Husker Corner
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Nebraska baseball rallies to stay alive in Stillwater Regional

The Nebraska Cornhuskers looked to be in trouble early on but managed to score just enough to send Niagra home and stay to play another day

By Oliver Vandervoort

Nebraska Cornhuskers are playing on Sunday
Nebraska Cornhuskers are playing on Sunday / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen /
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers didn't make it easy on themselves. In fact, for a while it looking like they might be 0-2 in the Stillwater Regional as they fell down 4-0 through two innings. However, a team that has found itself down plenty this postseason, found just enough fight to make it to Sunday.

In the top of the third inning, the Huskers manage to score 3 runs thanks to a Cale Sanderson three run shot. Then, in the top of the 5th Gabe Swansen stayed hot with a solo homer that tied the game. NU then took a short lived lead with a Sanderson sac fly.

However, Mason McConnaughey continued to be less than super sharp and allowed a home run that tied the game at 5 in the bottom of the 5th inning. A throwing error in the 6th allowed NU to take the lead back and that's when Swansen took over yet again, hitting another solo shot that gave the Nebraska Cornhuskers a cushion they were able to hold in the 7-5 victory.

Nebraska Cornhuskers stud of the game

There's no way this was going to be anyone but Gabe Swansen. Despite a rather disapppointing season power wise, it appears that Gabe has found his home run stroke again. Since the Big Ten tournament started, Swansen has been the most feared hitter for NU.

You've gotta think there's a real chance he'll get the Barry Bonds treatment tomorrow should he come up in a close game.

Stats that matter

  • Nebraska pitchers are having some problems keeping the ball in the park. NU starters have allowed 4 homers in two games in the Stillwater Regional. That includes a first inning homer in both games. On Friday it was a solo shot, but today it was a 3 run blast that could have been crippling.
  • Gabe Swansen is having himself a postseason. In the regional, he's 4-for-8 with 3 home runs and 4 RBI. It would be nice if they got some guys on in front of him.

With the victory, NU wins its first NCAA Tournament game since 2021. It's of course worth pointing out they lost the Big Ten Tournament opener before winning 5 straight to take the title. They'll need to win two more on Sunday and Monday in order to advance this time.

Nebraska Cornhuskers bottom line

Will Bolt's boys did just enough to win. However they still haven't looked particularly sharp in the regional, either on the mound or at the plate. Perhaps getting that one win behind them can give them the same kind of juice they used to take the Big Ten Tournament.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers know how to run through the elimination bracket. They'll have to do it again.

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