Huskers Reload for Another CWS Run

For the Nebraska baseball program, the 2006 season ushers in a new chapter. One year after setting a school record with 57 wins and earning the program’s first College World Series win, Nebraska will rely on a youthful lineup this spring.

In 2005, Nebraska relied on a plethora of first-year players in winning the Big 12 title. Pitchers such as Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Dorn and Tony Watson combined for 28 wins between them in their first year of Division I competition. Offensively, NU relied on its veterans most of the year, but freshmen such as Andy Gerch, Ryan Wehrle and Ryan Bohanan were vital in helping the Huskers reach the CWS for the third time in five years.

For fourth-year Head Coach Mike Anderson, the fact that 29 members of the 39-man roster are freshmen or sophomores provides encouragement that bright days are ahead for the Husker program.

"I’d say we’re young and talented, which says, to me, that we have a lot of things we need to do in order to play this game the right way," Anderson said. "But we’ve got a lot of talent to work with, too."

"It is going to be one of those years where we have a lot of developing to do. We have the potential to do a lot of good things in conference and hopefully in the postseason, but that will be determined by how we improve throughout the year."

Last season, Nebraska relied on a veteran lineup led by national player of the year Alex Gordon, while pitchers such as Chamberlain, Dorn and Brett Jensen found their roles and helped turn the Husker staff into one of the nation’s top units. The roles may reverse this spring as the pitching staff will be relied on as the Huskers look to find their offensive identity.

"Finding roles will be a key for us offensively," Anderson said. "We have a number of guys back who saw a lot of playing time, but they will take on more substantial roles for us this year. Instead of hitting eighth or ninth, they may bat at the top or the middle of the lineup. We will be relying on them to win games for us, not to just get things done.

"Last year, we had guys like Gordon, (Joe) Simokaitis and (Curtis) Ledbetter who wanted that pressure. Some of these guys have not been in those situations, and our goal is to create opportunities where they can be successful."

The Huskers’ strength will be on the mound with two returning All-American starters in Chamberlain and Dorn, along with the nation’s returning saves leader in Jensen. Nebraska is one of only three teams in the country that returns multiple 10-game winners from 2005.

"Having Joba and Johnny gives you a sense of security on the mound that they can go out and win every time they are on the mound," Anderson said.

Pitching
One of the biggest changes came on the Husker pitching staff when Pitching Coach Rob Childress left to become head coach at Texas A&M following NU’s College World Series run.

The Huskers return 10 pitchers from a staff that was second nationally with a 2.69 ERA in 2005. The group accounted for 36 wins and 21 of the school-record 23 saves. Chamberlain and Dorn ranked among the Big 12 leaders in wins in 2005, while Jensen’s 16 saves last year leads all returning college pitchers.

"We are fortunate to have pitchers such as Chamberlain, Dorn and Jensen," Pitching Coach Dave Bingham said. "When you work in those parameters, you look for others to fill in roles around them in the rotation and in the bullpen and help the staff evolve."

Chamberlain quickly stepped into the top of the rotation in his first season at Nebraska, going 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 20 appearances to earn first-team All-America honors. The Big 12 Newcomer Pitcher of the Year and a first-team all-league pick, Chamberlain ranked among the Big 12 leaders in seven categories, including second with 130 strikeouts and third in both wins and innings pitched (118.1). He was at his best against NU’s toughest foes, going 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA in seven starts, including a 13-strikeout effort against Miami in the Super Regional ? one of four double-digit efforts in 2005.

Dorn enjoyed the finest rookie pitching season in school history, going 12-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 104 innings to garner third-team All-America accolades. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, he tied for the Big 12 lead in wins ? a total that was seventh nationally - and ranked among the top five in the league in ERA and opponent batting average (.199). He also enjoyed a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Dorn dominated Big 12 foes, going 5-0 with a save and a 2.05 ERA, earning series-clinching wins in four of NU’s last five conference series.

While Dorn and Chamberlain rested during the fall, one of the biggest tasks for Bingham was finding replacements for left-handers Brian Duensing and Zach Kroenke, a pair of top-five round draft picks who combined for a 15-2 record in 2005.

"As we went into the fall, our main focus was to find a Sunday starter to replace Zach and someone who has the ability to work in a multitude of roles to solidify the staff," Bingham said.

