2024 Big Ten Baseball Championship Preview

# 8 Penn State (26-23, 12-12 Big Ten) vs. # 2 Nebraska (33-17, 18-6 Big Ten)

Date: May 26

Place: Charles Schwab Field (Omaha, NE)

Time: 11:00 AM EST

Coverage

• TV: Big Ten Network

• Radio: LionVision (PSU) | Husker Audio (NEB)

• Live Stats/Pregame Lineups

• StatBroadcast (Big Ten Tournament)

• StatBroadcast (PSU)

• StatBroadcast (NEB)

Storylines

A Long Time Coming

The Nittany Lions have not been to the Big Ten Championship since 2000, so for them this is a game that's 24 years in the making. What's even more at stake is that Penn State has never won the Big Ten Championship in its 32-year history of being in the conference. (Source: Wikipedia/The Baseball Cube).

Riding The Home-Field Advantage

If you drive one hour from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, you'll find your destination at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. Ever since losing 15-2 to Ohio State, the Cornhuskers have played in front of thousands, and won big with the crowd behind them. (Source: Maps/University of Nebraska Athletics).

Numbers Tell The Story (Tournament Numbers)

Cornhuskers Dominate Head-to-Head History (Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Nebraska is 17-2 against Penn State since 2004. The last head-to-head between these two teams was from May 12-14, 2023, when Penn State was swept on the road (Nebraska outscored PSU, 32-12). Penn State is 0-1 against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State lost to Nebraska, 12-3 in their lone postseason contest on May 24, 2012.

Top Pitchers

# 8 Penn State (Probable Starter) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.01]

• RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (7-2, 4.74 ERA)

# 8 Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.49] {Tournament Numbers}

• LHP Matt Morash, Fr. (2 app, 5.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP)

• RHP Ben DeMell, R-So. (1 app, 2.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 0.50 WHIP)

• RHP Will Perkowski, Fr. (1 app, 1.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP)

# 2 Nebraska (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 3.75]

1. RHP Brett Sears, Sr. (9-0, 2.82 ERA)

# 2 Nebraska (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 4.38] {Tournament Numbers}

• RHP Kyle Froehlich, Sr. (1 app, 2.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)

• RHP Rans Sanders, Sr. (1 app, 0.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP)

• RHP Ty Horn, Fr. (1 app, 2.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP)

Top Hitters/Runners {Tournament Numbers}

# 8 Penn State

1. RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.462 avg, 2 hr, 6 rbi)

2. DH/C JT Marr, Gr. (.500 avg, 5 rbi)

3. 3B Bryce Molinaro, R-Fr. (.417 avg, 1 hr, 5 rbi)

# 2 Nebraska

1. C Josh Caron, Jr. (.444 avg, 5 hr, 10 rbi)

2. LF Gabe Swansen, Jr. (.571 avg, 2 hr, 8 rbi)

3. 1B Ben Columbus, Sr. (.308 avg, 2 hr, 2 rbi)

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: After suffering tough losses to Rutgers and Pittsburgh, nothing seems to faze Penn State as they are playing like a team possessed. I think the Nittany Lions will take home the crown for the first time ever. Penn State 5, Nebraska 4.