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LINCOLN — It could have been the NCAA suspension. Or maybe it was the ailing shoulder that ultimately required surgery. Or perhaps Nebraska's coaching change.

At some point last year, former Husker pitcher Logan Ehlers lost his passion for baseball.

He realized he needed a fresh start, something to revive his competitive spirit after an adversity-filled start to his collegiate career.

This is why Ehlers said he left NU last fall and transferred to Howard Junior College in Big Spring, Texas, where the talented lefty's back on the mound hurling 92 mph fastballs — he's even hit 94 a couple of times — and enjoying every minute of it.

"It just seemed like baseball became a chore, and that was absolutely the last thing I wanted," said Ehlers, who's been at Howard College for nearly three weeks. "The (Howard) coaches made me feel at home, made me feel wanted. It was a no-brainer. I love it."

The former Nebraska City standout speaks with enthusiasm these days, his tone of voice containing a certain energy that seemed lacking in 2011.

Ehlers had lofty expectations for his freshman season after getting selected in the MLB draft's eighth round and turning down a reported six-figure signing bonus.

But in March, he learned that the NCAA was suspending him for 60 percent of 2011 for using an adviser to help negotiate a deal. He served a separate three-game suspension a month later — issued by then-coach Mike Anderson — after he was ticketed for minor in possession.

Then his throwing shoulder started hurting. The pain came in May. Ehlers pitched anyway.

By the time he had surgery in July, because the cartilage between his AC joint and collarbone needed repair, he'd hit rock bottom.

Anderson, who had recruited Ehlers, had been fired in May. Darin Erstad was hired 11 days later.

"You're sitting there and you can't move your arm. . I thought many times, absolutely, about giving up, just call it quits," Ehlers said. "But I love this game. God gave me a gift to throw a baseball. I realized that."

Ehlers' parents helped encourage him. He got in contact with two Howard coaches, Britt Smith and J. Bob Thomas. He finished his fall semester at Nebraska.

"I learned not to give up on things," he said. "I just got through it."

Ehlers said he holds no hard feelings toward the new NU coaching staff or the Huskers, who open the 2012 season with their first practice Friday. He has no regrets, either. He's ready for this new chapter.

Howard's season starts with a doubleheader against Frank Phillips College on Feb. 2. Ehlers can play immediately. He'll be eligible for the draft this summer, too.

But he's not guaranteed any playing time. Howard, which won the NJCAA national title in 2009, has at least six pitchers in contention for weekend starting spots, according to Smith.

Ehlers, listed at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, is working to slim down a bit. He's developed new stretching habits to increase flexibility. He's added a change-up to his arsenal.

"I'm not going to lie: I want to be able to get into the draft again. I want to play pro ball," Ehlers said. "But I came down here to work hard and help this team win. We want to dominate."

• NOTES: Former Husker outfielder Tanner Krietemeier has transferred to Iowa Western. He didn't practice with the NU team in the fall. Krietemeier, from Castle Rock, Colo., started 18 games as a freshman in 2011, batting .154. ... Catcher Colton Bickerstaff, who didn't play last season for NU, will join Ehlers at Howard. Others not listed on NU's updated 2012 roster include infielder Ryan Richardson (did not play in 2011), outfielder Pat Hirschberg (nine games), pitcher Nick Dolsky (seven appearances) and pitcher Tyler Lansangan (one appearance). ... Freshmen Taylor Anderson, William Polley, Kevin Terry and Jorden Mossey each signed to play baseball at Nebraska last year, but they aren't on the NU roster.

Contact the writer:

402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com

twitter.com/JonNyatawa

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