Indiana baseball battled back from an early deficit but could not sustain its momentum, falling 12-7 to No. 24 Nebraska on Saturday at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Hoosiers chipped away a 5-0 deficit to one run in the seventh inning. However, Nebraska tacked on seven runs in the bottom of the seventh en route to the five-run victory.
The Cornhuskers loaded the bases in the first inning behind a single, bunt hit and hit-by-pitch before pushing across three runs on a walk, sacrifice fly and fielder’s choice. They added two more runs in the fourth inning, again capitalizing on traffic to extend the lead to 5-0.
Indiana graduate left-hander Tony Neubeck lasted 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts as Nebraska built its early advantage.
Indiana’s bullpen initially stabilized the game after Neubeck’s exit, as freshman right-hander Ivan Mastalski delivered 1.1 scoreless innings to keep the Hoosiers within striking distance.
Indiana struggled early against Nebraska’s starter, redshirt-sophomore right hand pitcher Carson Jasa, who pitched 5.2 innings. Jasa allowed no runs and struck out nine Hoosiers through five innings.
But the Hoosiers responded in the sixth. After a walk from redshirt freshman designated hitter Brayden Ricketts and a single from sophomore outfielder Cole Decker, freshman catcher Owen ten Oever delivered the biggest swing of the night for Indiana, launching a three-run home run to left-center field to bring the Hoosiers within two.
The rally marked Indiana’s first real offensive breakthrough of the game and briefly shifted momentum.
Indiana continued to apply pressure in the seventh without recording a hit.
Sophomore third baseman Will Moore worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley drew another walk. After a groundout moved both runners into scoring position, Ricketts worked another walk to load the bases.
Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian then forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk. Decker grounded out to end the inning after the Hoosiers cut the deficit to 5-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, junior right-hander Jackson Yarberry ran into trouble as Nebraska again capitalized with two outs. After two walks and a sacrifice bunt, the Cornhuskers pushed across a run on an RBI single from freshman catcher Jeter Worthley before a throwing error allowed another run to score.
Moments later, senior infielder Dylan Carey delivered the decisive blow, launching a three-run home run to left field that extended Nebraska’s lead and shifted control of the game.
Nebraska added two more runs later in the inning on an RBI single from freshman outfielder Drew Grego, capping a seven-run frame and pushing the lead to 12-4. Redshirt senior right-hander Pete Haas recorded the final out of the inning for the Hoosiers.
Indiana made one final push in the eighth inning.
The Hoosiers loaded the bases for the third consecutive inning, as freshman second baseman Landen Fry was hit by a pitch and both Moore and sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny drew walks. Indiana capitalized this time; Hanley and sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie each drew bases-loaded walks to bring in two runs.
Ricketts added a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Denny and trimming the deficit further.
Malamazian followed with a single to right field, but Nebraska cut down Hanley at the plate to end the inning at 12-7.
Nebraska’s approach at the plate set the tone for its scoring spark. The Cornhuskers’ leadoff hitter got on base five out of eight times, consistently putting pressure on Indiana’s pitching staff and forcing the Hoosiers to pitch from behind. They also delivered in key moments, finishing 6 for 13 with two outs.
The Hoosiers bats only managed seven hits Saturday but drew 13 walks, as a sloppy performance from Nebraska’s pitching staff allowed Indiana to remain competitive late into the game.
Indiana will look to avoid the series sweep in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the finale against the Cornhuskers at 1 p.m. EST Sunday.
Follow reporters Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) and Will Kwiatkowski (@WKwiatkowski_15 and wdkwiatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana baseball season.
