Nebraska

Nebraska Baseball Weekend Preview: Maryland

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2024

Press Room

Nebraska Baseball Weekend Preview: Maryland

Maryland Terrapins (24-14) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (23-11)

Location: Hawks Field at Haymarket Park, Lincoln, NE

Dates: April 19th-21st

Times (all CDT): Friday @ 6:05 pm, Saturday @ 2:02 pm, Sunday @ 12:05 pm**Change**

Head Coaches: Matt Swope (1st season, 24-14) & Will Bolt (5th season, 120-86-1)

TV/Stream: All games streaming on B1G+, Nebraska Public Media on Saturday

Radio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App

Maryland is a much different team than Nebraska last faced in the Big Ten Tournament. Gone is their head coach, Rob Vaughn, off to Alabama. Gone to the draft is the best 1-2-3 top of the order combo in not only the B1G, but one of the best in the country. Gone are 2 starters including former All-American Jason Savacool, and the 3rd starter is missing 2024 with Tommy John’s. Add their closer and their top reliever being drafted, and it’s no wonder this team is rebuilding.

Matt Swope is a Maryland lifer, and has moved over one slot from Associate head coach to the head coaching position. He held that position for 1 year after being an assistant coach for 5 seasons, and the Terps direction of baseball ops before that. During his playing days, he was on what at the time was the most successful Maryland team in 2005 as a senior. His staff is full of guys coming home that are from the state, and one assistant coach and the director of player development, that are former themselves.

Though the Terps record isn’t completely far off from last year, it was built up by a fairly pedestrian non-conference slate. In B1G play, the two time defending champions have struggled more than anyone could have foreseen. They are sitting in 8th in the standings at 5-7, but have dropped the last 3 B1G series, first to Michigan (which is a bit of a surprise) then Indiana (which is no surprise), then Northwestern (which is maybe the most shocking result of the season so far). Also of those 5 conference wins, 3 have come in extra innings. So they could be in even more trouble, record-wise than they currently are.

Pitching Probables

Game 1: RHP Brett Sears (6-0, 1.32 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Koester (4-4, 5.83 ERA)

Game 2: RHP Mason McConnaughey (4-2, 2.29 ERA) vs. TBD

Game 3: TBD vs. RHP Joey McMannis (0-0, 3.41 ERA)

Nebraska boasts not only the back to back reigning pitchers of the week in Brett Sears and Mason McConnaughey, but they are #1 and #2 in the B1G in ERA at 1.32 and 2.29 respectively. This past weekend, the Huskers lost the first game that Sears started all season. This was despite him handing the game over with the lead. He had yet another quality start, going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs in the 6th inning during a whirlwind rainstorm that was wild to watch on the stream. He was then was taken out an inning too early, IMO. The star of the week was Big Mac. He held the top offense in the B1G scoreless in his 7 innings, and added a career high 9 strikeouts, hence the weekly honor.

The Huskers have not named a Sunday starter. That is partially a referendum on Drew Christo’s recent track record, and also on the bullpen failing to secure wins on following Sear’s performance on Friday night. It seems the team is throwing all hands on deck to ensure the series win on Friday and Saturday, then piece Sunday together after that. I’d still give Christo a chance at starting, along with Will Walsh. Beyond those two, Caleb Clark may get a look, after his strong last two outings.

For Maryland, George Washington transfer Logan Koester is the new Friday night starter after starting on Saturdays recently. He started the year great, going 4-0 in his first 4 starts, but in Big Ten play, hes has gone 0-4, including fairly disasterous starts in the last 3. He is not a strikeout guy, having only 24 in 46 innings pitched compared to 18 walks, so being patient with him will help NU’s offense.

The Terps haven’t named a starter for Saturday. They are scrambling trying to piece together a staff. Going into conference play, they had the 2nd best team ERA behind Nebraska, but since then the team ERA is over 9.00. So former D-III All-American Kenny Lippman may have lost his weekend spot after being the team’s Friday night guy. They may be looking for some of their young guys to get some more time. Last year’s Maryland Gatorade POY Joey McMannis is leading the young guys. He will start Sunday and has a 3.41 ERA, leading all starters.

Scouting Report

The Maryland offense is well below where it has been recently. They are hovering around the bottom third of the league in batting average and runs scored, but of course are second in home runs, because they play in a little league field still. They work pitchers well, as they are amount the tops in both walks and strikeouts.

The offense is led by a pair of brothers. Older brother and first baseman Eddie Hacopian is leading the team with a .400 batting avg, and 1.096 OPS. He also has 6 home runs and 33 RBIs. Freshman INF Chris Hacopian is having a stellar first year. The 2022 Maryland Gatorade POY is second in the family and on the team, batting .322. He is tied for the team lead with 8 home runs and has 30 RBIs.

A familiar name in Iowa transfer second baseman Sam Hojnar is having his best season, batting ,294 and leading the team with 40 RBIs and also has 8 home runs. He also leads the team that rarely runs with 5 stolen bases on the season. However, he also has the distinction of pacing the team with 46 strikeouts on the season.

The defense is shall we say, not great, with a .967 fielding percentage. They lead the Big Ten in total errors with 46, and are led once again by the Hacopian brothers. Eddie has 8 and Chris has 7. That is a .924 fielding percentage for Chris. Yikes.

