Maryland beat Nebraska with a 10th home run

LINCOLN, Neb. (COLOGNE) – An hour and thirty-three minutes of lightning and extra innings kept us waiting deep into Thursday night, but the Hackers beat the No. 1 Maryland Terrapins 2 after Nick Lorusso hit a pitch: 1 fell. home run to left from Husker pitcher Shay Schaman.

The Huskers and Terrapins reached the top of the 7th around 8:30 p.m., before lightning in the area forced the teams into the dugouts and tarps, delaying the game until 10 p.m.

After a high-profile matchup against Rutgers on Wednesday, Thursday night’s game was a pitcher’s duel between the Huskers and the Terrapins. The Huskers were paced by junior pitcher Jace Kaminska, who threw 6 innings of 1 baseball. Kaminska scattered 6 hits and 2 walks over her 6 innings, striking out 5 Maryland batters and keeping the Hackers in the game with a few strikeouts. Maryland starting pitcher Nick Dean threw 6+ innings of 1 baseball to match Kaminska, who allowed 2 hits and 5 Huskers over 6 1/3 innings.

Maryland was able to load the bases in the bottom of the first, but Kaminska was able to get Maryland’s Matt Woods to end the threat in the first inning. The Huskers then managed to score first in the second inning on an RBI hit by Cole Evans and a hit by catcher Josh Caron. Maryland tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the 5th inning thanks to a single up the middle by Matt Shaw that scored Kevin Keister. Maryland would load the bases again in the bottom of the 5th, but again Kaminska was able to get out of trouble and strike out Matt Woods for the second out to end it.

Nebraska managed to put a runner on top with 1 out in the 7th before a lightning strike delayed the game for over an hour and a half. When play resumed, the fireworks continued as the Huskers appeared to have completed a double play. Both hits were called 2nd base and 1st base, and the umpires overturned 2nd base. Brice Matthews reached on a strikeout and Casey Burnham struck out to end the threat and end the top of the 7th.

Corbin Hawkins took the mound for the Huskers in the bottom of the 7th, needing just 7 pitches to top the order for Maryland.

Maryland pitcher David Falco kept the Husker bats quiet in the top of the 8th with a groundout by Max Anderson to 3rd, a walk by Gabe Swansen and then back-to-back strikeouts by DH Charlie Fisher and catcher Josh Caron.

Maryland OF Ian Petrutz opened the bottom of the 8th with a single to center, prompting a pitching change from Will Bolt. Shai Shanaman went to get the mount, but we had to wait another delay as the ground crew had to work on the pitcher’s mount as Shanaman was seen slipping during the warm-up.

After a short delay, Shanaman completed a double play and a groundout to lead off the bottom of the 8th.

Ben Columbus leads the way in the 9th and moves into the top spot. 3B Dylan Carey singled to left — only the Hackers’ 3rd hit of the night — before Cole Evans grounded out on a fielder’s choice. Brice Matthews singled to center, giving the Hookers runners on the corners with 2 outs in the top of the 9th. Casey Burnham struck out to end the threat and end the top of the 9th.

Shai Shanaman struck out Elijah Lambros to start the bottom of the 9th. IF Jacob Orr flew out to center field for the 2nd and Kevin Keister grounded out to 3rd for the final out of the 9th.

Maryland turned to pitcher Jason Savakul to start extra frames — his first relief appearance of the season after usually pitching as a starter this season. Max Anderson opened the 10th with a single. Gabe Swansen worked the count and drew a walk to try and get the Huskers started in the extra frame. DH Charlie Fisher followed with what appeared to be a hard hit, but the umpires ruled that he pulled his arm out, leading to the 3rd strike and the second out of the inning. Nebraska appealed the ruling, but the verdict was upheld by the jury. Siterunner Josh Caron finished 3rd and reached the top of the 10th.

Shanaman had to face the top of Maryland’s batting order in the bottom of the 10th – striking out Luke Shigler and throwing out OF Matt Shaw before Nick LaRusso hit a home run to left field to end the game.

The Huskers will face Michigan State on Friday at 7 p.m. They need to win against Michigan State and then beat Maryland twice to get to the Big 10 Championship game.

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