Just two weeks after a 19-10 victory over Wichita State, the Huskers were winners again in a 6-2, 14-inning contest against in-state rival Omaha.
Pitching ruled most of the day, as 13 of 14 Nebraska pitchers threw a scoreless inning. Husker pitchers struck out 16 Mavericks hitters, while giving up five hits. But perhaps the most important stat of the day is that just four free passes were issued by the staff, a number that will almost always set the stage for an impressive performance.
Offensively, Nebraska’s six runs came by the way of 15 hits. Though the Huskers left 17 on base, quality at-bats and timely hitting were enough to seal the win. Junior catcher Miken Miller had one of the most impressive swings of the day, with an opposite-field home run in the 12th inning that left the bat at 99 mph.
Though it was just an exhibition fall game, success hasn’t always been the standard against the Mavericks in recent seasons. Omaha has not had a season over .500 since the shortened 2020 season, when they finished with 10-4. Since manager Will Bolt took over the Huskers’ program in 2020, Nebraska is 4-5 in regular-season games against Omaha.
Here’s what stood out in the Huskers’ win as they prepare for their annual Red-White series on Monday:
Sanderson carries the offense
After freshman catcher Jeter Worthley opened the game with a single, sophomore Case Sanderson started the scoring with a two-RBI double to left later in the inning. Sanderson went 4-for-7 on the day with four RBIs.
This wasn’t the only time the starting first baseman came up clutch on the day. After Nebraska had a quiet stretch at the plate that lasted until the seventh inning — with just two hits following the first — Sanderson found himself in position to deliver once again.
With Worthley on second and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Sanderson doubled to the wall and gave Nebraska a 3-2 lead. With the wind howling towards the left-field foul pole, Mavericks’ left fielder Hayden Lewis had trouble reading the ball off the bat. Instead of the final out of the inning, Nebraska took advantage of the misplay and retook the lead.
Lewis was part of the Huskers’ roster last season, appearing in eight games for Nebraska. The outfielder went 2-for-8 in 2025 before transferring to Omaha after the season.
Cole Kitchens then added to the scoring in the seventh, driving in an insurance run and scoring Sanderson with an RBI single to left field. The senior transfer from Southern Indiana started at designated hitter for Nebraska and went 1-for-3 on the day.
Sanderson’s success provides optimism for a lineup that needs its returners to produce in a big way this spring. One of the Huskers’ most proven bats last season, the junior slashed .307/.416/.417, with three home runs and 31 RBIs in 2025. If he can carry over his strong showing from Saturday to the spring, it boosts a Nebraska lineup that ranked No. 11 in the Big Ten in runs scored in 2025.
The infielder drove in his fourth run of the day with a single to center in the 10th inning, and then showed versatility in the field. After starting the game at first base, he moved to left field as Kitchens took over in the infield. Bolt’s willingness to get creative in the fall could bode well for the Huskers’ lineup next spring.
Pitching staff rules the day
With the departure of last season’s starting pitchers Jackson Brockett and Will Walsh, some of the Huskers’ biggest question marks going into the spring revolve around their rotation. Those worries can now be alleviated, at least slightly, as it’s clear Bolt has plenty of solid options to work with on the mound.
Right-hander Carson Jasa started the game for the Huskers and made quick work of the Mavericks’ lineup. The redshirt sophomore threw one inning, and he needed just 12 pitches to strike out the side.
An outing highlighted by an electric fastball that reached 98 mph, Jasa hopes to build on a 2025 season in which he struggled in limited action. In 11 appearances last season, Jasa had an 8.68 ERA in 18 2/3 innings of work and struggled to control the zone, hitting seven batters and walking 19.
Omaha scored two runs against sophomore right-hander Pryce Bender in the third inning, but the Husker pitching staff dominated the rest of the day. Apart from Bender’s struggles, Nebraska pitchers held Omaha scoreless the rest of the day, highlighted by strong performances from Colin Nowaczyk and Gavin Blachowicz. The sophomore pitchers combined to strike out five in two innings of work.
Nebraska’s performance on Saturday was a strong showing, and it provided a glimpse at a young, talented pitching staff. While the offense may have stalled at times, consistent defense and timely hitting were the difference in the game and led to an excellent showing — and ultimately a Husker win.
Nebraska’s Red-White series kicks off Monday at 6 p.m. CT The series also includes games on Tuesday and Wednesday, both to be played at 4 p.m. CT. The games are open to the public, and admission is free to attend.