This is not how the Nebraska baseball team was hoping it was going to follow up a 15-9 win over the Purdue Boilermakers. Instead, Nebraska came out and looked much like it has in far too many Big Ten baseball tournament games, as it had no problem getting runners on base but could not string enough hits together.
The entire game was one that few B1G fans likely saw coming considering the amount of offense that has been on display during the entirety of the tournament so far. Perhaps it was the day off, but Nebraska couldn't muster a single run and dropped the afternoon contest against Iowa 2-0.
The Cornhuskers were shut out despite the fact that they had 12 hits and 16 baserunners.
Missed opportunities for the Nebraska baseball team
The Huskers looked like they might break open the scoring early on Friday afternoon, as they got two runners on in the top of the first. Unfortunately, the offense sputtered out and stranded two and it turned out that would be the theme of the day. In the top of the third, the Huskers threatened to score once again, as the first two hitters reached. Two strikeouts and a ground out later they went scoreless yet again.
In the bottom of the third, Iowa managed to get the only run it would need as Chris Whelan hit a solo home run off of pitcher Derek Burkamper.
It was really the only mistake Burkamper would make through a fantastic performance but it sunk his team. The Huskers stranded at least one runner in each of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings as the two teams continued their pitcher's duel.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Hawkeyes strung a few singles together and managed to plate what turned out to be an insurance run.
It was the 8th and 9th innings that were the real heartbreakers for the Big Red. In the top of the 8th, NU got two singles and drew a walk, all with two out only to see freshman Mojo Hagge fly out to left field. In the ninth, the Huskers loaded the bases again but Luis Alvarado struck out to end the game and send the Cornhuskers to the loser's bracket.
Nebraska baseball now in a must win situation
The loss moves the Cornhuskers from the position of front runner to one who has to play again on Friday and must win to stay in the tournament. Nebraska needs to find a way to shake off the poor performance on offense in short order as they will match up against Maryland at 7:30 PM. The winner of that game will play on Saturday at 12:30 against a surprising Northwestern Wildcats team that booted Michigan out of the tournament earlier in the day. The loser will head home and wait to see if they get an at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals.