Tuesday Morning Sports – Husker Baseball Wins with Everitt’s Heroics, Koster Hits Transfer Portal, Amy Williams Sports Nightly Comments, Casey Thompson Podcast Comments, Storm Sign Defenseman, Local Sports Schedule

HUSKER BASEBALL NOTCHES HOME OPENER WIN IN FINAL MOMENTS:

The Nebraska baseball team mustered a response Monday afternoon in its home opener.

Griffin Everitt homered twice, the second a go-ahead, two-run shot in the seventh inning, before delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth as the Huskers rallied to beat Omaha 6-5 at Haymarket Park.

After mustering just three hits in Sunday’s 4-3 loss in Omaha, which ended with a walk-off hit from the Mavericks, NU coach Will Bolt described his team as “weak” in responding to adversity, and Nebraska’s players held a team meeting Sunday night.

The results didn’t come immediately on Monday, but there was at least movement in the proper direction.

Nebraska returns to Haymarket Park on Tuesday to take on New Mexico State at 6:30 PM with pregame starting at 6 PM on KGFW. 

FORMER BEARCAT, LOPER KOSTER HITS TRANSFER FROM SOUTH DAKOTA:

After receiving his degree from the University of South Dakota at semester’s end, the all-time leading scorer in Kearney High basketball history Kanon Koster will be hitting the transfer portal. 

Koster will have two years remaining of eligibility. Koster took his talents to UNK his freshman season where he led the Lopers in scoring, then transferring to Division I South Dakota for the previous two seasons.

SPORTS NIGHTLY: NEBRASKA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AMY WILLIAMS COMMENTS:

WILLIAMS – GONZAGA IS A CHALLENGING FIRST ROUND

Head Coach of the Nebraska Women’s Basketball team Amy Williams joined Sports Nightly on Monday to preview the Huskers NCAA Tournament run this week. Williams added that her team was not flustered with their selection as a lower-than-expected seeding… 

The Huskers battle Gonzaga on Friday at 2:30 PM with pregame coverage beginning at 2:15 PM on KGFW.

WILLIAMS – REFRESHING TO FACE NEW TEAMS

Amy Williams, Head Coach of the Nebraska Women’s Basketball team, joined Sports Nightly on Monday and spoke on the Huskers’ excitement to face some new teams after facing mainly conference opponents for the past two seasons… 

The Huskers were placed into the Wichita bracket with first contests being played at No. 1 seed host Louisville. Nebraska is placed at No. 8 and takes on No. 9 Gonzaga on Friday. 

WILLIAMS – HUSKERS CONTINUE TO BELIEVE

Head Coach of the NCAA Tournament bound Husker Women’s basketball team Amy Williams joined Sports Nightly on Monday and spoke about how her team continues to believe in their ability to compete on the national stage… 

Nebraska faces No. 9 seed Gonzaga on Friday, with the winner likely taking on No. 1 Louisville on Sunday. 

CASEY THOMPSON: BUSSIN’ WITH THE BOYS PODCAST COMMENTS:

THOMPSON – FIRST CALL IN PORTAL WENT TO ADRIAN MARTINEZ

Former Texas quarterback and Husker transfer Casey Thompson spoke on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast hosted by former Blackshirt Will Compton last week, and spoke about his transfer portal process. The former Longhorn explains that one of his first decisions when looking at a new school was to call a former Husker… 

Thompson picked Nebraska over the likes of Auburn, Oklahoma, among other major schools and is projected as the starting quarterback by major outlets. 

THOMPSON – RECRUITMENT TO NEBRASKA

Husker transfer quarterback Casey Thompson opened up about his recruitment to the Big Red from Texas on the ‘Bussin’ With the Boys’ podcast hosted by former Blackshirt Will Compton. Thompson said he was confident in his choice due to the personal relationships built… 

Thompson added that his first day in Lincoln was on January 18th, with first classes and winter conditioning beginning the following day. 

THOMPSON – NIL DEALS ARE BETTER AT NEBRASKA 

Casey Thompson joined the ‘Bussin’ With the Boys’ Podcast hosted by former Blackshirt Will Compton prior to Spring Break and spoke on a major reason he elected to transfer to Nebraska over other schools: the Big Red’s NIL opportunities… 

Nebraska is one of the only schools in the country with NIL deals for student-athletes across more than three athletics. 

