Husker Baseball Team Opens Big 12 With a Split

Game One: Nebraska 13, Oklahoma State 10
Stillwater, Okla. -- The Nebraska baseball team kicked off its 2000 Big 12 campaign with a split against conference power Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, winning game one 13-10, before dropping the second game, 4-2.

Head Coach Dave Van Horn was disappointed at the outcome of the second game, but said the Huskers got off to a good start.

"I was a little disappointed because I thought we would be able to score six or seven runs in the second game," Van Horn said. "We didn't take advantage of some opportunities and it cost us. Defensively, I thought we were very average the entire day. I thought the guys played hard, but I think they may have let up a little after winning that first game."

Nebraska had no problems figuring out OSU All-American pitcher Matt Smith, who gave up eight hits, seven runs and four walks in 4.1 innings. OSU, which advanced to the 1999 College World Series, was dominated by NU freshman Jamie Rodrigue threw five scoreless innings and held OSU hitless through the first 5.2 innings. Jimbo McAuliff busted up Rodrigue's no-hitter with a two-out triple in the bottom of the sixth inning.

But the Cowboys' offense came to life, rallying for eight runs in the seventh inning off five hits and two Husker errors to pull with two at 10-8. Rodrigue allowed the leadoff single and hit Luke Scott to account for the first two baserunners. Oklahoma native Steve Hale allowed four hits and six runs, while recording just two outs, however he was charged with just one earned run.

Nebraska rallied to tack on two runs in the seventh off a two-run home run from Brandt Vlieger. The Huskers added three runs in the ninth after the OSU pitching staff surrendered three walks and a hit in the final frame.

Nebraska finished with 12 hits in the game, paced by a 4-for-6 performance at the plate from sophomore John Cole, who hit his first home run of the season in the fifth inning. Sophomore shortstop Will Bolt also hit his first home run of the season with a two-run round-tripper in the fifth inning. Bolt went 1-for-4 at the plate and also had two stolen bases. He missed the second game after straining his quadricep trying to beat out a double play in the first game.

Rodrigue improved to 2-1 with the victory, while Smith fell to 2-2 for the Huskers. R.D. Spiehs earned his second save of the season in two innings of work.

Game Two: Oklahoma State 4, Nebraska 2
In the second game, NU sophomore ace Shane Komine had a solid outing performance spoiled after giving up a two-out, two-run home run to Luke Scott in the first inning. Komine struck out nine batters and allowed just five hits in 6.2 innings, but gave up four walks and four earned runs.

Scott drew a walk in the fourth inning and scored after a single, error and a sacrifice fly to center field. OSU added its final run after an Anthony Purkiss double scored Curt Anthony in the seventh, who led off the inning with a triple off Komine.

Nebraska rallied in the eighth inning after Dan Johnson, Adam Stern and Jamal Strong put together three straight singles. Strong's single scored Johnson, but OSU slowed the rally by throwing out Strong on an attempt to steal second. Nebraska's only other run came on a sacrifice fly from Justin Cowan. Strong had a hit in each game to extend his streak of reaching base in 32 consecutive games.

Komine (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season, while Frank Bludau earned the win. Rusty Rushing picked up his third save of the year in 2.2 innings of relief.

Nebraska managed just five hits in the game, including just one hit through the first seven innings. The Huskers will attempt to win the rubber match with a 2 p.m. game against the Cowboys on Sunday.