Around the Horn: Nebraska baseball heads to South Alabama
The Nebraska baseball team (0-3-1) will head South for a three-game series against the Jaguars of South Alabama (4-1). This will mark the first meeting between these two programs.
Keep reading for everything you need to know ahead of the weekend series. This includes streaming information, projected starting pitchers, what to keep an eye on and more!
Weekend Starters
Friday, 6:30 p.m.: LHP Emmett Olson (0-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Lee (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Saturday, 2:00 p.m.: RHP Jace Kaminska (0-0, 4.76 ERA) vs. LHP Gehrig Conrad (0-1, 1.80 ERA)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m.: LHP Caleb Clark (0-0, 10.38 ERA) vs. LHP Garfield Johns (0-0, 2.08 ERA)
What to watch for the Huskers
Bullpen has to bounce back
In the opening weekend, the NU bullpen was lackluster.
The Husker pen allowed 18 earned runs throughout the four games. 12 of those runs were allowed in the final inning.
On Saturday, the Big Red had the chance to send the game into extra innings after clawing back a two-run deficit. However, the bullpen allowed the Toreros two runs of their own and that was the difference in the game.
Once again on Sunday, Nebraska was faced with the same situation. Close out the final inning and it’s headed to extras. However, once again the bullpen allowed a run and San Diego walked it off.
Then it’s Monday. It was NU’s best chance to win over opening weekend, leading by six runs heading into the final inning of the game. The arm barn allowed 6 runs in a shortened game and it ended in a tie.
Three moments in the clutch and the Huskers never came out on top.
Can the bats stay hot?
Looking past the defensive struggles for the Big Red, the offense got better with each game. A total of 31 runs in four games is not to be discredited.
After two straight games scoring only three runs to start the weekend, the Huskers bats got hot. In Sunday’s game, Nebraska scored in each of the first six innings.
The bats kept heating up as on Monday, in just seven innings of play, the Big Red put 16 runs on the board. After trailing 10-4, NU scored 12 straight runs to go ahead by six. Although the result wasn’t what they wanted, the offense was producing.
Carey looks to keep impressing as a freshman
One of the major takeaways from the first weekend of Husker baseball was to keep an eye on Dylan Carey. The freshman led the team from the batter’s box, going 8-17 with two home runs, 4 RBIs and even earned a walk.
Evidently this impressed the coaching staff who said they were forced to move him up the lineup. However, it didn’t come as a surprise to head coach Will Bolt.
Carey had an on-base percentage of .500 and slugging percentage of .941. His name will be one to watch as the Nebraska offense rolls through this season.
Nebraska Notes
***13 Huskers made their first appearance in an NU uniform last weekend against the Toreros. Six of those were debuts from freshmen.
***0-3-1 is Nebraska’s worst start to a season since 2013 when NU lost 7 straight to open the year.
***The Big Red’s tie against San Diego was the first tie since 2017 when the Huskers finished level against Indiana 1-1 after 11 innings.
***Nebraska’s pitching staff walked 20 USD batters and hit 10. These 30 free passes were often the downfall of the staff.
***Shay Schanaman is 12 strikeouts shy of overtaking former Husker, Zack Kroenke for 10th-most in program history.
Know the foe: South Alabama Jaguars
This is the first time that Nebraska baseball has faced off against South Alabama.
***The Jaguars are coming off a 5-4 midweek win over Nicholls State on Wednesday. JG Bell hit a two-run homer to give USA the lead in the fifth inning that they never let slip.
***South Alabama’s first weekend series was four games in the Jaguar Classic. They hosted Northwestern State, Eastern Kentucky and UAB. The Jaguars beat NSU 3-2 to open the season. They then went 2-1 to end the weekend, taking three of the four games.
***The Jaguars scored 26 runs when they beat Eastern Kentucky 26-6. This was in the second game of Saturday’s double header where they lost the first to EKU 2-0.
***Will Turner lead the team from the box, batting .471, followed closely by Cole Ketzner who is batting .429.
***RHP Jeremy Lee threw five and two-thirds innings against Northwestern State, allowing just three hits and no earned runs.
Around the Big Ten
Here are a few Big Ten series to keep tabs on this weekend:
Indiana (2-2) @ Texas (1-3)
Details: After losing its opening series 2-1 to Auburn, Indiana’s gauntlet continues. Friday-Sunday, can be streamed on the Longhorn Network.
Maryland (2-2) @ Ole Miss (4-0)
Details: Maryland faces the undefeated reigning CWS champions. Friday-Sunday, can be streamed on SEC Network (ESPN+).
Michigan (2-2) @ Cal State Fullerton (2-2)
Details: Friday-Sunday series televised on ESPN+.
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN+ (Stream available ONLY on Saturday and Sunday HERE)
Radio: Huskers Radio Network (Radio simulcast found HERE)
Stations: Lincoln (1400 AM), Omaha (590 AM)
