Nebraska baseball drops third Big Ten series with loss to USC
Nebraska baseball (10-13, 2-7) dropped its third Big Ten series of the year with a 7-1 loss to USC (14-9, 4-5) on Sunday. The Huskers trailed from the outset as their offensive ineptitude reared its ugly head once again.
Jackson Brockett (4.00 ERA) started on the mound in the rubber match, seeking his first win of the year. The left-hander lasted 3.2 innings, allowing two earned runs and six hits. Multiple defensive mistakes from Nebraska’s fielders ended his day prematurely.
The Huskers failed to find any offensive rhythm, even against Trojan starter Grant Govel who entered the contest with an 8.16 season ERA. Nebraska stranded stranded eight runners on Sunday including six in scoring position.
Here is a recap of the loss:
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Fielding errors cost Huskers early
Brockett lasted just 3.2 innings but multiple Nebraska fielding mistakes did him no favors.
In the bottom of the first, Devin Nunez misplayed a fly ball to left. It was not ruled an error, but Brayden Dowd’s double dropped at Nunez’s feet to put USC in business early. Trojan two-way star Ethan Hedges capitalized with an RBI single to right, giving the home team an early 1-0 lead.
Brockett’s misfortunes continued in the second. Bryce Grudzielanek smacked a 107 mph ground ball that ricocheted off of Brockett’s shin. The left-hander fought through the pain but gave up an RBI double down the left-field line to the following batter.
Brockett finally recorded a scoreless frame in the third, but his day came to an end in the fourth. With one out, Maximo Martinez grounded to short and reached on a throwing error by Dylan Carey. The mistake sparked another big inning for USC.
Nebraska’s struggles with two outs continued, as consecutive singles plated a pair of Trojan runs and pushed their lead to 4-0 after the fourth inning. USC tallied three total runs with two outs on Sunday.
Solo shots blow game open
Right-hander Gavin Blachowicz relieved Brockett in the fourth and quickly escaped the inning. He posted a strong fifth frame and appeared to return momentum to Nebraska’s dugout.
The offense had no response. Trojan left-handed reliever Sax Matson quickly sat the Huskers down in order while striking out two.
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USC blew the game open in the bottom of the sixth. Martinez and Grudzielanek blasted back-to-back solo home runs to open the inning. The pair of Trojans combined for four hits and two RBIs on the day.
Fellow freshman reliever Pryce Bender took over for Blachowicz after the two solo shots but suffered the same fate in the bottom of the seventh. Adrian Lopez hit USC’s third solo home run of the day to push the Trojans’ lead to 7-0.
Offense crumbles with runners on
Nebraska’s offensive struggles hit new a low on Sunday.
Last weekend, Trojan starting pitcher Grant Govel gave up seven runs and eight hits in just two innings. The Huskers fared much worse. Govel posted five scoreless frames and struck out four in the victory.
Nebraska finished the game with just seven hits as the top of the order went 2-for-12 at the plate. The Huskers squandered the few opportunities they had, stranding six runners in scoring position and eight total. Their lone run came in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from Cayden Brumbaugh.
Case Sanderson and Dylan Carey each tallied a pair of hits but the rest of the order struggled mightily. Nunez, Saturday’s hero, went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-4 on the day.
Nebraska’s lone extra-base hit didn’t come until the ninth inning, when Gabe Swansen smacked a pinch-hit double down the right-field line. He was stranded at second base after USC retired three straight batters to end the game.
