Nebraska Slides Past Ohio State, 5-2

The Nebraska bullpen held off two Ohio State rallies, as the Huskers beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 5-2 in the series opener Friday afternoon. Nebraska used a team approach at the plate as eight Husker hitters tallied hits.

Nebraska broke through first against Ohio State lefty Tanner Tully in the third. Ryan Boldt would start the inning by hitting a single into center field. After a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, Tanner Lubach would hit a ball off the right field wall scoring Boldt easily. Ben Miller would then line a ball to right which popped out of Pat Porter’s glove scoring Lubach and giving the Huskers the early 2-0 lead.

Chance Sinclair would pitch five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Sinclair would allow three straight singles to cut the lead to one. After a Ronnie Dawson strikeout, Sinclair would get a fly ball for the second out. After another single loaded the bases, Jeff Chestnut came in with the bases loaded. Chestnut would get a groundball to Blake Headley to end the inning.

Ohio State would get an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh. After a single, sacrifice, and a wild pitch Ohio State had the tying run at third with one out. Chestnut would then strikeout the next two batters on inside fastballs.

Nebraska would make Ohio State pay for failing to capitalize in the bottom of the seventh. Wes Edrington would hit his first career home run on a deep drive to left out of the reach of left fielder Dawson.

With a two run lead restored, Nebraska would again let Ohio State back into the game in the top of the eighth. A leadoff single and walk followed by a sacrifice had two men in scoring position for Ohio State. After a RBI groundout, Chestnut would then hit Craig Nennig to end his day. Jake Hohensee came on and promptly walked the first batter he saw to load the bases and put the tying run into scoring position. Hohensee would then induce a one hoper to Scott Schreiber to end the inning.

Nebraska would put up two insurance runs in the bottom of the inning. After Lubach reached on the fourth error of the day by Ohio State, Austin Darby would drive in Lubach ripping a ball past a drawn in infield. Christian Cox would then hit a 400’ double to deep right center to score Darby, continuing his streak of hot hitting as late.

Josh Roeder would then come in to try and get the save. Roeder would retire the Buckeyes in order to secure the 5-2 win for the Huskers. Nebraska improves to 29-11 (6-4). Nebraska goes to secure the series win tomorrow at 2:05