2009 Nebraska Weekly Release Baseball Contact: Shamus McKnight • E-Mail: [email protected] • Office Phone: (402) 472-7772 Office Fax: (402) 472-2005 • Home Phone: (402) 742-5465 • Cell Phone: (402) 540-0268 • Release Date: March 16, 2009 2009 Baseball Schedule This Week in Nebraska Baseball • March 17-23 Date Opponent Time 2009 Record (11-5-1, 1-2 Big 12) 2/20 at UL-Lafayette W, 4-3 (15) Date Date Opponent Radio Internet Time 2/21 at UL-Lafayette (DH) L, 1-2 Tueday March 17 at Arkansas (12-3) Husker Sports Network Huskers.com 6:30 p.m. 2/21 at UL-Lafayette (DH) W, 9-8 Wednesday March 18 at Arkansas Husker Sports Network Huskers.com 3 p.m. 2/22 at UL-Lafayette T, 5-5 (10) Friday March 20 Oklahoma State (13-4, 0-0 Big 12) Husker Sports Network Huskers.com 2:05 p.m. Saturday March 21 Oklahoma State Husker Sports Network Huskers.com 2:05 p.m. 2/25 North Dakota W, 10-6 Sunday March 22 Oklahoma State Husker Sports Network Huskers.com 1:05 p.m. 2/27 vs. Missouri State W, 14-12 2/28 vs. St. Mary’s L, 5-7 (10) Media Info 2/28 at Sam Houston State W, 8-1 Live Radio: IMG Husker Sports Network and for free on the Internet at Huskers.com 3/1 vs. Missouri State L, 2-3 Live Stats: Huskers.com 3/4 south Dakota State W, 11-2 Live Video: HuskersNside (subscription required) 3/6 Cal State Northridge W, 9-3 Probable Starting Pitchers 3/7 Cal State Northridge (DH) W, 11-5 Day Nebraska Arkansas 3/7 Cal State Northridge (DH) W, 12-6 Tues. Erik Bird, Sr., RHP (0-0. 9.26 ERA) Brett Eibner, So., RHP (1-2, 5.87 ERA) 3/8 Cal State Northridge W, 8-2 Wed. TBA TBA 3/14 at Texas Tech# (DH) L, 8-16 3/14 at Texas Tech# (DH) W, 10-1 3/15 at Texas Tech# L, 3-10 Huskers Head to Arkansas for Midweek Series 3/17 at Arkansas 6:35 p.m. This Week: The Huskers wrap up their five-game road swing, as they to Arkansas for a two-game series with the No. 16 3/18 at Arkansas 3:05 p.m. (Baseball America) Razorbacks. First pitch from Baum Stadium on Tuesday is set for 6:30 p.m. while Wednesday’s series final 3/20 Oklahoma State# 2:05 p.m. is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch. It is the Huskers’ first trip to Fayetteville since 3/21 Oklahoma State# 2:05 p.m. the 2000 season and is the second meeting of a home-and-home series with 3/22 Oklahoma State# 1:05 p.m. Arkansas. The Huskers are 11-5-1 and look to rebound after dropping 2-of-3 at THINGS TO 3/24 Northern Colorado 6:05 p.m. Texas Tech, while Arkansas is 12-3 and coming off a sweep of Florida over the 3 WATCH 3/25 Northern Colorado 1:35 p.m. weekend. 1. Adam Bailey not only leads the Big 12 3/27 at Oklahoma# 6:30 p.m. On the Radio: Fans across Nebraska can listen to Greg Sharpe and Lane Grindle in both homers and RBIs, but has 3/28 at Oklahoma# 2 p.m. call all of the action on the Husker Sports Network - including KLIN 1400 AM in driven in 27 runs in his last 12 3/29 at Oklahoma# 1 p.m. Lincoln and KRVN 880 AM in Lexington - and on the Internet at Huskers.com. contests. 3/31 at Wichita State 7 p.m. Tuesday’s game will be carried in Lincoln on WOW 105.3 FM because of the men’s 4/3 kansas State# 6:05 p.m. basketball NIT game at New Mexico. All 55 regular-season games in 2009 will be 2. Infielder Kyle Bubak has seven multi 4/4 kansas State# 2:05 p.m. carried on Huskers.com and available to Husker Sports Network stations. hit games in his last 10 contests, 4/5 kansas State# 1:05 p.m. On the Huskers: The Huskers opened Big 12 action over the weekend, as they including a pair of four-hit efforts. 4/7 Creighton 6:05 p.m. dropped 2-of-3 games at Texas Tech, snapping its five-game winning streak in the Bubak is hitting .444 with 14 runs 4/9 Texas# 6:05 p.m. process. In all, 12 of the 23 Huskers who saw action during the weekend series at scored in eight games since moving into the leadoff spot 4/10 Texas# 6:05 p.m. Texas Tech were playing their first-ever conference series and the inexperience 4/11 Texas# 1:05 p.m. may have played a factor in the Huskers stuggles in Lubbock, as the Huskers lost 3. Senior Nick Sullivan has been on a 4/14 Iowa 6:05 p.m. leads in both setbacks. One newcomer who has continued to impress is junior tear of late, hitting .364 (8-for-22) 4/17 at Texas A&M# 6:35 p.m. college transfer Adam Bailey. The /left-handed pitcher hit .385 with two with seven runs scored and a .518 4/18 at Texas A&M# 6:35 p.m. homers and six RBIs in the weekend series at Texas Tech and now leads the Big on-base percentage over his last 4/19 at Texas A&M# 1:05 p.m. 12 with eight homers and 28 RBIs. In fact, the Huskers’ top four averages are by seven contests. 4/21 at Creighton (Rosenblatt) 6:30 p.m. newcomers, including third baseman Cody Asche (.390-1-8), infielder Kyle Bubak 4/24 at Kansas# 6 p.m. (.389-1-7), Bailey and catcher Cory Burleson (.371-0-60). 