The 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team was Mike Anderson's sixth year as head coach. The Cornhuskers played their home games at Hawks Field.
Preseason
Potential, Promise, Proven is the Huskers motto for the year. While 8 pitchers from 2007 left for the draft, the 2008 Cornhuskers team is the youngest for Mike Anderson with 15 newcomers plus 5 of last years redshirts.[2] Nebraska plays 8 teams that made the 2007 NCAA tournament including 5 one seeds.[3] The baseball team was picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 by a vote of the league coaches with 36 points and no first place votes.[4]
Roster
2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team
|
Players |
Coaches
|
# |
Pos. |
Name |
B/T |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
Home town
|
2
|
INF
|
Jake Mort
|
R/R
|
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
Jr
|
Nebraska City, Nebraska
|
3
|
INF
|
Jake Opitz
|
L/R
|
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
|
188 lb (85 kg)
|
Sr
|
Littleton, Colorado
|
4
|
OF
|
D. J. Belfonte
|
L/L
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
180 lb (82 kg)
|
So
|
Kansas City, Missouri
|
6
|
INF
|
Brett Sowers
|
R/R
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
187 lb (85 kg)
|
RS Fr
|
Englewood, Colorado
|
7
|
RHP
|
Tyler Rank
|
L/R
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
|
230 lb (104 kg)
|
Fr
|
Rochester, Minnesota
|
8
|
RHP
|
Sean Yost
|
R/R
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
185 lb (84 kg)
|
Fr
|
Lincoln, Nebraska
|
9
|
INF
|
Dan Johnston
|
R/R
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
178 lb (81 kg)
|
Fr
|
Papillion, Nebraska
|
10
|
C
|
Drew Gray
|
R/R
|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
|
215 lb (98 kg)
|
Jr
|
Archie, Missouri
|
11
|
RHP
|
Matt Freeman
|
R/R
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
185 lb (84 kg)
|
Fr
|
Omaha, Nebraska
|
13
|
C
|
Mitch Abeita
|
R/R
|
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
|
189 lb (86 kg)
|
Sr
|
Dallas, Texas
|
14
|
RHP
|
Thad Weber
|
R/R
|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
|
204 lb (93 kg)
|
Sr
|
Friend, Nebraska
|
15
|
INF
|
Craig Corriston
|
R/R
|
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
|
205 lb (93 kg)
|
Sr
|
Paris, Texas
|
16
|
INF
|
Andy Cotton
|
R/R
|
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
RS Fr
|
Lincoln, Nebraska
|
17
|
RHP
|
Joe Broekemeier
|
R/R
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
|
204 lb (93 kg)
|
RS Fr
|
Aurora, Nebraska
|
18
|
RHP
|
Casey Hauptman
|
R/R
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
|
205 lb (93 kg)
|
Fr
|
Omaha, Nebraska
|
19
|
INF
|
Jeff Tezak
|
S/R
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
180 lb (82 kg)
|
Sr
|
San Diego, California
|
20
|
INF
|
Ben Kline
|
R/R
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
181 lb (82 kg)
|
Fr
|
Omaha, Nebraska
|
21
|
OF
|
Nick Sullivan
|
L/R
|
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
|
200 lb (91 kg)
|
Jr
|
Aurora, Colorado
|
22
|
OF
|
Clay Cuno
|
R/R
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
215 lb (98 kg)
|
So
|
New Bloomfield, Missouri
|
23
|
RHP
|
Johnny Dorn
|
R/R
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
210 lb (95 kg)
|
Sr
|
Grand Island, Nebraska
|
24
|
OF
|
Bryce Nimmo
|
L/L