Series History

Maryland has a 11-7 record all time against the Huskers. They won the season series 2-1 last season, at their little league field. They also won both games against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament on their way to the championship.

Husker Notes

Josh Caron was named to the Buster Posey Award watch list. The award is given to the top catcher in the nation.
Caron is one of 5 catchers hitting .300+, with 15 extra base hits, and 40 RBIs.
Freshman Case Sanderson is 28th in the country in OBP, at .518.
Riley Silva is the 10th Husker player since 2000 to steal over 20 bases, and the first since Alex Gordon in 2005.
Ben Columbus is hitting .438 since returning from a hamstring injury. He has a double and his first 2 career home runs as a Husker in those 16 at bats.
Tyler Stone is nursing a tweaked hamstring currently. He had the big pinch hit in the 9th inning against Creighton, but only managed to get to first base with the injury. He may be in for a similar role this weekend, especially with Columbus having a hot bat.

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Nebraska

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

Published

10 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

Published

22 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Maryland men’s basketball has found itself in plenty of close games over the past few weeks. Four of its last five were decided by seven points or less, and the Terps won three of them.

Head coach Buzz Williams had ostensibly found a winning recipe in crunch time. That is, until Wednesday’s clash with No. 12 Nebraska.

Down by five with just over six minutes to play, the key ingredients for a comeback were nowhere to be found. Andre Mills, who had been superb over Maryland’s past few matches, turned the ball over to star forward Pryce Sandfort on an errant pass. Just seconds later, Sandfort splashed a 3-pointer, and Pinnacle Bank Arena went wild.

That sequence was the cap of a 9-0 run and the middle of an 0-of-4 shooting stretch for Maryland. What was largely a competitive contest soon became lopsided, and the Terps fell, 74-61.

Williams used his coach’s challenge just a minute and a half into Wednesday’s contest. The reversed call didn’t result in points right away — the Terps turned it over the very next possession — but it undoubtedly sent a crystal clear, no-nonsense message to the sideline.

And Maryland’s defense was ready for the rowdy away game occasion. The Terps notched just five points in the opening five minutes — two coming on a thunderous Solomon Washington slam — but didn’t allow Nebraska on the scoresheet. In fact, Maryland turned the Cornhuskers over twice in that span, and Guillermo Del Pino rejected a Jamarques Lawrence layup.

Nebraska started the game 0-of-6 from the field before finding the net. Sandfort channeled his shooting prowess, sinking a 3-pointer to give the Cornhuskers their first advantage of the match six-and-a-half minutes in.

Forward Braden Frager was the true catalyst for Nebraska’s sudden surge, logging seven of the team’s first 10 points and operating well in transition. His quick-hit offense didn’t allow Maryland to set up its effective half-court defense.

The Terps’ offense remained relatively cold as the midway point of the half approached. They embarked on a 1-of-8 shooting stretch, with Nebraska consistently switching on Maryland’s perimeter looks and forcing Washington into some perimeter shots.

Interestingly enough, it was Washington and his frontcourt counterpart — Elijah Saunders — that offered the team a surge from beyond the arc. The two combined for four of the squad’s first five 3-pointers — two of Saunders’ makes came in the last five minutes of the half to keep Maryland within striking distance.

The Cornhuskers took a six point advantage into the halftime locker room, up 33-27.

Rienk Mast finally got into a bit of rhythm to open the second half, burying a 3-pointer in an attempt to keep the Terps at bay. But Maryland’s offense wasn’t rattled. It didn’t revert to the same isolation playbook that it has sometimes found itself running; it instead was gritty on the glass and earned multiple second-chance opportunities.

Nebraska was being worn down on defense, and its crowd was becoming less intense. Maryland just needed to establish some prolonged momentum.

But the game remained deadlocked for the ensuing minutes. Andre Mills began to display some of the athletic lane-driving traits he’s exhibited over the past 10 contests. But he also drilled a pair of long-range jumpers, quickly becoming the team’s leading second-half scorer.

As the clock ticked below 10 minutes left with the game decided by just a matter of points, the Terps’ offense hit a stagnant stretch. Coit took four consecutive shots — and made only one — while the team’s ball movement came to a screeching halt.

After Nebraska’s 9-0 run, things didn’t realign on the attack for Maryland. Coit continued to struggle, going 2-of-6 from three in the second half. Mills also missed back-to-back looks, and from there, the result was all but decided.

1. Elijah Saunders’ big day. With Mills struggling in the first half Wednesday, Saunders picked up some of the slack. The 40% 3-point shooter made half of his looks, resulting in a season-high five 3-pointers against the Cornhuskers. That comes just one game after he set his previous season-high of four 3-pointers against Washington.

2. Paint production erased. Maryland’s frontcourt did some damage Wednesday night, but much of it came from deep. The Terps finished with just 14 points in the paint compared to Nebraska’s 26. Despite both teams grabbing seven offensive rebounds, Maryland didn’t make much of the second chance opportunities in the restricted area.

3. More Del Pino minutes. After playing 27 minutes and securing the win with an alley-oop lob against Washington, Del Pino was on the court for 15 minutes Wednesday. Though he finished without any points, he seems to have earned Williams’ trust and continues to operate the floor well from a distribution perspective.

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