Full Breakdown
Oregon Ducks Shut Out Nebraska to Reach Big Ten Championship
5/25/2026, 12:38:20 AM
Tournament Context and Recent Results
The 2026 Big Ten Baseball Tournament was held at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. In the quarterfinals, the No. 3-seeded Oregon Ducks defeated No. 11-seeded Washington 9-4, while the No. 2-seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers advanced past No. 7-seeded Michigan 6-4. The semifinal on Saturday, May 23, pitted the two teams against each other for a spot in the championship game against No. 1-seeded UCLA.
Key Performers for Oregon and Nebraska
Oregon’s right-hander Will Sanford started and delivered six shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out nine batters. Relievers Tanner Bradley (2 IP, 3 K) and Luke Morgan (1 IP) closed the game. Offensively, Ryan Cooney opened with a leadoff double, Maddox Molony and Angel Laya each hit solo home runs, Drew Smith produced a two-run triple and a sacrifice fly, and Brayden Jaksa added a two-run blast that marked the Ducks’ 100th homer of the season.
Nebraska’s starter Gavin Blachowicz worked six innings, striking out nine, walking one, and surrendering three runs on six hits. Jeter Worthley recorded the team’s only extra-base hit—a double—while Case Sanderson, Jett Buck, and Rhett Stokes contributed the four total hits for the Cornhuskers.
Game Timeline
- Top 1st: Cooney’s double and a ground-out RBI gave Oregon a 1-0 lead.
- 4th inning: Molony’s solo homer made it 2-0.
- 5th inning: Laya’s solo shot extended the margin to 3-0.
- 7th inning: Smith’s triple drove in two runs; Jaksa’s two-run homer pushed the lead to 7-0.
- 9th inning: Smith’s sacrifice fly added the eighth run.
Nebraska’s lone hit came in the fifth inning (Buck’s single); the team was shut out for the first time all season.
Statistical Summary
- Final score: Oregon 8, Nebraska 0.
- Oregon: 10 hits, 3 home runs, 0 errors, 8 runs.
- Nebraska: 4 hits, 0 runs, 12 strikeouts.
- Pitching: Sanford 6 IP, 9 K; Bradley 2 IP, 3 K; Morgan 1 IP. Blachowicz 6 IP, 9 K, 3 R.
- RPI entering the game: Oregon 16, Nebraska 9.
- Attendance: 12,083, predominantly Nebraska supporters.
Implications for NCAA Regionals
The victory positions Oregon to host an NCAA regional, bolstering its case after a 100-homer season and a No. 16 RPI. Nebraska’s loss ends its bid for a third consecutive tournament title, but the Cornhuskers remain likely hosts at Haymarket Park—their first regional since 2008—according to head coach Will Bolt.
Official Statements & Responses
Oregon head coach Mark Wasikowski praised the team’s execution of the game plan and expressed confidence ahead of the championship against UCLA. Pitcher Will Sanford highlighted personal preparation and trust in his teammates as keys to the shutout. Nebraska coach Will Bolt emphasized the program’s overall success and the certainty of hosting a regional despite the semifinal loss.
On-the-Ground Perspective
The crowd of 12,083, largely composed of Nebraska fans, grew quiet after each Oregon home run, underscoring the Ducks’ dominance in a hostile environment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just thought competing, going pitch to pitch. I made some mistakes, and just trusting myself and trusting to fight back, and just trusting all my pitches,” — Will Sanford, Oregon pitcher
- “We have a really good idea of what we’re gonna go into the game, game plan wise, and the coaches do a really good job of scouting and giving us a good game plan to go out and execute. … I think we just did that today,” — Drew Smith, Oregon infielder
- “I love whenever there’s that many people and I thought it was just a great time. I thought our team fed off of it, and we just went out there and executed and won the game.” — Drew Smith, Oregon infielder
- “We really wanted to play them in the championship game of this tournament, and so we were really excited when UCLA won that game earlier today. We know it isn’t gonna be an easy game. It’s probably the hardest game in the country to play, and our guys want that.” — Mark Wasikowski, Oregon head coach
- “I told the team, I think it’s a slam dunk,” — Will Bolt, Nebraska head coach
What’s Next
Oregon will face No. 1-seeded UCLA in the championship on Sunday, May 24, at noon PT. The winner is expected to secure a top seed in the NCAA tournament and likely host a regional. UCLA entered the tournament with a 50-6 record and a No. 1 national ranking.
