Nebraska was unable to get a timely hit or a friend replay review as the Huskers dropped the Big Ten championship game 2-1. Shay Schanaman was the star for the Huskers, relieving Matt Waldron and going four strong innings out of the bullpen.
After Nebraska stranded a two out walk in the first, Waldron was not sharp. Dominic Canzone led off the first with a single. Matt Carpenter walked on four straight to put a pair on. Brady Cherry took a 0-2 pitch into left to plate Canzone. Waldron did get the next two Buckeyes to prevent any more damage.
Mike Waldron relieved his brother Matt and only faced two batters in the fourth. He allowed singles to both Brent Todys and Zach Dezenzo. In came Schanaman who got a pop up before a fly ball off that bat of Nick Erwin found Aaron Palensky in right. Palensky caught the ball and double clutched before throwing to Luke Roskam who applied the tag on Todys for the final out of the inning.
Ohio State would challenge the play. Upon replay review it was clear that the ball beat Todys but Roskams tag came up and was not applied until after Todys had touched the plate. Ohio State was awarded a run and went up 2-0.
The Huskers scored their only run on the day in the sixth. Cam Chick reached on an error by Dezenzo. Walks by Angelo Altavilla and Spencer Schwellenbach loaded the bases. Andrew Magno came in from the Buckeye bullpen and proceeded to walk pinch hitter Gunner Hellstrom on five pitches. Alex Henwood would gulf a ball out to center on the next pitch to let Magno off the hook.
Nebraska’s golden chance appeared to be in the seventh. The Huskers got a single from Joe Acker to start. Colby Gomes took a walk on a questionable ball four call. Mojo Hagge sacrificed both runners over, giving the Huskers the chance to take the lead with a hit. Chick took a curveball down the middle for strike three. Palensky grounded to third and was called out on a questionable call.
Darin Erstad challenged the call. On replay review, it looked clear and obvious that Palensky was safe and the Huskers would be tied. Somehow, the umpires disagreed and ruled him out.
Why even have instant replay, @bigten? pic.twitter.com/Rb7Nx3RRmn
— Terry Douglass (@tdouglass1969) May 26, 2019
Ohio State added an insurance run in the eighth inning. Dillon Dingler took a walk before Cherry singled to put runners at the corners. Gomes came in to pitch and gave up a sacrifice fly.
Working against Magno, Nebraska went down in order in the ninth.
Nebraska now awaits their fate in the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Nebraska should be a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. Where they go, we will find out tomorrow.