Baseball prepares for big game at home

The Nebraska baseball team has played eight of their first 10 games on the road, but will stay home this weekend to host Cal State at Northridge for a four-game series that starts Friday at 1:05 p.m.

Khiry Cooper, a two-sport freshman outfielder is becoming an everyday player for NU and has started seven games, hitting .231 with a home run and five RBIs. Hailing from Shreveport, La., Cooper was playing in front of his friends and family during the Huskers season opening series in Lafayette, La.

But it still isn't the same as playing in front of the Big Red faithful, who recognized Cooper immediately when he arrived in Lincoln. "It was a crazy deal coming out of high school and people knew of me," Cooper said. 

He thinks his immediate notoriety came from football fans who recognized Cooper as a wide receiver. But he's impressed with the loyalty of NU's baseball fans as well, who will no doubt be on hand when the Matadors bring their 5-4 record to Hawks Field, including two wins against Texas Tech.

"The first game we played in front of a ton of fans … I love the fans, but that's not my main priority," Cooper said. "First it's about God and then my teammates, I wouldn't be anywhere without them."

Starting on the mound for the Huskers this weekend is sophomore right-hander Mike Nesseth. In his first two starts, Nesseth has posted a 0.75 ERA to go along with his 1-1 record.

Coming into the season, Nesseth said he needed to work on developing his change-up to go along with his fastball and slider. However, he said he didn't throw hardly any of them in his last start, a win over Sam Houston State.

Nesseth struck out 12 batters in six innings of shutout work against the Bearkats. He doesn't like to slow down his pitches when he's blowing it passed hitters. But he might have to on Friday.

"(Cal State Northridge) is off to a good start, I'll probably have to mix up all three pitches," Nesseth said. "But I still want to have the ‘oomph' to blow it by somebody."

Offensively, the Huskers have gotten quality production from Adam Bailey. His hit over the left-center field wall on Wednesday was his fifth home run in 10 games. He has also compiled 15 RBIs.

But he won't be thinking about hitting number six when he steps up to the plate.

"I'm thinking up the middle and opposite (field)," Bailey said. "And sweep, that's what I want as a team."

His recently displayed power swing might be changing the expectations fans have set for the junior outfielder, but not him or his coaches.

"They didn't recruit me to hit home runs," he said.

The Huskers and the Matadors play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1:05 and another game Sunday at the same time.

RYANBOETEL@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COm