Low-Point in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nick Sullivan hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth that erased a 3-2 Tech lead and the ninth-ranked Huskers held on for 5-3 win over Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon at Haymarket Park.  The win by league-leader Nebraska completed a three-game sweep of the Red Raiders.

The loss drops Texas Tech to 16-15 overall and to 4-8 in Big 12 play while Nebraska moves to 24-4-1 and to 10-1-1 in the conference.

In the first inning Tech came out of the gate threatening but was unable to materialize any runs. Joey Kenworthy started the Red Raiders off with a leadoff double. He then advanced to third after Willie Rueda laid down a sacrifice bunt. Three batters later Monk Kreder was caught looking at strike three to end the inning.

It was Nebraska who got on the scoreboard first when NU’s Nick Sullivan drove Bettis’ first pitch deep to the wall in right center for a two-RBI double giving the Cornhuskers a 2-0 lead.

The Red Raiders got on the board in the third when Doug Thennis blasted a solo home run down the right field line. The opposite field shot was Thennis’ fifth homer of the season and second of the series.

Jason Seefeld tied the game up in the fourth when he deposited Pribanic’s first pitch over the right field wall for a solo home run to lead off the inning. His homer was also to the opposite field, giving him four total long balls this season.

Seefeld then put the Red Raiders ahead in the sixth when he scored from first on a Jeremy Mayo RBI double down the first base line.  The 3-2 lead was Tech’s first of the series. Mayo, who was making just his sixth start at catcher, went 2-3 with one RBI.

Sullivan’s three run blast shut the door on Tech as they were unable to make a comeback. The long ball gave Nebraska a  5-3 victory. Sullivan, NU’s left-fielder, finished the series 5-12 with two home runs and eight RBIs.   

Tech starting pitcher Chad Bettis picks up the loss after pitching five and 2/3 innings allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks.                                   

                                                                                                      R     H     E

Texas Tech              001       101       000                               3      8      1

Nebraska                  200       003       000                               5      5      1

WP = Aaron Pribanic (3-1)

LP = Chad Bettis (3-2)

SV = Dan Jennings (3)

(Courtesy: Texas Tech)