Strong Hits Two-Run Homer in 8-3 Loss at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - Second-year sophomore Nick Strong smashed his first home run as part of the Illinois State baseball team in an 8-3 loss at Nebraska on Friday at Hawks Field.

Strong's two-run homer brought the 'Birds (5-7 overall) to within a run of the Huskers (8-4-1 overall) in the 7^th inning. Nebraska has won eight of its last nine games.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nebraska scored a run in the opening frame before hitting a two-run home run inside the left field foul pole in the 5^th inning.

Strong smacked a two-run home run in the 7^th inning to bring the 'Birds within a run but Nebraska extended its lead to 8-2 in the bottom of the inning.

Second-year sophomore Blake Stenger singled home a run in the 9^th inning to go with a highlight-reel catch earlier in the game (TWEET).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Third-year junior Auggie Rasmussen stole two bases in a game for the second time in 2023. Rasmussen is one of five Redbirds (fourth-year junior Shay Kubo and second-year sophomores JT Sokolove, Noah Rabin, and Blake Stenger) to record multiple steals in a game for ISU in 2023.

• Strong's home run was his first as a Redbird.

• Fifth-year Derek Salata recorded 10 strikeouts for his second 10-plus strikeout outing of his career (struck out 12 at Arkansas State on 2/24/23)

UP NEXT  

Illinois State is scheduled to play at Nebraska Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday game was pushed to a 4:05 p.m. CT while Sunday's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CT.

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