With Nebraska’s upset victory over Oregon, Penn State will take on the Cornhuskers in a rematch of last year’s Big Ten championship in the semifinals later Saturday.
The ninth-seeded Nittany Lions defeated No. 5 Washington and No. 4 USC to win their pool and advance to the semifinals. The eighth-seeded Cornhuskers, meanwhile, defeated No. 12 Michigan State and No. 1 Oregon.
Penn State relied on its pitching staff to advance to the semifinals and will have the clear advantage of rested arms.
Although the starting pitcher is unknown, the Nittany Lions could go with Mason Butash or Mason Horwat to pitch, with neither of the pitchers throwing yet during the tournament.
Butash was the third starter later in the season and could provide high velocity to open the game, despite holding a 7.18 ERA.
The starter will have to immediately deal with Nebraska’s leadoff hitter, Riley Silva. The Cambridge, Ontario, native went 3-for-4 in the Cornhuskers’ elimination game against Oregon.
On the mound, Nebraska reliever Gavin Blachowicz could play a major factor in the result of the game as the team’s top reliever. Blachowicz’s 3.10 ERA showcases his limited runs allowed in only 20.1 innings of work.
Blachowicz, and the rest of Nebraska’s pitching staff, will have to deal with a red-hot Penn State lineup.
Centerfielder Paxton Kling is 5-for-6 in the tournament while scoring three of the Nittany Lions’ seven runs.
In the rematch of the 2024 Big Ten Championship, Nebraska will hold the clear home-field advantage, but Penn State will hold the rest advantage as the two battle for an appearance in the final.
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