-- The Huskers opened up the game scoring runs in the first inning for the third time against Fresno. A very good sign!

-- Morris' first-inning homerun traveled approx. 370 feet over the right field wall

-- Fresno pitcher Zach Minor threw a good curve for strikes, but completely melted down against left handed batters

-- Phil Shirek's fastball was clocking in at 88-90 mph but had little movement

-- Eymann's hit in second probably could've been scored an error

-- Liese was clearly safe at second on stolen base attempt in the second inning

-- Eymann's fielding error in second was a smoking line shot and could been scored a hit

-- Steve Hale couldn't locate his fastball and never got curve untracked for consistant strikes. Don't worry about Stevie, though. He's tuff as nails and will be back. Besides, all series NU had trouble throwing the curve. It either didn't break, or broke at 58 feet.

-- Fresno had a very "funky" mound. The steep step off the rubber seemed to give a couple of Nebraskas pitchers trouble. After the game we tried to get a good look at it up close (and take a few pictures, of course), but Groundskeeper Willie wouldn't let us near it.

-- Once Burch got settled down (and got used to the mound), he threw strikes. His heavy fastball looked very good, and he was able to induce double plays when needed

-- Once the Huskers trailed for the first time in the series (6-3 in the second), you could see the fire in their eyes as they battled back to regain the lead and win the game

And now, since this was posted on a Monday, in the tradition of the Nebraska Sports Nightly radio program I'll give you the Good, Bad, and Ugly from game 3

The Good: Two of them. First, the pitching. What more can you say? One earned run in 27 innings, and only two total inning FSU scored in. WOW! A dynamite number one, an (re)emerging number two, and Burch pitching like a man possessed. And PLEASE don't count Shireks and Hales outings against them. I think if you take them off of that horrid mound, you'll see their real stuff. Secondly, the hitting. The bats are coming around, and FSU's pitchers were no slouches. It was good (GREAT!) to see Hopper break out. The Huskers will have to continue to improve in both areas to make a run at the conference championship. If NU can take at least two of three in Waco (two years ago they were swept), that would be fantastic.

The Bad: BB:K ratio. After ending the 2000 and 2001 seasons with a practically 1:1 walk to strike out ratio (349:389 in 2000; 363:350 in 2001), the Huskers entered the Fresno State series at 27:38. Tack on 5:4 in game one, 5:10 in game two, and 3:10 in game three and that makes for 40:62, or just over 1:1.5 You can bet Mike Anderson will be having a little "chat" with the Boys Of Spring about this

The Ugly: Again, two things. First, beer being served in the stadium until the eighth inning (and in football stadium during the season, too) and one Fresno State fan. After scoring a run in game one, the Jarhead waved his red N flag around (or "old trusty" as it's known). One fan behind us commented (or slurred) if we showed that flag again he was going to come down and "pop" us. We then proceded to get hit with sunflower seeds (not new ones mind you, the used kind) the whole game. Don't get me wrong, I think enjoying a beer during a game (in moderation) is as much apart of baseball as hotdogs and the 6-4-3 double play. But there is always that one idiot who lets the alcohol control him and feels compelled to act like a Colorado fan. It is really too bad, as besides this incident, we were shown nothing but hospitality and graciousness inside and outside the park; FSU fans are AWESOME and hopefully NU will look to renew this series, or get into the very prestigious Pepsi-Quik tournament held in Fresno every year in March (NU last participated in this in 1996)

Secondly, the way attendance is calculated. Again Saturday the number of general admission tickets sold was tacked onto the number of season ticket holders, making for a grossly over inflated total. Saturdays head count was listed at 2,973, which was probably at least 1,000-1,500 over actual (with approx 1/4 to 1/3 in scarlet, NOT Bulldog red). This probably isn't a true "ugly" point, but it makes me mad, anyway.

Well, that wraps up Game 3, look for an overall wrap up from me, The Freak later this week. And we'll see you at the home opener TOMORROW!!!