Tony Watson, who missed all of the 2004 campaign after shoulder surgery, was one of Nebraska’s primary midweek performers, going 6-1 with a save and a 2.82 ERA in 2005. He made 23 appearances, splitting time between starting and relief duty. He showed overpowering stuff at times, fanning 39 over 44.2 innings, and picked up the victory against Missouri that put NU in the Big 12 title game. Watson, a 23rd-round pick by the Florida Marlins out of high school, will challenge for a spot in the weekend rotation.

Watson’s main competition for the rotation is junior college transfer Jared Cranston, who comes to NU from Seward County Community College. A 46th round pick in the 2005 draft, Cranston earned first-team Jayhawk West All-Conference honors in 2005, going 6-2 with a 2.68 ERA. He struck out 101 over 77.1 innings. Cranston could be used in the rotation or in a role similar to Duensing, who came out of the bullpen more than once during a weekend series.

Right-handers Matt Foust, Drew Schwab and Charlie Shirek have put themselves in line for the first opportunities to become Nebraska’s midweek starters after strong falls.

Foust saw limited duty in 2005, posting a 2.57 ERA in five appearances, all in relief. Foust, who missed his first season with a shoulder injury, was fully healthy in the fall and tossed six innings of two-hit shutout ball during the Red/White Series.

Shirek redshirted in 2005, but enjoyed one of the best summers by any Husker, going 9-2 with a 1.69 ERA in the Northwoods League, where he was chosen as the league’s No. 2 prospect. Shirek was the North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year, posting an 8-1 mark and a 0.39 ERA in 2004.

Schwab also redshirted last season, adding 15 pounds since arriving on campus and the results were evident in the fall. A two-time first-team all-state pick in high school, he allowed just two hits in 5.2 innings in his only Red/White Series start. He could be used as a starter or in relief during the spring.

"Jared, Charlie, Matt and Drew really stood out for us in the fall and were our top four pitchers," Bingham said. "Those four really developed and gave us quality starts in the Red/White Series and showed the depth that we have."

No matter who starts, NU has the luxury of a deep bullpen that features one of the nation’s top closers.

A preseason All-American, Jensen established a school record with 16 saves, ranking third nationally in that category en route to All-Big 12 honors. The 6-foot-7 right-hander went 3-5 with a 1.96 ERA, converting 16-of-17 save opportunities a year ago. A 23rd-round draft pick by the Washington Nationals, Jensen already holds NU’s career record with 18 saves and is a first-team preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball.

Injuries have thinned part of NU’s bullpen, as right-handers Ryan Bohanan and Dustin Timm were both sidelined with injuries. A sixth-year senior who had already been drafted twice, Timm was NU’s primary set-up man, picking up All-Big 12 accolades after going 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 19 outings. Bohanan, who also was expected to start at third, will miss all of the 2006 season after off-season shoulder surgery. As a freshman Bohanan played a significant role for the Huskers, going 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 21 outings.

Another pitcher working his way back from injury is sophomore left-hander Jon Klausing, who did not allow a run in his two outings before suffering a back injury. If healthy, he has the potential to be NU’s top set-up man from the left side. If Klausing is not 100 percent, the door opens for at least one freshman left-hander to work out of the bullpen. Southpaws Zach Herr, Dan Jennings, Tim Scott and Wes Simmons all earned first-team all-state honors.

Herr went 7-2 with a 1.22 ERA and a state-high 89 strikeouts in 2005 at Omaha Skutt High School, while Simmons, a two-time all-state pick, went 9-1 with a 0.17 ERA as a senior, fanning 105 in 47 innings. Jennings went 9-0 with a 0.85 ERA in helping West Des Moines Valley to two straight titles, while Scott compiled an 18-1 record in his final two American Legion seasons.

Junior Mike Harmelink, sophomore Luke Wertz and redshirt freshmen Tim Radmacher will look to earn roles in the Husker bullpen. Harmelink returned from missing all of 2004 after Tommy John surgery and posted a 3.00 ERA in five appearances. Wertz went 1-0 with a 4.42 ERA in 10 outings, including a strikeout of Florida’s Matt LaPorta in the College World Series.

Radmacher, a former Minnesota State Player of the Year, redshirted in 2005, but pitched well in the Northwoods League, going 5-0 with a 2.79 ERA to earn all-league laurels.

