Tempe: Pitching the Difference in Riverside Win

By Jason Owens - June 01, 2007

Riverside starter James Simmons found the strike zone today. Nebraska's seven pitchers did not. That was the difference in the afternoon game as Simmons picked up a seven-run victory while Nebraska pitchers walked 10 Highlander batters.

"He kept his composure real well and kept pumping out strikes," Nebraska coach Mike Anderson said of Simmons. "None of (the Nebraska pitchers) threw a large number of pitches. I think every one of them can come back. The key is they've got to come back and throw some strikes."

And that pretty much somes the Riverside win up. When Nebraska pitchers weren't walking Riverside batters, they were giving up big hits to Jaime Pedroza and Carl Uhl, who combined to go 5-for-9 with two home runs and seven RBI.

While Anderson and Nebraska starter Luke Wertz insisted the 103-degree heat wasn't a factor today, they'll have to face it again on Saturday with the losers' bracket being played in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Riverside gets to play under the lights and Simmons gets to rest for the remainder of the weekend after picking up the win.

"I didn't look at any scouting reports," Simmons said of his preparation. "I just went out and pitched the way I pitch."