2003 Outlook
One of the top high school pitchers in the state the past two seasons, Robbie Morrissey looks to find a niche on a talented Husker pitching staff. A two-time first-team All-Nebraska selection at Millard West High School, Morrissey is one of eight Omaha metro products on the Husker pitching staff this spring.

"Robbie is a young man who comes from one of the best programs in the state and enjoyed a lot of success in high school," Pitching Coach Rob Childress said. "He had some up-and-down days during the fall, but has shown progress and is a hard worker."

Morrissey made a pair of appearances during the Red-White Series, allowing three runs on five hits in four innings of work. After struggling in his first appearance, he closed the fall with a strong performance, striking out two in 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.

With 10 pitchers from last season?s roster returning this spring, Childress may have the luxury of redshirting the talented right-hander.

"We think that a redshirt season will benefit Robbie as well as our program," Childress said "The year will give us a chance to work on his delivery and make him more effective in the zone. He is someone we believe will have a promising future in our program."

Before Nebraska
A two-time first-team All-Nebraska selection by the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star, Morrissey was one of the state?s top two-way performers for Coach Frank Ryan, helping MWHS to state runner-up finishes in both 2000 and 2001. As a senior, he posted a 6-3 record and a 3.77 ERA, while ranking among the state leaders in strikeouts, whiffing 51 in 59 innings. He also batted .328 with 32 RBIs and 39 runs scored as Millard West?s starting shortstop. The No. 5 prospect in the state according to Baseball America/Prospects Plus, he also earned first-team all-state honors as a junior, going 8-1 with a 2.33 ERA, helping the Wildcats win a state-record 33 games before falling to Creighton Prep in the championship game. He struck out 50 in 45 innings, while batting .463.

Morrissey, who earned nine varsity letters in high school, also played football and basketball at Millard West. He was an all-metro selection in football, quarterbacking the Wildcats to a state title in 2001.

For his efforts, he was a Wendy?s High School Heisman nominee and was the B?inai B?rith Metro Student-Athlete of the Year. He also comes from an athletic family, as his mother, June, played three seasons of volleyball at Peru State.