After a 2-2 showing in the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, Nebraska returns to the Midwest to play their first three game set of the year at Wichita State. The Shockers who finished 28-30 last season are 6-0 this season with sweeps of both McNeese State and Omaha.

Wichita State has been headlined by a pair of Preseason All-Americans in Alec Bohm and Greyson Jenista. Bohm is hitting .550 this season with six of his eleven hits going for extra bases. Jenista has only hit .273, but leads the Shockers with four home runs.

The trio of weekend starting pitchers for the Shockers has fared well in the early season, with Codi Heuer, Liam Eddy, and Connor Lungwitz having a collective ERA of 3.48.

Heuer threw two innings in relief in the Shockers series in Lincoln two years ago. He finished those innings by giving up just a single run on a hit. Two years ago, the Huskers sent Jake McSteen to the mound in the middle game, followed by Matt Waldron.

McSteen, who was injured last weekend has not decided if he will undergo Tommy John Surgery or will attempt to rehab and come back by the end of the season. Waldron remains a key cog for the Huskers out of the bullpen, as Nebraska has set their weekend rotation with Luis Alvardao, Nate Fisher, and Matt Warren to face the Shockers.

Nebraska needs to take the Friday game in this situation. With the Huskers facing an undefeated team, getting momentum out of the gate will be key. Wichita State slowed down offensively last weekend, combining to score just 13 runs after blasting McNeese State for 32 the week before.

For the Husker hitters, be patient and take the free passes. Nebraska has not been hitting the ball well, and frankly don’t expect that to change this weekend. Use the small ball game, and get leads and protect them. Expect to see Paul Tillotson and Jake Hohensee probably twice if the Huskers have leads late in games.

It would be nice to take two out of three from an undefeated team on the road, but I just don’t see it happening. I think the Huskers take Friday and lose both Saturday and Sunday. Still a 6-5 record and starting a nine game home stand would not be the end of the world.

Friday, March 2 • 3 p.m. (CT)

Luis Alvarado (0-0) vs. Codi Heuer (1-0)

Saturday, March 3 • 2 p.m. (CT)

Nate Fisher (0-1) vs. Liam Eddy (2-0)

Sunday, March 4 • 2 p.m. (CT)

Matt Warren (1-0) vs. Connor Lungwitz (1-0)

How to Listen/Watch the Huskers

Fans can listen to Nick Handley and Ben McLaughlin call the weekend action on the Husker Sports Network. Every game this season can be heard on Huskers.com and the Official Nebraska Huskers App for both iOS and android devices.

Shocker HD will provide a video stream for all three games this weekend. A 24-hour pass to watch is a one-time $7.95 fee. A monthly subscription is $14.95 and a yearly pass to Shocker HD is $89.95.