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Nebraska baseball erases 8-0 deficit in comeback victory over Purdue

Joseph Maierby:Joseph Maier•05/15/25•

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Nebraska baseball vs. Michigan
Photo Credit: Nebraska Athletics

Nebraska baseball (27-26, 14-14) defeated Purdue (30-22, 10-18) in thrilling comeback fashion on Thursday, 11-9. The Huskers overcame an early 8-0 deficit, scoring 11 unanswered runs to win a wild series opener.

Tucker Timmerman (3.55 ERA) started for Nebraska but lasted just two full innings. The right-hander gave up eight runs on six hits before being pulled in the third. The Husker bullpen combined for seven stellar frames in relief, allowing just one run as the offense clawed back into the game.

Dylan Carey and Cayden Brumbaugh led the way at the plate, each recording three RBIs. Nine different Husker batters tallied a hit as the team combined for 14 on the night.

Here is a recap of Nebraska’s largest comeback victory since 2010:

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Purdue jumps on Timmerman early

After a six-pitch first inning, Timmerman quickly collapsed in the second. The Boilermakers jumped out to a 5-0 lead on just three hits.

After Purdue recorded a leadoff single and a walk, Timmerman hit two consecutive batters to bring one run home. An RBI single and a sacrifice fly plated two more, and Eli Anderson blew the game open with a 2-RBI single.

Nebraska left Timmerman on the mound in the third to no avail. Former Husker Aaron Manias smacked a leadoff home run on the second pitch he faced. Back-to-back Purdue singles followed, plating another run and bringing Timmerman’s night to an end.

After hitting an RBI single to make it 7-0, Brandon Anderson stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt brought him home and extended the Boilermaker lead to eight. Nebraska appeared on its way to a crushing Thursday night loss.

Huskers answer with crooked frame

Facing a gaping 8-0 hole, Nebraska climbed back in emphatic fashion. The Huskers needed just two frames to tie the game.

Carey sparked a monster fourth inning with a leadoff home run before Will Jesske reached on an error and Case Sanderson was hit by a pitch. Robby Bolin hit an RBI single to keep the momentum rolling and narrow the deficit to 8-2.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Brumbaugh came up clutch. He smacked a 3-RBI double that snuck past the diving glove of right fielder Eli Anderson. Gabe Swansen brought Brumbaugh home one at-bat later with an RBI double of his own. The Huskers pulled within two runs in the fourth, 8-6.

In the top of the fifth, Sanderson singled before advancing to third on a Purdue fielding error. Bolin made the Boilermakers pay once again. His sacrifice bunt brought the Huskers within one, 8-7.

Riley Silva tied the game one at-bat later, hitting a fortunate RBI double to center that dropped in front of three fielders. The Huskers scored eight unanswered runs to even the contest heading into the sixth inning.

Carey’s heroics

After two scoreless frames from both teams, Nebraska finally broke through in the eighth. Joshua Overbeek led off the inning with a double and Swansen was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners.

Jaron Cotton pinch ran for Swansen and immediately advanced to second base on a passed ball. Carey stepped to the plate with two runners in scoring position. He delivered.

The junior singled through the left side, scoring two and giving the Huskers their first lead of the day. Devin Nunez brought an insurance run home with a double on the following at-bat, extending Nebraska’s advantage to 11-8.

Purdue answered with one run in the bottom of the eighth, but Husker closer Luke Broderick struck out Lukas Cook to escape a jam and strand two Boilermakers. Broderick completed the wild come-from-behind victory in the ninth to earn his 11th save of the year.

Drew Christo was awarded the win thanks to 1.2 crucial innings of relief work in the seventh and eighth. Nebraska’s bullpen gave up just five hits and tallied five scoreless frames.

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