2003 Outlook
Junior college transfer Matt Wells begins the spring as the top candidate to back up starting catcher John Grose. Wells comes to NU from Seward County (Kan.) Community College, where he batted .480 with impressive power numbers as a freshman.

The 5-11, 190-pounder continued to impress during the fall, batting .344, while leading NU in both hits (21) and doubles (eight) in 61 at-bats. Although he hit just .227 at the Red-White Series, four of his five hits went for extra bases, while he drove in a pair of runs in the series.

"Matt is a good offensive player who has shown that he can hit at every level he has played at," Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He is someone who could drive in runs for us at the bottom of the lineup.

"Coach (Andy) Sawyers worked extensively with Matt on his defense, and he was one of our most improved players defensively in the fall."

Before Nebraska
Wells was a starter for coaches Galen McSpadden and Mike Davison at Seward County Community College, helping the Saints to consecutive Jayhawk West Conference titles in 2001 and 2002.

After redshirting as a freshman, he helped the Saints to a No. 9 national ranking in 2002, leading SCCC with a .480 average with 11 homers and 40 RBIs. Wells was solid defensively, throwing out 30 percent of would-be baserunners. In the classroom, he also earned a spot on the Athletic Director?s honor roll.

At Columbine High School, he earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a junior and senior for Coach Robin Ortiz. As a junior, he hit .480 with eight homers and 45 RBIs before increasing his numbers to .520 with 11 round trippers and 55 RBIs in 2000. He was a teammate of NU junior outfielder Jesse Boyer at Columbine High School. Wells, who also lettered twice in tennis, earning all-conference honors as a sophomore, was selected to play in the state all-star game at Coors Field as a senior. He selected Nebraska over Kansas State, Iowa and Northern Iowa.