Erik Bird and Mike Nihsen are two other right-handers who could make contributions out of the bullpen this spring. Bird earned all-state honors at Omaha Burke last spring, going 5-1 with four saves and a 1.90 ERA, while Nihsen also garnered all-state accolades by going 5-3 with a 2.27 ERA at Ralston High School, striking out 68 in 52.1 innings.

Catcher
The Huskers return two of their top catchers from a year ago in senior Jeff Christy and sophomore Mark Hightower, while freshman Jeff Lanning and junior college transfer Jesse Shriner will push for playing time behind the plate.

Christy was forced to handle the majority of the work behind the plate, as he started a school-record 64 games in 2005. Although he hit just .236 with a homer and 32 RBIs, Christy was one of the league’s best defensive catchers, throwing out 48 percent of baserunners in his first season at NU, and provided the Huskers with several clutch hits during NU’s postseason run.

"We are going to lean on Christy behind the plate," Anderson said. "We rely on him to be a leader defensively and for our pitching staff and he has done that and developed throughout last year. He understands that for us to have success, he would have to speak up and become a leader for us.

"Offensively, he is probably our most improved player since the end of last year, and has worked hard to put himself in position to have an outstanding senior season."

Hightower was one of the Huskers’ primary backups in 2005, as he appeared in 18 contests, hitting .400 with three RBIs in 10 at-bats. The walk-on will add depth to the position behind Christy and the newcomers.

A true freshman, Lanning enters the spring as the frontrunner to back up Christy after a strong fall campaign. Lanning was one of the top players in the state of Iowa in 2005, hitting .509 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs in leading Ankeny High School to a runner-up finish.

Shriner also brings strong credentials into the Husker program after earning All-America accolades at Lamar Community College. As a sophomore he batted .365 with 11 homers, 52 RBIs and 21 doubles and totaled 21 homers and 134 RBIs in two years at the junior college level.

Infield
Nebraska’s infield will take on a radically different look in 2006 without National Player of the Year Alex Gordon and All-Big 12 selections Joe Simokaitis and Curtis Ledbetter, a trio that combined for 534 career starts in the Husker infield. Despite the transition, the Husker infield features three players with extensive experience in middle infielders Ryan Wehrle and Jake Opitz and first baseman Brandon Buckman.

One of the deepest positions on the 2006 roster is at first base, where Buckman leads a host of candidates at the position, which includes junior college transfer Andrew Brown, redshirt freshman Matt Wagner and true freshman Andrew Gudmunson

Buckman enjoyed a solid first campaign at NU in 2005, hitting .335 with two homers and 30 RBIs while seeing most of his time at designated hitter. He had 18 multi-hit games, a total that ranked fourth on the team, including a four-hit performance in his Division I debut at Hawaii-Hilo. Buckman also served as NU’s backup at first, as he did not commit an error in 128 chances.

"Brandon showed the ability to hit for average and had a good year for us," Anderson said. "He is probably the most improved player from last season and showed the ability to drive the ball in the fall. He is motivated to have a very good senior year."

Brown will likely platoon with Buckman at first or could see action at several other positions. Last season, Brown earned first-team all-region honors at Paris (Texas) JC, hitting .404 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs. He was named MVP of the Texas Collegiate League last summer, hitting .311 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs, leading the league in homers and RBIs.

Wagner will look for an increased role this spring after spending last season as a redshirt. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he has ideal size for a corner infielder and could provide a valuable bat off the bench. Gudmunson will also add depth at the position, as he hit .467 with five homers and 48 RBIs in earning first-team all-state honors in North Dakota in 2005.

One of the more intriguing battles will be at second base between junior college transfer Steve Edlefsen and redshirt freshman Jake Mort.

Edlefsen comes to Nebraska after spending two seasons at Barton County Community College. A 41st-round draft pick by Boston in 2004, Edlefsen missed all of last season with an injury. He returned to action this summer, batting .293 with a homer, 19 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in Beatrice. One of the best athletes on the team, Edlefsen could play either middle infield position.

Mort, a two-time All-Nebraska selection, was a career .419 hitter and scored nearly 100 runs during his career at Nebraska City High School. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder is a fundamentally sound player who could hit at the top or bottom of the lineup.

