Nebraska gives up 14 hits in first-round regional loss to Florida

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska baseball team got off to a rocky start in the NCAA tournament Friday, losing 5-2 to Florida in the first game of the Stillwater regional.

The Gators continued their hot play from the SEC tournament, while Nebraska’s offense seemed to cool down after winning the Big Ten Championship last weekend.

Florida wasted no time in getting on the board.

Cade Kurland hit a leadoff solo shot to left-center field in the top of the first inning to give the Gators a 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Huskers to punch back.

A base knock from Case Sanderson and a walk from Ben Columbus allowed Gabe Swansen to hit an RBI double to left-center field, making the score 1-1 in the bottom of the first.

The Gators continued to stress the Husker defense in the top of the third inning.

With runners on the corners, Ashton Wilson hit a double down the left field line to clear the bases, making the score 3-1 in Florida’s favor.

That’s all that starting pitcher Brett Sears would allow across the plate.

Sears’ outing ended after pitching for 5 innings while allowing 10 hits and fanning four.

The Nebraska offense returned to life in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Swansen crushed a solo home run over the left-field bullpen, cutting the Gators’ lead to 3-2.

That home run ended Florida starting pitcher Liam Peterson’s day.

Peterson pitched for 5.1 innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven batters.

The Gators were able to get an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning thanks to an RBI double to right field from Kurland, giving Florida a 4-2 lead.

Nebraska loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out, looking to take the lead late in the game.

But a flyout to shallow center field by Tyler Stone held the runner at third, and Dylan Carey stuck out on three pitches to leave all three runners stranded.

Florida took advantage of the momentum swing, getting a solo home run from Wilson.

Nebraska got a single from Rhett Stokes in the bottom of the ninth to try to start a rally, but Joshua Overbeek grounded into a double play to end the game.

Wilson led the Gators from the plate, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, three doubles and a home run.

Nebraska was led by Swansen, who went 2-for-3 from the plate and drove in both runs for the Huskers.

Florida ended the game with 14 total hits, leaving 12 runners on base. The Huskers tallied eight hits while leaving eight runners stranded.

The Huskers are in a win-or-go-home situation once again, but they seem to thrive in this role.

They will play the loser of Oklahoma State and Niagara on Saturday afternoon.