Huskers continue hot streak against SDSU
Evan Bland
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sports
The Nebraska baseball team couldn't have scripted its homestand much better.
The Cornhuskers (11-2) wrapped up their 10th straight win in 10 consecutive games at Hawks Field by beating South Dakota State 7-3 in front of a sun-drenched crowd of 1,749.
With temperatures reaching into the 60s as the afternoon wore on, the Huskers' bats heated up as well.
The game was tied 2-2 in the fifth inning when NU collected a big hit from second baseman Jake Opitz. The senior lined a two-out pitch down the first-base line to score two runs and give the Huskers a lead they would never relinquish.
"It was a long inning on the offensive side," Opitz said. "We had guys getting on base, working the count. Fortunately I was up there and got a big hit for the team."
SDSU (4-7) recovered one run in the next half-inning off of last Tuesday's starting pitcher, Casey Hauptman, on an RBI single to left field. The Huskers responded again with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the sixth.
Nebraska added two runs in the eighth frame on RBI singles from freshmen Dan Johnston and Ben Kline to take away any doubt of the outcome in the one-game series.
"A lot of those freshmen came out more composed than they did the last time," said NU Coach Mike Anderson. "Good improvement; good to see."
Another newcomer, pitcher Michael Mariot (1-0), picked up the win for the Huskers despite allowing two runs and three hits in just one inning. Junior Erik Bird started for Nebraska and turned in a sparkling - albeit abbreviated - performance. The right-hander threw three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three.
Isaac Johnson (0-2) took the loss for South Dakota State after allowing three runs in two innings, including Opitz's pivotal two-run double.
Nebraska was led offensively by senior first baseman Craig Corriston, who went 3-for-4, scoring two runs and driving in another. Corriston was playing and starting in just his sixth game of the season for Nebraska. The Paris, Texas, native has received more playing time as of late because senior Jeff Tezak will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
The Cornhuskers (11-2) wrapped up their 10th straight win in 10 consecutive games at Hawks Field by beating South Dakota State 7-3 in front of a sun-drenched crowd of 1,749.
With temperatures reaching into the 60s as the afternoon wore on, the Huskers' bats heated up as well.
The game was tied 2-2 in the fifth inning when NU collected a big hit from second baseman Jake Opitz. The senior lined a two-out pitch down the first-base line to score two runs and give the Huskers a lead they would never relinquish.
"It was a long inning on the offensive side," Opitz said. "We had guys getting on base, working the count. Fortunately I was up there and got a big hit for the team."
SDSU (4-7) recovered one run in the next half-inning off of last Tuesday's starting pitcher, Casey Hauptman, on an RBI single to left field. The Huskers responded again with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the sixth.
Nebraska added two runs in the eighth frame on RBI singles from freshmen Dan Johnston and Ben Kline to take away any doubt of the outcome in the one-game series.
"A lot of those freshmen came out more composed than they did the last time," said NU Coach Mike Anderson. "Good improvement; good to see."
Another newcomer, pitcher Michael Mariot (1-0), picked up the win for the Huskers despite allowing two runs and three hits in just one inning. Junior Erik Bird started for Nebraska and turned in a sparkling - albeit abbreviated - performance. The right-hander threw three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three.
Isaac Johnson (0-2) took the loss for South Dakota State after allowing three runs in two innings, including Opitz's pivotal two-run double.
Nebraska was led offensively by senior first baseman Craig Corriston, who went 3-for-4, scoring two runs and driving in another. Corriston was playing and starting in just his sixth game of the season for Nebraska. The Paris, Texas, native has received more playing time as of late because senior Jeff Tezak will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
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