PREVIEW: Mississippi at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (Interstat) — The Nebraska Cornhuskers (43-15) host the Mississippi Rebels (37-21) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a key nonconference matchup at Hawks Field.

Nebraska enters the game riding momentum from Friday’s 4-1 win over South Dakota State. The Cornhuskers have won 11 of their last 13 games, powered by a deep pitching staff and an offense that has averaged 7.4 runs over its last seven contests.

Mississippi also arrives fresh, coming off a dramatic 7-6 walk-off win in 14 innings Friday against Arizona State. The Rebels have split their last six games but have shown resilience, winning two of their last three.

Players to watch

Mississippi right-hander Walker Hooks has been a versatile weapon out of the bullpen this season. In Friday’s win, Hooks threw 5 1/3 innings of relief, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out four. Over his last seven appearances, Hooks has posted a 2.21 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 18 innings. He has been particularly effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .192 batting average.

For Nebraska, sophomore right-hander Carson Jasa has emerged as the staff ace. Jasa improved to 9-2 on Friday, striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings against South Dakota State while allowing one earned run. In his last three starts, Jasa has allowed just five earned runs across 18 innings with 24 strikeouts. He threw a complete-game shutout May 8 against Iowa, scattering two hits and striking out nine.

Recent results

The Rebels dropped two of three at Alabama (May 14-16) but rebounded with a midweek blowout of Tennessee-Martin. Their offense has been inconsistent, scoring two or fewer runs in three of the last six games. Left fielder Tristan Bissetta homered and drove in two runs Friday.

Nebraska swept a three-game series at Minnesota (May 14-16) and took two of three from Iowa (May 8-10). The Cornhuskers have not lost a weekend series since dropping two of three at Ohio State on May 3.

The game will be the first meeting between the programs since 2023. Nebraska holds the all-time series edge, 6-4.