Huskers Look to Defend Big 12 Title

While the names and faces within the Nebraska baseball program change, the expectations set by Head Coach Mike Anderson and the coaching staff remain the same entering this spring.

"At the end of the year, we want to be in a position where we can host NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals and have a chance to become a regular in Omaha," Anderson said.

In recent years, that has been the case for the Huskers, who are riding a string of successes unmatched in the program’s history. Since 1999, the Huskers have made five straight NCAA Regional appearances - highlighted by back-to-back College World Series appearances in 2001 and 2002 - and have won two Big 12 regular-season and three conference tournament titles.

The 2003 season was no exception for the Big Red, as the Huskers, who were picked to finish fourth by the league’s coaches, won 47 games and took home the Big 12 regular-season title.

In 2004, the Huskers have the pieces in place to make another deep postseason run. While NU must replace a trio of All-Big 12 performers, including the league’s player and pitcher of the year, the cupboard is far from bare. The Huskers welcome back seven everyday starters, four of its top five starting pitchers, and a developing closer in Mike Sillman.

For Anderson, the reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year, everything began to fall into place after a fall that saw five starters sidelined. The Huskers entered the spring relatively healthy, and the experience the newcomers gained last fall will hopefully pay off in the future.

"It was a tough fall on the staff because of all the players who were out," Anderson said. "It also gave some of our newcomers an opportunity to work in different situations and to simulate game-like conditions. They now have a better idea of the level that we expect them to play at in the spring."

Let’s take a closer look at the 2004 Huskers.

Pitching
Under Pitching Coach Rob Childress, the Huskers have ranked among the conference leaders in ERA in each of the past four seasons. While the Huskers must contend with the loss of Aaron Marsden, who was drafted in the third round by Colorado, and four-year stalwarts Jamie Rodrigue and Steve Hale, the Huskers may have their deepest pitching staff in years.

Nebraska returns nine pitchers who combined for 31 wins and nine saves from a year ago, including Quinton Robertson, who led the Big 12 with 10 wins last season, and three pitchers who have earned Freshman All-America honors in 2002 or 2003.

"I’m excited about our staff because of the quality depth we bring back," Childress said. "I like the experience we have back in our starting rotation with Quinton, Phil (Shirek) and Zach (Kroenke), who combined for 34 starts for us, including 16 in conference play, last season."

Of the nine pitchers who made starts in 2003, six return, including Robertson, Shirek and sophomore Zach Kroenke, who tossed a complete game during the NCAA Regional. Other returnees with starting experience include senior Justin Pekarek and sophomores Brian Duensing and Tim Schoeninger.

"We feel like we have six returnees who have a chance to start for us in conference games, and then you throw in Brett Jensen, who gained a lot of junior college experience last year," Childress said. "It is a good nucleus because of the balance with three lefties and four right-handers, and we think that all of them could go out and give us quality starts."

Robertson stepped into the weekend rotation in 2003, and enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in school history. He went 10-2 with a 4.23 ERA in 89.1 innings, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. Robertson’s 10 wins were the most ever by a first-year Husker, as only All-Americans Shane Komine and Troy Brohawn won more games in any season. Robertson was second on the team in starts (14), innings pitched and strikeouts (51) and went six or more innings in 12 of his 14 starts.

Kroenke was one of the Big 12’s top freshmen starters, going 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 59.2 innings of work. The southpaw allowed three runs or less in 14 of his 15 appearances and held opponents to a .239 average. He closed 2003 with a complete-game six hitter in the NCAA Regional and was dominant at times throughout the fall.

Schoeninger was a workhorse in 2003, making a team-high 25 appearances en route to Freshman All-America honors. The right-hander went 4-2 with a team-best six saves and a 4.30 ERA. He worked primarily as a starter in the summer, and Childress said Schoeninger could be used in a number of roles.

Shirek compiled a 5-3 record with a 3.90 ERA in 18 outings and spent part of the year in the weekend rotation. The 6-3, 210-pounder was third on the team in innings (48) starts (10) and strikeouts (48), holding foes to a .227 average. Shirek spent the summer in the Cape Cod League and has the potential be effective in either a starting or relief role.

