In the heart of Omaha, where college baseball legends are forged and fates are rewritten, the Nebraska Cornhuskers didn’t just defend their crown—they annihilated any doubt that they belonged on the throne. With a dominant 5-0 shutout of No. 13-ranked UCLA in the Big Ten Championship game, the Big Red didn’t just go back-to-back—they authored a legacy.
History Wasn’t Just Made—It Was Roared Into Existence
For the first time in more than a decade, the Big Ten has a repeat champion—and that champion wears scarlet and cream. Nebraska is now riding a white-hot streak, having won nine straight elimination games dating back to the 2024 tournament. When the pressure hits boiling point, the Huskers don’t fold—they ignite.
And oh, did they ever burn bright at Charles Schwab Field.
Ty Horn: The Bruin-Slayer
Pitching in the biggest game of the season? No problem. Ty Horn tossed a masterpiece, serving up eight surgical shutout innings, leaving the Bruins swinging at air and staring in disbelief. The right-hander scattered three hits, walked three, and struck out six in a performance that will live in Nebraska lore. Closer Casey Daiss slammed the door in the ninth, fanning two and sealing the deal on one of the most dominant pitching duos ever showcased in a Big Ten final.
Early Fireworks Lit the Sky Red
From the jump, Nebraska showed they weren’t just there to play—they were there to pummel. Dylan Carey got the party started with a thunderous double in the second inning to drive in Gabe Swansen. Moments later, chaos ensued—a passed ball advanced Carey to third while Case Sanderson dashed home. Then, Rhett Stokes smacked an RBI single to plate Carey and give the Huskers a 3-0 cushion before UCLA could even catch its breath.
The third inning? Pure devastation. Devin Nunez launched a towering two-run moonshot into the Omaha sky, sending the 15,139-strong crowd into an absolute frenzy. At 5-0, the message was clear: Nebraska came to bury the Bruins, not battle them.
Rarefied Air: A Shutout for the Ages
In the 42-year history of the Big Ten Tournament title game, shutouts are rarer than a solar eclipse. Nebraska’s blanking of UCLA marks just the third shutout ever in a championship game. The only others? Maryland over Iowa in 2023 and Illinois over Michigan all the way back in 1989.
From Bubble Watch to Bracket Lock
Just days ago, Nebraska stood on the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons. Their record was barely above .500, and the path looked bleak. But in four flawless games in Omaha, they didn’t just salvage their season—they kicked the door down and demanded entry.
Now sitting at 32-27, Nebraska holds the Big Ten’s automatic bid and will find out their NCAA Tournament regional assignment on Monday during the Selection Show (11 a.m. CDT, ESPN2). What once seemed like a fading dream has transformed into a fiery reality.
Meanwhile, UCLA—ranked No. 13 nationally—is expected to host a regional, but this loss was a gut-punch reminder: in the Big Ten jungle, even giants can fall.
All-Tournament Team Highlights: Big Red Represented
The Huskers didn’t just win—they dominated the All-Tournament selections:
- Jackson Brockett and Luke Broderick were both recognized on the mound.
- Cayden Brumbaugh brought grit and clutch at second base.
- Gabe Swansen lit up the outfield with power and poise.
Though UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky earned Most Outstanding Player honors, it was Nebraska’s collective force that stole the show.
The Verdict?
This wasn’t just a championship—it was a reckoning. Nebraska baseball didn’t sneak in the back door. They kicked it off its hinges, rewrote the script, and painted Omaha red. The Huskers are coming into the NCAA Tournament with a chip on their shoulder, fire in their veins, and the swagger of champions who’ve walked through hell and come out swinging.
And now, the nation better be on alert… because the Big Red machine is rolling, and it’s hungry for more.
