Texas Tech Tops No. 16 Nebraska, 9-8

Lubbock, Texas ? Doug Thennis’ walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth broke an 8-all deadlock, lifting Texas Tech to a wild 9-8 victory over No. 16 Nebraska Saturday afternoon at Dan Law Field.

Thennis ended a back-and-forth contest, as he sent the first pitch from Husker reliever Steve Edlefsen over the fence in right center for his fourth round tripper of the year to give the Red Raiders their second one-run win of the series.

“He did a good job and hit it out,” Nebraska Head Coach Mike Anderson said. “It was a good well-fought game and both teams did a good job of fighting back in the late innings.”

Edlefsen (0-1) suffered his first loss, as the Huskers (10-7, 1-2 Big 12) overcame a three-run deficit in the eighth and a two-run deficit in the ninth, only to fall a run short.

Trailing 8-6 in the ninth, the Huskers rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the inning, taking advantage of a pair of Texas Tech miscues. After Mitch Abeita reached on a throwing error, Jake Mort singled to put two on with no outs to chase Tech starter Colt Hynes. Edlefsen then laid down a perfect sacrifice that reliever Travis Young threw into right field, allowing Abeita to score and Mort to get to third. DJ Belfonte made it a tie game, driving in Mort with infield single off the glove of pitcher Paul Gonzalez. The Huskers tried to score the go-ahead run on Craig Corriston’s fly ball to left, but Drew Evans fired a strike home and got Edlefsen at the plate.

“We would have liked to push another run across and get the lead,” Anderson said. “We were aggressive in everything we did (to get back in the game). We were fortunate to have runners on and kept being aggressive.”

Belfonte led NU with three hits and scored twice, while Corriston went 2-for-5 and scored a pair of runs in a losing effort. Andy Gerch also homered and drove in two runs for the Huskers.  Gonzalez (3-1) got the win in relief for Texas Tech, as he got the Red Raiders (17-8, 2-1) out of the ninth-inning jam.

Trailing  6-2, the Huskers roared back, scoring once in the sixth before Andrew Brown’s three-run homer tied it up in the eighth, setting the stage for a wild finish.

James Leverton, who went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, opened the heighth by reaching on an error by Brown. The mistake proved costly, as Taylor Ashby executed a perfect hit-and-run, slapping the ball through the infield to put runners on the corners. Edlefsen came into face Baker, who broke the tie by sending his first offering up the middle past the drawn-in infield for the go-ahead run. Tech would later add a second run on a bases-loaded walk to take an 8-6 lead, only to see NU tie it up in the ninth.

Texas Tech used a big afternoon from Leverton, who homered and drove in three runs as part of a 2-for-4 afternoon. Leverton, who entered the game batting .247 in 22 games, sparked Tech’s three-run fourth inning with his first homer of the year ? a two-run shot off of NU starter Johnny Dorn ? to break a 2-all tie.

Nebraska jumped out quickly, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first on Gerch’s first homer of the season. Corriston began the rally with a double to right before Gerch drove him home two batters later with a blast to left.

Texas Tech pulled to within 2-1 in the bottom of the second on Leverton’s RBI single that scored Kyle Martin, who reached on a one-out double to left.

The Red Raiders took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three times off Dorn with the big blow coming on a two-run coming off the bat of  Leverton. A single from Matt Smith and a double by Martin put runners on second and third with no outs. Thennis tied the game with a sacrifice fly before Leverton launched an 0-2 pitch into the bullpen in left to make it a 4-2 game.

Tech chased NU starter Johnny Dorn in the fifth with a pair of runs, extending the lead to 6-2. The Husker starter allowed a single and double to open the inning before Matt Foust came in relief.  Smith lofted a RBI sacrifice fly to center for the first run before a two-out wild pitch gave Tech a four-run lead.

Dorn, who was 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three career starts against Texas Tech, allowed six runs on eight hits over four innings, but did not factor into the decision, as the Huskers rallied in the late innings.

“He got some pitches up that that hurt him,” Anderson said. “He didn’t dominate the zone like he usually does. We also gave up three runs on 0-2 counts and that was a big factor in them getting ahead early.”

