WACO — The Nebraska Cornhuskers produced two two-run home runs in the first inning as they cruised to a 12-4 win over the Baylor Bears Friday night at Baylor Ballpark.
Starting pitcher Hayden Kettler stuck with it after the discouraging first inning and managed to go 4.1 innings, giving up seven runs total, six of them earned, on six hits with three walks and fanning just five.
Cornhuskers starter Matt Waldron pitched for 7.0 innings and gave up two runs, one earned, on seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.
“He just did a great job, he wasn’t walking anybody,” said Baylor coach Steve Rodriguez. “He was throwing his fastballs in and he was able to throw a changeup in. He did a good job mixing up guys. As a senior he came out and did exactly what you want your senior to do. You’ve got to tip your hat to him.”
Nick Loftin led Baylor going 2-of-4 with two doubles. Mack Mueller drove in a run as part of a two-hit effort, and Chase Wehsener had a multi-hit day with a single and the first double of his career.
Said Rodriguez: “I think our guys took some pretty good swings. We lined out quite a few times. Their defense made some great plays against us. But at the same time when we got down a little bit at 7-1, we had to play for some bigger innings. So, it changed how we usually go about playing. But at the same time, it was good for us to see something like that. We’ll see how we rebound tomorrow.”
Baylor and Nebraska play game two Saturday with a 3:05 p.m. first pitch.