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
174 lb (79 kg)
|
Sr
|
Cheyenne, Wyoming
|
25
|
RHP
|
Erik Anderson
|
R/R
|
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
|
185 lb (84 kg)
|
So
|
Prairie Village, Kansas
|
26
|
LHP
|
Dan Jennings
|
L/L
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
183 lb (83 kg)
|
Jr
|
West Des Moines, Iowa
|
28
|
LHP
|
Joe Hatasaki
|
L/L
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
174 lb (79 kg)
|
So
|
Mountain View, California
|
30
|
RHP
|
Erik Bird
|
R/R
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
Jr
|
Omaha, Nebraska
|
31
|
LHP
|
Ryan Christenson
|
L/L
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
175 lb (79 kg)
|
Fr
|
Gilbert, Arizona
|
32
|
OF
|
Tyler Farst
|
R/R
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
215 lb (98 kg)
|
So
|
Cedar Park, Texas
|
33
|
RHP
|
Michael Mariot
|
R/R
|
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
|
180 lb (82 kg)
|
Fr
|
Southlake, Texas
|
35
|
C
|
Cody Neer
|
S/R
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
215 lb (98 kg)
|
Jr
|
Orlando, Florida
|
37
|
LHP
|
Zach Herr
|
L/L
|
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
|
182 lb (83 kg)
|
Jr
|
Omaha, Nebraska
|
39
|
RHP
|
Aaron Pribanic
|
R/R
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
|
200 lb (91 kg)
|
Jr
|
Plano, Texas
|
41
|
RHP
|
Mike Nesseth
|
R/R
|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
|
213 lb (97 kg)
|
RS Fr
|
Windom, Minnesota
|
43
|
LHP
|
Eric Rose
|
L/L
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
237 lb (108 kg)
|
RS Fr
|
Billings, Montana
|
|
- Head coach
Mike Anderson
- Assistant coach(es)
Dave Bingham
- Hitting coach(es)
Nate Thompson
- Pitching coach(es)
Eric Newman
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster
|
Schedule
2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball game log
|
Regular season
|
Date |
Opponent |
Site/stadium |
Win |
Loss |
Save |
Score |
Overall record (Big 12)
|
Feb. 22 |
Stanford |
Palo Alto, California |
Bleich (1-0) |
Weber (0-1) |
|
L 7-17 |
0-1
|
Feb. 22 |
Stanford |
Palo Alto, California |
Dorn (1-0) |
Davis (0-1) |
|
W 9-2 |
1-1
|
Feb. 23 |
Stanford |
Postponed (rain)
|
Feb. 24 |
Stanford |
Palo Alto, California |
Inman (1-0) |
Bird (0-1) |
Stringer (1) |
L 2-4 |
1-2
|
Feb. 29 |
UC Riverside |
Hawks Field |
Anderson (1-0) |
Penney (0-1) |
|
W 3-2 |
2-2
|
|
Date |
Opponent |
Site/stadium |
Win |
Loss |
Save |
Score |
Overall record (Big 12)
|
Mar. 1 |
UC Riverside |
Hawks Field |
Jennings (1-0) |
Larkins (1-1) |
|
W 10-4 |
3-2
|
Mar. 1 |
UC Riverside |
Hawks Field |
Weber (1-1) |
Applebee (0-2) |
Nesseth (1) |
W 5-2 |
4-2
|
Mar. 2 |
UC Riverside |
Hawks Field |
Pribanic (1-0) |
Orozco (0-1) |
|
W 13-1 (7) |
5-2
|
Mar. 4 |
Nebraska–Kearney |
Hawks Field |
Hatasaki (1-0) |
Wrobel (1-3) |
|
W 11-2 |
6-2
|
Mar. 8 |
Northern Colorado |
Hawks Field |
Dorn (2-0) |
Reap (1-1) |
|
W 12-2 |
7-2
|
Mar. 9 |
Northern Colorado |
Hawks Field |
Nesseth (1-0) |
Peery (1-2) |
Anderson (1) |
W 3-2 |
8-2
|
Mar. 9 |
Northern Colorado |
Hawks Field |
Weber (2-1) |
Kazell (0-1) |
Herr (1) |
W 8-5 |
9-2
|
Mar. 10 |
Northern Colorado |
Hawks Field |
Pribanic (2-0) |
Keating (2-1) |
|
W 7-0 |
10-2
|
Mar. 11 |
South Dakota State |
Hawks Field |
Mariot (1-0) |
Johnson (0-2) |
|
W 7-3 |
11-2
|
Mar. 14 |
Kansas State |
Manhattan, Kansas |
Herr (1-0) |
Hoge (0-1) |
Anderson (2) |
W 2-1 |
12-2 (1-0)
|
Mar. 15 |
Kansas State |
Manhattan, Kansas |
Weber (3-1) |
Bayuk (0-2) |
|
W 11-4 |
13-2 (2-0)
|
Mar. 16 |
Kansas State |
Manhattan, Kansas |
Nesseth (2-0) |
Edwards (1-2) |
Anderson (3) |
W 5-3 (10) |
14-2 (3-0)
|
Mar. 18 |
Arkansas |
Hawks Field |
Jennings (2-0) |
Korbal (0-3) |
|
W 6-1 |
15-2 (3-0)
|
Mar. 19 |
Arkansas |
Hawks Field |
Richards (1-0) |
Nesseth (2-1) |
|
L 4-9 |
15-3 (3-0)
|
Mar. 21 |
Oklahoma |
Hawks Field |
Herr (2-0) |
Duke (3-2) |
|
W 4-2 |
16-3 (4-0)
|
Mar. 22 |
Oklahoma |
Hawks Field |
Weber (4-1) |
Doyle (4-2) |
Nesseth (2) |
W 4-3 |
17-3 (5-0)
|
Mar. 23 |
Oklahoma |
Hawks Field |
|
|
|
Tie 8-8 (10) |
17-3-1 (5-0-1)
|
Mar. 25 |
Northern Colorado |
Hawks Field |
Jennings (3-0) |
Klausing (1-3) |
|
W 10-0 |
18-3-1 (5-0-1)
|
Mar. 26 |
Northern Colorado |
Hawks Field |
Bird (1-1) |
Banks (0-3) |
|
W 9-4 |
19-3-1 (5-0-1)
|
Mar. 28 |
Texas |
Austin, Texas |
Dorn (3-0) |
Shinaberry (1-1) |
Jennings (1) |
W 14-4 |
20-3-1 (6-0-1)
|
Mar. 29 |
Texas |
Austin, Texas |
Weber (5-1) |
Wood (2-2) |
|
W 2-0 |
21-3-1 (7-0-1)
|
Mar. 30 |
Texas |
Austin, Texas |
Boening (2-0) |
Pribanic (2-1) |
Green (1) |
L 12-3 |
21-4-1 (7-1-1)
|
|
Date |
Opponent |
Site/stadium |
Win |
Loss |
Save |
Score |
Overall record (Big 12)
|
April 1 |
Creighton |
Postponed until April 23 (Cold Weather)
|
April 4 |
Texas Tech |
Hawks Field |
Dorn (4-0) |
Karns (1-5) |
|
W 6-2 |
22-4-1 (8-1-1)
|
April 5 |
Texas Tech |
Hawks Field |
Weber (6-1) |
Ramos (1-3) |
Jennings (2) |
W 5-2 |
23-4-1 (9-1-1)
|
April 6 |
Texas Tech |
Hawks Field |
Pribanic (4-1) |
Bettis (3-2) |
Jennings (3) |
W 5-3 |
24-4-1 (10-1-1)
|
April 8 |
Iowa |
Canceled (Cold Weather)
|
April 11 |
Oklahoma State |
Stillwater, Oklahoma |
Oliver (3-2) |
Dorn (4-1) |
|
L 0-1 |
24-5-1 (10-2-1)
|
April 12 |
Oklahoma State |
Stillwater, Oklahoma |
Lyons (6-2) |
Weber (6-2) |
|
L 2-19 |
24-6-1 (10-3-1)
|
April 13 |
Oklahoma State |
Stillwater, Oklahoma |
Jennings (4-0) |
Blanford (3-3) |
|
W 14-5 |
25-6-1 (11-3-1)
|
April 15 |
Wichita State |
Hawks Field |
Bird (2-1) |
Kelley (4-2) |
Herr (2) |
W 3-0 |
26-6-1 (11-3-1)
|
April 18 |
Kansas |
Hawks Field |
Dorn (5-1) |
Czyz (2-4) |
Jennings (4) |
W 7-6 |
27-6-1 (12-3-1)
|
April 19 |
Kansas |
Hawks Field |
Weber (7-2) |
Esquibel (3-3) |
Herr (3) |
W 8-6 |
28-6-1 (13-3-1)
|
April 20 |
Kansas |
Hawks Field |
Walz (3-0) |
Pribanic (3-2) |
Smyth (7) |
L 3-6 |
28-7-1 (13-4-1)
|
April 22 |
Creighton |
Hawks Field |
Jennings (5-0) |
Hauer (6-2) |
Nesseth (3) |
W 4-3 |
29-7-1 (13-4-1)
|
April 23 |
Creighton |
Rosenblatt Stadium |
Mariot (2-0) |
Moore (4-5) |
|
W 16-7 |
30-7-1 (13-4-1)
|
April 25 |
Baylor |
Postponed until April 26 (Rain)
|
April 26 |
Baylor |
Waco, Texas |
Nesseth (3-1) |
Kenpf (5-2) |
Herr (4) |
W 6-4 (10) |
31-7-1 (14-4-1)
|
April 26 |
Baylor |
Waco, Texas |
Weber (8-2) |
Tolleson (4-3) |
|
W 14-1 (7) |
32-7-1 (15-4-1)
|
April 27 |
Baylor |
Waco, Texas |
Kempf (6-2) |
Pribanic (3-3) |
Thurman (2) |
L 3-8 |
32-8-1 (15-5-1)
|
April 29 |
Western Illinois |
Hawks Field |
Hauptman (1-0) |
Percival (1-6) |
Nesseth (4) |
W 6-4 |
33-8-1 (15-5-1)
|
April 30 |
Western Illinois |
Hawks Field |
Bird (3-1) |
Zenesek (1-2) |
|
W 6-1 |
34-8-1 (15-5-1)
|
|
Date |
Opponent |
Site/stadium |
Win |
Loss |
Save |
Score |
Overall record (Big 12)
|
May 2 |
Louisiana–Lafayette |