The Huskers, who had just one after scoring twice in the first, put together some offense in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Jeff Tezak.  Belfonte opened the inning with a single and moved into scoring position two batters later as Brown’s grounder was misplayed for an error. Two batters later, Tezak cut the deficit to 6-3 with a single behind the second base bag.

Nebraska struck quickly in the eighth, as Belfonte coaxed a leadoff walk ? just the fourth issued by Hynes in 43 innings ? before a Corriston single put two one with no outs. Moments later, Brown launched Hynes’ 1-0 pitch off the scoreboard in right to tie the score.  Hynes pitched into the ninth for Texas Tech, allowing five earned runs on eight hits but did not factor into the decision.

The Huskers return home Tuesday to begin a seven-game homestand at Hawks Field, as they take on Western Illinois beginning at 1:35 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The game will be carried exclusively on Huskers.com.

 

Nebraska vs Texas Tech (Mar 17, 2007)

Box Score 2007 Nebraska Baseball #16 Nebraska at Texas Tech Mar 17, 2007 at Lubbock, TX (Dan Law Field)

Nebraska 8 (10-7,2-1 Big 12)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Belfonte, DJ cf.......... 4 2 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 Corriston, Craig ss...... 5 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 Brown, Andrew 1b......... 5 1 1 3 0 0 9 0 2 Gerch, Andy lf........... 4 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 Tezak, Jeff 2b........... 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 Weber, Thad dh........... 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Wehrle, Ryan ph......... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sullivan, Nick rf....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Abeita, Mitch c.......... 4 1 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 Mort, Jake 3b............ 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Edlefsen, Steve rf/p..... 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 Dorn, Johnny p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Foust, Matt p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Herr, Zach p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bird, Erik p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals................... 37 8 9 7 1 1 24 10 4

Texas Tech 9 (17-8,1-2 Big 12)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Hall, Chris dh........... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ahern, Tim ph/dh........ 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Seefeld, Jason ph....... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kenworthy, Joey 2b....... 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Kieschnick, Roger rf..... 4 1 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 Smith, Matt c............ 3 1 2 2 1 0 2 0 0 Martin, Kyle ss.......... 4 2 2 0 1 1 2 7 3 Thennis, Doug cf......... 2 1 1 2 1 0 5 0 2 Leverton, James 1b....... 4 2 2 3 0 1 11 0 1 Ashby, Taylor lf......... 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 Evans, Drew lf.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Baker, Ben 3b............ 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 3 2 Hynes, Colt p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Young, Travis p......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gonzalez, Paul p........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals................... 34 9 12 8 4 5 27 11 9

Score by Innings R H E ------------------------------------------- Nebraska............ 200 001 032 - 8 9 1 Texas Tech.......... 010 320 021 - 9 12 3 -------------------------------------------

E - Brown, A.(3); Baker 2(4); Young(1). DP - Red Raiders 1. LOB - Huskers 4; Red Raiders 9. 2B - Corriston, C(3); Kieschnick(13); Martin 2(7). HR - Brown, A.(4); Gerch, A.(1); Thennis(4); Leverton(1). HBP - Thennis; Baker. SH - Edlefsen, S.(4). SF - M., Smith(3); Thennis(2). CS - Baker(2).

Nebraska IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP -------------------------------------------------- Dorn, Johnny........ 4.0 8 6 6 0 2 19 21 65 Foust, Matt......... 2.0 0 0 0 1 2 4 7 28 Herr, Zach.......... 0.2 1 0 0 1 1 3 4 15 Bird, Erik.......... 0.1 1 2 0 0 0 3 3 7 Edlefsen, Steve..... 1.0 2 1 1 2 0 5 7 19

Texas Tech IP H R ER BB SO AB BF NP -------------------------------------------------- Hynes, Colt......... 8.0 8 8 5 1 1 34 35 115 Young, Travis....... 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 Gonzalez, Paul...... 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 3 3 9

