Nebraska catcher Matt Wells� second homer in as many games proved to be the winning blow, breaking a 3-3 tie in the sixth. First baseman Matt Hopper and shortstop Joe Simokaitis then added their 17th and first career round trippers, respectively, to give NU its second straight series win in Lubbock. For Simokaitis, it was his first career four-bagger in 293 career at-bats.

On the mound, senior Steve Hale went 3.1 innings in relief of starter Zach Kroenke, allowing one run on three hits for his second win of the season, while Mike Sillman pitched the final 2.2 innings to close the game. Sillman struck out three without allowing a hit to earn his first save of the year.

Nebraska scored the game's first runs in the top of the third, taking a 2-0 lead on centerfielder Jeff Leise�s fifth homer of the season, a two-run shot to right off Texas Tech starter Steve Gooch. The Red Raider starter retired the first eight Huskers in order before second baseman Jake Mullinax coaxed a two-out walk and came home on Leise�s first homer since April 13. Gooch took the loss, going 6.0 innings allowing five hits and five runs, including three earned.

The Red Raiders came right back in the bottom of third, scoring a pair of runs to chase NU starter Zach Kroenke after 2.2 innings of work. Doug Beck opened the inning with a leadoff homer to left center before Christian Colonel�s infield single plated Scooter Jordan, who reached on a fielder�s choice before stealing second and third. Texas Tech eventually loaded the bases, but the Huskers escaped further damage, as Hale got T.J. Bruce to fly out to right to end the inning.

The Huskers had a golden opportunity in the fourth, loading the bases with a pair of walks to Hopper and John Grose and a two-out single by right fielder Daniel Bruce, but could not score as Colonel made a diving stop behind the third base bag and beat Grose to third for the force out.

Texas Tech took its first lead of the day at 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth, as Josh Haney opened the inning with a leadoff triple before coming home on Beck�s sacrifice fly to center.

The Huskers tied the score at 3-all in the top of the sixth, as third baseman Alex Gordon opened the inning with a double and moved to third on designated hitter John Grose�s fly out to center. Leftfielder Brandon Fusilier hit a grounder to short to score Gordon, but T.J. Bruce�s throw was off the mark, allowing Fusilier to reach second on a two-base error. The miscue was costly as Wells sent Gooch�s 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for his second homer in as many games, giving NU a 5-3 lead.

Hopper extended Nebraska�s lead to 7-3 in the top of the seventh with his Big 12 leading 17th homer. Simokaitis singled with one out before Hopper sent Jeff Karstens' 3-2 pitch into the parking lot beyond the fence in left to give the visitors a four-run lead.

Tech closed to within 7-4 in the seventh, getting a run on Cody Fuller�s RBI single that scored Brent Fossum, who opened the inning with a double. With runners on the corners and one out, Sillman came in for Jamie Rodrigue and retired the next two hitters on two pitches to thwart the rally.

The Huskers return home to begin an eight-game homestand this Tuesday, April 29, as they take on the Creighton Bluejays. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m., and the game will be televised statewide on Nebraska Educational Television.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.