Huskers traveled to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the Wildcats in a midweek game Tuesday night. It was a sold out crowd for the game for the 69 degree but breezy game. Coach Darin Erstad said his team would need to have solid footing and be direct in their game as the field has a turf surface and would be “lightning fast.”
When asked what he needs to work on, Coach Erstad said, “We can maintain our focus but need to be able to do that on the road…. We have to consistently perform with the bats and protect the baseball.”
Darin Erstad speaking with the media (photo Kelli Anne)
Garett King took the hill for the Big Red. He’s coming off Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and even Coach Erstad said, “He pitched fantastically against Creighton. Getting better each and every outing.” He did well again on Tuesday with 3Ks, in 5.2 innings pitched but couldn’t quit finish as strong. He had 2 innings of 1-2-3. and a double play by his defense to help his efforts. He did not end up with the win as the Wildcats tied it in the bottom of the 6th.
The mustache man, Husker Jeff Chestnut came in and gave up a double and a single before getting out of the inning. He helped out his own efforts in the 7th participating in the first 3 outs of the inning and then walked a guy in the 8th but his defense kept the Cats from small ball scoring.
Jake Hohensee came in to pitch in the 9th inning and despite a lead off single and an intentional walk, he got out of the 9th without a Wildcat score. Josh Roeder came on in the 10th. He struck out the first batter, lined one out, walked one for a little drama and then finished the inning with a strike out.
HITTERS: Senior catcher Tanner Lubach had a career 5 for 5 hit game! He also hit his first TRIPLE of the season to start the 2nd inning off with an RBI. Sadley he was most of the offense for the Big Red besides Blake Headley who hit his 1st HOMER of the year. Huskers only had 12 hits on the night. Fortunately K State only had 10 and one less run.
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The top two of the batting order were strangely absent from the base paths and were 0-9 before Jake Schleppenbach finally got a single in the 10th. That’s going to have to change for the Huskers to have any long lasting and consistent success.
Huskers take on the Minnesota Gophers this weekend at Hawks Field. It’s will follow the Spring Game so make a day of it and GO BIG RED!!!