4/25 at Kansas# 6 p.m. 4/26 at Kansas# 1 p.m. The Husker Position Players 4/28 New Mexico 6:05 p.m. Pos. # Player Bats Cl. Avg. HR RBI Worth Noting 4/29 New Mexico 1:35 p.m. C 35 Cody Neer S Sr. .278 1 9 Set personal bests in hits (3) & RBIs (4) vs. Cal State Northridge on 3/7 5/1 Missouri# 6:05 p.m. -or- 13 Cory Burleson S Fr. .371 0 6 Became first Husker freshman since 2005 to have 4-hit game vs. SHSU 1B 32 Tyler Farst R Jr. .364 1 12 Saw 11-game hit streak snapped in Saturday’s twinbill at Texas Tech 5/2 Missouri# 2:05 p.m. 2B 6 Kyle Bubak S Jr .389 1 6 Is 9th in Big 12 in hitting; Is hitting .478 over his last 10 contests 5/3 Missouri# 1:05 p.m. -or- 19 Jeff Tezak S Sr. .320 0 9 Second-team All-Big 12 selection at DH in 2007 (.335-3-37) 5/8 Cal State Bakersfield 6:05 p.m. SS 20 Ben Kline R So. .258 0 9 Tied career high with 3 hits (2/20) and 3 RBIs (2/22) vs. UL-Lafayette 5/9 Cal State Bakersfield 2:05 p.m. 3B 2 Jake Mort R Sr. .250 1 7 .417-1-6 in last 6 games; Homered w/3RBI vs. Cal St. Northridge (3/8) 5/10 Cal State Bakersfield 1:05 p.m. -or- 22 Cody Asche L Fr. .390 1 7 Hit safely in 10 of 11 starts; 2nd among Big 12 freshman in hitting 5/12 vs. Creighton (Rosenblatt) 7 p.m. LF 21 Nick Sullivan L Sr. .235 0 7 Leads team in walks (11); .364 with .518 OBP in last seven games 5/15 baylor# 6:05 p.m. CF 4 DJ Belfonte L Jr. .226 0 6 Led NU in doubles (15), triples (three) and stolen bases (14) in 2008 -or- 24 Khiry Cooper R Fr. .257 1 5 5th-round draft pick by LA Angels; 3-for-5 with HR vs. ULL (2/22) 5/16 baylor# 2:05 p.m. RF 12 Adam Bailey R Jr. .364 8 28 Leads Big 12 in homers and RBIs; Six games w/at least 3 RBIs 5/17 baylor# 1:05 p.m. 5/20-24 at Big 12 Tournament TBA OFF THE BENCH OF 1 Boomer Collins R Fr. .125 0 0 All-state performer hit .522-90-35 w/23 stolen bases at Waxahachie HS 5/29-6/1 NCAA Regional TBA OF/DH 3 Kash Kalkowski R Fr. .000 0 0 Gatorade Player of the Year; Hit .460-4-32 with 27 stolen bases in 2008 6/5-8 NCAA Super Regionals TBA 1B/DH 7 Tyler Rank L So. .333 0 0 Had pinch-hit at Sam Houston State on Feb. 28 6/13-24 (Rosenblatt) TBA OF/INF 9 Dan Johnston R So. ------Hit .444 (4-for-9) in pinch-hit situations in 2008 #-Big 12 games; All times listed are Central and dates and times INF 14 Kale Kiser S Fr. .200 1 3 Went 2-for-3 with homer and 3 RBIs vs. Missouri State on Feb. 27 are subject to change C 16 Jed Hanson S Jr. ------Hit .272 with 14 doubles at College of Southern Idaho in 2008 1B 23 Cade Thompson L Jr. .214 1 2 Hit .318 with 47 RBIs and 49 runs scored at Central Arizona College Nebraska Baseball 2009 Weekly Release #6 • Page  • March 16, 2009 • Huskers.com

University of Nebraska Quick Facts Rotation vs. Arkansas Location...... Lincoln, Neb. Tuesday: #30 - Erik Bird • Sr. • RHP • 6-1 • 221 • Omaha, Neb. (Burke) Population...... 248,744 Senior right-hander who is Nebraska’s most experienced pitcher Founded...... 1869 and makes his 62nd career appearance and 11th career start against Career Highs Enrollment...... 23,573 Category High Opponent (Last time) Date Nickname...... Cornhuskers/Huskers Arkansas • Is going 0-0 with a 9.26 ERA in three starts, but has not Innings: 6.2 Wichita State 4/15/08 Colors...... Scarlet and Cream pitched since March 7 • Struggled with his control against Cal State Longest Start: 6.2 Wichita State 4/15/08 Conference...... Big 12 Northridge, matching a career high with four walks as he allowed five Shortest Start: 3.0 Two Times (CS Northridge-2) 3/7/09 Longest Relief: 3.0 Missouri 5/17/08 Chancellor...... Harvey Perlman, J.D. runs on six hits in a no-decision • Had a solid effort against St. Mary’s Hits: 7 Three Times (St. Mary’s) 2/28/09 Conference...... Big 12 on Feb. 28, taking a shutout into the seventh inning while matching his Runs: 7 Oklahoma State 4/12/08 Chancellor...... Harvey Perlman, J.D. career high with five before allowing four runs • Allowed four Earned Runs: 7 Oklahoma State 4/12/08 Athletic Director...... Tom Osborne Walks: 4 Two Times (CS Northridge-2) 3/7/09 Facility...... Hawks Field at Haymarket Park runs on six hits over 2.1 innings against UL-Lafayette on Feb. 21, but was Strikeouts: 5 Two Times (St. Mary’s) 2/28/09 Capacity...... 8,486 not involved in the decision as NU came back to win 9-8 • Put together Opened...... 2002 his best year in 2008, going 5-1 with a 4.05 ERA in 17 outings • Ranked fourth on the squad in wins and starts and fifth in innings pitched, establishing career bests in all three categories • Tossed five Coaching Staff innings of one- ball against Creighton on May 13, scattering three hits in an 8-1 win in front of 14,680 at Rosenblatt Stadium Head Coach...... Mike Anderson • Turned in one of the best performances of his career against fifth-ranked Wichita State on April 15, tossing a career-high 6.2 Alma Mater (Year)...... Northern Colorado (1990) innings of shutout ball, allowing three singles and fanning four in a 3-0 win • Allowed two runs on four hits over five innings in a Nebraska Record (Year)...... 266-121-2 (7th) start against Arkansas on March 19, 2008 • Worked out of the Husker bullpen in a number of roles in 2007, going 0-0 with a 5.56 Career Record...... Same Assistant Coach...... Dave Bingham, Fourth Year ERA in 17 appearances • Was 0-2 with a sparkling 0.82 ERA as a true freshman, tying for second on the team with 24 appearances Alma Mater (Year)...... Emporia State (1972) • Earned first-team all-state honors playing at Omaha Burke High School, going 5-1 with four saves and a 1.90 ERA in 2005, ranking Assistant Coach...... Eric Newman, Second Year among state leaders in strikeouts (85), ERA and saves (four). Alma Mater (Year)...... Texas Tech (1997) Year eRA W-l app GS CG sHO CBO sV IP H R eR bb sO Volunteer Assistant Coach...... Nate Thompson, Second Year 2006 0.82 0-2 24 0 0 0 2 1 22.0 17 3 2 4 9 Alma Mater (Year)...... Dallas Baptist (2006) 2007 5.56 0-0 17 0 0 0 0 3 11.1 16 10 7 6 13 Baseball Office...... (402) 472-2269 2008 4.05 5-1 17 7 0 0 1 0 46.2 46 25 21 16 27 Baseball Office Fax...... (402) 472-9641 2009 9.26 0-0 3 3 0 0 0 0 11.2 19 13 12 6 6 Director of Baseball Operations...... Curtis Ledbetter TOTAL 4.12 5-3 61 10 0 0 3 4 91.2 98 51 42 32 55 Baseball Secretary...... Renee Brinkmann Athletic Trainer...... Jerry Weber Strength Coach...... Mike Arthur Wednesday: TBA Equipment Manager...... Chris McQuillan Nebraska has not announced its starter for the series finale with Arkansas.

