The first-inning outburst provide all the support that Bears’ starter Jared Theodorakos needed, as the left-hander tossed six innings of one-run ball. Theodorakos scattered four hits and struck out eight Huskers to improve to 2-1 on the season.

The Huskers made a late-inning comeback, trimming the lead to 9-6 with five runs in the eighth before BU closer Kyle Edens pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings to pick up his Big 12-leading fifth save.

Durbin went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs, as Baylor pounded out 13 hits to improve to 12-6 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12. Mike Huggins also added three hits for the victors, who have won 12 of their last 15 since and 0-3 start.

Matt Hopper went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, while Jed Morris also added a pair of hits, as NU dipped to 8-5 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.

Nebraska jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as Hopper delivered an RBI single to left, scoring right fielder Daniel Bruce, who had doubled down the line earlier in the inning.

The lead didn’t last long, as the Bears knocked Husker starter Jason Burch out of the game with a six-spot in the bottom of the inning. One-out RBI singles by Huggins and Ross Bennett gave Baylor a 2-1 lead before Durbin’s second homer of the season, a wind-blown three-run shot to left, gave the hosts a four-run advantage. Tim Harshorn capped the inning with an RBI double off reliever Aaron Marsden, as the Bears had six hits and batted around in the first.

Burch, who threw six scoreless innings of relief in last Saturday’s win at Fresno State, lasted a third of an inning, allowing six runs on four hits in the shortest start of his career to dip to 1-1 on the season.

After the first, the Huskers had their best scoring opportunity of the BU starter in the fifth, as Drew Anderson drew a two-out walk and moved into scoring position on Jeff Leise’s single to right, but Theodorakos struck out Bruce to end the threat.

NU, which did not score again until the eighth, got a solid relief effort from Marsden, who allowed two runs and six hits in 5.2 innings of relief, which kept the Baylor offense at bay until the seventh. The left-hander allowed a run in the second, but held scoreless until the Bears extended the margin to 9-1 in the seventh.

In the eighth, NU rallied off relievers Paul Thorpe and Zane Carlson, cutting the BU lead to 9-5. RBI singles by Hopper and pinch hitter Justin Seely cut the lead to 9-3 before Brandon Eymann chased Carlson, who allowed three runs, with a two-run single to chase Carlson. Edens got out of the jam, as Drew Anderson grounded into a run scoring fielder’s choice before Leise struck out to end the inning.

The loss marked the first time in seven losses dating back to last season that the Huskers had not lost by one run.

The Huskers return to action next weekend for a three-game series against No. 13 Texas A&M at Hawks Field. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday’s contests set for 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.