Huskers Conclude Fall Practice with Red/White Series

Lincoln ? The Nebraska baseball team concludes fall drills this week with the annual Red/White Series at Hawks Field. The best-of-five series begins Tuesday, Oct. 7, with the decisive fifth game, if necessary, set for Saturday, Oct. 11. Start times for the series are 3 p.m. (Tuesday ? Friday) and 10 a.m. (Saturday) and all the games are free and open to the public.

The White squad will be under the direction of Associate Head Coach Rob Childress while Assistant Coach Andy Sawyers will head up the Red squad, as both teams and staffs are divided up evenly, making the series highly competitive.

According to Head Coach Mike Anderson, who is in his second year in charge of the Husker program, the series gives both veterans and newcomers a taste of what Big 12 baseball will be all about next spring.

"As a staff, it allows us a chance to see the players in a highly competitive environment, and to see how they perform under those conditions," Anderson said. "We put a great deal of importance on the series."

Tuesday's opening matchup will be highlighted by a pair of veterans pitchers, as junior right-hander Phil Shirek (5-3, 3.90 ERA) will toe the rubber for the White squad while sophomore southpaw Zach Kroenke (6-2, 2.72 ERA) takes the hill for the Red squad.

The Red team is weighted more heavily on offense and features returning starters John Grose (.302-4-22) and Alex Gordon (.319-7-48), two of the three returning starters who will be in the lineup this week. The team also includes sophomore Tim Schoeninger (4-2, 4.30 ERA), who along with Gordon earned a spot on Collegiate Baseball's Freshman All-America team in 2003, and junior reliever Jeremy Becker (0-1, 5.65 ERA).

The White squad is deep in pitching as All-Big 12 starter Quinton Robertson (10-2, 4.23 ERA) and Justin Pekarek (2-1, 4.24 ERA) join Shirek in a veteran starting rotation, while the bullpen is headed by closer Mike Sillman (1-1, 1.82 ERA, 3 SV). The offense will be led by senior second baseman Jake Mullinax (.320-0-21) and catcher Chad Steele (.278-0-4).

Several players will be held out of the series because of injuries, including All-Big 12 DH Curtis Ledbetter and outfielder Brandon Fusilier, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Two other returning starters, shortstop Joe Simokaitis and outfielder Daniel Bruce, will be restricted to defensive duty this week. In addition, pitchers Dustin Timm, Brian Duensing, Anthony Watson and Mike McDonald will not take part in the series.

Series Probable Starters

Day Red Starter

White Starter

Tues. Zach Kroenke, LHP
(6-2. 2.72 ERA)

Phil Shirek, RHP
(5-3, 3.90 ERA)

Wed. Brett Jensen, RHP
(11-1, 2.79 at Iowa Central CC) Justin Pekarek, LHP
(2-1, 4.24 ERA)Thurs. Brad Furnish, LHP
(7-3, 1.53 at Allen (Texas) HS) Quinton Robertson, RHP
(10-2, 4.23 ERA)Fri.* Tim Schoeninger, RHP
(4-2, 4.30 ERA) Jon Klausing, LHP
(11-1, 1.44 ERA at Pamona (Colo.) HS)Sat. open open

* - If necessary