Canceled (Rain)
|
May 3 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Hawks Field |
Herr (3-0) |
Glass (2-3) |
|
W 4-3 |
35-8-1 (15-5-1)
|
May 3 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Hawks Field |
Bird (4-1) |
Harmon (1-2) |
|
W 4-3 (14) |
36-8-1 (15-5-1)
|
May 9 |
Texas A&M |
Hawks Field |
Starling (8-0) |
Jennings (5-1) |
|
L 3-6 (16) |
36-9-1 (15-6-1)
|
May 10 |
Texas A&M |
Postponed until May 11 (Rain)
|
May 11 |
Texas A&M |
Hawks Field |
Jennings (6-1) |
Thebeau (5-3) |
|
W 9-8 |
37-9-1 (16-6-1)
|
May 11 |
Texas A&M |
Hawks Field |
Nesseth (4-1) |
Minks (4-1) |
|
W 13-10 |
38-9-1 (17-6-1)
|
May 13 |
Creighton |
Rosenblatt Stadium |
Bird (5-1) |
Hellhake (3-1) |
Hauptman (1) |
W 8-1 |
39-9-1 (17-6-1)
|
May 16 |
Missouri |
Columbia, Missouri |
Crow (12-0) |
Jennings (6-2) |
|
L 8-1 |
39-10-1 (17-7-1)
|
May 17 |
Missouri |
Columbia, Missouri |
Berger (4-4) |
Weber (8-3) |
Allen (2) |
L 22-9 |
39-11-1 (17-8-1)
|
May 18 |
Missouri |
Columbia, Missouri |
Zagone (2-3) |
Pribanic (3-4) |
Gibson (2) |
L 3-7 |
39-12-1 (17-9-1)
|
|
Postseason
|
Date |
Opponent |
Site/stadium |
Win |
Loss |
Save |
Score |
Overall record (Big 12)
|
May 21 |
Baylor |
Oklahoma City |
Tolleson (6-4) |
Jennings (6-3) |
Kempf (2) |
L 4-10 |
39-13-1
|
May 23 |
Kansas State |
Oklahoma City |
Dorn (6-1) |
Bayuk (1-5) |
Herr (5) |
W 5-2 |
40-13-1
|
May 24 |
Oklahoma State |
Oklahoma City |
Lyons (11-2) |
Weber (8-4) |
Weinhardt (4) |
L 5-11 |
40-14-1
|
|
[5]
|
Season Facts
- Johnny Dorn's 13 Strike out game against Northern Colorado is his career high.[6]
- Aaron Pribanic threw back to back complete games against UC Riverside and Northern Colorado becoming the first Husker pitcher to toss consecutive complete games since Aaron Marsden in March 2003.[7]
- The 14-game win streak Nebraska put together tied for the fourth-longest win streak in school history and the longest since a 15-game win streak in 2000. The Huskers’ streak fell two games shy of the Big 12 record of 16 set by Kansas State (2006) and Texas Tech (2002).[8]
- The Tie against Oklahoma on March 23 was the first tie for Nebraska since 1996 and the fourth one in league games since the Big 12 established in 1996.[9]
- The Huskers’ 5-0-1 start in Big 12 play is their best since the league was formed in 1997. The previous start was 5-1 on four occasions, most recently in 2005.[8]
Awards
- Mitch Abeita
- All-Big 12 First Team[10]
- ABCA All-Midwest Region Team[11]
- Craig Corriston
- Big 12 Player of the Week (03/17/2008)[12]
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention[10]
- Johnny Dorn
- Big 12’s Co-Pitcher of the Week (03/10/2008)[13]
- All-Big 12 First Team[10]
- ABCA All-Midwest Region Second Team[11]
- Third-Team All-American[14]
- Dan Jennings
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention[10]
- Bryce Nimmo
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention[10]
- Jake Opitz
- All-Big 12 First Team[10]
- ABCA All-Midwest Region Second Team[11]
- Nick Sullivan
- Big 12 Player of the Week (03/24/2008)[15]
- Thad Weber
- All-Big 12 Second Team[10]
Rankings
Ranking Movement
|
Poll |
Pre- season |
Feb 25 |
Mar 3 |
Mar 10 |
Mar 17 |
Mar 24 |
Mar 31 |
April 7 |
April 14 |
April 21 |
April 28 |
May 5 |
May 12 |
May 19 |
May 26 |
June 3 |
June 10 |
Final
|
[16]
|
USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll
|
NR
|
--*
