It was hardly the dominating game I was hoping for, but a 5-3 win, is a win, is a win. Tony Watson was hardly overpowering in his 5 and 1/3 innings pitched, allowing 7 hits and walking 4, but he was able to gather himself every time he got into trouble and ended up allowing just 2 runs. Matt Foust relieved Watson in the 6th inning and finished the game, pitching the final 3 and 2/3 innings, allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, and 1 earned run. Faust also struck out 4.
Texas A&M starter Clayton Ehlert didn't fare very well in his start, lasting just 2 and 2/3 of an inning, and was pulled by Former Nebraska Pitching Coach Rob Childress when he got into trouble by loading the bases with just one out. Childress's move proved to be the right one, as the Huskers didn't manage another hit that inning.
The oddest scoring play of the game came in the bottom of the 8th inning, after 3rd baseman Craig Corriston singled, and outfielder Andrew Brown walked, both runners advanced a base, then another, including Corriston coming home on back-to-back balk calls.
Balks are certainly more prevalent in the college game than they are in Major league baseball, in fact I don't remember the last time I saw a balk get called in MLB, but back to back balks on any level is almost unheard of, and always unpopular, as it is usually a judgment call entirely based on what the umpire thinks he sees.
The extra run was proved to be not needed as the Foust was able to get through the 9th without allowing a run.
It's certainly a good start for the Huskers; a 0-1 start would almost certainly have put them under the gun. Texas has been rolling along in the Big 12, and if the Huskers want to have any chance to win their pool, they'll need to be undefeated when they meet Texas on Saturday.
The Huskers will next play tomorrow at 7:30 pm against Kansas State (33-22, 10-16 in Big 12) with Johnny Dorn most likely going to the hill.
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