Nebraska scored six unanswered runs and shut out Iowa over the last five innings to come away with a 7-4 victory over the Hawkeyes on Friday night at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.

Nebraska (26-13, 9-4 B1G) totaled seven runs on eight hits with an error, while Iowa (23-16, 9-7 B1G) tallied four runs, nine hits and two errors.

Riley Silva reached in four of his five plate appearances, extending his on-base streak to 14 games. Tyler Stone finished 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in the fifth inning, his third straight game with a homer. Joshua Overbeek added a pair of hits for the Huskers, while Cole Evans and Josh Caron each recorded a double.

Brett Sears took the no-decision to remain 7-0 on the season but saw his streak of nine consecutive quality starts come to an end. The Westphalia, Iowa, native allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits across five innings while striking out four Hawkeyes and issuing a lone walk.

Kyle Froehlich improved to 1-1 and tied a season-high with two shutdown innings, retiring all six batters faced. Jalen Worthley tallied his eighth multi-inning relief appearance this season with a scoreless eighth and ninth frame to earn his team-high tying fourth save for the Huskers.

Iowa struck for a trio of runs in the opening frame, leading off the ballgame with a single, before consecutive RBI hits gave them a 2-0 lead. The Hawkeyes capped off a three-run first inning with an RBI double down the left-field line to put the Huskers in a hole early.

Sears responded, however, by retiring six of the next eight Hawkeye batters across the second and third innings to keep the deficit at three runs.

Consecutive singles from Carey and Overbeek to begin the bottom half of the third, followed by Silva’s one-out walk loaded the bases for the Huskers. NU got one back, as Columbus drew a full-count walk to score a run and cut the Iowa lead to 3-1.

The Hawkeyes immediately answered with three straight singles to push the lead to 4-1. Sears then set down five of the next six batters over the next two innings to keep the Huskers within striking distance.

Brumbaugh drew a one-out free pass in the bottom of the fifth inning, and subsequently stole second, his 11th of the season. The next at-bat, Silva slapped a 2-2 pitch into right field, however Brumbaugh was thrown out at the plate trying to score.

With Silva at second after advancing on the throw, Columbus was plunked to put a pair of runners on for the Big Red. Stone then lifted a 342-foot home run into the visitors’ bullpen to tie the game at four and give the lefty a homer in three straight games.

Out of the bullpen, Froehlich tossed a scoreless sixth and seventh inning to keep the game deadlocked at four heading into the Huskers’ half of the seventh frame.

Following a strikeout, Josh Caron reached on a fielding error by the Hawkeyes' outfielder, putting a runner on second base with just one out. The error set the table for Evans’ go-ahead RBI double to put Nebraska in front 5-4 after seven innings.

NU added two more runs in the eighth inning, as Silva plated Brumbaugh, who reached on a fielder’s choice, on an RBI double to the right-field gap. Silva then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a double steal to give the Huskers a 7-4 lead entering the ninth inning.

Worthley slammed the door with a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to give NU its third win in its last five games.

 Nebraska and Iowa continue the weekend series tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Saturday’s matchup can be seen on Big Ten Network, while fans can listen to Dave Gustafson and Ben McLaughlin call the action on the Huskers Radio Network.

WILDCATS EDGE HUSKERS IN SERIES OPENER

The Nebraska softball team let too many opportunities slip away in a 6-5 loss to Northwestern Friday night at Bowlin Stadium.

Nebraska out-hit Northwestern, 8-6, and the Huskers drew two more walks than the Wildcats. But Nebraska committed the game's only two errors - leading to three unearned runs - and the Huskers were just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Freshmen Samantha Bland and Emmerson Cope each homered in the game. Katelyn Caneda went 2-for-2 with a walk and two RBIs while Billie Andrews was 2-for-4.

Kaylin Kinney (16-13) took the loss, allowing two unearned runs in 1.0 inning. Sarah Harness started and gave up four runs (three earned) over 6.0 innings.

Nebraska fell to 27-20 with the loss and dropped to 10-7 in Big Ten play. Northwestern improved to 30-9 on the year and remained in first place in the conference standings with a 16-2 record. Renae Cunningham (5-2) earned the win in relief, allowing one run in 1.1 innings.

