Nebraska baseball hosted its annual Red-White series this week, and head coach Will Bolt’s squad gave a preview of what should be an exciting spring.
Following a disappointing regular season in 2025 in which it finished eighth in the Big Ten, Nebraska battled back in the Big Ten tournament. The Huskers overtook UCLA in the Big Ten title game for their second straight Big Ten championship. They were later eliminated from postseason contention after falling to Oklahoma twice in the Chapel Hill Regional.
Though the Huskers’ late-season surge was commendable, there is still much to be desired from a team that finished the season 33-29 (15-15). The pitching staff must replace left-handed starters Jackson Brockett and Will Walsh, while an offense that ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten in runs scored and batting average will look for contributions from new faces in 2026.
Even with the concerns that surround Nebraska ahead of the spring, the Huskers’ recent 6-2 victory over Omaha, as well as strong performances in the Red-White series, give reason for optimism.
Here’s what stood out from a Team Red series win as the Huskers concluded their fall season:
Game 1: The Preston Freeman show
Team Red dominated the opening game of the series, coasting to a 9-4 victory. Sophomore outfielder Preston Freeman was the star of the evening. Freeman transferred to Nebraska after two seasons at Cisco College, where he posted a .349 batting average, with 16 doubles and five home runs.
The right fielder finished with a 3-for-4 line, with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs.
Freeman’s most notable highlight of the evening came in the bottom of the third inning against senior left-hander Jalen Worthley. With a 5-0 lead, Freeman hit a grand slam to right field and ultimately put the game out of reach.
Freeman also drove in freshman catcher Jeter Worthley with a double in the first inning and doubled again in the second inning.
He wasn’t the only Husker who impressed throughout the evening. Ty Horn, who started 17 games in 2025, was electric on the mound. The junior controlled the zone through the first four innings, allowing no hits and just one baserunner. Horn struck out five on the night and allowed two runs in 4 ⅔ innings with a fastball that sat around 94 mph.
Horn is due for a big season in 2026 and will be at the top of Nebraska’s rotation. He looks to build on a sophomore season where he finished with a 4.94 ERA.
Game 2: Team Red takes advantage of Jasa’s control issues
It’s no secret that one of the most talented arms on Nebraska’s staff is Carson Jasa. However, Jasa’s struggle to locate his pitches has been inopportune in his time with the Huskers.
Jasa dominated in a one-inning appearance against Omaha, striking out the side on just 12 pitches, with a fastball that neared 100 mph. His next appearance, a game two start for Team White, was a near-opposite performance.
Jasa started the game with three straight walks against the Team Red lineup, setting the stage for two sacrifice flyouts from middle infielders Dylan Carey and Nico Newhan. He then threw a wild pitch, allowing another run to score before getting out of the first inning. His first inning line included three earned runs, three walks and no hits surrendered.
He then settled in and pitched into the fourth inning, but the damage was done. A stagnant offense from Team White included a lone bright spot from 2025 All-Big Ten Freshman selection Devin Nunez.
Nunez opened the game with a double in the bottom of the first inning, eventually scoring on a single from senior first baseman Cole Kitchens. Team White failed to score again until the seventh inning, when Nunez took senior Grant Cleavinger deep. But the outfielder’s efforts were not enough to keep them from falling 3-2 in game two.
Game 3: Team White gets on the board
Team White was able to fend off a series sweep on Wednesday, winning their first game of the three-game set 3-2. A game with less excitement in the early innings, commanding performances from the bullpen and timely hitting were key factors in the win.
Colin Nowaczyk followed up his exceptional showing against Omaha last weekend with another impressive outing for Team White. Following three innings from sophomore starter J’Shawn Unger, Nowaczyk pitched two innings and struck out four. The sophomore from Elkhorn North didn’t allow a baserunner in his outing.
Team White received a bit more reinforcement from their offense than they did in the first two games of the series. A two-run single from junior catcher Miken Miller gave them the lead in the third inning, and they never looked back. Max Buettenback’s home run added another run, and it proved to be the difference.
As for Miller, it’s worth noting that he’s had impressive at-bats in recent days. The catcher also had a 103 mph single off of Horn in game one after homering against Omaha on Saturday. While Worthley looks to get a majority of the time behind the plate, Miller provides an intriguing option and will likely get opportunities in the spring.
The Red-White Series uncovered plenty surrounding this Nebraska team, and it offered a preview of what’s shaping up to be a highly anticipated spring. Bolt’s group has no shortage of talent, it’s just a matter of it all coming together when Nebraska opens the season in Scottsdale next February.