Nebraska was back at Haymarket Park on Wednesday to prepare for another weekend conference series. It was also an opportunity to flush Tuesday’s loss to Creighton from memory.
“That was a headscratcher,” Coach Darin Erstad said. “I hope we got it all out of our system in one game because that was a clunker.”
With the season moving at full speed, Joe Acker knows the importance of staying focused as a team.
“Today’s practice is going to mean a lot,” he said. “Guys are going to have to bring energy.”
Acker was then asked how he stays focused to avoid the mid-season grind. His answer was to stay on top of things between school and baseball.
“April is a month where the season is really starting to take a toll on all of us and the school work load is too,” Acker explained. “Use your spare time to stay ahead.”
Spencer Schwellenbach returned to the starting lineup Tuesday night after suffering an ankle injury against Air Force. The freshman said it was beneficial to be able to sit back and learn from the dugout, but it was frustrating to not be able to contribute.
“Especially the games that we lose, knowing that maybe I could’ve done something for our team to win,” Schwellenbach said.
Next up for Nebraska is a weekend series at Penn State. Erstad thinks the Nittany Lions are a better team this year than last.
“They've got some dudes on the mound,” Erstad said. “They had a really good record going into conference play and have lost some close games, but they've got some real arms on the mound.”
Erstad also said the Big Ten is the same this year as it always is.
“Anybody could beat anybody on any given day,” he said. “If you’re not ready and on top of your game you can get taken down and that is what we have seen so far.”
The pitching rotation will stay the same and looks to be solidified right now with Matt Waldron, Nate Fisher and Reece Eddins.
This Nebraska team has shown its ability to respond after tough losses and the Huskers don't appear to be shaken by one rough outing. Every conference game is going to matter as Nebraska gets down the stretch and this is the time where good teams start to separate themselves from the pack. The Huskers are hoping for a competitive series this weekend in Happy Valley.
First pitch is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
