The Hastings Sodbusters are three days away from the start of its season. With so little time from now until first pitch on June 26, they have needed to work quickly.

Sodbusters general manager Scott Galusha said opening the gate at Duncan Field and seeing his players run onto the field was quite special.

"It was a little emotional to be quite honest with you. When I got the chance to unlock those gates and see the guys run out yesterday was pretty good," Galusha said.

The Sodbusters have held two practices as of June 23. With opening day on the horizon, the players know the start of the season will be challenging.

"Everybody was in a little bit of a different situation. Guys like me, I didn't have a mound," Nebraska right-handed pitcher Trey Kissack said. "I was able to throw and play catch with my brother but I wasn't able to get off a mound and really get to work."

"We're all going to be a little rusty. I mean that's natural. Every baseball player across the country is in the same boat right now," Nebraska infielder Shay Schanaman said. "So, we can't make any excuses coming out. We just have to give it our all like we do every game."

Everyone on the roster has not played in a competitive game in months. Needless to say, they are all itching to take the diamond on Friday.

"When we get to baseball that's when the fun part starts. So, all the work that, not just me, but our entire staff have put in the last nine months... it will be very rewarding for me to see everybody's hard work actually happen," Galusha said.

The Sodbusters open up their season against the Fremont Moo at Duncan Field for a three-game series. First pitch set for 6:35 p.m. on Friday, June 26.

https://www.ksnblocal4.com/content/news/Hastings-Sodbusters-breaking-off-rust-with-opening-day-on-the-horizon-571453741.html