Tempe: Riverside Walks Home to 10-5 Win

By Jason Owens - June 01, 2007

Talk about a rally killer. After cutting a five-run deficit to 7-2, Nebraska walked home three runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to give Riverside a 10-5 lead that held through the end of the game. With Jaime Pedroza, who already had four RBI, at the plate and runners on second and third, Nebraska decided to load the bases intentionally.

Zack Herr took over at the mound for Thad Weber with the bases loaded and one out. He promptly forced cleanup hitter Mark Samuleson into a popout. Instead of keeping Weber on the mound, Nebraska coach Mike Anderson made the risky decision to play matchups and bring Steve Edlefsen in.

It turned out to be a big mistake. Edlefsen threw six straight balls and walked consecutive runs in before Tim Radmacher took his place. Radmacher then walked a third run in to give the Highlanders a 10-5 lead that ended up being the winning margin when the Huskers came up empty in the ninth.

Riverside moves on to Saturday's winners' bracket while Nebraska faces an elimination game in the heat with a much-depleted bullpen. Nebraska went through seven pitchers today and will have a tough road ahead on Friday.