Friday Afternoon Sports – Kearney Baseball Falls to Millard West in Game One of State, Husker Softball Advances to Big Ten Title Game, Nebraska Baseball Travels to Illinois, Love Leaves Husker Women’s Program, Local Sports Schedule

KEARNEY HIGH BASEBALL FALLS TO MILLARD WEST:

In the opening contest of the Nebraska State Baseball Tournament, #8 Kearney High was outgunned by superb pitching from Millard West’s Jaxson Cahoy and Mason Koch to drop the Bearcats 3-0 on Friday afternoon. 

Kearney falls to 15-10 on the year but stays in the hunt in the double elimination bracket, taking on Elkhorn South after the Storm fell to Lincoln East in Game 2. 

Pregame for Monday’s consolation bracket contest begins at 9:45 AM on KGFW with first pitch from Werner Park set for 10 AM. Austin Jacobsen and Tim Higgins will be on the call. 

HUSKER SOFTBALL DOWNS BUCKEYES, SETS EYES ON BIG TEN TITLE:

The Nebraska Softball team used a walk-off RBI to win 2-1 over Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals to advance to the Big Ten Title game on Saturday. The score came in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Huskers now await the winner of Northwestern and Michigan later this evening. 

The Big Ten title game can be viewed on the Big Ten Network and will have first pitch from East Lansing, Michigan at 12 PM. 

HUSKER BASEBALL PREPARES FOR FINAL ROAD WEEKEND AT ILLINOIS:

Nebraska is set to travel for its final road series in Big Ten play this season, as the Huskers venture to Champaign, Ill., for a three-game series at Illinois on Friday-Sunday, May 13-15.

First pitch for the series opener on Friday is set for 6 p.m. The Huskers and Fighting Illini continue the series with game two scheduled for a 3 p.m. start on Saturday. Nebraska and Illinois wrap up the series on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Two of the three games this weekend will be televised nationally, with Friday’s game on ESPNU and Sunday’s series finale set to air on ESPN2. All games can also be heard on KGFW. 

Illinois comes into the weekend with a 26-19 overall record and 12-6 mark in Big Ten play after sweeping a non-conference series vs. Miami (OH) last weekend.

CHUCK LOVE ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE FROM HUSKER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:

Nebraska women’s basketball associate head coach Chuck Love is officially out of the program.

Love announced on social media Friday that he will be moving on from NU and “be with family and explore other opportunities.”

The longtime assistant of head coach Amy Williams followed her to Lincoln for six seasons. He was suspended with pay in February for what was described as a “personnel matter.”

This was at the same time Ashley Scoggin was removed from the roster. Williams at the time did not say who made that decision or why.

WOODHEAD ADVANCES TO US OPEN QUALIFYING ROUND:

Five golfers, including a former NFL running back, are advancing to U.S. Open final qualifying after a challenging local qualifying round at Omaha Country Club on Wednesday.

North Platte native and 10-year NFL running back Danny Woodhead was among those finishing in the top five, giving himself an opportunity to play in the field for the 2022 U.S. Open.

The former Chadron State star and two-time Harlon Hill Trophy-winner now resides in Elkhorn and was playing for his current home club. He carded an even-par 71 to finish tied for third.

The five qualifiers will play next at one of 10 Final Qualifying sites, most of which will take place on June 6. Top finishers from those sites will advance to the 122nd U.S. Open, June 16-19 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

HUSKER T&F HEADS TO MINNESOTA FOR BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

The Nebraska track and field team will compete at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in Minneapolis, Minn., this weekend. The three-day meet begins on Friday at Noon, Saturday at 10 a.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Husker men finished fourth at last year’s Big Ten Outdoor Championships, while the women were ninth. Both squads will be looking to improve on those finishes this outdoor season after the men finished third and the women seventh at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in February. 

NBA PLAYOFFS SCORES:

THURSDAY RESULTS:

MIAMI HEAT 99 – 90 Philadelphia 76ers (Heat 4-2)

Dallas Mavericks 113 – 86 Phoenix Suns (Tied 3-3)

FRIDAY SCHEDULE:

Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks – 6:30 PM (MIL 3-2)

Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors – 9 PM (GSW 3-2)

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • BASEBALL: State Tournament v. #1 Millard West
    • MW 3-0
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • BASEBALL: State Tournament v. #1 Millard West
    • MW 3-0
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ Concordia Twilight Meet – 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • M/W T&F: @ Concordia Twilight Meet – 2 PM

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: v. Loper Twilight Meet – 3 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • M/W T&F: v. Loper Twilight Meet – 3 PM