Historic Postseason Run Ends in Big Ten Championship

Penn State fell in the Big Ten Championship by a score of 2-1 to Nebraska. Not even expected to make the Big Ten Tournament, it was clear that the Nittany Lions had far surpassed their preseason goals and made an impression on NCAA baseball and had won the hearts of in-state prospects. Here's how the game went down:

NITTANY LIONS STRIKE FIRST

Penn State was able to get three runners on the board in the bottom of the first inning following an economical 1-2-3 top half from Travis Luensmann. An errant throw to second base floated into the outfield to score Joe Jaconski from third. The Nittany Lions were quickly shut down after that, and no more runs came across for them for the rest of the game.

PITCHER'S DUEL

Penn State righthander Travis Luensmann pitched 6 scoreless innings to start the game, which started with him retiring the entire Cornhusker lineup in their first round of the order. Nebraska lefthander Jackson Brockett had once retired 14 straight Nittany Lion batters before Adam Cecere cracked a double to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs. The two pitchers struck out a combined 11 batters and each only allowed 4 hits. Luensmann had 92 pitches in 7 innings, and Brockett had 82 pitches in 8 innings.

A CONTROVERSIAL CALL

Penn State righthander and regular Saturday starter Jaden Henline entered the game in the top of the eighth inning in relief of Travis Luensmann. He pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning before the 1-1 tie carried over to the top of the ninth. With two outs, a runner on second, and a 2-2 count in the top of the ninth, a pitch that looked like a strike was called a ball. On the 3-2 count, Nebraska left fielder Gabe Swansen doubled to left center field to bring home the winning run.

SEARS SHUTS IT DOWN

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cornhuskers turned to Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Brett Sears out of the bullpen. Penn State right fielder Adam Cecere popped out to the Nebraska shortstop (Dylan Carey) to start the inning. Shortstop Grant Norris followed it up with a swinging strikeout. Third baseman Bryce Molinaro flew out to left field to end the game.

Box Score

#2 Nebraska

HITTERS

3B Overbeek (1-4, 2 SO)

DH Sanderson (1-4)

C Caron (1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SO)

1B Columbus (1-4, 1 SO)

• PR Brumbaugh (0-0, 1 R)

• 1B Stone (0-0)

LF Swansen (2-4, 1 RBI, 1 SO) [PLAYER OF THE GAME]

SS Carey (0-4, 1 SO)

RF Evans (0-3)

CF Silva (0-3)

2B Stokes (0-3, 1 SO)

PITCHERS

LHP Brockett (8 IP, 4 H, 5 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER) [PITCHER OF THE GAME]

RHP Sears (1 IP, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER)

#8 Penn State

HITTERS

1B Jaconski (0-3, 1 R, 1 BB)

C Marr (0-4)

RF Cecere (1-4, 1 SO)

SS Norris (1-4, 1 SO)

3B Molinaro (1-4)

LF Marsh (1-3, 2 SO)

CF Kelley (0-3)

DH Maloney (0-3, 2 SO)

2B Michaels (0-3)

• PR Cease (0-0)

PITCHERS

RHP Luensmann (7 IP, 4 H, 6 SO, 0 BB, 1 ER)

RHP Henline (2 IP, 2 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 1 ER)

Pitching Decisions

• W: LHP Jackson Brockett (3-2)

• L: RHP Jaden Henline (3-4)

• SV: RHP Brett Sears (1)