Nebraska defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions Friday night 3-1, ensuring the Huskers a chance at winning a Big Ten Championship Saturday afternoon. The Huskers got three runs scored from Luis Alvarado and solid pitching all night

A pitcher’s duel ensued early with both Burkamper and Penn State starter Justin Hagenman able to keep both teams bats in check.

The Huskers broke through on the scoreboard in the fifth thanks to a pair of upperclassmen. Alvarado doubled to start the fifth inning. After Jesse Wilkening moved Alvarado to third with a fly out, Jake Schleppenbach singled to plate Alvarado and give the Huskers the lead.

Nebraska doubled the lead in the seventh. Alvarado singled and stole second to put a runner in scoring position for Schleppenbach. Jake singled through the right side to plate Alvarado and give the Huskers a two run lead.

Jake McSteen would battle, keeping the Lions scoreless in the seventh. In the eighth, McSteen gave up a run when he allowed a pair of singles and then a fielders choice to score a run. Alvarado would come in with two outs and got team leader Willie Burger out on strikes to end the threat.

Alvarado would score a huge insurance run in the ninth when he homered to left center for his second home run of the season.

Penn State would make things interesting. A fielding error by Angelo Altavilla and a walk by Alvarado would put a pair on for Penn State with just one out. A groundball to Schleppenbach looked to be a game ending play, but a bobble led to runners at the corners with two outs. A flyball down the left field line looked like trouble until Hagge raced over to make the catch to end the game.

Nebraska moves to 32-19-1 (15-8-1 Big Ten) while Penn State falls to 18-36 (4-19 Big Ten). Nebraska and Penn State finish the three game series tomorrow morning with first pitch scheduled for 11:00.

Nebraska will be able to clinch an outright Big Ten Championship should they win tomorrow. The Huskers can fall no lower than the third overall seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a win tonight. A win tomorrow would mean the Huskers would face the Purdue Boilermakers next Wednesday in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.