Ryan Boldt (Nebraska)

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Top 25 Breakdown: No. 23 Nebraska

2 014 Record: 41-21. RPI: 33.

Coach (Record at school): Darin Erstad (105-74, 3 years).

Postseason History: 15 regionals (active streak: 1), 3 CWS trips (last in 2005).

Nebraska's Projected Lineup

Pos. Name, Yr. AVG/OBP/SLG HR RBI SB C Tanner Lubach, Sr. .282/.337/.423 3 27 1 1B Scott Schreiber, Fr. HS -- Wenasha, Wisc. 2B Jake Placzek, Jr. .271/.377/.312 0 25 3 3B Blake Headley, Sr. .323/.370/.413 2 27 2 SS Steven Reveles, Sr. .262/.329/.321 0 18 4 LF Christian Cox, Sr. .300/.368/.317 0 6 1 CF Ryan Boldt, So. .311/.382/.437 2 31 7 RF Austin Darby, Sr. .290/.362/.398 3 36 5 DH Ben Miller, So. .316/.398/.393 2 13 0

Pos. Name, Yr. W-L ERA IP SO BB SV RHP Chance Sinclair, Sr. 9-1 2.15 100.2 52 26 0 LHP Kyle Kubat, Sr. 5-2 4.55 57.1 34 22 0 LHP Max Knutson, So. 0-0 5.06 5.1 3 1 0 RP Josh Roeder, Sr. 3-1 3.10 20.1 21 6 12

SEE ALSO: Five Questions With Nebraska’s Darin Erstad

Hitting: 60. The Huskers didn’t have an ultra powerful offensive lineup last year, but possessed one of the more impressive lineups, 1-9, in terms of consistency and balance. The Big Red has the tough chore of replacing key hitters Michael Pritchard and Pat Kelly, who finished 2014 with .314 and .311 batting averages, respectively. However, they welcome back enough key cogs to have another productive season. Seniors Headley and Darby are back after good 2014 campaigns. Headley is a two-year starter who isn’t flashy, but who has a consistent approach at the plate and puts together good at-bats, while the physical Darby hit .290 last season and could take a big leap forward with a more consistent offensive approach. Two more seniors, Lubach and Reveles, also have potential. Lubach has a tendency to get big hits despite not being an exceptional hitter, while Reveles showed a bit more power than usual during fall workouts with an improved ability to drive the baseball. Toolsy sophomore outfielder Boldt, one of the nation’s elite freshmen last season, should have another strong campaign, with more power than the two homers he smacked in 2014, while freshman first baseman Schreiber is one to watch. Schreiber is a physical 6-foot-3, 205-pounder who should make immediate contributions with his ability to hit with power to all fields.

Power: 45. The Huskers hope to generate significantly more power this spring. The Big Red finished last season 142nd nationally in homers, but this team figures to increase its home run output. The departures of Kelly and Pritchard could be significant in that regard considering the two accounted for seven of the Huskers’ 19 homers last year, but coach Darin Erstad is confident about this lineup. Lubach and Darby both have power potential, while Schreiber is a young player who has the ability to consistently hit for power. Also watch for Headley, who displayed more power in the fall and could be a surprising bat. And Boldt has premium bat speed that should translate to more home runs as well.

Speed: 50. Though the Huskers had a versatile lineup last year, they weren’t a particularly scary club from a speed standpoint. The Big Red finished the year 223rd nationally in stolen bases, but hope to increase that number this spring. Boldt is a plus or better runner who is capable of pushing the action on the basepaths. Senior outfielder Cox is a very good baserunner to watch, while fellow outfielder and senior Darby is a good overall athlete who can really make things happen. The Huskers won’t be speed demons, but do have at least some potential here.

Defense: 70. Erstad and his coaching staff place a real premium on defense, and it shows with their consistency. The Huskers were one of the better defensive teams in the country last season, and that trend should continue. The Big Red welcomes back a very stable defender and leader in Lubach behind the plate, while second baseman Placzek is a solid defender. Headley is a consistent defender on the left side of the infield, Reveles makes big plays at shortstop, and the outfield is in terrific shape with the return of Cox, Boldt and Darby. Boldt has elite defensive ability in center field.

Chance Sinclair (Nebraska)

Starting Pitching: 55. The Huskers lost a quality starting pitcher in lefty Aaron Bummer, but otherwise are in good shape. The Big Red welcomes back a pair of very seasoned arms in seniors Sinclair and Kubat. Sinclair went 9-1, 2.15 last season, and is an 87-90 mph guy with his fastball, along with a good, consistent three-pitch mix. He’s a high-level competitor and does a good job of working down in the zone. Meanwhile, Kubat should be more consistent. The lefty has had trouble staying healthy at times, but is ready to go and is a crafty lefty who can get up to the upper 80s with his fastball, but who also has a good changeup. Sophomore lefty Knutson rounds out the rotation. He was little used last season but will have a massive role this spring. He’s raw and athletic and made a positive jump this past summer. He sits anywhere from 87-93 with his fastball and his secondary offerings just continue to improve. The Huskers also could choose to experiment with righty Jake Hohensee in the weekend rotation. The righty is more consistent with his command now and is a quality arm with the ability to sit anywhere from 88-93, and up to 94 at times with his fastball. Erstad and his coaching staff have made it abundantly clear the No. 3 spot in the weekend rotation could be up for grabs by opening weekend.

Bullpen: 55. The Huskers have plenty of quality arms to watch in the bullpen, but none will enter the spring as heralded as senior closer Roeder, who had a terrific summer. Roeder typically sits 88-91 with his fastball, but had a lot of 92-94s throughout the summer. He’s a hard-nosed pitcher who has a great mentality for the closer role. Meanwhile, junior righty Colton Howell, to an extent, mitigates the departures of two quality relievers. Howell remains a little raw on the mound, but was up to 95 with his fastball during the fall and throws the pitch on a downhill plane. The Huskers have other talented arms to watch this season, including RHP Derek Burkamper and hard-nosed RHP Jeff Chestnut, among others.

Experience/Intangibles: 55. After putting together an impressive 2014 campaign, the Huskers have a real chance to take yet another big step forward in ’15. The Huskers are well coached, and they have plenty of veterans back in the mix both at the plate and on the mound. Getting back quality seniors Lubach, Headley, Reveles and Darby is big, while the weekend rotation and bullpen feature several quality, veteran arms. All the pieces are there to make a run to the NCAA postseason, and perhaps even the CWS.