Nebraska completed one of their most memorable comebacks in recent years, as they rallied for seven unanswered runs, shocking the Illinois Illini 9-8 on Saturday afternoon. Ben Miller would play hero for the Huskers as he had the go ahead two out hit that completed the comeback.
Nebraska and Illinois looked to be in a defensive struggle early. Illinois scored a run on three straight hits to start the first inning, but then each team traded zeros on the scoreboard for three innings.
Nebraska would even the game thanks to a Jake Placzek double followed by a Jake Meyers double. Nebraska would then fall behind thanks to a pair of three run innings from Illinois.
Jake McSteen who would attack the zone early, fell behind in the fifth. After walking a batter, McSteen would allow a single and a triple followed by a sacrifice fly to push the Illinois lead to 4-1.
McSteen would be relieved by Colton Howell, making his first appearance since undergoing surgery last week. Howell would load the bases in the sixth, leaded to his departure in favor of Garrett King who would give up a double to clear the bases, extending the lead to 7-1.
Nebraska would battle back with a tally in the sixth, and two in the seventh. Placzek walked to start the rally in the sixth, and then back to back singles from Scott Schreiber and Meyers would drive a run. The Huskers got two in the seventh thanks to a Steven Reveles single and a Ryan Boldt double. Reveles would score on a sacrifice fly and Boldt would come around on a Miller single.
Down to their final six outs, Nebraska would put together a rally. Luis Alvarado would put a dent into the lead with a solo home run to left field to cut the lead to two runs. Nebraska would then get four straight base hits to cut the lead to one. Placzek would pop up to put the pressure on Miller who would deliver a base hit up the middle to put the Huskers up by one. Schreiber would hit a towering pop up which dropped in to give the Huskers the winning run.
Chad Luensmann would come in and promptly walk the first two batters that he faced. After a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly cut the lead to 9-8, Luensmann would get Adam Walton to hit a ground ball to Jake Schleppenbach to end the game.
King picked up the win for the Huskers, who move to 18-8 (4-1) while Illinois falls to 11-13 (3-2). Nebraska and Illinois will play the rubber match tomorrow at 12:05. Matt Waldron will get the start for the Huskers while Cole Bellair will get the start for Illinois.