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Photo Showcase: First day of baseball practice

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LINCOLN — At least for now, the plan is for Nebraska to start a true freshman at shortstop for the first time since 2008.

Ben Kline got the nod the last time NU started a freshman at shortstop.

Coach Darin Erstad, his philosophy built on hard work and rewarding high effort, is stressing that no position is solidified this early — NU started practice Friday and doesn't begin its season for three more weeks.

But after an impressive set of fall practice sessions, freshman Pat Kelly, from Red Wing, Minn., has emerged as the clear top option at shortstop.

"He has worked his tail off and has earned the right to start at short," Erstad said of Kelly. "He just came out and handled himself in a great manner."

Junior Chad Christensen took over as the team's starting shortstop midway through his freshman year and started all 55 games there in 2011. But he's moved to the outfield.

Niederklein moves to bullpen

Junior Tyler Niederklein, a 13-game starter last season, has moved to the bullpen and will likely be Nebraska's closer.

"He's got the best command on our staff, he can field his position very well and he's got a great mentality," Erstad said. "We took our best guy that we felt stood for what we wanted to do from a pitching standpoint, and he's going to be our closer."

But Erstad made sure not to rule out the possibility of Niederklein returning to the starter role at some point down the line.

The right-hander was arguably Nebraska's most consistent starter last season, going 8-3 with a 4.17 ERA. He threw more innings (69) than any other Husker.

Nebraska, however, is looking for a reliable bullpen replacement now than Casey Hauptman is no longer with the program. Last year, the senior workhorse had a 2.45 ERA, six wins and eight saves in relief. He also struck out 57 while walking just three.

No need to rush Lemke

Junior right-hander Tom Lemke hasn't fully recovered from offseason surgery, and Erstad said the staff will be careful not to rush him back.

Lemke was sidelined for a stretch of the 2011 season with an injury. Then he had surgery during the summer to remove blood clots from his shoulder. He didn't pitch during fall practices.

"When you have surgery, you have to build your strength back. He's in that process," Erstad said. "We've got to go at his pace."

Lemke, a projected weekend starter for NU, had a 5.29 ERA in 34 innings last season.

Bits and pieces

Christensen's been working at right field since the fall. It's a process, he said. "I'm just trying to do everything I can to make improvements." ... Senior Khiry Cooper, the two-sport athlete, didn't practice Friday because of a foot injury still lingering from football season. Erstad said there's no clear timetable for recovery at this point. ... Junior college transfer Richard Stock (back) will be out for a couple days, Erstad said.

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