Swansen stays scorching hot as Huskers punch back in Big Ten tournament

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team got its revenge Friday afternoon, ending Ohio State’s season with a 12-5 victory at Omaha’s Charles Schwab Field in the Big Ten Tournament.

Ohio State run-ruled Nebraska 15-2 in their first meeting on Tuesday night.

A back-and-forth matchup on Friday became a blowout in the seventh inning, when Nebraska built a comfortable lead with three insurance runs, extending its lead to 6.

Gabe Swansen had a career day, leading the Huskers from the plate with six RBIs. He recorded two extra-base hits with a home run and a double while going 4-for-5 from the plate.

Mason McConnaughey was outstanding on the mound, giving the Huskers a much-needed boost.

His outing ended after six innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits. Only two of those runs were earned. He struck out 11 batters and only walked three.

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The Huskers started off the game hot, getting a three-run shot into the right field bullpen from Swansen in the first inning.

Swansen’s second home run of the tournament was set up by two walks from Case Sanderson and Ben Columbus.

Nebraska followed up its first inning outburst with an RBI single to center field by Rhett Stokes in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead.

Ohio State finally got some production in the third inning from Trey Lipsey and Ryan Miller.

Miller made his way into scoring position after stealing second base, setting up Lipsey’s RBI single to right field.

The bottom of the third inning brought another RBI from Swansen, as his double off the center field wall scored Columbus all the way from first.

With its season on the line, Ohio State was forced to change pitchers early.

Starter Colin Purcell’s day was done after 2.2 innings.

Purcell allowed five runs on four hits while walking two batters and only fanning one.

Ohio State’s Gavin Bruni took the mound and struck out the first batter he saw.

Bruni was forced into a long outing, pitching 3.2 innings while allowing three runs on two hits.

The Buckeyes continued their efforts in keeping pace with the Huskers in the fourth and fifth innings.

Tyler Pettorini stole third base, allowing him to score off of Hunter Rosson’s grounder to the shortstop, making the score 5-2 in the Huskers’ favor.

The Huskers’ lead was cut to 2 runs in the fifth inning after Henry Kaczmar’s double off the left field wall.

An error by center fielder Riley Silva allowed Lipsey to score from first, making the score 5-3 Nebraska.

The Huskers got back on track in the fifth inning thanks to a solo home run from Columbus, giving the Huskers a 6-3 lead and a spark down the stretch.

Nebraska’s Jalen Worthley relieved McConnaughey in the seventh inning and was lights out.

He shut down the Buckeyes’ lineup, pitching 2.1 innings and only allowing two runs on two hits.

The seventh inning started with a Stokes double to left field, putting pressure on the Buckeyes early.

Joshua Overbeek was able to work a walk, bringing up Josh Caron to the plate.

An RBI double for Caron and walk from Columbus loaded the bases for the scorching hot Swansen.

He was able to squeak a ball between the third baseman and shortstop to drive in two runs, giving the Huskers a 9-3 advantage.

The eighth inning was another explosion for the Huskers, as they saw three runs cross the plate once again.

Garrett Anglim hit an RBI single to left field, while Caron hit a two-RBI blooper to center.

The Buckeyes didn’t go down without a fight. They scored two runs in the ninth inning to make the final score 12-5.

Worthley needed to be relieved by Rans Sanders for the final two outs of the game.

Sanders only needed seven pitches to close it out.

The Huskers’ offense has hit its stride deep into the tournament, and they’ll need it tomorrow as they try to make a championship appearance.

Nebraska will take on the No. 3-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in the semifinals Saturday morning.