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baseball Edit

Huskers are "rowdy" and ready for series against Rutgers

How to watch/listen
Game TV/Stream Radio TuneIn

Friday: May 5 - Rutgers @ Nebraska 6:30 p.m. CT

BTN Plus

1400/590 AM

Huskers IMG Sports Network

Saturday: May 6 - Rutgers @ Nebraska 2:00 p.m. CT

BTN2Go

1400/590 AM

Huskers IMG Sports Network

Sunday: May 7- Rutgers @ Nebraska 12:00 p.m. CT

BTN2Go

1400/590 AM

Huskers IMG Sports Network

Jake Meyers has continued to show why he is one of the best two-way players in baseball.
Jake Meyers has continued to show why he is one of the best two-way players in baseball.
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With Nebraska (26-16-1) entering this weekend as the standalone second place, all the focus will be on Rutgers as they come to Hawks field and look to take down the Huskers.

It was finals week for NU and some players even had some finals early Friday morning, but head coach Darin Erstad didn’t seem worried about how the team would respond.

“We just need to get them out here moving around,” Erstad said. “Judging by past experiences with these guys, there is quite a bit of relief tomorrow afternoon. I expect a pretty rowdy bunch ready to play.”

“There was a little bit of a break in there to work on some stuff as a team and as individuals.” junior pitcher Jake Meyers said. "It was a good time off, but everyone wants to play ball.”

While Rutgers is currently 84th in the RPI according to d1baseball.com, they have challenged themselves with the 18th toughest schedule in the country. The Huskers will now have two home weekend series in a row vs. Rutgers and Michigan State (RPI 86) and they close at Penn State (RPI 210). Despite the weaker slate, Erstad seems determined to have his guys locked in.

“We are going to come out and play pitch-to-pitch like we do,” Erstad said. “I’m only concerned with preparing for the first pitch tomorrow."

It's also Military Appreciation weekend, meaning all veterans and military personal will receive free entry into this weekend's game with a proper military ID.



Probable Starters:

Friday, May 5 - 6:30 p.m. CT: Rutgers - RHP Gaby Rosa (3-4, 6.41 ERA, 39.1 IP, 21K) vs. Nebraska - RHP Jake Hohensee (5-2, 3.16 ERA, 57 IP, 38K)

Saturday, May 6 - 2:00 CT: Rutgers - RHP Serafino Brito (3-7, 4.63 ERA, 58.1 IP, 37K) vs. Nebraska - RHP Derek Burkamper (3-4, 3.92 ERA, 43.2 IP, 36K)

Sunday, May 7 - 12:00 CT: Rutgers - RHP John O'Reilly (4-6, 5.84 ERA, 61.2 IP, 33K) Nebraska - LHP Jake Meyers (7-1, 2.73 ERA, 62.2 IP, 39K)


Quick Hits:

***The Huskers are currently in second place in the Big Ten standings behind Maryland, who is 13-5 in conference play. Although there are currently four other teams tied for third place that have a 9-6 record, they include Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Purdue.

“We treat game one as we do whatever game is next. Erstad said. “Regardless of being home or away or opponent, it doesn’t matter. That’s the mentality you have to have in the game of baseball.”

*** Jake Meyers continues to put together a potential all-American type season as he has posted a .289 batting average and dominating at the mound with a 2.73 ERA. Meyers has been a catalyst in helping NU keep its composure throughout the season and has been stable on the mound. Despite losing freshman pitchers Connor Curry, Paul Tillotson and junior Reece Eddins for the season due to injuries, Meyers has led Nebraska to the second-lowest team ERA (3.58) in the Big Ten.

“My defense has been incredible for me,” Meyers said. “That’s ultimately why I have confidence up there and I just believe in myself because of them.

*** Last season, Nebraska’s home runs numbers skyrocketed. The Huskers hit 43 home runs in 2016, which was nearly double (22) then they hit in 2015. It seems like Nebraska’s offense had been slowing down up until last week. Prior to two weeks, the Huskers had only hit 11 home runs on the season, which was the lowest in the Big Ten.

*** According to CollegeSportsMadness.com, NU is projected to be a three-seed in the Tucson regional. They would face off against Yale and play either Arizona or Baylor if they advanced.


In the other dugout:

*** Rutgers hasn’t had the best of seasons, but they certainly are hitting their stride at the right time. They are 5-3 in the last eight league games after starting 0-4 including a recent road series win against Iowa. The Scarlet Knights are 17-26 on the year and are in ninth place in the Big Ten. Only the top eight teams advance to the Big Ten Tournament so it seems the stakes are going to be elevated for both teams. NU leads the all-times series, 5-1.

*** Containing Rutgers slugger Mike Carter is no easy matter. His accolades can speak for themselves as he is second in the Big Ten with a .368 batting average, while first with 64 hits and a team-high 30 RBI. Another guy to watch out for will be freshman Kevin Welsh, who has a hit in 10 of the last 11 games and is batting .419 in the last 10 games. Lastly, junior Jawaun Harris leads the team with seven home runs on the year.

*** Look for Friday starting pitcher Gaby Rosa to set the tone his first inning. Last outing, he tied his career-high in strikeouts and left with the lead against Michigan. While there is no lockdown pitcher for the Scarlet Knights, they have one of the most reliable relieve pitchers in the Big Ten. Senior Ryan Fleming has appeared in 21 games this season and is third in school history with 15 saves.

*** Rutgers started off the season averaging 5.5 runs through its first 27 games, since then, they have been averaging 8.7 runs a game including an astounding 28 run game against Lafayette. The team has been hitting .319 during the streak as well has reached double-digit runs four times.

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