Steven M. Sipple: These Huskers know how to bounce back
OMAHA — They came early Sunday, hours before game time, and they slept. As Nebraska baseball fans waited for Arizona State to finish its losers' bracket win against Tennessee, several red-clad crazies (or lazies) — at least 20 of them — snoozed under the outfield bleachers.
Evidently, it's exhausting work, this College World Series business. I hadn't seen this many people sleeping in public since visiting downtown San Francisco a few years ago.
The wake-up call arrived early and unexpectedly. Florida's Jeff "Corso" Corsaletti smacked a first-inning double, and Adam Davis followed with a two-run homer. Ping! The Gators had crashed the Huskers' CWS bash. Big Red fans' ears rang as they wiped sleep from their eyes.
The early evening sun glistened, yet suddenly it was raining on Nebraska's parade.
Florida kept pounding away. Ping! Ping! Ping! The Gators had to be violating an Omaha noise ordinance as they were dinging the Huskers with a four-run fifth that quieted a pro-NU crowd of 26,813 at Rosenblatt Stadium.
After Florida's 7-4 triumph was in the books, Nebraska suddenly had a new battle cry:
Remember Oklahoma City!
A few weeks ago, in the Big 12 Tournament, Nebraska lost its opener in OKC, then captured five straight games to win the event. Husker coach Mike Anderson praised his team's ability to bounce back, saying there was something special about a team that could roll through the losers' bracket in such a game manner.
Now, on college baseball's biggest stage, Nebraska no longer has margin for error.
With one more loss, Nebraska's magical season, its historic season in the sun, will end somewhat unceremoniously, short of the Huskers' stated goal of a national title.
It's funny how this stuff works. Remember the days when Nebraska was just happy to be here?
The 57-14 Huskers now will have to win three straight games — one against ASU and two against Florida — to reach the CWS' best-of-three championship series.
Nebraska can take solace in the fact it's thrived in the past with its back against the wall.
Indeed, remember Oklahoma City!!
After Sunday's loss, Anderson reminded his players of their noble stand at Bricktown Ballpark.
"We're not little showdogs — we're pit bulls," said Nebraska junior pitcher Zach Kroenke, who'll start Tuesday's game against Arizona State (40-24)."We're going to fight, tooth and nail. We're not going to back down. We've done it before."
Yes, Kroenke remembers OKC well.
It'd behoove Kroenke and Co. if they can forget a Sunday night when the baseball gods evidently were wearing orange and blue.
Wise baseball men say it can be a cruel sport, and Nebraska would agree.
The Huskers pounded 12 hits, but 11 occurred with two outs.
Typically sure-handed Nebraska first baseman Curtis Ledbetter dropped a perfect throw from the shortstop, and reliable catcher Jeff Christy had the ball slip free of his grip as he tried to gun down a base stealer.
Alex Gordon, everybody's All-American, hit the smithereens out of three balls that wound up in Florida mits.
Florida, meanwhile, showed no mercy on Nebraska's most successful starting pitcher, freshman Johnny Dorn, who lasted only four innings.
Welcome to the big stage, kid.
"They had some hits fall, and we didn't," said Husker shortstop Joe Simokaitis. "Hey, that's baseball. We're not down. We've been in this situation before and bounced back."
OK, you know the battle cry.
Only this climb up the losers' bracket might be more difficult.
There's more pressure now, more on the line. A marvelous season could end, not just a conference tournament.
Arizona State responded to Friday's 5-3 loss to NU by rallying for three runs in the eighth inning Sunday to eliminate Tennessee. The Sun Devils rallied from a game down to beat a salty Cal State Fullerton squad in the best-of-three super regional in Fullerton, Calif.
"They just don't quit," Tennessee coach Rod Delmonico said of the Devils. "They find a way."
That, of course, is what people have been saying all season about Nebraska.
Florida, led by Corsaletti (4-for-5, three doubles), put the Huskers on the brink of elimination.
Husker Nation will be alive and alert Tuesday.
