Nebraska baseball loses an in-state battle to Creighton 6-5
The Nebraska baseball team (11-7-1) was walked off during an in-state battle against Creighton (8-7), as the Jays won 6-5. After leading 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, NU’s wild pitch gave way for CU to walk this game off and leave with a victory.
Recap
It was chilly on the mound for Jackson Brockett who earned the start for Nebraska. However, he struggled to heat up. In the first inning, the sophomore walked three batters, but evaded disaster and got himself out of the jam.
He wasn’t as lucky in the second inning as a double from Nolan Sailors cleared the loaded bases, giving Creighton an early 3-0 lead. Corbin Hawkins took over on the hill after the early struggles from Brockett.
Although the Big Red trailed, the offense responded well. In the top of the third inning, Brice Matthews started things off with an RBI single. Josh Caron and Charlie Fischer added to the tally and quickly after going behind, Nebraska led 4-3.
After Hawkins gave up two singles in the bottom of the third inning, Will Walsh replaced Hawkins on the mound and got to work. The redshirt sophomore worked his way out of the inning, retiring the side.
Walsh retired the next 12 batters that he faced, making quick work in those four innings. After the Huskers scored a fifth run, Walsh dealt a hitless eighth inning.
However, the ninth inning wasn’t as dominant. The lefty allowed two base hits, one of which scored a run. His day was over with one out in the ninth to make way for Brett Sears.
The junior stepped up to the mound and allowed the tying run on a sac fly. A wild pitch then scored the go-ahead run for the Jays and Creighton walked the game off 6-5.
“Conference is a new season. There’s no guarantees about anything. We have a 0-0 record now.”
–Nebraska head coach Will Bolt on the Huskers Radio Network
Ninth inning meltdown outshines Walsh’s performance
Prior to the ninth inning Will Walsh had this game under his control. He pitched five and two-thirds perfect innings after being placed in a tough situation in the third inning.
Walsh was shutting down the Creighton batters. The fourth inning saw him force two ground outs and struck out the final batter. This dominance continued as Walsh produced five straight hitless innings. The redshirt sophomore was dealing until he allowed two base hits and hit a batter in the bottom of the ninth inning that later set up the chance for Creighton to walk the game off.
What’s next for Nebraska?
The Huskers will open Big Ten play against Illinois on Friday at Haymarket Park. Friday’s game is set to start at 6:05 p.m., followed by Saturday’s 2:05 p.m. start time and Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. first pitch.
