Spring (or summer, due to unusual heat this early) was in the air Saturday at Knob Noster for the Huskers annual start to the baseball season.

Opening against a traditionally strong class two Russellville team the Huskers were the home team on the scoreboard. Pitcher Dalton Johnson toed the rubber for the Huskers and did a good job getting the Blue and Gold off the field in the first inning, before trouble brewed in innings two and three where Russellville would mount a big lead taking the contest by the score of 21 -1.

Junior Rylan Shockey opened the 2026 offense for the Huskers with a lead off base hit, but the Husker bats were held at bay for most of the day.

In game number two Saturday afternoon, junior Levi Kroessen threw well and the Huskers led 2-0 for a long stretch over the Lincoln Cardinals, trying to get new Husker head coach Graham Padley his first win. Kroessen reached his pitching limit late in the game and had to be pulled. The Cards would tack on 4 runs late and top the Huskers by the count of 4 to 2. We hope to post stats from these two games soon.

The Huskers home opener is Tuesday night at Red Simmons Field in beautiful Fairground Park against the Odessa Bulldogs. After that the Huskers will host the St. Paul Saints on Friday night.

Photos by Dan Rumsey