Five runs in the fourth and four in the fifth were enough for UC-Irvine to defeat No. 24 Nebraska, 10-5, Friday at Talking Stick Fields in Scottsdale in the season opener for both teams.
Dylan Carey paced the Huskers’ offense, hitting 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. No other Nebraska hitter had more than one hit. Meanwhile, Chase Call led the Anteaters, hitting 2-for-3 with two RBI while Jacob McCombs was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two doubles.
Mason McConnaughey took the loss, allowing six earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched. The junior right-hander struck out nine with three walks. Drew Christo also struggled, allowing four earned runs in 0.2 innings pitched.
The Huskers will try to bounce back Saturday night against No. 16 Vanderbilt Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with first pitch at 7 p.m. on KLIN.