Nebraska baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more
Nebraska baseball continued its resurgence under coach Will Bolt this year. The Cornhuskers finished second in the Big Ten regular season with a 16-8 conference record. They won the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2005 and the fifth time in the program's history.
These performances ensured they made the postseason for the first time since 2021. Although they were seeded second in the Stillwater Regional, the Cornhuskers were the first team eliminated from the tournament following successive losses to the Florida Gators and the Niagara Purple Eagles.
On Tuesday, Bolt signed a new five-year contract with an annual salary of $500,000. Bolt and his staff have work to do in the off-season to strengthen his roster ahead of next year.
Let's preview Nebraska ahead of the 2025 NCAA baseball season.
3 key games for Nebraska baseball in the 2025 season
1. Omaha Mavericks
The Cornhuskers and the Mavericks take each other on in a non-consecutive series each year. Although the Cornhuskers are far ahead in their head-to-head, the Mavericks upset them in a three-game series in 2023. Nebraska will try to avoid slipping up to the Mavericks in 2025.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes
Nebraska got one over their rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes, by clinching a three-game home series this year. While the Hawkeyes finished fourth in the Big Ten regular season with a 14-10 conference record, they will be keen to bounce back in 2025, making them a threat to Nebraska.
3. Creighton Bluejays
The Bluejays and the Cornhuskers share a rivalry that has gone on for over a century. Although both teams are in different conferences, they play in a non-consecutive series each year.
The Bluejays won all three games against them last season. Nebraska will look to get back at them, which could ruin Ed Servais' final season as the Bluejays coach.
Key players for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2025
1. Cael Frost, OF
Nebraska picked up Frost from the transfer portal in June. He impressed for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits this year, hitting 10 home runs and 34 RBIs with an average of .387 in 27 games.
With Josh Caron being picked in this year's MLB draft, Frost could be Nebraska's hitter to shore up their offense in 2025.
2. Mason McConnaughey, RHP
McConnaughey excelled on the mound for the Huskers in his sophomore season this year. He finished the season 9-3 while striking out 91 hitters with an ERA of 3.45 in 73.0 innings.
With Brett Sears selected by the Atlanta Braves in this year's draft, McConnaughey could be the weekend starter for the Huskers in 2025.
3. Case Sanderson, INF
Sanderson impressed in his freshman season for the Huskers this year. He hit three home runs and 26 RBI in 54 games, with his .338 batting average ranking second among all Huskers hitters.
His potential to make at-bats count could be an exciting part of the Huskers' offense next year.
Predicting Nebraska Cornhuskers' 2025 season
The Cornhuskers will be among the frontrunners for the Big Ten regular season title next year, possibly challenging the Illinois Fighting Illini for the top spot. While their chances of retaining the Big Ten Tournament title depend on the fitness of their players, they should make the postseason for the second year in a row.
However, given the challenge posed by top teams from conferences like the ACC and the SEC, they are unlikely to go beyond the NCAA Regionals.