Pitching propels Bruins over Midland, 2-0

FREMONT, Neb. -- Corey Jackson scattered three hits over seven shutout innings for the Bellevue University baseball team and the Bruin offense scratched across a run each in the eighth and ninth to remain unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Midland University on Wednesday evening at Moller Field.

Records:

Bellevue: 3-0
Midland: 0-1

Recap: BU 2, Midland 0

Starters Corey Jackson and James Scurto turned out one zero after another on the scoreboard for the duration of their outings as BU-Midland opened their unconventional four-game series with a pitcher's duel.

Corey Jackson (2-0) carved up the Midland lineup, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out seven in his seven shutout innings of work.

Scurto turned in five scoreless innings of work for the Warriors, allowing just three hits and a walk.

He turned the ball over to Tyler Seebaum (0-1) who, despite allowing just one hit in two innings of relief, took the loss when his leadoff walk in the eighth allowed the eventual game-winning run to come home.

After manufacturing just four hits through the first seven innings, Bellevue rallied around a leadoff walk to begin the eighth. Pinch-hitting for Josh Benson, Conner Barnett drew the free pass and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Zach Diehl before swiping third. After a strikeout and a walk to Cody Banks, Travis Ishii singled home Barnett for the game's first run.

Derek Browne came in to work the final two innings. He struck out three against a walk and a hit to earn the save, his first of the year.

Midland's Sam Braun drew a two-out walk in the bottom half and pinch-runner Javonte Williams stole second for the Warriors to put the game-tying run in scoring position but Peyton Garbers lined out to end the inning.

Bellevue again used small ball in the ninth to tack on an insurance run. Chaz Lopez opened the inning by reaching on a Warrior error ahead of a base hit from Cade Sakamoto, one of three on the day for the Bruin DH. With two-on and nobody out, Rigo Duarte advanced the runners with a ground out before pinch-hitter Daniel Teasley chased home Lopez with a sac fly. The Bruins threatened for more after Diehl drew a walk and stole second to put two runners in scoring position but Payton Higgins flew out to end the threat.

Following Dakota Thornton's leadoff single in the home half of the ninth, Browne recorded back-to-back strikeouts before getting a lineout of the bat of Connor Petersen to end the game.

Up Next:

The Bruins and Warriors resume their disjointed four game series on Thursday, Oct. 22 with a 5 p.m. first pitch from Moller Field.