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Brett Sears' complete-game shutout lifts Nebraska baseball to victory over Ohio State

On3 imageby:Grant Hansen•04/05/24•

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Brett Sears Nebraska baseball
Brett Sears pitches against Nicholls. (Photo Credit: Nebraska Athletic Communications)

Brett Sears reached a whole new level of Friday night. Nebraska’s ace recorded the seventh complete game of his career and his seventh consecutive quality start in a 3-0 victory over Ohio State.

The right-hander allowed a leadoff hit in the first and a single in the fifth in route to facing just one batter over the minimum. Sears’ final line included a new season-high 10 strikeouts and zero walks issued in his nine innings of work. Of his 115 pitches, 81 were strikes.

Head coach Will Bolts’ Huskers are 21-6, 4-0 in Big Ten play and have won 14 of the last 16 games.

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Nebraska’s offense failed to fire on all cylinders. The Huskers left eight on base, left the bases loaded in the third with two outs and only plated one run in the first after loading the bases with no outs.

Cayden Brumbaugh led off the first with the first of his two singles on the evening. A bunt single from Riley Silva and a Cole Evans walk loaded the bases for Josh Caron. The junior catcher grounded into a double play and the Buckeyes sacrificed a run and a 1-0 deficit to record a pair of outs.

The Huskers threatened again in the third after failing to do further damage in the first. Brumbaugh opened the action with another single and moved 90 feet from home after stealing third with one out. Evans walked yet again and stole second in the midst of Caron’s second at-bat.

That’s when Nebraska’s RBI leader smoked a ball off the glove of Ohio State third baseman Tyler Pettorini, plating a pair and putting the Huskers ahead 3-0.

Buckeye starter Landon Beidelschies exited the inning over 70 pitches, but the NU offense sputtered throughout the rest of the game. Only two more Huskers reached base after the third and Buckeye arms fanned 11 NU bats on the night.

Sears took it from there.

After missing out on a complete game opportunity against South Alabama and New Mexico State in each of his last two starts at Haymarket Park, Nebraska’s coaching staff gave him a shot at the ninth. Sears tallied his 10th strikeout, a career high, and worked a 1-2-3 inning in response.

What’s next for Nebraska baseball?

Nebraska baseball resumes its series with Ohio State on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. CT. Husker right-hander Mason McConnaughey will make his second weekend start of the weekend against Buckeye southpaw Gavin Brunni. Sunday’s series finale is also set for a 12:05 p.m. first pitch.

Both games will be streamed on Big Ten Plus and can be heard on the Huskers Radio Network.

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