Huskers Power Past Southern Utah

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) -- Nebraska's Dan Johnson tied a school and Big 12 record Tuesday with three home runs in a single game as the Cornhuskers swept a doubleheader at Southern Utah.

Johnson hit his first three homers of the season in Nebraska's 18-6 win in the opener. He added another home run in the second game as the Huskers (11-3) won 12-9.

Johnson, a senior who tied for the team lead in home runs last season with 21, hit also hit three homers last April in a game against Texas A&M. Only two other Huskers have hit three in a single game.

Grand Island native R.D. Spiehs (2-1) got the win in the opener, allowing five runs on eight hits in seven innings. Reliever Brian Rodaway (1-0) got the win in the nightcap after pitching just a third of an inning. Steve Hale picked up his second save.

The Huskers are ranked ninth in the latest rankings compiled by Baseball America. Their lofty ranking appeared to be in jeopardy in the nightcap until they scored four runs with two outs in the top of the ninth, including Will Bolt's second homer of the season.

Bolt's blast on two ball, two strike fastball drove in Jeff Blevins and Justin Seely. Blevins and Seeley had earned walks from Southern Utah pitcher Rick White.

Husker coach Dave Van Horn was ejected in the bottom of the eighth inning of the second game. That marked the second time in his NU coaching career that he has been tossed from a contest.

Nebraska has now won nine games in a row. The nine-consecutive victories against Division I foes is the fourth-longest winning streak in school history.

The Huskers rerturn home to face Kansas State this Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Game times are 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday at Buck Beltzer Stadium.