Nebraska Takes Down Michigan State 6-2 to Earn Their First Conference Sweep Since 2017

(Photo – Kenny Larabee)

It took two years, but the Huskers now have their first conference sweep since 2017 after their 6-2 win over the Spartans on Sunday (NU’s last Big 10 sweep was against Rutgers in May two seasons ago). Nebraska has also now won five games in a row and seven of their last eight.

Also, it appears like Nebraska finally has found their starting rotation. Matt Waldron, Nate Fisher, and now Reece Eddins, have solidified themselves as the weekend starters. Eddins was fantastic in his second start of the week, allowing just one hit in five innings pitched. He also had four strikeouts.

“I thought he threw well against Air Force and he backed it up today,” head coach Darin Erstad said on the Husker Sports Network of Eddins’ performance. “I’m just super excited for him because I know he put a lot of work in.”

It took the offense a while to get going, but they eventually found their stride in the bottom of the fourth after three scoreless innings.

Gomes belted one into right field for a leadoff double in the fourth. A deep fly ball off the bat of Luke Roskam advanced Gomes to third, setting up an RBI single from third baseman Cam Chick to drive in Gomes and take the 1-0 lead.

Joe Acker added two more runs in the inning on a bases clearing triple to score Chick and Jaxon Hallmark. After Michigan State starter Jarrett Olson beaned Carter Cross and Aaron Palensky drew a walk, it looked like the Huskers were poised to score even more runs in the frame. However, Keegan Watson flew out to center field to end their threat in the inning.

The Spartans imploded again in the fifth, allowing three more runs to come across on three hits, burning through two relievers in the inning. Nebraska led it 6-0 heading into the sixth.

Despite finding some success at the plate, Erstad wasn’t quite satisfied with what he saw from his batters. “They gave us quite a bit of free stuff that we could’ve put on the board,” Erstad said. “… Right now, we just have to get back to the fundamentals with some of our older guys and make sure they’re mentally strong and just get them back.”

In the top of the sixth, Mike Waldron came on to replace Eddins. He was solid as well, retiring all six batters he faced. Michigan State was able to avoid a shutout though, by hammering a two run shot off of Ben Klenke in the top of the 8th, who was Waldron’s replacement.

In the ninth, Paul Tillotson recorded the first two outs in the inning, before making way for Shay Schanaman, who struck out the last batter for the final out of the game.

Schanaman was awarded the save for recording the final out. Eddins was given the win. He’s now 1-2 on the season. Joe Acker was the offensive MVP for NU. He was 2-3 on the day with 3 RBIs.

Next, the Huskers will battle it out against Creighton in Omaha at T.D. Ameritrade Park. The game is currently scheduled for a 6:35 first pitch on Tuesday. Coverage is set to begin at 6 o’clock on KLIN.