Rough start leads to Nebraska baseball dropping Chapel Hill Regional opener to Oklahoma

Chapel Hill, N.C. — The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team saw their journey in the 2025 NCAA Chapel Hill Regional take a tough hit in their opening game, falling 6-2 to the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday afternoon. Despite flashes of solid play, a shaky start coupled with timely Oklahoma hitting ultimately decided the game, leaving Nebraska with plenty to ponder as they look to bounce back in this double-elimination regional.

From the first inning, Nebraska found themselves on the back foot. The Sooners jumped out early with an aggressive approach at the plate, taking advantage of a couple of walks and an errant pitch to put two runs on the board before Nebraska’s offense even had a chance to swing. Oklahoma’s leadoff hitter, speedy outfielder Jacob Meyers, ignited the attack with a sharp single up the middle, quickly followed by a patient at-bat from designated hitter Tyler Brooks that resulted in a walk. A well-placed single from Oklahoma’s cleanup hitter, infielder Mike Lawrence, drove in both runners, instantly placing the Cornhuskers in a hole.

Nebraska’s starting pitcher, sophomore right-hander Cole Hanson, struggled to find his rhythm. Hanson, who had been a reliable arm throughout the season with a 3.45 ERA, struggled with his command early on, leaving several pitches over the middle of the plate that Oklahoma was quick to capitalize on. His fastball velocity seemed down compared to earlier in the year, and the Oklahoma hitters wasted no time punishing those mistakes.

“Credit to Oklahoma; they came out ready to compete,” Hanson said after the game. “I made a couple of mistakes early, and they made me pay. We didn’t help ourselves with some walks, and that’s not how we want to start in a tournament like this.”

Meanwhile, Nebraska’s offense looked tentative in the early innings. The Cornhuskers’ bats, which had been a strength throughout the season, especially in clutch situations, were unable to string together hits against Oklahoma’s starter, left-hander Mason Greene. Greene, a junior with a strong repertoire of off-speed pitches, kept Nebraska hitters off-balance by mixing in sharp breaking balls and a deceptive changeup.

In the first three innings, Nebraska managed just one hit, a double by junior shortstop Lucas Freeman, but the Sooners’ defense held firm, preventing any runs. Several runners reached base via walks, but Nebraska was unable to capitalize with timely hits or productive outs, stranding runners in scoring position multiple times.

Head coach Tim Miles expressed frustration after the game but remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the regional.

“We just didn’t get the big hits when we needed them,” Miles said. “Oklahoma’s pitching was solid, and we didn’t make them work enough. We’re going to regroup, focus on execution, and get ready for the next one.”

Nebraska managed to settle down on the mound after the rough start, with Hanson lasting five innings and allowing only one additional run after that early burst. The Nebraska bullpen also performed well, with relievers combining to keep the Sooners off the board for the final four innings.

However, Oklahoma extended their lead in the sixth inning with a clutch two-run double from catcher Ryan Thompson, driving in a pair of runs and pushing the score to 4-0. That hit came off Nebraska reliever Matt Jensen, who had just entered the game and was trying to settle nerves but was left vulnerable by a couple of consecutive strikes over the plate.

Despite the growing deficit, Nebraska’s offense showed signs of life in the later innings. In the seventh, the Cornhuskers plated their first run thanks to a sharp RBI single by freshman outfielder Carter James, who delivered with two outs after battling deep into the count. James, a key contributor throughout the season, continued to demonstrate his knack for clutch hitting even in pressure situations.

Nebraska added another run in the eighth inning when senior first baseman Tyler Morrison blasted a solo home run over the left-field wall, igniting the Huskers’ dugout and giving the team a glimmer of hope heading into the final innings.

Unfortunately for Nebraska, that was as close as they would get. Oklahoma added an insurance run in the ninth inning against Nebraska’s closer, Tyler McBride, bringing the final score to 6-2.

Despite the loss, Nebraska showed enough grit and potential that they will enter Saturday’s elimination game against a sense of urgency but also belief.

“We didn’t get the result today, but we’re far from done,” Morrison said after the game. “This is a tournament, and it’s a new day tomorrow. We’re going to put this one behind us and fight like we always do.”

• Oklahoma Offense: 9 hits, 6 runs, 3 walks
• Nebraska Offense: 6 hits, 2 runs, 5 walks
• Pitching: Hanson (5 IP, 4 ER), Jensen (2 IP, 2 ER), McBride (1 IP, 0 ER)
• Top Hitters: Oklahoma’s Mike Lawrence (3-for-4, 2 RBI), Ryan Thompson (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Nebraska’s Tyler Morrison (2-for-3, HR)

With the double-elimination format of the Chapel Hill Regional, Nebraska will have another chance to keep their season alive. They face an elimination game on Saturday against the loser of the opening matchup between host North Carolina and another regional team.

The team’s focus now turns to quick recovery and tightening up both offensively and defensively. Coach Miles emphasized that despite the rough start, his team has the talent and the character to fight back.

“We’ve been in tough spots before,” Miles said. “We’ve got to stick together, trust each other, and play the Nebraska brand of baseball. It’s not over until the last out.”

Nebraska’s rough start on Friday was a wake-up call in a highly competitive regional environment. Oklahoma’s ability to seize early opportunities and control the game put the Cornhuskers on their heels from the start. Yet, Nebraska’s fight in the late innings shows the heart and resilience this team possesses.

As the Cornhuskers prepare for their elimination game, the message is clear: They must start stronger and execute better if they want to extend their season. For Nebraska baseball fans, the hope remains alive, but the margin for error has now significantly narrowed.