[Husker] Huskers wake up late and fall short 9-7

[Skylar Dodds]

Hello Husker Fans,

  It seemed clear that the Huskers really felt they've done what they
  had to do and were a little more 'relaxed' in this game (since we've
  probably got the top 8 seed in the bag).  It also seemed that KU
  really really wanted it as their postseason hopes may have rested on
  it.

  KU got up early and got up big.  They busted out the door with a 5-0
  lead as some Klausing control issues, a couple base hits and a
  couple of silly errors combined to give KU the early lead.

  NU struck back with a pair of runs in the 4th off of a bloop single
  by Brown and a Gerch 'triple' (partially due to some hectic winds).

  KU countered with 4 runs over the next 4 innings to take a 9-2 lead
  into the bottom of the 8th.  That's when NU woke up.

  Jaros lead off with a single, Wehrle then parked a 1-2 pitch over
  the left field wall to make it 9-4.  Christy later hit a 2-1 pitch
  back up the middle with runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs to make
  it 9-5 with runners on the corners.  I really thought Anderson would
  take this opportunity to put Gorsett back into the lineup for an
  anemic Nimmo to keep the rally alive, instead he sat Gorsett for the
  whole game and Nimmo grounded out to end the inning.

  After Wertz pitched a perfect 9th, NU started a rally with 2 outs
  that darn near completed the comeback.  Wehrle took an 0-2 pitch
  with 2 outs into center field for a base hit and stole second on
  'catcher indifference'.  Again, the Huskers were down to their last
  strike when Buckman took an 1-2 pitch singled up the middle and
  drove Wehrle home to make it 9-6.  An Andrew Brown 0-1 single put
  runners on the corners and brought the tying run to the plate when
  Gerch slapped a shoulders high fastball into left field to make it
  9-7 with runners on first and second.  KU then brought in their
  superstar closer and on a BAD high-tight 2-0 pitch Opitz grounded
  out to first to end the game.  The KU closer wasn't even close on
  his first 2 pitches and Opitz really should have been taking to see
  if he can draw the walk and bring up a much better hitting Christy.

  Anywho, the Huskers were given a regional host as expected for next
  weekend.  The pairings and Top 8 seeds will be announced tomorrow
  live on ESPN at 11:30 CST.

  Other Big XII teams hosting regionals are Texas and Oklahoma.  I
  imagine OSU will still make the tourney despite a despicable 0-3
  showing at the Big XII tourney and getting lambasted by OU 21-6 in
  the final game.  KU should also be in because I believe the Big XII
  has a tie in for it's tourney winner (can anyone verify this?)

  We still should get our Top 8 seed.  I'd be REALLY surprised if we
  didn't.  NCAA loves big crowds and you know NU will bring that.
  Combine that with the right teams losing down the stretch and I
  think NU's a lock.

  FYI, I went on Huskers.com to see if I could still by some GA
  tickets for this weeks game and I couldn't, so I assume they are all
  sold out.

-- 
Go Skers,
 Skylar                            mailto:Sklarbodds at cox.net