2009 Quick Facts 2008 Record...... 41-16-1 Scouting Arkansas Team Comparison Home Record...... 29-5-1 The Razorbacks are coached by a familiar face to Husker baseball fans, as Away Record...... 10-9 Dave Van Horn guided the Huskers between 1998 and 2002 before returning Huskers Category Arkansas Neutral Record...... 22-2 17 Games 15 2008 Big 12 Record (Finish)...... 17-9-1 (3rd) to his alma mater. In his time at Nebraska, Van Horn guided Nebraska to a pair .301 Batting Average .285 NCAA Regional/Finish...... 1-2/Third of College World Series appearances (2001-02), three Big 12 Tournament titles 7.6 Runs/Game 6.7 Letterwinners Returning/Lost...... 15/14 (1999-01) and in 2001, led the Huskers to their first regular-season conference 10.9 Hits/Game 9.6 Position Starters Returning/Lost...... 5/4 crown in 51 years. 16 Home Runs 17 Pitchers Returning/Lost...... 6/6 Van Horn (247-137 in seven seasons at Arkansas) has the Razorbacks off 13-22 Stolen Bases 15-23 4.53 ERA 4.04 Program History to a 12-3 start following a three-game sweep of Florida. Arkansas has enjoyed 157.0 Innings 138.0 First Year of Baseball...... 1889 the home field advantage at Baum Stadium, playing 14 of its first 15 games at 5.4 Runs Allowed/Game 5.3 All-Time Record (Entering 2009)...... 1,873-1,352-17 home. 128 Strikeouts 143 Years in NCAA Tournament...... 11 Offensively, Ben Tschepikow leads the Arkansas attack, hitting .403with 87 Walks 40 ...... (1979, 1980, 1985, 1999-2003, 2005-08) five homers, a team-high 17 RBIs and six stolen bases. Andy Wilkins leads the 9.4 Hits Allowed/Game 9.2 18 Errors 21 Conference Titles...... Six Razorbacks with six homers and has 16 RBIs, while Chase Leavitt is also hitting ...... (1929, 1948, 1950, 2001, 2003 and 2005) .974 Fielding Percentage .965 NCAA Tournament Record...... 31-25 .400 with with three stolen bases. In all, four starters are hitting over .300. CWS Appearances...... Three (2001, 2002, 2005) The Razorbacks will throw sophomore right-hander Brett Eibner against the Huskers on Tuesday. It will be is fourth start, as he is 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA Media Relations in three outings, but has only pitched 7.2 innings. Arkansas, like Nebraska, has Baseball MRD ...... Shamus McKnight not announced its starter for Wednesday, as both teams are expected to throw a number of pitchers to prepare for weekend McKnight’s Office Phone...... (402) 472-7772 conference action. McKnight’s Cell Phone...... (402) 540-0268 Series history: Nebraska has a 8-6 advantage in the series, splitting a pair of games in Lincoln (6-1, 4-9) last March. This is the Press Box Phone...... (402) 434-6861 Huskers’ first trip to Fayetteville since sweeping a two-game series with the Razorbacks in 2000. McKnight’s e-mail...... [email protected] Media Relations Fax...... (402) 472-2005 Website...... Huskers.com Nebraska Baseball 2009 Weekly Release #6 • Page  • March 16, 2009 • Huskers.com

overcome at least a three-run deficit. The five-run comeback Leading Off Big 12 Standings/Schedule (March 15) •-The Huskers are 14-11 all-time against SEC competition. against Missouri State on Feb. 27, equaled NU’s largest Team Big 12 Pct. Overall Pct. The Huskers have won 11 of its last 13 regular-season games comeback since the 2003 season. NU now has 104 come-from- Texas A&M 2-0 1.000 13-4 .765 against SEC teams dating back to 1991, but is 0-4 in NCAA behind wins under Mike Anderson since 2003. Texas 2-1 .667 14-2 .875 Tournament matchups in that same span. This week’s series Texas Tech 2-1 .667 8-10 .444 The Comeback Kids Nebraska 1-2 .333 11-5-1 .676 marks the fourth consecutive year that Nebrask has faced an Date Deficit (inn) Opponent Final SEC opponent, as the Huskers and Alabama played a pair of Missouri 1-2 .333 8-10 .444 Feb. 20 3-2 (9th) UL-Lafayette W, 4-3 Kansas State 0-0 .000 15-3 .833 three-game series in both 2006 and 2007. Feb. 21 4-1 (4th) UL-Lafayette-2 W, 9-8 Oklahoma 0-0 .000 17-4 .810 Feb. 25 4-1 (5th) North Dakota W, 10-6 Oklahoma State 0-0 .000 13-4 .765 School...... Record School...... Record Feb. 27 5-0 (1st) Missouri State W, 14-12 Alabama...... 5-1 Arkansas...... 8-6 Kansas 0-0 .000 10-4 .714 March 7 5-1 (4th) Cal State Northridge-2 W, 12-6 Baylor 0-2 .000 10-4 .714 Auburn...... Never Met LSU...... Never Met March 14 1-0 (3rd) Texas Tech-2 W, 10-1 Ole Miss...... Never Met Mississippi State...... 0-2 South Carolina...... 0-1 Florida...... 0-1 •-Nebraska hitters have taken a beating, as the Huskers Georgia...... Never Met Tennessee...... Never Met Monday, March 16 have been hit by 31 pitches through the first 17 games. At Texas A&M at Baylor 6:30 p.m. Vanderbilt...... Never Met Kentucky...... 1-0 the current pace, NU hitters are on pace to get hit 100 times •-Junior college transfer Kyle Bubak has made the most of during the 55-game regular-season schedule, making a strong Tuesday, March 17 his opportunities at the top of the Husker lineup. Since moving challenge for the school record of 103 set in 2003. Western Illinois at Oklahoma State 6:30 p.m. into the leadoff spot five games ago, Bubak is hitting 444 (16- A trio of Huskers are quickly climbing the Huskers’ career Texas Tech at Texas A&M Corpus Christi 6:30 p.m. for-36) with a homer, six RBIs and 14 runs scored. The Husker hit by pitch list. DJ Belfonte (34), Nick Sulllivan (31) and Jake Oklahoma at TCU 6:30 p.m. New Mexico at Texas A&M 6:30 p.m. offense has also made significant improvement in that span, Mort (28) are now in the top-six all time with Belfonte, who UTSA at Kansas State 6:30 p.m. averaging nine runs per game over the last eight contests. has been hit six times, climbing into a tie for third place. Nebraska at Arkansas 6:30 p.m. Prior to Bubak’s move to the top of the lineup, NU’s leadoff Career Hit by Pitch List Texas at Rice 7 p.m. hitters were hitting a combined .154 in the first nine contests. No. HBP Player Years Kansas at San Diego State 8 p.m. Baylor at Texas State TBA A Change at the Top 1. 67 Daniel Bruce 2002-05 Date Team Avg. R/gm H/gm Leadoff Hitter Avg. 2. 37 Alex Gordon 2003-05 3. 34 DJ Belfonte 2007-present Wednesday, March 18 Prior to March 4 .265 6.4 9.7 .154 UTSA at Kansas State 12 p.m. Since March 4 .343 9.0 12.3 .444 34 Dave Crain 1994-95 5. 31 Nick Sullivan 2006-present Western Illinois at Oklahoma State 3 p.m. •-Nebraska has showed the ability to score runs in bunches 6. 