Povich Pitches Huskers Past Spartans 4-0

Cade Povich matched his career high, pitching seven strong innings as Nebraska opened their weekend series at Michigan State with a 4-0 victory. Nebraska pushes its win streak to five games and stays in first place another night.

Povich and Spartan starter Mason Erla were each effective early. Erla set the first nine Huskers down in order. Povich worked around a one out single in the second and a leadoff single in the third inning.

Looking to put pressure on Erla, Nebraska got a leadoff runner in the fourth when Joe Acker was hit by a pitch. Acker was moved to second on a flyball to the warning track in right by Jaxon Hallmark. Spencer Schwellenbach then lined a double into the left field gap to plate Acker. After a Cam Chick single, Nebraska got a RBI groundout from Max Anderson to make it 2-0.

Michigan State looked to rally against Povich in the fourth with a one out walk. Povich would then get a flyball and a pickoff to end the threat.

The Huskers scored two more times in the fifth inning. With two outs, another Husker was hit, this time Griffin Everitt. Acker then doubled into the left field gap to plate Everitt. A Hallmark infield hit was followed by a Spartan fielding error that scored Acker. Chick struck out preventing any more Husker runs.

Again, the Spartans looked to break the scoreboard against Povich in the fifth inning. This time they had a single and walk with one out to put two on. Povich then caught Bryce Kelley trying to steal third for a huge second out of the inning. He then picked up his fourth strikeout of the game to keep the Spartans off the board.

Nebraska would hit into a double play in the top of the sixth inning after the first two reached to prevent any more runs.

The Spartans loaded the bases against Povich with only one out. A one out error, followed by a walk, and then a single gave the Spartans their best chance to score of the evening. Cade then got an inning ending double play ball hit right at Schwellnbach who fired to Bryce Matthews and then onto Luke Roskam for the twin killing.

After seven strong innings from Povich, Nebraska went to the bullpen and got Jake Bunz. Bunz came on and gave up a one out single in the eighth, but allowed no more damage to push the Spartans to their final three outs.

After Nebraska went down in the ninth in order, the Huskers decided to keep Bunz on the mound in the non save situation. Bunz would set down the Spartans in order to secure the Huskers 19th Big Ten victory of the year.

Nebraska takes their fifth consecutive game, winning their fifth consecutive road game in the process. The Huskers and Spartans get back on the diamond tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. EDT.