One of the biggest reasons for optimism in the Husker camp is the return to health of senior co-captain Justin Pekarek. The left-hander has battled injuries over the past three seasons, but went 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA in nine appearances in 2003. He earned all-league honors pitching for Santa Barbara over the summer, and closed the fall with a dominant one-hit effort in the Red/White Series.

Brett Jensen could emerge as a major figure on the Husker pitching staff. The 6-foot-7 right-hander earned first-team NJCAA All-America honors at Iowa Central Community College in 2003, going 11-1 with a 2.79 ERA. A 45th-round pick by Baltimore, Jensen has pinpoint control and a delivery that is difficult for opponents to pick up.

Two hurlers on the mend will play a role in the Huskers’ fortunes. Left-hander Brian Duensing was arguably NU’s ace during the first month of 2003, going 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts before being sidelined with an elbow injury. The southpaw earned Freshman All-America honors in 2002, and looks to reclaim a spot in NU’s weekend rotation.

Dustin Timm was dominant in limited duty, allowing one hit in 3.1 innings and striking out seven of the 12 batters he faced before undergoing Tommy John surgery last March. Timm is currently ahead of schedule, and could return to the mound in time for Big 12 play.

In the bullpen, senior Mike Sillman blossomed into the closer’s role in 2003, going 1-1 with three saves and a 1.82 ERA in 17 outings. He struck out 22 in 24.2 innings, and hurled 18.1 consecutive scoreless innings during one stretch. He was dominant over the summer pitching for Nevada (Mo.) in the Jayhawk League, going 10-for-10 in save opportunities and not allowing a run in 16 outings.

"It’s been three years since we had a true closer returning," Childress said. "Mike developed in that role last season and was a guy who we couldn’t wait to get the ball to late in games. It is a comforting feeling to have him in that role entering this year."

Junior left-hander Jeremy Becker joins Sillman to give NU a veteran relief duo. Becker made 15 appearances in 2003 and allowed only four of 17 inherited runners to score, In addition, Colin Shockey could also see time in relief, as the right-hander was impressive during the fall.

Four freshmen who earned first-team all-state accolades last spring may also play prominent roles out of the bullpen. Southpaws Brad Furnish and Jon Klausing and right-handers Matt Pike and Matt Foust all are highly touted and give Childress plenty of options.

Furnish was 7-3 with a 1.53 ERA, striking out 101 in 64 innings at Allen (Texas) High School in 2003. Klausing was named a first-team high school All-American by Collegiate Baseball pitching for Pomona High School. He was the state’s pitcher of the year, going 11-1 with a 1.44 ERA en route to a state crown.

Foust was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas, compiling a 3-3 mark with a 1.42 ERA, as he struck out 61 in 42 innings of work. Pike, a 31st-round pick by Boston in 2003, was 11-1 with a 1.77 ERA to earn first-team All-Colorado honors.

Freshman Mike McDonald, a first-team all-state left-hander from Kansas who missed the fall with a foot injury, and Phil Zander, a walk-on who earned a spot during tryouts in fall camp, will add depth in the bullpen. The Huskers will be without pitchers Tony Watson and Mike Harmelink, who both had season-ending surgeries before the start of winter drills. Childress said the losses of Watson, a 23rd round pick by Florida in 2003, and Harmelink, who was one of NU’s most improved hurlers in the fall, will provide increased opportunities for the rest of the Huskers’ talented pitching newcomers.

Catcher
One area of great depth is behind the plate, where the Huskers welcome back two of the NU’s’ top receivers from a year ago, including two-year starter John Grose.

"We really like our situation behind the plate with Johnny healthy again," Anderson said. "His absence took us out of sync at times, and with Chad (Steele) and Johnny (Bowden), we have greatly improved our depth at the position."

Grose, a co-captain from Henderson, Nev., battled an elbow injury that limited him to a .302 average and 22 RBIs in 2003. Grose, who earned All-Big 12 Tournament and all-NCAA Regional honors as a sophomore, was fully healthy in the fall, and looks to return to his 2002 form, when he hit .384 with 38 RBIs. Grose is also one of the best defensive catchers in the league, throwing out 30 percent of base runners in 2002.

