Huskers Play Host to Northern Colorado

Lincoln -- The Nebraska baseball team returns home this week to begin a five-game homestand Tuesday night, as the University of Northern Colorado Bears visit Hawks Field for a two-game series. Tuesday’s game is slated for a 6:35 p.m., start, while Wednesday’s matinee is scheduled for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch.

Tickets are available for both games by calling 800-8-Big Red or at the Hawks Field Ticket office 90 minutes before first pitch. Baseball season ticket holders also have an opportunity to watch the Husker softball team take on Northern Colorado, as the two teams will also play a twinbill on Tuesday, beginning at 5 p.m.

Tuesday’s matchup, will be carried on the Pinnacle Sports Network (check local affiliates for broadcast availability), while Wednesday’s game will be carried on KRNU, 90.3 FM. Both games will be video-streamed on HuskersNside subscription service.

The Huskers enter the series with a 27-12 record after defeating No. 1 Texas, 4-3, on Sunday, the Huskers’ first win over a No. 1 team since 1999. Despite dropping 2-of-3 to the nation’s top-ranked team, NU played well in the final two games of the series at Texas. NU is 13-4 at Hawks Field this season, as UNC makes its first visit to Hawks Field. NU leads the all-time series, 16-4, but the teams have not met since splitting two meetings in Lincoln during the 1991 season. (L, 2-4; W, 5-2).

On Tuesday, Jon Klausing (0-0, 5.65 ERA) makes his second career start and his first since April 6 in the series opener. Klausing made his last appearance in Tuesday’s loss to Creighton and has not allowed an earned run in his last three outings. He earned a save against Western Illinois, allowing one hit over four innings.

On Wednesday, freshman Brad Furnish (1-0, 3.27 ERA) makes his third start of the season, as he comes into the matchup with a 1-0 record and a 3.27 ERA. The Lucas, Texas, native tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday’s loss at No. 1 Texas after allowing a pair of runs in 2.2 innings against Creighton last Tuesday. Furnish earned his first victory on March 17, when he allowed two hits in five shutout innings in the Huskers’ home opener against Western Illinois.

The Bears, a long-time Division I power who has made 10 CWS appearances before competing at the Division II ranks, returned to Division I this season and comes to Lincoln with a 25-15 mark after taking 3-of-4 from Texas A&M Corpus Christi last weekend. UNC took 2-of-3 against Creighton in Omaha earlier this month and also played Kansas State very competitively (3-5, 3-6) in their only other matchups against a Big 12 team.

The Bears bring a potent offensive attack, hitting .334 as a team. Catcher Patrick Perry paces the Bears with a .429 average, as he added nine homers and 49 RBIs. Outfielder Trevor Allen is also above the .400 mark with a .403 average, eight homers and 41 RBIs. On the mound, the Bears will throw right-hander Craig Ayers (8-1, 3.90 ERA) on Tuesday and a former Husker, left-hander Pat O’Neil (6-1, 4.37 ERA) on Wednesday.

Nebraska will counter with a balanced offense that features six starters hitting over .300 on the season. All-America candidate Alex Gordon paces the Husker offense with a Big 12-leading .389 average with 14 homers and 58 RBIs. He carries a team-high 10-game hitting streak into the series and ranks second in the Big 12 in both homers (14) and RBIs (58), while pacing the league in slugging percentage (.833) and on-base percentage (.503).

Following the mid-week series with Northern Colorado, the Huskers will return to conference play this weekend when they play host to Texas A&M beginning Friday evening.

Nebraska vs. Northern Colorado Series Probables
Tues. (6:35 p.m. CDT)
NU-Jon Klausing (0-0, 5.65 ERA) vs. UNC-Craig Ayers (8-1, 3.90 ERA)
Radio ? Pinnacle Sports (KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln); Huskers.com
Video Streaming: HuskersNside

Wed. (2:05 p.m. CDT) 
NU-Brad Furnish (1-0, 3.27 ERA)  vs. UNC-Pat O’Neil (6-1, 4.37 ERA)
Radio ? KRNU (90.3 FM in Lincoln); Huskers.com
Video Streaming: HuskersNside