Husker baseball: what we learned after FGCU series

This weekend saw a record number of Husker Baseball fans at the ballpark. GO BIG RED! I think everyone wants to forget about the disappointing basketball season and there was no need to try and figure out a bracket just yet. Plus the warm temperatures just begged one to get to the ballpark.

Around the ballparks: D1 baseball has B1G TEN foe Maryland at 14, up from 16 last week. Illinois and Indiana are still in the top 25. Florida remains #1 in their poll. Virginia slipped from #3 to #13 after being swept against Va Tech. Huskers are not ranked in this poll.

That being said, what did we learn? I think most surprising (or at least the most twitter chatter) was about the animated mound visit to Burkamper by Coach Darin Erstad in Sunday’s game.

Darin Erstad goes to the mound to talk to Burkamper. He ain’t happy. #Huskers
— Michael Bruntz (@michaelbruntz) March 15, 2015

FGC has 2 runners on, 1 out in the 5th. Darin Erstad appears animated at mound conference, but leaves Burkamper in.
— Jeff Sheldon (@ByJeffSheldon) March 15, 2015

Erstad having an animated speech in the dugout, too. Fantastic!
— Andrew (@HuskerPower66) March 15, 2015

“@stephielynn18: @FakeDarinErstad got a little fired up today. pic.twitter.com/tiDOfMJj3Z”

Got my boys back. Boys got my back. #Nebraseball
— From NE (@FakeDarinErstad) March 15, 2015

What is not surprising is the fan support. Husker Coach Erstad has done well and last year was finished on a good note despite not making it to the CWS. Don’t forget the record crowd at TD Ameritrade on the last day where they expected only about 10,000 and had to open the out field to accommodate the 19,965 fans that flooded in the gates. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a great facility as well.

Pitchers: Senior Chance Sinclair didn’t seem comfortable on Friday. He had some uncharacteristic long innings in the 2nd and 5th. His ERA is now 4.40 with 5 appearances and 30.2 innings pitched. He needs to find that 2.15 ERA groove he was in last year.

Kyle Kubat is still sharp and boasting a 1.69 ERA. He was 4.55 ERA last year. I think there is an argument for putting him on Friday nights. Other colleges toss a lefty on Friday and have success. (see LSU) Sophomore starter Derek Burkamper was a little rocky in the 4th (the first time I’ve thought it this year) but he got his control back and finished the day (see Erstad chat above). His ERA is 3.38 currently off of 24 innings pitched, and MUCH improved from his ERA of 8.59 in 2014. He’s a bright spot on the rotation.

Colton Howell is STILL ranked the filthiest for now in our book. His pitches just make me giggle when guys try to swing at it. Both of his appearances against FGCU were nasty. What I mean is 6 up, 6 down in 2 innings and 4 Ks, one looking. I like it! The Beard – Roeder hasn’t seemed as confidence inspiring as his shut down form last year but still did well this weekend after not being as sharp in Houston. He was 6 up, 6 down with 2 Ks. Chestnut is looking great too with .71 ERA in 12.2 innings. Maybe it’s the distraction of the mustache that makes me appreciate his stuff less. For not, it works. The pitching I mean.

Husker Baseball: reflections post Florida Gulf Coast

By Kelli Anne | Mar 16, 2015