Nebraska, Michigan finding their groove ahead of weekend baseball clash

Here is everything you need to know about Nebraska’s weekend series against Michigan.

Radio: Huskers Radio Network.

Video stream: Big Ten Network on Friday, BTN+ Saturday and Sunday.

3 p.m. Friday: LHP Emmett Olson (5-1, 3.37 ERA) vs. LHP Connor O’Halloran (5-1, 2.09).

1 p.m. Saturday: RHP Jace Kaminska (5-1, 2.77) vs. RHP Chase Allen (3-2, 5.11).

11 a.m. Sunday: LHP Will Walsh (1-1, 2.87) vs. TBD.

Halfway through the regular season, the Huskers have found their roles and their health. That’s especially true among the bullpen, which is working on a scoreless streak of 18 1/3 innings spanning five games and six relievers. Among them is fiery lefty Jake Bunz, now fully recovered from injury and reminiscent of his impact in 2021. Closer Shay Schanaman has also realized his shutdown ability behind better command of his wipeout slider. Will Walsh, meanwhile, takes the Sunday starting job following three straight strong appearances.

“I just want to prove myself that I can be a guy they can go to in any big game they want,” Walsh said. “Hopefully those days come.”

The offense, too, is rolling, with Max Anderson (.413 average) and Brice Matthews (.404) leading the way but surrounded by key supporters. One has been center fielder Casey Burnham, whose on-base percentage (.472) is second among the Huskers thanks in part to being hit by pitches 11 times.

“It’s been pretty amazing,” NU coach Will Bolt said. “He’s been hit in the shin I think three different times and doesn’t miss a beat with it.”

Garrett Anglim (hamstring) will also make his full-time weekend return in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bolt said, and will likely serve as designated hitter. He’s healthy enough to run the bases after suffering the injury a month ago.

The Wolverines have been the class of the Big Ten during the last five full seasons, with four NCAA Tournament berths, a 2019 run to the College World Series final and a conference tournament title last spring. This group is going about things differently under new coach Tracy Smith — who built Indiana into a league juggernaut before spending the last seven years at Arizona State — en route to a strong start to league play. Michigan’s power is down (.482 slugging percentage last year at 47th nationally to .400 now at 219th). So is speed (1.31 steals/game last year at 81st to 0.68 at 243rd).

Freshman Jonathan Kim is hitting .448 in 16 games as a nine-hole hitter, while veteran Ted Burton owns a .301 average and team-best 25 RBIs.

Michigan’s real strength is on the mound, where the junior O’Halloran paces the Big Ten in ERA, strikeouts (59) and innings pitched (47 1/3). Rennard, a sixth-year senior, also qualifies as a top-10 conference starter while serving mostly as the top relief option.

Michigan swept Penn State before taking a series at Illinois last weekend. A top-100 nonconference schedule included key wins over Grand Canyon and Cal State Fullerton.

* Nebraska is 17-15 all-time against Michigan. In a scheduling quirk, the Wolverines have played the Huskers 11 straight times in the state of Nebraska and haven’t hosted Big Red since 2016.

* Temperatures in Ann Arbor will reach the low 50s Friday and Saturday and the low 60s Sunday with mostly sunny skies throughout.

* Burnham has four stolen bases and Matthews has 12, yet the outfielder said with a smile that Matthews is the second-fastest player on the team behind him. The fifth-year Kansas transfer is relishing his extra final college season.

“I could be working a job right now,” Burnham said. “But I’m just excited to still be playing baseball. Not really sure what my future holds but just taking in every moment.”

* Anderson continues to be red hot to the opposite field, homering in eight of his last 10 games. Bolt said the second baseman called a Tuesday scenario at Kansas State a “free home run” when facing a lefty pitcher with the wind blowing out to right.

“Some guys talk about, like, a free hit or they’re giving you the push bunt,” Bolt said. “But he said ‘free home run.’ That’s the kind of frame of mind that he’s in. His confidence level is very, very high.”