Baseball: Stanford Shells Nebraska In Opener, Then Huskers Return the Favor

Here's to hoping that the Husker's opening game against Stanford isn't a harbinger on the season.

Stanford ran the score to 17-0 before Nebraska scored. Thad Weber started on the mound, giving up five runs in the first inning with a total of eight before being replaced in the third inning by Joe Hatasaki. Hatasaki gave up four runs, being replaced by Michael Mariot who gave up five runs. It was Nebraska's first season-opening loss in seven years.

The first game ended 17-7 as the Huskers came around late to make it a less embarrassing defeat. It may be that the Huskers took some time to get the season started, as they continued to their progress in the second game.

In the second game, Stanford went up 1-0 in the first and after that it was all Nebraska. Seven innings in a row the Huskers retired the first two Stanford batters, severely limiting the Cardinal offense.

Starter Johnny Dorn pitched brilliantly for six innings, facing 24 batters, giving up only three hits, one unearned run, with seven K's and one walk. He was relieved by Mike Nesseth, who pitched for two innings, facing six batters and giving up one hit and no runs. Zach Herr came in in the bottom of the eighth and struck out the first two batters he faced. He ended up facing six batters, giving up one hit and one earned run as Stanford added a run in the bottom of the ninth, making it a 9-2 Nebraska win.

DJ Belfonte went four for six with a sacrifice bunt and four RBI's. Bryce Nimmo went two for four, but walked twice, scoring three runs. Freshman Ben Kline, making his first start at shortstop went one for four, scoring two runs and an RBI.

The Stanford announcers commented that there were more Husker fans in the stands than those for the Cardinal. Tomorrow's game schedule has been changed to 3:00 pm central. Again, you can watch the Stanford series online at CSTV's All-Access site.