Bird starts, pitches win for Huskers
Michael McHale
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports
It took a few years, but who's counting?
Well, Erik Bird might be.
Nebraska's junior pitcher earned his first-ever win on Wednesday afternoon, leading the Cornhuskers to a 9-4 victory over Northern Colorado to sweep the mid-week series.
In his third start of the season - and 47th appearance overall - Bird tossed five innings and gave up two runs - one earned - on four hits. His offensive support eventually found a rhythm of its own, and the Huskers (19-3-1) had little trouble from there.
"It's about time, jeez," Bird said with a smile after the game. "Took forever. Three years."
Yes, he's been keeping track. But then again, he's used to coming out of the bullpen, where wins don't come as frequently as they do for starting pitchers. Until recently, Bird had spent most of his career throwing in relief.
The last several weeks he's hurled the first pitch. And the second. And the third, and so on.
He made almost every one count on Wednesday.
"His demeanor fits any bill," NU Coach Mike Anderson said. "He fits in the late innings, he fits in the beginning. He's adaptable, I think."
Bird, though, didn't do it all by himself. He had some people to thank for his victory.
Andy Cotton was one of them. NU's freshman shortstop made a rare start on Wednesday, but he bobbled a ball in the first inning and allowed two Northern Colorado players to remain on base. Later that inning, a ball hit off Cotton's foot as he tried to pick it up, and Northern Colorado took a 1-0 lead.
But the timing was perfect for Bird. Since the Omaha native was scheduled for a brief outing, he needed the Huskers to stumble early in order to have a chance at a win.
Then he needed a quick comeback.
"When Andy Cotton came into the dugout, he was feeling a little down about that one error," Bird said. "And I told him 'One run is not going to win this game. If we score zero runs in this game, then we're probably not a very good team.'
Well, Erik Bird might be.
Nebraska's junior pitcher earned his first-ever win on Wednesday afternoon, leading the Cornhuskers to a 9-4 victory over Northern Colorado to sweep the mid-week series.
In his third start of the season - and 47th appearance overall - Bird tossed five innings and gave up two runs - one earned - on four hits. His offensive support eventually found a rhythm of its own, and the Huskers (19-3-1) had little trouble from there.
"It's about time, jeez," Bird said with a smile after the game. "Took forever. Three years."
Yes, he's been keeping track. But then again, he's used to coming out of the bullpen, where wins don't come as frequently as they do for starting pitchers. Until recently, Bird had spent most of his career throwing in relief.
The last several weeks he's hurled the first pitch. And the second. And the third, and so on.
He made almost every one count on Wednesday.
"His demeanor fits any bill," NU Coach Mike Anderson said. "He fits in the late innings, he fits in the beginning. He's adaptable, I think."
Bird, though, didn't do it all by himself. He had some people to thank for his victory.
Andy Cotton was one of them. NU's freshman shortstop made a rare start on Wednesday, but he bobbled a ball in the first inning and allowed two Northern Colorado players to remain on base. Later that inning, a ball hit off Cotton's foot as he tried to pick it up, and Northern Colorado took a 1-0 lead.
But the timing was perfect for Bird. Since the Omaha native was scheduled for a brief outing, he needed the Huskers to stumble early in order to have a chance at a win.
Then he needed a quick comeback.
"When Andy Cotton came into the dugout, he was feeling a little down about that one error," Bird said. "And I told him 'One run is not going to win this game. If we score zero runs in this game, then we're probably not a very good team.'
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