Case Sanderson wrapped up a Big Ten series win for Nebraska in dramatic fashion, as his three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth led the Huskers to a 5-2 win over Michigan Saturday at Hawks Field in Lincoln. The win gave the Cornhuskers (26-25, 13-13 B1G) a two games to none advantage in the three-game series, with the finale scheduled for Sunday in Lincoln.
With the game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth and one out, Cael Frost was hit by a pitch. Gabe Swansen drew a walk, putting two on with one out. Sanderson then drove the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for a dramatic, game-winning, three-run home run.
The Wolverines (31-14, 14-12 B1G) got on the board with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Then Hogan Helligso clubbed a two-run home run to left to give Nebraska the 2-1 lead. Michigan answered in the top of the sixth, when Benny Casillas homered to tie the game at two, which is where the score remained until the bottom of the ninth.
Luke Broderick (3-2) earned the win in relief, throwing 0.2 innings of shutout ball. That came after Ty Horn turned in a solid start, allowing just two runs and four hits in six innings pitched. David Lally, Jr. (4-4) took the loss despite allowing just five hits in 8.1 innings pitched as the Wolverines’ starter.
The win puts the Huskers in a tie for seventh in the Big Ten Conference standings with four games to go in the regular season. Nebraska is two games ahead of 13th-place Northwestern (11-15) and could clinch a Big Ten Tournament bid with a win and a Wildcats loss Sunday.
The Huskers will also aim for the series sweep against Michigan Sunday at Hawks Field in the regular season home finale. First pitch is slated for 11:30 a.m., with pregame coverage at 11 a.m. on KLIN.