Win - Gonzalez (3-1). Loss - Edlefsen, S. (0-1). Save - None. WP - Foust, M.(5); Herr, Z.(2). HBP - by Dorn, J. (Thennis); by Foust, M. (Baker). Inherited runners/scored: Foust, M. 2/2; Bird, E. 2/0; Edlefsen, S. 2/2; Young 2/1; Gonzalez 2/1. Pitches/strikes: Dorn, J. 65/42; Foust, M. 28/16; Herr, Z. 15/9; Bird, E. 7/6; Edlefsen, S. 19/8; Hynes 115/81; Young 2/2; Gonzalez 9/6. Umpires - HP: Tim Norman 1B: Randy Bruns 3B: Tom Svehla Start: 2:05p.m. Time: 2:46 Attendance: 2473 Dorn, J. faced 2 batters in the 5th. Bird, E. faced 2 batters in the 8th. Hynes faced 2 batters in the 9th. Young faced 1 batter in the 9th. Edlefsen, S. faced 1 batter in the 9th. Game: NU17

Play-by-Play 2007 Nebraska Baseball #16 Nebraska at Texas Tech - Play-by-Play Mar 17, 2007 at Lubbock, TX (Dan Law Field)

Score by Innings R H E ------------------------------------------- Nebraska............ 200 001 032 - 8 9 1 Texas Tech.......... 010 320 021 - 9 12 3 -------------------------------------------

Nebraska starters: 4/cf Belfonte, D.; 15/ss Corriston, C; 18/1b Brown, A.; 12/lf Gerch, A.; 19/2b Tezak, J.; 14/dh Weber, T.; 13/c Abeita, M.; 2/3b Mort, J.; 9/rf Edlefsen, S.; 23/p Dorn, J.; Texas Tech starters: 3/dh Hall; 6/2b Kenworthy; 33/rf Kieschnick; 16/c M., Smith; 4/ss Martin; 13/cf Thennis; 10/1b Leverton; 17/lf Ashby; 2/3b Baker; 11/p Hynes;

Nebraska 1st - Belfonte, D. grounded out to 3b (0-2). Corriston, C doubled down the rf line (0-1). Brown, A. flied out to rf (0-0); Corriston, C advanced to third. Gerch, A. homered to left field, 2 RBI (2-1); Corriston, C scored. Tezak, J. flied out to rf (1-1). 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Texas Tech 1st - Hall out at first 2b to p (0-1). Kenworthy flied out to lf (2-2). Kieschnick grounded out to 2b (0-1). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Nebraska 2nd - Weber, T. grounded out to 3b (1-2). Abeita, M. grounded out to ss (1-2). Mort, J. lined out to 2b (2-1). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Texas Tech 2nd - M., Smith grounded out to 3b (0-0). Martin doubled to left field (1-0). Thennis hit by pitch (0-0). Leverton singled through the left side, RBI (0-1); Thennis advanced to second; Martin scored. Ashby lined out to 2b (0-1). Baker struck out looking (3-2). 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Nebraska 3rd - Edlefsen, S. flied out to cf (0-2). Belfonte, D. singled to center field (2-1). Corriston, C lined out to cf (0-0). Brown, A. grounded out to ss (1-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Texas Tech 3rd - Ahern pinch hit for Hall. Ahern struck out swinging (3-2). Kenworthy grounded out to 1b unassisted (1-2). Kieschnick grounded out to 2b (0-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Nebraska 4th - Gerch, A. flied out to lf (0-2). Tezak, J. grounded out to ss (1-0). Weber, T. grounded out to 3b (0-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Texas Tech 4th - M., Smith singled to center field (1-1). Martin doubled down the lf line (2-0); M., Smith advanced to third. Thennis flied out to rf, SF, RBI (2-2); Martin advanced to third; M., Smith scored. Leverton homered to left field, 2 RBI (0-2); Martin scored. Ashby singled to center field (1-2). Ahern to dh. Baker popped up to c (0-1). Ahern fouled out to 1b (1-0). 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Nebraska 5th - Abeita, M. flied out to cf (3-2). Mort, J. grounded out to ss (1-0). Edlefsen, S. struck out looking (0-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Texas Tech 5th - Kenworthy singled to first base (2-1). Kieschnick doubled to center field (1-0); Kenworthy advanced to third. Foust, M. to p for Dorn, J.. M., Smith flied out to cf, SF, RBI (0-2); Kieschnick advanced to third; Kenworthy scored. Martin struck out swinging (2-2). Thennis walked (3-2). Thennis advanced to second on a wild pitch; Kieschnick scored on a wild pitch. Leverton struck out swinging (2-2). 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Nebraska 6th - Belfonte, D. singled to first base (0-1). Corriston, C lined out to cf (0-2). Brown, A. reached on a fielding error by 3b (0-0); Belfonte, D. advanced to second. Gerch, A. fouled out to 1b (1-2). Tezak, J. singled to second base, RBI (0-0); Brown, A. advanced to second; Belfonte, D. scored, unearned. Weber, T. reached on a fielder's choice (0-1); Tezak, J. out at second ss unassisted. 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Texas Tech 6th - Ashby grounded out to 1b unassisted (2-2). Baker hit by pitch (0-0). Ahern grounded out to p (1-1); Baker advanced to second. Baker out at third c to 3b, caught stealing. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Nebraska 7th - Abeita, M. flied out to cf (1-2). Mort, J. flied out to rf (3-1). Edlefsen, S. flied out to lf (1-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Texas Tech 7th - Herr, Z. to p for Foust, M.. Kenworthy grounded out to 2b (0-1). Kieschnick struck out looking (1-2). M., Smith singled to left field (1-1). M., Smith advanced to second on a wild pitch. Martin walked (3-2). Bird, E. to p for Herr, Z.. Thennis grounded out to ss (1-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Nebraska 8th - Belfonte, D. walked (3-2). Corriston, C singled through the right side (0-1); Belfonte, D. advanced to second. Brown, A. homered to right center, 3 RBI (1-0); Corriston, C scored; Belfonte, D. scored. Gerch, A. grounded out to ss (0-0). Tezak, J. grounded out to ss (1-2). Wehrle, R. pinch hit for Weber, T.. Wehrle, R. grounded out to ss (2-1). 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Texas Tech 8th - Leverton reached on an error by 1b (0-0). Ashby singled through the left side (0-0); Leverton advanced to third. Sullivan, N. to rf for Wehrle, R.. Edlefsen, S. to p. / for Bird, E.. Baker singled up the middle, RBI (0-0); Ashby advanced to second; Leverton scored, unearned. Seefeld pinch hit for Ahern. Seefeld reached on a fielder's choice, bunt (0-0); Baker advanced to second; Ashby out at second p to ss. Kenworthy reached on a fielder's choice (3-1); Seefeld out at second 2b to ss; Baker advanced to third. Kieschnick intentionally walked (3-0); Kenworthy advanced to second. M., Smith walked, RBI (3-2); Kieschnick advanced to second; Kenworthy advanced to third; Baker scored, unearned. Martin flied out to lf (0-0). 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 3 LOB.

