With Nebraska's successful 2021 baseball season just completed; it stands to reason that they will now start to reap the recruiting rewards of such a pronounced turnaround in the program's fortunes.
On Saturday, the Huskers picked up a new commitment from Olathe, Kansas right-handed pitcher Austin Berggren. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Olathe East high school product finished his spring season with 42.2 innings pitched, while giving up 24 hits with 47 strikeouts, and a 1.96 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
"I think I first made contact with Coach (Jeff) Christy about eight or nine months ago when I was sitting like about 85-86 at that point," Berggren shared. "That was almost a year ago, but right now, I am 89-91 [mph].
"I have always been a big fan of programs on the rebuild, and that's what Nebraska has started to do. That got me really interested in them. I just fell in love with the school, the players, and the coaches."
Berggren utilizes a two-seam fastball, as well as a slider, curveball and changeup. He got on Nebraska's radar by attending baseball camps in Lincoln the past couple years.
In addition to the Huskers, Berggren had been talking with Wichita State, Marshall, Jackson State, and some Kansas community colleges. He was offered a scholarship by the Husker coaches a month ago and has been considering it since then as he watched NU go on their postseason run.
"It was really exciting, actually," Berggren stated. "it kind of sucks how it ended, but I mean, they gave Arkansas a good run for their money. I know Coach (Will) Bolt is doing great things and he has rebuilt the whole program and everything. The only way is up from here."
Berggren pitches for Natural Baseball Academy summer team under Scott Jones in Olathe.
"Because of high school baseball in the spring when I threw a lot of innings, I've been a reliever until the past two weekends when I have started," Berggren said.
Berggren is also the starting quarterback for the Olathe East football team.
"It's a really big relief!" Berggren said about having his college decision out of the way. "I get along very well with Coach Christy. Me and him can spark up a conversation like that. We can talk about really anything."
