Box Score

Lincoln, Neb. - Senior LHP Bryan Sammons struck out eight and limited the home-standing Cornhuskers to two runs as Western Carolina rode a three-run third inning to a 5-2 series-opening victory over Nebraska on a frigid Friday afternoon at Hawks Field.

Sammons (3-0) scattered seven hits over seven innings on the mound, battling both the Husker hitters and the elements to remain perfect on the season while also tallying his 22nd career victory. The Wilmington, N.C., product moved into a tie for eighth all-time in program history matching Jerry Reed (1974-75) with 22 career wins.

Senior RHP B.J. Nobles tossed the final two frames of two-hit relief with a strikeout to score his first save of the season, and his sixth over the past two years. Combined, WCU pitchers only issued two walks in the winning effort.

Western Carolina (6-7) was led by senior Matt Smith who was credited with two RBI in a 1-for-4 outing, extending his active hitting streak to 12-straight with a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth inning. Caleb Robinson and Luke Robinson both finished 1-for-3 with a RBI in the third inning. Caleb plated a run on a single into right field while Luke drove a sacrifice fly to right as a part of the rally.

Redshirt senior Bryson Bowman reached four times on the day, extending his safely-reached streak to 13 games -- each game this season. The Baton, N.C., native drew three walks and sparked a ninth-inning rally with a two-out single into right center, eventually capitalizing on a pair of wild pitches and Smith's single through the left side to score.

Nebraska (5-7) took a second-inning lead as Scott Schreiber belted a lead-off double to the wall in left center. A bunt single moved Schreiber into scoring position with a wild pitch plating the game's first run and a 1-0 lead for the home squad.

WCU responded half an inning later with a three-spot coming on one hit and two Husker errors. Brett Pope reached on an infield error with Bowman drawing the second of his three walks ahead of Smith. The Fredericktown, Ohio, native then drove one up the middle that got through with an error allowing Bowman to scamper to third and Pope to come home on the play. Following a strikeout, Caleb Robinson dropped a RBI single into right to bring home the second run before Luke Robinson capped scoring in the frame with his sac fly.

The Cornhuskers trimmed the deficit back to a run in the bottom of the sixth as Schreiber struck out to open the frame, but reached on a passed ball. Schreiber moved around with a single and a sacrifice bunt, eventually scoring on a double-play that included a sacrifice fly out to center but a put out at second on a heads-up play by Robinson.

Western Carolina added insurance markers in the top of the seventh and ninth innings to provide the final tally. Cameron Blaquiere drew a one-out walk in the seventh before scoring on a bases loaded RBI ground out by Smith to push the margin back to two, 4-2. Bowman keyed the ninth inning run, scoring on Smith's RBI single.

Three Cornhuskers posted multi-hit games with Jake Meyers finishing 3-for-4 with a trio of singles including one on a bunt. Schreiber finished 2-for-4 with a double, scoring twice while freshman Mojo Hagge finished 2-for-5.

Nebraska starter Jake Hohensee (0-2) took the loss after allowing WCU's three unearned runs through six innings. He struck out four against four walks while only allowing three hits. Reliever Robbie Palkert struck out three in three innings, allowing two runs on four hits with a pair of walks.

The victory was WCU's second over Nebraska in the two all-time series meetings, and also halted Nebraska's three-game winning streak, handing the Cornhuskers their first loss at home in three games.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Saturday afternoon with a 2:05 pm CT / 3:05 pm ET first pitch.