Nebraska’s Luke Broderick (28) pitches during the game against Wichita State at Haymarket Park on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Lincoln.
Nebraska’s Luke Broderick (28) pitches during the game against Wichita State at Haymarket Park on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Lincoln.
Nebraska baseball’s lack of offense in Big Ten play continues to cost it. The Huskers had many opportunities, yet they only answered during one inning in its 5-3 loss at USC.
“It’s the same conversation we’ve had about six times now in league play,” head coach Will Bolt said postgame. “We’re just struggling to play nine innings of baseball.”
Here are three takeaways from the Huskers’ loss:
Walsh does his part
Fifth-year senior left-handed pitcher Will Walsh has been Nebraska’s most consistent starter on the mound. It was a bit rocky, but Walsh prevented significant damage from occurring.
Walsh allowed a run in the first inning and then gave up three runs in the bottom of the third. The senior pitcher put the Huskers in a 4-0 hole, but it didn’t rattle Walsh. With the six innings pitched against the Trojans, it now marks four out of Walsh’s six starts going six-plus innings on the mound.
“Walsh gave us a shot,” Bolt said.
Walsh fanned six USC batters and allowed eight hits that led to four Trojan runs. Although his outing wasn’t great, he left the mound giving his teammates a chance to pull through.
Fourth inning fight is something to build on
With Walsh’s three runs allowed in the bottom of the third inning. Nebraska was in danger. The Huskers have struggled at answering when needed throughout the season, but the bats finally had some fire when adversity struck. The ability to get the three runs immediately back that Walsh allowed is promising for Nebraska.
Freshman second baseman Devin Nunez and senior left fielder Cayden Brumbaugh drew leadoff walks to get the Huskers going. Senior first baseman Tyler Stone utilized his hot streak at the plate to rack up an RBI double to get Nebraska on the board. Junior shortstop Dylan Carey followed stone with a two-RBI double to get the Huskers back in it to cut the the USC lead to 4-3.
The inability to set up innings was the deciphering factor
Nebraska baseball did show fight, but 80 percent of its 5 hits coming in the fourth inning gave the Huskers no chance in its 5-3 loss at USC. The Huskers’ high strikeout rate has returned. After only striking out .03 percent of the time in its two games at Pepperdine, Nebraska was rung up in 10-of-30 at-bats on Friday night.
“It’s unacceptable,” Bolt said. “It’s lack of focus. It’s a lack of discipline of what you’re trying to get accomplished in a certain situation.”
The fourth inning was big, yet Carey getting picked off at third base left a run off the board. Nunez also hit a one-out single in the top of the fifth but was thrown out attempting to steal second. The mistakes on the basepath wound up being a big factor in the Huskers losing.
“We scratch back in there and have a runner at third base get back picked,” Bolt said. “It sounds like a broken record with these baserunner blunders.”
Nebraska (9-12, 1-6 Big Ten) will look to avoid another Big Ten series loss when they take on USC at 4 p.m. Saturday. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ty Horn will get the start on the mound.
sports@dailynebraskan.com
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