Drew Grego’s five RBI lifted No. 24 Nebraska to a 14-9 win over Kansas State at Tointon Family Stadium Tuesday night.
“Key point in the game was the top of the fifth,” said head coach Pete Hughes in a statement. “We did a great job in the bottom of the fourth building a big inning with six runs. It is critical to have a shutdown inning when we go back on defense and keep the momentum of the game on our side. We were unable to do that, and it was the turning point in the game.”
The Cornhuskers (19-6, 5-1 Big Ten) overcame a two-run deficit, erupting for five runs in the fifth to pick up their first win in Manhattan since April 4, 2023. Grego, a freshman from Papillion, Nebraska, homered twice in consecutive at-bats to secure the win over the Wildcats (17-8, 3-3 Big 12).
How it happened
Nebraska took a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, behind hits from Mac Moyer, Jeter Worthley and Miken Miller.
The Wildcats answered with back-to-back doubles from Ty Smolinski and Grant Gallagher to knot the score at 2-2, but the Cornhuskers took advantage of a pair of wild pitches and a shallow hit by Grego to regain the lead, 6-2.
After holding the Cornhuskers in the top of the fourth, K-State exploded for six runs. AJ Evasco drove in a run before Kyan Lodice won an 11-pitch at-bat and laced a single into right center to bring the score within one. Trailing 6-5, Dee Kennedy delivered a game-tying double down the left field line, forcing Nebraska to make its third call to the bullpen in the inning. The Wildcats jumped ahead after taking advantage of a balk and wild pitch, 8-6.
The lead was short-lived, as Nebraska immediately responded with five runs in the fifth to shift momentum back in favor of the Cornhuskers.
Up next
K-State will face Utah (13-9, 3-3 Big 12) in a three-game series this weekend, starting Friday at 7 p.m. CT at Charlie Monfort Field at American First Ballpark in Salt Lake City. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 3 p.m. and Sunday will start at 2 p.m.