Another player who could figure into the mix is redshirt freshman Casey Klapperich. A two-time all-state pick from Rapid City, S.D., Klapperich has impressed the coaches with his hard-nosed style of play and has shown the versatility to play second, third or short and will be a utility player for NU.

Sophomore Ryan Wehrle looks for a breakout season after moving back to his natural shortstop position this spring. Last season, he overcame a sluggish start to hit .275 with 25 RBIs en route to earning All-Big 12 honors. Wehrle, a three-time all-state pick out of high school, showed the ability to drive in runs, as he hit nearly .400 with runners in scoring position as a freshman. After adding 15 pounds in the off-season, the Husker coaches believe that Wehrle can be a factor in the middle of the Husker lineup.

"We are really excited about Ryan’s potential," Anderson said. "He has the ability to hit with authority and drive people in from the middle of our lineup. Defensively, his emergence at shortstop is very important for the success of this team. Ryan has been steady for us at the position and that is something we need with a young infield."

After a season-ending injury to Ryan Bohanan in December, sophomore Jake Opitz shifts over to third base after platooning at second as a freshman. The Colorado High School Player of the Year in 2004, Opitz batted .256 with three homers and 17 RBIs last season, but showed glimpses of his offensive potential in NU’s CWS run, hitting .333 with six walks and a .600 on-base percentage in eight postseason contests. Opitz saw his most extensive action at third in the Super Regional-clinching win over Miami.

Bohanan ended the fall penciled in at third base, but suffered a season-ending injury in December and will redshirt this season. As a freshman, he was NU’s designated hitter for most of the postseason, hitting .311 with a homer and 14 RBIs in just 61 at-bats.

Outfield
The Husker outfield will be anchored by sophomores Andy Gerch and Bryce Nimmo, while junior college transfers Nick Jaros and Luke Gorsett and freshmen Nick Sullivan and John Lee will also make bids for playing time this season.

Gerch was one of the stars of the Huskers’ 2005 College World Series run, hitting .460 with 13 RBIs during the NCAA Tournament en route to regional MVP and All-CWS team selection. He was one of NU’s offensive leaders as a redshirt freshman, hitting .364 with four homers and 34 RBIs in 57 games. Gerch, who had off-season shoulder surgery, may be limited to designated hitter during the first month of the season, but will be counted on to be one of the Huskers’ top run producers.

"It’s nice having Andy back and healthy," Anderson said. "He really started to prove himself offensively last year, especially in the NCAA Tournament.

"We had a number of guys who played in the postseason at a high level, and now we need those players to keep that consistency throughout the year. Having Andy healthy and ready for the season is very important for our team’s development."

Nimmo is the other veteran returning from a year ago, as the speedster from Cheyenne, Wyo., appeared in 47 games as a true freshman last season. While he hit .207 with two homers and 18 RBIs, Nimmo showed the ability to patrol the outfield and is a very good baserunner. He will be a strong candidate to step into the leadoff role.

Jaros comes to Nebraska after a decorated career at Maple Woods (Mo.) Community College, earning all-district honors in both seasons at the school. Last season, Jaros hit .350 with five homers, 55 RBIs and had 31 stolen bases in leading his school to an NJCAA Super Regional appearance. He spent the summer playing in Beatrice, topping the team in six offensive categories, including homers, RBIs and stolen bases, and showed the ability to play all three outfield spots.

Gorsett was one of the nation’s top junior college performers, playing at Garden City CC, belting 39 homers and driving in 121 runs over the last two seasons. In 2005, Gorsett was a firs-team NJCAA All-American, hitting .402 with a nation-leading 24 homers and 71 RBIs. He has quickly made the adjustment to Division I baseball and is penciled in to begin the year in right.

Sullivan is another player who figures into the mix at either corner outfield position. After redshirting last season, he enjoyed a solid fall and gives NU a solid left-handed hitter with some power. As a high school senior, Sullivan was a first-team All-Colorado selection, hitting .526 with 10 homers and 31 RBIs.

Lee was one of the top high school players in the Midwest playing at Mason City (Iowa) High School, as he was one of the top-500 seniors in the country last season. A three-time all-state honoree, Lee hit .444 with 59 runs scored as a senior after hitting .421 with 57 RBIs and 59 runs scored as a junior.