Huskers Take Series at Oklahoma with 12-3 Win

Norman, Okla. -- The Nebraska baseball team (10-6 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12 Conference) knocked around seven Oklahoma pitchers in a 12-3 win at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla., on Sunday afternoon.

The Huskers had 18 hits, including 17 singles, had the bases loaded in the first, second, fourth, sixth and seven innings and left 17 runners on base in the win over Oklahoma (11-8 and 1-2 in the Big 12).

"I was proud of the way we bounced back after yesterday's tough defeat," Coach Dave Van Horn said. "If you would have told me a week ago we would come down here and take two out of three I would have taken it."

Senior Jay Sirianni (1-1) picked up the win pitching 5.1 innings and allowing just one earned run. Shane Komine came on in relief in the sixth inning and in 2.2 innings of work, he did not allow a hit and struck out three batters. Chad Wiles pitched the ninth as Oklahoma scored two unearned runs thanks to two Nebraska errors.

Oklahoma used seven pitches with starter Rafael Riguerio (1-1) taking the loss. As a staff, the Sooners walked 12 Nebraska batters.

NU continued to score runs in the eighth when Danny Kimura and John Cole scored. Ken Harvey singled home both runners to make the score 12-1. On the day, Harvey was 4-for-5 with four singles, a walk and three runs batted in. Over the weekend, Harvey made a strong bid to earn Big 12 Player-of-the-Week honors for the second time this season going 10 for 14 with two home runs and eight singles.

In the seventh, Nebraska scored four more times. Jamal Strong, Kimura, John Cole and Harvey scored to give the Huskers a 10-1 lead.

Oklahoma threatened in the sixth inning. The Sooners scored a run off Sirianni, but with one out and runners on second and third, Komine shut the door on Oklahoma. Komine got Josh Witcher to pop out to short and struck out Jeremy Vidales to end OU's only serious threat of the afternoon.

Nebraska kept the heat on scoring three runs in the third inning on a three-run shot by Will Bolt. Vlieger singled and Brian Johnson walked before Bolt launched a first pitch fastball from OU reliever Rocky Cherry off the scoreboard to give the Huskers a 6-0 lead.

The Huskers scored three runs in the first inning to take control. Strong singled, Shabala walked and Kimura hit a bloop single to right field. On the play, Strong scored from second when OU right fielder Jeff Bajenaru threw the ball into left field. Harvey singled home Shabala and a Justin Cowan sacrifice fly scored Kimura to put NU ahead 3-0.

\Nebraska is next in action against No. 21 Baylor at Buck Beltzer Stadium next weekend. The Huskers and Bears play three games at The Buck beginning on Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m.