Nebraska baseball bounced back from an extra-inning loss Friday and a three-deficit early Saturday to defeat Minnesota, 5-4, Saturday at Hawks Field. The win evened the Cornhuskers’ (23-24, 10-13 B1G) series with the Golden Gophers (22-23, 8-15 B1G) at one game each heading into the rubber game Sunday.
It started rocky for Nebraska. Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Jake Perry singled to right-center to drive in a run. Then in the third, Drew Berkland clubbed a two-run home run to push the lead to three.
The Huskers responded in the fourth, as Tyler Stone hammered a three-run home run to right-center to tie the game. Then in the bottom of the fifth, Robbie Bolin doubled in Devin Nunez to give NU a 4-3 lead. Josh Fitzgerald tied the game for Minnesota with an RBI single in the sixth.
The game remained tied at four until the bottom of the ninth. Dylan Carey drew a walk to leadoff the frame. With one out, Will Jesske singled to left field. Hogan Helligso was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. The Gophers changed pitchers, bringing in Eli Sundquist. With the count 0-2, Bolin singled through the right side, scoring Carey to win the game for Nebraska.
Tucker Timmerman (1-1) earned the win for the Huskers, throwing three innings of one-hit relief. Will Whelan (0-2) took the loss, allowing an earned run in 0.2 innings pitched.
Nebraska will try to win the series from Minnesota Sunday at Hawks Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. Sunday, with pregame coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. on KLIN.