Huskers will face UNLV Rebels this weekend in the first series of the season. Last year Big Red lost the series to the Rebels but missing from the UNLV pitching lineup is outstanding RHP Erick Fedde who was drafted in the 1st round last June. Another strong arm for the Rebels, John Richy is also gone. He was an 11 game winner for the squad. The RHP of Bryan Bonnell is still available. He finished last year 7-5, 2.90 ERA. Zak Qualls (LHP) is set to start Friday for UNLV, with Oakley getting the nod on Saturday (4:05), and Myers on Sunday (3:05).
Qualls is a 6′ 3″ 165 lbs. junior (having NOT been on the team since his freshman year) and recorded 13 starts with the Rebels. His record was 4-6, with a 5.71 ERA. Word is he likes to throw strikes.
Nebraska Baseball
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the shut down closer strength of UNLV pitcher Brayden Torres. He logged 9 saves for the Mountain West division team and is on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award. Of note is the fact that Huskers own closer, Senior Josh Roeder is also on the list. This award is given to the top relief pitcher in the NCAA Division I baseball.
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Back to the competition on the other side of the plate. Huskers will have to be careful defensively as UNLV returns top hitter, senior Morgan Stotts with stats that include a .337 average in 196 at bats. He crushed 12 doubles, 1 triple and 3 homeruns. He will be joined in the lineup by junior Erik VanMeetren who started the past 4 years. His average is .291, having had 213 at bats. He accounted for 14 doubles, 1 triple and 2 homeruns. Junior Joey Armstrong also in the top of the lineup and produced a .302 ave with 8 doubles, 3 triples and 4 homeruns. UNLV has been picked to finish 2nd in the division this year by D1 Baseball.
Dugout Dirt: (it’s the little extra bits of info) Washington Nationals All Star outfielder Bryce Harper will be on hand to throw out the 1st pitch to start the season. They will be joined by the Mountain Ridge Little League Team who just recently obtained the championship title to the Little League World Series now that Chicago’s Little League team has been stripped of that title.
Mar 16, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb performs against the New Mexico Lobos during the championship game of the Mountain West tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
This game will not be televised but is available on Huskers free radio (Huskers.com) or video stream from Rebel TV. Game weather report has temps in the mid 70’s with sunny conditions through the weekend. First game starts at 8:05 CDT. Wishing Coach Erstad and the rest of the team GOOD LUCK and as always, GO BIG RED!!!