June 10, 2005

LINCOLN (www.huskers.com) -- In a classic pitcher's duel, Nebraska came out on top as Joba Chamberlain recorded 13 strikeouts to lead the Cornhuskers to a 3-1 victory over the Miami Hurricanes Friday in the first game of a best-of-three Super Regional at Hawks Field.

After sitting through a two-hour, 21-minute rain delay, Chamberlain came out strong and got better as the game went along. The right-hander went 8.0 innings allowing just six hits while picking up his fifth double-digit strikeout performance of the season. Chaberlain's 13 strikeouts were his highest since Feb. 25 when he was the national pitcher of the week when he had a career-best 15 strikeouts.

Chamberlain outdeuled Miami ace Cesar Carrillo, the 18th overall pick in this week's MLB Draft. Carrillo allowed just six hits over 8.0 innings while suffering only his third loss in 28 career decisions.

The Hurricanes got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning as Paco Figueroa drove 0-1 pitch over the fence in left field to lead off the frame.  John Jay followed with a one-out single to right but was gunned down by Nebraska catcher Jeff Christy, who threw Jay out trying to steal second. It was second time in four innings Christy threw out a would-be base stealer, as he also gunned Figueroa down in the top of the first inning.

Nebraska tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the frame. Joe Simokaitis opened the frame with a hit, the Huskers' first base hit since Jesse Boyer led off the bottom of the first with a single. With runners at first and second, Andy Gerch lined one down the first base line but Danny Valencia couldn't handle it, allowing Simokaitis to score from second.

Daniel Bruce then led off the fifth inning with solo blast to left field off Carrillo to give the Huskers a 2-1 advantage. Bruce worked the count to 3-1, including a pitch near his head, but came right back to connect on his fifth home run of the year and give Chamberlain a little cushion.

Nebraska pushed across an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Christy led off the frame with a double under the glove of a diving Jay in left field and moved up on Boyer's sacrifice. Christy then scored on Simokaitis' smash single down the right field line to put Nebraska in position for the victory.

After Chamberlain gave up a leadoff single in the top of the ninth, Husker closer Brett Jensen came on to shut it down. Jensen increased his school-record saves total to 14 as he induced a popup and double play to end the game.