Huskers win in own backyard

OMAHA, Neb. -- Joba Chamberlain allowed just five hits in seven innings and Ryan Wehrle hit a two-run single, rallying Nebraska to its first College World Series victory, 5-3 over Arizona State on Friday night.

The Cornhuskers (57-13) enjoyed the home-field advantage that comes with playing 58 miles away from their Lincoln campus. They were a combined 0-4 in their only other CWS appearances, in 2001 and '02.

Nebraska advances to a Sunday night game against Florida, a 6-4 winner over Tennessee in Friday's first game. ASU (39-24), making its 19th CWS appearance but first since 1998, faces the Volunteers in an elimination game Sunday.

Chamberlain (10-2) allowed a run in the second inning and two in the sixth, before giving way to Zach Kroenke in the eighth. Chamberlain walked three and struck out four. Brett Jensen pitched the final 1 1-3 innings and earned his 16th save.

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

Florida 6, Tennessee 4

Matt LaPorta and Brian Jeroloman homered, and Florida held off SEC rival Tennessee 6-4 Friday to win the opening game of the 59th College World Series.

LaPorta extended the Gators' single-season record with his 25th homer in the third, a deep shot into the left-field bleachers off Vols ace Luke Hochevar that gave Florida a 2-0 lead.

Alan Horne (10-2) won his ninth straight decision for Florida (46-20). The 6-foot-4 right-hander went six-plus innings and left with a 6-1 lead after walking the leadoff batter in the seventh. He allowed two runs on four hits with six walks and eight strikeouts.

Chase Headley had a two-run shot for Tennessee off Gators reliever Connor Falkenbach in the seventh.

Freshman lefty James Adkins was the scheduled starter for Tennessee (46-20), but the Vols switched to Hochevar, who was a first-round supplemental pick of the Dodgers.

Hochevar (15-3) also lasted six-plus innings, allowing eight hits and a season-high six runs -- four earned -- with five walks and three strikeouts.