Nebraska Baseball Series Preview and Gamethread: Purdue Edition

The Nebraska baseball team returns home to face off against the Purdue Boilermakers in a key Big Ten conference series. Purdue and Nebraska are currently separated by a half game in the early standings of conference play.

The Boilermakers check in 10-17 overall with a 4-1 record in Big Ten play. Purdue swept a weather shortened two game series against Penn State last weekend. The Boilermakers also took two of three from Northwestern to start the year.

This weekends series marks the first time Purdue has traveled to Nebraska since 2015. Nebraska and Purude last met in the Big Ten Tournament in 2017, with Nebraska taking a 15-9 victory. Nebraska swept Purdue at Purdue during the 2016 season.

The road team has never lost in the Purdue and Nebraska series. Purdue came to Nebraska and won the series in both 2013 and 2015.

Pitching should be a major factor this weekend. Purdue ranks second in the Big Ten averaging 9.21 strikeouts per nine innings. The Huskers strikeout the second most, averaging 9.65 strikeouts per game.

Patrick J. Smith gets the nod to face off against Matt Waldron. Smith has averaged eight strikeouts in his last three outings. He shutout the Nittany Lions last weekend over seven innings.

To get to Smith, teams must have a good first inning. Of the 11 runs Smith has given up on the year, 9 have come in the first inning. Nebraska has had success, scoring in the first inning in three of their past four games.

Andrew Bohm is the only non senior scheduled to start this series. Bohm gave up just one earned run in his start against Penn State last weekend. He has big game experience, starting the Big Ten Tournament Championship last season. Bohm has been inconsistent this season. He was tagged for eight runs against Oral Roberts.

Ryan Beard will get the ball on Sunday. Beard did not pitch last week due to the weather shortened series. Beard has had his ups and downs this season. He did pitch 7.2 innings against the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is a ground ball pitcher who has induced seven double plays so far.

The Purdue offense does not look lethal on paper. Purdue as a team bats just .232. Skyler Hunter is the leading hitter for the Boilermakers. He clocks in with a .340 batting average.

Purdue as a team has just two home runs. The Boilermakers do not strikeout as often as one would think. Purdue only averages 6.89 strikeouts per game. Playing good defense will be key to keeping Purdue off the board this weekend.

Look at the series, Nebraska should like their chances to jump ahead of Purdue in the Big Ten standings. Nebraska will have an advantage on the mound in all three matchups, and has the better offense. Look for Nebraska to take advantage of some home cooking and get another win streak started.

Friday, April 5 • 6:32 p.m. (CT)

TV: NET

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Matt Waldron (3-0) vs. Patrick J. Smith (3-1)

Saturday, April 6 • 2:05 p.m. (CT)

Video Stream: BTN Plus

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Nate Fisher (4-1) vs. Andrew Bohm (0-3)

Sunday, April 7 • 12:02 p.m. (CT)

TV: ESPNU

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Reece Eddins (1-2) vs. Ryan Beard (0-3)