[Husker] Baseball Recap: Week 3

[Skylar Dodds]

Since it's slow, I'll post some baseball updates.

--------------------------------------------------------------

From: 
http://www.nebsports.com/2009/03/09/husker-baseball-blog-week-3/


Week 3 Recap
The Huskers posted a perfect 5-0 record this week. The pitching was solid,
but the real story was the offense.  The Husker bats pushed across 51 runs
this week (10.2 per game) off 65 hits (13 per game) to drown out their
opponents.  The Huskers took advantage of big innings scoring 5 or more runs
in an inning 4 times.  The pitching certainly held its own, posting a 3.40
ERA on the week and a complete game victory on Friday.

Nebraska 11 - South Dakota State 2
Kyle Bubak sparked a 16-hit barrage with a 4-5 day in the leadoff spot
scoring 4 times.  Casey Hauptman kept the South Dakota State Jakrabbits bats
silent going 6 innings and giving up just a run on 4 hits and 3 Ks.  The
game was back and forth until the Huskers scored 4 runs over the 5th and 6th
inning and put the game away with 5 in the 8th.

On offense, Adam Bailey helped Bubak charge the Huskers going 2 for 5 with 4
RBIs including his 5th homer of the year.  Cody Asche and Cody Neer added
two hits apiece to help the cause.

Nebraska 9 - Cal State Northridge 3
Mike Nesseth gave up back to back home runs in the 4th inning a 2-run shot
then a solo shot, but otherwise kept the Matadors at bay for his first
complete game victory of the season.  Adam Bailey powered the Husker offense
with 3 RBIs and Tyler Farst scored twice.  The Huskers gave Nesseth all the
runs he would need in a 5-run 2nd capped by Bailey's 2-RBI single.

On the year, Nesseth is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA and has struck out 26.  With the
four game series over the weekend, the long outing allowed the Huskers to
save their bullpen for the rest of the weekend.

Nebraska 11 - Cal State Northridge 5
The Huskers again erupted for a big 2nd inning scoring 7 runs and giving
JUCO transfer Jordan Roualdes all the runs he needed.   A bases loaded
two-out double from Cody Neer broke the game open and vaulted the Huskers
out to a 6-0 lead.  Neer later scored on a Cody Asche single to center to
cap the scoring at 7-0. 

Roualdes went 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs for the win and Matt Freeman
finished up the final 3 for the save allowing just 1 run.

Nebraska 12 - Cal State Northridge 6
In the nightcap, the Huskers fell behind quickly for the only time all week.
Senior Erik Bird struggled on the mound, lasting just 3 innings, allowing 5
runs on 6 hits and 4 walks.  The Huskers bats would pick him up, however,
exploding for 8 runs in the bottom of the 4th to take their first lead of
the ballgame.

After a Cade Thompson solo home run, the Huskers loaded the bases with two
singles and a hit batter for Kyle Bubak.  Bubak singled to right, scoring
two and bringing the Huskers within 1 run, 5-4.  After DJ Belfonte was hit
by a pitch, Bailey put the huskers up 6-5 with a two run single up the
middle.  After a pitching change, Farst drilled a 3-run bomb over the right
field wall to give the Huskers a 9-5 lead. 

Nebraska 8 - Cal State Northridge 2
Michael Mariot dominated the Matadors on getaway day going 7 innings
allowing just 1 earned run and walking just 1 while striking out 4 to earn
his first win of the season.   Casey Hauptman finished the job, allowing 1
more run over 2 innings while fanning 4.

For the offense, Kyle Bubak continued his hot streak pounding out 4 hits in
as many at bats driving in one and scoring twice.  Senior 3rd baseman Jake
Mort hit just his 2nd homer of his career with a 3-run blast just over the
wall in right-center.  Cody Neer also continued his hot hitting with a 2 for
4 day with 2 RBIs.

A look back: The Good
Kyle Bubak - The JUCO transfer was a terror at the plate this week.  Kyle
was 12 of 23 for a .522 average with 5 RBIs powering the Huskers.
Adam Bailey - In what's becoming the norm for Bailey, the JUCO transfer was
a run producing machine with a team-leading 11 RBIs to go with 2 homeruns
and a salty .421 average, Bailey now leads the Big XII in homers, RBIs and
is 2nd in the league in total bases.
Cody Neer - It was looking like incoming freshman Cory Burleson was going to
take over as the frontrunner for the catcher position, but Cody wasn't going
away quietly.  Posting a team-leading .538 average for the week with 6 RBIs
including 4 for the first game on Saturday, it's clear we have a heated race
for the crucial battery spot.
DJ Belfonte - This was a week DJ needed.  After a rough start to the season
with a sub .200 average, DJ bounced back this week posting a .429 average
and raising his season average to .241.  The Huskers will need DJ to produce
this season for it all to come together.
Mike Nesseth - Going the distance in Friday's 9-3 win was not only a
dominating performance (aside from the two pitches he'd like to have back)
but it allowed the Huskers to preserve their bullpen for the rest of the
weekend, something very important in a long 4-game series.
Michael Mariot - After a rough start a week ago, Michael bounced back
showing that when he has his control, he's one of Nebraska's top pitchers.
Casey Hauptman - Mike Anderson has compared Casey to Dan Jennings, a guy you
can call on when you really need some outs. On the week, he pitched 8.0
innings, gave up just 2 earned runs and struck out 7 to preserve his
team-leading 1.45 ERA.
Free Passes - Putting aside the 7 walks that the Huskers surrendered on
Saturday night, the team gave just 4 free passes in the other 4 games.  So
far this season, when the team has struggled on the mound it's been when the
control isn't there.  For this team to succeed, Coach Newman needs to get
his message across and eliminate the free pass.

A look back: The Not So Good
Erik Bird - The senior righty has had a rough start to the season.  In 3
starts he's averaged less than 4 innings of work and surrendered 12 earned
runs for a team-high 9.26 ERA.  The Huskers will need Erik this season to
bring some leadership to a young pitching staff.
Nick Sullivan - Nick has had a rough start to the year, batting just .184
while starting 11 of the 14 games with just 1 extra base hit.  Nick's a
solid glove in the outfield, but the Huskers will need his bat to start
heating up, especially in conference play when you suspect the young hitters
will drop a little due to tougher competition.

Overall Grade: A-
The offensive explosion was nice to see out of this Husker team with some of
the veterans stepping up and a continued push from the youngsters.  The
pitching was solid, but the 7 free passes on Saturday night is like the cold
bug that won't go away.  We certainly can't do that against the UTs, aTms
and OUs of the world.

The Huskers take the midweek off and start Big XII play at Lubbock, Texas
against the 6-8 Red Raiders of Texas Tech.


--
Skylar