LINCOLN With a 9-4 loss to Arkansas, Nebraska's 14-game winning streak came to an end Wednesday at Haymarket Park.
However, the No. 22-ranked Huskers (15-3, 3-0 Big 12) remain upbeat after the series split with the Razorbacks. Nebraska second baseman Jake Opitz said he and his teammates will take nothing but positive feelings into this week's Big 12 Conference series against Oklahoma.
"We don't really pay a lot of attention to that," Opitz said of Nebraska's winning streak being snapped. "We come out every morning, do our preparation, take BP and try to go out and get a win.
"We don't carry a streak with us, whether it's a winning streak or a losing streak."
Nebraska coach Mike Anderson, whose team hadn't lost since Feb. 24, said several times during the streak that he doubted his players even knew how many games in a row they had won.
"We've never placed any emphasis on things like streaks," Anderson said. "We're more interested in the process and trying to get better each day. This team will come back Friday and be ready to go."
Nebraska's scheduled starter for Friday's 2:05 p.m. Big 12 Conference home opener against Oklahoma (17-5, 0-0) is Johnny Dorn (2-0). The senior right-hander from Grand Island, who is 15-4 in his career at Haymarket Park, leads the Big 12 in opponent batting average (.154), ranks second in strikeouts (34) and is fourth in ERA (1.33).
Oklahoma is slated to start sophomore right-hander Jeremy Erben (0-0, 2.12 ERA).
After opening the Big 12 season last weekend with a three-game sweep at Kansas State, Opitz said a two-game, mid-week series with Arkansas helped keep the Huskers sharp. Nebraska beat former NU coach Dave Van Horn's Razorbacks 6-1 Tuesday before losing Wednesday.
"Playing good competition mid-week keeps you in the swing of things," Opitz said. "It keeps your timing right. I definitely like playing these types of opponents mid-week."
Opitz said he's pleased with Nebraska's start. Since dropping two of three games in the season-opening series at Stanford, the Huskers have been dominant.
"I'm impressed with how we come out every day and play hard and scrap do whatever we have to do," Opitz said. "We get pitching one day, hitting the next day and we've just been finding ways to win. That's the most impressive thing."
Series notes
& Nebraska's probable starters are Thad Weber (3-1, 5.40 ERA) for Saturday's 2:05 p.m. game and Aaron Pribanic (2-0, 0.76 ERA) for Sunday's 1:05 p.m. contest.
& Outfielder Nick Sullivan has been red-hot for the Huskers, hitting .500 with seven RBIs in his last 10 games to left his season batting average to .389.
& The first 200 fans who enter Haymarket Park through the main entrance Friday will receive an adidas duffle bag. On Sunday, the first 350 fans will receive adidas sling packs and fans will have an opportunity to win one of nine official Husker baseball jerseys.
Big 12 Standings
School Conf. Overall
Nebraska 3-0 15-3
Texas A&M 2-1 16-4
Baylor 2-1 13-4
Texas 2-1 14-5
Oklahoma St. 1-2 13-5
Kansas 1-2 11-8
Texas Tech 1-2 10-8
Missouri 0-0 15-2
Oklahoma 0-0 17-5
Kansas St. 0-3 7-11
Friday's Games
Kansas vs. Ohio State at Bradenton, Fla., noon
Kansas vs. UMBC at Bradenton, Fla., 4 p.m.
Oklahoma at Nebraska, 2:05 p.m.
Texas A&M at Oklahoma State, 6 p.m.
Texas at Texas Tech, 6:05 p.m.
Baylor at Missouri, 6:30 p.m.
Binghamton at Kansas State, 6:30 p.m.
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