Anxiously awaiting the Fighting Erstads season

[Blackshirts007]

I have to believe we'll be better.

 

Pat Kelly was a true freshmen and is ofc back

Pritchard was hurt most of the year last year and is a very tough out. Very talented lead off hitter and base runner. He's finally healthy.

 

In all, the infield will be much deeper then last year allowing Chad Christiansen to play the OF... Erstad is saying LF (I think) so I expect improvement there, Darby in RF with Sangi in Center

 

The concern, if it can be called that, is at catcher.. I think we'll be fine there but as everyone knows a huge part of success is being able to throw out base runners, have to wait and see here.

 

The announced starters are Kubat (lefty) Hander (righty) Hirsch (lefty) and Pierce with Dylan assuming the initial closer role. Not surprised by the 4 starters but... somewhat surprised by the closer choice as Vogt is a very talanted long reliever. Still, I think the staff as a whole will be improved. I think having Silva's tutelage now in his second year will show. I expect the change up to be used more effectively and pitch setup improvement. I like the chance of seeing a certain freshmen getting a few starts too.

 

In all, I think we should see improvement in play but I think our record will mirror last years. Mainly because of the intangibles. Northwestern has some solid pitching, Illinois (with the hit and run play) will be tough. We travel to Purdue but have Indiana home... Also, I think our top players are still young and it will show early but I think by the time conference play begins we could have something special developing. I'm hoping.

 

Edit:

Forgot to mention that Erstad mentioned "hell on bases" in his acceptance speech so I'm expecting a little faster game play on the bases. More hit and run and stealing. Again, hoping anyway. The more pressure one can place on the defense the more often one forces errors, yes?

 

Edit 2:

I should also state that most of what I know comes from personal perception and from reading perfect game and baseball america links. Saying this I should also say that in several places the skers are mentioned as dark horses. I take that as writers that truly believe we are improving.

I'm all for hell on the bases. I feel it's pretty easy to steal bases in college if you have decent speed.

[Omaha-Husker]

Anyone know if the guys got outside today?

[wiuhusker]

Anyone know if the guys got outside today?

I would hope so. I know when we practiced anything above 40 we were outside. Was a nice day to be out too

[HuskersNC949597]

Of course they did.

via @BigRed_Academy

[HuskerHacker]

lol.. grass is looking a little sorry there. I much prefer "green".

[bravesfanatic4]

Hmm, I didn't think Pritchard was fully healthy. I expect him to play a lot of DH this year.

[hskrfan4life]

4 DAYS!