Huskers Down Lopers, 8-1

Kyle Bubak drove in a career-high three RBIs, while five Huskers pitchers combined on a four-hitter, leading Nebraska to an 8-1 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Wednesday afternoon at Hawks Field.

Bubak keyed NU’s 14-hitt attack with a 2-for-2 afternoon, collecting an RBI double in the fourth and a run-scoring single one inning later, as Nebraska pushed across seven of the its eight runs in those two frames. The senior shortstop also scored twice, as Nebraska (4-7) snapped a three-game losing streak. Tyler Farst also had two hits and drove in a pair of runs, as six different players had at least two hits on the day.

“We were more competitive and had much better of intentions (at the plate),” Nebraska Coach Mike Anderson said. “I told the kids I think the last three days have been the best three days that we’ve had this year. The two days of practice and then come out for the test in the game. We did a better job with two strikes and did a better job of being aggressive at the beginning of at bats.”

Nebraska’s pitching was the story of the afternoon, as the Huskers won their home opener for the 32nd consecutive year. Four pitchers combined to allow one hit through the first eight frames before Nebraska-Kearney (9-8) pushed across its lone run in the ninth.

Freshman Tyler Niederklein worked around trouble in the first before settling down, as the Lopers had a pair of walks before the right-hander struck out Mike Stamp to end the first. That began a stretch where the Lopers had only two baserunners and one hit - Bake Cover’s third inning single - over the next seven frames.

Neiderklein earned the win, allowing one hit over three innings, while relievers Ryan Anderson, Luke Bublitz and Chase Adams combined for six strikeouts over five innings of no-hit relief. Nebraska pitchers combined for nine strikeouts on the afternoon.

“Those three guys all pitched also pitched in Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and didn’t have good outings, so it was exciting to see them come out and pitch well,” Anderson said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re facing at any time, they did a good job. Niederklein did a great job in the zone. Luke Bublitz looked great. Ryan Hander’s breaking pitch was working well today. Each one of them had something special, so that’s good to see.”

The Huskers pushed across a run in the second, getting a sacrifice fly from Bubak to take a 1-0 lead against UNK starter Roy Metter. After a leadoff single by Patric Tolentino, Josh Scheffert was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs. Khiry Cooper moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt before Bubak lofted a fly ball to left to score Tolentino.

Nebraska broke the game open in the fourth, scoring four times to extend the lead to 5-0. After Scheffert was hit by a pitch, Bubak looped a one-out RBI double to left before another hit batter put two on for Adam Bailey. The senior right fielder than roped a double to the gap in right center for one run before Tyler Farst’s opposite field single cleared the bases and staked NU to a 5-0 cushion.

Metter (1-3) allowed five runs on seven hits over four-plus innings, but also struggled with his control and hit five Huskers to take the loss.

The Huskers made it 8-0 one inning later, getting an RBI double from Cooper and run-scoring singles from Bubak and Belfonte. UNK broke the shutout bid in the ninth, with Andrew Haake’s two-out RBI single

The Huskers continue the homestand Friday afternoon, as they take on the Houston Baptist Huskies. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. and will be carried by selected Husker Sports Network stations and on Huskers.com. Tickets for that game can be purchased by visiting Huskers.com or calling the NU Athletic Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED.