BREAKING: Nebraska baseball won its first ever Big Ten Tournament
Over 13,000 fans stood in anticipation as Gabe Swansen waited in the batter’s box for his pitch. The junior left fielder had been clutch all week, but this moment was the biggest yet. With a full count, two outs in the top of the ninth, and a runner on second, Swansen seized his opportunity.
“The best swing of the year,” said head coach Will Bolt. “No other way to put it.”
Swansen’s RBI double to left center clinched Nebraska’s first Big Ten Tournament championship since joining the conference, edging out Penn State 2-1. The Huskers also made history as the first team to win the Big Ten title after losing their first game, triumphing in five consecutive elimination games.
“I’ve never been around a group of young men quite like these,” Bolt said postgame. “They are absolutely resilient. That’s the word to describe this group.”
The No. 8 seed Nittany Lions tested Nebraska with an early run and strong pitching, but the Huskers responded with key hits, including a game-tying, record-setting home run by junior catcher Josh Caron in the seventh.
Nebraska’s Jackson Brockett was stellar on the mound, pitching eight innings and retiring 22 of the last 23 batters after a rough start in the opening round.
“He deserves all the credit,” said senior pitcher Brett Sears of Brockett. “What he did was special and gave us a chance to win.”
Penn State’s ace, Travis Luensmann, started strong, striking out two of Nebraska’s top hitters in the first inning. The Nittany Lions scored first due to a misplay but left the bases loaded.
Luensmann continued to dominate early, but Brockett matched him, keeping the deficit to one. Despite early struggles, Nebraska finally broke through in the seventh with Caron’s leadoff home run, tying the game and igniting the crowd.
Brockett finished his outing without allowing another baserunner, while Penn State turned to Jaden Henline from their bullpen in the eighth. Brockett then efficiently closed his performance with another clean inning.
In the ninth, Columbus’s two-out single and Brumbaugh’s pinch-running led to a stolen base, setting the stage for Swansen. After a challenging at-bat, Swansen’s deep hit scored Brumbaugh, giving Nebraska a 2-1 lead.
“I was just so proud of him,” Columbus said about Swansen. “He struggled this year, but to see him break out in the tournament and help us win means a lot to us.”
With the championship on the line, Nebraska called on Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Brett Sears. Despite it being his first relief appearance of the season, Sears stayed composed, retiring the first two batters easily. Fittingly, the final out was a catch by Swansen in left field, sealing Nebraska’s historic win.
The Huskers’ journey to their first Big Ten Tournament title was arduous but unforgettable. Caron was named Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, with Swansen, junior second baseman Rhett Stokes, and junior pitcher Will Walsh joining him on the All-Tournament Team.
“It feels amazing,” Caron said. “After losing the first game, we stayed in the fight and battled all week long.”
Nebraska now awaits their spot in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, likely as a No. 2 seed, aiming for more success.
“It’s a story I’ll tell for a long time, but the book’s not done being written this year,” Bolt said. “I’m thrilled for this championship and ready for more.”