Nebraska Cornhuskers: Baseball gets the win despite more shaky play

The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team looked rather shaky both offensively and in the bullpen yet again on Friday night’s opener again So. Alabama.

However, when it comes to the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team, a win is a win, is a win. And they Huskers managed to get their first win of the young season as they beat the Sun Belt squad 5-4 in their fifth-straight road win.

While there was a lot not to like about the victory, let’s first start with the things that Husker fans can take away from a squad that is still very much trying to find its footing here in the 2023 season. After going four straight games in San Diego without a victory, there’s definitely something to be said for starting the series with a W.

South Alabama isn’t anywhere near a powerhouse in the college baseball world, but they’re also not a doormat. They started the season 3-1 and posted 30 wins a year ago. This is the kind of win that Will Bolt can try to build on. He can try and establish some momentum.

Right at the top of list of positives for the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team is Friday starter Emmett Olson who had a decent but not fantastic first start of the season last weekend. This Friday night, he allowed just two hits and two earned runs over 5.1 innings. Olson, like the rest of the pitching staff did have some control issues as he also walked two and hit two batters.

But the game still felt like an improvement over his performance against San Diego, no matter how slight. In the end, his outing gave the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team a chance to win and they cashed in on that.

There were also the offensive performances by Max Anderson who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two walks. He raised his average on the early part of the season to .435 in the game. Garrett Anglin also hit the team’s sixth homer of the season and that homer ended up being the difference in the score.

However, there was also plenty to worry about on offense yet again. A unit with problems getting the clutch hit against San Diego continued having those problems as they stranded 12 runners.

Those struggles were especially highlighted in the final inning. Wanting to add onto the 5-4 lead, the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team led off the 9th with a double and then struck out three straight times.

Considering the Huskers had 17 base runners (6 hits, 6 walks and 5HBP) it seems like five runs is just way too little.

Meanwhile, a much-maligned bullpen continued to struggle and get itself into trouble. In 2.1 innings from Shay Schanaman, Jalen Worthley and Kyle Perry, the relievers didn’t allow a hit, but did walk two and hit two batters.

Now that the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team has won despite some shaky play, it’s time to take the next step and put a complete game together on Saturday afternoon.