2004 Outlook
It has been a while since Nebraska has featured a legitimate two-way performer. In fact, one would have to go back to the 1995 season, when Alvie Shepherd hit (.343-12-70) and pitched (2-5, five saves) to a first-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles. While Shepherd, who was 6-7, 215 pounds, used power, junior college transfer Colin Shockey’s forte is speed. The 5-10, 170-pounder returns to the state after spending the last two years at Iowa Western Community College, where he hit .374 and stole 55 bases during his junior college career. Shockey enters the spring as the leading candidate to replace three-year starter Jeff Leise in center field. Shockey, who played center field and second base in addition to his pitching duties during the fall, was one of the Huskers’ top performers in the Red/White series, batting .316 with seven runs scored, four RBIs and four walks while posting an on-base percentage of .481. He made one pitching appearance, throwing a perfect inning in the Red team’s clinching win. The Husker coaching staff believes Shockey’s versatility - he can play nearly every infield and outfield position - and baseball savvy make him a highly valued commodity during conference play.

"We are looking for ways to utilize his talents," Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He will likely start the year in center field where he can use his speed to run down balls and has a very strong throwing arm. One thing that is obvious when you watch him play is that he is a fundamentally sound player, and that comes from being around the sport all his life. He is someone who could hit at the top or bottom of the lineup for us."

"Colin is not a very big kid but throws in the upper 80s and 90s with a very good breaking ball," Pitching Coach Rob Childress said. "We are looking at him in the role of being a short reliever or even as a possible closer if we needed. He throws a lot of strikes and has the competitiveness that you look for on the mound."

Before Nebraska
Shockey comes to Nebraska after spending the previous two seasons at Iowa Western Community College under Coach Marc Rardin. Shockey finished his two-year career at IWCC batting .374 with 55 stolen bases. As a sophomore, he earned first-team Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (IACAC) honors, hitting .375 with 39 stolen bases in 42 attempts. During his freshman season, he was an honorable-mention all-conference selection, batting .374 with 27 RBIs, 46 runs scored and 16 stolen bases to help the Reivers to a 48-8-1 record and a No. 5 national ranking. In addition to his exploits on the diamond, he earned NJCAA Academic All-America honors in 2003.

Playing for his father Curt at Ralston High School, Shockey was a two-time first-team All-Nebraska selection. As a senior, he batted .453 while going 7-2 with a 2.07 ERA and 82 strikeouts, He hit .484 with 26 RBIs, while compiling a 9-4 record with 92 strikeouts in 79.2 innings during his junior campaign. Shockey chose Nebraska over Creighton, Louisiana-Lafayette, Kansas and Western Illinois. Over the summer, Shockey played for Coach Bob Steinkamp’s Beatrice Bruins, hitting .307 with 32 runs scored and 25 stolen bases in 29 attempts to help the Bruins to a 28-10 record. He was second on the team in both runs scored and sacrifices (10), third in walks (15) and fourth in hits. He also made six appearances on the mound, going 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA, striking out 13 hitters in 15 innings.

Personal Info
Birthdate: Sept. 18, 1982; Parents: Curt and Mary Shockey, and Shelley Shockey; Siblings: Brother: Jason; Major: Criminal Justice.