Husker Offense Struggles in 2-1 Loss

Ruston, La. - The Nebraska baseball team (4-9, 0-0 Big Ten) had the game-tying run at third base with one out in the top of the ninth inning, but was unable to get the hit it need to extend the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at J.C. Love Field. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs posted two runs in the bottom of the first inning and it was all they needed, as they held onto a 2-1 win to capture the series after taking the series opener on Friday night.

Christian DeLeon when 8.0 innings in his second straight start, but took the loss to fall to 1-1 on the season. The junior righty gave up just a pair of runs on six hits and no walks.

The Huskers loaded the bases to start the game, but were unable to plate a run. Following a pair of two-out singles from Chad Christensen and Josh Scheffert, Pat Kelly worked a full-count walk to load the bases for Kash Kalkowski. The senior first baseman took a cut at the first pitch he saw from La Tech starter Trevor Petersen and grounded out to first to end the NU first inning.

DeLeon took the mound and retired Bulldog leadoff hitter Austin Hedges, but then gave up four straight singles up the middle, resulting in a 2-0 lead for the Bulldogs. With a pair of runners on and one down, Jacob Derouen grounded into a 6-3 double play to end the first.

After a rocky first inning, DeLeon settled in and allowed just three base runners the rest of the game, including 1-2-3 innings in the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth.

Nebraska's offense was unable to take advantage of DeLeon's work though, as NU went down in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The Huskers were able to cut into the La Tech lead in the eighth when Jake Placzek pinch hit for Taylor Fish and drew a leadoff walk. Michael Pritchard moved Placzek into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and following a fly out from Austin Darby, Christensen delivered a two-out single down the leftfield line that plated Placzek. James Ferguson retired Scheffert to keep Christensen from coming around to tie the game.

Kelly led off the ninth with a single and Kalkowski was hit to put a pair of runners on with no outs. Sanguinetti did his part with a sacrifice bunt that moved both his teammates into scoring position. Corey Stringer pinch hit for Bryan Peters and struck out, before Tanner Lubach grounded out to end the game.

Game two of today's doubleheader is scheduled to start at 3:45 p.m.