An inauspicious start to the Nebraska baseball season.
The Huskers, picked as the preseason favorite for the Big Ten Conference, notched just one win in the season-opening four-game series at Sam Houston.
On Friday, Nebraska jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning. But starter Kyle Perry managed just one out in the bottom of the frame, allowing five runs on two hits with five walks.
The Huskers battled back to tally runs in the sixth and seventh and tie the game. The Bearkats answered with three more in the bottom of the seventh to end the scoring on what would be an 8-5 final.
Koty Frank pitched the majority of the game for the Huskers, going 4.2 innings and giving up three hits and two walks while striking out six.
Max Anderson and Colby Gomes each notched three hits. Luke Sartori also added a multi-hit day with two.
The teams split Saturday’s double-header, with the first game only going seven innings.
This time the Nebraska starter, Shay Schanaman, went more than just a couple innings. Schanaman gave up four runs in his four innings of work, which was enough as the Huskers fell 5-1.
Nebraska managed five hits, two of which came from Luke Jessen. Sartori knocked in the only run.
The second game Saturday finally went Nebraska’s way.
The Huskers jumped out with nine runs over the first two innings and held on for the 12-9 win.
Dawson McCarville earned a no decision in his four innings of work, allowing three runs with only one being earned. Mason Ornelas was given the win after tossing three innings of relief and giving up four runs.
Jessen led the hitting for Big Red with a 3-for-5 day. Leighton Banjoff (2) and Griffin Everitt (2) also added multi-hit games.
Sunday’s series finale saw Nebraska playing from behind right away.
Sam Houston tallied two runs in the first inning and four in the second while holding Nebraska scoreless through the first seven frames. The Huskers posted three runs in the eighth, but it was too little too late in the 6-3 loss.
The 1-3 start to the season is the inverse of how Nebraska began 2021. Last year the team begin 3-1 in a series against Purdue.
Nebraska heads back to Texas next weekend for a three-game series at TCU.