Box Score March 12, 2016 Box Score
LMU (6-9) hit into three doubles plays, including one with men at first and second and nobody out in the seventh inning of a two-run game, en route to being shut out, 3-0, by Nebraska (8-6) on Saturday for the second consecutive game in Lincoln, Neb.
The setback handed Nebraska the series victory after the Huskers swept a doubleheader on Friday.
The Lions found themselves in a pitchers duel early, as sophomore right-hander Cory Abbott and freshman righty Matt Waldron threw zeroes on the board through five innings.
Waldron continued the trend in the sixth, but Abbott was tagged for two runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth. Steven Reveles led off the inning with a single before Ryan Boldt hit into a fielder's choice for the first out. A double from Jake Placzek sent runners to second and third, forcing LMU to walk Ben Miller and load the bases. Scott Schreiber, who was 0-for-2 to that point, came up with the big hit on the ensuing play, dumping a two-RBI flare single into right field to put the Huskers on the board. Schreiber finished the game 2-for-4 with a double.
Abbott was ultimately tagged with the loss, surrendering the two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. The loss dropped Abbott to 1-2 on the season.
Waldron finished his outing having thrown 6.2 scoreless innings, surrendering six hits and one walk with five strikeouts to move to 2-1 on the year. Jeff Chesnut dealt the next 1.1 innings before Chad Luensmann contributed a scoreless ninth to secure the shutout and the first save of the year for Nebraska.
Freshman Niko Decolati highlighted LMU's offensive efforts, finishing 4-for-4 out of the fifth spot in the order. Sean Watkins and Austin Miller each had two hits.
LMU has now been shut out in consecutive games twice this year, suffering shut out losses in the final two games at TCU to open the season. Prior to this season, LMU had not been blanked in consecutive games since February 9-10, 1985.
LMU will look to salvage the series Sunday when it plays the series finale at 10 a.m. PT. Junior Tyler Cohen will take the mound opposed by left-hander Jake McSteen.
