Huskers Split Doubleheader with 10-6 Win in Game 2

Riverside, Calif. – After a scoreless first four innings for both teams, Nebraska (2-1) scored in each of the last five innings on its way to a 10-6 win over UC Riverside in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday at the Riverside Sports Complex.

Senior left-hander Nate Fisher, making his eighth career start and 40th overall appearance, earned the win in 5.0 scoreless innings and recorded six strikeouts. Paul Tillotson threw 1.1 innings, while Kyle Perry (0.1), Shay Schanaman (0.1), Robbie Palkert (1.1) and Jaxon Hallmark (0.2) each made relief appearances. Hallmark, who made his pitching debut, was also a threat at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs during the second game of the doubleheader.

In the top of the first, NU had one baserunner, but he was caught stealing while the other hitters struck out and flew out. Fisher recorded three strikeouts in the bottom of the first, while allowing one hit.

Aaron Palensky hit a leadoff single in the top of the second, but three consecutive outs left him stranded. Fisher added two strikeouts in the bottom of the second as one Highlander reached on an error, but was left on base.

Both teams went down in order in the third inning. Nebraska went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth despite Palensky smashing one to left field that was caught on the warning track. The Highlanders left one runner on base during a scoreless bottom of the fourth.

In the top of the fifth, Nebraska scored the first run of the game to take a 1-0 lead. Cam Chick hit a one-out single before Jaxon Hallmark walked. Carter Cross laced an RBI single that scored Chick. NU left the bases loaded after a strikeout and flyout ended the frame. UC Riverside got a runner to third base, but he remained stranded at the end of the inning.

Nebraska plated three runs in the sixth to extend its lead to 4-0. Palensky drew a one-out walk before Luke Roskam smashed an RBI double. Hallmark also laced an RBI double, while Cross added an RBI single. UC Riverside scored its first run in the bottom of the sixth to cut NU’s lead to 4-1.

Nebraska tacked on one run in the top of the seventh. Schwellenbach drew a leadoff walk before Gunner Hellstrom singled. Schwellenbach scored when Palensky reached on a fielder’s choice. Riverside scored two runs in the seventh to cut the score to 5-3. The Highlanders left the bases loaded when Schanaman struck out the only batter he faced.

In the top of the eighth, the Huskers scored three runs to take an 8-3 lead. Chick reached on an error in the leadoff spot before Hallmark drove him in with an RBI single. Acker, Schwellenbach and Hellstrom also produced hits during the inning. UC Riverside managed a hit and two baserunners, but left both of them stranded in a scoreless frame.

Hallmark blasted a two-RBI double in the top of the ninth to give Nebraska a 10-3 lead. The Highlanders managed three runs in the bottom of the ninth, including the first home run of the series. NU committed two errors during the frame.

The Huskers and Highlanders conclude their series on Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. (CT).