If anyone in red is sleeping, awake them with NU's new battle cry.
"Any team that has a true will to win will respond in this situation," Kroenke said. "It's win or die."
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
Evidently, it's exhausting work, this College World Series business. I hadn't seen this many people sleeping in public since visiting downtown San Francisco a few years ago.
The wake-up call arrived early and unexpectedly. Florida's Jeff "Corso" Corsaletti smacked a first-inning double, and Adam Davis followed with a two-run homer. Ping! The Gators had crashed the Huskers' CWS bash. Big Red fans' ears rang as they wiped sleep from their eyes.
The early evening sun glistened, yet suddenly it was raining on Nebraska's parade.
Florida kept pounding away. Ping! Ping! Ping! The Gators had to be violating an Omaha noise ordinance as they were dinging the Huskers with a four-run fifth that quieted a pro-NU crowd of 26,813 at Rosenblatt Stadium.
After Florida's 7-4 triumph was in the books, Nebraska suddenly had a new battle cry:
Remember Oklahoma City!
A few weeks ago, in the Big 12 Tournament, Nebraska lost its opener in OKC, then captured five straight games to win the event. Husker coach Mike Anderson praised his team's ability to bounce back, saying there was something special about a team that could roll through the losers' bracket in such a game manner.
Now, on college baseball's biggest stage, Nebraska no longer has margin for error.
With one more loss, Nebraska's magical season, its historic season in the sun, will end somewhat unceremoniously, short of the Huskers' stated goal of a national title.
It's funny how this stuff works. Remember the days when Nebraska was just happy to be here?
The 57-14 Huskers now will have to win three straight games — one against ASU and two against Florida — to reach the CWS' best-of-three championship series.
Nebraska can take solace in the fact it's thrived in the past with its back against the wall.
Indeed, remember Oklahoma City!!
After Sunday's loss, Anderson reminded his players of their noble stand at Bricktown Ballpark.
"We're not little showdogs — we're pit bulls," said Nebraska junior pitcher Zach Kroenke, who'll start Tuesday's game against Arizona State (40-24)."We're going to fight, tooth and nail. We're not going to back down. We've done it before."
Yes, Kroenke remembers OKC well.
It'd behoove Kroenke and Co. if they can forget a Sunday night when the baseball gods evidently were wearing orange and blue.
Wise baseball men say it can be a cruel sport, and Nebraska would agree.
The Huskers pounded 12 hits, but 11 occurred with two outs.
Typically sure-handed Nebraska first baseman Curtis Ledbetter dropped a perfect throw from the shortstop, and reliable catcher Jeff Christy had the ball slip free of his grip as he tried to gun down a base stealer.
Alex Gordon, everybody's All-American, hit the smithereens out of three balls that wound up in Florida mits.
Florida, meanwhile, showed no mercy on Nebraska's most successful starting pitcher, freshman Johnny Dorn, who lasted only four innings.
Welcome to the big stage, kid.
"They had some hits fall, and we didn't," said Husker shortstop Joe Simokaitis. "Hey, that's baseball. We're not down. We've been in this situation before and bounced back."
OK, you know the battle cry.
Only this climb up the losers' bracket might be more difficult.
There's more pressure now, more on the line. A marvelous season could end, not just a conference tournament.
Arizona State responded to Friday's 5-3 loss to NU by rallying for three runs in the eighth inning Sunday to eliminate Tennessee. The Sun Devils rallied from a game down to beat a salty Cal State Fullerton squad in the best-of-three super regional in Fullerton, Calif.
"They just don't quit," Tennessee coach Rod Delmonico said of the Devils. "They find a way."
That, of course, is what people have been saying all season about Nebraska.
Florida, led by Corsaletti (4-for-5, three doubles), put the Huskers on the brink of elimination.
Husker Nation will be alive and alert Tuesday.
If anyone in red is sleeping, awake them with NU's new battle cry.
"Any team that has a true will to win will respond in this situation," Kroenke said. "It's win or die."
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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