atwood and Casey Kalenosky to regain the lead at 4-1. With a three-run cushion, TSU's preseason All-American pitcher Carson Smith relieved Pitts in the top of the seventh. The Huskers were able to score one off Smith as Chad Christensen doubled down the left field line and later came around to score on a Khiry Cooper sacrifice fly.

Texas State pushed across an unearned run in the seventh before Nebraska threatened again in the eighth with back-to-back two-out singles by Scheffert and Cory Burleson. Smith then struck out Patric Tolentino to strike out to end the inning. After NU was unable to cut into the 5-2 lead, the Bobcats extended their lead with a pair in bottom half of the eighth to account for the final 7-2 score.

The Huskers had five hits in the game, highlighted by Scheffert's 2-for-4 performance with the home run. The Lincoln, Neb., native had five round-trippers as a freshman in 2010. Texas State produced 11 hits off five Nebraska pitchers.

"We'll be fine," Anderson said. "There's a difference between discouragement and disappointment. Our kids can be disappointed in a loss but we won't be discouraged. Let's go out tomorrow, make it a great weekend and see if we can get out of here 3-1."

Nebraska will continue the Texas State Tournament tomorrow in San Marcos with a pair of games against Air Force and Washington. The Huskers will meet the Falcons in the early match-up at 11 a.m., before taking on the Huskies at 7 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.