Although Nebraska’s series against Indiana goes down as a two games to one loss, perhaps the struggling offense can find something to carry forward in a 19-7 weekend-salvaging win.
The Huskers took a 6-0 lead in the 4th inning Sunday, scoring one in the 1st, two in the 3rd, and three in the 4th.
Senior starter Koty Frank, reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, absorbed some blows in the 4th as he gave up 4 runs, but went 5.1 innings and collected nine strikeouts and the win.
NU (15-23 overall, 5-7 Big Ten) scored in each of the final seven innings Sunday, smashing four homeruns among their 20 hits, both season highs. Senior captain Griffin Everitt led the way, going 4-7 with four RBIs.
Each Husker in the starting lineup got at least one hit, with freshman Gabe Swansen, junior Leighton Banjoff, senior captain Cam Chick, and sophomore Brice Matthews each getting one over the fence.
Indiana (16-22, 4-8) allowed 12 walks and hit four batters on Sunday. The Hoosier pitching staff are among the bottom of most statistical categories in the Big Ten.
Husker pitching allowed eight runs in both Friday and Saturday’s losses. Senior Shay Schanaman allowed seven runs, 6 earned, on eight hits in just four innings Friday.
Sophomore starter Emmett Olsen only gave up one earned run in 6 innings on Saturday, but couldn’t prevent a 2nd inning error from burning the Big Red. The Hoosiers took advantage with a pair of two-out, bases loaded hits to blow the game open with five runs, all unearned.
Timely hitting continued to elude Nebraska in the two losses, as they left 9 runners on base on Friday and 10 more Saturday.
Down by as many as seven on Friday night, NU finally got the bats going in the last three innings. The biggest hits came from sophomores Max Anderson and Matthews. They each bombed a 3-run homerun, Anderson in the 7th to make it 8-4, and Matthews in the 9th to cut it to 8-7. The ill-fated comeback attempt was ended with a strikeout in the next at-bat.
NU briefly led Indiana Saturday after an RBI double from freshman Core Jackson in the top of the 2nd. The Huskers would not score again. Jackson was one of four Nebraska batters to collect a hit, and one of only five to reach base as NU struck out 16 times.
With Sunday’s win, the Huskers remain in 8th place in the standings with four conference series remaining. Only the top eight teams qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, which will be played this year in Omaha.
After returning home from Bloomington, Nebraska hosts five games this week. Kansas State and Omaha are in Lincoln on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectfully, with both games set for a 6:35 first pitch. The Iowa Hawkeyes will follow for a weekend series.