University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Nebraska
No. 23 Huskers Handle No. 17 Carolina, 10-4
February 29, 2004 | Baseball
Feb. 29, 2004
HOUSTON - No. 23 Nebraska (5-1) scored seven runs in the first and held on for a 10-4 victory over No. 17 North Carolina (4-3) Sunday at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational at Reckling Park. The loss was the third in a row for the Tar Heels, who opened the season 4-0.
Following a 33-minute rain delay to start the game, Nebraska chased Tar Heel starter Adam Kalkhof after just one-third of an inning. The Huskers sent 10 men to the plate and scored seven runs in their first time at bat. First baseman Curtis Ledbetter and shortstop Joe Simokaitis each had two-run singles in the frame. Nebraska needed just three hits and two walks to score the seven runs, as Kalkhof hit two batters, and Carolina left fielder Ross Cook committed an error to contribute to the Husker scoring rally.
Kalkhof (0-1) surrendered seven runs (five earned) on three hits and two walks in 0.1 innings. Senior Whitley Benson came on the record the final two outs of the first and allowed just three hits and one unearned run in 3.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in eight innings this season. Senior Kevin Brower came on to work the fifth and sixth innings. He and Benson combined to retire 13 consecutive Husker batters starting in the second.
Nebraska starter Justin Pekarek (1-0) gave up six hits and four earned runs in 5.1 innings to earn the win.
Cook, junior catcher Chris Iannetta and junior designated hitter Wes Moyer each had two hits for the Tar Heels. Iannetta and Moyer both drove in runs. Third baseman Alex Gordon was 3-for-4, and Ledbetter was 2-for-5 with three runs batted in to lead the Huskers at the plate.
Down 7-0, Carolina got on the board in its half of the first on an RBI double from Iannetta. The hit scored Cook, who reached on an infield single and took second on a single by right fielder Marshall Hubbard.
Nebraska added an unearned run in the second, and neither team scored again until the Tar Heels picked up three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Moyer drove in the first run with a single, and pinch-hitter Matt Ellington doubled to left to drive in a pair of runs and trim the lead to 8-4. But the Huskers came back in the top of the seventh with two runs to run their advantage to 10-4.
The three-game skid is the Tar Heels' first since being swept by Auburn at home on March 7-9, 2003.
Carolina returns to action Tuesday against Appalachian State at Boshamer Stadium. Action is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
