Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball put dent in Grand Canyon season
The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team had a weekend it likely wishes it could start over to open the season. But even if that's true, they're certainly not going to want to forget Thursday night's first game of a four-game series against Grand Canyon University.
The Huskers improved to 2-2 on the season and logged their second series opening win in as many weekends with the victory. This time, Drew Christo led the charge as Nebraska took down one of the better pitchers in college baseball.
Christo — a junior and former top national prospect — gave the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team a career-high six innings while scattering seven hits against a Grand Canyon offense that had helped the Lopes get out to a 4-0 start.
On Thursday night, that impressive offense managed just two runs against Christo and then relievers Jackson Brockett and Tucker Timmerman managed to close it out. As has been the case since the season opener, the Nebraska Cornhuskers' bullpen was shaky at times, allowing GCU's second run, but the Huskers offense gave them enough of a cushion with seven runs.
First baseman Tyler Stone, who just happens to be a Phoenix native hit his first home run of the season. He also had a double and three RBI on the night.
Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball has offensive explosion
Early in the game, Christo was locked in a pitcher's duel with GCU ace Daniel Avitia who is expected to be a Major League pitcher before his career is all said and done. Some scouts believe that after this season, he should be a Top 100 MLB pick.
However on Thursday night, he lasted just 4.2 innings against the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team where he allowed 4 hits, walked 3, hit 2 batters and surrendered 5 runs. That outing allowed the Huskers to open a 6-0 lead and they never looked back to win 7-2.
Next up for Nebraska baseball is the second of a four-game series as the Huskers look to capture some momentum after several close games against some of the better teams in the Big 12 last weekend.