The Nebraska baseball team's season is officially over. For many Husker players and fans, it ended quite a bit too early. On Saturday night, it looked as though the Cornhuskers were going to be in the driver's seat for winning a regional. They had a 5-4 lead heading into the ninth inning. Then the bullpen exploded and the Oklahoma State Cowboys managed to come from behind and salvage a victory.
Flash forward to Sunday and the Huskers knew they needed to find a way to bounce back. Instead, they went into their elimination game against UCONN as flat as they've been all season.
That led to a 15-1 loss to the Huskies that ended up being their worst regional loss in 40 years.
Nebraska baseball seniors saying goodbye
With the season over in a way that many of the players couldn't have envisioned, it was time to say goodbye. Shortstop Angelo Altavilla was one of the first to voice his thoughts on social media after the loss.
"Through the ups and downs, I couldn’t be more thankful and appreciative for everything that’s happened. To my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and Husker Nation - thank you for letting this kid from Minnesota live out a childhood dream. GBR forever and always."
Through the ups and downs, I couldn’t be more thankful and appreciative for everything that’s happened. To my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and Husker Nation - thank you for letting this kid from Minnesota live out a childhood dream. GBR forever and always. pic.twitter.com/Oy3tiUfm5T
— Angelo Altavilla (@gelo_villa7) June 2, 2019
Another senior, Nate Fisher was the next Nebraska baseball player to thank the fans and the program for all they had given him.
Both players had a large role in what the Huskers were able to accomplish this year. That included the ups and downs the Cornhuskers had. Fisher spent most of the season as the Saturday starter, though he got the ball for Friday's regional opener.
"I’ll forever be thankful for the past five years spent as a Husker. Thank you to everyone for all the love and support, I wouldn’t trade this ride for the world.
Coach Erstad, thank you for giving a small town Nebraska kid a chance and letting him live out his dreams."
I’ll forever be thankful for the past 5 years spent as a Husker. Thank you to everyone for all the love and support, I wouldn’t trade this ride for the world. Coach Erstad, thank you for giving a small town Nebraska kid a chance and letting him live out his dreams. #GBR pic.twitter.com/8XqRtrjIlC
— Nate Fisher (@Nate_Fish18) June 2, 2019
Alex Henwood also offered his thoughts on the end of his baseball career.
His message wasn't quite as long as some of the others, but he clearly understood what the end of his career meant.
"I’ve given the game of baseball so much, and yet it's given me so much more. Thank you to everyone for the unwavering love and support. It never went unnoticed"
I’ve given the game of baseball so much, and yet it’s give me so much more. Thank you to everyone for the unwavering love and support. It never went unnoticed. #GBR
— Alex Henwood (@henwood_alex) June 2, 2019
Youngster weighs in
While most of the Nebraska baseball players who sent out post-season messages were seniors who were seeing the end of their college baseball careers come to an end. One young player, who was instrumental in the success the team had was Cam Chick.
The freshman had a big role and it was clear he understands that the passing of the baton was officially underway from some of the older players whose careers with Nebraska baseball were officially over. "Freshman year. Thank you Husker Nation for making it so memorable, there really is no place like Nebraska"
Freshman year✔️ Thank you Husker Nation for making it so memorable, there really is no place like Nebraska #GBR pic.twitter.com/p9BxOK4N9R
— Cameron Chick (@CChick_13) June 3, 2019