Reds Clinch Series with 5-4 Win

Lincoln, Neb. ? The annual Red/White Series concluded at Hawks Field Thursday afternoon with a 5-4 Red squad victory. Freshman Tim Scott picked up the win in relief of starting redshirt freshman Tim Radmacher, while sophomore Tony Watson took the loss for the Whites after a five-inning relief stint. Senior Brett Jensen earned his second save of the fall classic, tossing two innings of shutout relief.

The Reds jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second with a two-run single to center by redshirt freshman Casey Klapperich, scoring sophomore Steve Edlefsen and junior Luke Gorsett. In the fifth inning, leading 2-1, the Reds scratched out two additional runs off freshman reliever Mike Nihsen, as freshman John Lee reached base on a walk and junior Nick Jaros found the base paths by way of an error at first base.

“We got great starting pitching out of the mix,” Head Coach Mike Anderson said. “Some of our young guys gave up some runs, but that is expected during the fall.”

The White squad answered in the bottom of the fifth, however, tying the score with three runs of their own. Freshman Andrew Gudmunson, who went 2-for-4 on the day, and sophomore Bryce Nimmo began the inning with back-to-back singles. Redshirt freshman Jake Mort then singled to score Gudmonson, and sophomore Ryan Wehrle then swatted a triple to the right center gap, bringing in Nimmo and Mort to even the score at 4-4. 

But it took just one single by senior Brandon Buckman to put the Reds on top in the seventh, as he brought Lee around the bags with a screamer that bounced off first base. Buckman powered the Red squad in the offensive attack, shining in a 3-for-5 performance before Jensen slammed the door.

“It might be the best effort in the fall we have had in the 12 years I have been here as a coach,” Anderson said. “They are extremely enthusiastic and have bought into the Nebraska style of baseball. We are young, but we are talented. I can’t be more pleased with their effort.”