Ex-Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball star struggling in MLB cup of coffee

It seems like it’s been a really, really long times since two former Nebraksa Cornhuskers baseball players were both making regular starts as part of a Major League Baseball rotation. Especially when both hurtlers were rookies at the same time.

Unfortunately, it feels like the two pitchers, Cade Povich and Spencer Schwellenbach are going in different directions as their rookie campaigns roll on.

On the one hand, Povich netted his first MLB victory on Saturday night. He’s also been able to wrangle hitters a bit better as his season has gone on. After exiting his first start witn an ERA over 10.00, he’s managed to have just a 2.56 earned run average in his following four starts. Meanwhile, Schwellenbach has struggled in each of his last two outings.

Ex-Nebraska Cornhuskers star is on the struggle bus as his rookie MLB campaign rolls out

On Sunday, Schwellenbach fell to 1-4 on the season with a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the game, he lasted just 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and 4 earned runs. If there was a bright spot, it was that he also recorded 7 strikeouts.

That has been a theme for the former Huskers this year that could point to an eventual turn around. On the season, the hurler has struck out 32 batters in 31.2 innings. Anytime a starting pitcher can average more than one K per inning, that’s showing an ability to miss bats.

On the flipside, Schwellenbach’s season ERA climbed to a very ugly 5.68 earned run average. It’s up that high after he had worked to get the ERA under 5.00 after holding the Detroit Tigers to just 1 run in 6 innings in his first Major League win.

The latest loss could be an extra big bump in the road should the Braves decide he needs to go back to the minors to hone his craft. That will be something to watch for the ex-Nebraska Cornhuskers pitcher.