Nebraska's baseball season drew to a close on Saturday night in Lincoln, where the Huskers fell 11‑8 to Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional. The loss capped a 43‑17 campaign for the Cornhuskers, while the Sun Devils improved to 39‑20 and moved one step closer to the super‑regional round.
Early fireworks and a quick tie
The contest opened with a solo home run from Nu'u Contrades, giving Arizona State an early edge. Nebraska answered in the second inning when Joshua Overbeek launched a homer that knotted the game at one‑all, setting the tone for a back‑and‑forth battle.
Sun Devils pull ahead
Arizona State stretched its lead in the third with a two‑run single that put them up 3‑1, and the advantage grew when Dominic Smaldino smashed two home runs, driving in six runs and helping the Sun Devils build an 11‑1 cushion.
Husker rally and final push
Nebraska refused to go quietly. In the sixth inning the Huskers erupted for five runs, narrowing the gap to 11‑6. The comeback attempt continued into the ninth, but a final rally fell short, leaving the final score at 11‑8.
Standout performances
Dominic Smaldino finished 2‑for‑4 with six RBI, while Jeter Worthley led the Huskers with a 3‑for‑5 effort that included two runs and a double. On the mound, Colby Guy earned the win for Arizona State, improving to 2‑0, whereas Gavin Blachowicz took the loss, dropping to 4‑4.
What’s next for the Huskers
With the season officially over, Nebraska will turn its attention to the transfer portal, which opens on June 1. The Sun Devils now await Ole Miss in the regional final, while the Huskers begin reshaping a roster that finished the year with 13 hits, seven stranded runners and two errors.