CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois baseball team built a 5-0 lead, but Nebraska scored seven times in the sixth inning to pull ahead and eventually win, 12-7. Nebraska took the three-game series, 2-1.
Branden Comia had two hits, including a first-inning homer, and three RBIs and Jackson Raper added two hits and two RBIs, including a solo homer. Taylor Jackson also had two hits and scored three times out of the leadoff spot.
Nebraska (12-5) sent 11 batters to the plate in the seven-run sixth to turn a four-run deficit into a three-run lead. Spencer Schwellenbach and Joe Acker homered as part of seven hits in the frame.
Illinois (8-10) got the game to 9-7 with a Comia RBI single in the seventh, before Nebraska scored three more times in the eighth. Schwellenbach shut down the last two innings on the mound after going 2-for-5 with three RBIs at the plate.
Koty Frank (1-0) picked up his first win of the year by allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief.
Illinois travels to Indiana next weekend for a three-game series against the Hoosiers.
Notes
• Branden Comia extended his career-best on-base streak to 36 games dating back to May 18, 2019 at Michigan State.
• Comia is hitting .585 (24-for-41), with six doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs and 14 runs scored over the last 10 games.
• Justin Janas snap his career-best on-base streak at 15 games.
