Leading Off
The Mavericks (8-17, 3-6 SL) play the second half of their eight-game homestand this week, starting on Wednesday with their makeup game vs. in-state rival Nebraska (12-15, 2-7 Big 10) at 6 p.m., before concluding over the weekend with a Summit League series vs. North Dakota State (8-15, 6-2 SL) beginning Friday at 4 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday: 6:00 p.m. vs. Nebraska at Tal Anderson Field
Friday: 4:00 p.m. vs. NDSU at Tal Anderson Field
Saturday: 2:00 p.m. vs. NDSU at Tal Anderson Field
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. vs. NDSU at Tal Anderson Field

Around the Horn
• Omaha went 3-1 last week, falling 10-0 in their first meeting of the season with Creighton, before sweeping their first opponent of the year after outslugging Northern Colorado over the weekend. Across all three games against the Bears, the Mavericks held a 31-25 edge in scoring.
• Leading the way on offense was Summit League Peak Performer of the Week Tyler Bishop, who batted 5-for-15 with four extra-base hits, seven RBIs, and eight runs scored. He had multiple RBIs and runs in all three games against UNC, as well as two multi-hit games. His biggest hit came in game one of Friday's doubleheader when he walked off the Bears with a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth. He also ended the month of March on a 12-game on-base streak.
• Henry Zipay had an impressive week as well, going 7-for-15 including a 4-for-5 day when he hit three doubles and one triple to become the first Maverick to record four XBHs in a game since Bishop on April 13, 2024. In the month of March Zipay slashed .400/.486/.583 (1.069) with 10 XBHs, 12 runs, and a nine-game on-base streak.
• Also having strong weeks on offense was Tyler Palmer, who went 5-for-12 and drew a walk-off walk in Saturday's series finale, as well as newcomers Mason Gaines (6-for-15, four RBIs), and Drew Borner (7-for-15, four RBIs).
• In game one of Friday's doubleheader, the Mavericks had a season-high eight XBHs and a Division I program record four sacrifice flies. Across both games of the doubleheader Omaha went 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts.
• Overall, Omaha went 38-for-110 (.345) with13 XBHs in three games vs. Northern Colorado.
• On the mound, Luke Gainer was the standout with two wins on 2.2 perfect innings of relief.

Scouting Nebraska
After starting the season ranked 24th in the nation and going 4-4 in February, the Huskers proceeded to go 8-11 in March to fall to 12-15 with a 2-7 record in the Big 10. Before facing Omaha on Wednesday, Nebraska will first host Creighton Tuesday night.

Dylan Carey comes into the week as Nebraska's top bat, starting all 27 games so far and leading the team in home runs (five), doubles (eight), RBIs (24). His .515 SLG and .868 OPS both rank second on the team as well, behind only Tyler Stone (.576 SLG, .878 OPS). Other notable players are Cael Frost, who also has five home runs and an OPS of .848, and Cayden Brumbaugh, who leads the team with 20 runs scored and seven steals.

Nebraska's pitching staff is led by starter Will Walsh and his 3.76 ERA and 37 strikeouts. Midweek starters include TJ Coats (6.08 ERA), Mason McConnaughey (6.23), and Carson Jasa (8.44). The bullpen features five arms with a sub-4.00 ERA, including closer Luke Broderick with a 1.93 ERA and four saves.

Scouting North Dakota State
Following a tough non-conference slate that featured eight games against top 25 teams, the Bison have got off to a 6-2 start to Summit League play to enter the week in second place in the conference. Last week they claimed a series win over SDSU. 

The Bison boast three players batting above .300 with an OPS above .900: Jake Schaffner (.378, 1.010), Dante Smith (.329, .857), and Colten Becker (.303, .949). Schaffner is also first on the team in runs (24), while Becker is first in triples (two) and RBIs (17). Meanwhile, Noah Gordon paces NDSU with three home runs and Kyle Law is first in doubles with six.

NDSU's pitching staff has struggled so far to the tune of an 8.18 team ERA, including their top starters who all have ERAs above 5.00: Logan Knight (5.06), Nolan Johnson (6.96), and Matt Sargeant (12.19). Out of the bullpen, Skyler Riedinger (4.50 ERA) and Danny Lachenmayer (4.60 ERA) lead the way with a combined 27.2 IP in 18 appearances, as well as 41 total strikeouts.