TULSA, Okla. – “In our bullpen, we need our guys to come in and challenge hitters… We can’t just give it away.”
That was how Omaha baseball head coach Evan Porter summed up his squad being swept in their opening series more than three months ago. His comments turned out to be the most cruel foreshadowing imaginable Thursday when a ninth-inning collapse to the tune of seven runs wasted a gem from starter Harrison Kreiling and prematurely ended the Mavericks’ season.
With their backs against the wall in Thursday’s elimination game, No. 1 UNO gave the ball to its first-team All-Summit League pitcher, who delivered when it mattered most. Upon getting the nod to start the win-or-go-home game, the senior arm tossed a near-perfect eight shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out a career-high 13 batters. It wasn’t enough cushion for the Mavericks, though, who fell apart for a 7-5 loss and saw their season come to a close.
It certainly didn’t hurt Kreiling that he was pitching with considerable run support throughout the day. The Mavericks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard and taking the pressure off of their starter. After Omaha loaded up the bases with one out, freshman Grant Sommers walked in the first run of the game. One pitch later, senior Haiden Hunt ripped a three-run double to stretch the early lead. In the third inning, Tyler Bishop smashed a triple down the right-field line and was quickly brought home with a single from Jackson Trout to make it a 5-0 advantage.
After Kreiling was pulled before the ninth inning after throwing 130 pitches, the Bison were able to take advantage of an Omaha bullpen that has been struggling all season. Tasked with holding NDSU off for three outs, lefty Luke Gainer entered the game in the ninth and promptly gave up three runs. He exited the game having thrown 20 pitches, leaving two runners on base for senior Matt Dreher to take care of. Unable to do so, Dreher instead allowed the two baserunners to score and was charged with two more runs of his own, leaving the bases loaded and recording only two outs. With all of their momentum out the window, the Mavericks fell short in the bottom of the ninth, putting the finishing touches on a heartbreaking 7-5 loss.
With Omaha already having been upset by No. 4 Northern Colorado Wednesday, an up-and-down season for the Mavericks finally comes to a close. The disappointing game also represents the final athletic event on the UNO calendar, as the Mavericks won’t be back in action until the soccer season commences in August.