Huskers Ride Momentum into Series with No. 20 Fresno State

This Week in Nebraska Baseball • March 4-6
2011 Record (8-4, 0-0 Big 12) Rankings (29, NR, RV, RV)

Friday March 4 - vs. 20/23/22/26 Fresno State (9-1) - 1:35 p.m.

Saturday March 5 - vs. 20/23/22/26 Fresno State (9-1) - 2:05 p.m.

Sunday March 6 - vs. 20/23/22/26 Fresno State (9-1) - 1:05 p.m.

Media Info

Live Radio: Selected Husker Sports Network and for free on the Internet at Huskers.com (affiliate list on page five of today's notes)
Live Stats: Huskers.com
Live Video: Huskers.com (HuskersNSide with paid subscription)

Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday - Jon Keller, Fr., RHP (1-0, 0.00) vs. Derek Benny, Jr., RHP (3-0, 2.70)
Saturday - Matt Freeman, Sr., RHP (2-0, 0.57) vs. Greg Gonzalez, Sr., RHP (2-0, 1.31)
Sunday - Brandon Pierce, Fr., RHP (0-1, 5.62) vs. Tom Harlan, Jr., LHP (2-0, 1.59)

*Polls are listed in order: Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America, ESPN/USA Today Coaches/NCBWA

This Week: Nebraska is coming off one of its biggest series wins in recent years and hosts another tough non-conference foe this weekend when No. 20 Fresno State visits Lincoln for a three-game set. The series will kick off Friday afternoon at 1:35 p.m., before afternoon tilts on Saturday (2:05 p.m.) and Sunday (1:05 p.m.). It will be the Bulldogs' first trip to Lincoln since visiting Buck Beltzer Stadium in 2000.

On the Radio: Fans across Nebraska and around the world can listen to Greg Sharpe and Jeff Culhane call all of the action this weekend on the Husker Sports Network - including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln, KFAB 1110 AM in Omaha - and on the Internet at Huskers.com. A complete list of Husker Sports Network affiliates can be found on page 5.

On Huskers NSide: Every game this weekend will be streamed live on Huskers NSide. Fans can watch all the action with a paid subscription by signing up at Huskers.com.

Preview: The Huskers will need to remain composed following last weekend's upset of No. 5 UCLA as another tough foe enters Hawks Field this weekend with a matchup against No. 20 Fresno State. The Bulldogs, who won the 2008 national championship, come in with a 9-1 record as they travel outside the state of California for the first time this season. Fresno State has played two road games as it swept a two-game set at UC Davis last weekend. Its lone loss of 2011 came March 1 to Cal Poly.

Nebraska is riding the momentum of its first series win over a top-five opponent since 2006. Not only did the Huskers capture 2-of-3 from the Bruins, but they did so in back-to-back walk-off victories off the bat of Bryan Peters. The sophomore second baseman is one of six Huskers hitting .300 or better as he enters the weekend at a .340 clip with a team-best 12 RBIs. Kash Kalkowski leads NU with a .414 batting average as he is coming off a 4-of-13 weekend vs. UCLA. Kalkowski and Chad Christensen were the only NU players to tally four hits in the series against the Bruins, as NU squared off against one of the best pitching staffs in college baseball.

The Huskers dropped 3-of-4 at Fresno State last February, picking up the lone win in the series finale.

3 Things to Watch This Week
1. The Nebraska pitching staff, which held UCLA to a .164 batting average and produced a 1.32 ERA last weekend.
2. Three of the Huskers last five wins have been in come-from-behind fashion, including the last two against No. 5 UCLA.

3. Fresno State's projected starting pitching rotation enters the series with a combined 7-0 record in 2011. The trio was 9-5 as a unit last season.

