Huskers Drop No. 18 Creighton, 9-5

Omaha, Neb. -- Nebraska handed in-state rival and 18th-ranked Creighton a 9-5 loss Tuesday in non-conference action at the CU Sports Complex in Omaha. Creighton (18-3) entered the contest ranked 18th in the latest Baseball America top-25 poll and 23rd in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches Poll. Junior first baseman Dan Johnson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) lifted the Huskers (15-7) to a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a three-run home run over the right field fence.

Husker Head Coach Dave Van Horn said he was pleased with the victory.

"This was a good win for us," Van Horn said. "We didn't play that great defensively, but we got some solid innings from our pitchers and did some good things offensively. Anytime you can beat a good team on their field, you have to happy. Hopefully this will help us carry our momentum into a big series with Texas Tech this weekend."

Nebraska built on its 3-0 lead in the third after Creighton starter Rob Holmes walked Jeff Leise and Justin Cowan to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt from Johnson advanced Leise and Cowan, sophomore John Cole hit a line drive that bounced off the second baseman's glove allowing Leise to score. Adam Stern then hit a deep fly ball that was dropped by the centerfielder Troy Carley, allowing Cowan to score from third.

The Huskers added two more runs in the fifth inning on one hit and another Creighton error. A throwing error by CU second baseman Vince Pietro put Cowan aboard and Johnson reached on a walk. After a Cole sacrifice but, Stern hit a two-RBI single to centerfield to score Cowan and Johnson and give the Huskers a 7-0 lead.

Ken Sarna hit a three-run home run after Nebraska committed back-to-back errors to give Creighton runners on first and second with no outs. The Bluejays challenged again in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs after a single and two walks off reliever Chad Wiles. But Dave Rowley lined a pitch straight to Johnson at first base who tagged out the leaning Rhett Dwyer. Johnson nearly turned a triple play, but Chris Hinrichs beat the throw at third base. Carley flew out to centerfield to end the inning.

Creighton stranded runners at second and third in the eighth, but put together five hits in the bottom of the ninth to score two runs. Nebraska slowed the CU charge when Rowley hit into another double play.

Nebraska had seven hits from seven different players. Johnson, who hit his third home run in three days, went 1-for-3 with three RBI. Cowan extended his hitting streak to 15 games and scored a game-high three runs. Stern also finished with three RBI for the Huskers. Senior Jamal Strong extended his streak of reaching base to 42 consecutive games with a hit in his final at bat of the game.

Nebraska will host Texas Tech this weekend at Buck Beltzer Stadium. The two teams will play at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and will play a double header on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.