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Huskers battled into 15 innings against Texas on Saturday to WIN!

By Kelli Anne

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If you like pitcher duals, today’s game was the one to watch, including the extra innings. Roger Clemens’ middle son took the mound for Texas, Kacy Clemens. Kyle Kubat was on the bump for the Huskers and the Berm zones had far more fans on them than last night as the sun was out, just not the bats today.

The bats were rather silent and in fact, in the break after the 5th inning Coach Erstad got on his players and told them to start swinging the bat. Boldt, Miller, Dilday, Darby all had singles on the day. Headley almost homered coming up a few feet short as they caught it on the warning track. (It should be noted there was a bit of a breeze out at Hawks field today)

Kubat had great command coming off his win against Michigan last week (career high 9Ks). He started Saturday on the same path earning 2 Ks in the 1st inning. Kubat was also the beneficiary of 3 innings with under 10 pitches. He closed out 8 shut out innings and tied his career record of 9 Ks! BOOM!

Husker Baseball (photo NU Media Relations)

Jake Hohensee came out of the bullpen to start the 9th. He looked great starting off the inning with a K. He latter battled and ended up walking the 3rd batter after an 11-pitch at bat. Hohensee then kept Texas from scoring in the top of the 10th, taking the batters 1-2-3, with another long 8-pitch at bat for Texas but ended the inning still scoreless.

Longhorn Clemens pitched 7 innings and left early in the 8th with what looked like a finger cramp in his pitching hand. It was said he hadn’t made it past the 6th inning before, but I didn’t have time to confirm it. Kirby Bellow came in on relief and kept the Huskers unable to generate much.

Jake Placzek had a lead off double in the 8th, Boldt sac bunted him over but he would not get to cross home plate. In the 10th, Wes Edrington managed to get hit by a pitch to get on base. Placzek bunted him to 2nd. At the top of the order, Boldt flew out to left field. 76 year old Texas coach Auggie Garrido then chose to walk Alvarado, and that left it up to senior Blake Headley. The move paid off as he popped out to the shortstop.

Big Red started the 11th still tied at 0-0 with Colton Howell on the hill. He made NASTY work of the inning striking out the first one looking, and getting the other 2 to fly out. Lubach started off the bottom of the 11th with a strike out. Ben Miller reached and they put in a pinch runner. Darby got on base with a fielder’s choice and then stole 2nd base.

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At that point Texas switched pitchers to freshman Connor Mayes. Scott Schreiber who hadn’t gotten a hit all day was walked to put 2 on for the Huskers. Edrington, with a 3-2 count, then walked to load the bases. Placzek stepped to the plate as GO BIG RED chant started in the crowd of 5,852 fans almost daring the Huskers to score somehow. And then the count went full. Placzek then struck out looking to end the 11th.

Husker Flag

As the 12th inning began, Howell looked impressive as he worked the top part of the Longhorn order with a fly ball to center, and 2 Ks, one swinging, one just looking. WOW he has knee buckling stuff! Bottom of 12 – Boldt drew a walk, Christian Cox bunted him over to 2nd. Headley came to bat and a wild pitch allowed Boldt to get to 3rd. A fielder’s choice ball ended in Boldt getting home but the umpire called him OUT! (HUGE MISTAKE on replay btw). Erstad let him know it. Lubach popped it up on the infield and ended the inning.

In the 13th, Howell made fast work of the first 2 with FILLLLTHY strikeouts. He then walked Boswell and McCalla, prompting  Chestnut from the bullpen to finish off the batter looking. Jake Myers got a lead off hit but swapped out on a fielder’s choice with Darby. Schreiber got a base hit and Edrington walked to load the bases with 1 out. This time a double play ended the Husker chance to win the game.

Mr. Mustache allowed a base hit in the 14th, struck the next one out, and was witness to a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning! Boldt, Cox, and Headley struck out. Chestnut got out of the 15th without anyone reaching base and then the Huskers went to work.

Lubach got hit by a pitch, bunted over by Myers and Austin Darby hit one over the shortstop which allowed Lubach to make it home for the WIN!!!! Even Erstad was jumping up and down in the after the game chat. Way to GO BIG RED!

And yeah, there was some great defense too. Austin Darby just being Austin Darby.

Huskers finish the series off tomorrow at noon and it’s available on BTN Plus. GO BIG RED!!! 

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