LINCOLN, Neb. – On the heels of a frustrating one-run loss in game one, Louisiana was one out away from a huge upset, but a ninth-inning error extended the game as the sixth-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers escaped with a 4-3 win in 14 innings Saturday night.

Louisiana (22-25) extended its non-conference road losing streak to six games following its second one-run loss to the Huskers (36-8-1).

In game two of the day-night doubleheader, the Cajuns tied a single-game school record by striking out 19 times, matching the original mark set against Texas in 1988. The 14-inning affair was the longest for the Cajuns since a similar 14-inning contest at Middle Tennessee in 2004.

Freshman hurler Michael Cook (Lafayette, La.) pitched arguably one of the greatest games of his young collegiate career, allowing one run on seven hits in a career-high-tying seven innings. However, Cook was handed the no-decision, striking out four batters on 116 pitches. Sophomore reliever Justin Robichaux (Crowley, La.) tossed the longest outing of his career, lasting 5 2/3 innings of relief. Robichaux, who suffered his first blown save, surrendered two runs – one earned – on four hits with a career-high six punch-outs.

Gregory Harmon (Crowley, La.) was charged with the loss, allowing the game-winning run in 1 1/3 innings.

Nebraska’s Aaron Pribanic tossed a solid six-inning performance, but ended the night with a no-decision as well. Pribanic was touched for two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Erik Bird (3-0) and Mike Nesseth combined to allow just one Cajuns hit during the final 5 2/3 innings.

Chance Harst (Lafayette, La.) went 3-for-6, while Scott Hawkins (Collierville, Tenn.) and Dillon Guillory (Scott, La.) each added two hits. Hawkins and Brian Bowman (Lafayette, La.) tied a single-game school record with seven at bats.

Four different Huskers tallied two hits. All but one of Nebraska’s starters registered a hit. Andy Cotton was the lone hitless NU starter, finishing 0-for-1.

Louisiana was one pitch away from scoring in back-to-back first innings in the opening frame of the nightcap. Harst and Guillory dribbled consecutive two-out singles up the middle. With runners at the corners, Matt Goulas (New Iberia, La.) sent a comebacker to Pribanic, but after fumbling the ball, was able to make the final out of the inning.

After the Cajuns’ consecutive two-out hits in the first inning, Pribanic retired seven of the next eight batters he faced until the fourth inning. With runners at first and second, Benzel crushed a one-out double off the base of the left field wall for a 1-0 lead. Matt Hicks (Houston, Texas) then gave the Cajuns a 2-0 lead on a RBI ground out to shortstop.

Nebraska threatened in the bottom of the fourth. Cook retired the first two Huskers in the inning before allowing consecutive runners to reach base, but William Long (Valrico, Fla.) made a run-saving stab behind second base for the third out.

In the fifth, the Cajuns were within striking distance of expanding their lead, but UL stranded two more runners while clinging to a 2-0 advantage.

The Huskers scraped a cheap run off the board after a Cajuns throwing error in the bottom of the fifth. Making an attempt at an inning-ending double play, Harst tagged first base and slung a relay throw home. But, Harst’s throw nipped the webbing of Guillory’s glove to score Mitch Abeita, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Guillory’s RBI single skirted through the right side of the Nebraska infield to score Hawkins for a 3-1 Cajuns lead in the seventh.

Then, in the eighth, Robichaux came on to retire the first four batters he faced. A one-out single from Bryce Nimmo gave the Huskers their first baserunner since the sixth inning. Jake Opitz then pulled the Huskers to within one, 3-2, with a two-out RBI single back up the middle. But, what appeared to be a game-ending ground ball ended as a two-base throwing error by Tyler Benzel (Groveland, Fla.) to allow the tying run to come across the plate.

Five innings later, Nebraska finally ended the game on Abeita’s RBI single to center field for the 4-3 win.

Louisiana returns home for back-to-back non-conference contests this week at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field. The Cajuns will host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Tuesday for “Armed Forces Night” and the McNeese State Cowboys on Wednesday. Both games will be televised live on myKLAF-TV (Cox Channel 13) at 6:35 p.m.


RaginCajuns.com

Chris Yandle