More Waco woes for Nebraska
Baylor Ballpark is considered a Big 12 showplace, one of the nicest parks in the country.
But for the Nebraska baseball team, the Bears' home in Waco, Texas, continues to be an eyesore.
Baylor held on for a 2-1 victory over the Huskers on Friday night, giving Nebraska seven losses in eight games in Waco since 1997.
NU (33-17, 10-12 Big 12) got a solid start from Zach Kroenke, who allowed two earned runs and nine hits in seven innings.
The Husker offense, however, could get little going against Baylor starter Sean Walker and three relievers.
NU scored its only run in the ninth, against Abe Woody, who allowed a two-out RBI single to Jake Mullinax. The run prevented the Huskers from being shut out on the road for the first time since 1998.
After Mullinax drove in Alex Gordon to cut the Baylor lead to one, John Grose reached first when he was hit by a pitch.
But Woody was able to get Colin Shockey to fly to left field, ending the game.
The Huskers were unable to capitalize on good scoring opportunities in the sixth and seventh innings.
In the sixth, NU had runners at first and second with one out. But Baylor pulled off an inning-ending double play when left fielder Reid Brees caught a fly ball by Joe Simokaitis and threw out Jesse Boyer, who was trying to advance from first to second as Braden Keith moved from second to third on the fly ball.
"We made too many critical unforced mistakes," said NU coach Mike Anderson. "We didn't play good fundamental baseball, and we aren't going to win games on the road playing like that."
The Huskers had runners on first and third with two outs in the seventh, but reliever Ryan LaMotta got Shockey to fly to center to end that threat.
Baylor (24-15, 11-9) took a 1-0 lead in the first when Brees doubled with one out and scored on a two-out single by Kyle Reynolds.
Brees had an RBIdouble in the seventh that gave the Bears a two-run cushion.
The Huskers, who have lost five straight conference series, will face the Bears again at 7 tonight in Waco. The series concludes with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.

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