Leading Off
The Mavericks (11-14, 4-5) are back on the road this week as they drive down to Lincoln to face Nebraska (18-10-1, 4-2) for the second time this year on Tuesday, before heading up north to take on South Dakota State (8-17, 4-5) over the weekend.

Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday: 6 p.m. at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.) - Televised on Nebraska Public Media
Friday: 3 p.m. at South Dakota State (Brookings, S.D.)
Saturday: TBA at South Dakota State (Brookings, S.D.)
Sunday: 1 p.m. at South Dakota State (Brookings, S.D.)

Around the Horn

• The Mavericks began last week on a high note, taking down crosstown rival Creighton for the fourth straight time over the last two years, before getting swept by Oral Roberts over the weekend.
• Charlie Bell stepped up and had one the best games of his career vs. the Bluejays, going a career-high 6.2 innings and allowing just one run on five hits. He held Creighton scoreless through the first six innings. 
• Rans Sanders is now 4-for-4 save opportunities and 3-for-3 in six-out appearances after coming in and blanking the Bluejays over the last two innings to secure the win for Bell. Since allowing an earned run at BYU on March 2, Sanders has not been charged with a single earned run in six appearances (10.1 IP) since then.
• Thank to Omaha's strong pitching, back-to-back first inning home runs from Noah Greise and Devin Hurdle were all the Mavericks needed to top the Bluejays. Hurdle in particular went 3-for-3 in the game, giving him three-straight multi-hit games.
• Mavericks hitters achieved numerous career firsts during the ORU series, including the first career home run for Matt Goetzmann in the series finale, and the first career triple for Greise in the same game. Likewise, Brennen Bales had his best game yet as a Maverick in game two when he cranked two home runs in the same game for the first time ever, doing so in back-to-back innings.
• Zach Lechnir also had a big day at the plate during game two, driving in four runs including a three-run homer in the second inning. He was Omaha's top hitter in the series, notching six hits along with five RBIs and two runs scored.
• Mike Boeve remained a massive on-base threat last weekend, reaching safely in nine of 15 plate appearances, increasing his season OBP to .535. He also hit two doubles to move into fourth all-time on Omaha's doubles leaderboard and just one away from third place.
• In three losses to Oral Roberts, the Mavericks still managed to score 18 runs against the league's top pitching staff, as well as hitting 14 extra-base hits. They recorded 33 hits in total.

Scouting Nebraska
Nebraska begins the week at 18-10-1 overall and 4-2 in the Big 10 after winning two of three at Michigan.

The Huskers offense is led by Max Anderson (1.245 OPS) and Brice Matthews (1.250), with the two leading the team with 39 and 46 RBIs, respectively, and 11 and 10 home runs each. They also combine for 56 runs scored and 18 doubles, while Matthews leads the team with 14 stolen bases.

Nebraska's top two starters, Jace Kaminska (3.98 ERA) and Emmett Olson (3.04), have each topped 40 innings pitched and are responsible for 10 of Nebraska's 18 wins. The Huskers bullpen is also a major strength for the team, with eight relievers owning sub-4.00 ERAs, including Jake Bunz who has yet to give up a run in seven appearances. 

Head Coach Will Bolt is in his fourth season leading the Huskers, compiling a 82-62 overall record, including a 34-14 mark to win the 2021 Big 10 regular season championship. Bolt was also named Big 10 coach of the year for his efforts and helped Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament since 2007.

Scouting South Dakota State
South Dakota State is currently fourth in the Summit League at 8-17 overall and 4-5 in league play as they enter the week fresh off a series win over Western Illinois. They will also play Briar Cliff and Dakota Wesleyan before hosting the Mavericks.

Ryan McDonald is the top slugger in the conference as he leads the league with an .843 SLG and a 1.397 OPS, as well as 11 home runs. His 23 RBIs and eight steals also lead the team. 

Though the Jackrabbits have gotten mixed results from their starters (combined 3-11 record among all pitchers with at least one start), their relievers have faired better, most notably Ryan Bourassa who owns a 3.04 ERA in 23.2 innings in 10 appearances.

Rob Bishop is in his seventh season with the Jackrabbits and is 123-162 in the span. Not including the pandemic shortened 2020 season, He has lead SDSU to the Summit League Tournament every season since taking over.