Nebraska Baseball: Huskers Start BIG Play With A 9-5 Victory over Purdue

Nebraska used an early offensive onslaught to open Big Ten play with a victory over the Purdue Boilermakers Friday night. Nebraska would jump out to a an early five run lead, eventually extending their lead to 8-2 before holding off a Purdue rally, winning by the final score of 9-5. Derek Burkamper picks up the win for the Huskers, while Mike Lutz takes the loss for the Boilermakers.

Nebraska pounded 14 hits, one short of their season high off of Lutz. The Huskers would put up two in the second, three in the third, one in the fourth, and two more in the fifth. The Boilermakers would counter with two in the third, two in the fifth, and a single tally in the sixth.

Ben Miller would lead the offensive charge, going 3-4, falling a triple short of the cycle. Ryan Boldt would add three hits, and two stolen bases on the night. Jake Schleppenbach would also have a mini breakout game with two doubles.

Nebraska was shut down after Lutz was removed from the game. Replacing Lutz was Eddie De Lariva who struck out nine Huskers in just 4.1 innings. De Lariva was wild as two Huskers reached via a passed ball and a wild pitch on strikeouts. The only damaged that the Huskers could muster was a solo shot off the bat of Miller in the eighth inning to push the lead to 9-5.

While the Huskers bats went silent, Purdue would mount a series of good opportunities to cut into the lead. The Huskers would turn to Reece Eddins to get out of a two men on, no one out situation. Eddins would strikeout Brett Carlson, and then get Alec Olund to bounce into an inning ending double play.

Eddins would retire the side in order in the ninth to secure the Husker victory. With the win Nebraska improves to 14-7 (1-0). Nebraska and Purdue will play game two of the series tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 2:00. Jake McSteen will get his second straight weekend start, while Tanner Andrews will get the start for the Boilermakers.