Huskers Fall, 11-9 at Oklahoma State

Stillwater, Okla. – Nebraska jumped to a four-run lead, only to see Oklahoma State respond with a pair of big innings, taking the rubber game of the series, 11-9 at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Huskers, bidding for just their second series win in Stillwater in 40 years, staked themselves a 4-0 lead, but could not hold off an Oklahoma State offense that put up six runs in the second and five more two innings later.

Dane Phillips and Kevin David had three hits and two RBIs apiece, while Nico Rosthenhausler homered and drove in three runs for Oklahoma State (17-8, 2-4 Big 12).

The Huskers (15-13, 3-6 Big 12) trailed 11-4 only to fight back, closing to 11-9 with three runs in the sixth and two more in the ninth. Nebraska eventually got the tying run to the plate with no outs, but could not pull closer as Bryan Peters lined out to left before DJ Belfonte hit a liner to shortstop which was turned into a game-ending double play, as OSU reliever Ian McCarthy went the final 3.1 innings for his second save.

Belfonte, Adam Bailey and Chad Christensen had three hits apiece for the Huskers, while Cody Asche had two hits, including his sixth homer of the year, and drove in three runs in a losing effort.

Nebraska wasted little time, jumping out to a 4-0 lead against Oklahoma State starter Andrew Heaney. Two singles and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners for Tyler Farst, whose grounder to third scored Kale Kiser to give NU a 1-0 lead.  Asche made it a 3-0 game, sending a 3-2 pitch over the wall in dead center for his second homer in as many days before Christensen made it back-to-back homers, sending Heaney’s next pitch over the wall in left to spot the visitors a 4-0 lead.

Oklahoma State came right back, chasing NU starter Tom Lemke with six runs in the bottom of the second to regain the lead. A leadoff walk and four straight hits, including RBI singles by Kevin Chambers, Dusty Harvard and Tom Belza, made it a 4-3 game. OSU kept putting the pressure on, as sacrifice flies from Mark Ginther and Phillips and a run-scoring single from Kevin David ended Lemke’s (4-2) day after just 1.2 innings of work.

Nebraska had opportunities in the early innings to knock Heaney out of the game, but could not capitalize. In the second, three singles loaded the bases with one out, but the OSU left-hander got out of trouble by getting Farst to ground into a double play. One inning later, NU had runners on first and second with one down, but Khiry Cooper’s hard grounder to third was turned into another double play.

The Cowboys put the game away in the fourth, scoring five runs to extend the margin to 11-4. After a walk to Belza, Ginther’s hit a pop up that was misplayed and landed on the chalk for a single to put two runners.  Phillips then lined an RBI double to right before David’s RBI single made it 8-4. Rostenhausler then sent a Chase Adams offering over the fence in right center, capping the Cowboys’ second big inning of the afternoon.

The Huskers finally got to Heaney again in the sixth, scoring three times to chase the Cowboys southpaw. Nebraska strung together three straight one-out singles, including an RBI single by Kiser, before a Bailey walk loaded the bases. Matt Peck came in to face Farst, who drove a sacrifice fly to the base of the wall before Asche’s second hit of the day, an RBI single to right, made it 11-7. NU eventually loaded the bases, but McCarthy got Patric Tolentino to foul out to end the threat.

Heaney (3-0) got the win, allowing seven runs on 11 hits as he pitched into the sixth after a rocky start.

In the ninth, Christensen opened the frame with an infield single before Cade Thompson roped an RBI double to right center. Boomer Collins hit a hard grounder that went past Belza for an error to score Thompson, but McCarthy got two liners to complete the save.

The Huskers return home to take on Creighton Tuesday evening at 6:35 p.m. The game will be on the Husker Sports Network, including 1400 AM in Lincoln, 1110 KFAB AM in Omaha and 880 KRVN AM in Lexington and televised on NET and on the CBS College Sports Network. Tickets for Tuesday