Nebraska baseball falls to Purdue in walk-off fashion after two-hour delay
Nebraska baseball (27-27, 14-15) fell to Purdue (31-22, 11-18) in crushing walk-off fashion on Friday, 5-4. After a two-hour rain delay, Brandon Anderson hit a two-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth to even the series.
Ty Horn (5.97 ERA) started for Nebraska and lasted five innings. The right-hander allowed one earned run on five hits while escaping multiple jams. Following the delay, right-hander Casey Daiss tossed two stellar frames in relief before Jalen Worthley gave up the walk-off homer.
Dylan Carey led the way at the plate with three singles, and Devin Nunez hit a crucial two-run home run in the seventh inning.
Here is a recap of the loss:
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Both sides trade punches early
After climbing out of an 8-0 hole on Thursday, the Huskers wasted no time jumping out to a lead this time around.
To lead off the opening frame, Riley Silva was hit by a pitch for the 18th time this season. Cayden Brumbaugh followed with a beautiful bunt single to put two on base for Gabe Swansen. The senior gave Nebraska an early 1-0 advantage, smacking an RBI single through the left side. The threat came to an end one at-bat later, though, as Case Sanderson grounded into a double play.
The Boilermakers countered with back-to-back one-run frames.
In the third, Sergio DeCello hit a leadoff single down the right-field line. He advanced to third thanks to throwing errors by Robby Bolin and Joshua Overbeek on the same play. DeCello came home shortly after on an RBI lineout, tying the game 1-1.
Logan Sutter gave Purdue its first lead of the day in the fourth, smacking a solo home run to center on the second pitch of the inning. Horn answered by quickly retiring the next three Boilermakers in order.
Fifth-inning swing
Nebraska tied the game in the fifth, but the inning’s most crucial moment came on the mound.
In the top of the frame, back-to-back singles from Hogan Helligso and Bolin put runners at the corners with no outs. Silva cashed in with an RBI lineout, bringing Helligso home and tying the game, 2-2.
Bolin was caught stealing second, however, and a groundout ended the frame. Another squandered opportunity gave Purdue a chance to regain the lead.
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A full-count walk and a single put Boilermaker runners at the corners with two outs. With the heart of Purdue’s order due up, Horn came up clutch. He escaped the inning with a deep flyout to right, avoiding any damage.
Nunez flashes his power
In the top of the seventh, Devin Nunez gave Nebraska the lead with one swing of his bat.
Carey led off the inning with his third single of the day before the talented freshman blasted a 2-run shot to right center. Nunez’s fourth homer of the season soared 426 feet and put Nebraska up 4-2.
As the rain began to come down in West Lafayette, Purdue pulled within one thanks to Nebraska’s fourth error of the day. Pitching in relief of Horn, left-hander Will Walsh walked two consecutive Boilermakers on full counts. Helligso’s errant throw to second put runners at the corners with no outs.
Brandon Rogers made the Huskers pay with an RBI lineout, bringing one run home. Following a Purdue single, the game entered a rain delay.
Purdue wins in stunning fashion
After two hours and seven minutes, the contest finally resumed in the bottom of the seventh. Casey Daiss (3.48 ERA) took the mound in relief of Walsh and put on a show.
The senior right-hander quickly escaped the jam Walsh created. He entered the game with two on and one out, retiring back-to-back hitters to strand two in scoring position. He struck out two in the eighth, but it was ultimately not enough.
In the bottom of the ninth, Daiss gave up a one-out double before being pulled. Jalen Worthley relieved him, making his first appearance in nearly a month. Down to their final out, the Boilermakers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Brandon Anderson hit a two-run bomb to win the game and even the series.
