RUNZA SENIORS EARN DOUBLEHEADER VICTORY OVER LEXINGTON:
The Kearney Runza Seniors used a huge offensive showing in Game 1 and followed with a come-from-behind victory in Game 2 to earn back-to-back victories and begin their Fourth of July break on a winning note, downing Lexington twice at Memorial Field on Thursday night.
Game 1 was a slugfest from the start, as Lexington shot out to an early 2-1 advantage at the end of the first before dropping behind 13-3 by the end of the second. Kearney allowed some mistakes to bring Lexington two added runs, but Runza closed the contest down in three innings to win 20-5.
Game 2 showcased Daven Naylor on the mound for Lexington, as his efforts held Kearney at bay through most of the inning. The Runza Seniors tallied 5 errors in the contest, but trailing in the bottom of the sixth 5-4 showcased their grit by scoring three runs and closing down Lexington’s lineup to earn the win in seven innings 7-5.
Kearney now sits at 13-16 on the season. Kearney will now take some time away after playing 10 games in 10 days. The Runza Seniors are back in action at GI U-Save Pharmacy on Wednesday, July 6 at 5 PM.
USC, UCLA SET TO JOIN BIG TEN IN 2024:
USC and UCLA, two of the Pac-12’s flagship programs, were notified Thursday night that their application to join the Big Ten has been accepted.
The schools will begin play in the conference in 2024.
The Big Ten said in a statement that the vote was unanimous when conference presidents and chancellors met on the addition of the two schools on Thursday evening.
A source told that the exploration of finances and what it would take to make the move has been going on for weeks. While finances are playing a big role in the move, competitiveness, brand and the overall landscape of the future of the sport have played a bigger role.
The financial pressures being felt by the Pac-12 are similar to those being felt in the ACC and beyond, as conference revenue projections — which can vary and are not always linear — have the SEC and Big Ten making nearly double the amount of some of the other Power 5 leagues later this decade.
UNK BRINGS BACK MEN’S TENNIS THROUGH PRIVATE DONOR:
The University of Nebraska at Kearney will once again have a men’s tennis program, beginning in 2023-24.
The decision, announced Thursday by UNK Director of Athletics Marc Bauer comes four years after men’s tennis was eliminated as part of $2.8 million in university budget reductions.
UNK is able to bring back men’s tennis after a private donor agreed to create a $3.4 million endowment that will fully fund the program’s operating and scholarship needs.
Bauer said the decision was driven by “donor priority” and discussions began in 2018 when the donor approached UNK shortly after the program was eliminated.
The Lopers will play home matches at Kearney’s Harmon Park and the new indoor Ernest Grundy Tennis Center, which opened this spring at University Village.
Scott Shafer joined the UNK tennis program in 2013 as an assistant and was elevated to head coach in 2019. He will serve as head coach of the team and will also continue to coach the women’s tennis team. The men’s team will carry a roster of about 10 players and begin play with the 2023-24 season.
DURANT EXPLORES TRADE OPTIONS:
Kevin Durant may be taking his quest for more titles elsewhere.
Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision that undoubtedly will have teams scrambling to put together offers for the perennial All-Star.
The Nets have been working with Durant to find a trade partner, and he has multiple teams on his preferred list. ESPN first reported Durant’s trade request, citing Phoenix and Miami as two of his preferred destinations.
The news also came exactly three years to the day after Durant announced that he was joining Brooklyn in a social-media post – a move that came June 30, 2019.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- Runza Seniors: v. Lexington (Doubleheader) @ Memorial Field
- GAME 1: Runza Seniors 20 – 5 Lexington (3 Innings)
- GAME 2: Runza Seniors 7 – 5 Lexington
FRIDAY:
- N/a
SATURDAY:
- N/a
SUNDAY:
- N/a
