Photos By David Cohen / BHEphotos
David Cohen
7
Winner Nebraska NEB 3-1
1
UC Riverside UCR 1-3
Winner
Nebraska NEB
3-1
7
Final
1
UC Riverside UCR
1-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Nebraska NEB 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 7 9 0
UC Riverside UCR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 8 1

W: Waldron, Matt (1-0) L: Priddy, Jeremiah (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Optimistic After Series Against Nebraska

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Plenty of hype and excitement surrounded the UC Riverside Baseball team's season opening series vs. Nebraska. It pitted former Angels teammates and now head coaches Darin Erstad and Troy Percival against one another.

Catching the action during Saturday's doubleheader were former teammate Adam Kennedy and former manager Mike Scioscia. All four were apart of the 2002 Angels team that won the World Series.

"It is fun to coach against him [Erstad] and it just gives me a chance to see my friend," Percival said. "However, once the game starts it's all about coaching."

After losing Friday's season opener and then splitting Saturday's doubleheader, the Highlanders were hoping to split the series with a win on Sunday. However, they took a 7-1 loss.

UCR had its chances, especially early. The team had the bases loaded with none out in the first inning, but couldn't bring anyone home. The Highlanders did get a little unlucky with third baseman Nathan Webb hitting a rocket line drive up the middle for a double play. Left fielder Nick Pofek then lined out to second base.

The team had another chance in the second inning with runners in scoring position and two outs, but Nick Kafer struck out swinging on a full count to end the frame. UCR managed two hits in the third, but Nebraska catcher Luke Roskam threw a laser to second base to get Yeager Taylor on an inning-ending pickoff. UCR finished the game leaving seven on base.

"I liked our offense a lot," Percival said. "We just need to be better with runners in scoring position. We were so close too many times."

While Nebraska starter Colby Gomes went four innings and allowed six hits, it was Matt Waldon who picked up the win, tossing an impressive five innings and allowing just one run on two hits.

That run for the Highlanders came in the bottom of the ninth inning when Dylan Orick began with a single up the middle. After Orick advanced to third on a balk and a passed ball, Alec Arnone got a RBI single down the left field line.

Arnone had himself quite a weekend. Showing his agility behind the plate by starting three of the four games, the freshman also had five hits (one double) and two RBIs.

"He [Arnone] was outstanding," Percival said. "He was professional in everything that he did."

The Highlanders taxed bullpen got exactly what the doctor ordered from starter Jeremiah Priddy on Sunday. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He also struck out seven batters. He went the deepest of any starter over the weekend and helped an already taxed bullpen after Saturday's doubleheader.

"Priddy was one of the best highlights of the weekend," Percival said. "He stepped up and really bulldogged it when we needed it the most."

The Cornhuskers got on the board in the first inning when Priddy allowed three straight singles with one out, including an RBI single by Aaron Palensky. With two down and runners at second and third, Priddy was able to bear down and strike out Jaxon Hallmark to end the threat.

"Our young guys really need some experience," Percival said. "If one or two take hold, it can be something special."

UCR will take on Loyola Marymount on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Plex.