EVANSTON, Ill. – Nebraska exploded for seven runs in the top of the second in a 9-5 win over Northwestern on Saturday, March 20 at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park.
Nebraska opened the scoring with a solo shot to left field by Cole Evans in the top of the first inning. Northwestern responded with a pair in the bottom half of the inning, taking a 2-1 lead on Jackson Freeman's two-RBI single.
The Huskers responded with seven runs in the second inning, including four on a Josh Caron grand slam to take an 8-2 lead. Nebraska added another in the fourth on an RBI single by Evans.Freeman finds the Gap! 'Cats in Front! ?? pic.twitter.com/EzzixNcewP
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 30, 2024
Northwestern cut into the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, scoring one on an RBI single by Preston Knott. Knott later came around to score on a passed ball, trimming the Husker lead to 9-4.
Bennett Markinson doubled home Jackson Freeman, driving in a run in his fourth consecutive game, cutting the lead to 9-5.
Will Walsh (3-0) earned the win for Nebraska, allowing three runs on five hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
Kyle Potthoff (2-1) suffered his first setback of 2024, allowing nine runs on 10 hits in 5.0 innings pitched, walking one and striking out one batter.
Game Notes
- Jack Dyke tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hot and two walks, while striking out four.
- Dyke's four strikeouts are a season-high.
- Bennett Markinson has driven in a run in four consecutive games.
- Jackson Freeman recorded his sixth career multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
The series finale is set for 12 p.m. CT at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park on B1G+.