It is the greatest weekend in the sports if you are a college baseball fan! Nebraska is back in the NCAA Tournament after missing out on the postseason all together last season. The Huskers as a three seed are in Oklahoma City to face the second seeded UConn Huskies in the opening game of the Oklahoma State hosted regional.
Nebraska has already made a big change to their lineup in the fact that Nate Fisher will get the start for the Huskers. Fisher gets the start in place of Matt Waldron, who will get an extra day of rest after starting the Big Ten Tournament championship game against Ohio State.
The bad news for Nebraska is that they have to go up against Mason Feole. Feole is a crafty lefty who sits in the 88-91 range with his fastball. He throws it at a variety of angles and will work it around the plate. Feole also features a curveball that he can throw for a strike or bury at the back foot of left right handed hitters.
Feole was a preseason All-American by multiple media outlets. The best news for Nebraska is that besides a dominant performance against Wichita State, Feole has not lived up to the lofty expectations set for him. Michigan State roughed him up earlier this year, while in his most recent start he allowed four runs against the same Wichita State team he dominated earlier this season.
The Huskies are a similar offense to what the Huskers are. They get on base, they walk, and they can run pretty well. As a team they only have 37 home runs this year. They do own 64 stolen bases as a team, slightly more than the Huskers 50 swipes.
Four UConn regulars bat over .300. Michael Woodworth, John Toppa, Anthony Prato, and Pat Winkel. Winkel is the biggest power threat, with six home runs on the year. Woodworth, Toppa, and Prato are also tied for the team lead with 14 stolen bases each.
In the bullpen for the Huskies is a three headed monster. Jacob Wallace is the closer and has the numbers to prove it. He has allowed only three earned runs all year. He has not blown a save yet, and if the Huskers see him and are losing, it will not be a good situation.
In front of Wallace, CJ Dandeneau and Caleb Wurster are the two set up men who would be in charge of getting the game to Wallace. Wallace is able to pitch multiple innings, as his season long is three multiple times.
NCAA Oklahoma City Regional
May 31-June 3, 2019
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, Okla.
Friday, May 31 • Noon (CT)
Nebraska (31-22) vs. UConn (36-23)
Video Stream: ESPN3
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Nate Fisher (7-3) vs. Mason Feole (3-3)