Husker Corner
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Nebraska baseball adds slugging JUCO outfielder to the roster

By Oliver VanDervoort

Omaha, NE - JUNE 28: A general view of NCAA baseballs prior to game two of the College World Series Championship Series between the Arizona Wildcats and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on June 28, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Omaha, NE - JUNE 28: A general view of NCAA baseballs prior to game two of the College World Series Championship Series between the Arizona Wildcats and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on June 28, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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The Nebraska baseball team might be sitting out the postseason but that appears to have allowed them to get a jump on recruiting.

On the same day that the Nebraska football team got a surprise commit, Nebraska baseball fans got a nice surprise as well. Aaron Palensky, a former Papillion-LaVista South player has announced his commitment to the Huskers.

Palensky announced his decision on his Twitter account on Friday afternoon. He could end up filling an immediate need on the offensive side of the ball for the Huskers who are going to be missing some big bats in the 2019 season.

After graduating from Papillion-LaVista South High, Palensky decided to take his talents to Southeast Community College. In his only season with the Storm, he batted .417 with 18 home runs, 77 RBI and scored 72 runs in 58 games.

The outfielder has a little speed as well as he stole 24 bases. Perhaps amongst the stats to take into account when looking at Palensky’s season a year ago, is that he struck out just 25 times in 242 plate appearances.

If there has been a problem that can be pinpointed when it comes to the Cornhuskers’ offense the last few years, it’s been the inability to get a big clutch hit consistently. Strikeouts at key moments have certainly been part of the problem.

Palensky wasn’t playing on a slouch of a team putting up those numbers either. The SCC Storm have been Region IX champions four of the last five years. While Palensky’s team is in the lower Division II of the NJCAAs in baseball, he was clearly one of the best that tier had to offer last season.

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His 18 home runs ranked him fourth in the country and his 77 RBI was second in the nation for that division. It’s certainly going to be interesting to see whether Aaron Palensky will be able to earn himself a starting spot on the Nebraska baseball team right away.

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