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The LMU baseball team (7-2) took the first game of a three-game series with Nebraska on Friday, beating the Huskers (4-4) by a score of 4-1 from Page Stadium. Senior Colin Welmon was outstanding again in the start, tossing 7.2 innings and allowing just one run on six hits and one walk while striking out nine to improve to 2-1 on the year. Sophomore David Fletcher contributed the biggest hit, lining a two-RBI double into the gap in the three-run fifth inning to hand LMU the lead it would not relinquish.

Fletcher, who has now reached in 24 straight games, including hitting safely in 35 of his last 37, went 1-for-4 on the night. Fellow sophomore Austin Miller had a two-hit night out of the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a stolen base and an RBI. Senior David Edwards, who served as the DH on Friday night, also posted a two-hit game at 2-for-4.

Seven of LMU's eight came with two out, with the exception being a bunt single in the second inning with one out.

After LMU stranded a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third, Nebraska got on the board first with a run in the top of the fourth. Ryan Boldt doubled off the Mikos Blue Monster to start the inning before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from Blake Headley. Boldt came in to score one pitch later when Ben Miller lined a sacrifice fly to left field to collect his eighth RBI of the year. Boldt finished the game 2-for-4 with the double and the run scored, while Tanner Lubach also went 2-for-4 serving as the Nebraska catcher.

The Lions punched right back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three times on three hits and an error to take a 3-1 lead after five. Joe Murray got the two-out rally going with a single through the left side before moving to second on a wild pitch. Miller followed with a single into left centerfield to knot the tally at one run apiece, extending the inning for Billy Wilson who worked a full count before drawing a walk. During that at bat, Miller stole second and moved to third on an errant throw from catcher Tanner Lubach, leaving runners at the corners with two out for Fletcher. The native of Cypress, Calif. delivered in a big way, lacing a two-RBI double into the gap in left centerfield to cap the scoring run.

LMU added a fourth run in the sixth inning as Ted Boeke punched a double down the right field line to bring home Sean Watkins from second base. Watkins had reached with a hit-by-pitch to start the inning before stealing second with two out. The hit batter was the 25th of the year for LMU, as the Lions currently lead the nation in that category.

Michael Silva extinguished Nebraska's threat in the top of the eighth, entering with two out and two on and striking out Miller to strand the runners. Boldt and Headley singled with two out to chase Welmon after another quality start, forcing the Lions to call the bullpen and summon the right-handed reliever. Silva made quick work of the designated hitter, punching him out on four pitches.

Sophomore J.D. Busfield entered in the ninth and closed the door on the Huskers to earn his fourth save of the year, working around a one-out single from Austin Christensen.

LMU and Nebraska will continue the three-game series tomorrow at 2 p.m. Trevor Megill will take the mound for the Lions, opposed by left-hander Kyle Kubat for Nebraska.