Dylan Carey’s two home runs powered Nebraska to a 12-2, seven-inning win over Michigan State that finished the Cornhuskers’ three-game sweep of the Spartans in the first series of Big Ten play this season. Carey’s two-run home run in the second boosted Nebraska’s (10-5, 3-0 Big Ten) lead to 7-1, while his two-run homer to left-center in the fifth boosted the lead to 11-1.
That was more than enough run support for Gavin Blachowicz (2-1), who dominated in seven innings, striking out 11 while allowing just three hits and two earned runs.
The Spartans (3-11, 0-3 Big Ten) scored in the top of the first, but the Huskers answered with a big bottom of the first. With the bases loaded and no one out, Case Sanderson lined a three-run double to center, giving NU the lead. Preston Freeman followed with a two-run home run to push the advantage to 5-1. After Carey’s first home run in the bottom of the second, Mac Moyer drove in a run with a double in the third to make it 8-1. The Huskers tacked on a run in the fourth with Drew Grego’s RBI single to push the lead to 9-1. Carey’s second home run in the fifth opened the lead to 11-1. After Michigan State scored in the top of the sixth, Nebraska scored on an error to bring the 10-run rule back into effect.
The Huskers have won five in a row. They’re back in action at Hawks Field on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against North Dakota State. Pregame coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on KLIN.