Baseball 2001

Huskers Rally to Beat Wichita State, 8-7

Feb. 25, 2001

Lafayette, La. – Matt Hopper went 3 for 4 with four RBI, while Jamie Rodrigue pitched seven innings of solid relief, as No. 11Nebraska won its fourth straight game, defeating No. 25 Wichita State, 8-7, Sunday afternoon at the Mardi Gras Ball in Lafayette, La.

Hopper, whose three-run homer capped a four-run third inning, added a two-out RBI single in the sixth off WSU reliever John Tutaum, providing the Huskers (6-3) with the winning run in a see-saw contest which saw the lead exchange hands four times. Hopper, who leads NU with a .487 average, extended his hit streak to 10 games dating back to last season, as NU improved to 6-3 with the victory.

Rodrigue pitched seven innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out a career-high nine to improve to 1-1 on the season. Rodrigue’s previous high was eight strikeouts against Kansas State last March 11.

“I was able to hit my spots with my cutter and and that was the big thing today,” Rodrigue said. “I got ahead of hitters to keep them off balance and force them to hit the ball on the ground"

Tetuan (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs in relief of WSU starter Justin Maureau, as neither starter was involved in the decision.

"I was proud of the way we battled, win or lose today," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said. "We had to get up at 6:30 a.m. to get ready after playing last night and we played hard.

"We have seen a lot of different styles in the first nine games and it is getting us ready for our Big 12 opener at Texas Tech next weekend," Van Horn said.

Wichita State plated the first run in the top of the second inning. Randy Walker led off the frame with a double to right center, stole third and scored on a one-out RBI single Mark Johnson. The Huskers got the equalizer in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Josh Hesse drew a walk before Jeff Blevins doubled to the wall in left center, scoring the tying run.

In the top of the third, the Shockers, regained the lead, scoring a pair of runs of NU starter Waylon Byers, who lasted just two innings in his first collegiate start. Don Rogers led off with a single to right before Eric Absher sent a Byers offering over the fence in right center for his first homer of the season, chasing the left-hander.

NU broke through in the third, scoring four runs of WSU starter Justin Maureau. Jeff Leise was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before Willie Jones hit a grounder to second baseman Brian Burgamy, whose throw pulled WSU shortstop Brandon Green off the bag, putting runners on first and second. With the infield playing for the sacrifice bunt, Adam Stern pushed a single past the infield into right for an RBI. Hopper gave the Huskers the lead at 5-3 with a three-run homer, his second of the season, to left center.

“That was a big win for us,” Hopper said. “Our team has come a long way and we have learned what it takes to get things dome. They came out aggressive and we had to play tougher then them today”

The Shockers closed to within 5-4 on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Green before scoring a pair of unearned runs in the sixth. After a walk and a single put runners on first and second, Kent Becker sacrifice bunt was misplayed by Hesse and thrown down the right field line, allowing both runners to score, giving the Shockers a 6-5 advantage.

The Huskers took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three times off Wichita State reliever John Tetuan. Hesse led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Jeff Blevins, who went 2 for 4 on the day. With one out, Jeff Leise singled to left, scoring Hesse with the tying run. Pinch hitter Brandon Eymann gave the Huskers a 7-6 lead with an RBI single before Hopper’s third hit of the day, a two-out single, plated the third run of the inning.

WSU cut the lead to 8-7 in the seventh, manufacturing a two-out run, as Burgamy was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single by Randy Walter. Rodrigue put the clamps on a final Shocker comeback, retiring the final seven hitters.

Nebraska returns to action this Friday, March 3, when the Huskers travel to Lubbock, Texas, to take on the Red Raiders in the Big 12 Conference opener. NU will play a three-game series with the Red Raiders and conclude the five-game road trip with a twinbill against Southern Utah on Tuesday, March 6.

Nebraska Huskers 8, Wichita State 7
(Feb 25, 2001 at Lafayette, La.)
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Wichita State............012 012 100 - 7 8 2 (4-2)
Nebraska Huskers.... 014 003 00X - 8 10 1 (6-3)
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Pitchers: Wichita State - Maureau; Tetuan(6); Atkins(8). Nebraska Huskers -
Byers, W.; Rodrigue, J.(3).
Win-Rodrigue, J.(1-1) Loss-Tetuan(0-1) T-2:34 A-0
HR WSU - Absher (1)
HR NEBRASKA - Hopper, M. (2)
Mardi Gras Ball

Source: University of Nebraska Sports Information