Diamond Notes

• Started games at first base (1), second base (5), right field (1) and designated hitter (1) in 2002
• Played for his father, Ray Birmingham, at New Mexico Junior College in 2001
• Began his collegiate career at Wichita State in 2000 before heading to New Mexico Junior College

2003 Outlook
Senior Josh Birmingham brings a veteran presence to the Husker roster. Last season, the Hobbs, N.M., product started at four different positions and also served as NU?s backup catcher. According to the coaching staff, Birmingham has great baseball savvy and knows how to do the little things to help the Huskers win.

"The thing Josh brings to the table is his versatility," Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He is a fundamentally sound player who can play several positions for us. We used him as our utility player last season, and he gives us a lot of depth, especially at the middle infield spots."

Although he batted just .190 during the Red-White Series, Birmingham led the victorious Red squad with seven runs scored and also stole a series-best three bases. A middle infielder by trade, Birmingham worked at both shortstop and second base during the fall and will provide depth at both positions.

2002 - Junior
Birmingham served as NU?s utility player in his first season as a Husker. Although he made just eight starts, Birmingham started at four different positions (1B, 2B, RF and DH), while also serving as NU?s emergency catcher. He batted .227 with 11 RBIs in 44 at-bats, while he ranked fifth on the squad with four sacrifice flies.

He finished the year with three multi-hit games, going 2-for-5 with an RBI in his first career start against No.15 Wake Forest on Feb. 17. He also had two hits and an RBI double in a win over No. 14 Baylor - his only hits in 10 at-bats in Big 12 play - and went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs in a win over Texas-Pan American on April 23. He drove in a season-best three runs against Western Illinois on March 27.

After going hitless in a pair of at-bats against Marist in NCAA Regional play, Birmingham came off the bench to replace Matt Hopper at first base against Richmond in the Super Regional after Hopper suffered a season-ending injury. Birmingham went 1-for-2 in his final appearance of the season.

Before Nebraska
Playing for his father, Ray Birmingham at New Mexico Junior College, Josh enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2001. He hit .430, an average that ranked 19th nationally, with 10 home runs, leading the Thunderbirds to a nation-leading .436 team batting average. Birmingham was also a stellar defensive player, earning all-tournament honors at the Region V Tournament and the Triple Crown Classic in Tucson, Ariz.

Birmingham spent his freshman season at Wichita State, helping the Shockers to a 44-21 record and an NCAA Regional appearance. He appeared in nine games and batted .125 as a reserve middle infielder.

In high school, he played for Coach Scott Richardson at Hobbs High School, earning all-district honors in his last three seasons at the school. As a senior, he was selected to the New Mexico North-South All-Star game after helping his team to a state playoff appearance. He enjoyed his best day in a doubleheader against Roswell, going 10-for-10 with four homers, three doubles, two singles and a triple. Off the diamond, he was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors. Birmingham selected NU over Texas A&M.

Year       AVG  GP-GS    AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR RBI  BB  SO  SB-ATT

2002....  .227  29-8     44   7  10   2   0   0  11   6  13   0-1

TOTALS..  .227  29-8     44   7  10   2   0   0  11   6  13   0-1