But they are already facing the reality that this could be the last time the Huskers play this season, and it's only Saturday of the regionals! Eating breakfast this morning in a family owned diner downtown, the place was full with 'Huskers fans and funny enough, Manhattan players. To show how classy the heartland is, i saw many "congrats" exchanged between Big Red and to the Jaspers players, who are not only on cloud 9 but insert any other extatic clause here < >.

Overhearing conversations between those clad in red, the fans are still in shock after probably not getting too much sleep last night. Here's one such quote that i heard,"That pitcher for Manhattan [Chris Cody] is the best pitcher I have ever seen pitch here in Lincoln." I thought that was pretty impressive because this team saw Cesar Carrillo of the Hurricanes last year, who is now in Triple A not even a year later. They've also seen many good Texas teams come to town. He was also an older gentleman, so i'm guessing that he's been to his fair share of games!!

Well I just got the lineups and it's no surprise who Nebraska is pitching today. It's the ace of their staff, Tony Watson. Watson comes in with a 10-1 record and a 2.87 ERA. In 94IP, Watson has given up 30 ER and walked 23 while striking out 67. Opponents are hitting .236 off of the sophomore lefthander. Watson was an All-Big 12 selection this year and is rated by Baseball America as one of the 100 best prospects for next week's MLB Draft (he must be a redshirt then? I can't find it anywhere, weird to me.) Watson has allowed one earned run or less in seven of his last 14 starts and has not allowed more than four runs in any start this season. If he's not the perfect choice for this start, then I'm not sure who is.

For the Dons of San Francisco, they have their best statistical pitcher on the mound as well. Aaron Poreda gets the nod, and Poreda comes in with a 7-5 record and a 2.56 ERA. In 105.1IP, Poreda has given up 45R but only 30 have been earned. He's also struck out 70 while only walking 25, and opponents are hitting .277 off of the first team all-WCC team. Poreda is an imposing left-hander, as he stands at 6-6 240 pounds. He throws a good fastball in the low 90's and has a good breaking ball as well. Before the WCC championship, Poreda was in the top 40 in the country when it came to ERA as it was at 2.14, but the Waves of Pepperdine beat up on him a little bit to raise it to what it is today.
Nebraska is in its road grey's, San Francisco will be in its home green's. We're ready for baseball here in Lincoln. More clouds today, rain near here but breakin up before it gets to Lincoln. If the clouds continue to stay over head, the temperature won't be able to get up to the forecasted 90. But we shall see.

I will reveal Miami's starter later during this ballgame, I was sworn to secrecy until this game was near complete!! As for Manhattan, looking at their stats, the obvious choice to me would be Jesse Darcy, but I could be wrong. Enjoy a crazy day of baseball, all i know is that I'm glad we didn't have any rainouts here yesterday!