Weekend Rotation
Friday vs. Fresno State: #23 - Jon Keller • Fr. • RHP • 6-5 • 231 • Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Xavier)
Freshman right-hander Jon Keller will meet his second ranked opponent in a row when he faces No. 20 Fresno State on Friday afternoon • Has not allowed a run in over 14 innings this season and has given up only four hits • Only two base runners have advanced past second base on Keller through his first three outings as a Husker • Is coming off his best performance of the season, as he shut out No. 5 UCLA and allowed just one hit while striking out a season-high eight batters last Friday • Got a no-decision in the outing as he exited in a scoreless tie before the Bruins won in 11 innings • Has been one of the brightest spots of the young season after winning his first career start by throwing six shutout innings in the 8-1 win over Air Force • Struck out six Falcons while giving up three hits and walking two • Second outing against Northern Colorado was not as strong, as he struggled with control and walked five in 2.1 innings • Did not allow any runs or hits against the Bears as he was relieved by Matt Freeman and NU went on to a 3-0 win • One of three freshmen pitchers taken in the 2010 MLB Draft, Keller was selected in the 11th round by the Seattle Mariners • Showed strong signs in October's Red-White Series, as he started the finale and threw 5.0 innings, giving up four hits and two runs • Is friends with sophomore shortstop Chad Christensen, also of Cedar Rapids, Iowa • Produced a 12-6 record and ERA just above 1.50 over his last two prep seasons • As a senior, was named captain of the first-team all-state squad and earned the Iowa Sports Connection's Player-of-the-Year award after going 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA • Struck out 93 hitters in 56 innings in his final season after fanning 78 over 59.2 as a junior • Was a first-team all-metro and all-conference selection as a junior, going 6-4 with a 1.41 ERA • Turned in his best performance in the state playoffs fanning 10 over 6.1 innings of two-hit ball while also collecting three hits and scoring a pair of runs.

Saturday vs. Fresno State - #11 - Matt Freeman • Sr. • RHP • 6-1 • 184 • Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn)
Matt Freeman is enjoying his best days as a Husker as he has allowed only one run and 11 hits in 15.2 innings this season • Started last Saturday's game vs. No. 5 UCLA and struck out five while giving up one run on four hits in a career-long 6.0 innings before NU went on to a 2-1 11-inning victory • Will be making his third start in 11 days this Saturday against Fresno State • Entered the season with 40 career strikeouts and already has 16 in 2011 • Has posted an 8-to-1 strikeouts to walks ratio • Did not allow a run in his first 12 innings of work this year until the Bruins scored in the third inning last weekend • Started and threw the first three innings against Nebraska-Kearney on March 2, striking out three and giving up two hits • Guided NU to a 3-0 shutout of Northern Colorado on Feb. 26, setting then-highs in innings (5.1) and strikeouts (7) against the Bears while holding UNC scoreless • Saw limited action in 2010 following shoulder surgery • Had a strong 2010 summer playing for San Luis Obispo in the California Collegiate League with three NU teammates (Cory Burleson, Chad Christensen and Sean Yost) • Produced a 4-2 record with a 4.26 ERA for the Blues, while ranking third in appearances (17) • Struck out 34 hitters and walked only five in 31.2 innings • Made two appearances in October's Red-White Series, striking out four and giving up three hits in 3.0 innings • Made 14 appearances in 2009, posting no decisions, a save and a 6.10 ERA • Allowed 11 hits and fanned 20 over 20.2 innings, as he held foes to a .153 batting average • Was one of three true freshmen who saw significant action for the Huskers in 2008, as NU won 48 games an hosted an NCAA Regional • Worked out of the bullpen in long and middle relief, posting a 4.66 ERA in nine contests • Pitched at least an inning in all nine appearances and allowed earned runs in two outings • Began his college career by not allowing a run in his first five appearances • Was one of the top pitching prospects in Nebraska playing at Elkhorn High School • Named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Nebraska and Louisville Slugger Player of the Year as a senior • Tabbed as the honorary captain of the World-Herald's All-Nebraska team after compiling a 5-1 record, three saves and a 0.76 ERA as a senior to lead Elkhorn High School to a 27-5 record and a Class A state title • Hails from the same high school as former Major League pitcher Jason Christiansen.

Sunday vs. Fresno State: #44 - Brandon Pierce • Fr. • RHP • 6-2 • 205 • Gunter, Texas (Gunter)
A projected closer, Brandon Pierce will start his second straight game this Sunday against No. 20 Fresno State • Was outstanding in his first four closing appearances, striking out seven in his first five innings as a Husker • Tallied a save against Northern Colorado on Feb. 26 before taking a hard-luck loss the following day against Sam Houston State • Gave up three runs on four hits in the first inning vs. UCLA last Sunday but regrouped to shut down the Bruins over the next two innings while striking out four • Selected in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates • Was strong in two appearances in the Red- White Series, tallying a save and giving up five hits and one run in 5.0 innings • Was a two-time first-team all-state selection at Gunter High School • Was one of Texas' most dominant pitchers at Gunter High School for head coach Todd Hogan • Produced an impressive 39-4 career record as a starter and had an ERA near 1.00 during his final two seasons • Was 12-0 as a junior with 134 strikeouts before going 9-2 with 133 strikeouts as a senior • Hit .475 at the plate as a senior with 14 doubles and nine home runs • Named first-team all-state in 2009 and 2010 while earning the District 11-2A Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year awards each once • Is a two-time Max Preps All-American • Led his team to four straight regional appearances • Participated in the Area Code games in California and was one of 144 players around the country chosen to try out for the USA Baseball Under-18 National Team.

