Huskers Come Up Short in Illinois Opener

Photo by Allyssa Hynes/Nebraska CommunicationsLincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska baseball team (22-15, 11-5 Big Ten) was held to five hits in an 8-1 loss to Illinois at Hawks Field on Friday night.

Senior right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron, making his eighth start of the season, suffered his first loss in 2019 after a 5-0 start. He went 6.0 innings, giving up six runs (five earned runs) in the first three frames before holding Illinois scoreless for the next three innings. Kyle Perry tossed 2.2 innings of relief before Tyler Martin pitched the final 0.1 inning.

Illinois pounced early with one run on two hits in the top of the first. NU was held hitless in the bottom of the first before the Fighting…