Baseball Team Set for Red/White Series

By Shamus McKnight
Nebraska's version of the fall classic takes place this week, as the Huskers close fall drills with the annual Red/White Series.

The week of baseball, which is free to the public at Hawks Field Oct. 7-11, allows fans a first-hand opportunity to preview the 2004 team before practice resumes in mid-January.

While the Red/White Series is basically a week of intrasquad games, for the Husker players and coaches, it means a lot more.

"It's the last time we step on the field for the fall, so every game is very competitive," junior outfielder Jesse Boyer said.

For the coaches, it is an opportunity to simulate game situations and give the players a taste of what conference games are like in the spring.

"As a staff, it allows us a chance to see the players in a highly competitive environment, and to see how they perform under those conditions," Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "We put a great importance on the series."

Anderson is in a unique position during the series ? a neutral observer ? as assistant coaches Rob Childress and Andy Sawyers take control of the squads. The roster is split into two teams which are as even as possible. The coaches also treat the week separately from the other three weeks of fall drills, which included an exhibition against a select team from Ontario.

"We keep stats during the fall, but we use the series as another place for players to showcase themselves," Anderson said. "A couple of years ago, Justin Seely had just transferred here and was struggling at the plate, but came out and really broke through during the series and showed that he could be a great player for us."

Last fall, a pair of freshmen made their first major marks during the Red/White series. Alex Gordon batted .421 with a team-high seven RBIs and six walks, while Tim Schoeninger was equally dominant on the mound, going 1-1 with a save and a 1.12 ERA in four appearances. The duo helped the Red squad to a 4-2 series win over the White, and showed a glimpse of the potential of Gordon and Schoeninger, who both earned freshmen All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball in 2003.

"Tim really made his mark last year during the series," Anderson said. "For the freshmen and newcomers, it takes a while to adjust to Division I baseball, and the series gives them a clean slate to work with. Instead of trying to adjust, they have had a few weeks in the program, and you see them going out and competing with our veterans."

One player who is looking forward to the series is infielder Jake Mullinax. The senior from Hesperia, Calif., has been one of the Huskers' top performers this fall, batting .556 with five homers in his first 18 at-bats. He also brings a unique perspective to the series, as he missed all of last fall while completing his work in junior college.

"Just from the players talking, the intensity level is going to be high," Mullinax said. "Each team has a goal to win, and there is a lot on the line for us."

For more information on the Red/White Series, including starting times and game recaps, log on to Huskers.com.