UNK SOFTBALL SWEEPS BEARCATS MONDAY:

The Nebraska-Kearney softball team used eight hits and drew 13 walks in game one and got a complete game three-hitter from senior Kelsey Goodban to sweep a double header from Northwest Missouri State, 12-4 and 4-1, Monday afternoon in Maryville.

This was the first MIAA games for both teams. Due to wintry weather, the double header was pushed back three full days. UNK (8-12) heads to Missouri Western State (7-11, 2-0) on Tuesday for another double dip at 12/2 p.m. The Griffs swept Fort Hays State in their league opener.

STORM SIGN FORWARD FOR TENDER AGREEMENT:

The Tri-City Storm has announced the signing of forward Trevor Connelly to a tender agreement for the 2022-2023 season. Connelly currently skates for the Long Island Gulls AAA program in Syosset, New York.

Trevor Connelly, 16, of Tustin, California, has skated in fifty-two games during the 2021-2022 season for the Long Island Gulls and has scored thirty-five goals. He has also provided the Gulls offense with twenty-seven assists for sixty-two total points.

UNK WRESTLING BRINGS HOME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:

The number one-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team picked up its fourth national title in dominating fashion, scoring a program-record 127.0 points, having eight All-Americans and three national finalists. The 127 points is also the most for a national championship winning team in 12 years.

UNK’s point total bests the previous record of 108.50, set in 2007 and in again in 2008. The Lopers placed first that season as well as in 2012 and 2013. This is Dalton Jensen’s first national title as a head coach; he was a member of the 2012 team.

Coming first was super senior Matt Malcom (165 lbs.) with super seniors Josh Portillo (125 lbs.) and Sam Turner (149 lbs.) national runners up. Next, super senior Wesley Dawkins (133 lbs.) and redshirt sophomore Billy Higgins (184 lbs.) came in third with redshirt junior Austin Eldredge fourth (174 lbs.). Finally, former Kearney High Bearcats redshirt junior heavyweight Lee Herrington and redshirt sophomore Nick James (141 lbs.) each finished fifth.

MATT MALCOLM: NATIONAL CHAMPION AND TEAM CHAMPION:

The UNK Wrestling team returned to their storied history with a national championship on Saturday evening, capped off with a terrific feat won by super senior Matt Malcolm, the only 5-time All-American in Loper Wrestling history. 

Malcolm won his national title bout 1-0, and added that the individual accolade was minuscule compared to the team’s accomplishment… 

Malcolm claimed the national championship in his final wrestling match before heading off to become the next head coach at Bellevue East, ending his storied Loper career. 

UNK WRESTLING: NICK JAMES COMMENTS:

JAMES – AWESOME FEELING WITH LOCAL SUPPORT

Former Kearney High Bearcats and current UNK Wrestler Nick James returned home with a team national championship for the fourth time in school history. James adds he couldn’t be happier than to see all the support coming from his hometown… 

James finished 5th in the national tournament along with former Bearcat Lee Herrington also finishing 5th.

JAMES – FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR KEARNEY

Nick James has been a hometown Kearney kid for many years – dominating the mat as a Kearney High Bearcat before heading down the road to UNK to battle at the national tournament for a 5th place finish this season and aiding his team to a team title over the weekend.

James adds that he is indebted to Kearney for the local support… 

James still has three years of wrestling eligibility remaining as a Loper as UNK brought home their fourth national title on Saturday.

UNK WRESTLING: MARC BAUER COMMENTS:

BAUER – MORE TO COME FOR UNK ATHLETICS

UNK Athletic Director Marc Bauer was all smiles at the parade of champions for the UNK Wrestling team on Sunday as the Lopers brought home a national title over the weekend. The former national title winning head coach adds that this is just a microcosm of the success UNK Athletics is having as a whole… 

Bauer led the Lopers to national titles in 2012 and 2013, with this national championship being the first won by Head Coach Dalton Jensen after finishing runner-up last season.

