NEBRASKA BASEBALL TRAVELS TO COLUMBUS OVER THE WEEKEND:
Nebraska returns to Big Ten action this weekend, as the Huskers travel to Ohio State for a three-game series on Friday-Sunday, April 1-3 at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. (CT), followed by a 2:05 p.m. start on Saturday and a 12:05 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.
Each game can be heard on KGFW with pregame start times a half hour before first pitch.
Nebraska fell 3-2 in their Tuesday matchup with Creighton. Ohio State is 8-13 on the season and 0-1 in Big Ten play after falling vs. Toledo on Wednesday night.
NEBRASKA SOFTBALL HOSTS SCARLET KNIGHTS:
The Nebraska softball team is set to host Rutgers in a three-game series in Lincoln, Neb. this April 1-3 at Bowlin Stadium.
Nebraska (22-9) has won the last seven games with an offense that leads the Big Ten in numerous categories including runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, total bases, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Billie Andrews is the conference and national leader in home runs with 17. Ranking first in the Big Ten Conference, the Big Red averages 1.61 homers per game. This average ranks 10th in the NCAA.
This is the first time that the Scarlet Knights will travel to Lincoln.
STORM PREPARE FOR APRIL FOOLS DAY CONTEST:
The Tri-City Storm return to action tonight at the Viaero Center in the team’s “April Fool’s Night” against the Sioux Falls Stampede.
The game is the first of a three-game weekend for the Storm. Tri-City will host Sioux Falls at the Viaero Center again tomorrow night before traveling to the Ice Box on Sunday afternoon for a rivalry matchup against the Lincoln Stars. Puck drops at 7:05pm CT.
Tri-City (39-10-2-0) completed a two-game sweep of the Omaha Lancers last weekend at the Viaero Center.
Sioux Falls (16-30-3-3) has won just three of its last ten games and enters tonight’s road matchup against Tri-City as the last-place team in the league standings.
LOPER FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR SCRIMMAGE SATURDAY:
The UNK Football team will be holding a live scrimmage on Saturday morning at 10 AM at Foster Field. The scrimmage will last for around 2 hours.
UNK is coming off their best season in over 20 years, as the Lopers finished in the second round of the D2 Playoffs falling to Angelo State. The Lopers return a bevy of talented players, including Harlon Hill trophy runner-up finisher TJ Davis at quarterback.
FINAL FOUR MATCHUPS SET FOR BLUE-BLOODED SATURDAY:
The Final Four schedule is dotted with blue-bloods from across the country, as Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina, and Duke try to march their way to the National Championship contest on Monday, April 4.
The schedule for the Final Four includes:
No. 1 Kansas v. No. 2 Villanova – 5 PM
No. 2 Duke v. No. 8 North Carolina – 7:45 PM
BEARCAT BASEBALL FALLS TO TOP FLIGHT SPARTANS, PREPARES FOR SATURDAY IN MILLARD:
The Kearney Baseball got down early and could not recover as the Lincoln East Spartans continue their unbeaten streak while Kearney falls to 5-2 on the season after suffering a 12-2 defeat in Lincoln Thursday.
Kearney turns back around to finish off their busy week with a double dual contest in Millard against Millard West and Millard South on Saturday. Kearney will face the Wildcats at 12 PM then the Patriots at 2:30 PM.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE COMMENTS – SEAN BECKTON:
BECKTON – BOERKIRCHER SHOWING OFF
Tight Ends coach for the Nebraska football team Sean Beckton highlighted the tight end that has caught his eye the most so far this spring practice session…
Beckton did not address any of the injury situations currently going on with the tight end room, as Travis Vokalek, Thomas Fidone, and Chancellor Brewington have all either been ruled out of spring practices or have been rumored to have limited participation.
BECKTON – PHYSICALITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME IN SPRING BALL
Tight Ends coach for Nebraska Sean Beckton said in his comments from Wednesday’s media session that he has been very impressed with how physical practices have been through March…
Beckton also added that he’s been impressed with the new style of offense brought by offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, and is looking forward to seeing how his tight ends will be used in the red zone for more targeted opportunities.