29 Jake Mort 2006-present Nebraska at Arkansas 3 p.m. Texas Tech at Texas A&M Corpus Christi 6:30 p.m. this spring. The Huskers have already plated five runs in an SIU Edwardsville at Missouri 6:30 p.m. inning six times through the first 17 games of the season. Last •-NU has enjoyed a youth movement in 2009, as 14 players New Mexico at Texas A&M 6:35 p.m. year, NU scored five or more runs in an inning seven times and have seen their first action as Huskers this season. The group Kansas at San Diego State 8 p.m. had five such innings in 2007. Here is a look at the Huskers’ includes eight freshmen, four junior college transfers and a biggest innings this spring. pair of sophomores who did not play because of injuries the Friday, March 20 past two years. The group has been effective in the early Oklahoma State at Nebraska 2:05 p.m. Husker Big Innings going for the Big Red. They have accounted for a .332 average Texas at Kansas 3 p.m. Date Runs Inning Opponent Final with 13 homers and 59 RBIs, while going 5-3 with two of the Texas A&M at Missouri 6:30 p.m. March 7 8 4th Cal State Northridge-2 W, 12-6 Texas Tech at Baylor 6:30 p.m. March 7 7 2nd Cal State Northridge-1 W, 11-5 Huskers’ three saves. Oklahoma at Kansas State 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 6 8th Missouri State W, 14-12 •-Former Husker Adam Stern represented Team Canada Feb. 25 5 8th North Dakota W, 10-6 in the 2009 earlier this month. Stern, Saturday, March 21 March 4 5 8th South Dakota State W, 11-2 Oklahoma State at Nebraska 2:05 p.m. March 6 5 2nd Cal State Northridge W, 9-3 who played at Nebraska from 1999 until 2001, went hitless in Texas at Kansas 3 p.m. two pinch-hit appearances, as Canada fell to the U.S. (6-5) and Texas A&M at Missouri 6:30 p.m. •-The Huskers have scored nearly 37 percent of their Italy (6-2) in its two games. Stern has been a member of Team Texas Tech at Baylor 6:30 p.m. runs this season in either the second or the eighth inning. Canada in each of the past two World Baseball Classics. Oklahoma at Kansas State 6:30 p.m. NU has scored 25 runs in the eighth inning while outscoring opponents 23-6 in the second frame. •-NU has shown a flare for the dramatic in 2009, winning three games in its last at-bat, including a five-run eighth inning •-Nebraska was stingy in two-out situations prior to the against North Dakota on Feb. 25 and a six-run eighth inning Texas Tech series, as opponents were hitting just .241 in those against Missouri State on Feb. 27. situations. The Huskers allowed 18 two-out hits in three games at Texas Tech, including 10 in Sunday’s finale. •-Cory Burleson’s four-hit effort against Sam Houston State on Feb. 28, marked the first time since 2005 that a Husker •-Nebraska already has six come-from-behind wins among freshman had four hits in a game. Since 1999, only five other its 11 victories, including four wins where the Huskers had to players have accomplished the feat (John Cole, Adam Stern, Media Weekly Planner (March 17-23) March 17 - Tues. March 11- Wed. March 19 - Thurs. March 20 - Fri. March 21 - Sat. March 22 - Sun. March 23 - Mon. GAME DAY GAME DAY PRACTICE (TBA) GAME DAY GAME DAY GAME DAY OFF DAY at Arkansas at Arkansas Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Oklahoma State 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 2:05 p.m. 2:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. Radio: Husker Sports Radio: Husker Sports Radio: Husker Sports Radio: Husker Sports Radio: Husker Sports Network (free on Network (free on Network (free on Network (free on Network (free on Huskers.com) Huskers.com) Huskers.com) Huskers.com) Huskers.com) Video: HuskersNside Video: HuskersNside Video: HuskersNside Video: HuskersNside Video: HuskersNside (Subscription required) (Subscription required) (Subscription required) (Subscription required) (Subscription required) Nebraska Baseball 2009 Weekly Release #6 • Page  • March 16, 2009 • Huskers.com

Matt Hopper, Drew Anderson and Andy Gerch). Burleson is the Most Strikeouts by a Nebraska Pitching Staff Weekend Recap first true freshman to have a four-hit day since former Major No. strikeouts Opponent Date Saturday Game 1 (Texas Tech 16, Nebraska 8): Nick Leaguer Drew Anderson in 2001. 1. 22 at Louisiana-Lafayette Feb. 20, 2009 2. 21 at Iowa State April 18, 1999 Sullivan had three hits and drove in a pair of runs, but Texas Freshman 4-Hit Days since 1999 3. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette May 3, 2008 Tech erupted for 12 runs in their final two at-bats to take Hits Player Opponent Date 19 Texas A&M May 9, 2008 the opening game of the three-game series, 16-8, Saturday 5 Matt Hopper* Iowa State April 29, 2000 5. 18 Kansas April 8, 2000 afternoon at Dan Law Field. Sullivan paced a 13-hit attack for 4 Adam Stern Chicago State March 16, 1999 Nebraska, which built a 6-4 lead after six and a half innings 4 Cory Burleson at Sam Houston State Feb. 28, 2009 •-Nebraska is 1-1-1 this year in extra frames and 15-9-2 (.615) in extra-inning contests since 2003. The highest amount before Texas Tech scored seven times in the bottom of the 4 Drew Anderson UTSA April 17, 2001 seventh and tacked on five more runs in the eighth. Tyler Farst, 4 Andy Gerch* vs. Missouri May 28, 2005 of extra-inning games in a season this decade is five, set in 4 Matt Hopper* Western Illinois April 18, 2000 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2008. Jeff Tezak and Jake Mort had two hits apiece as the Huskers 4 Matt Hopper* at Kansas State March 12, 2000 saw their five-game win streak snapped. 4 John Cole Chicago State March 16, 1999 •-Since the NCAA went to the 64-team format in 1999, Saturday Game 2 (Nebraska 10, Texas Tech 1): Nebraska 4 John Cole vs. Mississippi State May 28, 1999 Nebraska has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, which got a strong performance from left-hander Jordan Roualdes *-Redshirt freshman ties for seventh nationally in that time period. The only teams and timely hitting to earn a 10-1 victory over Texas Tech to earn more bids than Nebraska in that span are Cal State •-Nebraska’s 15-inning season opener at Louisiana- Saturday afternoon. Roualdes turned in his best performance Fullerton, Florida State, Miami, Oral Roberts, Rice and Texas. Lafayette marked the fifth time since the start of the 2003 of the year, allowing one run on five hits over eight strong season that the Huskers have reached the 14th inning of a •-With his 12- effort against Sam Houston State innings of work. While Roualdes kept the Red Raiders at game. In addition, it is the Huskers’ longest road game since a on Saturday, Michael Nesseth joined an exclusive list of Husker bay, Adam Bailey awoke the Husker offense with a two-run 16-inning game at Iowa State in 1999. pitchers. The only NU hurlers to fan more hitters in a game this homer in the fourth that provided all the runs they would decade are Shane Komine (5 times), Joba Chamberlain (twice), need. Bailey went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, as he Longest Games Since 2003 Johnny Dorn and Zach Kroenke (one time each). accounted for the Huskers’ first four runs. Jeff Tezak drove in a No. Innings Opponent Date pair of runs for Nebraska while Kyle Bubak and Cory Burleson 1. 16 Texas A&M May 9, 2008 •-Nebraska has won 129 of its last 130 games when taking had two hits apiece and combined to score five of the Huskers’ 2. 15.2 Texas April 8, 2005 a lead into the ninth inning and is 128-0-1 in that stretch 3. 15 Louisiana-Lafayette Feb. 20, 2009 10 runs. 4. 14 Baylor May 22, 2003 dating back to the 2005 season. NU is 223-3-1 (.985) when Sunday (Texas Tech 10, Nebraska 3): Adam Bailey had two 5. 