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https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/sunday-magic-persists-as-huskers-rally-to-salvage-series
Updated with final thoughts from Wichita, in the link or right here:
ROUNDING THE BASES
1st - There's something about Sundays.
All it took was a pair of furious rallies against a Super Regional contender, but Nebraska remains undefeated in its last 15 Sunday contests.
Last year, it was Jake Meyers' pitching command that put Nebraska in position to be a great Sunday club, but this Sunday was not a good start from Matt Warren. Seven runs in just 3.1 innings of work puts any team in a hard position to find victories. However, facing many of the Shocker relievers a second time helped Nebraska find its groove at the plate. To the tune of a season-high 10 runs, the Huskers chased multiple Shocker relievers off the mound and even got a few on starter Connor Lungwitz.
Watching the previous two games this weekend, it was near impossible to see where the offense would come from against such a sharp defensive club. Nebraska found offense in every way imaginable, from manufacturing runs to pounding doubles to blasting homers. It's impossible to pinpoint exactly what makes the Huskers so good on the sabbath, but the final games of series continue to be theirs.
2nd - Starting pitching was a major issue this weekend.
Nebraska's starting numbers on the mound this weekend were a bit unsightly, to say the least. In three combined starts, the Huskers spanned just 11.1 innings, giving up 17 runs on 21 hits and only striking out nine, with six coming from Alvarado. That's not going to get it done, especially with a depleted bullpen.
Nebraska's issues this weekend stemmed from a loss of composure with runners on base. Even in a loss Sunday, Wichita State outhit the Huskers significantly with runners on base, with the weekend gap even wider. With two first time starters, that lack of composure is understandable if still frustrating, but Warren, a sixth-year senior and experienced starter, had perhaps the worst outing of the three.
Nebraska won't face many teams with a 1-through-9 like Wichita State this year. Even so, Alvarado needs to figure out some of the yips, Fisher has to get his location down, and Warren can't hang as many breaking balls. These are the three main options Nebraska has that are built up to starter length. It needs to make the best of three pitchers with high potential.
3rd - Hohensee is nails in the closing role.
One pitcher consistently living up to his billing is closer Jake Hohensee, converted from his Friday starting role a year ago. What more could you ask from him? In his longest appearance of the year, the senior was unfazed with two crucial runners in scoring position, keeping the game tied in the ninth and closing out the win in the 10th.
Luis Alvarado and Chad Luensmann were great in the closing role a year ago, but there were questions about Alvarado's control and Luensmann relied on forcing ground balls. Hohensee, a power pitcher fueled by a fiery approach, throws strikes, and he throws them low in the zone. He's a good communicator on the mound and moves with a sure glove.
In five appearances on the year, Hohensee has three saves, a 0.00 ERA, a .143 opponents' batting average, just one walk, and after today, a win. Erstad and Silva converted him to a closer to improve his professional prospects. Here's guessing the scouts are taking notice.
Bringing it home - This could be Nebraska's turning point.
Discussing college baseball with a Major League scout Sunday morning, he said he hadn't seen many teams with the look "like a football team" that Wichita State has. That look translates to the field with a team that can sling it all over the yard.
Nebraska had its opportunities on Friday and Saturday to compete for wins, but Sunday looked like the best offensive effort the Shockers could muster. They were sharp in fielding and monstrous in hitting, pounding out 14 hits and scoring in each of the first six innings.
But the Huskers came to play, and the fifth and ninth innings showed an eye-opening amount of resolve. Seeing the third grand slam of the weekend go over the wall was likely demoralizing, especially because the Huskers had played well to that point. In a stark contrast to Friday and Saturday, they responded immediately, producing on seven straight at bats and not wasting any time tying the game.
The ninth inning turn of events was even more perplexing, as the Huskers' body language was sinking after 12 outs without a hit. Out of nowhere, Zac Repinski - one of the smaller players on the team - blasted a home run that might have crossed the street behind the scoreboard. Nebraska's ability to manufacture momentum out of thin air was something of legend, and the players undoubtedly inspired each other with their resiliency.
Darin Erstad wouldn't admit that his guys will enjoy this one, but Jesse Wilkening and Zac Repinski knew after the game that a win like this can turn the tide.
"It was a big deal," Wilkening said. "It was an identity day for us, and we were down in the ninth inning and came back.
