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Around the Horn: Nebraska baseball hosts No. 5 Oregon State

Joseph Maierby:Joseph Maier•03/27/25•

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Will Walsh Nebraska baseball
Will Walsh (Photo credit: Nebraska Athletics)

After a lengthy road trip, Nebraska baseball (10-14, 2-7) welcomes No. 5 Oregon State (19-4, 0-0) to Haymarket Park this weekend. The Huskers face an uphill battle against one of the country’s best teams, still seeking their first weekend series win of the year.

The Beavers are Nebraska’s seventh west-coast and fourth former Pac-12 opponent this season. The Huskers are 5-9 against such teams but have lost all three series’ to Big Ten newcomers.

Oregon State boasts one of the best pitching staffs in the country and is holding opponents to the fourth-fewest runs nationally.

Here’s more on the weekend including an opponent preview, pitching matchups, the biggest storylines and broadcast information:

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Projecting Nebraska’s pitching matchups

Friday at 7 p.m: LHP Will Walsh (2-4, 3.90 ERA, 32.1 IP, 35 K) vs. RHP Eric Segura (4-0, 3.18 ERA, 17.0, 27 K)

Saturday at 2 p.m: RHP Ty Horn (0-3, 6.83 ERA, 27.2 IP, 27 K ) vs. RHP Dax Whitney (2-2, 3.67 ERA, 27.0 IP, 39 K)

Sunday at 12 p.m: LHP Jackson Brockett (0-2, 4.15 ERA, 21.2 IP, 13 K) vs. LHP Ethan Kleinschmit (4-1, 1.60 ERA, 33.2, 38 K)

Weekend storylines to watch

Will elementary errors continue?

Nebraska’s weekend pitching has been serviceable this season, especially considering the loss of Mason McConnaughey. Its fielding, however, is another story.

After starting the season as one of the nation’s least error-prone teams, the Huskers crumbled defensively.

Over just the last three contests, the Huskers committed six errors which led to seven unearned runs. That number could easily be higher given multiple questionable non-error rulings against USC. Even Nebraska’s veterans, like Dylan Carey, have made crucial mistakes in the field.

If the Huskers hope to steal a game or two from Oregon State, they will have to be near-perfect defensively. Considering how much Nebraska’s bats struggle against competent pitching, there’s no room for error. A low-scoring defensive battle is the best path to victory.

Will Walsh building confidence

Walsh will make his third Friday start of the season this weekend. The left-hander pitched at least six frames in his last three starts despite being on the losing end of all of them.

He only allowed four runs against USC and UCLA but Nebraska’s offensive woes spoiled two commendable outings. Walsh has been far from perfect, scattering 17 hits against Big Ten competition, but he struck out 21 total batters in those contests.

The Huskers desperately need a stellar performance from Walsh on Friday.

Returning home after two weeks

Nebraska has failed to live up to expectations thus far, but the level of competition and scheduling difficulties are undeniable.

After starting the season against six 2024 NCAA Tournament participants, the Huskers began Big Ten play with three conference newcomers and unfamiliar foes. A 10-day California road trip was bookended by a mid-week contest at Kansas State.

The Huskers are overdue for a game day at Haymarket Park.

Know the Foe

***Player to watch: Outfielder Easton Talt

Talt is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak, racking up 12 hits and seven RBIs over that span. The junior leads all Beaver hitters with a .540 on-base percentage thanks to 27 walks, good for 12th-most nationally. Talt’s .352 batting average and 25 hits both rank third on the team.

***The Beavers have tallied an extra-base hit in every single game this season. Oregon State’s pitchers have held their opponents without one eight times.

***Third baseman Trent Caraway and shortstop Aiva Arquette were ranked No. 4 nationally at their respective positions in D1Baseball’s preseason rankings. Both have lived up to the hype defensively and have racked up a combined 64 hits and 42 RBIs.

***Seven Beavers are hitting over .300 on the year and nine have hit a home run.

***Friday starter Eric Segura has yet to pitch more than four innings in a game this season. In limited action — 17 innings across six games — he’s been attributed with just six earned runs. In last Friday’s win over Cal Poly, Segura struck out eight in just four frames, increasing his total to 27 on the year. He has not pitched in a loss this season.

Broadcast Information

TV: Big Ten Plus: HERE

Radio: Huskers Radio Network (Radio simulcast found HERE)

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