Nebraska jumped out to a 2-0 lead two pitches into the bottom of the first inning. Billie Andrews led off with a bunt single before Bland blasted a two-run homer to center.

Northwestern tied the game with a two-run third inning. A leadoff home run put the Wildcats on the board before a two-out error allowed the tying run to score.

In the fifth, Northwestern had runners at first and third with one out before a sacrifice fly gave the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. A two-out RBI single then made it a 4-2 game.

In the bottom of the frame, Nebraska had runners on first and second with one out following consecutive one-out singles from Caneda and Billie Andrews. But the next two Huskers were retied as Northwestern kept its two-run lead.

The Huskers did convert a scoring chance in the bottom of the sixth. Caitlynn Neal singled with one out before Bella Bacon and Ava Bredwell drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with one out. Brooke Andrews then appeared to draw a bases-loaded walk but Northwestern challenged that Bredwell had left early from first base and the Wildcats won the challenge, taking a run of the board. Brooke Andrews still went on to draw a walk and Caneda grounded a game-tying two-run single to left.

In the top of the seventh, a bloop single, an error and a sacrifice bunt gave Northwestern runners at second and third with one out. The Wildcats then took a 5-4 lead with their second sacrifice fly of the game and a wild pitch brought home another run.

The second run proved huge after Cope hit a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, but that was as close as Nebraska would get.

In a change to the original schedule, Nebraska and Northwestern will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

Post-Game Notes

• Nebraska played its 17th one run-game of the season, its most since the 2013 season.
• Ten of Nebraska's 17 conference games have been decided by one run.
• The Huskers hit two home runs off Big Ten ERA leader Ashley Miller, who entered the game having allowed just six homers in 135.2 innings this season.

HUSKERS EARN SIX FLAGS, WILSON JUMPS NCAA-LEADING MARK

Nebraska track and field brought in six titles on Friday at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. Amelia Flynt captured two white flags on the day, while Tyus Wilson posted a high jump mark that's tied for first in the country.

After Friday night’s big 7-5 (2.26m) in the high jump, Wilson leaped to a tie for first in the NCAA. That mark won the title and moved Wilson up to fifth in school history. It also came near breaking the Drake Relays high jump record. Reid Nelson cleared 6-11 (2.11m) in the university section of the men’s high jump to take fourth.

Flynt and Kellyn Kortemeyer went 1-2 in the open section of the discus, each putting up a personal-best mark. Flynt threw for 177-2 (54.01m), moving to No. 10 all-time and Kortemeyer went 164-4 (50.09m). Flynt brought in another title in the championship division of the shot put, going 54-11 1/4 (16.74m) on her fifth throw. Kalynn Meyer added a third-place finish with a 52-11 1/2 (16.14m). In the university division of the shot put, Kortemeyer went on to get her own flag, winning with a 49-11 1/4 (15.22m). Meyer pitched in a third-place finish in the championship section of the discus, throwing 188-11 (57.58m).

In the men’s discus, the Big Red put three in the top five. Brett Schwartz posted a personal-best 191-0 (58.22m) to take third, Cade Moran threw 183-7 (55.97m) to finish fourth and Tyler Brown went 183-3 (55.85m) to take fifth. Kevin Shubert placed second in the championship division of the shot put with a 63-2 1/4 (19.26m) on his first attempt. Cade Moran took fifth with a distance of  58-10 (17.93m).

Niko Schultz captured his flag in the men’s 800m, running a 1:48.46 to win the race. Bariborve Deebom went a personal-best 20-4 1/4 (6.20m) in the long jump to win the title on her third jump. 

In the pole vault, Jessica Gardner matched her personal-best height to finish second with a 13-8 1/4 (4.17m). Kylie Clark soared over a personal-best mark to tie for third with a 13-4 1/4 (4.07m). Lotavia Brown recorded a 40-10 1/4 (12.45m) in the championship division of the triple jump to grab fifth.

