Tag Archives: Baseball

It took a while for the disappointment to fade after Nebraska’s 19-9 loss to Michigan in its season finale. But then the Big Ten tournament bracket was released.

The Wolverines spoiled the Huskers’ senior day, won a critical three-game series and ruined NU’s shot at a first-round bye. And they weren’t polite about it.

So that’s why the third-seeded Huskers have a little extra motivation — beyond the obvious — when they take the field against No. 6 seed Michigan at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday.

Said senior Chad Christensen: “It’s a good chance to redeem ourselves from the weekend.”

NU coach Darin Erstad’s looking forward to seeing how his team responds.

“It’s fresh in their minds, the butt-whooping they gave us,” Erstad said. “Our guys took …

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It’s official. Nebraska is the No. 3 seed in this year’s conference tournament at Minneapolis’ Target Field, set to face off against the same team that left Lincoln Saturday with a convincing 19-9 win.

The Huskers will play No. 6 seed Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten tournament at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday. No. 4 Minnesota plays No. 5 Illinois in the other Wednesday match-up.

Top-seeded Indiana, champs for the first time since 1949, and No. 2 seed Ohio State both have first-round byes. If NU were to beat the Wolverines Wednesday, it would play the Buckeyes at 3:35 p.m. Thursday.

A loss Wednesday, and Nebraska would drop into the loser’s bracket — which is essentially a death sentence for any team …

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Combine Nebraska’s unpredictable nature with the extended gloom of winter and you’re left with an understandably disappointing set of circumstances for NU baseball fans hoping to enjoy a day at the ballpark.

Maybe this weekend makes up for it, though.

The Huskers have had just two home crowds (out of 16) eclipse the 4,000-mark. They had 18 of those 4K-plus audiences last year (out of 30).

But starting with Thursday’s series opener, Nebraska’s playing for a regular season conference title — the Huskers could win it outright with two losses by Indiana and one by Minnesota (More specifics on that here). Meanwhile, the Wolverines (tied for fifth place right now) need to secure a spot in the Big Ten tournament. And hey, and …

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Junior right-hander Christian DeLeon (elbow soreness) will miss Nebraska’s final series of the regular season against Michigan, a tough blow for a team that needs a strong finish.

DeLeon left early during Friday’s start at Minnesota after warming up to start the seventh inning.

Said coach Darin Erstad: “I saw him start to really kind of pace around the mound. His whole tempo went down in his warm-up pitches. … He said he was a little bit sore.” But there is nothing “structurally wrong” with the arm, Erstad said.

DeLeon will be re-evaluated after he pitches a bullpen session this weekend.

Nebraska’s new starting rotation against Michigan: LHP Kyle Kubat, LHP Aaron Bummer and RHP Tyler Niederklein. The Huskers (with some help) do still have …

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The Huskers have three conference games left, and they could win the Big Ten regular season championship. Yep, the team that started the year 0-7 and lost two pivotal conference series at home still has a legitimate title shot.

Seriously.

The Big Ten race has come down to the final weekend in each of the last three seasons. But it’s never been as crazy as this.

No worries, though. We’ll sort it out together. First, the updated league-only standings, and then a few reference points.

>> Seven …

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This certainly was brought up at some point last year while Pat Kelly torched his home-state school, but it’s hard to believe that Minnesota never tried to recruit the Husker sophomore second baseman.

Kelly’s from Red Wing, Minn., about an hour outside of Minneapolis. Yet, never got a look from the Gophers.

“I don’t really know what to think about it,” he said. “I don’t know that I would have went there, but just to know that the hometown school was recruiting you would have kind of been nice.”

Kelly insists it’s not a big deal — though you wouldn’t know it by the numbers he put up in four games against Minnesota last year. He had eight hits in 17 at-bats (.470), homering twice …

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Chad Christensen shrugged his shoulders Thursday when asked about his 2 for 15 showing in Omaha last weekend. Translation: He’s not concerned about the mini slump.

Shoot, the senior outfielder finished the interview and then picked up a baseball to show off his best pitching form, trying to toss curveballs to teammates as practice began. Yeah, he’s not worried.

Not the guy who was hitting .467 with 15 runs scored and 11 RBI in the 12 games before the TD Ameritrade Classic (the same guy who Darin Erstad said a week ago is taking “professional at-bats” at the college level). Christensen had nine multi-hit games in those 12 contests.

“You just try not to press too much,” said Christensen, whose .462 batting average in Big …

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Nebraska’s hitters were still huddled together in TD Ameritrade Park’s right field well after coach Darin Erstad addressed the full team Friday night.

The Huskers had just spoiled too many chances in a 5-3 loss to Creighton. They had some points to make.

Now’s not the time for any elongated slumps. NU’s dropped two straight and will play a doubleheader against Oklahoma State, a team just as desperate for resume-boosting wins.

“This was definitely a huge game, but it’s a quick turnaround,” senior Bryan Peters said Friday night. “For our at-large bid in the tournament, it’s pretty much do-or-die throughout the rest of the season. Can’t have any letdowns. Every game’s important from now on.”

Best-case scenario for Nebraska (19-21) is an 11-2 finish so …

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We’re taking a diversionary approach to previewing Wednesday’s Nebraska-Kansas State game, which will likely turn into a bullpen-off between two teams focused on keeping pace in their respective conference races.

Obviously, each squad wants to win. The Huskers hope to sustain momentum (they’ve won five straight and are second in the Big Ten) while the Wildcats want to start building some (they’re in third place in the Big 12 after dropping a tightly contested weekend series at Oklahoma State). A preview of the matchup is here.

But enough with these meaningful plots and backstories!

Junior Michael Pritchard was talking about the art of bunting last week — which would normally be a rather insignificant conversation if the Huskers weren’t so freakin’ good at it lately. …

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Purdue’s not very good. Neither is this blog intro. But don’t let that detract from the importance of this weekend for Nebraska.

The Huskers NEED a series win. A sweep would be ideal.

Why?

After playing these struggling Boilermakers, Nebraska faces Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan (three teams that are a combined 22-8 in Big Ten play). The Hoosiers have the most collective talent in the league, the Gophers arguably carry the two best arms and the Wolverines (enjoying a 10-game winning streak) are hotter than a sun-scorched CWS bleacher bum.

Also of note, the only two conference teams with winning records that have played Purdue both recorded a weekend sweep. And since Minnesota is hosting Michigan State this weekend, Illinois is traveling to Ohio State …

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