Scouting Fresno State
The Bulldogs have qualified for four of the past five NCAA Tournaments, only narrowly missing out last year despite finishing 38-25 and winning the WAC regular season championship. Fresno State is three years removed from claiming the 2008 national title and has three players remaining from that squad (Danny Muno, Jordan Ribera and Gene Escat). The Bulldogs are off to an impressive 9-1 start in 2011 and ranked as high as No. 20 in the national polls by Collegiate Baseball.

Fresno State was picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2011 WAC regular season championship once again. The Bulldogs had seven players selected to the preseason All-WAC team, including shortstop Garrett Weber, who leads FSU with a .350 batting average through 10 games. Third baseman Danny Muno, who is hitting .324 with a team-best 14 RBIs, also earned preseason accolades, in addition to first baseman Jordan Ribera. Ribera led the nation with 27 home runs last season but is hitting just .132 with one long ball this year.

On the mound, Taylor Garrison and Greg Gonzalez were named to the preseason All-WAC team. The Huskers expect to see Gonzalez Saturday afternoon, as the right hander is 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA. Fresno State's other two projected starters, right hander Derek Benny (3-0, 2.70) and left hander Tom Harlan (2-0, 1.59) are also unbeaten in 2011 as the Bulldog pitching staff has combined to hold opponents to a .226 batting average and 2.70 ERA.

Mike Batesole is in his ninth year as head coach at Fresno State and 16th year overall. The Cal State Fullerton graduate is 554-379-1 as a collegiate coach after he also spent seven years at Cal State Northridge.

Series History: The all-time series is tied, 8-8, as Fresno State evened the record after taking 3-of-4 from Nebraska last year in Fresno. Prior, the Huskers had won five of the previous six in a series that dates back to 1986. Thirteen of the 16 previous meetings have taken place in California, including 12 in Fresno. The last time the two teams met in Lincoln was 2000, when Jamal Strong led the Huskers to a series win at Buck Beltzer Stadium.

Leading Off

    •-This will be the first time Fresno State has played in Lincoln since May of 2000 when the Bulldogs visited Buck Beltzer Stadium. It marks the seventh time a California school has played at Hawks Field. The Huskers are 13-4 in those contests.

    •-The Huskers are entering this weekend following back-to-back walk-off wins over UCLA. Bryan Peters' game-winning hits gave Nebraska its first back-to-back walk-off victories since 2003 when Matt Hopper and Brandon Fusilier did so against Missouri. Peters' walk-off homer was the first by a Husker since Craig Corriston gave NU a 4-2 victory over Oklahoma on March 21, 2008.

    •-Three of Nebraska's last five victories have been in come-from-behind fashion. The Huskers have 127 come-from-behind wins under Mike Anderson since 2003. The Huskers had 10 come-from-behind wins last season, including overcoming a 10-run deficit against North Dakota on March 30 and a four-run deficit against Southeast Missouri State on May 8.

-The Huskers are 83-10 dating back to 2008 when they out-hit an opponent and have won 90 percent of their games since 2003 when out-hitting an opponent. Last season, NU was 25-4 when out-hitting opponents. The Huskers are also 30-9 when reaching double-figures in hits, but just 5-21 when held to nine hits or less.

    •-The NU pitching staff went toe-to-toe with possibly the nation's best staff last weekend when it met UCLA, which boasts 2010 All-Americans Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer. The Huskers were up to the task, posting a 1.32 ERA and .164 batting average against the 2010 national runner-up.

    Nebraska relievers gave up only two runs in the series, as Dylan Vogt (1-0) and Casey Hauptman (2-1) earned wins in games two and three. Vogt may have been most impressive, as he no hit the Bruins in his five-inning appearance Saturday.

    Hauptman has pitched a team-high 16.2 innings with a 0.54 ERA. The Omaha native has struck out 16 and walked only one, a 10th inning intentional pass on Sunday.

