Six-Run Sixth Dooms No. 19 Huskers in 8-4 Loss

Stillwater, Okla. - Jed Morris posted his second multi-homer game of the season, but it was not enough as No. 17 Oklahoma State used a six-run sixth inning to down No. 19 Nebraska, 8-4, in front of a crowd of 1,704 at Reynolds Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The Husker catcher went 3-for-4 and belted his ninth and 10th homers of the season, as Nebraska (25-14, 11-9) hit three home runs, but managed only seven hits off Oklahoma State Scott Baker, who improved to 5-0 on the season with the complete-game win. The victory also ended OSU's seven game losing streak to the Huskers, dating back to the 2000 season.

"I thought Baker pitched well," Van Horn said. "We were able to get some hard hits, but didn't string anything together offensively."

"We hit the ball hard, and they made some great defensive plays in the outfield," Morris said.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Cowboys (29-10, 8-5 Big 12) took the lead for good, scoring six runs off Nebraska starter Jamie Rodrigue, who suffered his first loss in 18 starts dating back to last March. Paul Powell's one-out solo homer cut the NU lead to 3-2 before OSU loaded the bases. Catcher Jason Jamarillo, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, then hit a grounder to the left of the third base bag which home plate umpire Greg Oros ruled fair, clearing the bases with a three-run double. Jeff Salazar capped the outburst with his third homer of the season, a two-run shot to right, to give the hosts all the runs they would need.

Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said that Jamarillo's double was a pivotal point in the Cowboy's rally.

"I don't think it cost us the game, but it made a difference in how the momentum swung," Van Horn said.

Husker starter Jamie Rodrigue took the loss, falling to 5-1 on the season, allowing eight runs on 11 hits while throwing his third complete game of the season. The setback also ended a personal nine-game winning streak, dating back to March 24, 2001.

 

Nebraska used a pair of base hits and a sacrifice fly by Will Bolt to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. With one out, Justin Seely and Drew Anderson, who had a pair of hits, hit back-to-back-singles, while an error by OSU left fielder Jose Virgil moved Anderson into scoring position. Bolt, who had three hits in Friday's win, lofted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Seely from third. The Huskers extended their lead to 2-0 in the third on a two-out solo homer by Morris to right, first off two for the NU catcher and the Huskers' first extra-base hit of the weekend.

The Cowboys broke through on Rodrigue in the bottom of the fifth, stringing together three straight hits, as Nebasset Brown's RBI single cut the Husker lead to 2-1. OSU looked to tie the contest on Daylon Monette fly ball to left, but Daniel Bruce threw a strike to the plate to get Jeff Salazar out the plate to end the threat.

The Huskers moved ahead 3-1 on Matt Hopper's sixth home run of the season, a two-out shot to right center in the top of the sixth before the Cowboys, who saw their 12-game home winning streak end in Friday's 5-2 Husker win, took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning.

Morris' second homer of the after trimmed the Cowboy lead to 7-4 in the top of the eighth before OSU closed the scoring on Rob Watson's solo homer in the bottom of the frame.

Despite the setback, the Husker Head Coach is optimistic in his team's chances to take their first Big 12 road series of the season.

"We still have a chance to regroup and come back tomorrow and win the series," Van Horn said. "I told the guys that we are on the road and it is a tough place to play.

The two teams will conclude the series Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., as Husker freshman Brian Duensing (1-1, 5.67 ERA) will take on OSU right-hander Jimmy Rhodes (2-3, 5.56 ERA).