Wiles, Huskers down Texas-Arlington, 3-1

Arlington, Texas -- The University of Nebraska picked up a big win with a 3-1 victory over Texas-Arlington in the Arlington Morning News Invitational on Friday.

NU's Chad Wiles earned his second consecutive start and responded by yielding just four hits seven innings, while allowing just one unearned run and one walk.

The Huskers broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh inning by capitalizing on several miscues by the host Mavericks. UTA committed back-to-back errors on bunts from Jamal Strong and Adam Shabala following a leadoff single from freshman catcher Aaron Gozart. After a force out at home, Shabala scored on a sacrifice fly from John Cole. On the next play, NU Strong stole third and senior Brandt Vlieger stole second, however, UTA second baseman Craig Martin got into a chase down with Vlieger which allowed Strong to score, giving NU a 3-1 lead.

The Huskers scored their first run on a squeeze bunt by Vlieger to score Shabala, who reached base on a walk and advanced on a balk.

UTA appeared ready for a rally in the ninth inning after Brian Rodaway walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth. But sophomore R.D. Spiehs came in and shut the door to retire the next three batters and earned the save.

"It was great to start the tournament off with a win," Van Horn said. "This was a good win against a solid pitcher. Chad Wiles gave us seven solid innings and only gave up four hits and R.D. (Spiehs) did a good job at closing out the game. We played well today."

Texas-Arlington, which fell to 7-4, scored its only run in the fourth inning off a sacrifice fly from Jared Ferrans to score Kelly Crosby who reached base on a throwing error from Husker shortstop Will Bolt.

Nebraska, which won its second straight and improved to 2-2, will play Washington State at noon on Saturday. The Cougars fell to Arkansas, 1-0, in the early game despite a three-hit, complete-game outing from pitcher Todd Meldahl.