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Ohio State comes to Lincoln this weekend for another big series if Nebraska expects to compete for a Big Ten title. The Huskers made it over .500 with their series win over Minnesota last weekend, but can't afford a series lost to Ohio State - notice the standings.
The Buckeyes have series wins over Michigan State, Rutgers along with a sweep of Penn State. Nebraska brings their 18-2 home record, but they're clearly going to have to play better than they did mid-week.
The Buckeyes bring some darned good pitching to Hawks field this weekend. Friday starter Tanner Tully is 3-1 this year in nine starts, and has a 2.63 ERA. Travis Lakins, the Saturday starter, is 1-2 in nine starts, and has a 3.83 ERA, while Sunday starter Ryan Riga leads the team in ERA at 1.76. Riga has eight starts, and earlier this year set a school record with a scoreless streak of 30.2 innings.
The good news is that Ohio State isn't that great on the road, with a 9-5 record.
Iowa won't be dropping this weekend given they've got Northwestern at home. You might expect Indiana to do some damage against Illinois but check this out from Illinois' notes:
No. 11 Illinois is off to its best start in school history with a 30-6-1 record. The previous best UI mark after 37 games was 30-7 in 1989 under Augie Garrido. The Illini have the longest active winning streak in the country with 11 wins in a row.
Maryland is playing Cal State Fullerton out of conference, so they won't be dropping this weekend either, so (re-iterating) it's up to Nebraska to MAKE UP GROUND in the standings.
Note the time change on Friday's game:
Due to impending weather on Friday night, the Nebraska baseball team has announced that its series opener against Ohio State will now begin at 4:05 p.m. central on Friday. The game was previously scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Big Ten Baseball Weekend Schedule
All times below (Eastern) and dates subject to change
Friday, April 17
Michigan State at Rutgers - 3 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Purdue at Michigan - 4 p.m.
Cal State Fullerton at Maryland - 7 p.m. (BTN)
Indiana at Illinois - 7 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Northwestern at Iowa - 7:05 p.m.
Penn State at Minnesota - 7:05 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Ohio State at Nebraska - 5:35 p.m.
Saturday, April 18
Michigan State at Rutgers - 1 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Cal State Fullerton at Maryland - 2 p.m.
Purdue at Michigan - 2 p.m.
Northwestern at Iowa - 3 p.m.
Ohio State at Nebraska - 3:05 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Penn State at Minnesota - 3:05 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Indiana at Illinois - 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 19
Cal State Fullerton at Maryland - 1 p.m.
Michigan State at Rutgers - 1 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Purdue at Michigan - 1 p.m.
Indiana at Illinois - 1 p.m. (BTN)
Northwestern at Iowa - 2 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Ohio State at Nebraska - 2:05 p.m.
Penn State at Minnesota - 2:05 p.m. (BTN Plus)
Friday, April 17 (4:05 p.m.)
Probable Starters: RHP Sinclair (4-5) vs. LHP Tully (3-1)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: HuskersNSide
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Saturday, April 18 (2:05 p.m.)
Probable Starters: LHP Kubat (4-1) vs. RHP Lakins (1-2)
TV: NET
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: BTN Plus
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Sunday, April 19 (1:05 p.m.)
Probable Starters: RHP Burkamper (4-1) vs. LHP Riga (5-2)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: HuskersNSide
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Current Big Ten Standings
| Overall | Conference | ||||
| W-L-T | % | W-L | % | ||
| 1. | Illinois | 30-6-1 | .824 | 8-1 | .889 |
| Iowa | 24-10-0 | .706 | 8-1 | .889 | |
| 3. | Ohio State | 24-9-0 | .727 | 7-2 | .778 |
| 4. | Maryland | 25-10-0 | .714 | 8-4 | .667 |
| 5. | Nebraska | 28-11-0 | .718 | 5-4 | .556 |
| 6. | Michigan | 21-16-0 | .568 | 6-6 | .500 |
| 7. | Indiana | 21-13-0 | .618 | 5-6 | .455 |
| 8. | Michigan State | 19-16-0 | .543 | 4-5 | .444 |
| 9. | Rutgers | 12-23-1 | .347 | 5-7 | .417 |
| 10. | Northwestern | 10-24-0 | .294 | 3-6 | .333 |
| 11. | Minnesota | 13-19-0 | .406 | 3-9 | .250 |
| Penn State | 12-20-0 | .375 | 2-6 | .250 | |
| 13. | Purdue | 12-24-0 | .333 | 1-8 | .111 |
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I LIKE IT
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