Behind Grose is a youthful trio that includes sophomore Chad Steele and freshmen Andy Lomax and Johnny Bowden.

Steele enters the spring as the primary backup after hitting .278 with four RBIs in 26 games in 2003. The left-handed hitting Steele, who could also see spot duty at DH or in the outfield, topped the Jayhawk League with a .387 average and 39 RBIs in 43 games during the summer.

Bowden was a second-team all-state honoree at Thurston (Ore.) High School last spring, hitting .400 with eight homers and 18 RBIs. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, the coaches like Bowden’s size and defensive skills behind the plate.

Lomax, who redshirted in 2003, will provide depth. The Lincoln native was second-team All-Nebraska selection as a senior in 2002.

Outfield
While the Huskers saw two of their top outfielders from a year ago selected in the draft, including three-year starter Jeff Leise, NU brings back two of its top three run producers in starters Daniel Bruce and Brandon Fusilier. The Huskers have improved depth with five newcomers, including junior college transfer Colin Shockey, redshirts Jesse Boyer and Kevin Belcher and true freshmen Braden Keith and Andy Gerch.

"The outfielders we have back give us a lot of options," Anderson said. "Colin, Daniel and Braden could all play center for us and that gives us a chance to match up better with opponents. Brandon showed that he could drive in runs for us, and Jesse and Kevin had a chance to work in our system last spring and made strides during the fall.

A two-year starter in right, Bruce batted .311 with six homers and 33 RBIs in 2003. He was one of the Huskers’ hottest hitters down the stretch, batting .396 over his final 26 games and belted three homers during the NCAA Lincoln Regional. Bruce also is one of the best defensive players in the league, throwing out six runners a year ago.

Fusilier’s health was a question mark entering the spring after off-season shoulder surgery, but the senior is close to 100 percent, giving the Huskers some pop in the middle of the lineup. He hit .289 with six homers and 41 RBIs despite several nagging injuries in 2003. He also showed a knack for timely hits, hitting .359 with runners in scoring position. Anderson believes that Fusilier will start the year at DH until his shoulder is 100 percent.

Boyer parlayed a strong summer and fall into a potential starting role this spring. The 6-1, 200-pounder starred in the Northwoods League, hitting .299 with 34 runs scored and a .481 on-base percentage to earn all-league honors. During the Red/White Series, he continued his stellar play, hitting .438 with seven runs scored in five games and will likely start the season in left field.

Belcher, who could play any of the three outfield positions, is an intriguing prospect. The redshirt freshman hit .389 with a homer and five runs scored during the Red/White Series and was an all-regional selection at Lake Forest High School in 2002. His continued development gives the coaching staff a number of potential outfield combinations.

One of two junior college additions, Shockey returns to his home state after spending two years at Iowa Western Community College. The 5-10, 170-pounder hit a combined .374 with 55 stolen bases in two years and enters the spring as the front-runner for Leise’s center field spot. The most versatile player on the roster, Shockey could see time at nearly any infield or outfield position, and will also add depth to the Huskers’ relief corps.

Keith comes to NU after a decorated prep career at Falcon (Colo.) High School. A three-time All-Colorado honoree, Keith hit .600 with five homers, 28 RBIs and 20 stolen bases last spring and was invited to the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in 2003. Gerch rounds out the outfield rotation, as he will sit out 2004 after transferring from Arkansas. As a high school senior, the 6-1, 200-pounder was a first-team All-Nebraska honoree at Lincoln Pius X, hitting .400 with 10 doubles last spring.

Infield
Quality, not quantity is the theme for the Husker infield, as NU returns three starters ? shortstop Joe Simokaitis, second baseman Jake Mullinax and third baseman Alex Gordon ? from last season’s infield. In addition, All-Big 12 honoree Curtis Ledbetter, who backed up Big 12 Player-of-the-Year Matt Hopper, shifts full-time to first base after splitting time at the position last year. Behind that quartet, experience is lacking, as junior college transfer Beau Sullivan and freshmen Tyler Vaughn and Al Smith are newcomers to the NU program.

"We feel like we have four returning starters back with the experience they gained last season," Anderson said. "I think our strength is up the middle with Jake and Joe, and that is important to our defensive makeup. With Curtis and Alex on the corners, we feel like our infield is one of the best in the conference.

