That Nebraska's 2019 recruiting class has contributed heavily to the Huskers' success this season perhaps shouldn't be a surprise.
Considered a top-40 group nationally by most college baseball outlets, and the top class in the Big Ten by , NU's incoming freshmen also knew they were coming into a situation in which Nebraska was trying to rebound from a disappointing 2018 season.
There were opportunities to be had, and much of the group has taken advantage.
"I think it's our urge to win and succeed," shortstop Spencer Schwellenbach said. "We're all competitors, and I feel like we all try our hardest in practice to show our coaches we can play, and I think (NU coach Darin Erstad) has done a good job of giving us a chance."
Schwellenbach, Colby Gomes and a host of others have seized on those chances.Â
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A 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Saginaw, Michigan, Schwellenbach has settled in as Nebraska's everyday shortstop while batting at the top of the Huskers' order.
After being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 34th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Schwellenbach came to Lincoln and started his career with a seven-game hitting streak as part of an opening stretch that saw him collect hits in 12 of his first 14 college games.
Despite missing three weeks and 11 games with an ankle injury he has since returned from, the 2018 Michigan Mr. Baseball is still third on the team with 30 total hits.
"Spencer's good at the game of baseball. Let's leave it at that," Gomes said. "It hurt me when I saw him get hurt. He's a huge part of our team, obviously. He's our starting shortstop. He can do literally anything you ask him to do."
Gomes has done plenty, as well. The 6-5, 225-pound Millard West product has turned into a productive two-way player for NU. He's locked down a spot as Nebraska's weekend closer, and when he's not pitching, he owns a .995 fielding percentage at first base. At the plate, he has hits in 13 of his last 17 games.
But his bread and butter is on the mound. He has eight of Nebraska's 11 saves, and hasn't allowed a run since giving up five in a Feb. 24 game against defending national champion Oregon State. In fact, that appearance against the Beavers is the only one of Gomes' 10 this season in which he's given up a run.
"The preparation in the fall was huge for both of us. We both came in looking to play the infield, and I think he really made a statement that he could be a really good first baseman, and he’s done a really good job there scooping a bunch of balls for us and keeping the errors down, which is huge," Schwellenbach said. "And he’s always getting the timely hit for us and driving in a big run."
While Schwellenbach and Gomes are the stars of the group, other freshmen have made important contributions. Shay Schanaman has two saves and a 1.54 ERA. Cam Chick got a chance when Schwellenbach was injured, and played so well he earned more time in the lineup. Kyle Perry, Tyler Martin and Bo Blessie have also contributed.
"First off, you've got to be able to control your emotions. And you have some level of understanding about how the game works. There's a lot of stuff that goes on; it can get pretty fast in college," Erstad said. "And you've just, you've got to really love it. I think they love playing, and you see them doing things in games you can't teach. And that comes with knowing the game and having a feeling for it."