13.1 Louisiana-Lafayette May 3, 2008 leading after eight innings under Mike Anderson. hits, including his eighth homer of the year, but Texas Tech •-Prior to this year, the last time NU opened a season with •-The Huskers are 42-1 dating back to last season when used a big fourth inning and clutch hitting to take the finale of three consecutive one-run games was in 2002. The only other they have more hits than their opponent. The only time over the three-game series, 10-3, Sunday afternoon. Bailey went 2- time in the program’s 100-plus year history was back in 1970. the last two years NU has lost when out-hitting an opponent for-4 with a homer and scored twice, while Tyler Farst had two was on Feb. 21, when the Huskers out-hit UL-Lafayette, 3-2, hits and drove in a pair of runs in a losing effort for Nebraska, •-Nebraska set a school and Big 12 record in the opener but lost 2-1. which built an early 2-0 lead and had a chance to extend the against UL-Lafayette, as five Husker pitchers combined for 22 lead in the top of the fourth only to see the lead evaporate in strikeouts, breaking the school and conference mark of 21 set •-The Huskers are now 88-1 under Mike Anderson when the bottom of the frame. Farst had RBI singles in the first and reaching double figures in runs, including 60-0 since the start at Iowa State on April 18, 1999. third frames to help the Huskers to an early two-run lead. Three of the top five strikeout performances have been of the 2005 season. under pitching coach Eric Newman over the past two seasons. Weekly National Polls Collegiate Baseball (March 16) Baseball America (March 16) ESPN/Sports Weekly (March 16) NCBWA (March 16) No. Team Record No. Team Record No. Team (1st-place) Record No. Team Record 1. North Carolina 14-2 1. Texas 14-2 1 North Carolina (18) 14-2 1. North Carolina 14-2 2. Texas 14-2 2. North Carolina 14-2 2 Texas (5) 14-2 2. Texas 14-2 3. Georgia Tech 12-1 3. Texas A&M 13-4 3 Georgia (3) 15-2 3. Georgia 15-2 4. Georgia 15-2 4. Cal State Fullerton 13-3 4 Arizona State (1) 14-2 4. Miami 14-3 5. Cal State Fullerton 13-3 5. Louisiana State 13-4 5 LSU (1) 13-4 5. Georgia Tech 12-1 6. LSU 13-4 6. Arizona State 14-3 6 Cal State Fullerton (2) 13-3 6. Texas A&M 13-4 7. Virginia 15-0 7. Rice 10-5 7 Miami (1) 14-3 7. Cal State Fullerton 13-3 8. Arizona State 14-3 8. Georgia 15-2 8 Texas A&M 13-4 8. Arizona State 14-3 9. Miami 14-3 9. Baylor 10-4 9 Georgia Tech 12-1 9. LSU 13-4 10. Texas A&M 13-4 10. UC Irvine 10-5 10 Coastal Carolina 15-1 10. Rice 10-5 11. Rice 10-5 11. Miami 14-3 11 Oklahoma State 13-4 11. Coastal Carolina 15-1 12. Oklahoma State 13-4 12. Mississippi 11-4 12 Rice 10-5 12. Oklahoma State 13-4 13. Coastal Carolina 15-1 13. Oklahoma 17-4 13 UC Irvine 10-5 13. UC Irvine 10-5 14. Texas Christian 10-4 14. Georgia Tech 12-1 14 Virginia 15-0 14. Oklahoma 17-4 15. Baylor 10-4 15. Coastal Carolina 15-1 15 Arkansas 12-3 15. Baylor 10-4 16. Cal Poly 11-4 16. Arkansas 12-3 16 Oklahoma 17-4 16. Clemson 11-4 17. UC Irvine 10-5 17. Pepperdine 11-5 17 Baylor 10-4 17. Florida State 9-6 18. Clemson 11-4 18. Texas Christian 10-4 18 TCU 10-4 18. Mississippi 11-4 19. Illinois 11-2 19. Oklahoma State 13-4 19 Clemson 11-4 19. Pepperdine 11-5 20. Mississippi 11-4 20. Clemson 11-4 20 Mississippi 11-4 20. Arkansas 12-3 21. Oklahoma 17-4 21. Cal Poly 11-4 21 Pepperdine 11-5 21. Virginia 15-0 22. Ohio State 13-2 22. UC Santa Barbara 12-4 22 UC Riverside 14-3 22. TCU 10-4 23. Arkansas 12-3 23. Virginia 15-0 23 Cal Poly 11-4 23. East Carolina 11-4 24. Alabama 11-5 24. Alabama 11-5 24 Florida State 9-6 24. Fresno State 10-5 25. Mississippi State 12-5 25. Minnesota 10-3 25 Florida 9-7 25. Florida 9-7 26. Kansas State 15-3 26. Alabama 11-5 27. South Carolina 11-4 27. UNC Wilmington 14-2 28. Pepperdine 11-5 28. Cal Poly 11-4 29. Lamar 15-4 29. San Diego 9-9 30. UC Santa Barbara 12-4 30. Ohio State 13-2 Nebraska Baseball 2009 Weekly Release #6 • Page  • March 16, 2009 • Huskers.com

Big 12 Preseason Polls Husker Baseball on the Radio Collegiate Baseball Baseball America Big 12 Coaches IMG Husker Sports Network continues the strong No. Team No. Team No. Team tradition of broadcasting excellence in 2009 as it brings 1. Texas A&M 1. Texas A&M 1. Texas A&M Husker baseball to fans across the nation. A total of 29 2. Texas 2. Texas 2. Texas stations will carry games around the state, including KLIN 3. Oklahoma State 3. Baylor t3. Baylor 1400 AM in Lincoln, KFAB 1110 AM in Omaha and KRVN 4. Baylor 4. Missouri t3. Oklahoma State 880 AM in Lexington. 5. Missouri 5. Oklahoma 5. Missouri The Husker Sports Network, in its 14th year of 6. Nebraska 6. Oklahoma State 6. Oklahoma producing and marketing the live broadcasts of University 7. Oklahoma 7. Nebraska 7. Nebraska of Nebraska Athletics, extended and expanded its 8. Kansas State 8. Texas Tech 8. Texas Tech agreement with the University on June 13, 2008. Under 9. Kansas 9. Kansas 9. Kansas State the agreement, IMG College’s Husker Sports Network 10. Texas Tech 10. Kansas State 10. Kansas will manage and market all rights associated with radio Pitcher of the Year Aaron Senne, Missouri Aaron Senne, Missouri None Selected programming, coaches’ TV and radio shows, program Player of the Year Andrew Oliver, Oklahoma St. Kendal Volz, Baylor None Selected sales, sponsorship inventory and publication printing rights. Bailey’s Impressive Start The Kids Can Play IMG College, which purchased Host Communications Junior college transfer Adam Bailey has gotten off to a The Huskers have relied on a talented group of freshmen and the Husker Sports Network on Nov. 16, 2007, is the blistering start, as the outfielder has become one of the Big who have emerged during the first month of the season, as leader in developing integrated licensing, marketing and 12’s top performers early in 2009. Nebaska has starters as many as four freshmen at times. It multi-media opportunities for the nation’s top collegiate He has a .364 batting average with eight homers and 28 is the highest number of freshmen who have started games brands across local, regional and national platforms. In RBIs through the Huskers’ first 17 contests. The Scottsdale, since Mike Anderson took over in 2002. addition to Nebraska, IMG College represents athletic Ariz., native paces the league in both homer and RBIs and Cory Burleson has split time with senior Cody Neer behind organizations from across the country including such is among Big 12 leaders in (,848, 2nd), the plate. Burleson, a native of Midland, Texas, is hitting universities as Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, total bases (56, 2nd) and hits (24, 10th). Bailey, who tops the .371 with six RBIs in 13 games. He has four multi-hit games Oklahoma State, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas. IMG College Huskers in both multi-hit (nine) and multi-RBI (six) contests, and went 6-for-11 with four RBIs at the Sam Houston State partners include the NCAA and its 88 championships, NCAA brings a nine-game hit streak into Tuesday’s game with tournament earlier in the month. football, leading