Nebraska baseball falls to Illinois 10-5

Nebraska baseball (31-11, 15-4) commenced its three-game series against Illinois (21-19, 9-10) on Friday night. The Huskers dropped the first game, losing to the Fighting Illini 10-5.

Illinois took a 1-0 lead in the first, but blew the game wide open in the third, scoring six runs to go up 7-0. Nebraska cut into the deficit, bringing the deficit down to 7-4 halfway through the sixth. The Fighting Illini added three insurance runs in the bottom of the inning, however, and allowed one more Husker run for the remainder of the game.

Both teams totaled 10 hits on the night, but Illinois earned five runs off a solo shot and a grand slam. Nebraska also earned one hit through the first four innings and left three runners on base in the sixth and two runners on in the seventh.

Jett Buck batted 2-for-4 to lead the Huskers, picking up a double and an RBI single. Jeter Worthley also finished 2-for-4 with a double and scored once. Dylan Carey, Case Sanderson and Joshua Overbeek all chipped in one and an RBI. Drew Grego also earned an RBI off a sacrifice fly. Mac Moyer, Will Jesske and Rhett Stokes each posted one hit.

Cooper Katskee (5-1) suffered the loss in his start at the mound, facing Illinois' 7-0 surge across his 2.2 innings of work. Though he allowed seven runs, only two were earned. Katskee also threw two strikeouts and surrendered six hits.