It was fun while it lasted, Nebraska baseball’s three consecutive victories at the MLB Desert Invitational in Arizona to start the season that is. But the fourth game Monday, against Stanford, wasn’t fun.
The Cardinal scored six runs in the first inning on the way to an 11-6 victory.
And, it should be noted, Stanford added three runs in the top of the third, for a 9-0 lead that might have been overwhelming enough for some teams to concede. The Huskers, however, didn’t. They scored four in the bottom of the third and two in the sixth before Stanford effectively sealed the deal.
It was a learning experience, Coach Will Bolt said on the Huskers Radio Network post-game. “We were chasing them all day, obviously, and chasing nine runs…”
You get the picture. To start with such a lead, Stanford’s pitchers and defense weren’t dealing with the pressure the Huskers felt, trying to battle back.
“The way that game ended was kind of a microcosm of us chasing them and them being on their toes,” Bolt said. “We just weren’t on our toes on the mound, and they were ready to hit.”
The Cardinal finished with 14 hits, only one more than Nebraska.
So let’s look for some Husker positives:
- Mac Moyer, a San Jacinto Junior College transfer who got his first start at Nebraska, went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a walk;
- Cole Kitchens had a two-run double to get the Huskers on the scoreboard, and one out later, Will Jesske hit a two-run home run. He also hit a home run Sunday;
- Jett Buck, Joshua Overbeek and Dylan Carey each had two hits, giving them multiple hits in all four games;
- Pryce Bender pitched three scoreless inning, including eight consecutive outs before a runner reached on an error, and was picked off. Bender allowed a double in the next inning and was replaced;
- Auden Pankonin pitched a scoreless fourth, getting out of a bases-loaded situation with a strikeout, and Ryan Harrahill pitched a one-two-three ninth, beginning with a strikeout.
Bolt had praise for Moyer, who played centerfield (where Devin Nunez had started the first three games). “He’s been very mature in his at-bats … and amazing performance by him,” said Bolt.
Moyer was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the first three games.
Colin Nowaczyk, Nebraska’s starter, gave up hits to the first four batters, including a lead-off triple and a double, and walked the fifth batter. He also hit a batter and gave up another double. Tough day.
Are you still with me? I’m guessing maybe not. My plan was to keep this short.
Next up for Nebraska is the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The first of three games will be against 13th-ranked Louisville Friday afternoon.
Obviously, things don’t get easier for the 3-1 Huskers. But there’s still a chance to have some fun.
