Huskers Jump to Third in Baseball America Poll

Lincoln - Fresh off a three-game sweep of eighth-ranked Baylor, the Nebraska baseball team earned its highest ranking of the season Monday. The Huskers, 30-8 on the year, moved from sixth to third in this week's Baseball America poll, marking the highest national ranking NU has earned in that publication in 18 seasons. The Huskers were ranked as high as second by the publication in 1983 after starting the season with a school-record 26-game winning streak.

The Huskers, who lead the Big 12 with a 13-3 mark, remained at No. 5 in the Collegiate Baseball poll, while improving from ninth to fifth in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN poll - NU's highest ranking of the season. Nebraska went a perfect 5-0 last week, including a doubleheader sweep over Southern Utah on Tuesday. The Huskers have won 13 of their last 14 games and are 8-1 on their current homestand.

"Naturally, we are pleased with our place in the Big 12 and the recognition we have received in the national rankings," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said. "It is a testament to the level of consistency we have displayed over the first 38 games, but we still have a lot of games to play. We still have areas that we can improve on and want to get better each week."

Baylor, which was ranked as high as eighth before last weekend's series with the Huskers, dropped to 21st in Collegiate Baseball and 20th in Baseball America. The Bears are one of four Big 12 teams ranked in at least one poll, as Texas is ranked as high as 20th by Collegiate Baseball, while Texas Tech enters the poll at No. 30 by Collegiate Baseball. Stanford is the nation's top-ranked team in all three polls. The Cardinal enter the week with a 27-7 mark.

The Huskers conclude their 11-game homestand this week with a pair of games against Texas-San Antonio Tuesday and Wednesday. Junior right-hander R.D. Spiehs (4-2, 6.62 ERA) will get the start in Tuesday's 6:30 p.m. opener, while sophomore left-hander Waylon Byers (2-0, 4.85 ERA) takes the hill in Wednesday's series finale, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

The Roadrunners are 22-24 on the season after losing two of three from McNeese State over the weekend. Freshman right-hander Klae Boehme (2-2, 5.82 ERA) will start Tuesday's contest for the Roadrunners, while senior left-hander Hunter Wenzel (0-2, 4.22 ERA) will face the Huskers on Wednesday.

Tuesday's contest will be carried on the Pinnacle Sports Network, while Wednesday's matinee will be broadcast by KRNU (90.3 FM). Both games will be carried over the internet at Huskers.com.