How to Watch Nebraska Baseball in the MLB Desert Invitational: A Preview, Breakdown, TV & Streaming Guide
As the winter calendar turns and February arrives, the 2026 college baseball season is on the horizon. Despite a strong showing in 2025, with a second-straight NCAA Regional appearance, Nebraska's baseball team and head coach Will Bolt have their work cut out for them. The Huskers will be looking to prove themselves once again, especially after a disappointing 1-2 record in the regionals, a far cry from their 2021 performance when they were just one game away from a Super Regional and a showdown with Arkansas.
The team returns around 50% of its production from last season, blending veteran returners with impact transfers and homegrown recruits. Three of the four starters in NU's opening weekend rotation are back, along with Dylan Carey, Case Sanderson, Joshua Overbeek, and Devin Nunez. Additionally, Preseason All-American Third Team selection and Miami (OH) transfer Cooper Katskee is set to make a difference as a starter, while true freshman Jeter Worthley is expected to shine as a first-year catcher.
Nebraska's roster is stacked with talent, and their fourth-place ranking in the Big Ten preseason poll is a testament to that. The Huskers will be heading south to start the season against stiff competition as part of the MLB Desert Invitational, a trend for Bolt's teams in recent seasons.
Here's a breakdown of how to follow along with Nebraska's games in the MLB Desert Invitational:
Game Schedule
Game 1
- Matchup: Nebraska (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. UConn (0-0, 0-0 BIG EAST)
- Date: Friday, February 13
- Location: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Time: 7 p.m. CST
- Streaming: MLB Network (https://www.mlb.com/video)
- Radio: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates (https://huskers.com/listen)
Game 2
- Matchup: Nebraska (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Northeastern (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
- Date: Saturday, February 14
- Location: Sloan Park, Mesa, Ariz.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. CST
- Streaming: MLB.com (https://www.mlb.com/video)
- Radio: Huskers Radio Network (https://huskers.com/listen) and Affiliates
Game 3
- Matchup: Nebraska (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Grand Canyon (0-0, 0-0 MW)
- Date: Sunday, February 15
- Location: Sloan Park, Mesa, Ariz.
- Time: 6:30 p.m. CST
- Streaming: MLB.com (https://www.mlb.com/video)
- Radio: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates (https://huskers.com/listen)
Game 4
- Matchup: Nebraska (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Stanford (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
- Date: Monday, February 16
- Location: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Time: 2 p.m. CST
- Streaming: MLB.com (https://www.mlb.com/video)
- Radio: Huskers Radio Network (https://huskers.com/listen) and Affiliates
Probable Pitchers
All stats are from the 2025 season.
Friday
- Nebraska: RHP Ty Horn, Jr. (4-4, 4.94 ERA, 85.2 IP, 76 SO, 32 BB)
- UConn: LHP Charlie West, Jr. (6-0, 2.58 ERA, 52.1 IP, 59 SO, 34 BB)
Saturday
- Nebraska: RHP Carson Jasa, R-Soph. (2-2, 8.68 ERA, 18.2 IP, 24 SO, 19 BB)
- Northeastern: RHP Andrew Wertz (4-1, 1.33 ERA, 27.0 IP, 38 SO, 14 BB)
Sunday
- Nebraska: RHP Cooper Katskee, R-Jr. (11-2, 3.08 ERA, 84.2 IP, 70 SO, 30 BB)
- Grand Canyon: TBA
Monday
- Nebraska: RHP Gavin Blachowicz, Soph. (3-0, 3.80 ERA, 21.1 IP, 22 SO, 14 BB)
- Stanford: TBA
Series Histories
UConn
- UConn leads 2-1
- Friday's game marks the first showdown between the teams outside of postseason play. They split games in the 2019 Oklahoma City Regional.
Northeastern
- Nebraska leads 1-0
- The teams have faced each other only once, at the 2021 Fayetteville Regional, where Nebraska won 8-6.
Grand Canyon
- Nebraska leads 3-2
- The series began in 2024, with their last meeting in the opening weekend last season, where Grand Canyon beat No. 23 Nebraska 3-1.
Stanford
- Stanford leads 6-2
- The teams haven't met since the 2008 season-opening series, where Stanford took two of three games.
Opponent Scout
UConn
- Last Season: 38-21 (17-4 BIG EAST); Did not qualify for the postseason.
- Head Coach: Jim Penders (773-496-6, 23rd season)
- All-Conference Returners: SS Rob Rispoli (1st) | 1B Tyler Minick (2nd)
- BIG EAST Preseason Poll: 1st
Northeastern
- Last Season: 49-11 (25-2 CAA); Lost in Tallahassee Regional
- Head Coach: Mike Glavine (357-222-1, 12th season)
- All-Conference Returners: OF Harrison Feinberg (All-American, Co-Player OTY, 1st) | Carmelo Musacchia (HM)
- CAA Preseason Poll: 1st in North Division
Grand Canyon
- Last Season: 31-27 (13-11); Did not qualify for the postseason
- Head Coach: Gregg Wallis (104-73, 4th season)
- All-Conference Returners: None
- Mountain West Preseason Poll: 6th
Stanford
- Last Season: 27-25 (11-19 ACC); Did not qualify for the postseason
- Head Coach: David Esquer (275-150, 9th season)
- All-Conference Returner: OF Tatum Marsh (All-Freshman)
- ACC Preseason Poll: 10th
Outlook
The opponents are strong, and the on-paper matchups are impressive. Nebraska's toughest challenge in Arizona will likely come early against the BIG EAST favorite, UConn. UConn missed out on an NCAA Regional berth due to losing the BIG EAST Tournament championship, and they bring back all-conference players Rob Rispoli and Tyler Minick. Northeastern is a favorite in the Coastal Athletic Conference, with one of the best players in the country, Harrison Feinberg.
Grand Canyon and Stanford are projected to finish in the middle or bottom half of their conferences, which could set up well for Nebraska if the first two games go as planned. Overall, this weekend provides a great opportunity for the Huskers to test their mettle and prepare for a potentially challenging season ahead, including a showdown with No. 8 Louisville and No. 16 Florida State in Texas, followed by a visit to No. 9 Auburn.
