A strong start and a late surge propelled Creighton to a 9-5 win over Nebraska baseball Tuesday at Hawks Field. The loss by the Huskers breaks the momentum built after Nebraska won two of three games over No. 5 Oregon State last weekend.
The Bluejays jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Cornhuskers starting pitcher T.J. Coats lasted just 0.1 inning, allowing two hits, three walks and three runs. Nebraska answered in the bottom of the second. Hogan Helligso drove in a run with a single to centerfield, and Riley Silva followed with a two-run single to center to tie the game.
After Creighton scored in the top of the fourth, Nebraska responded in the bottom of the fifth with a Gabe Swansen RBI double to tie the game at four. But the Bluejays took the lead for good in the top of the seventh, as Kyle Hess hit a two-run single to left-center, building a 6-4 CU lead. The Huskers chipped a run off the deficit in the bottom of the eighth with a Cael Frost RBI double, but Creighton tacked on three runs in the top of the ninth to secure the victory.
Jimmy Burke (2-1) earned the win for the Bluejays, throwing two no-hit innings of relief. Colin Nowaczyk (0-1) took the loss, surrendering two hits and two earned runs without retiring a batter. Hess paced the Creighton offensive attack, hitting 3-for-5 with two RBI and a double. Ben North and Connor Capece added two hits each for the Bluejays. Silva was the top Husker bat in the loss, hitting 3-for-5 with two RBI.
The Huskers take on their second straight in-state foe Wednesday night at Tal Anderson Field as Nebraska takes on the Omaha Mavericks. Pregame coverage is at 5:30 p.m., with first pitch at 6 p.m. on 105.3 The Bone.