After a come from behind victory last weekend, the Nebraska Baseball team will look to keep the momentum up against the 20th ranked Long Beach State Dirtbags. Colton Howell will look to regain his opening day from, while the Husker bats look to continue their assault on opposing pitchers.
Coming into the contest tonight, the Huskers rank 16th in slugging percentage, buoyed by the Huskers eight home runs. Nebraska will need to show up offensively tonight as the Huskers take on Chris Mathewson, a freshman All American from last season. Mathewson struck out 12 Arizona State Sun Devils last weekend, as he picked up the win.
Offensively, the Huskers will need to be aware of Dirtbag shortstop Garrett Hampson, a 2016 Preseason All American. Hampson is hitting .387 on the young season with five stolen bases. Hampson's double play partner Jarren Duran is another player to keep an eye on, as he is batting .300 with five steals as well.
Compared to the past two weekends, the Huskers should be expecting to play a different style of baseball this series. The Dirtbags are capable of pitching with the best teams in the nation as evidence of their 2.62 team ERA. The Dirtbags also field extremely well, as they have only committed four errors all season.
Offensively the Dirtbags are challenged, as they bat .237 while slugging .325. If the Huskers can gain a lead early on the Dirtbags, they could find success as stringing together runs in this series could be at a premium.
The starting lineups for the series opener:
Today's starting lineup #GBR pic.twitter.com/VovifLHQXr
— Nebraska Baseball (@Husker_Baseball) March 5, 2016
Here are your Friday night starters as the Dirtbags open a 3-game series vs. Nebraska. First pitch at 6pm! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/zGxo84741i
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 5, 2016
Friday, March 4 (8 p.m. CT)
Probable Starters: RHP Howell (0-1) vs. RHP Mathewson (1-1)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: None
Radio: Husker Sports Network