Nebraska baseball opens final regular season series with a win over Purdue
The Nebraska baseball team settled into the first game of their series against Purdue (23-28), then the offense exploded in the seventh and eighth innings to win 10-5.
The Huskers blasted three home runs in the final three innings of this game to tie the team’s single season record. NU’s 1985 team hit 93 home runs, and the 2023 team has hit that same mark with two games remaining.
Game Recap
The Huskers were first to the batter’s box in this game, and they took advantage of that. In the top half of the first, Gabe Swansen worked a walk to load the bases with just one out. Josh Caron then drove in the first run of the game. However, the Big Red offense left them loaded, scoring no more in the first.
The Boilermakers bounced back quickly against Emmett Olson. The Husker starter pitched a clean first inning, but the second flipped the script. Purdue put a man on first with a base hit before a two-run homer gave the Boilermakers a 2-1 lead.
Despite that, Nebraska responded. In the top of the third, Dylan Carey hit a hot shot into left field that scored a run. Once again, the Huskers loaded the bases and left them stranded.
Corbin Hawkins came in to relive Olson in the fifth inning and got to work. The righty worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning and followed it up by getting out of a jam in the sixth. With a runner on third, Hawkins forced a ground out and the Big Red held it at 2-2.
That strong defense proved to be crucial as the Husker offense took over in the seventh. Casey Burnham led off with a double and Purdue intentionally walked Max Anderson. This decision once again proved to be massive for the Huskers as Gabe Swansen stepped into the batters box and sent a ball over the wall. This three-run shot gave NU a long awaited 5-2 lead.
The Boilermakers clawed back a run in the bottom of the seventh, but NU’s offense kept rolling. In the top of the eighth, Garrett Anglim and Blake Mozley led off with hits and Casey Burnham drove in a run. However, it was Max Anderson that cleared the bases with a three-run shot to make it 9-3 and NU sat in the driver’s seat.
Purdue once again scratched back a run in the bottom of the eighth, but NU kept responding. Charlie Fischer homered to start the ninth and that hit held some significance. With Nebraska’s third home run in this game, the 2023 team tied the single season record for home runs, at 93. The 1985 team hit the same number of home runs, but this team has two games to play.
In the bottom of the ninth, Shay Schanaman got into some trouble and Kyle Perry came to his relief. The left dealt two outs after the Boilermakers scored one run and NU came out on top, 10-5.
“I’m proud of the team because we just stayed with it and the back half of the game approached us about as good as it could possibly get.”
-Nebraska head coach Will Bolt via the Huskers Radio Network
The long ball helps
Nebraska’s bats were slow to start in this game. However, it was the long ball that sparked this team and got them out in front.
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In the top of the seventh inning, Max Anderson was intentionally walked by Purdue because they wanted to get an out with Gabe Swansen up next. The sophomore made the Boilermakers pay for that decision as he hit a three-run homer to break the 2-2 deadlock.
The next inning, Max Anderson showed why that part of the lineup was so dangerous. The junior stepped into the box with two runners on base and a 6-3 lead and sent it over the wall to break it open.
Charlie Fischer added to the party in the ninth with a solo shot that was the cherry on top. NU dominated this game with their three home runs even after starting out slow.
A big day of relief
Emmett Olson had a solid start in this game, but he was under close watch with a short week coming up. The lefty went four innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. However, it was the relievers that had a strong day to help the Big Red stay on top in this one.
After the game sat tied at 2-2, Corbin Hawkins came into the game in the fifth inning. The righty threw two and a third innings, giving up just four hits. Hawkins worked his way out of some tough spots and by the time he left the game, NU led 6-3. In the seventh, the righty made way for Shay Schanaman who nearly closed this game out.
Schanaman struggled to get out of a tough spot in the ninth, and Kyle Perry stepped in for him. The lefty worked two outs and the Husker bullpen allowed just three runs on nine hits in five innings.
What’s next?
The Huskers take on Purdue on Friday and Saturday to round out the three-game series. Friday’s first pitch is at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday’s is at 1:00 p.m. Both games are on Big Ten Plus (LINK HERE) and on the Huskers Radio Network (LINK HERE).
