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, against Arizona State last night in Omaha, Neb.

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 advanced to play Florida tomorrow night.

Arizona State (39-24), making its 19th CWS appearance but first since 1998, faces Tennessee in an elimination game tomorrow.

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 1¹/₃ innings and earned his 16th save.

Zechry Zinicola (3-4) took over for Arizona State starter Jason Urquidez at the start of the third inning and held Nebraska hitless until Andy Gerch singled to lead off the sixth. Zinicola then walked Ryan Bohanan and hit Daniel Bruce, loading the bases with no outs.

Brett Bordes came on, and Wehrle sent his first pitch back up the middle for a two-run single that put Nebraska in front, 4-3. Wehrle scored on Jeff Christy's single down the right-field line.

Other game

Florida 6, Tennessee 4: Matt LaPorta and Brian Jeroloman homered, and Florida held off SEC rival Tennessee 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 against Vols ace Luke Hochevar that gave Florida a 2-0 lead.

Alan Horne (10-2) won his ninth consecutive decision for Florida (46-20). He went six-plus innings and left with a 6-1 lead after walking the leadoff batter in the seventh. He allowed two runs and four hits with six walks and eight strikeouts. Chase Headley had a two-run shot for Tennessee against Gators reliever Connor Falkenbach in the seventh.

Freshman left-hander 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.

It could have been more if not for two stellar defensive plays in the fifth from right fielder Eli Iorg, who stole a grand slam from Adam Davis by leaping high above the fence to pull the ball back.