"That's huge for our club right now, and we're going to enjoy it."
https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/sunday-magic-persists-as-huskers-rally-to-salvage-series
Updated with final thoughts from Wichita, in the link or right here:
ROUNDING THE BASES
1st - There's something about Sundays.
All it took was a pair of furious rallies against a Super Regional contender, but Nebraska remains undefeated in its last 15 Sunday contests.
Last year, it was Jake Meyers' pitching command that put Nebraska in position to be a great Sunday club, but this Sunday was not a good start from Matt Warren. Seven runs in just 3.1 innings of work puts any team in a hard position to find victories. However, facing many of the Shocker relievers a second time helped Nebraska find its groove at the plate. To the tune of a season-high 10 runs, the Huskers chased multiple Shocker relievers off the mound and even got a few on starter Connor Lungwitz.
Watching the previous two games this weekend, it was near impossible to see where the offense would come from against such a sharp defensive club. Nebraska found offense in every way imaginable, from manufacturing runs to pounding doubles to blasting homers. It's impossible to pinpoint exactly what makes the Huskers so good on the sabbath, but the final games of series continue to be theirs.
2nd - Starting pitching was a major issue this weekend.
Nebraska's starting numbers on the mound this weekend were a bit unsightly, to say the least. In three combined starts, the Huskers spanned just 11.1 innings, giving up 17 runs on 21 hits and only striking out nine, with six coming from Alvarado. That's not going to get it done, especially with a depleted bullpen.
Nebraska's issues this weekend stemmed from a loss of composure with runners on base. Even in a loss Sunday, Wichita State outhit the Huskers significantly with runners on base, with the weekend gap even wider. With two first time starters, that lack of composure is understandable if still frustrating, but Warren, a sixth-year senior and experienced starter, had perhaps the worst outing of the three.
Nebraska won't face many teams with a 1-through-9 like Wichita State this year. Even so, Alvarado needs to figure out some of the yips, Fisher has to get his location down, and Warren can't hang as many breaking balls. These are the three main options Nebraska has that are built up to starter length. It needs to make the best of three pitchers with high potential.
3rd - Hohensee is nails in the closing role.
One pitcher consistently living up to his billing is closer Jake Hohensee, converted from his Friday starting role a year ago. What more could you ask from him? In his longest appearance of the year, the senior was unfazed with two crucial runners in scoring position, keeping the game tied in the ninth and closing out the win in the 10th.
Luis Alvarado and Chad Luensmann were great in the closing role a year ago, but there were questions about Alvarado's control and Luensmann relied on forcing ground balls. Hohensee, a power pitcher fueled by a fiery approach, throws strikes, and he throws them low in the zone. He's a good communicator on the mound and moves with a sure glove.
In five appearances on the year, Hohensee has three saves, a 0.00 ERA, a .143 opponents' batting average, just one walk, and after today, a win. Erstad and Silva converted him to a closer to improve his professional prospects. Here's guessing the scouts are taking notice.
Bringing it home - This could be Nebraska's turning point.
Discussing college baseball with a Major League scout Sunday morning, he said he hadn't seen many teams with the look "like a football team" that Wichita State has. That look translates to the field with a team that can sling it all over the yard.
Nebraska had its opportunities on Friday and Saturday to compete for wins, but Sunday looked like the best offensive effort the Shockers could muster. They were sharp in fielding and monstrous in hitting, pounding out 14 hits and scoring in each of the first six innings.
But the Huskers came to play, and the fifth and ninth innings showed an eye-opening amount of resolve. Seeing the third grand slam of the weekend go over the wall was likely demoralizing, especially because the Huskers had played well to that point. In a stark contrast to Friday and Saturday, they responded immediately, producing on seven straight at bats and not wasting any time tying the game.
The ninth inning turn of events was even more perplexing, as the Huskers' body language was sinking after 12 outs without a hit. Out of nowhere, Zac Repinski - one of the smaller players on the team - blasted a home run that might have crossed the street behind the scoreboard. Nebraska's ability to manufacture momentum out of thin air was something of legend, and the players undoubtedly inspired each other with their resiliency.
Darin Erstad wouldn't admit that his guys will enjoy this one, but Jesse Wilkening and Zac Repinski knew after the game that a win like this can turn the tide.
"It was a big deal," Wilkening said. "It was an identity day for us, and we were down in the ninth inning and came back.
"That's huge for our club right now, and we're going to enjoy it."
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