Jake Scudder’s two-out RBI double in the first inning was the only run the Kansas State offense could muster against Nebraska Tuesday night, as the Cornhuskers scored six unanswered runs to win 6-1 at Tointon Family Stadium.
Nebraska (20-11-1) sweeps the season series with K-State (16-16) after an 11-1 win in Lincoln on March 28. The Huskers have one loss in their last 12 games while the Wildcats have one win over their last 11.
“We just couldn’t produce much, offensively,” head coach Brad Hill said after the game. “We had maybe four opportunities with two-out RBI situations. If we are going to stay in the game, we’ve got to execute those.”
K-State had four hits in the game – three with two outs – and was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Scudder’s double was the Cats’ only extra-base hit and only hit with a runner on base in the ballgame (1-for-9).
The single run of support was not enough to back starting pitcher Brogan Heinen, who went five innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits, striking out four. Heinen took his third loss in eight starts this season.
Heinen surrendered single runs in the fourth and fifth before the Huskers broke through for four in the seventh off reliever Bryce Ward. In the inning, Ward allowed three hits and two walks.
“I thought Brogan (Heinen) was outstanding,” added Hill. “Strike one, ball at the knees all night long. I thought he was very, very effective. Just the walks caught up to us there in the (seventh).”
Nebraska starter Ben Miller, who also hit cleanup, helped his own cause with a pair of doubles and two runs driven in for the Huskers. NU leadoff man Mojo Hagge also registered a pair of RBI as part of the four-run seventh inning.
Quintin Crandall, Grant Reuben and Cameron Thompson each had singles to round out the Wildcat offense. Will Brennan, the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Week, snapped his career-best eight-game hitting streak after an 0-for-4 night.
Jared Marolf and Kasey Ford each tossed a scoreless inning of work.
K-State continues a nine-game homestand Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with Texas Tech coming to Manhattan for a three-game set.