|
NR
|
NR
|
24
|
17
|
10
|
6
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
7
|
10
|
--
|
--
|
23
|
[17]
|
Baseball America
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
22
|
19
|
11
|
6
|
9
|
8
|
6
|
5
|
5
|
12
|
13
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
[18]
|
Collegiate Baseball (Top 30)
|
38
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
22
|
15
|
9
|
6
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
7
|
6
|
13
|
15
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
[19]
|
NCBWA (Top 35)
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
30
|
22
|
14
|
13
|
13
|
9
|
7
|
6
|
10
|
13
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
[20]
|
Rivals.com
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
NR
|
21
|
16
|
12
|
6
|
11
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
6
|
8
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
21
|
NR = Not Ranked
|
* USA Today/ESPN did not release a poll after the first weekend of play.
|
Player
|
Position
|
Round
|
Overall
|
MLB Team
|
[21]
|
Aaron Pribanic
|
RHP
|
3
|
98
|
Seattle Mariners
|
[22]
|
Dan Jennings
|
LHP
|
9
|
168
|
Florida Marlins
|
[23]
|
Jake Opitz
|
2B
|
12
|
371
|
Chicago Cubs
|
[24]
|
Johnny Dorn
|
RHP
|
15
|
448
|
Florida Marlins
|
[25]
|
Thad Weber
|
RHP
|
16
|
493
|
Detroit Tigers
|
[26]
|
Mitch Abeita
|
C
|
19
|
590
|
New York Yankees
|
[27]
|
Zach Herr
|
LHP
|
38
|
1155
|
San Diego Padres
|
References
- ^ "Baseball standings". big12sports.com. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
- ^ Huskers Retooled for 2008 Season
- ^ NU's baseball schedule features tourney teams
- ^ Huskers Tabbed for Sixth in Big 12 Preseason Poll
- ^ Baseball - 2008 Schedule/Results
- ^ Dorn, Huskers Top Northern Colorado
- ^ Pribanic, Belfonte Powers Huskers to 7-0 Win
- ^ a b Huskers Host Northern Colorado
- ^ Huskers-Sooners Tie Finale
- ^ a b c d e f g 2008 ALL-BIG 12 BASEBALL AWARDS
- ^ a b c Three Huskers Earn ABCA All-Region Honors
- ^ "Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Weekly Awards Announced (March 17)". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ "Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Weekly Awards Announced (March 10)". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ Dorn Earns Third-Team All-America Honors
- ^ "Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Weekly Awards Announced (March 24)". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ "2005 College Baseball Polls". WarrenNolan.com. June 29, 2005. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
- ^ "2008 College Baseball Polls". Baseball America. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ^ "2008 NCAA DIV I Baseball Polls". Collegiate Baseball. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ^ "News from the 2008 College Baseball Season". NCBWA. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
- ^ "Rivals.com Top 25". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
- ^ Pribanic Taken by Mariners
- ^ Jennings Selected in Ninth Round of MLB Draft
- ^ Opitz Taken by Chicago Cubs in 12th Round
- ^ Dorn Drafted in 15th Round by Florida
- ^ Weber Drafted by Tigers in 16th Round
- ^ Abeita Chosen by Yankees in 19th Round
- ^ Herr Drafted by Padres
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College World Series appearances in italics |