Nebraska vs Kansas - Final Big 12 Series of 2007

by Jon Johnston on May 18, 2007 2:27 PM CDT in Nebraska Husker Baseball

The Huskers will play their first road game in over a month when they travel to Lawrence this weekend to take on the Kansas Jayhawks. Nebraska needs to win the series to maintain a record above .500 in the Big 12.

Should Texas A&M lose their series to Texas, Nebraska has the potential of moving into fourth place in conference. Kansas is currently a half game behind Baylor and Oklahoma, fighting for a place in the Big 12 tourney.

As of May 16th, Nebraska has played the toughest schedule in the nation. Given that there's around 300 Division I baseball teams, that's incredible. 24 of the last 25 games the Huskers have played have been against teams in the Top 50 of the RPI. (Oklahoma has played the 7th toughest, Texas the 9th.)

I know there are some Huskers fans who are down on pitching coach Bingham, but the Huskers ERA at 4.02 is second in the Big 12 only to Texas. The Huskers are second in opponent batting average at .250, fewest walks per game (3.18), and strikeouts per game (8.41), so pitching is not the problem with this team.

There is a feeling among Nebraska fans that we need to finish with an above .500 record to get into the NCAA tourney. Due to their schedule strength and high RPI, the Huskers might be able to afford losing the series at Kansas, and then be one and done at the Big 12 tourney and still get in - but who wants to deal with that kind of angst?

Schedule and Projected Starters:

Friday - May 18 7 p.m.

NU-Tony Watson, Jr., LHP (5-4, 3.63 ERA, 77 K, 86.2 IP)
KU-Andy Marks, So., LHP (5-6, 5.29 ERA, 89 K, 85.0 IP)

Saturday - May 19 6 p.m.

NU-Johnny Dorn, Jr., RHP (8-2, 5.09 ERA, 54 K, 76 IP)
KU-Nick Czyz, So., LHP (4-7, 4.12 ERA, 60 K, 67.2 IP)

Sunday - May 20 5 p.m. (late Sunday start due to KU Commencement)

NU-Luke Wertz, Jr., RHP (3-0, 2.09 ERA, 47 K, 43 IP)
KU-Wally Marciel, Fr., LHP (5-2, 3.91 ERA, 42 K, 53 IP)

I don't think I need to remind Husker fans what a pain in our butts that Kansas has been over the past couple years. They've destroyed us in basketball. They beat us badly 40-15 in football in 2005 while breaking their 800-year losing streak and then last fall they drove us nuts while we barely won 39-32.

It'd be nice to have a sweep and put all guessing aside, wouldn't it?

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KU 10 - Nebraska 5

KU took the first game 10-5. The Jayhawks just would not let up on the Cornhusker pitching staff. All night long the basepads were covered with blue.

It was a beautiful night here in Lawrence, with the temperature slowly dropping into the fifties by the end of the game. Nice crowd showed up, about a third of them cheering for Red.

I will not be able to make the game tomorrow but I will be at Hoglund on Sunday. I hated that both Baylor and Oklahoma won this evening preventing KU from moving up in the standings, but on the other hand a loss tonight with those two schools winning would have all but killed any remaining Jayhawk hopes.

by James Quinn on May 18, 2007 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

thanks for checking in, JQ!

I had a Cub Scout camp out to attend... but I did tune in on the radio just in time to hear 8-5 and that Tony Watson only threw 28 pitches.

By the sound in Jim Rose's voice, I figured it wasn't going to be a good night for the Huskers.

Hope we get you today!

Go Big Red!

by Jon Johnston on May 19, 2007 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey Corn Blight,

Here is a link to my recap at RCT:

http://www.rockchalktalk.com/story/2...

I guess I talk a little trash but what the hell, it was a great night to be a Jayhawker. We don't get big wins like this too often in Lawrence.

In my recap I mention how many Nebraska fans made the trip. I think there were around 400 - 500 Corn fans in the stands. (Nice rhyme there) NU is one of the best traveling teams in the nation.

Well, I hope things continue to go well for the Jayhawks. I cannot be at the game tonight but I’ll be there on Sunday.

by James Quinn on May 19, 2007 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions