Nebraska Is Home Free

Joba Chamberlain gave up five hits in seven innings and Ryan Wehrle hit a two-run single in the sixth inning, rallying Nebraska to its first College World Series victory, 5-3, over Arizona State on Friday night at Omaha.

The Cornhuskers (57-13) enjoyed the home-field advantage that comes with playing 58 miles from their Lincoln campus. They were a combined 0-4 in their other CWS appearances, in 2001 and 2002.

Arizona State (39-24) is making its 19th CWS appearance but first since 1998.

The Cornhuskers scored twice in the first inning, adding to the buzz of the charged-up “Sea of Red” crowd of 24,904.

Chamberlain (10-2) gave up a run in the second inning and two in the sixth, before giving way to Zach Kroenke in the eighth.

Chamberlain walked three, struck out four and retired 10 consecutive batters before giving up a walk to Andrew Romine leading off the Sun Devils’ two-run sixth inning. Brett Jensen earned his 16th save.

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Florida 6, Tennessee 4 -- Matt LaPorta and Brian Jeroloman homered for the Gators (46-20), and right-hander Alan Horne (10-2) won his ninth consecutive decision.

It was LaPorta’s team season-record 25th homer and it came in the third inning against Luke Hochevar (15-3), the Volunteer ace, for a 2-0 lead.

Chase Headley had a two-run homer for Tennessee (46-20) against Connor Falkenbach in the seventh.

Hochevar, a right-hander, was a first-round supplemental pick of the Dodgers in the amateur draft June 7.

On Sunday, Nebraska plays Florida in a winners’ bracket game and Arizona State plays Tennessee in an elimination game.