Huskers Fall on Opening Day

No. 24 Nebraska suffered a 10-5 setback in its season opener vs. UC Irvine at the MLB Desert Invitational on Friday afternoon at Salt River Fields at Talkin Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Huskers (0-1) totaled five runs on eight hits and no errors, while the Anteaters (1-0) recorded 10 runs, 11 hits and an error.

Dylan Carey led NU at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Max Buettenback scored a team-high three runs and doubled, while Case Sanderson, Rhett Stokes, Hogan Helligso and Robby Bolin each tallied a hit.

Mason McConnaughey took the loss on the mound after giving up six runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. The junior struck out nine and issued three walks in the season opener. Drew Christo surrendered four runs on two hits in 0.2 innings, while Grant Cleavinger recorded two outs without giving up a run.

Pryce Bender and Colin Nowaczyk combined for 3.2 shutout innings in their collegiate debut, while Ryan Harrahill recorded the final out for the NU pitching staff.

McConnaughey struck out the first two batters, but consecutive two-out hits had the Anteaters out front 1-0 in the top of the first inning. The Topeka, Kan., native collected eight punchouts in the first three innings to keep it a one-run game going into the fourth.

UC Irvine erupted for five runs in the top of the fourth to grow the lead to 6-0. An RBI single doubled the lead for the Anteaters, while a pair of two-out two-run singles gave UC Irvine its 6-0 advantage.

The Huskers plated their first two runs of the day in the bottom of the fourth to trim the deficit to 6-2. Nebraska had the bases loaded with no outs after a leadoff walk to Buettenback, a single by Carey and a walk to Case Sanderson. Swansen was plunked to bring home Buettenback, while Stokes was hit by pitch later in the inning to score Carey and bring the Big Red within four after four innings.

The Anteaters responded with four more runs in the fifth to blow the game open at 10-2. A walk with the bases loaded plated the first run, while a bases-clearing triple into the right-center alley added three runs for UC Irvine.

A leadoff double from Bolin and a walk to Buettenback had runners on first and second with one out for the Huskers in the bottom of the seventh. Carey followed with an infield single to the left side on a play that allowed Bolin to score after an errant throw from the Anteaters’ shortstop. Sanderson lifted a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Buettenback to trot home for NU’s fourth run.

Back-to-back doubles from Buettenback and Carey in the bottom of the ninth scored Nebraska’s fifth and final run of the afternoon.

Nebraska continues play at the MLB Desert Invitational, as the No. 24 Huskers take on No. 16 Vanderbilt tomorrow night at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. First pitch between the Big Red and Commodores is set for 7 p.m. CT on MLB Network.