The familiar sights and sounds of baseball are back for Nebraska.

The Huskers open the 2026 season Friday night at the MLB Desert Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona, beginning a four-game stretch at Major League spring training facilities. Nebraska opens against UConn on Friday, followed by games against Northeastern on Saturday, Grand Canyon on Sunday and Stanford on Monday.

“I think the beginning of last year it was more like, ‘What can I do to help myself out?’ instead of doing anything I can for the team,” Nebraska pitcher Ty Horn said. “I think I kind of figured that out toward the end of last year.”

Horn will get the opening-night start as Nebraska begins the season away from home for the second straight year. The Huskers practiced outdoors this week at Haymarket Park with unseasonably warm February temperatures, a welcome change before playing the first three weeks of the season on natural grass.

“We’ve been over at Gordon Field over at Sandhills, which is a blessing,” Nebraska coach Will Bolt said. “But to be able to be out here — we’re going to be playing here in less than a month — you see the ball fly, the dimensions of our own field, and the fact that we’re going to play on natural surfaces for the first three weeks of the season. Just getting back here, dirt and grass.”

Bolt said the early practices have allowed the team to settle into game conditions ahead of the season opener.

“This week looks beautiful. Obviously, today’s a blessing in terms of how warm it is,” Bolt said. “That part of it, I’m excited to see the chemistry of the entire group playing together come about. These guys are about the right stuff. Their conversations are about the right things, and how they prepare is the right way.”

Nebraska features several newcomers, including infielder Jett Buck, who said the team is eager to face outside competition after weeks of preseason work.

“We’re ready to go,” Buck said. “We feel good. We look good. I’m excited to see what we’re able to do on the field.”

All four games of the Desert Classic will be played at Major League Baseball spring training facilities, giving Nebraska an early-season test against a diverse group of opponents.

First pitch against UConn is set for Friday night.