Baseball 2001

Rodrigue, Johnson Lead Huskers to 11th Straight Win

March 13, 2001

Ruston, LA. -First baseman Dan Johnson went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBI, while NU left-hander Jamie Rodrigue pitched a complete-game six hitter, as fifth-ranked Nebraska won its 11th straight game, downing Louisiana Tech, 13-2, Tuesday evening at J. C. Love Field.

Johnson continued his torrid stretch against the Bulldogs, belting his fifth homer in the last four games, as the Huskers pounded out 13 hits and scored 10 or more runs for the eighth time this season. The 11-game win streak ties for the eighth longest in school history, as NU won the opener of its six-day, five-game road trip through Louisiana.

The offensive output was more than enough for Rodrigue, who pitched his fifth career complete game. The sophomore from St. Clair, Mo., allowed a two-run homer in the first inning, but settled down, retiring 12 of the next 13 hitters and striking out seven to improve to 2-1 on the season.

"Jamie probably had his best outing of the season," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said. "He was able to get ahead of hitters and keep them off balance all night. He's been getting better, and he was terrific tonight."

Junior right fielder Adam Stern also had three hits and three runs scored, as the Huskers, off to their best start in 13 seasons, improved to 13-3 on the year.

The Huskers jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as Stern singled with one out, stole second and scored on a on a two-out single to left by Johnson.

The lead would not last past the first as Louisiana Tech tallied a pair of runs in its half of the frame of Rodrigue. Shortstop Wade Robinson led off with a single to right and scored two batters later on a two-run homer to left by Cullen Simmons, his third of the season

The Huskers regained the lead in the third, scoring four runs and stringing together five hits in the frame. Sophomore left fielder Jeff Leise, who went 2 for 3 with three runs scored, led off with a double and moved to third on a bunt single by Stern. Matt Hopper then tied the score with a RB I single to right, scoring Leise, to knot the score at two. Johnson's second hit of the day, a single to right, put runners on second and third before Stern scored on a balk by Bulldog starter Derek Brewster to give the Huskers a 3-2 lead. John Cole's RBI single plated Hopper while Johnson scored on a grounder by Jeff Blevins, marking the 19th time this season that NU scored four or more runs in an inning.

The Huskers extended the lead to 9-2 in the fourth inning, highlighted by Johnson's sixth homer of the season Consecutive singles by second baseman Josh Hesse and Leise put runners on first and second before Stern's sacrifice bunt was misplayed by Brewster and thrown down the left field line, allowing Hesse to score on the play. After Hopper flew out, Johnson sent a towering drive over the fence in right, his fifth homer in the last four games.

Brewster took the loss to Louisiana Tech, allowing nine runs - eight earned - on 10 hits in four innings, as the Bulldogs drop of 8-7 on the season.

"After we got the lead, I was able to relax and throw strikes," Rodrigue said. "I was able to spot my pitches well and got ahead of the hitters early in the count. With our offense hitting the way they did, I was to go out there and throw strikes."

In the fifth, Stern increased the NU lead to 11-2 with a two-out triple to right right, scoring Brandon Eymann and Leise, who both walked earlier in the innings. The Huskers added their final two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by catcher Jed Morris and scoring an unearned run, as Eymann's two-out grounder was booted by Criag Montomery, allowing Morris to score the final run.

The Huskers conclude the two-game series with the Bulldogs Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast over the internet at www.891klpi.org

Notes:
*- With the win, Nebraska improved its win streak to 11 games, tying for the eighth longest win streak in school history. The 11 straight wins against Division I foes ties for third on that chart as well.

*- Johnson moved into sole possession of 10th place on Nebraska's career home run chart, passing Joe Fererico, who had 26 homers from 1987-88. He now has 27 homers in 80 career games.

*- Jeff Leise extended his hit streak to 15 games with a lead off double in the third. Adam Stern, who went 3 for 3, also improved his hit streak to 11 games

*- Nebraska has scored 10 or more runs in eight of its 16 games this season

*- Nebraska has now scored four or more runs in an inning 20 times in the first 16 games this season.

Source: University of Nebraska Sports Information