SE Atlanta News

Spencer Schwellenbach recently learned he would be making his third big league start when the Braves traveled to Camden Yards this week. Around the same time, Cade Povich was informed by the Orioles that his second big league start would come during the three-game series against Atlanta. The former University of Nebraska teammates were set to face off as opposing starting pitchers on the same night.

"Last week, when I was told I was pitching, and then about roughly when he was told he was going to pitch next, it seemed like it was a possibility that it might line up," Povich said. "And it has."

On Wednesday night, two former Cornhuskers took the mound, with Povich (the Orioles’ No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline) making his home debut and Schwellenbach (Braves’ No. 3 prospect) starting for Atlanta. Many Nebraska fans across the nation likely tuned in from afar.

Povich delivered six scoreless innings and recorded six strikeouts in Baltimore’s 4-2 win. Meanwhile, Schwellenbach turned in his first career quality start, allowing only two runs in six innings while striking out three.

Cornhuskers head coach Will Bolt had planned to travel to see both Povich and Schwellenbach pitch at some point this summer. It made sense for him to cross them off his list at once.

“To be able to come to one spot and see them both -- and [for the] first time in school history for that to happen -- pretty special and what a cool thing,” Bolt said. “They were playing for us three years ago, and now they’re in the big leagues.”

After the game, Povich and Schwellenbach met on the field and swapped signed jerseys. They also took pictures with Bolt and other members of Nebraska’s staff who were in attendance.

“When he's on the mound, you know what you're going to get,” Schwellenbach said of Povich. “Tonight, he threw really well, as he always does."

“It was just awesome,” Povich said of Wednesday’s Cornhuskers reunion. “A special moment.”

Neither Povich nor Schwellenbach had an orthodox path to the Majors.

Povich was undersized for much of his early baseball career but later grew into a formidable pitcher after attending South Mountain Community College in Phoenix before joining Nebraska under Bolt's coaching.

Meanwhile, Schwellenbach started his career as a shortstop at Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan before transitioning into a pitcher during his junior year at Nebraska.

Schwellenbach underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted by Atlanta with the No. 59 pick in 2021 but quickly progressed through Minor League levels before being called up by Atlanta late last May.

Povich logged significant innings across various Minor League levels before being called up by Baltimore last week where he allowed six runs over 5 1/3 innings against Toronto.

“Incredibly proud, and not surprised," Bolt said regarding their success. "I think they’ve both got what it takes to stick at this level.”