FERGUSON BRINGS HOME NATIONAL TITLE IN 800 METERS:

Fremont redshirt freshman Wes Ferguson used a strong last lap to turn in a 1:50.05 to win the 800-meter national championship Saturday night in Pittsburg, Kan.

In the meet, UNK tallied a program-record seven All-Americans, finished 19th in the team standings (12.5) and was one of five MIAA schools in the Top 20. Grand Valley State of Michigan came in first with 66 points.

Ferguson started strong but some of the competition started to move up halfway through. He then came back to lead the final lap most of the way, holding off Clement Paillon of American (Mass.) International (1:50.46) and Tanner Maier of Minnesota State (1:50.57)

The school-record holder in the event (1:49.47), Ferguson is UNK’s fifth D2 men’s national champ (indoors or outdoors). The others are Ivan Ivanov (’91/steeplechase), Lance Pfeiffer (’06 & ’07/shot put), Dane Tobey (’10/shot) and Allen Osborn (’12/60 hurdles).

Earlier on Saturday, Kearney sophomore Brayden Sorensen tied for seventh in the high jump (6-9.75) to pick up his third All-American honor.

HUSKER FOOTBALL: PRACTICE COMMENTS

WHIPPLE – QUARTERBACKS ARE LEARNING QUICKLY

Offensive Coordinator of the Huskers Mark Whipple has been pleased with his quarterbacks ability to fight through early adversity in learning the new offense… 

Whipple was referring to transfer quarterback Casey Thompson on his transition to the Big Red. 

WHIPPLE – OFFENSE TERMINOLOGY STILL IN TRANSITION

New Husker offensive coordinator Mark Whipple spoke to the media last week regarding his transition to the Nebraska offense and some of the language that comes with it… 

The Huskers continue to use Scott Frost’s terminology but under the guidance of Mark Whipple’s offensive philosophy. An emphasis on the passing game and downhill running have been the main points of emphasis mentioned by players so far this spring. 

WHIPPLE – THOMPSON EXUDES EXPERIENCE

New Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple spoke with the media last week prior to the Huskers week off of spring practices due to spring break. Whipple spoke on his quarterback battle, but said that Texas transfer Casey Thompson has shown off his experience… 

Thompson has been the talk of spring practices but is still competing with Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy, along with returning Huskers Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg. 

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

MONDAY:

• UNK:
• • SOFTBALL: @ NW Missouri State – 2 PM, 4 PM
    • UNK 12-4
    • UNK 4-1

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • WOMENS TENNIS: @ Midwestern State, Wichita Falls TX – 10 AM
  • SOFTBALL: @ Missouri Western State – 12 PM, 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Tucson Invite
    • V. Dakota State – 10 AM
    • V. Viterbo University – 12:15 PM
    • V. Valley State University – 2:30 PM
  • BASEBALL: @ Russmatt Tournament (Auburndale, FL)
    • V. Hannibal-Lagrange University – 2 PM
    • V. Webber International – 6 PM

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Tucson Invite
    • V. Valley State University – 10 AM
    • V. Benedictine University – 2:30 PM

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • BASEBALL: v. Lincoln Southeast – 1 PM
  • GIRLS SOCCER: @ Lincoln Pius X – 5:45 PM
  • BOYS SOCCER: v. Lincoln Pius X – 7 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • BOYS SOCCER: v. York
  • GIRLS SOCCER: v. York
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Tucson Invite
    • V. Viterbo University – 10 AM (Doubleheader)

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • T&F: @ UNK Invite
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • T&F: @ UNK Invite
• UNK:
  • SOFTBALL: @ Fairfield Classic (St. Joseph, MO)
    • V. Concordia-St. Paul – 12 PM
    • V. Upper Iowa – 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • N/a

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • BOYS SOCCER: Bellevue East Invite
  • GIRLS SOCCER: Bellevue East Invite
  • BASEBALL: @ Fremont – 12 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • WOMENS TENNIS: v. SW Minnesota St. – 9 AM
  • SOFTBALL: @ Fairfield Classic (St. Joseph, MO)
    • V. St. Cloud State – 12 PM
    • V. Winona State – 4 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • BASEBALL: @ Northwestern College – 1 PM (Doubleheader)