Sooners Drop 1-0 Pitchers Duel To Huskers In Extra Frames

LINCOLN, Neb. -- In a game dominated by pitching and featuring little offense, No. 18 Oklahoma lost a tight 1-0 pitcher's duel in 11 innings to Nebraska at Haymarket Park Saturday afternoon.

After being held to two hits through the first 10 frames, Nebraska strung together four straight hits in the bottom of the 11th inning to score the game's lone run. The shutout marked the first for the Sooners in the last 217 games since Northwestern blanked OU 4-0 during the 2001 season.

Oklahoma and Nebraska now both own a 35-20 overall record while the Sooners dropped to 18-8 in the Big 12 and the Huskers improved to 11-15.

Nebraska strung together three straight hits, including two infield singles, off Oklahoma junior reliever Jarod McAuliff (5-1) to load the bases in its half of the 11th inning. Second baseman Joe Simokaitis then hit a walk-off single between the third baseman and the shortstop to drive in the game-winning run.

Box Score

“You have to be able to execute offensively in certain situations and we weren't able to do that today,” commented Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell on his team's inability to bring runners home from scoring position.

The two teams only mustered a combined total of eight hits, six by the Sooners and two by the Cornhuskers, through the first nine innings. The Sooners had at least one baserunner in scoring position in five of those frames, but were not able to capitalize on their opportunities. In comparison, OU starting pitcher Mark Roberts allowed only two Cornhuskers to reach scoring position during that span.

Roberts received a no-decision in one of the more valiant pitching performances of his Sooner career. He tied his career high nine inning effort and allowed only a pair of hits during that time. The Owasso, Okla., native issued only three walks while striking out eight. His eight strikeouts gave him eight or more in a contest for the 10th time this season and for the third straight contest.

After eclipsing the century mark for strikeouts for the first time in his career last week, Roberts went over the 100 innings pitched mark for the first time in his career to give him 106 for the season.

“When he keeps the ball down, he can be very effective and he did a great job of doing that today,” said Cochell of Roberts' performance.

Following a leadoff single to the first batter he faced, Roberts allowed only one more baserunner on an intentional walk through the first five frames and sat down 13 in a row at one point. The Cornhuskers placed their third baserunner of the game to lead off the sixth inning on a walk to Steele. Steele was quickly erased at first base as Roberts gloved a popped up bunt and threw on to first base for the double play.

After striking out the side in the seventh inning, Roberts allowed his defense to help him out with a key double play for a second time in the eighth frame. Following a leadoff walk to third baseman Alex Gordon, the Sooners threw him out at second base on a fielder's choice by centerfielder Colin Shockey. Shockey and the batter at the plate were immediately put out on the next play on an inning-ending double play.

Nebraska starting pitcher Phil Shirek also received a no-decision despite a masterful pitching performance. He matched Roberts' innings pitched effort and allowed only six hits and four walks while striking out four. Reliever Mike Sillman (1-2) picked up his first win of the year by retiring all six batters he faced over the final two innings.

Both teams will end the regular season tomorrow with the series finale at 1:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park. Both starting pitchers have yet to be determined.