Coming off its first Big 12 Conference series loss this season, No. 9-ranked Nebraska hosts a hot Kansas team this weekend in a three-game league series at Haymarket Park.
The Jayhawks (24-16, 4-8 Big 12) bring a five-game winning streak into Friday's 6:35 p.m. series opener. Kansas swept Texas Tech last weekend before taking mid-week games from Baker (Kan.) and Missouri State.
"They just got a sweep and they're swinging the bats extremely well," Nebraska coach Mike Anderson said of the Jayhawks. "We're going to have to pitch it never, ever, ever can we take Kansas lightly, no matter what their record is or what their past is or anything. That's a good ballclub that's coming in."
Kansas has averaged scoring 8.2 runs, while allowing four runs per game, during its current winning streak. Last weekend's home sweep of the Red Raiders allowed the Jayhawks to climb to seventh in the league standings a fact made more impressive by the fact that KU has completed regular-season play against the four Big 12 Texas schools.
"We got three good, quality starting pitching performances for the first time in a conference series, which obviously led to the sweep," Kansas coach Rich Price said of the Texas Tech series. "It was an outstanding weekend for us. Playing at Nebraska is one of the best places in America to play. Obviously, they're on a great roll, so we've got a huge challenge ahead of us this weekend as well."
Nebraska (26-6-1, 11-3-1) has bounced back to post back-to-back victories after dropping its first two on the road at Oklahoma State, including a 19-2 thumping at the hands of the Cowboys last Saturday. The Huskers got stellar pitching performances from starter Erik Bird and reliever Zach Herr Tuesday as the two combined for a four-hitter in a 3-0 home victory over No. 5 Wichita State.
Anderson downplayed the win in a battle of top-10 foes, but said he'd like to think it will give the Huskers some added confidence.
"Wichita State is a good ballclub," Anderson said. "Two of our kids did a great job (pitching) against them, so that's good to see. I think that was a good hitting ballclub, too."
Like Price, Anderson said it seems that nearly every Big 12 series hinges on starting pitching. The Huskers are scheduled to send Grand Island senior Johnny Dorn (4-1, 1.98 ERA) against Kansas left-hander Nick Czyz (2-3, 6.16 ERA) in Friday's opener.
Dorn has allowed two runs or less in seven of his eight starts this season. His 1.98 ERA is on pace to be the lowest by a Nebraska starting pitcher since Kirk Eymann, who had a 1.85 ERA in 1977.
"If you get some good starting pitching, then good things can happen," Anderson said. "We've been a little bit fortunate on that. I think anytime you see a win or success within the league it's usually because they've gotten good starting pitching."
Ryne Price the coach's son leads KU at the plate, batting .336 with nine home runs and a Big 12-best 53 RBIs. The nine homers ranks third in the league.
John Allman (.348) and Nick Faunce (.308) join Price as the only batters hitting over .300 for Kansas. The Jayhawks have seven every-day starters batting .275 or better and three with 30 RBIs or more.
Nebraska has won eight consecutive Big 12 series against the Jayhawks, dating back to 1999. That's not a stat Anderson puts much stock in for this weekend.
"There's not a weekend off within the Big 12," Anderson said. "I think it's great for the kids and I think it's great for the conference. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Rich Price and the Kansas program, so we're getting ready for them."
Series notes
With the Red-White spring football game scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, fans planning to attend both games are encouraged to buy general admission tickets in advance as fans who have purchased GA seats can show them to get free admission into the parking lots around Haymarket Park, which will operate on a first-come, first-served basis Saturday.
Nebraska has overcome deficits to win 10 times this season, including coming back from down four runs at No. 13 Texas on March 28. The Huskers have 88 all-time comeback wins under Anderson.
Sunday's series finale will be televised by NET and CBS College Sports.
Big 12 Overall
Texas A&M 12-3-0 30-7-0
Nebraska 11-3-1 26-6-1
Missouri 7-5-0 26-9-0
Oklahoma State 8-7-0 24-11-0
Texas 8-7-0 23-13-0
Baylor 8-7-0 23-14-0
Kansas 4-8-0 24-16-0
Oklahoma 3-8-1 24-13-1
Texas Tech 4-11-0 17-21-0
Kansas State 3-9-0 16-19-0
Friday, April 18
Baylor at Texas A&M, 6 p.m.
Oklahoma State at Texas, 6 p.m.
Kansas State at Texas Tech, 6:05 p.m. (ESPNU)
Kansas at Nebraska, 6:05 p.m.
Missouri at Oklahoma, 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, April 19
Kansas State at Texas Tech, 2 p.m.
Missouri at Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
Oklahoma State at Texas, 2 p.m.
Kansas at Nebraska, 3:35 p.m.
Texas A&M at Baylor, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 20
Kansas State at Texas Tech, 1 p.m.
Missouri at Oklahoma, 1 p.m.
Oklahoma State at Texas, 1 p.m. (FCS)
Kansas at Nebraska, 1:05 p.m. (CSTV/NET)
Texas A&M at Baylor, 2 p.m.
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