Baseball 2001

Eymann, Hale Lead Huskers to 10-5 Victory Over Ohio State

Feb. 23, 2001

Lafayette, La. - Shortstop Brandon Eymann went 2 for 4 with a career-high four RBI, as No. 11 Nebraska improved to 4-3 on the season with a 10-5 victory over Ohio State in the Mardi Gras Ball at M.L. "Tigue" Field Friday afternoon.

Eymann capped a five-run fourth inning with a three-run double and added his first home run of the season in the ninth inning, as the Huskers tallied four runs in the top of the ninth to break open a one-run game.

The junior from Papillion keyed a 14-hit attack, as six different players had two hits apiece for Nebraska.

While the Huskers offensive reached double figures for the fourth time this season, NU's pitching and defense allowed the Huskers to cling to a one-run lead throughout the late innings. Junior Steve Hale (Yukon, Okla.) picked up the victory in relief, holding the Buckeyes without a run in 4.2 innings of work. Hale scattered six hits and struck out a season-high six batters.

"Steve really did what we needed, and that was throw strikes and get ahead of hitters," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said. "He has been our most effective pitcher in relief. He has started the year strong every season, and you can see him really maturing on the mound."

The Huskers jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as Jeff Leise (Omaha, Neb.) led off with a triple to left center, extending his hit streak to seven games, and scored on an RBI sacrifice fly to center by Adam Stern (London, Ontario).

In the fourth, Nebraska erupted for five runs on five hits, marking the eighth time this season NU has plated four or more runs in an inning, to extend the margin to 6-0. A leadoff single by Stern and a Matt Hopper (Morrison, Colo.) double put runners on second and third with no outs. With one out, John Cole (Ottawa, Ontario) and Jeff Blevins (Sand Springs, Okla.) delivered back-to-back RBI singles to extend the Husker lead to 3-0. With two outs, Jed Morris (Seabrook, Texas) walked to load the bases before Eymann cleared the bases with a three-run double to right center.

After the Husker outburst, OSU starter E.J. Laretta (0-1) settled down and pitched into the eighth inning, keeping the Buckeyes in the game. The junior allowed six runs on eight hits to take the loss, despite striking out five and throwing 123 pitches in 7.1 innings.

The Buckeyes came right back, scoring five runs in the bottom of the frame. After a leadoff single by Mike Check, Nick Swisher cut the margin to 5-2 with a two-run homer to right center, the first homer Ott has allowed in his Husker career. A one-out RBI single by John Mayor and a two-run double by Joe Wilkins cut the NU advantage to 6-5. Ott, making his second start of his career, allowed five runs on six hits in four innings, but did not get the decision.

The Buckeyes threatened to tie the game in both the fifth and eighth innings, putting runners in scoring position, but Hale effectively pitched out of several dicey jams. In the fifth, OSU put runners on first and second off Brian Rodaway before Steve Hale came and retired the final two hitters. In the eighth, the Buckeyes put runners on second and third with one out, but Trent McIlvain grounded to first baseman Josh Hesse, who threw home to Tito Rivera to get Mayor out at the plate with the tying run. Hale then got Mike Harris to ground out to third to end the inning..

"We made the plays when we needed to defensively" Van Horn said. "After they got back into the game, we had to change the momentum and we did it on the defensive end today."

The Huskers broke the game open in the ninth, tallying four runs off a trio of Ohio State relievers. With one out, Eymann blasted his first homer of the year off OSU reliever Kevin Wynk. After Leise reached on a hit by a pitch, Stern tripled to right center, scoring Leise. With two out, Jeff Blevins, who went 2 for 5 with two RBI, had an RBI single before Cole scored from third with a wild pitch for the Huskers final run.

The Huskers return to action Saturday afternoon, taking on host Louisiana-Lafayette at 3 p.m. All-American Shane Komine (1-1, 10.24) will take the hill for the Huskers and will be opposed by Andy Gros for the Ragin' Cajuns. The game will be televised by KXVO-WB 15

Source: University of Nebraska Sports Information