Buckeyes Down No. 23 Nebraska, 9-3, in Series Finale

Sunday, April 7

Lincoln, NE

1:00 PM

Ohio State

13-14, 0

University of Nebraska

22-7, 0

Ohio State

Nebraska

Photo by: Tenley Wright/Nebraska Athletics

Buckeyes Down No. 23 Nebraska, 9-3, in Series Finale

4/7/2024 4:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Ohio State baseball team (13-14, 3-3 Big Ten) downed No. 23 Nebraska (22-7, 5-1 Big Ten), 9-3, on Sunday, handing the Cornhuskers their first conference loss of the season.

Game Recap

The Buckeyes got off to a quick start, with Isaac Cadena leading off with a triple to right field. It is Cadena's first career triple. An RBI groundout from Henry Kaczmar drove Cadena in to give Ohio State a 1-0 lead. Matthew Graveline struck out but reached base on a wild pitch and he scored on an RBI double from Mitchell Okuley to give the Buckeyes the early 2-0 lead over Nebraska.
In the top of the third, Kaczmar went yard, sending a lead-off home run over the wall in right center to extend the Ohio State lead, 3-0. Tyler Pettorini was hit by a pitch and Okuley was walked to put two runners on and both advanced on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. Joseph Mershon stepped up to the plate next and he put a single right over the second baseman's head into center field, sending two runs home to give the Buckeyes a 5-0 lead.
The Cornhuskers hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to cut the Ohio State lead to three, 5-2.
An RBI double from Nebraska in the bottom of the fourth inning put the Cornhuskers within two runs of the Buckeyes, 5-3.
In the top of the seventh, Graveline hit a two-out single into left field and advanced to second on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. An infield single from Pettorini advanced Graveline to third and put runners on the corners for the Buckeyes. Pettorini then swiped second, but Nebraska got the final out to keep the Buckeyes scoreless in the seventh.
In the top of the ninth, pinch hitter Nick Giamarusti and Kaczmar each had bunt singles. Giamarusti was caught stealing for the second out of the inning. Graveline walked, putting two runners on base for Ohio State as the Buckeyes looked to add some insurance runs. Pettorini then drew a walk to load the bases. Okuley stepped up to the plate next and he came up huge for the Buckeyes, sailing the ball over the wall in center field for a grand slam. Ohio State led the Cornhuskers, 9-3, going into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Closer Justin Eckhardt struck out two in the bottom of the ninth as the Buckeyes secured the 9-3 victory.

Buckeyes by the Numbers

Kaczmar and Okuley led the Buckeyes with two hits each.
Okuley had a team-high five RBIs, tying his career-high.
Kaczmar and Mershon each batted in two runs.
Starter Gavin DeVooght struck out three and allowed two runs on three hits in a 2.2-inning no-decision.
Zach Brown (2-0) earned the win. He gave up one run on three hits in 2.0 innings tossed.
Blaine Wynk had a strong appearance out of the bullpen, fanning three in 3.1 innings pitched.

Up Next

The Buckeyes return to Bill Davis Stadium to host Bowling Green on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. and Morehead State on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m.

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