Baseball Weekend Preview: College of Charleston

NEBRASKA (0-0) AT COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (0-0)

Friday, 3 p.m.: RHP Colton Howell (2-4, 2.08 ERA in 2015) vs. RHP Nathan Helvey (7-4, 2.84)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: RHP Garett King (4-1, 3.55) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (10-3, 1.52 ERA in 2014; redshirted in 2015)

Sunday, 10 a.m.: TBA vs. RHP Hayden McCutcheon (1-2, 5.26)

***All games will be broadcast on AM 590 in Omaha and AM 1400 in Lincoln

***College of Charleston went 45-15 last season and advanced to the postseason, losing the Florida State in the regional stage.

***The Cougars are under new leadership this season as Matt Heath, the team's pitching coach for the past five seasons, takes over the program's helm.

***College of Charleston had plenty of power last season as the team launched 75 home runs. However, the Cougars return just five position starters from last season and have 18 newcomers.

Howell's starting debut: Colton Howell has yet to start a game at Nebraska, and his first test won't be an easy one. After finding himself as a shutdown reliever last season, Howell moved to the starting rotation and will make the season-opening start Friday afternoon. Howell's fastball/slider combination is lethal, but has he developed that third pitch a starter needs to be successful? And where will his stamina be after three years in the bullpen?

Replacing key offensive pieces: Nebraska's offense was far from dominant last season and now it's without the services of Tanner Lubach, Blake Headley and Austin Darby, a trio that combined for 173 hits and 91 RBIs last season. Golden Spikes Watch List member Ryan Boldt will be relied upon heavily, and the Huskers will need sophomores Luis Alvarado, Scott Screiber and Elijah Dilday to take big steps forward.

Who starts the Sunday game?: The fact that Darin Erstad has so far left the Sunday spot open means no one has separated themselves from the pack. With Derek Burkamper suspended for a violation of team rules, someone will have to step forward and assume the role. There are a number of young arms fighting to get that chance, but apparently none stood out enough in Erstad's mind. If he doesn't feel truly comfortable with any of his options, Erstad could go with the bullpen brigade approach in the series finale.

***Reliever Jeff Chesnut has a shot at breaking the all-time appearances record at Nebraska. Chesnut has pitched in 62 career games, including 31 last season, leaving him 26 short of topping Steve Hale's mark of 87 appearances (1999-2003).

***Boldt needs 51 hits this season to reach 200 in his career. He would be the 24th player in school history to reach the plateau and just one of 15 to do it in three seasons.