2004 Outlook
Freshman Phil Zander earned his spot on the roster during the fall, as the only player to advance past the Huskers’ walk-on tryouts in September. Zander had originally tried out the previous year and was unsuccessful before sticking with the club this fall. He made two appearances in the Red/White Series, allowing one run and striking out three in two innings of work. Zander, who tried to walk-on with the football team as a punter during 2003 spring drills, will work out of the bullpen and provide depth for the Husker pitching staff.

"Phil has been at our tryout camp the last two years, and has really gotten better," Pitching Coach Rob Childress said. "He was throwing in the upper 80s, but is very raw. The thing we liked about him is that he works very hard and pitches with a lot of passion."

Before Nebraska
A 2002 graduate of Kaukauna (Wis.) High School, Zander played for Coach Jeff Gustman. As a senior, he was the Fox Valley Association Pitcher of the Year, compiling a 5-2 record with a 1.88 ERA. He tossed seven complete games in eight starts, while striking out 68 - to only five walks - in 52 innings of work. A first-team all-district selection as a senior, he struck out 181 during his high school career. In the state all-star game as a senior, he struck out seven in three innings of no-hit ball. Zander also played two seasons of football, earning all-area honors as a place-kicker in 2002. In the classroom, he was chosen as a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete, carrying a 3.75 GPA.

Personal Info
Birthdate: Sept. 7, 1983; Parents: Nancy and Timothy Zander; Sister: Angela; Brother: Robert; Major: Fisheries and Wildlife.