Huskers Ranked in National Polls

Lincoln ? With the start of baseball practice set to begin in just over two weeks, the Nebraska baseball team is ranked nationally in both preseason polls released over the last two weeks.

The Huskers are 20th by Collegiate Baseball, as the publication lists five conference squads in its preseason top 40, and are ranked 24th in Baseball America’s preseason poll and are one of four Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25 by the publication. Other Big 12 teams ranked in at least one preseason publication include Texas (5 in Collegiate Baseball, 8 in Baseball America), Baylor (11, 13), Texas A&M (32, 21) and Oklahoma State (33, NR).

Judging by the preseason polls, the Huskers will be tested in 2004, as Nebraska faces 10 of the teams ranked by Collegiate Baseball, including top-ranked and defending national champion Rice, who is atop both preseason polls. In fact, five of the Huskers first 12 games ? which are all away from Hawks Field ? will be against nationally ranked opponents including matchups with Rice (1, 1), North Carolina (21, 15) Florida State (24, 22) Minnesota (25, /NR) and San Diego (39, NR).

The Huskers will open the 2004 campaign in Albuquerque, N.M., the weekend of Feb. 20-22, when they take on the host Lobos, Kent State and Northwestern. The Huskers will play their first 12 games on the road before opening up at home against Western Illinois on Tuesday, March 16.