Husker Baseball Gamethread: Oral Roberts Game One

Nebraska (11-8) at Oral Roberts (11-6)

March 20, 2018

J.L. Johnson Stadium • Tulsa, Okla.

Tuesday, March 20 • 6:30 p.m. (CT)

Video Stream: ESPN3

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Mike Waldron (1-1) vs. Taylor Varnell (1-0)

After the worst opening homestand the Huskers have seen under Head Coach Darin Erstad, Nebraska heads out for a two game midweek series against Oral Roberts. Oral Roberts is a regional hosting quality team and if Nebraska could take two games from the Eagles, it would be huge for Nebraska.

Tonight, the Huskers hand the ball to Mike Waldron. Waldron pitched well last week against Northern Colorado in a midweek start, going into the fourth inning and giving up just one run while striking out five Bears.

Oral Roberts will start Taylor Varnell who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA Varnell is the midweek starter for the Eagles and sports 18 strikeouts in just 13 innings pitched.

Scouting the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

Oral Roberts leads the all-time series against Nebraska, 20-15, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 1972. The last meeting was in the 2008 NCAA Regionals when the Golden Eagles defeated Nebraska, 8-0. Oral Roberts is 11-6 this season and enters the week on a three-game winning streak after sweeping South Dakota State at home. The Golden Eagles went 5-1 in February, opening the season with a three-game sweep against Utah. ORU took one of three against then-No. 25 Dallas Baptist after a win in its lone game against then-No. 22 Wichita State.

Last season, Oral Roberts went 43-16 overall and finished first in the Summit with a 25-4 mark in conference play. The Golden Eagles qualified for the NCAA Tournament, where they went 1-2 in the Fayetteville Regional. Head Coach Ryan Folmar is in his sixth season at Oral Roberts and holds a 188-117 record at the school. He is assisted by Ryan Neill and Wes Davis.

Players to Watch

» #14 Spencer Henson (Sophomore INF): Leads the team in batting average (.383) and hits (23)

» #26 Riley Keizor (Sophomore C): Batting .345 with 20 hits, two doubles and two home runs

» #13 Noah Cummings (Senior OF): Team-high 16 RBIs and batting .273