Nebraska Preview

I wrote a little yesterday on how Nebraska won a tough series against A&M last week. Nebraska is a team that was predicted to finish 6th in the conference due to many reasons including some off season troubles for some players. We can not say this is not a good team anymore, they just find a way to keep winning. The Tigers will have a tough time on their hands this weekend but they have played better the last couple of weekends. It also seems like the pitching is coming together as well with Gibson continuing to pitch well and Zagone as well, even though he hit a wall in his start last week. The Tigers have also played well the last conference series of the year. Two years ago they swept Texas, last year beat Kansas two out three with Frey memorable three run walk off home run. Lets hope that trend continues.

Projected Pitching Match ups

Nebraska (39-9-1, 17-6-1 Big 12)

Probable Starting Pitchers

Dorn vs. Crow Friday will be a huge match up. I expect lots of scouts to be watching this one. Dorn has returned to form after a tough season last year and become Nebraska's ace. If the Tigers can win Friday night, I think they could sweep the series. Weber was 6-0 over a stretch from March 1-April 5 with an earned run average of 1.64. He struggled in his last outing which was a no decision against the Aggies allowing six runs. Pribanic has average numbers and gives up a lot of hits (69 in 67.2IP). He does not walk many (32BB) and has 55 strike outs. On Saturday and Sunday, I expect it to be Gibson and Zagone. It was odd to see Gibson out of the pen last week, but that might just show how little confidence Coach J has in anyone outside of Ryan Allen and Nick Tepesch. Ian Berger should also get some time in at some point this weekend.

Insights from a Nebraska fan

Dan jennings might be the sunday guy, although i doubt they'd switch it up at this point in the season. Pribanic throws harder than any of them, but lacks control big time. Jennings has been unreal but he's also nice to bring in late in the games.



Friday
NU-Johnny Dorn, Sr., RHP (5-1, 2.65 ERA)
MU-Aaron Crow, Jr., RHP (11-0, 2.82 ERA)

Saturday
NU-Thad Weber, Sr., RHP (8-2, 4.24 ERA)
MU-TBA

Sunday
NU-Aaron Pribanic, Jr., RHP (3-3, 4.26 ERA)
MU-TBA

lets look at some regional projections.

Last Nebraska line up

Nimmo, Bryce cf
Mort, Jake 3b
Opitz, Jake
Abeita, Mitch
Sullivan, Nick lf
Farst, Tyler 1b
Belfonte, DJ rf
Stewart, David dh
Cotton, Andy ss
Neer, Cody ph
Kline, Ben ss 1

This is according to Rivals.com as of this week

Houston Regional
Host: Rice {5}
1. Rice (CUSA Automatic)
4. Columbia (IVY Automatic)
2. Missouri (Big XII at large)
3. Dallas Baptist (Independent at large)

Baseball America

Ann Arbor, Mich

1. San Diego
2. Michigan* regional host
3. Missouri
4. Notre Dame

From baseballamerica.com

Missouri, like Kentucky, could move up to a No. 2 seed with a strong finish, but the Tigers will have to deal with Nebraska this weekend in Columbia, Mo. The Tigers, who are ranked No. 15 in the nation, stick out as a No. 3 seed, but bad losses to Minnesota, Western Illinois, Southern Illinois, Texas Tech and Kansas hurt their RPI (46), as do nine games against Indiana State, Toledo and South Dakota State. Still, beating Nebraska could render all of that moot.