Friday night brought many reasons to celebrate for Nebraska baseball (5-6). Sure, the Huskers got to play in great weather (the temperatures in Waco, Texas, were in the 70s all night). But the bigger reason? Nebraska knocked off No. 21 Baylor (9-3), 12-4.
Apparently warm weather was all the Huskers needed to do some serious (and quick) work. Senior Angelo Altavilla recorded Nebraska’s first home run of the season on his first at bat. Three batters later, junior Luke Roskam joined the club sending another one over the fence. Altavilla added a three-run homer in the ninth inning that blew the game open.
💣 GELO BOMB 💣
3-run BLAST puts NU up 12-2. 🌽@gelo_villa7's 2nd HR of the game. ✊ pic.twitter.com/3xAepNax00
— Nebraska Baseball (@Husker_Baseball) March 9, 2019
Nebraska had control from start to finish against Baylor and much of that was thanks to senior pitcher Matt Waldron. He went for seven innings Friday night, which is the most by a Nebraska pitcher this season He recorded eight strikeouts and no walks.
Even more impressive? Waldron accomplished it all against one of the best offensive teams in Division I baseball. Coming into the matchup, Baylor boasted the fourth best team batting average in the nation.
.@Matt_Waldron10 tied a career high in strikeouts with 8.
With 0 walks tonight, Waldron now has 26 K's to just 2 BB's on the season.#GBR— Nebraska Baseball (@Husker_Baseball) March 9, 2019
Waldron had plenty of backup too, with Nebraska also making it a clean game defensively. The Huskers only recorded one error on the night.
Junior Chad Lunesmann came in to finish the game for the Huskers. He pitched the final two innings — giving up two runs — but finished the game with a strikeout.
Nebraska really flexed its muscles on offense against Baylor, including those two homeruns in the first inning by Altavilla and Roskam. Sophomore Aaron Palensky also extended his streak of a hit in every game this season (11 stright games). Roskam and Altavilla also combined for six hits and nine RBIs. Both boosted their batting average after a slow start to the year.
Freshman Colby Gomes did his best to add to the homerun derby but he was robbed of a homerun twice. That included the one below.
He does it again!! @davion_downey with his second #WebGem in as many games!
Just out here casually robbing a home run 😳 #SCTop10#SicNebraska | #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/9BSe9Yg58b
— Baylor Baseball (@BaylorBaseball) March 9, 2019
Overall, Nebraska’s performance against Baylor on Friday made for a confidence building win. Can the Huskers keep the momentum going through the rest of the series?
Nebraska is back in action for Game 2 Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. CT.
