Box Score

Lincoln, Neb. - An opportunistic Western Carolina offense capitalized in a five-run eighth inning to open up a one-run game on a chilly Saturday afternoon as the Catamounts claimed their nonconference series over Nebraska with an 8-2 victory at Haymarket Park / Hawks Field.

Leading by a solo marker, the Catamounts plated five runs on four hits and took advantage of a pair of four-pitch walks in the rally to push the game out of reach, winning the series by taking the first two games.

Four Catamounts posted multi-hit games with redshirt senior Bryson Bowman doubling twice as a part of a 3-for-4 outing, driving in two. Bowman also drew a walk, reaching base safely for the 14th-consecutive game this season. Classmate Matt Smith extended his hitting streak to 13-straight games in the first inning with a sharp single up the middle as a part of a 2-for-4, two RBI performance at the plate.

Junior Brett Pope finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI, while Luke Robinson stayed steady with a 2-for-5 showing, also scoring two runs.

Sophomore starter Tristan Baker (1-1) gave WCU its second-straight solid start on the mound, scattering five hits over a career-long tying seven innings to pick up his first victory of the season. The southpaw from Charlotte, N.C., also matched his career-high with six strikeouts against three walks in the winning effort. Junior reliever Dylan Biumi tossed the final two one-hit, scoreless innings in relief, recording a strikeout to end the game.

For a second-straight day, WCU fell behind in the bottom of the second inning only to rally half an inning later. Down 1-0, the Catamounts produced a run as Pope reached on a two-out walk before circling the bases on a RBI double by Bowman to tie the game at one after two complete.

The Catamounts took the lead for what proved to be for good in the top of the third as back-to-back singles by Matthew Koehler and Luke Robinson put two aboard with nobody out. Cameron Blaquiere successfully sacrificed the two into scoring position before Andrew Robinson moved both runners along with a RBI infield ground out. The second run crossed on a passed ball making it 3-1 WCU headed to the bottom of the fourth inning.

Nebraska trimmed the margin back to one with a RBI double by Luis Alvarado to score Angelo Altavilla to make it 3-2 after four complete.

Following three scoreless frames, the Catamounts were able to bat around in the five-run eighth to push the game out of reach. A one-out single by Luke Robinson and back-to-back, two-out four-pitch walks by pinch hitters Spencer Holcomb and Andrew Bullock loaded the bases for the top of the order. Pope then laced a two RBI single up the middle before Bowman legged out his second run-scoring double. Smith then capped scoring with a two-RBI single into right field as the Catamounts held an 8-2 advantage when the dust settled.

Biumi then faced six batters in the final two frames, inducing a double-play after allowing a lead-off single in the eighth, to close the game for the Catamounts.

Cornhusker catcher Jesse Wilkening tallied the lone multi-hit game for the home squad, finishing 2-for-4 on the day. Both Scott Schrieber and Luis Alvarado doubled as part of 1-for-4 outings at the plate, while Angelo Altavilla reached twice with a 1-for-3, one-walk effort and scored both of Nebraska's two runs.

Nebraska starter Derek Burkamper (0-2) took the loss after exiting in the fifth after recording 4.0 innings of work allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits. Burkamper struck out five against two walks. Jake McSteen tossed 3.2 strong relief innings with four strikeouts. But ace reliever Chad Luensmann was touched up for three earned runs on one hit and two, four-pitch walks without recording an out during WCU's five-run outburst.

WCU remained perfect against Nebraska, winning all three all-time series meetings including both meetings this season and the regional meeting last year at Clemson. The final game of the three-game series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon with first pitch at 2:05 pm ET / 1:05 pm CT. Fans can follow the game online with live streaming audio from the Catamount Sports Network online at CatamountSports.com, with a live video stream through the Big Ten Network (BTN2Go.com, subscription).