Meyers dominates Nicholls State in 4-2 victory

Sunday was the kind of day Jake Meyers dreamed about growing up. Not only was he starting on the mound for Nebraska, but Darin Erstad also elected to move him up to third in the order. Whatever the outcome of the contest, Meyers would likely play a key role.

But even Meyers' loftiest expectations couldn't have come close to the outing the sophomore turned in.

Meyers threw seven scoreless innings, retiring the final 11 hitters he faced, and clubbed a three-run home run as Nebraska (25-15) knocked off Nicholls State 4-2 to earn the series victory. The Omaha Westside graduate said it may well have been the best performance of his career.

"This is definitely up there, if not at the top," Meyers said. "I grew up absolutely loving Nebraska and coming to these games and dreaming to be out here. To finally get out there and do it and have some success at that, it's a dream come true.

"It's truly an honor that coach Erstad lets me do both (hit and pitch)."

Nebraska's everyday right fielder, Meyers' rare starts - he has four this year - are usually limited to three or four innings. But the lefty's incredible efficiency allowed him to advance deep into Sunday's game. Meyers threw just 62 pitches, 42 of which were strikes. He needed 11 pitches or fewer to get through six of his seven innings.

"Honestly it was just my fastball and my changeup," Meyers said. "I kept my fastball low and mixed it up. I got a lot of ground balls and my fielders did an unbelievable job today picking me up."

Meyers' brilliance extended to the plate, where he launched a three-run home run to give Nebraska a 4-0 lead in the sixth. The way things were going, that advantage appeared quite safe.

But Erstad called on Garett King to start the eighth, and the sophomore was a mess. He threw just six pitches, walking the leadoff man and plunking the next batter before being lifted.

In came Jeff Chesnut, pitching for the first time since taking a line drive off the temple in Tuesday's contest at Kansas State. Chesnut retired the first two hitters he faced, then gave up a pair of RBI singles that cut the Huskers' lead in half. He issued a walk to load the bases but escaped with a ground out to second.

"I will take whatever we get out of him. I'm just so excited that he's out there," Erstad said. "I can't even fathom what's probably going through his head and having to get over some hurdles mentally dealing with that stuff. I'm very proud of him for going out there and finding a way."

Chad Luensmann ensured there would be no drama in the ninth, locking down his eighth save with a dominant 1-2-3 inning.

In the midst of a wobbly stretch, the Huskers needed a series victory to try and get back on track. Though Nebraska was far from dominant in its wins and Saturday's loss was rather dispiriting, Erstad believes his team can still find itself.

"My mindset is that the next day it's always going to get going again," Erstad said. "Today is the day. Today is the day. You have to have that confidence and be positive that today is going to be the day.

"Hopefully it comes sooner rather than later and we can get on a roll again."

***Meyers hit third in the order. It was just the third time this season - and the first since the third game of the year - that Ben Miller didn't hit third.

***Ryan Boldt snapped a streak of 15 hitless at-bats with an infield single in the sixth inning.

***Chesnut's appearance was the 85th of his career. He needs just two more to tie the school record.

***The attendance was 2,470.