Huskers Look to Return to Postseason

For the Nebraska baseball program, the seeds of the 2010 season were planted on May 18, 2009.

After making the NCAA Tournament nine times in the last 10 years, last year’s 25-28-1 record left a bitter taste for those associated with the Husker program. For eighth-year coach Mike Anderson, it also created a hunger for 2010.

“There is no question how motivated this team is entering the season,” Anderson said. “They have had a full year with a pretty bad taste in their mouth. We have had pretty high standards in this program over the last 10 years, and our players are committed to helping us return to that level.”

The positive momentum began to build in the summer, as Mike Nesseth and Adam Bailey both turned down the opportunity to play professional baseball and return to Nebraska for this season. It continued in August, as the Huskers welcomed a recruiting class that was among the nation’s best and featured a trio of pitchers who had been previously selected in the top 20 rounds of the draft.

“I think this is the best class we have gotten to campus since I’ve been here,” Anderson said. “Not only in the number of players brought into our program, but the quality and character of those players.”

The newcomers fortified a group of 19 returning letterwinners, which is the second-highest total this decade. That group of returnees includes five of the Huskers’ top six starting pitchers, as well as eight position players who started at least 20 games a year ago.

“We are going to rely on our veterans to carry the load early,” Anderson said. “It is important not only because they have experience and know what to expect, but also to help our younger players get used to the speed of competition.”

Offensively, the Huskers have a solid nucleus returning in All-Big 12 first baseman Tyler Farst, as well as Bailey, Kyle Bubak and DJ Belfonte. Farst hit .333 with 36 RBIs, while Bailey batted .325 with team-bests in both homers (12) and RBIs (50). Belfonte and Bubak can both hit at the top of the lineup and have the speed to generate runs. They will also key a Husker defense that should be strong up the middle.

“Anytime you return three of the top four hitters in your lineup, it gives you a great foundation offensively,” Anderson said. “The goal for us is to find that balance where we are able to put pressure on opponents from 1-9 in the order.”

While the Huskers return most of their pitching staff, player development will be paramount, as Pitching Coach Eric Newman tries to strike a balance between the veterans and a group of newcomers who see opportunities to contribute early in their Husker careers.  Newman said this group has the potential to be his best staff at NU.

“While we will need Mike Nesseth and Sean Yost to play a major role for us to be successful, it is equally important that players like Michael Mariot, Casey Hauptman and some of our freshmen develop,” Newman said. “If this staff pitches to its ability, we could be one of the better staffs in the league.”

Pitchers
It is a mixture of veterans and newcomers on the Husker pitching staff, as Newman begins his third season as pitching coach. The Huskers not only return nine pitchers who combined for nearly 80 percent of NU’s innings, starts and wins last season, but welcome 12 pitchers into the fold. In all, five of the Huskers’ top six pitchers are back, as they combined for 41 of the Huskers’ 54 starts in 2009.

“One of the strengths will be the depth and talent of our staff,” Newman said. “I was really encouraged with what we did in the fall. We were consistently around the strike zone and working at a good pace on the mound. “The other thing I saw was the commitment that our older players had of bringing our newcomers along and helping them develop during the fall.”

One of the veterans with an important role is junior Mike Nesseth. The hard-throwing right-hander went 5-4 with a pair of saves in 20 appearances, leading NU in wins, saves and strikeouts in 2009. A 15th-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Nesseth elected to return to NU for his junior year and will anchor the Husker bullpen.

“Mike was not satisfied by his team or his performance and that is a big reason he decided to return,” Newman said. “He wants to pitch in a significant role on a team that does special things. He has been one of our leaders since the end of last season. He learned a lot in the Cape Cod League over the summer and implemented those things in the fall. He could have a special season.”

With Nesseth in the closer role, the Husker starters could be a mixture of returnees and newcomers. Entering the spring, the group of Sean Yost, Michael Mariot, Casey Hauptman, Jordan Roualdes, Kurt Giller and Tom Lemke are poised to give the Huskers a solid group of starters.”

Sophomore Sean Yost is one pitcher who the Huskers will look to this spring. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was 2-5 on the season, but pitched well down the stretch. He was 1-1 with a 2.28 ERA in his final four Big 12 starts, including a complete-game shutout over Baylor in his final start of 2009. Yost continued his strong showing over the summer, earning Northwood League All-Star honors.

“We gave Sean an opportunity to pitch and develop last year, and you could see the confidence he gained because of it,” Newman said. “He pitched well enough to keep us in games last year, and now needs to be someone who can go out and give us 6-7 innings every start.”

Mariot also saw time as a starter and in the bullpen a year ago. He went 2-2 in 19 appearances, highlighted by seven innings of one-run ball against Cal State Northridge. He comes off a strong summer in Beatrice, where he went 3-3 with a 3.13 ERA and was the No.  9 prospect in the M.I.N.K. League by Baseball America.

