[Husker] Husker Baseball Pre-Season Notes...

[Jeff Volk]

Greetings Husker Baseball Fans,

The Huskers Baseball Team opened up camp for the 2006 season last Thursday. The team is ranked 4th pre-season by Collegiate Baseball and 10th pre-season by ESPN/USA Today. They were selected by B12 Coaches to finish 2nd in the conference behind Texas in their pre-season poll. Currently 4 Big 12 teams are ranked in the ESPN/USA Today pre-season Top 25 with defending National Champion Texas #1, Nebraska #10, Missouri #13 & Baylor #25. 

The team returns 16 lettermen from last year's record setting CWS team including pre-season All-American starting pitchers Joba Chamberlain & Johnny Dorn along with closer Brett Jensen. Those 3 are also on the Clemens Award Watch List, making NU and Oregon State the only teams placing 3 pitchers on the Clemens list. 2005 Freshman All-American Tony Watson will round out the starting staff as the #3 starter. 

Position player wise the Huskers certainly lost a lot of experience and talent from last year's team but returns All-Big 12 infielder Ryan Werhle and Lincoln NCCA Regional MVP Andy Gerch. A lot of freshman and sophmores played a vital role in last year's run to the CWS...experience that will be valuable going into the 2006 campaign. 

The Huskers open the season February 16th in Charleston, SC with the home opener slated for March 10 against Alabama. Other schedule highlights include a return to Minneapolis March 3-5 for the Dairy Queen Classic and games against Notre Dame, Arizona and Minnesota. The Creighton games are slated for April 4 and May 16 with both games being held at The Blatt. Big 12 home series are on tap against Kansas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech & Oklahoma with Big 12 road series against Kanasas State, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma State & Baylor.  

Overall I think the outlook for this year's team is solid although the schedule, especially the B12 schedule is BRUTAL as we play all of the top Big 12 teams (Missouri, Texas & Baylor) on the road. Pitching will have to carry this team early as the young bats come around. My expectations for this team are a Top 3 finish in the B12, an NCAA Regional appearance, a possible NCAA Super Regional appearance and a very, very outside shot at a return to the CWS. 

Have a great day!

Go Big Red!!!!

Jeff