NEBRASKA UNABLE TO AGREE TO TERMS WITH JMI MULTI-MEDIA RIGHTS:
In a statement released Thursday morning from Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts, the Nebraska Athletic department will no longer be moving forward with JMI Sports for their multi-media agreements. In his statement, Alberts stated that the final details of the proposed contract could not be met as the proposal has now been removed from the Board of Regents meeting.
A future decision for the best long-term interest of Nebraska Athletics will be evaluated in the short and long term for success for the Huskers.
UNK ATHLETICS SITS AHEAD OF ALL-MIAA SCHOOLS IN D2 ALL-SPORTS RACE:
Nebraska-Kearney is currently sitting 12th and is the top ranked MIAA school in the race for the 2021-22 Learfield Directors’ Cup.
The Cup is the Division II “All-Sports” Trophy, given annually to the school that scores the most points at NCAA Championships over the fall, winter and spring seasons.
UNK has amassed 357 points to date after scoring 152 in the fall and 205 in the recently completed winter season. The Lopers national championship in wrestling brought in 100 points, women’s basketball advancing to the second round of the NCAA tourney tallied 50 points with men’s track and field placing 19th nationals to add 55 more points. In the fall, UNK scored in football (53), volleyball (50) and men’s cross country (49).
Grand Valley State of Michigan, who has won the Cup 13 times in the 24-year history of the award, is in first with 754 points.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE COMMENTS: MARK WHIPPLE:
WHIPPLE – NO ANIMOSITY IN QUARTERBACK ROOM
New Husker Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple spoke to the media after Wednesday’s practice and continues to double down that his quarterbacks are each fighting for the starting position, but continue to help and support each other’s growth…
Whipple has a decision to make on who will lead the Big Red offense in the fall between recent incumbent Logan Smothers, Texas transfer Casey Thompson, Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy, or Kearney Catholic’s Heinrich Haarberg.
WHIPPLE – RED ZONE TIGHT END WILL BE A BIG FACTOR:
Nebraska’s new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple spoke to the media after Wednesday’s practice saying although many tight ends have been out of practice due to injuries this spring session, he still believes the position to be critical when wanting to score touchdowns…
Whipple has an exciting arsenal this upcoming year, with Travis Vokalek, Thomas Fidone, Chancellor Brewington, and many unproven roster additions. Reported and rumored injuries to Vokalek and Fidone, however could derail progress at the position.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:BASEBALL @ Lincoln East
- LE 12-2
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- BASEBALL @ Lincoln East
- LE 12-2
- BASEBALL @ Lincoln East
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- BOYS GOLF: @ Grand Island invite – 9 AM
- GIRLS TENNIS: @ North Platte Invite – 9:30 AM
- T&F: @ Columbus Invite – 11:30 AM
- T&F: @ North Platte Invite – 12:30 PM
- GIRLS SOCCER: v. Lincoln North Star @ Foster Field – 5 PM
- BOYS SOCCER: v. Lincoln North Star @ Foster Field – 7 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- T&F: @ GICC – 11 AM
- GIRLS TENNIS: v. GICC – 2:30 PM
- UNK:
- SOFTBALL: @ Missouri Southern (Doubleheader) – 3 PM, 5 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- N/a
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- BASEBALL: @ Millard West; Double Dual – 10:30 AM
- V. Millard West – 12 PM
- V. Millard South – 2:30 PM
- BASEBALL: @ Millard West; Double Dual – 10:30 AM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- BASEBALL: @ Millard West; Double Dual – 10:30 AM
- V. Millard West – 12 PM
- V. Millard South – 2:30 PM
- GIRLS SOCCER: @ Seward Invite
- BOYS SOCCER: @ Seward Invite
- BASEBALL: @ Millard West; Double Dual – 10:30 AM
- UNK:
- VOLLEYBALL: @ River City Tourney @ La Vista
- M/W T&F: v. Central NE Challenge @ Kearney High School
- SOFTBALL: @ Pittsburg State (Doubleheader) – 1 PM, 3 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- WOMENS TENNIS: v. Doane
- M/W T&F: @ Central NE Challenge @ Kearney High School
- MENS TENNIS: v. Doane
- BASEBALL: @ Jamestown (Doubleheader) – 1 PM, 3 PM
- SOFTBALL: @ Mount Marty (Doubleheader) – 1 PM, 3 PM
