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The Huskers will look to gain momentum with a trip out west, where they will take on the University of Las Vegas Rebels in a three game series starting tonight. Senior Chance Sinclair will take the hill for the Huskers tonight, and will face Zak Qualls, a junior who just rejoined the UNLV program this year. Qualls will have the difficult task of containing the Husker offense, that looks prime for an explosion.
Seniors Austin Darby, and Tanner Lubach look to take advantage of a UNLV pitching staff that has lost some quality arms since the last time these teams met in Lincoln last year. The Huskers do have a talent advantage over the Rebels on paper, but will still need to be careful. Look for Sinclair to throw strikes early, and try and be efficient with his pitches. If the Huskers can get six or seven innings from Sinclair, it will most likely favor the Huskers.
In the case that UNLV takes the lead, they do return key bullpen pieces in Zach Hartman and Brayden Torres. If the Huskers happen to run into these two arms, there is a good chance that the game may be over. The Huskers bullpen, except for Josh Roeder is not set, but expect to see Colton Howell, and Jeff Chestnut get good looks at meaningful innings over the weekend.
Offensively, the Rebels will be powered by Morgan Stotts who had a .337 batting average last season. While Stotts will be one to watch, also keep an eye on Joey Armstrong in center as he hit .302 with four home runs last season. While Armstrong will be patrolling center field for the Rebels, the Huskers will counter with Ryan Boldt. Boldt looks to improve on his freshmen season, and will look to combine with Darby and Lubach to give a bit more home run potential to the Nebraska offense.
Saturday's pitching dual features Kyle Kubat of Nebraska going up against Kenny Oakley of the Rebels. Oakley is a quality pitcher, who will test the Huskers, while Kubat will look to regain the form he found at the end of last season.
Sunday's series finale will feature first time collegiate start Max Knutson for the Huskers facing Sophomore pitcher D.J Meyers from the Rebels. Meyers comes from junior college, where he found great success, while Knutson is looking to impress in his first college start.
— Nebraska Baseball (@Husker_Baseball) February 14, 2015
Friday, Feb. 13 – 8:05 p.m. (CT)
Probable Starters: RHP Sinclair (0-0) vs. LHP Qualls (0-0)
TV: None
Stream: Free Radio (Huskers.com) | Video Stream (REBEL TV)
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Saturday, Feb. 14 – 4:05 p.m. (CT)
Probable Starters: LHP Kubat (0-0) vs. RHP Oakley (0-0)
TV: None
Stream: Free Radio (Huskers.com) | Video Stream (REBEL TV)
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Sunday, Feb. 15 – 3:05 p.m. (CT)
Probable Starters: LHP Knutson (0-0) vs. RHP Myers (0-0
TV: None
Stream: Free Radio (Huskers.com) | Video Stream (REBEL TV)
Radio: Husker Sports Network