conferences, some of the most prestigious Arkansas, hitting .385 with five homers and 19 RBIs. Cody Asche has been a full-time starter at third base, as universities and licensing for nearly 200 institutions. IMG Bailey’s quick start is reminiscent of two of the Huskers’ Jake Mort has battled knee and hamstring issues. Asche, who College is a division of IMG, the world’s premier sports, most recent All-Americans, Luke Gorsett, Alex Gordon, who hails from O’Fallon, Mo., is hitting a team-high .390 with a entertainment and media company. IMG employs more was national player of the year in 2005 and Jed Morris, who homer and eight RBIs. He has five multi-hit games and ranks than 3,000 people in 30 countries. For more information, was a national player-of-the-year finalist in 2002. second among Big 12 freshmen in batting average. visit www.imgworld.com. Greg Sharpe, Lane Grindle and Khiry Cooper has seen time in all three outfield spots, 17-Game Starts Adrian Fiala will bring another exciting season of baseball Player year avg. R H 2B 3B HR RBI slg.Pct making nine starts through the first 17 games. A fifth-round with every broadcast beginning 20 minutes prior to first Gordon ‘05 .424 27 25 7 1 6 19 .881 draft pick of the LA Angels of Anaheim, Cooper is hitting .259 pitch. Bailey ‘09 .364 14 24 6 1 8 28 .848 with a homer and five RBIs. He had a season-high three hits, Gorsett ‘06 .381 16 24 4 1 8 17 .857 including his first career homer, against UL-Lafayette on Feb. 2009 Husker Sports Network Baseball Stations Morris ‘02 .362 18 25 5 1 4 15 .638 City Station Frequency 22 and went 2-for-4 in two appearances against Texas Tech. Ainsworth KBRB 1400 AM Although we are just past the quarter point of the season, Cooper also plays wide receiver for the Husker football team. Alliance KCOW 1400 AM Bailey is on a pace to challenge school records in both single- Kale Kiser has been used at second base and designated Aurora KRGY 97.3 FM season homers and RBIs. hitter, where he is hitting .200 with a homer and three RBIs Beatrice KWBE 1450 AM in nine games. Kiser had two hits, including his first career Broken Bow KBBN 95.3 FM Bailey’s Pace homer, and two RBIs in NU’s win over Missouri State on Feb. Chadron KCSR 610 AM Columbus KJSK 900 AM Category Projected* school Record Record Holder 27. Kiser missed four games after taking a pitch to the helmet Homers 26 25 Dan Johnson (‘01) Falls City KTNC 1230 AM RBIs 91 90 Jed Morris (‘02) against South Dakota State on March 4, but returned to the Fairbury KUTT 99.5 FM Mike Duncan (‘85) lineup over the weekend at Texas Tech. Fremont KHUB 1340 AM *-projected over a 55-game regular-season schedule Kash Kalkowski has been one of the Huskers’ go-to Fremont KFMT 105.5 FM relievers, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in six appearances. He Grand Island KRGI 1430 AM What a Difference a Year Makes earned his first career win with two shutout innings against Hastings KHAS 1230 AM After struggling to get at-bats for most of the 2008 season, Missouri State on Feb. 27 and then started at designated hitter Holdrege KUVR 1380 AM first baseman Tyler Farst has been one of the Huskers most Kearney KGFW 1340 AM in the tournament finale against the Bears. Lexington KRVN 880 AM consistent hitters this spring. Through his first 41 games, he Boomer Collins also saw significant playing time the first Lincoln KLIN 1400 AM had a .179 average with three RBIs before earning a spot in the weekend before suffering a broken thumb in his first start McCook KSWN 93.9 FM lineup after Craig Corriston’s knee surgery. Since then, Farst against UL-Lafayette on Feb. 21. Collins was relegated to pinch- Norfolk KNEN 94.7 FM has been hitting at a .349 clip with three homers and 24 RBIs running duty for 12 games before making his return to the North Platte KODY 1240 AM in his last 30 games dating back to last May. lineup on March 14. Collins is hitting .125 in eight at-bats. Ogallala KOGA 930 AM This season, he is among the Big 12 leaders with a .364 Omaha KFAB 1110 AM batting average with a homer and 12 RBIs. He is 16th in the Huskers at Home at Hawks Field Scottsbluff KNEB 960 AM Scottsbluff KNEB 94.1 FM Big 12 in batting average while ranking among team leaders in Nebraska has enjoyed the comforts of Hawks Field since Sidney KSID 1340 AM RBIs (second), doubles (first), walks (second) and hits (third). moving into the ballpark in 2002. The Huskers are 179-45-1 Superior KRFS 1600 AM Farst had a 11-game hit streak snapped on Saturday night, (.798) since the ballpark opened in 2002, including a perfect Superior KRFS 103.9 FM but came back with two hits and a pair of RBIs in Sunday’s 6-0 mark this year. In 2008, Nebraska went 29-5-1 (.843) at Valentine KVSH 940 AM series finale. Hawks Field, as its 28 regular-season home wins were the West Point KTIC 840 AM second-best total in school history. Contact your local Husker Sports Network affiliate for broadcast availability. Nebraska Baseball 2009 Weekly Release #6 • Page  • March 16, 2009 • Huskers.com

Let’s Play Two...at Hawks Field Having a Day Head Coach Mike Anderson The Huskers have been tough in doubleheaders at Junior Adam Bailey put together a home debut to Seventh Season - Northern Colorado, 1990 Hawks Field in recent years. Nebraska has now recorded 10 remember in Nebraska’s home opener against North Dakota Career and NU Record: 266-121-2 (.686) consecutive home doubleheader sweeps dating back to 2004 on Feb. 25, going 3-for-5 with a homer and six RBIs. His six • Big 12 Coach of the Year (2003 and 2005) following the sweep of Cal State Northridge on March 7. RBIs were the second-highest total for a Husker since Mike • 2005 National Coach-of-the-Year Finalist Anderson took over the Husker program in 2003 and the Showing Off Power highest single-game total by a Husker since 2007. Mike Anderson is in his seventh year as Nebraska’s The Huskers begin the week ranked fifth in the Big 12 in head baseball coach after becoming the 23rd head coach home runs, belting 16 homers, including 14 in the last 13 Highest Single-Game RBI Totals under Mike Anderson contests. While Bailey leads the Big 12 in homers, nine Huskers No. RBI Player Opponent Date in program history on June 21, 2002. At Nebraska, he 1. 7 Matt Hopper Missouri April 12, 2003 has guided the Husker program to two Big 12 regular- have homered on the year. Last year, the Huskers had just 11 2. 6 adam Bailey North Dakota Feb. 25, 2009 season titles (2003 and 2005), five NCAA Regionals and an homers through the first 14 games of the season and finished 6 Andy Gerch Missouri May 28, 2005 appearance in the 2005 College World Series. That season, with 38 in 58 contests. 6 Bryce Nimmo Seton Hall March 19, 2005 the Huskers defeated Arizona State for the first CWS victory 6 Ryan Wehrle Texas Tech April 30, 2006 in program history. Nesseth Anchors Husker Pitchers 6 Jeff Tezak Missouri March 25, 2007 Since joining the Nebraska coaching staff in the fall of Sophomore Mike Nesseth has lived up to the early billing this season. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four Double Duty for Bailey 1994, he has coached a total of 25 first-team all-conference Adam Bailey did something that no other Husker had done honorees, while 47 of his former players have signed pro starts, ranking sixth in the Big 12 in strikeouts (29), seventh in innings pitched (27.0) and 10th in opponent batting average in 14 seasons against UL-Lafayette on Feb. 21. He became contracts. Anderson has coached 10 players who have the first Husker player to earn a victory and hit a homer in reached the Major Leagues, including MLB All-Stars Darin (.188). He has pitched at least six innings in all four outings, highlighted by a complete-game victory over Cal State the same game since Alvie Shepherd accomplished the feat Erstad and Ken Harvey, and eight All-Americans, including against Kansas on April 5, 1995. Bailey entered the game as 2005 National Player of the Year Alex Gordon. Northridge on March 6, where he fanned seven in a 9-3 win. He was dominant against Sam Houston State on Feb. 28, a reliever in the top of the fourth and fanned three over 2.2 Anderson’s commitment to his student-athletes also innings of two-hit relief. He moved to right field for the final extends to the classroom. Over the past 15 years, the tossing six shutout innings, scattering three hits and recording a career-high 12 strikeouts. Nesseth was a hard-luck loser three innings, going 1-for-2 with a ninth-inning homer that Huskers have placed 62 players on the first-team all- was the final margin of victory in a 9-8 win. conference squad, including seven selections in 2008. NU against Louisiana-Lafayette in his first career start, allowing one eanred run on two hits in a 2-1 setback. In fact, Bailey has homered in each of the three games he has had 10 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 19 first- has pitched in this season. team academic all-district selections since 1997. Bailey Earns Big 12 Honor Before arriving in the fall of 1994, Anderson was the top Junior Adam Bailey picked up an honor from the Big 12 Many Happy Returns assistant coach at the University of Northern Colorado. He Conference on March 2, as he was chosen as the league’s A trio of Huskers who ended the 2008 season on the shelf joined the Bears’ staff after four years as a head coach with Player of the Week. He became the first Husker to be chosen have returned to form this spring. the Northern Colorado Lab School. From 1983 through Big 12 Player of the Week since Nick Sullivan last March. Jeff Tezak, who played in just seven games last year before 1986, Anderson was an outfielder at UNC for College Hall Bailey hit .333 with three homers and 10 RBIs in five knee surgery on a torn left ACL, is hitting .320 with nine RBIs of Fame Coach Tom Petroff. Anderson was an eighth-round games, as six of his seven hits went for extra bases. He went and 13 runs scored while splitting time between second base pick by the California Angels, spending four seasons with 3-for-5 with a career-high six RBIs against North Dakota on and designated hitter. Two years ago, he was a second-team the Angels organization. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Wednesday, as his RBI total was the most by a Husker in three All-Big 12 performer at designated hitte, hitting .335 with physical education from Northern Colorado in 1990. years. Bailey had two hits, including a homer and a two-run three homers and 37 RBIs. triple, in Nebraska’s 14-12 comeback against Missouri State. Left-hander Eric Rose, who missed all of last season with a Year-by-Year Totals Against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Bailey homered for shoulder injury, has been impressive early on, going 1-1 with a Year Overall (Pct.) Big 12 (Pct.) the third time in four games and also went the final three 4.35 ERA in a team-high eight games. Rose, who is third in the 2003 47-18 (.723) 20-7 (.741) innings on the mound to record his first save. Big 12 in appearances, has allowed just three of 13 inherited 2004 36-23 (.610) 11-16 (.407) runners to score. He earned the win in NU’s 15-inning season 2005 57-15 (792) 19-8 (.704) 2006 42-17 (.712) 17-10 (.630) Three Named to All-Tournament Team opener at UL-Lafayette on Feb. 20 and then coming back a day 2007 32-27 (.542) 14-13 (.519) Three Husker baseball players were honored on March 1, later to throw the final two innings to preserve a 9-8 win. 2008 41-16-1 (.716) 17-9-1 (.648) as Cory Burleson, Adam Bailey and Mike Nesseth were named Joe Broekemeier, who missed the last two years with 2009 11-5-1 (.676) 1-2-0 (.333) to the Hillcrest Ford/Bearkat Baseball Classic All-Tourney team. injuries, has not allowed an earned run in two appearances, Totals 266-121-2 (.686) 99-65-1 (.603) Burleson led the Huskers with a .545 average, going 6-for- highlighted by two perfect innings with a strikeout in his 11 with four RBIs in four games. He became the first Husker college debut on Feb. 21. Coaching Resume freshman since 2005 to record a four-hit game, going 4-for-5 Nebraska, Head Coach 2002-present with a pair of RBIs against Sam Houston State. In his first start Huskers to Be Tested Again in 2009 Nebraska, Assistant Coach 1995-2002 of the weekend, Burleson went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs A total of 19 games against NCAA Tournament teams and Northern Colorado, Assistant Coach 1994 and scored twice in a 14-12 victory over Missouri State. 30 home games at Hawks Field highlight the 2009 Nebraska , Professional Scout 1992-93 Bailey was chosen as the utility player, hitting .250 with two baseball schedule. The Huskers will be tested by a schedule Northern Colorado Lab School, Head Coach 1991-94 homers and four RBIs while also pitching three innings of relief that sees the Huskers play 17 of their 55 regular-season American Legion, Head Coach 1989-94 for a save against Sam Houston State. Bailey went 2-for-5 with games against teams ranked in Baseball America’s top-25 a homer and a triple against Missouri State on Friday, as his preseason poll. The list includes Big 12 weekend series at No. Playing Resume two-run hit provided the Huskers with the margin of victory 1 Texas A&M and against No. 4 Texas, No. 8 Baylor and No. 10 Missouri at Hawks Field. California Angels organization 1986-89 in a 14-12 win. Against SHSU, Bailey homered and then fired Northern Colorado 1983-86 three innings of two-hit ball to collect his first save. Nesseth was dominant against Sam Houston State, tossing Nesseth Ranked Among Top Prospects Sophomore right-hander Mike Nesseth is rated by Baseball six innings of shutout baseball in NU’s 8-1 win over the America as one of the top 100 prospects for this June’s Major Bearkats. He established a career high with 12 strikeouts and League Baseball Draft. Nesseth, who went 4-1 with four saves allowed three singles in matching the longest outing of his and a 3.58 ERA last season, is rated as the No. 29 college career. prospect and No. 63 overall prospect by the publication. Nesseth was also ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Northwoods League over the summer by Baseball America. He Nebraska Baseball 2009 Weekly Release #6 • Page  • March 16, 2009 • Huskers.com was also ranked as the No. 19 sophomore in the country in the Husker Homes most recent edition of Baseball America. The 2009 Huskers come from 14 states across the nation. Hawks Field at Haymarket Park The 2002 season marked the debut of the Huskers’ new This season, Nesseth is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA, fanning 26 Nebraska natives comprise nearly a third of the 34-man home – Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. The field is named over 21 innings while holding opponents to a .153 batting opening-day roster with 11 spots, while Texas, Missouri and in memory of Myrna Hawks, as the Hawks family was one average. Minnesota also claim at least three Huskers apiece. of the major benefactors in the Haymarket Park project. State Players In March of 2000, Howard and Myrna Hawks guaranteed Huskers Tabbed for Seventh in Big 12 Nebraska 11 The Nebraska baseball team was picked to finish seventh in Texas 6 the unfunded portion of UNL’s $10.6 million commitment to the preseason poll by a vote of the league Missouri, Minnesota 3 the baseball/softball complex, which enabled the University coaches released on Feb. 17. The Huskers totaled 38 points California 2 to move forward in a joint venture with the City of Lincoln in voting by the league’s coaches. In 2008, the Huskers were Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, 1 and NEBCO Inc., the owners of the Lincoln Saltdogs in the picked sixth in the preseason poll and finished in third place Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Utah, Washington Northern League. The University retained the right to name in the final league standings, staying in contention for the the field and on Feb. 23, 2002, the University of Nebraska league’s regular-season title until the final weekend of the Among the Nation’s Best Board of Regents approved the name of Hawks Field. It year. Nebraska has finished fourth or better in five of the last Nebraska Coach Mike Anderson begins the 2009 season in was formally dedicated in pregame ceremonies against six years under Head Coach Mike Anderson, including regular- 12th place in winning percentage among all active coaches. Kansas on April 28, 2002. The ballpark includes 4,500 season titles in 2003 and 2005. He joins Texas’ and Kansas State’s Brad Hill as chair-back seats, 16 suites and a Diamond View Lounge. Texas A&M was the choice of the league’s coaches, the only three Big 12 coaches among the top-15 nationally in Other highlights of the complex include a 1,400-square winning percentage. garnering 81 points in the preseason voting and nine of feet clubhouse for the Husker baseball program, a video the 10 first-pace votes. Texas was the second choice, as the Top Winning Percentages (Min. 5 years, entering 2009) board/scoreboard in right center field, the Buck Beltzer Longhorns received 69 points. Baylor and Oklahoma State tied No. Coach, School Won lost Tied Pct. Playground for kids down the right field line and numerous for third with 59 points, while Missouri (51) and Oklahoma 1 , Wichita State 1,653 550 3 .750 restrooms and concession stands. (42) placed fifth and sixth. Each of the league’s top six teams 2 , North Carolina 991 331 5 .749 Hawks Field, as well as the adjacent Bowlin Stadium – the has been ranked in the top 20 by at least one national 3. Mike Martin, Florida State 1,538 520 4 .747 2,500-seat softball stadium which opened in the fall of preseason poll. 4. Rob Walton, Oral Roberts 221 78 0 .739 2001 – are both located inside Haymarket Park, a 32-acre 5. , Rice 787 299 0 .725 complex that includes both stadiums as well as the plaza 2009 Big 12 Preseason Poll 6. Brad Hill, Kansas State 568 219 2 .721 No. Team Points 7. Brian O’Connor, Virginia 216 89 0 .708 area and 2,500 parking stalls. 1. Texas A&M (9) 81 8. Jim Morris, Miami 1,199 500 4 .705 2. Texas (1) 69 9. , Oregon 490 212 1 .698 Top-20 Crowds at Hawks Field t3. Baylor 59 10. , South Carolina 935 416 3 .692 No. Att. Opponent Date t3. Oklahoma State 59 11. Rick Jones, Tulane 813 368 2 .688 1. 8,757 Texas A&M 4/14/2006 5. Missouri 51 6. Oklahoma 42 12. Mike Anderson, Nebraska 255 116 1 .687 2. 8,711 Miami# 6/11/2005 7. Nebraska 38 13. Steve Owens, Le Moyne 535 249 1 .682 3. 8,708 Texas A&M 5/9/2008 8. Texas Tech 25 14. Augie Garrido, Texas 1,668 777 8 .682 4. 8,697 Kansas 4/19/2008 9. Kansas State 15 15. Pat Murphy, Arizona State 949 443 4 .681 10. Kansas 11 5. 8,662 Creighton* 6/4/2005 Success in the Classroom 6. 8,656 Texas 4/21/2007 Switching Things Up NU enjoyed a strong performance in the classroom by 7. 8,613 Oklahoma 5/21/2006 One of the things that is evident on the 2009 roster is an posting a team GPA of 3.089 during the fall semester. The 8. 8,569 Richmond# 6/9/2002 abundance of switch hitters. In all, Nebraska has six position team GPA was the highest in tracking the program’s GPA over 9. 8,646 UC Irvine* 5/31/2008 players (Kyle Bubak, Cory Burleson, Kale Kiser, Jed Hanson, Jeff the last 20 years. A total of 18 Huskers were named to the Big 10. 8,485 Texas 4/8/2005 Tezak and Cody Neer) listed as switch hitters, which is believed 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the fall semester, including 11. 8,481 Richmond# 6/8/2002 to be the most in school history. Prior to this year, Nebraska DJ Belfonte, who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition, senior 12. 8,474 Richmond# 6/7/2002 has had only four switch hitters on a roster this decade - and outfielder Nick Sullivan has been on the Big 12 Commissioner’s 13. 8,419 Texas 4/20/2007 no more than two in any year - since having four in 1985. Honor Roll at nine semesters at Nebraska. 14. 8,415 Texas A&M 4/15/2006 15. 8,310 Oklahoma 5/20/2006 16. 8,308 Miami# 6/10/2005 17. 8,304 Creighton* 6/5/2005 18. 8,252 Oklahoma 5/19/2006 Breaking Down the 2009 Husker Roster 19. 8,163 Texas 4/9/2005 20. 8,063 Manhattan* 6/1/2006 By First Season at Nebraska Huskers by Class Year *-NCAA Regional; #-NCAA Super Regional Year No. Players Year No. Players 2005: 2 Sullivan, Mort Seniors: 5 Sullivan, Mort, Tezak, Bird, Neer Year-by-Year Record at Hawks Field Year Record 2006: 1 Bird Juniors: 8 Belfonte, Bubak, Bailey, Hanson, 2002 29-5 (.853) Thompson, Anderson, Farst, 2007: 5 Belfonte, Broekemeier, Tezak, Rose, 2003 29-6 (.829) Roualdes, Nesseth 2004 19-8 (.678) Sophomore: 9 Rank, Johnston, Freeman, 2005 33-4 (.892) 2008: 10 Rank, Yost, Johnston, Freeman, Broekemeier, Hauptman, Kline, 2006 20-7 (.741) Haumptman, Kline, Anderson, Farst, Mariot, Nesseth, Rose 2007 14-10 (.583) Mariot, Neer 2008 29-5-1 (.843) R-Freshman: 1 Yost 2009: 16 Collins, Kalkowski, Bubak, Bailey, 2009 6-0 (1.000) Burleson, Kiser, Hanson, Asche, Freshman: 11 Collins, Kalkowski, Burleson, Kiser, Totals 179-45-1 (.798) Thompson, Cooper, Hood, Asche, Cooper, Hood, Kerkhoff, Kerkhoff, Roualdes, Massey, Massey, Raburn, Ludemann Raburn, Ludemann