Nebraska Smashes Michigan, To Meet Ohio State Tomorrow

The Nebraska baseball team routed the Michigan Wolverines 11-2 in the opening round of the 2013 Big Ten Baseball tourney just days after the Wolverines had embarrassed Nebraska 19-7 in the final game of the regular season.

Kyle Kubat started on the mound for the Huskers and had a no-hitter going until the seventh inning. By that time the Huskers were already ahead 7-0. Kubat went seven innings, giving up only a single hit while striking out six, one less than his career high.

Michigan pitchers would issue eight walks, six of which lead to runs. Pitcher James Bourque was called for a balk in the first inning that allowed Rich Sanguinetti to walk home from third.

Austin Darby had the hit of the game when he hit a double off the right field wall, clearing the bases to score three runs in the fifth inning. Darby would finish 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Third baseman Blake Headley went 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run, while Pat Kelly was 2-for-5 with a run.

Michigan didn't score until the top of the ninth inning.

In the early game, Minnesota beat Illinois 3-2 with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Minnesota advances to play #1 seed Indiana Thursday night at 7:05 PM.

Nebraska will meet #2 seed Ohio State in the second round of the tourney Thursday at 3:35 PM. The complete bracket can be found here.