The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team has etched its name into the Big Ten history books by clinching back-to-back conference tournament championships. In a commanding 5–0 victory over No. 13 UCLA at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, the Huskers not only secured their sixth conference title but also became the first No. 8 seed to win the Big Ten Tournament .
Sophomore pitcher Ty Horn delivered a stellar performance, throwing eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits, and striking out six batters. Reliever Casey Daiss closed the game with a flawless ninth inning, sealing the shutout .
Offensively, the Huskers struck early. Dylan Carey’s RBI double in the second inning brought in Gabe Swansen, followed by a passed ball that allowed Case Sanderson to score. Rhett Stokes then drove in Carey with a single, putting Nebraska up 3–0. In the third inning, Devin Nunez extended the lead with a two-run homer, bringing the score to 5–0 .
This championship run is particularly remarkable given Nebraska’s underdog status. Entering the tournament with a 28–27 record, the Huskers needed a flawless performance to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. They delivered, going 4–0 in the tournament and extending their streak to nine consecutive elimination game victories dating back to the previous season .
The championship game attracted 15,139 fans, marking the third-largest crowd in Big Ten Tournament championship history .
With this victory, Nebraska earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their resilience and determination. The Huskers’ triumph serves as a testament to their grit and team spirit, signaling that they are a formidable force in collegiate baseball.
