Huskers Meet with Media to Discuss 2010 Season

Mike Anderson and members of the Nebraska baseball team met with the media Monday afternoon, as the Huskers are days away from the 2010 season opener.

After finishing with a 25-28-1 record and missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004, the Huskers are hungry to return to the postseason this spring. According to Husker players and coaches, the 2010 campaign began last May, as the returning members met to set goals for the upcoming season and build a successful foundation before leaving for summer baseball.

 "The mindset is completely different than last year," junior right-hander Mike Nesseth said. "The work ethic is different. It's a lot of the same guys, but it's a whole new team."

Nesseth, who was picked in the 15th round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, is one of two Huskers who were drafted, but elected to return to NU for the upcoming season. Senior Adam Bailey, who was picked by the New York Yankees in the 38th round, discussed his reasons for returning with the media on Monday.

I want to show that last year was not us. We're capable of a lot more. I want to have a great season. I want to do really well myself, because it feels like I have to. I want to take this team to a regional at minimum."

With four returning starters and four others who started at least 20 games last year, the Huskers’ offense will be counted on for major contributions.

"The strength of this team is going to be our offense," Anderson, whose goals are returning the Huskers to the upper third of the league and returning to postseason, said. "We have the ability to build our strength in pitching. But it will be offense first, then defense, then pitching. If we're going to get where we want to be, that pitching is going to have to fall into place."

Anderson announced that right-hander Sean Yost will take the hill in Friday’s opener with Fresno State while Michael Mariot will pitch on Saturday. The rest of the weekend rotation will be determined later in the week.

Listen to all of this weekend’s games on selected Husker Sports Network Stations, including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln and on Huskers.com.

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