Huskers Look for Ninth Straight Win

Today’s Preview: Nebraska bids for its ninth straight win, as it takes on the Redbirds of Illinois State this afternoon at Hawks Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and fans can follow the action on selected Pinnacle Sports Network affiliates (contact your local Pinnacle Sports Network affiliate for broadcast availability). The Huskers (12-2) won the first meeting of the two-game set, 10-7, and will be looking for their 16th straight home win dating back to last season. Nebraska used three homers, including two by first baseman Brandon Buckman, to overcome a 6-4 deficit. With Tuesday’s win, Nebraska has won both of the all-time series wins.

Tuesday Recap:  Behind two homers from Brandon Buckman, No. 3 Nebraska increased its win streak to eight games with a 10-7 victory over Illinois State Tuesday afternoon. Buckman picked up his second multi-homer game of the season, leading the Huskers (12-2) from a 6-4 deficit, as the Husker first baseman went 3-for-4 and matched his career high with four RBIs. Shortstop Ryan Wehrle also had two hits, including a game-tying homer in the sixth, and scored twice, while Andy Gerch went 2-for-4 with two doubles and scored three times in helping the Huskers pound out 12 hits and win their 15th straight at home dating back to last season. Luke Wertz earned the win in relief, allowing one run on three hits over 2.2 innings.

Today’s Starter: Redshirt freshman Tim Radmacher (pronounced Rod-mock-er) makes his Husker debut this afternoon against Western Illinois. He redshirted in 2005, but spent the summer pitching for the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League, going 5-0 with a 2.79 ERA in 48.1 innings of work. The 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander struck out 34 and walked nine while limiting opponents to a .218 average. In 2004, Radmacher was the Minnesota state player of the year, going 10-2 with a 0.98 ERA and 107 strikeouts.

Dorn Earns Big 12 Honor: Husker right-hander Johnny Dorn was honored Tuesday afternoon as he was chosen as the Big 12’s Co-Pitcher of the Week for March 7-13. Dorn was tabbed for the honor following his complete-game victory against Alabama on March 11. The right-hander from Grand Island allowed one unearned run on four hits, while fanning a season-high eight Crimson Tide hitters. It was Dorn’s first complete game of the season and first since last season’s Big 12 Tournament. Dorn shared the weekly pitching honor with Texas right-hander Kenn Kasparek, who went 2-0 with victories over No. 3 Rice and No. 19 Long Beach State.

Schedule Change for This Weekend: Because of a strong chance of inclement weather on the weekend, Nebraska Baseball Coach Mike Anderson announced time changes to this weekend’s series with South Dakota State. The series between the third-ranked Huskers and Jackrabbits will now begin with a doubleheader this Friday, March 17, beginning at 12:05 p.m. The teams will now play single games on both Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s ticket will admit fans to both games of the doubleheader. General Admission tickets for all three days are available by calling the Nebraska Ticket Office at (800) 8-BIGRED or on the Internet at Huskers.com.

Weekend Schedule

• Friday, March 17   vs. South Dakota State (Doubleheader)  12:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 18  vs. South Dakota State                      12:05 p.m.
• Sunday, March 19  vs. South Dakota State                         1:05 p.m.

Tickets for Nebraska-Creighton Games  Go on Sale on Saturday
Tickets for Nebraska’s two games against Creighton at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium go on sale this Saturday, March 18. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com, 402-422-1212), at Creighton’s Michael Morrison Stadium (19th and California), or at any Omaha area Baker’s or Younkers store. In Lincoln, tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster (402-475-1212), at the Nebraska Student Union (14th and R), Younkers (Gateway Mall), Pershing Auditorium or at Russ’s Market stores.

Fun With Numbers
? Jeff Lanning’s start behind the plate on Tuesday ended a streak of 30 consecutive starts behind the plate for senior Jeff Christy dating back to last May, In fact, Christy had started 48 of Nebraska’s last 50 games behind the plate dating back to last season. Lanning was one of five Huskers who made their first starts of the year at respective positions: Luke Gorsett (DH); Nick Sullivan (RF); Andy Gerch (LF) and Matt Foust (P).
? Nebraska brings several impressive streaks into Wednesday’s game, as it brings a 15-game home winning streak into the contest. The home winning streak is the third-longest active streak in the country. NU has also won 30 straight non-conference home games dating back to the 2004 season.

No.  School          Home Winning Streak
1      Florida State             27
2      Oral Roberts            18
3       Nebraska                15

? Matt Foust’s 1.2 inning start on Tuesday was not only NU’s shortest start of the year, but only the second time in 14 games in which a Husker starter didn’t reach the fifth inning. The last time a Husker starter didn’t get out of the second inning was last April 20, when Phil Shirek faced only four batters against Northern Iowa.
? Nebraska has hit 10 homers in seven games this month, and all 10 round trippers have been of the solo variety.
? With Brandon Buckman’s second two-homer game of the year, each of the last four multi-homer games have been by Husker first basemen (two by Curtis Ledbetter).