The Nebraska baseball team entered Saturday afternoon facing elimination in the NCAA Regional. The Huskers clashed against Niagara in Saturday’s showdown and, following a rough start, bounced back to survive, winning 7-5.
The Purple Eagles took off in the first inning, scoring three runs off the opening five pitches before earning another run in the second. But Nebraska responded, outscoring Niagara 7-1 through the following five innings. Mason McConnaughey earned the win on the mound, throwing for 6.0 innings and facing 28 batters.
McConnaughey coughed up five hits and five runs but delivered 10 strikeouts on the day. Jalen Worthley pitched the final three innings and earned the save. Worthley stood against 11 batters and allowed two hits while throwing two strikeouts.
Nebraska delivered eight hits and earned six RBIs and three home runs. Gabe Swansen and Case Sanderson led the way for the Huskers in the batter’s box. Swansen slammed two solo home runs on the afternoon, bringing him up to six total home runs in the postseason. Sanderson drove in four RBIs, the majority coming off a three-run home run in the third.
The Huskers earned their 40th win of the season, their first 40-win season since 2014. Nebraska moves on to the second elimination game and will await the loser between Florida and Oklahoma State on Sunday.
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