Hot-hitting Opitz powers NU attack

With Nebraska's back against the wall in Big 12 Tournament play, Cornhuskers' senior second baseman Jake Opitz proved to be the toughest of outs Friday against Kansas State.

Opitz finished 3-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBIs and reached base in all five of his plate appearances to help the Cornhuskers beat the Wildcats 5-2 in NU's second pool-play game at Bricktown Ballpark. The 6-foot, 188-pounder from Littleton, Colo., also reached base after being hit by a pitch in the first inning and drawing a walk in the ninth.

With that performance, Opitz has reached base in eight of 10 plate appearances in the Big 12 Tournament. He was 1-for-3 in Wednesday's 10-4 loss to Baylor, also reaching after being hit be a pitch and drawing a base on balls.

Opitz's explanation for his success? This should be the time of the season that favors hitters in conference games.

"Coming into this tournament, you've seen everybody," Opitz said. "You've seen these pitchers and we have charts and everything and I'm staying with my same approach. Once you see a guy a couple of times, you get a feel for what they're trying to do to you.

"I'm seeing the ball well right now and just going with it."

That was especially the case in the top of the seventh inning. With Nebraska clinging to a 3-2 lead, the left-handed hitting Opitz unloaded on pitch from Kansas State lefty reliever Thomas Rooke, driving the ball the opposite way into the bullpen in left-center field for a two-run homer -- his eighth of the season.

"He just got his fastball up and I went with it," Opitz said.

Opitz credited Jake Mort for setting the table in front of him in the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Mort was 3-for-4 against Kansas State with a walk and also reached on a fielder's choice, beating out a potential double play ball to be on base before Opitz's seventh-inning blast.

Bryce Nimmo and Mort had back-to-back singles with one out in the third, putting runners at first and second for Opitz. He came through with a RBI double down the right-field line off Kansas State starting pitcher Chase Bayuk, giving the Huskers a 1-0 lead.

"It starts with Mort," said Opitz, an All-Big 12 selection who leads Nebraska in multi-hit and multi-RBI games. "He's was on base all five times today and they were giving me some good pitches to hit."

Nebraska coach Mike Anderson said he's been thrilled with Opitz's demeanor this season.

"I'll be honest, (Opitz's performance) doesn't surprise me and it doesn't surprise me that he gives credit to other people," Anderson said. "He's remarkably grown up this year. I'm so proud of him I can't even see straight -- the things that he's done, the work habits and all of the things he's done to have moments like that. It's well-earned, well-deserved."