    •-After producing big numbers through the first nine games that saw Nebraska average 8.2 runs and 12 hits per game, Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer led the Bruins to limiting the Huskers to just over two runs and 7 1/2 hits in  in the first two games of the series, before NU pounded out 13 hits in the finale. Kash Kalkowski and Chad Christensen had the best weekends of any Husker, each going 4-of-13 (.308) at the plate.

    •-Nebraska and UCLA played a total of 34 innings in the three-game series. It marked the first time in school history Nebraska has ever played three straight extra inning affairs.

    •-If the early season numbers are any indication, the future of Nebraska's offense is in good hands. Through 12 games, Husker sophomores Kash Kalkowski, Chad Christensen, Bryan Peters, Kurt Farmer and Josh Scheffert have combined for a .335 batting average, hit 55 percent of NU's RBIs (40 of 73) and knocked out six of the team's seven home runs.

    •-Kash Kalkowski has seen a significant increase in playing time after holding one of hottest bats through the first three weeks of the season. The sophomore is hitting a team-best .414 (12-of-29) and trails Bryan Peters by one for the team RBI lead (11) despite having roughly 20 less at bats than NU's regular starters. Kalkowski has started the last six games and has been at his best in clutch situations, hitting .750 (6-of-8) with runners in scoring position. He had the game-tying home run in Nebraska's 2-1 win over UCLA last Saturday.

    •-Nebraska ranks third in the Big 12 in team batting average at .303, just three points ahead of No. 4 Texas Tech (.301) and No. 5 Texas A&M (.300). Oklahoma is first (.382), followed by Oklahoma State (.332).

    •-Nebraska has thrived in the early to middle innings this season, scoring 57 percent of its runs in the second to fifth innings. The Huskers' best inning has been the fifth, producing 18 of its 81 runs this season in that frame. The Huskers have had four 5+ run innings in the first 12 games.

    •-Nebraska is in a stretch of playing 15 of 16 games in Lincoln, only traveling to Manhattan for a non-conference contest at Kansas State on March 16. The Huskers are 211-67-1 all-time at Hawks Field. This is the 10th season at the ballpark, which is nationally-recognized as one of the best in collegiate baseball.

-Freshman Jon Keller became just the fifth Husker freshman to earn a start on opening week since 1999, and the second to collect a win during that stretch after current NU pitcher Tom Lemke did so in 2010. Keller threw six shutout innings against Air Force on Feb. 19 to earn the win.

-Kale Kiser's five-hit day against Missouri State on Feb. 20 marked the seventh time a player has had at least five hits in a game under Mike Anderson. Kyle Bubak had most recently done so on Feb. 26, 2010 against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi. Before that, it had not happened since 2007.

•-Nebraska's 36 runs on 51 hits were the highest offensive totals the Huskers have put up on opening weekend since 2004 when NU  the Huskers totaled 53 runs at the Ultimate Dugout Baseball Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M. Since then, no NU team had more than 22 runs on opening weekend over the past six years. Additionally, despite the newly certified BBCOR bats, which have projected a downgrade in power in college baseball, the Huskers homered four times in San Marcos, marking the most round-trippers on opening weekend since 2006. Josh Scheffert's solo shot in the Nebraska's fourth at-bat of the season was the quickest home run in over a decade. The Husker bats did not produce any home runs last weekend in Huntsville, although had several long fly balls reach the warning track.

-Kash Kalkowski and Kale Kiser gave Nebraska grand slams in back-to-back wins over Washington and Missouri State on Feb. 19 and 20. It was the quickest back-to-back grand slams since April 18, 2000 when Dan Wright and Jeff Leise each did so in NU's 19-6 win over Western Illinois at Buck Beltzer Stadium.

-The Huskers bring back one of its most experienced teams in a while, as 20 letterwinners are back for the 2011 campaign. It is the second-highest number of returning letterwinners in the past 11 years.

Join the Husker Home Run Club at Oklahoma
The Husker Home Run Club is sponsoring a bus trip to Norman, Okla., to support the baseball team against Big 12-preseason favorite Oklahoma on Friday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23.

For more information and to download a registration form for the bus trip, please log on to huskerhomerunclub.com or contact Ed Bolejack at 402-617-5913.

Next Up
The Huskers host South Dakota State on Tuesday at 1:35 p.m., before taking a bus trip to Manhattan for a non-conference contest against Kansas State on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.