Wehrle Leads Huskers Past Arizona

Minneapolis, Minn. ? Ryan Wehrle’s eighth-inning RBI double broke a 1-all tie, while three Husker pitchers limited Arizona to four hits, as No. 4 Nebraska posted a 3-1 victory at the Dairy Queen Classic Saturday afternoon at the Metrodome.

Wehrle’s one-out double to left center off of Arizona reliever Mark Perry plated Bryce Nimmo, as the Huskers (7-2) won for the fifth time in the last six games by plating single runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
 
While Nebraska’s scratched out nine hits, including two each by Nimmo and Andy Gerch, Tony Watson and relievers Jared Cranston and Brett Jensen held the potent Arizona offense that was hitting .317 to just four singles and kept the Wildcats off the board over the final seven frames.

Watson went the first 6.1 innings, matching his career high with eight strikeouts, as he allowed one run on four hits before Cranston and Jensen combined for 2.2 innings of no-hit relief. Cranston (1-0) earned his first collegiate win while Jensen picked up his first save, as he got NU out of a jam in the eighth by retiring the final six Wildcats in order, including three strikeouts.

“They did a great job,” Nebraska Head Coach Mike Anderson said on his staff’s effort. “I was impressed with Tony’s performance today.  He hesitated for a second and had the balk called, or he probably would have gotten out of the inning without allowing a run. He got in a couple of tight situations and pitched out of it every time, and I thought he got stronger as the game went on which was very encouraging.”

The Huskers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, as Luke Gorsett continued his tear with his Big 12 leading fifth homer of the season. Gorsett sent Preston Guilmet’s first offering into the stands, as Gorsett homered for the third straight game and fourth time in the last five contests.

Watson struggled with his control early on, as the sophomore left-hander hit two batters in the first and walked two in the second, leading to Arizona’s only run. With two outs, a single and two walks loaded the bases home plate umpire Bill Ryan called a balk on Watson, allowing Jon Gaston, who began the rally with a walk, to score the tying run.

After the second, Watson settled down, retiring 12 straight at one point, and kept the Huskers in the game, while Arizona starter Preston Guilmet kept the Huskers off the scoreboard until the eighth. Guilmet (1-1) pitched well in defeat, allowing two runs on six hits over a career high seven innings of work.

The Wildcats (9-5) threatened in the seventh off Watson, as a one-out single by Gaston and a hit batter put runners on first and second with one out. Cranston then came in to thwart the rally, fanning Brad Boyer before Jason Donald grounded into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

The Huskers finally got to the Wildcats in the eighth, as Nimmo opened the frame with a single and moved to second on Nick Jaros’ sacrifice bunt. Perry then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Nimmo to reach third before Wehrle sent a 2-2 pitch into left center to score the go-ahead run.

The Wildcats had an opportunity to tie the game in the eighth, as Cranston walked Berger to open the bottom of the eighth. Pinch hitter Hunter Pace moved Berger into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, but Jensen struck out Konrad Schmidt and Bill Rhinehart to get out of the jam.

NU tacked on an insurance run in the ninth as Jake Opitz’s RBI single plated Gerch, who opened the ninth with a double to right.

The Huskers wrap up play at the Dairy Queen Classic on Sunday afternoon, as they take on Minnesota. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and stations along the Pinnacle Sports Network will join the game in progress. Fans can watch all of the action live on HuskersNside