Cael Frost’s first two home runs of the season propelled Nebraska to an 8-3 win over Sam Houston Friday in the Frisco College Baseball Classic in Frisco, Texas.
Frost’s first home run, a two-run shot to left-center, got the Huskers on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Nebraska tacked on a run in the third when Dylan Carey’s ground out drove in a run to push the lead to 3-0, NU. A two-run double by Parker Blackmon sliced the Cornhuskers’ lead to 3-2 in the fourth. Then the Bearkats tied the game with a sacrifice fly by Brady Christensen in the fifth.
But then Frost stepped forward, lacing a solo home run to right in the sixth to break the 3-3 tie. Devin Nunez added to Nebraska’s lead in the seventh with an RBI single to make it 5-3. Cayden Brumbaugh crushed a two-run homer to left to grow the lead to 7-3, Huskers, and a Hogan Helligoso RBI single in the eighth tacked on an insurance run.
The only downside to the night was the early exit of Nebraska’s ace, Mason McConnaughey. After pitching 3.2 innings, McConnaughey was lifted with an apparent injury. His prognosis was not immediately available. Jalen Worthley came out of the bullpen and allowed just one earned run in 1.1 innings, but the real relief star was Will Walsh. After making two starts in the first two weeks, Walsh was demoted to the bullpen and made the most of his new assignment, retiring all 12 batters he faced in a spotless four innings pitched with six strikeouts.
Nebraska continues play in Frisco, Texas, taking No. 2 LSU Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 3:30 on 105.3 The Bone.