“Michael has improved tremendously over the summer and during the fall with both his velocity and command,” Newman said. “He pitched in a lot of big games for us last season, and that experience helped his growth on the mound and should pay dividends this spring.”

Hauptman has the ability to fill multiple roles on the Husker staff. He worked as a starter and middle reliever last year, ranking second on the team with four wins and finishing third with 62.2 innings pitched.

“The first thing you notice about Casey is his physical development from last year at this time,” Newman said. “He has gotten a lot stronger and that has helped his velocity and his durability. If he pitches like he did in the fall, he will be one of the guys we will look to on weekends.”

Roualdes is the other veteran starter back this season, as he went 4-4 in 12 appearances. He led NU with 11 starts, tied for second on the team in wins and ranked fourth with 59.2 innings a year ago.  The only left-hander in the group, he may be slowed early after undergoing minor knee surgery and could work as a starter or in the bullpen.

“Jordan will play an important role for us, whether as a starter or a reliever,” Newman said. “He is a great change of pace from the other arms on our staff, and is able to create a lot of ground balls with his pitches. He has made a lot of improvement over last year and our goal is to get him healthy.”

Lemke and Giller highlight a talented group of newcomers who will play a key role in NU’s success. A 10th-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers, Lemke was a first-team all-state performer in Arizona last season after going 5-2 with 87 strikeouts. He was a four-year starter who went 25-9 with a 2.01 ERA, striking out 333 in 193.2 career innings.

Giller was a 21st-round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays after putting together a dominant high school season in Kansas. He went 5-2 with a 1.52 ERA, fanning 83 and allowing just 24 hits over 41.1 innings to earn Louisville Slugger All-America honors.

“Tom and Kurt have the stuff to pitch on weekends for us this season,” Newman said. “Our goal is to find roles where they can develop throughout the season.”

While the two freshmen will be looked to bolster the rotation, junior college transfers Chase Adams, Ryan Hughes and Khris Tate join junior Matt Freeman and sophomore Nate Kerkhoff to form the nucleus of the bullpen.

Adams comes of NU after helping Howard College to a 63-1 record and a national title last spring. He went 4-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 2009, fanning 33 over 29 innings.  Hughes is a wild card with a lot of potential, as he threw just 26 innings in junior college. At 6-7, 245-pounds, the left-hander was a 13th-round selection in the 2008 MLB Draft by Arizona. Tate, who began his collegiate career as a shortstop, spent the last two seasons at Weatherford College, going 4-3 while fanning 41 over 52.1 innings last season.

Freeman made 14 appearances in the bullpen last year before undergoing season-ending surgery in April. A former state player of the year, the right-hander may have been the most improved pitcher on the staff in the fall and will help in middle and short relief.  Kerkhoff was one of four freshmen who saw time on the mound a year ago. A crafty left-hander, he went 1-0 in 16 outings and fanned 14 over 18 innings of work. He will likely work in the same role this season.

Giller and Lemke headline a group of nine freshmen pitchers, all of whom could find their way into the mix. The class includes a trio of in-state standouts in Tyler Neiderklein, Dylan Vogt and Chris Williams, while Luke Bublitz, Nick Dolsky, Ryan Hander and Zach Hirsch are all out-of-state products who bring impressive credentials to the program.

Bublitz was a one of the top prospects in Colorado, compiling a 9-3 record with 121 strikeouts during his prep career despite missing all of 2009 with an injury. Dolsky was rated as the top high school senior in Minnesota by Baseball America last season, but was limited to 11.1 innings because of an injury. Both players are healthy and participated in fall drills.

Hander was the third Husker recruit who was drafted last spring, as he was a 38th-round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He posted a 3.10 ERA and averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning as a senior.  Hirsch was an all-state performer in Illinois, going 5-2 with a 1.15 ERA last season. He allowed just 39 hits in 55 innings and totaled 66 strikeouts, but underwent season-ending elbow surgery prior to the season and will redshirt in 2010.

Neiderklein has been one of the state’s top pitchers for the past two years at Millard West High School, helping the Wildcats to a pair of state tournament appearances. He was 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 2009, recording 53 strikeouts in just 51 innings of work. Vogt comes to NU after earning all-state honors at Millard South High School. He compiled a 6-3 mark with a 1.97 ERA on the mound, as he was also one of the best infielders in the state. Williams was a first-team all-state performer as a senior, going 9-1 with a 1.63 ERA. The right-hander led Omaha Westside to a state title, going 2-0 with a pair of complete games in the state tournament.

One pitcher the Huskers will be without this season is sophomore Kash Kalkowski, who went 1-2 in 19 games last season. He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in September and will look to be ready for the 2011 campaign.

