Fourth Inning Fateful for Huskers in Phoenix

A big inning in the middle of the game proved costly for Nebraska (1-6, 0-0 Big Ten) in the series opener against No. 12 Arizona State (7-3, 0-0 Pac-12).

Junior right-hander Max Schreiber made his first career start. Gareth Stroh had started the previous two Friday games but had some elbow discomfort and did not make the trip.

For the first time all season, a Husker opponent struck first. The Sun Devils managed three runs in the bottom of the second after three of the first four hitters singled.

Nebraska got on the board in the fourth inning on an Aaron Palensky solo home to left field.

The Huskers brought in Shay Schanaman in the bottom of the fourth, but the flood gates were about to be wide open.

Schanaman got the leadoff batter out on a fly ball. The next four batters went walk, walk, double, double, and Schanaman was pulled for Caleb Feekin.

Feekin also struggled against the Sun Devils, allowing a runner to advance on a wild pitch to his first batter, then going single, hit-by-pitch, walk, walk, and another hit-by-pitch before being pulled.

Sayer Diedrich hit the first batter he faced but then got a fly out. After a walk, Diedrich escaped the inning on a ground out.

The Sun Devils only had three hits in the inning, but eight batters reached via either walk or hit-by-pitch to help ASU extend the lead to 11-1.

Nebraska did add two runs in each the eighth and ninth innings, but the deficit was too large as the Sun Devils took the 13-5 series opening win.

Arizona State ended the game with 11 hits and no errors. Nebraska managed eight hits and no errors.

Six Nebraska pitchers appeared in the game with none going more than 3.0 innings. Arizona State’s starter Cooper Benson got the win on 6.0 innings of work, giving up three hits and striking out six.

Three Huskers had multiple hits on the day, with Palensky and Gunner Hellstrom each going 2-for-4 and Joe Acker going 2-for-3.

Nebraska and Arizona State play game two of the series at 7:30 p.m. tonight.