The Nebraska Cornhuskers (24-11, 7-3 Big Ten) scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to win game one of the series against Maryland (24-15, 5-8), 6-3, Friday night.
Nebraska hit three extra-base hits in the fourth inning, all of them plating runs. The inning started with an extra-base hit a solo homer off the bat of Ben Columbus. The next three batters all reached base safely. The third batter to reach was Cayden Brumbaugh who doubled to right field driving in two. Cole Evans’ RBI double down the third base line closed the scoring for the inning and put Nebraska ahead, 6-3, which it carried to the finish line.
Nebraska’s runs were all scored against Logan Koester who made his first Friday start after holding the Saturday duties for most of the year. Koester allowed nine hits through his four innings of work, four of those hits for extra bases. Two of those extra base hits were homers. After not allowing a home run in his first six outings, Koester has allowed one or more homers in his last four appearances.
The Terps’ bullpen took care of the final four frames. The first arm out of the bullpen was Trystan Sarcone. Sarcone made his first appearance since exiting the game against UMBC on April 3. Sarcone pitched two innings in his return to the mound giving up three hits and no runs.
Andrew Johnson pitched the final two innings without allowing a run.
The Terps offense scored in the same two innings as Nebraska, scoring a run in the third and two in the fourth. Maryland’s run in the third came on a solo home run from Chris Hacopian that went into the grass behind the left center wall. Hacopian finished the game one for four, hitting half of Maryland’s extra base hits.
The other half of the Terps extra base hits came in the bottom of the fourth from starting third baseman, Michael Iannazzo. Iannazzo drove in the then go-ahead run scoring Jacob Orr from second base. Orr drove in Maryland’s first run of the inning on a single to left field that was misplayed by the Cornhusker left fielder allowing Brayden Martin to touch home plate.
All of Maryland’s runs were scored against the conference leader in ERA, Brett Sears. Sears entered the weekend with a 1.32 ERA in nine starts this season. Sears allowed only four earned runs in 22 innings against conference opponents this season before facing Maryland. The Terps scored three against him in his seven innings of work. He gave up seven hits while striking out eight and walking two. Sears earned his seventh win this season.
Jalen Worthley finished the game throwing two innings of shutout ball while striking out three Terrapins.
Maryland’s offense finished with seven hits, two walks, and 11 strikeouts. The only Terps batter with multiple hits was Martin.
Maryland will try to even the series tomorrow when they take on the Cornhuskers in the afternoon.
