OMAHA — Nebraska captured its first-ever Big Ten Tournament championships, defeating eighth-seeded Penn State, 2-1, on Sunday at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
The victory marks the second-seeded Huskers’ first conference tournament title since 2005, when they were members of the Big 12.
After falling to Ohio State 15-2 in seven innings in the first round of the Big Ten tournament, the Huskers (38-20) went on an improbable run through the elimination bracket.
Runs were at a premium on Sunday. Penn State scored its lone run on an error in the bottom of the first inning.
Nebraska catcher Josh Caron, a Wisconsin native, evened the score on a solo home run in the seventh inning. It marked the junior backstop’s sixth home run, setting a conference tournament record.
The Huskers scored the eventual game-winning run in the top of the ninth. Gabe Swansen hit a go-ahead RBI double to left-center field to score Cayden Brumbaugh.
The Huskers will now await to see who they face in the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is set for noon Monday on ESPN2.
