The rise and fall of the 2006 Nebraska Baseball team
It was a very up and down year and it’s lowest point came on Saturday when it was eliminated by San Francisco (SAN. FRAN. CISCO!) from the 2006 NCAA Regionals. It was only the second time that Nebraska has failed not to qualify for the super regionals when they hosted a regional. (the other being 2003)
Nebraska only scored 2 runs all weekend. 1 in their loss to Manhattan and 1 in their loss to San Francisco.
This team looked so good at the beginning of the year. They swept #25 Alabama (and now the #4 national seed), they took 2 of 3 in the regular season from #5 Texas (and the #3 national seed) and then took another one from the ‘Horns in the Big 12 championships.
As the calendar turned to May it was 2 come from behind rallies at the hand of Oklahoma St. that set the tone for the rest of the season. Entering the series they were 36-6 and #3 in the nation. They ended the regular season 3-8. To finish in a tie for 3rd in the Big XII race and earning the #4 seed. All looked right at the beginning of the Big 12 tourney as they qualified for the championship game but a loss to Kansas in the championship sealed their fate coming into the regionals.
It was the bats that probably did Nebraska in. They only scored 71 runs in 17 games the month of May and first part of June. Compare that to April where they scored 155 runs in 19 games.
For sure Nebraska will lose 4 seniors, 3 of them having a serious impact on this years team. Inf. Brandon Buckman, C Jeff Christy, and P Brett Jensen are all going to be missed greatly. P Dusty Timm will end his career too. As for underclassmen that could go high in the draft and could leave the team early, 2 pitchers, Joba Chamberlain and Tony Watson could leave early if they are chosen high enough. Soph. Ryan Wherle is also eligible for the draft but it is expected that unless he is chosen very early that he will come back to Nebraska.
For Nebraska to be successful next year Joba or Tony must come back or it could be a down year for Nebraska next year.
The Comments
foxspit June 4, 2006 at 7:18pm
It was a great season for the Huskers, it’s just too bad it ended the way it did.
Joba and Watson are gone, I can’t imagine why on earth they would come back. I think they are both great pro prospects and I expect them to be drafted. I’m sure something could happen to change that but I would be shocked.
I think our current team will be greatly motivated next season, primarily from the disappointing conclusion of this season. Some pitchers will have to step up - Bohanan, Shirek, Dorn, Klausing. Who knows who it will be.
I wish it wasn’t so long before baseball starts back up again.