The Nebraska baseball team gets to do something it hasn't done for nearly 15 years on Tuesday and Wednesday this week - play its in-state rival Creighton in back-to-back games.
It's the closest the two Nebraska baseball teams have been to playing an actual series since 1994-95, when the Huskers and Bluejays hooked up for two games in the same day, with one game in Omaha and the other game in Lincoln.
The result of that one-day double-header was Nebraska winning both games by the scores 19-4 and 12-6. The two-game jaunt by both teams was a mere five days after Nebraska suffered a devastating 37-18 loss at the hands of Oklahoma State.
Although the scores of the games don't look like football games anymore, the rivalry continues Tuesday as the Bluejays make the trip down to Lincoln for the first of what will be a two-game series between the two squads, because the first scheduled meeting between the two teams was postponed due to weather.
NU Coach Mike Anderson doesn't really mind what mother nature did to this tradition-rich rivalry.
"We may look at doing some of these things in the future," Anderson said. "When you get just one game a week with teams like that, it limits teams from bringing in other teams. We'll see how it works for both teams."
If things work out like they have in the past for the Big Red, Anderson will have nothing to worry about. Since abandoning any series with the Bluejays, the Huskers hold a demanding 26-9-1 record over their foes.
However, Creighton has recently gotten the better of the Huskers. The Bluejays were able to win the season series 2-1 against NU last season, much against what many would have thought.
This year seems to fit that same scenario. Nebraska comes in 28-7-1 after a series-ending loss to Kansas on Sunday. The Bluejays, on the other hand, enter Tuesday's match up with a 25-13 record.
Having each other's in-state rival in the other dugout will provide a little extra incentive to play well. It's a game that Anderson said both teams are motivated for no matter what the circumstance.
"I think what's nice is when we are playing good baseball and they are too," Anderson said. "We'll continue to stay focused on our weekend, but that gives us two very competitive games during our week."
There will be some extra intrigue on the mound in regards to the two-game series this week as well. NU junior Erik Bird will be one of the starters for the Huskers this week, and it's a nod that carries more meaning because Bird is an Omaha native.
"It is really exciting," Bird said. "It'll be a little bit more exciting if I get the chance to pitch in Rosenblatt on Wednesday with that crowd and everything, but we'll get their best shot no matter what, whether they are 30-1 or 1-30. We're their in-state rival, so that's guaranteed."
The first pitch between the two rivals is set for 6:35 p.m. at Hawks Field.
It's taken more than 14 years for it to happen, but the Huskers and Bluejays are set to hit the diamond in what is expected to be a vital two-game series in the state. Both teams bring an air of confidence to the playing field.
But Anderson said that when it comes to this rivalry game, everything in the past doesn't really matter. He said it's more about what team can take control and keep it.
"Baseball is a game of rhythm," Anderson said. "We're actually playing a series this time, and some momentum might carry. Some emotion might carry. We'll see what happens."
spencerschubert@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
