By Brian Brashaw
While most of us were resting and relaxing over spring break, the UNO baseball team was busy working towards a winning season. So far, the team is 8-7 on the year. Last season, the Mavericks fell just short of .500 with a 21-25-1 record, 9-9 in the North Central Conference.
Creighton 11, UNO 1
Creighton jumped on UNO early and had a 7-0 lead after three innings. UNO starting pitcher Eric Gordon was tagged for three runs in two innings while two other Maverick pitchers allowed four runs. UNO’s only run came when Justin Cook crossed the plate in the top of the ninth.
Washburn 1, UNO 0
Kevin Smith pitched seven innings for Washburn, giving up only three hits and no runs. Washburn’s only run came in the first inning when Judd Easterday hit in Ben Rutherford. Three UNO pitchers combined to give up just two hits, but the one earned was the difference.
UNO 4, Washburn 3
In the second game of the double-header, the Mavericks scored the winning run in the fourth inning. Washburn tried to make a comeback, scoring one run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Gordon went 2 for 3 for UNO with two RBIs and one run scored.
UNO 16, Wayne State 6
UNO scored multiple runs in five different innings. Five different Mavericks collected more than one hit as well. David Kros went 2 for 2 with four RBI to lead the team.
UNO 7, St. Rose College 6
UNO had to rally from behind. The Mavericks scored five runs in the final three innings to get the win. Patrick Johnston went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs.
Maine 12, UNO 3
Maine stopped UNO’s three-game winning streak by scattering 12 runs on 17 hits. Three different UNO pitchers each gave up four runs apiece.
UNO 10, Aquinas College 4
UNO scored five runs in the third inning, and improved its record to 4-3. Peters got the win for the Mavericks.
UNO 7, Brandeis 3
Up just 3-2, the Mavericks scored four runs in the seventh inning to seal the win. Wil Guidebeck went 2 for 3 with three runs. Weston Cooper got the win by giving up just one run in three innings.
UNO 12, Olivet Nazarene 5
UNO scored three runs each in the first, fourth and eighth innings, and held Olivet to just one good inning. Olivet scored four runs in the sixth. Zach Ries went 2 for 3 with two RBIs.
Olivet Nazarene 9, UNO 3
Olivet took the second game of the double-header by scoring multiple runs in three different innings. Ben Kayser went 2 for 2 with two RBI and one run for Olivet.
Lipscomb 10, UNO 2
Lipscomb scored seven runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach.
UNO 4, Lipscomb 0
James Peters and Nate McCabe combined to pitch a two-hitter against Lipscomb in the second game of the double-header.
Iowa 4, UNO 1
Kevin Mentkoski pitched a complete game for Iowa, allowing just one run. Four different Hawkeyes had multiple hits. Ries went 2 for 3 for the Mavericks.
Southern Connecticut 7, UNO 4
Spring break ended with a loss for the Mavericks. Southern Connecticut scored six runs in the sixth inning, which was the difference. Bobby Pentino went 4 for 5 for SC.
UNO 20, S. Conn. 4
UNO scored revenge points by racking up a season-high 20 runs in the second game against Southern Connecticut.
The hardballers are back to the diamond Wednesday against Wayne State. UNO will start conference play April 6 against Northern Colorado.