Nebraska 9th - Evans to lf for Ashby. Abeita, M. reached on a throwing error by 3b (3-2). Mort, J. singled through the right side (0-0); Abeita, M. advanced to second. Young to p for Hynes. Edlefsen, S. reached on an error by p, bunt, SAC, advanced to second (0-1); Mort, J. advanced to third; Abeita, M. scored, unearned. Gonzalez to p for Young. Belfonte, D. singled to pitcher, RBI (1-1); Edlefsen, S. advanced to third; Mort, J. scored, unearned. Corriston, C flied into double play lf to c (0-1); Belfonte, D. advanced to second; Edlefsen, S. out on the play. Brown, A. popped up to ss (2-1). 2 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.

Texas Tech 9th - Thennis homered to right center, RBI (1-0). 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Line scoreTexas Tech 9, Nebraska 8 (Mar 17, 2007 at Lubbock, TX) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nebraska............ 200 001 032 - 8 9 1 (10-7, 2-1 Big 12) Texas Tech.......... 010 320 021 - 9 12 3 (17-8, 1-2 Big 12) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Nebraska - Dorn, Johnny; Foust, Matt(5); Herr, Zach(7); Bird, Erik(7); Edlefsen, Steve(8). Texas Tech - Hynes, Colt; Young, Travis(9); Gonzalez, Paul(9). Win-Gonzalez, Paul(3-1) Loss-Edlefsen, Steve(0-1) T-2:46 A-2473 HR NU - Brown, Andrew (4); Gerch, Andy (1). HR TTU - Thennis, Doug (4); Leverton, James (1). Dorn, J. faced 2 batters in the 5th. Bird, E. faced 2 batters in the 8th. Hynes faced 2 batters in the 9th. Young faced 1 batter in the 9th. Edlefsen, S. faced 1 batter in the 9th. Game: NU17