Huskers Battle Back for 5-4 11-inning win at OU

Norman, Okla. -- The Nebraska baseball team (9-5 and 1-0 in the Big 12 Conference) won its conference opener and won at Oklahoma (10-7 and 0-1) for the first time since 1993 in a come-from-behind 5-4 11-inning win over the Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla.

Tied 4-4 in the top of the 11th inning, Justin Cowan hit a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandt Vlieger. Brian Johnson, who earlier in the game extended his hitting streak to 11 games, single to left and with runners at first and third, freshman Will Bolt hit a sacrifice fly to right center scoring Cowan to give NU a 5- 4 lead against OU pitcher Nathan Sturdivant (0-1).

In the ninth, freshman Shane Komine (3-0) retired the side including the dangerous Casey Bookout to earn the win. Komine pitched the final five innings, allowing just two hits to earn the win.

The win was the Huskers' first to start a conference season since April 2, 1993 when NU won to open the Big Eight Conference at Oklahoma State. The last time Nebraska won at Oklahoma was on May 2, 1993.

"We took a chance bringing in our Sunday starter today, but when you get in a game like that where you have a chance to win on the road, you have to take some chances," NU Coach Dave Van Horn said. "We didn't hit the ball all that well against a great pitcher, but we played great defense and it took a lot of guts for us to come back and win."

Scott Fries started for the Huskers and pitched seven innings. Fries struck out two and walked just one in getting a no decision. For Oklahoma, senior Jared Hoerman shined pitching nine innings, but did not factor in the decision.

Ken Harvey hit the first pitch of the inning 400 feet that cleared the right field fence to tie the contest at four in the eighth.

Oklahoma took the lead in again with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Fries walked Richard Park to lead off the inning, Fries' only walk of the game to get the rally going. Jeff Bajenaru singled and with runners at first and second, Jeremy Vidales chopped a single through the Husker infield to load the bases.

Freshman Shane Komine relieved Fries with the bases loaded and no outs. Komine allowed a sacrifice fly to Ryan Van Horn to tie the ballgame at three. After Komine hit Joe Graham, Bobby Walters hit a bunt to the first base side of the mound that scored Bajenaru as Walters was retired on the play. With runners at second and third, Komine threw a pitch that bounced away from catcher Brian Johnson, but Johnson turned and fired to Komine at the plate to gun down Vidales who attempted to score from third.

Nebraska scrapped out another run in the sixth. Kimura and Harvey had infield singles to start the inning. After Kimura was thrown out at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Justin Cowan, Brandt Vlieger walked to load the bases. Johnson flied out to right and failed to advance the runners. With two outs, Will Bolt hit a dribbler back to Hoerman, but he bobbled the ball and everyone was safe to give the Huskers a 3-2 lead. Pinch hitter Jeff Hedman struck out to end the inning.

The Huskers tied the game for the second time on the afternoon with a run in the fifth. Brian Johnson singled to center to lead off the inning and moved up to second on a ground out by Bolt. John Cole had a sacrifice bunt to move Johnson up to third and with two outs, Jamal Strong hit a sharp single to third, that OU third baseman Jeremy Vidales made a nice play on, but could not throw out Strong. Vidales' throw ended up in the dugout as Johnson scored.

In the fourth, Oklahoma regained the lead when senior first baseman Casey Bookout hit a 3-0 pitch off Fries over the right field fence giving the Sooners a 2-1 advantage.

Nebraska tied the game at one by scoring a run in the fourth inning without a hit. Hoerman walked Adam Shabala to lead off the inning. Shabala moved to second on a ground out by Kimura and moved up to third on a wild pitch by Hoerman. After Harvey walked, Cowan hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring Shabala.

The Huskers take a five-game winning streak into a Saturday at 1 p.m. meeting against Oklahoma. Oklahoma native Steve Hale will take the mound for Nebraska.