Huskers dismiss shortstop Wehrle
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By CURT McKEEVER / Lincoln Journal Star
The Nebraska baseball team’s weekend ended like it started — with a loss.
No, there wasn’t a game at Haymarket Park Sunday afternoon. Because of a soppy field and the threat of more rain, officials canceled the Huskers’ series finale against 18th-ranked Coastal Carolina. But NU coach Mike Anderson did announce that he’d dismissed preseason All-America shortstop Ryan Wehrle from the team.
On Friday, Wehrle had been pulled from an 8-3 loss to the Chanticleers after flying out to end the sixth inning, then sent to the clubhouse. He was not in uniform for Saturday’s 5-4 loss, because Anderson had told him that morning he was no longer a part of the program.
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But Anderson essentially slept on his decision before making it public Sunday.
“The issues that needed to be resolved were mine more than anything else, not his,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure.“
On Saturday, Anderson said a combination of things led to Wehrle’s dismissal. As a freshman, Wehrle had been ticketed for DWI and given a three-game suspension. That’s the only known legal incident Wehrle’s had since he’s been at Nebraska, but Anderson tried to make it clear Sunday that he’d been lenient with some other unspecified issues involving the Papillion-La Vista graduate.
He even went so far as to admit regret for giving Wehrle numerous opportunities to meet his expectations.
“I wouldn’t say it came to a head,” Anderson said of the situation. “Really what it is, I finally made that decision. I finally made that decision after many, many, many, many, many times.“
Last season, Wehrle hit .367 and led Nebraska in four other offensive categories while earning third-team All-America recognition, then was an 18th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds.
He opted to turn down a six-figure signing bonus to return to NU, but missed fall practice after having knee surgery and was unable to regain his form of 2006. Wehrle, who started 42 of Nebraska’s 45 games this season, was hitting just .241 and had more strikeouts (23) than RBIs (18).
Reached Sunday evening, Wehrle said Anderson had criticized him for not playing hard on Friday. The two talked briefly again on Saturday, but Wehrle said he came away confused about why he was being dismissed.
Sue and Craig Wehrle expressed disappointment that things couldn’t work out differently, but were optimistic about their son’s future. Wehrle is hoping to begin his professional career this summer, but said he’d welcome playing at another college next season if the draft doesn’t work out.
Anderson admitted it wasn’t easy to part ways with Wehrle, but noted the situation had become enough of a distraction that some players had approached him about it.
“We’ve had situations this year — not talking about Ryan Wehrle — that are difficult,” said Anderson, alluding to his suspending four players and dismissing pitcher Mike Harmelink for legal issues earlier this season. “If you know our program and you know what I’m trying to do with kids, (removing a player from the program is) always difficult.“
Without Wehrle, Nebraska will likely turn to junior Craig Corriston to handle the bulk of the shortstop duties. Corriston, who’s started 32 games at third base, was scheduled to start at shortstop Sunday. Jake Mort, who was out for nearly a month, started at third on Saturday and figures to split time with Jeff Tezak, who’s been the designated hitter in 29 games.
“There’s never good timing to have stuff like this happen,” said second baseman Jake Opitz, a close friend of Wehrle. “It’s something we’ve got to overcome. Obviously, he’s a great player.“
Nebraska (25-20) has seven regular-season games remaining, including Big 12 series against Baylor this weekend and at Kansas May 18-20. The Huskers also play Creighton at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium on May 15.
Reach Curt McKeever at 473-7441 or cmckeever@journalstar.com.