"Our one concern about the infield is our lack of depth," Anderson said. "We will get Tyler some opportunities during the year, but it is imperative that we keep our starters healthy."

The Huskers will move Ledbetter to first base this spring, after he earned All-Big 12 honors at designated hitter in 2003. The 6-3, 220-pound junior batted .348 with 13 homers and 54 RBIs, Ledbetter ranked third in the league in homers (13) and slugging percentage (.647), while belting a team-best 13 doubles. A preseason All-American, Ledbetter missed the fall after shoulder surgery, but was 100 percent for the start of spring drills.

Sullivan will combine with Ledbetter to give the Huskers a solid platoon at first base. The junior college transfer hit .316 with nine homers and 52 RBIs at Seminole (Okla.) State last spring and gives NU much-needed power from the left side of the plate. Smith will add depth at the position behind Ledbetter and Sullivan. Smith was a first-team All-Nebraska honoree last spring at Omaha Westside, hitting .500 with seven homers and 47 RBIs to lead Westside to a state title.

Senior co-captain Jake Mullinax returns at second after hitting .320 with 21 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 48 contests. An honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection, Mullinax was second on the team with a .470 on-base percentage and finished 2003 on a tear, batting .480 during the postseason. He was the Huskers’ best hitter in the fall, batting .422 with team bests in homers (six) and runs scored (20) in 55 at-bats. According to the coaches, having a full year under his belt will help make Mullinax become one of the best infielders in the league this season.

Simokaitis, the veteran of the infield with 103 career starts at shortstop, enjoyed a strong 2003 campaign, hitting .293 with 39 RBIs en route to honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors. He led the team with 16 sacrifice bunts and ranked second with nine steals. While Simokaitis enjoyed a solid offensive year, the junior from St. Louis excels on defense, recording a school-record 194 assists and helping NU turn a Big 12-leading 70 double plays.

Gordon enjoyed one of the best seasons by a Husker freshman in 2003, hitting .319 with seven homers and 48 RBIs to garner Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America honors. The Lincoln Southeast product tied for the team lead with 13 doubles and batted a team-best .416 with runners in scoring position. Gordon ranked among the team leaders in nearly every offensive category and has added 20 pounds over the summer. After a tremendous fall, Gordon could be a strong contender for conference honors.

Vaughn will serve as the Huskers’ utility infielder, where he could see time at second, short or third. The freshman from Colorado Springs, Colo., earned honorable-mention all-state honors, batting .492 with four homers, 17 RBIs and 31 runs scored in 2003. The 6-2, 195-pounder is a converted shortstop and gained valuable experience during the fall. Colin Shockey is another player who will add infield depth if injuries mount.

Schedule
The Huskers will be challenged by one of the most difficult slates in school history. With 10 foes ranked in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll, the tests will come early and often. The Huskers travel to defending NCAA champion Rice and square off with Super Regional qualifiers Florida State and North Carolina in the first three weeks of the season. The Huskers will play their first 12 games on the road before their home opener against Western Illinois on March 16.

According to Anderson, the difficult schedule was designed with a purpose of preparing Nebraska for the rigors of the Big 12.

"We made a conscious effort to challenge ourselves," Anderson said. "There were some opportunities that came up late in the scheduling process that we didn’t want to pass up. Our pre- conference schedule is one of the best in the country and probably the toughest in school history. If you go through the schedule, each weekend is going to be tough for us."

The Huskers open league play on March 26 against Kansas, beginning a stretch of nine consecutive conference weekends. The Huskers travel to Kansas State, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma State and Baylor, while hosting Kansas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Oklahoma in the friendly confines of Hawks Field. As usual, the Big 12, which had five teams qualify for regionals in 2003, will once again be loaded. NU was chosen third in the preseason poll behind Texas and Baylor.

"Our first goal is to win the Big 12, and we realize it is tough, especially with the five road series this year," Anderson said. "No team has won the league in the current format with only four home series, and our goal is to play well enough on the road to give us a chance to win the Big 12. If we can do that, we will be in a position to meet our other goals down the line."