Berlyn Schutz cruised to a 4:18.37 in the 1500m to take second. Abrielle Artley covered the track in a personal-best 1:00.02 to finish sixth in the 400m hurdles. Joseph Clifford added a personal-best 52.20 in the men’s 400m hurdles to take fourth. Meghan Walker crossed the line at 55.60 in the women’s 400m to place 11th. Tyrell Pierce ran a 47.75 to come in at seventh.

Johanna Ilves ran a 13.69 in the 100m hurdles prelim to qualify for tomorrow’s final. In the 110m hurdles prelim, Brithton Senior ran a 13.99 to punch his ticket to the final. Bariborve Deebom clocked a 11.75 in the 100m prelim to place eighth and Darby Thomas ran a 11.79 to take 10th.

Both 4x100m relays earned a spot in the final, with the women (Ashley McElmurry, Arianna Walker, Lishanna Ilves, J. Ilves) clocking a 46.05 to place fifth in the prelim and the men (Darius Luff, Jeremiah Smith, Lorenzo Paissan, Seth Baylus) clocking a 40.48 to take third in the prelim.

The final day of the Drake Relays will begin tomorrow with running events at 9:10 a.m. (CT) and field events at 10 a.m. (CT).

HUSKERS FALL IN QUARTERS TO #34 NORTHWESTERN 4-3

Ann Arbor, Mich. - The Nebraska women’s tennis team (14-11) lost to #34 Northwestern (19-6) 4-3 in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon. 

In a display of exceptional teamwork, the Court Two duo of Anfisa Danilchenko and Ana Zamburek triumphed over Neena Feldman and Syndey Pratt with a score of 6-3. On Court One, Raphaelle Lacasse and Maja Pietrowicz outplayed No. 59 Christina Hand and Justine Leong, securing the doubles point for Nebraska with a score of 7-5. On Court Three, Lucy Loy and Isabel Adrover Gallego battled, but dropped their match 6-4. With the Huskers claiming wins on two courts, they took the 1-0 advantage into singles. 

For singles, on Court Six, Maria Taranova lost in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to Brittany Lau. Soon after, Danilchenko lost to No. 116 Justine Leong  6-4, 6-0 on Court Two. Then Adrover Gallego battled, but lost to Christina Hand 7-5 7-6 (4), and the Huskers trailed 3-1 until Pietrowicz rallied and won 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 against Pratt at the No. 4 spot to close Nebraska’s gap to the Wildcats. Zamburek then evened the score at 3-3 as she won in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (4). With the match tied, it was down to Lacasse's match on Court One as it went on for over three tiebreakers, but she ultimately fell to Maria Shusharina 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10), and Northwestern won 4-3.

The Huskers will learn their NCAA Tournament fate on Monday, April 29, during the selection show at 5:30 p.m. (CT) on NCAA.com.

NEB 3, NU 4
Singles
No. 1 -- Maria Shusharina (NU) d. Raphaëlle Lacasse (Nebraska), 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10)
No. 2 -- Justine Leong (NU) d. Anfisa Danilchenko (Nebraska), 6-4, 6-0
No. 3 -- Christina Hand (NU) d. Isabel Adrover Gallego (Nebraska), 7-5, 7-6 (4)
No. 4 -- Maja Pietrowicz (Nebraska) d. Sydney Pratt (NU), 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
No. 5 -- Ana Zamburek (Nebraska) d. Kiley Rabjohns (NU), 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4
No. 6 -- Brittany Lau (NU) d. Maria Taranova (Nebraska), 6-1, 6-2
 
Doubles
No. 1 -- Raphaëlle Lacasse/Maja Pietrowicz (Nebraska) d. Christina Hand/Justine Leong (NU), 7-5
No. 2 -- Anfisa Danilchenko/Ana Zamburek (Nebraska) d. Neena Feldman/Sydney Pratt (NU), 6-3
No. 3 -- Maria Shusharina/Brittany Lau (NU) d. Isabel Adrover Gallego/Lucy Loy (Nebraska), 6-4
 
Order of Completion: Doubles 2-3-1; Singles 6-2-3-4-5-1

BIG RED UPSET ILLINI, ADVANCE TO BIG TEN SEMIFINALS

Evanston, Ill. - For the first time in program history, the #59 Nebraska men’s tennis team (17-9, 6-4 Big Ten) is headed to the Big Ten semifinals. The Big Red claimed a 4-2 upset win over #26 Illinois (16-9, 6-4 Big Ten) on Friday afternoon, to reach a program record of most single-season wins since 1990, and earn its second-ever victory over the Illini. The Huskers did not hesitate after dropping the doubles point, and with four singles wins, survive and advance.

