Huskers Shutout No. 18 Oklahoma, 1-0, in 11 Innings

Lincoln -- Joe Simokaitis’ 11th-inning bases-loaded single broke a scoreless tie, as Nebraska topped No. 18 Oklahoma, 1-0 in front of 4,504 fans at Hawks Field Saturday afternoon.

The Huskers (35-20, 11-15 Big 12) had just two hits through 10 innings before stringing together four consecutive hits of Oklahoma reliver Jarod McAuliff in the 11th. Back-to-back singles by Daniel Bruce and Chad Steele put runners on first and second before Jesse Boyer legged out a bunt single to load the bases. Simokaitis, a .500 hitter with the bases loaded in his career, then sent McAuliff’s 1-0 pitch between third and short to score Bruce with the game winner.

While Simokaitis’ seeing-eye single ended the game, a pair of masterful pitching performances kept the game deadlocked into the 11th, as both starters went the first nine innings without a decision.

Nebraska starter Phil Shirek went a career-high nine innings, striking out four and scattering four hits, as he equaled the longest start by a Husker this year. Shirek, whose previous best was eight innings against Creighton in 2003, topped his previous season best by two innings, as he had not pitched more than seven innings since March 28. Mike Sillman (1-2) earned the win in relief by fanning three in two innings of no-hit ball after coming into the 10th.

"I am thrilled with our pitching," Nebraska Coach Mike Anderson said. "That was the best outing of Phil Shirek's career here. He was outstanding today."

While the Huskers handed Oklahoma its first shutout in 212 games dating back to the 2001 season, OU starter Mark Roberts was equally superb, allowing two hits, including one over his final 8.2 innings of work, and fanning eight in the longest effort of his career.

The loss was McAuliff’s first in six decisions this season, and marked the first time since April 26, 1980, that Nebraska won a 1-0 game at home.

Oklahoma (35-20, 18-8 Big 12) had base runners on in each of the first seven innings, but could not get the key hit, stranding nine runners on the day. The Sooners’ best opportunity came in the seventh when Scott Rooker singled and stole second with two outs. Russell Raley then laced a tailing liner to right that Bruce made a spectacular catch, keeping the game deadlocked.

The Huskers put runners on first and second with two outs in the first after a leadoff single by Boyer, who went 2-for-5, and an intentional walk to Alex Gordon, but could not score as Roberts fanned Curtis Ledbetter to end the threat. Roberts would not allow another Husker into scoring position until the ninth when Chad Steele singled, one of two hits on the day for the Husker DH, and advanced to second on an error by Andrew McGuire. The Huskers could not capitalize as Roberts retired the next three hitters to leave Steele stranded in scoring position.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m., as the Huskers will honor their five seniors (John Grose, Jake Mullinax, Justin Pekarek, Quinton Robertson and Mike Sillman) in pregame ceremonies.

Box score (NCAA) The Automated ScoreBook #18 Oklahoma at Nebraska May 22, 2004 at Lincoln, Neb. (Hawks Field) Oklahoma 0 (35-20,18-8 BIG 12) Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Rohlinger, Ryan ss....... 4 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 Raley, Russell 2b........ 3 0 1 0 1 0 3 1 1 Sheldon, Ole 1b.......... 5 0 0 0 0 1 10 2 3 Thornton, Eric dh........ 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bose, Matt 3b............ 5 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 McGuire, Andrew rf....... 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 Mottern, Ryan lf......... 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 Stinson, Josh c.......... 4 0 2 0 0 0 7 3 0 Rooker, Scott cf......... 3 0 1 0 1 1 5 0 1 Roberts, Mark p.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 McAuliff, Jarod p....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Totals................... 37 0 6 0 4 7 30 13 9 Nebraska 1 (35-20,11-15 BIG 12) Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Boyer, Jesse lf.......... 5 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 Simokaitis, Joe ss....... 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 4 0 Mullinax, Jake 2b........ 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 Gordon, Alex 3b.......... 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 Ledbetter, Curtis 1b..... 4 0 0 0 0 3 9 1 2 Grose, John c............ 2 0 0 0 1 1 8 1 0 Shockey, Colin cf........ 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 Bruce, Daniel rf......... 4 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 Steele, Chad dh.......... 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 Shirek, Phil p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 Sillman, Mike p......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals................... 33 1 6 1 3 9 33 12 7 Score by Innings R H E ---------------------------------------------- Oklahoma............ 000 000 000 00 - 0 6 1 Nebraska............ 000 000 000 01 - 1 6 0 ---------------------------------------------- Note: None out, 3 runners LOB when the game ended. E - Mottern, R.(5). DP - Sooners 2. LOB - Sooners 9; Huskers 7. HBP - Grose, J.. SH - Raley, R.(9); Simokaitis,(7). SB - Rooker, S.(3). CS - Rohlinger, R(4). Oklahoma IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP -------------------------------------------------- Roberts, Mark....... 9.0 2 0 0 3 8 26 30 119 McAuliff, Jarod..... 1.0 4 1 1 0 1 7 8 30 Nebraska IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP -------------------------------------------------- Shirek, Phil........ 9.0 6 0 0 4 4 31 36 119 Sillman, Mike....... 2.0 0 0 0 0 3 6 6 27 Win - Sillman, M. (1-2). Loss - McAuliff, J. (5-1). Save - None. HBP - by McAuliff, J. (Grose, J.). PB - Grose, J.(4). Pitches/strikes: Roberts, M. 119/74; McAuliff, J. 30/18; Shirek, P. 119/71; Sillman, M. 27/18. Umpires - HP: Doyle Sooter 1B: Chris Coskey 3B: Randy Bruns Start: 2:06p.m. Time: 3:06 Attendance: 4504 Game: NU55