Thursday, May 15
Emporia, Kan.
TBA
Omaha
2
vs
1
Minnesota State, Mankato
Kessinger's Gem Leads UNO to Win in Regional Opene
May 15, 2008 | Baseball
EMPORIA, Kan. -- Chris Kessinger allowed just one unearned run on six hits, throwing a nine-inning complete game, leading the No. 12 University of Nebraska at Omaha baseball team to a 2-1 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato, in the first game of the NCAA II Central Regional, Thursday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex.
UNO (43-11) next faces perennial powerhouse Central Missouri, Friday at 7 p.m.
Kessinger (11-1) became just the second UNO pitcher to win 11 games in a season, as he tossed his sixth complete game of the season. Barry Miller was the only other Maverick to accomplish the feat, back in 1962. Kessinger didn't allow a hit through 4 2/3 innings, when MSU catcher Kyle Hoover reached on a bunt single.
MSU (27-24) didn't get a baserunner to second base until the eighth inning on consecutive singles by Hoover and Corey LaPlante. But Kessinger bailed himself out by picking Hoover off second, before striking out designated hitter Aaron Berner looking, then inducing a fly ball to end the inning.
Mankato took advantage of a rare fielding error by UNO second baseman Josh Shirk to score an unearned run in the ninth, but Kessinger's 100th pitch of the game was a fly out to right field to end the game. Kessinger struck out five, not allowing a walk.
UNO's Jeremy Klein scored the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out he lined a pitch through the left side for a single, then took second on a wild pitch. Right fielder Dustin Koca drove Klein home with two outs, singling to right field.
Brian Goliber led off the seventh by doubling to left center. Klein advanced Goliber to third with a ground ball, then scoring on a single to left by Bryan Frew.
UNO (43-11) next faces perennial powerhouse Central Missouri, Friday at 7 p.m.
Kessinger (11-1) became just the second UNO pitcher to win 11 games in a season, as he tossed his sixth complete game of the season. Barry Miller was the only other Maverick to accomplish the feat, back in 1962. Kessinger didn't allow a hit through 4 2/3 innings, when MSU catcher Kyle Hoover reached on a bunt single.
MSU (27-24) didn't get a baserunner to second base until the eighth inning on consecutive singles by Hoover and Corey LaPlante. But Kessinger bailed himself out by picking Hoover off second, before striking out designated hitter Aaron Berner looking, then inducing a fly ball to end the inning.
Mankato took advantage of a rare fielding error by UNO second baseman Josh Shirk to score an unearned run in the ninth, but Kessinger's 100th pitch of the game was a fly out to right field to end the game. Kessinger struck out five, not allowing a walk.
UNO's Jeremy Klein scored the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out he lined a pitch through the left side for a single, then took second on a wild pitch. Right fielder Dustin Koca drove Klein home with two outs, singling to right field.
Brian Goliber led off the seventh by doubling to left center. Klein advanced Goliber to third with a ground ball, then scoring on a single to left by Bryan Frew.
Players Mentioned
IF/OF
/ Baseball
C
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RHP/3B
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
LHP/OF
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SS
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