The conference tournament quarterfinal matchup began with doubles at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center. At No. 1 doubles, Anton Shepp and senior Nic Wiedenhorn faced nationally ranked #43 Lucas Horve and Oliver Okonkwo. The Big Red duo battled from an early deficit, but fell to the Illini, 4-6. Next to finish was Court Two, where Calvin Mueller and Lars Johann rallied in their matchup against Mathis Debru and Kneta Miyoshi. The Husker duo were defeated, 7-5, and the Illini secured the doubles point. At No. 3 doubles, Leo Linquet and senior Shunya Maryama were in a tiebreaker against Hunter Heck and Alex Petrov, but the match was left unfinished at 6(1)-6(1). 

After dropping the doubles point, four Huskers took their first sets. Shepp’s match was the first to finish, tying the match with a dominant 6-4, 6-2, victory over #99 Miyoshi at No. 2 singles. On Court Four, Johann battled, but fell to Fighting Illini senior Okonkwo, 4-6, 4-6. At No. 5 singles, Linquet faced Tyler Bowers, and took him down in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Court One was an All-Big Ten First Team matchup, between #80 Calvin Mueller and #42 Hunter Heck. Mueller had a tough start, being down 4-6, 2-5, in the second set. The junior rallied to have a dominant finish, claiming a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2, comeback upset win to put the Big Red in the lead. The final two matches proved to be tight, both going to third sets to decide the tournament fates of Nebraska and Illinois. Maruyama faced Petrov in the No. 3 singles slot and rallied to defeat the Illini 7-6(2), 6(2)-7, 6-4, winning the match for the Big Red. Court Six was abandoned, as Rudi Christiansen and Debru were in a close match, left at 6-4, 6(2)-7, 6(6)-6(6). The Huskers won the quarterfinal match, 4-2. 

With the victory, the Big Red improved its season record to 17-9 (6-4 Big Ten). By defeating the Fighting Illini for only the second time in series history, the Huskers claimed their 17th win of the season, a program record since 1990. Nebraska will advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, for the first time in program history.

Mueller’s comeback upset win at No. 1 singles was his sixth ranked win, holding a perfect 6-0 record against ranked conference opponents. Defeating Heck also notched the junior’s 27th singles win of the season, to pass Toby Boyer and claim fifth place on the single-season victories record list. When clinching the match, Maruyama also earned his 20th singles win of the season, and 70th of his career, on Court Three, while snapping Pretrov’s six-win streak. Shepp also broke a streak, of seven, for Miyoshi, in the junior’s second ranked straight-set win of the season.

Up next, the Huskers stick around in Evanston, Ill., for the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. The Big Red will take on No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday, April 27, with first serve set for 11 a.m. (CT). Live stats will be available on Huskers.com, as well as live updates and content posted on X/Twitter at @HuskerMTennis.

#59 Nebraska 4, #26 Illinois 2

Singles competition
1. #80 Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. #42 Hunter Heck (ILL) 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
2. Anton Shepp (NEB) def. #99 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) 6-4, 6-2
3. Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Alex Petrov (ILL) 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (2-7), 6-4
4. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Lars Johann (NEB) 6-4, 6-4
5. Leo Linquet (NEB) def. Tyler Bowers (ILL) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
6. Mathis Debru (ILL) vs. Rudi Christiansen (NEB) 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-6 (6-6), unfinished

Doubles competition
1. #43 Lucas Horve/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Nic Wiedenhorn/Anton Shepp (NEB) 6-4
2. Mathis Debru/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. Calvin Mueller/Lars Johann (NEB) 7-5
3. Hunter Heck/Alex Petrov (ILL) vs. Leo Linquet/Shunya Maruyama (NEB) 6-6 (1-1), unfinished

Match Notes:
Nebraska 17-9; National ranking #59
Illinois 16-9; National ranking #26
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,4,5,1,3)