Huskers Sweep Missouri for Eighth Straight Win

Columbia, Mo -- Nebraska got back-to-back first-inning home runs from Dan Johnson and Matt Hopper and cruised Sunday to a 9-5 Big 12 Conference victory over Missouri to complete a three-game series sweep.

Johnson's homer, his 11th of the season, came with Jamal Strong aboard and bounded off the scoreboard in left field. Hopper's home run was his ninth and got out in right centerfield.

The victory was Nebraska's eighth in a row and raised its record to 26-11 overall, 13-8 in the Big 12. For Missouri, losers of three in a row for the first time this season, it was the first time they had been swept at home in a league series since Texas Tech did it in 1997. The Tigers are now 22-16, 8-10.

Missouri shortstop Ryan Stegall, the Big 12's leading hitter, led off the fourth inning with his fifth home run of the season to narrow the Nebraska lead to 4-2, but the Huskers came right back with three runs in the fifth.

The Tigers had their chances, but stranded 12 baserunners in the game and hit into a inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Lefthander Trevor Bullock pitched the first five-and-a-third innings for Nebraska and left with a 8-3 lead. He struck out seven and walked three in raising his record to 4-0. Chad Wiles pitched the rest of the way to record his first save. Mizzou's Jon Harris was the first of four Tiger hurlers. He allowed eight runs on eight hits and six walks and took the loss (3-4).

During the three-game series, Nebraska rolled up 50 hits and never had a 1-2-3 inning.

The Huskers play host to Western Illinois Tuesday evening at 7p.m. at Buck Beltzer Stadium.