Ohio State baseball is set to host No. 16 Nebraska this weekend in Columbus, and the Buckeyes are desperate to turn the tide after a rough stretch. Sitting at 21-21 on the season, Ohio State has dropped six of their last eight games, including a tough series against Rutgers that saw them lose two of three. This weekend’s matchup against a top-20 opponent is the perfect opportunity for a bounce-back—and the Buckeyes will need to bring their A-game to make it happen.

Last weekend’s series in New Jersey started on a high note. In Friday’s doubleheader opener, Ohio State shut out Rutgers 8-0, thanks to six scoreless innings from Gavin Kuzniewski and three perfect frames from Jake Michalak, who earned his first save of the season. The Buckeyes’ offense came alive in the fifth inning, with Mason Eckelman driving in an RBI single before Lee Ellis smashed a two-run homer—his sixth of the year. Alex Bemis added to the fireworks with his eighth home run of the season in the seventh, pushing the lead to 7-0. Rutgers managed just four hits in the game, making it a statement win for Ohio State’s pitching staff.

But game two was a different story. The Buckeyes couldn’t get anything going at the plate, falling 3-0 to even the series. Starting pitcher Chris Domke turned in one of his best performances of the season, tossing eight innings of six-hit ball for his first complete game. The offense struggled, though, managing only six hits. The highlight came in the ninth inning, when Mason Eckelman tripled for the 100th hit of his career—a milestone worth celebrating even in a loss.

Sunday’s rubber match started promisingly, with Ohio State jumping out to a 2-0 lead on runs in the second and third innings. But the momentum didn’t last. Rutgers exploded for 10 unanswered runs, including two solo home runs from Ryan Jaros. Starter Pierce Herrenbruck allowed six earned runs over 5.1 innings, and while his 4.72 ERA remains the lowest among Buckeye pitchers, this outing was a tough one to swallow.

Now, the Buckeyes face a Nebraska team that’s ranked 16th in the nation—a challenge that could either sink them or spark a turnaround. With key hitters like Eckelman and Bemis finding their rhythm, and a pitching staff that’s shown flashes of dominance, Ohio State has the tools to compete. For fans heading to Columbus this weekend, expect a battle that could define the rest of the season. And for those looking to gear up like the Buckeyes, this is the kind of grit and determination that makes baseball unforgettable.