Minneapolis, Minn. – After dropping a three-game series to the Michigan Wolverines (29-26) last week at Hawks Field, the Nebraska baseball team (26-28) responded with a 11-2 win over the Wolverines Wednesday afternoon in the first game of the 2013 Big Ten Tournament. Sophomore Kyle Kubat pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, while Blake Headley, Pat Kelly and Austin Darby each had multi-hit days at the plate.
Nebraska’s pitching staff limited the Wolverines to five hits on the day, including just a pair of hits over the first eight innings. The Huskers had 12 hits on the afternoon, marking the sixth straight game Nebraska has pounded out double-digit hits.
On the mound, Kubat dominated the Wolverines, allowing just one hit over his seven innings of shutout work. The sophomore lefty sat down Michigan’s offense in order four times on the day and didn’t allow a Wolverine to reach base until the top of the fourth. Kubat took a no-hitter into the seventh, when Kevin White broke it up with a two-out single.
Luke Bublitz pitched a scoreless eight and then Colton Howell took over in the ninth with an 11-0 lead. The Wolverines scratched across two runs off the freshman reliever on three hits.
Headley led all players with three hits, while Darby belted a pair of doubles and Kelly added two singles. Darby drove in four runs on the day, as Nebraska’s 6-7-8 hitters were 5-for-13 with seven RBIs.
Nebraska’s bats got after Michigan starter James Bourque, who gave up six runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. Bourque was tough on the Huskers during last week’s series in the Lincoln, as he threw 3.2 inning of scoreless relief, giving up just two hits and striking out six.
The Huskers return to Target Field today for 3:35 p.m. game against No. 2 seed Ohio State. Sophomore Aaron Bummer is scheduled to start for the Huskers, while the Buckeyes will counter with righty Brad Goldberg.