Catcher
One area of strength for the Huskers will be behind the plate, as Nebraska returns sophomore Cory Burleson and adds junior college All-American Patric Tolentino to the lineup.

“I feel that our catching situation is as good as it has been in a few years,” Anderson said. “Both bring a lot to the table with leadership and the way they handle a pitching staff. They are neck and neck entering the start of practice and we will probably go with the one who is hot at the time.”

Burleson split time behind the plate last season, hitting .275 with eight RBIs in 24 starts. His 24 starts were the most by a Husker freshman catcher in nearly two decades, and he totaled eight multi-hit games, including a four-hit day against Sam Houston State. He came back in the fall as one of NU’s most improved players and is fully healthy after arm surgery as a high school senior.

“I think Cory gained a lot of confidence last year,” Anderson said. “His arm strength is much better, and he is a good defensive catcher. Offensively, he worked on his plate discipline and may have been our most improved player from the end of last season.”

Tolentino comes in with impressive credentials in the junior college ranks, spending two seasons at Redwoods CC. He was a second-team All-American last year, hitting .435 with 11 homers and 63 RBIs. He comes from baseball bloodlines, as his father, Jose, played in the Majors and was a starter on Texas’ 1983 CWS team.

“I’m excited about Patric’s potential,” Anderson said. “Offensively, he is very smart player who can drive in runs and showed power to the gaps. Defensively, he quickly earned the respect of his teammates with his work ethic and leadership.”

First Base
Arguably, the Huskers’ deepest position is first base, as Nebraska returns All-Big 12 performer Tyler Farst and backup Cade Thompson. In addition, freshmen Josh Scheffert and Kurt Farmer may also earn playing time at the spot.

“With Tyler and Cade back, it gives us a lot of options at the position,” Anderson said.

Farst put together a solid campaign, posting a team-high .333 batting average with three homers and 36 RBIs. He topped NU in five categories, including hits, runs scored and doubles, while totaling 19 multi-hit games. He was even better in Big 12 action, hitting .384, as he finished among the league leaders in batting average (fourth), hits (38, fifth) and on-base percentage (.442, sixth).

“The biggest thing for Tyler is he got stronger in the offseason and showed the ability to hit for more power in the fall,” Anderson said. “He brings a proven bat to the lineup and is someone we think can be a significant run producer for us.”

Thompson played a reserve role in his first year at NU, hitting .217 with a homer in 26 games. He was primarily used as a pinch hitter, leading the Huskers with three pinch hits, while providing a strong defensive presence. Thompson also worked in the outfield during the fall in hopes of earning more playing time.

“We saw the strides Cade made after having a year in our program,” Anderson said. “The game started to slow down for him, and he also added 20 pounds which has helped with his bat speed. I think he is going to surprise some people this year.”
Scheffert and Farmer are a pair of infielders who could see spot duty at the position, as both Farst and Thompson are seniors. Both players could push for significant time at other spots on the field.

Middle Infield
While Nebraska looks to replace both of its starting middle infielders from last year, the Huskers have some experience with the return of Kale Kiser and Kyle Bubak, both of whom saw a lot of playing time in 2009. Freshmen Kurt Farmer and Bryan Peters both bring impressive credentials into the program and could factor into the picture.

Kiser backed up MLB Draftee Jeff Tezak at second in 2009, hitting .208 with a pair of homers and nine RBIs in 26 games. A former all-state performer in Texas, he is more noted for his offensive production, but has worked hard to make strides defensively. With a year under his belt, the switch-hitting Kiser is ready to become a full-time performer this spring.

“Kale is much improved defensively over last year and gives us someone who can switch hit with some power from the left side,” Anderson said. “He also has a very good feel and understanding of the game.”

Bubak is the most experienced of the Huskers’ middle infielders, starting 37 games last season between both spots. He was the Huskers’ leadoff hitter for a good portion of the year, batting .275 with 35 runs scored. His calling card was his defense, as he fielded at a .975 clip in league play, and will be counted on for his leadership this season.

“Kyle is very steady for us, as he will make all of the routine plays and has the ability to make the spectacular play,” Anderson said. “He gives us a lot of versatility, as he is a switch hitter who can effectively play either middle infield spot.”

Farmer was one of the best infielders in the state, earning all-state honors in each of the past two years. The Columbus, Neb., product led the state in all three triple crown categories in 2009, hitting .568 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs. He possesses excellent size and strength and how he handles the shift from high school shortstop to second base in the college ranks will determine his impact.

Peters was one of the top players in the region, leading Rocky Mountain (Colo.) High School to three consecutive state titles in baseball. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball in 2009, hitting .398 with nine homers and 27 RBIs while also going 7-0 on the mound. He had a strong fall, but suffered an orbital bone fracture in the days before practice started. His recovery will determine his contributions for the upcoming season.

