Nebraska Cornhuskers Baseball Meltdown Fueling Early Season Frustration
The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team has been embroiled in a chaotic, disastrous start to the 2025 season that is igniting frustration and even anger among fans and analysts alike. For a program historically known for its grit and determination, this early meltdown seems both shocking and avoidable. What was expected to be a season of growth has instead spiraled into an embarrassing series of blunders, highlighted by poor pitching, disjointed offense, and a defense that seems perpetually out of sync. If this trend continues, Nebraska could find itself not just on the outside of the postseason picture but deeply entrenched in a crisis of confidence.
The Cornhuskers opened the season with high expectations. Coming off a competitive year in 2024, they had assembled a talented roster, with seasoned veterans on the mound and a lineup capable of scoring in bunches. Yet, all that potential has crumbled under the pressure of unforgiving early-season games. In the first two weeks, Nebraska dropped key series to mid-tier teams that it should have easily handled. The most glaring issue has been the starting pitching, which has lacked both control and consistency. Senior ace, Ryan Johnson, once thought to be a sure-fire draft pick, has looked unrecognizable. His ERA has ballooned to a staggering 7.50, and his inability to locate his fastball has caused serious concern about his future at the professional level.
But it’s not just Johnson. The bullpen has been equally culpable, with relievers routinely giving up late-game leads or failing to close out crucial innings. In one of the more egregious moments, Nebraska surrendered a seven-run lead in the eighth inning during a home game against a non-conference opponent. The loss left fans in disbelief, wondering if the Cornhuskers were even the same team that had shown so much promise just months earlier.
Offensively, Nebraska has been inconsistent at best. The team has struggled to produce in clutch situations, often squandering scoring opportunities with careless base running and poor decision-making. Freshman shortstop Ethan Wright, touted as one of the best young talents to come through the program in years, has struggled to find his rhythm at the plate. His bat has been ice cold, with a batting average hovering around .170—far below expectations for someone with such high pedigree. The team’s power numbers have also been disappointing, as Nebraska has struggled to hit for extra bases, relying too much on small ball strategies that haven’t panned out against better competition.
Perhaps most frustrating for fans, however, has been the defensive lapses. Errors have piled up, and what could have been routine outs often end in unearned runs. The Cornhuskers’ defense, which was supposed to be a strength, has let down the pitchers time and time again. In a particularly painful series against an in-state rival, Nebraska committed a total of 12 errors over three games, leading to five unearned runs and a sweep at home. The inability to execute the fundamentals has left many questioning whether this team is mentally prepared for the challenges of a high-stakes season.
The frustration is reaching a boiling point. Fans, who typically pack Haymarket Park for every home game, have begun to voice their discontent on social media, with some even calling for a shake-up in the coaching staff. The Cornhuskers’ head coach, Will Bolt, is no stranger to pressure, having taken over the program in 2020 and working hard to build a competitive team. However, with the early-season struggles, some are already suggesting that Bolt might not be the right leader to take this team to the next level. In the world of college baseball, impatience often trumps long-term vision, and while Bolt’s track record has been decent, the mounting frustrations could soon reach a breaking point.
Nebraska has not seen a postseason appearance since 2017, and if these early struggles continue, that drought will extend another year. While it’s still early in the season, the Cornhuskers are teetering on the edge of a meltdown that could stain the program for years to come. If Bolt doesn’t find a way to right the ship, Nebraska’s season could spiral out of control, and the frustrations of an already-furious fanbase will only grow.
