Huskers drop series finale 7-3 to College of Charleston

Things couldn't have gone much better for Nebraska in Friday's 2-0 win over College of Charleston.

But they couldn't have gone much worse since.

Sunday's series finale followed a similar script to Saturday's 13-5 loss - the Cougars jumped all over Nebraska early in the game and the Huskers were unable to respond. The offense was able to at least put some heat on College of Charleston Saturday, but that wasn't the case for most of Sunday's 7-3 defeat.

"This was a weekend of count leverage," coach Darin Erstad said during his postgame appearance on the Husker Sports Network. "They just pounded the zone and we tried to swing early and they made quality pitches. They were ahead in the counts and we were not. When you get behind in counts, you either walk them or you give up lasers because they're in good counts to hit in.

"We lost the count leverage battle this weekend and that's what it came down to."

For the second straight day NU's starter couldn't make it out of the second inning. Zack Engelken immediately fell behind by surrendering a two-run homer in the first. After the sophomore put two men on with one out in the second, Erstad turned to Jake McSteen. A two-run double to center by Dupree Hart made it 4-0.

McSteen helped turn things around, however. He kept the Cougars off the board for the next three innings and gave the Huskers a chance to get back in the game.

But CoC starter Hayden McCutcheon wasn't going to let that happen. The righty allowed just two hits, both singles by Ben Miller, and struck out eight batters. What few opportunities Nebraska did muster were quickly extinguished - the Huskers left eight men on base.

The Cougars got back to their offensive ways against Max Knutson in the sixth, scoring three times to make it 7-0. The NU offense then finally showed some signs of life - Miller's two-RBI single plated Elijah Dilday and Ryan Boldt in the eighth, and Steven Reveles hit his first career home run in the ninth.

But it proved to be too little, too late for the Huskers, who dropped to 1-2 on the season.

Nebraska will travel to San Diego for the Tony Gwynn classic next weekend. It will start tournament play against San Diego at 8 p.m.

***First baseman Ben Miller: The junior was a dreadful 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Friday but was excellent thereafter. Miller went 2-for-2 with a trio of walks Saturday, then submitted a 3-for-3 game with two RBIs and a walk in the finale. The Cougars failed to retire Miller in each of the final two games.

"Benny is going to be just fine," Erstad said. "That guy just flat out hits. You don't worry about guys like him having a good game or a bad game. At the end, his numbers are going to be where they're going to be."

***Pitcher Jake McSteen: After barely pitching in 2015 due to season-ending shoulder surgery, McSteen looked great in his 2016 debut. In 3.1 innings of work, he allowed just two hits and one walk. With Engelken struggling so mightily, it's possible McSteen could work his way into a starting role next weekend.

***Miller started at first, his first career start in the field. Regular first baseman Scott Schreiber sat the game with back issues.

***Boldt went 1-for-13 on the weekend.

***Five batters were hit in the game, including two Huskers.