Third Base
One of the luxuries the Huskers have enjoyed is stability at the hot corner, and the emergence of Cody Asche last year paved the way for a smooth transition from four-year performer Jake Mort. Asche will be challenged by freshman Josh Scheffert, as the position may feature two of the Huskers’ best young hitters.

“Coming into the fall, I thought this would be a dogfight to see which one would play,” Anderson said. “Cody has really been impressive both offensively and defensively, and Josh is someone whose bat could be difficult to keep out of the lineup.”

Asche enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, hitting .290 with a homer and 21 RBIs while playing in 43 contests. The freshman totaled eight multi-hit games, and proved to be a clutch hitter, batting over .300 with 13 of his 21 RBIs coming in two-out situations.  He saw time at both third base and DH last year, but will enter the spring as the front runner at third.

“Cody is one of the most improved defensive players we have had in recent years, and his work ethic is off the charts,” Anderson said. “Offensively, he carries himself with a quiet confidence at the plate. We think he is someone who we can put in the middle of the lineup and let him put together a strong season.”

Scheffert was one of the state’s premier players at Lincoln Southeast, the same alma mater as Major Leaguer Alex Gordon. Scheffert was co-captain of the all-state team in 2009, hitting .416 with 32 RBIs while also drawing 17 intentional walks. He also pitched at Southeast, going 6-2 with a 0.96 ERA as a senior.

“Josh brings a lot to the table,” Anderson said. “He has a lot of power potential, even as a freshman, and has great work habits. We thought he had a great fall and his bat is so valuable that we think he can play both corner infield spots or even the outfield just to find ways to get him in the lineup.”

Outfield
Nebraska has plenty of options in the outfield, as the Huskers return four of their top five outfielders from a year ago, including starters DJ Belfonte and Adam Bailey. NU also welcomes back sophomores Boomer Collins and Khiry Cooper, and adds a pair of talented freshmen in Chad Christensen and Pat Hirschberg.

“We have a good combination of youth and experience among our outfielders,” Anderson said. “DJ and Adam give us two veteran players who can hit near the top of the lineup, and Boomer and Khiry are a lot better with a year of experience under their belts. We have some options in the outfield, which has not always been the case.”

Bailey will be one of the cornerstones in the Husker lineup. Last season, the junior college transfer hit .325 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs, leading the Huskers in homers, RBIs and slugging percentage (.598). Bailey totaled 17 multi-hit games and hit a team-best .395 with runners in scoring position in 2009. He was drafted in the 38th round last year, but elected to return to NU for his senior year.

“There is a reason that Adam came back for this year,” Anderson said. “Adam wants to help this club make it to the postseason, and he wants to play a major role in our success. He showed the ability to drive in runs last year and understands what it takes to be an elite hitter at this level. We hope we can put him third in the lineup and let him go.”

Belfonte is the veteran of the Husker roster, as he is a three-year starter in the outfield. The speedster is on pace to become just the second Husker to lead Nebraska in stolen bases for three straight years. Last year, he hit .256 with a pair of homers, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored, pacing the Huskers in stolen bases (nine) and triples (three). He is also the Huskers’ best defensive outfielder who has great range and an outstanding throwing arm.

“I firmly believe that DJ is going to have an outstanding season,” Anderson said. “He has worked harder this offseason than any other year and realizes that he can put together a special senior year. He is a catalyst and does so many things which sometimes go unappreciated.”

Collins gained plenty of experience as a freshman in 2009, hitting .245 with a homer and 11 RBIs in 40 contests, as he split time in left field. He totaled five multi-hit games, including a trio of three-hit contests despite being slowed by a thumb injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Now fully healthy, Collins hit the ball with authority in the fall and is poised for a big campaign.

“I don’t think fans have seen the real Boomer Collins yet,” Anderson said. “Before his injury, he was one of our best hitters and never really got untracked after coming back. He’s fully healthy and really swung the bat well in the fall. I am looking for big things from him this season.”

Cooper is the wildcard among the Husker returnees, as he rejoined the team following the Holiday Bowl. He played in 35 games as the Huskers’ fourth outfielder as a freshman, hitting .239 with two homers and nine RBIs. A fifth-round draft pick out of high school, Cooper has shown flashes of his talent in both sports.

“The biggest difference in Khiry this year is that he wants to be great and knows what it takes to succeed,” Anderson said. “Last year, it was tough at times trying to balance both sports, but with a year under his belt, we are seeing a lot of progress.”

Christensen comes to Nebraska with impressive credentials, belting 42 homers and driving in 163 runs during his prep career. He was a first-team all-state performer in Iowa, hitting .524 with 16 homers and 49 RBIs as a senior. He was an infielder in high school, but has the athleticism to play a number of spots on the diamond.

Hirschberg was one of the top players in the state of Colorado, earning all-state honors after hitting .446 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in just 19 games. He has the potential to be a starter during his college career.