Husker Baseball Opens Spring Drills on Friday

Lincoln ? With opening day just over four weeks away, the Husker baseball team takes the field for the first time on Friday, Jan. 19 in the new Hawks Championship Center. Practice is tentatively scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in the Hawks Championship Center.

While the Huskers welcome back a veteran team that features 22 returning letterwinners from a team that went 42-17 last season, the biggest change is the location for their indoor workouts, as Friday’s practice will be the first time the Huskers use the Hawks Championship Center for practices.

The finishing touches for the baseball and softball programs took place over winter break, as the hitting cages were moved into the new facility. The addition allows the Huskers to conduct drills in one building, using the football-sized field adjacent to the hitting cages. The Huskers, who are ranked between ninth and 17th in the various preseason polls this season, are eager to use the Hawks Center for the first time for team practices.

"The Hawks Championship Center provides us with an incredible indoor facility that our staff and players are excited about." Anderson said.

Anderson said he’s "chomping at the bit" to begin preseason practice to prepare for Nebraska’s 2007 season opener against New Mexico on Feb. 16.

"I can’t wait to have our team together for practice," Anderson said Thursday. "They have worked hard to prepare for the year and we are excited for practice to begin. I know our staff is anxious to begin practice and I can sense it in the players during individual sessions this week."

The Huskers return six position player starters and 12 pitchers from a squad that that reached an NCAA regional for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.

The Husker returnees are highlighted by junior left-hander Tony Watson and junior shortstop Ryan Wehrle, who were both named preseason All-Americans. Watson, who is also on the Roger Clemens Award Watch List, compiled a 10-2 record with a 2.78 ERA in 2006, ranking among the Big 12 leaders in wins, innings and opponent batting average (.236) en route to first-team All-Big 12 accolades last spring. Watson was drafted in the 17th round by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2006 MLB Draft, but elected to return for his junior campaign.

Watson anchors a veteran staff that also features two-time All-Big 12 pitcher Johnny Dorn (9-4, 3.89 ERA) and sophomore right-hander Charlie Shirek (4-2, 3.23 ERA) along with relievers Erik Bird (0-2, 0.82 ERA in 24 appearances)) and Zach Herr (0-0, 2.05 ERA in 24 appearances).

Wehrle, a third-team All-American a year ago, highlights the offensive returnees after hitting .367 with eight homers and 48 RBIs a year ago. The Papillion, Neb., native also ranked among the Big 12 leaders with 22 doubles and was a perfect 14-of-14 on stolen base attempts in 2006.The first Husker shortstop since 1985 to earn first-team all-conference honors, Wehrle was picked in the 18th round by the Cincinnati Reds, but elected to return to NU for the 2007 campaign.

In addition to Wehrle, the Huskers feature three other returning all-conference performers, utility player Andrew Brown (.298-9-30), second baseman Jake Opitz (.293-2-27) and designated hitter/outfielder Andy Gerch (.290-4-18). The group of returnees also includes starting third baseman Jake Mort (.265-0-24) and starting center fielder Bryce Nimmo (.259-3-21, 16 SB).

"This team has kids that understand their roles better than any of the other teams I have coached. We have a lot of kids with an opportunity to play and we want to use the preseason to help develop their specific roles to help this team be successful."