BSB Preview: at Grand Canyon

NEBRASKA AT GRAND CANYON
Feb. 22-25, 2024
Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark | Phoenix, Ariz.

Thursday, Feb. 22 – 7 p.m. CT
Pitching: RHP Drew Christo (0-0, 9.00 ERA) vs. RHP Daniel Avitia (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App

Friday, Feb. 23 – 7 p.m. CT
Pitching: RHP Brett Sears (0-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. RHP Carter Young (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App

Saturday, Feb. 24 – 7 p.m. CT
Pitching: LHP Will Walsh (0-0, 4.76 ERA) vs. RHP Connor Mattison (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App

Sunday, Feb. 25 – 1 p.m. CT
Pitching: LHP Caleb Clark (0-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. RHP Hunter Watkins (0-0, 6.00 ERA)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App

Follow the Game
• Every game of this weekend’s four-game set at Grand Canyon will be streamed live on ESPN+.
• Fans can also listen to Greg Sharpe and Ben McLaughlin call the action this weekend on the Huskers Radio Network.
• Every game this season can be heard for free on Huskers.com and the Official Nebraska Huskers App for both iOS and android devices.

Nebraska vs. Grand Canyon
• This weekend’s four-game series marks the first all-time meeting between the Huskers and Grand Canyon.
• The Lopes are the lone first-time opponent on Nebraska’s 2024 non-conference slate.

Newcomers In the Pen
• Tucker Timmerman appeared in two relief outings last weekend, recording his first career win while making his collegiate debut against Baylor on Friday.
• Evan Borst retired all four batters he faced in Sunday’s matchup against Oklahoma, recording the final out in the seventh and hurling a scoreless eighth frame.
• Kyle Froehlich also made his debut with the Big Red on Sunday, the Northwestern State transfer retired the side in order in the sixth inning.
• Mason McConnaughey allowed two earned runs in his Husker debut against No. 21 Texas Tech, despite punching out two of four batters he faced.
• Ty Horn tied for the longest relief appearance from a Husker reliever last weekend, going 1.2 innings on Saturday vs. No. 21 Texas Tech while surrendering just one hit.
• Bobby Olsen struck out his only batter faced on Saturday against the 21st-ranked Red Raiders, posting his 108th career strikeout at the DI level after spending four years at Brown.

Sears Shines in Season Opener
• Making his first career start with the Huskers, Opening-Day starter Brett Sears had a strong performance in a 5.1-inning effort in Nebraska’s 4-1 win against Baylor on Friday.
• The Westphalia, Iowa, native allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven Bears, matching his career high vs. South Dakota State last season.
• Sears is one of 12 starting pitchers nationally to throw at least five innings with seven-plus strikeouts and one or fewer earned runs on the opening weekend of the season.

Timmerman Collects Rare Win on Opening Day
• Tucker Timmerman became the first Nebraska freshman to record a win on Opening Day since at least 1999. 
• The Beatrice, Neb., native made his collegiate debut in a tied game in the bottom of the sixth inning against Baylor and hurled 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
• Along with being the first freshman, Timmerman becomes the fourth underclassman to record a win in the season opener for the Huskers, joining sophomores Eric Rose (2009), Tony Watson (2006) and Zach Kroenke (2004).

Carey’s Strong Sophomore Start at Shortstop
• Dylan Carey started all three games for the Big Red last weekend at shortstop, going 4-for-13 (.308) in the three-hole spot.
• The Castle Rock, Colo., native drove in a team-high three runs, all of which came with two outs, including an RBI single against Baylor and a two-run double vs. No. 21 Texas Tech.
• The junior has started 23 consecutive games for NU dating back to last season.
• Carey started 53 games in his first season with the Huskers in 2023, which is the most games started by a Husker freshman since Ryan Boldt (60) in 2014.

Silva Impresses in Big Red Debut
• Riley Silva secured four hits at the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field last weekend, giving him a .364 batting average (4-for-11) heading into Nebraska’s series at Grand Canyon.
• Silva also swiped two bases, the only Husker with multiple on the weekend, and tied for a a team-high with a trio of runs scored.

Small-Ball Approach Added to Big Red Offense
• After bashing a school-record 97 homers last season, the Husker offense has shifted to a small-ball approach to begin the 2024 campaign.  
• Cayden Brumbaugh has laid down a team-high two sacrifice bunts, while Riley Silva has swiped a team-leading two stolen bases through three games.
• The Big Red are one of four teams nationally to steal five bases and average 1.3 sacrifice bunts per game or higher over the season-opening weekend.