Husker Baseball: Minnesota Scouting Report
The No. 23 Nebraska Baseball team will open a weekend series with the Minnesota Golden Gophers tonight in a pivotal rebound series for the Huskers after they fell victim to a sweep by the now B1g Ten-leading Maryland Terrapins last weekend. Huskers getting some televised love to as it will open on BTN Friday!
Projected Starters for Friday’s game are the typical rotation of Chance Sinclair for Nebraska, who carries a 4-4 record and a 3.60 ERA versus Ben Meyer for Minnesota, who is 3-2 on the year with a 5.01 ERA. Saturday will feature Kyle Kubat for the Huskers while Minnesota has yet to name a starter. Kubat has been fantastic this season with a 4-1 record and just a 2.08 ERA in 52.0 innings pitched. Sunday projects to see Husker freshman Derek Burkamper (4-1, 3.14 ERA) against Minnesota’s Tim Shannon (1-4, 5.65 ERA).
Hey Batter Batter (photo Kelli Anne)
Worth noting from Minnesota is that only two members of the Gophers’ entire pitching staff has a sub 5.00 ERA. Those two (Matt Fiedler and Tyler Hanson) have combined for 16 appearances and zero starts.
For the Golden Gopher bats, the big STICK in the lineup is Matt Fiedler who has started 27 of 28 games and his hitting a robust .346 with 20 RBI. He’s walked 13 times and gets on base at a .419 clip. He has also stolen 11 bases in 13 attempts. Fiedler is truly an outstanding player and will be fun to watch as both an outfielder and potential pitcher.
Two other Gophers to watch are Michael Handel, a senior shortstop, and junior outfielder Dan Motl both of whom are hitting over .300 on the year. The pair have combined to collect 30 RBI. Motl has been active on the basepaths, also, with nine stolen bases in 10 attempts.
Husker baseball took extra innings to beat Kansas State on Tuesday but the bullpen wasn’t too badly taxed. I look forward to watching the BIG RED rebound well. It’s not a season ending thing when you lose to the top team in your conference. That being said, they had their chances to win a couple. Coach Erstad will have them ready to go in what will be a sell out crowd I suspect as well. Weather says 70 and sunny so bring the shades.
First Pitch and TV/Radio Information
Friday, April 10
7:05 pm
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: 1400 AM in Lincoln
Saturday, April 11
6:05 pm
TV: None
Radio: 1400 AM in Lincoln
Sunday, April 12
1:05 pm
TV: None
Radio: 1400 AM in Lincoln
The baseball game was moved to 7pm to accommodate the Spring Game for the football team. After enjoying Coach Riley and his new program, swing by the diamond to catch some baseball. GO BIG RED!!!