Wednesday Morning Sports – KHS Soccer Splits Home Doubleheader, Bearcat Baseball Splits HAC Tournament Contests, KPS Sends Bid to Purchase Memorial Field, Big Red Baseball Falls to Omaha, Husker Football Practice Comments, Loper Athletics Recap, Local Sports Schedules

KEARNEY GIRLS SOCCER FALLS TO SOUTHWEST; BOYS TAKE EL CLASICO:

A split day at Kearney High School still gave reason to celebrate, as the Kearney boys soccer team won the El Clasico Central Nebraska Showdown matchup over Grand Island in 2-1 victory. 

In game one of the doubleheader, the Kearney Girls dropped the 4-1 contest to Lincoln Southwest, moving the Bearcats to 7-2 on the season.

Meanwhile, it was a 1-0 deficit for the Bearcat Boys at halftime until Colt Straka added scores in the 49th minute and 57th minute to push Kearney past the Islanders, improving their record to 7-2. 

The Kearney boys are back in action at home on Thursday against Omaha Central. KGFW will broadcast the matchup from Kearney High School with Alex Hammeke on the call. 

KEARNEY BASEBALL FALLS TO NORFOLK; CRUSHES FREMONT IN HAC TOURNAMENT:

Kearney Baseball fell to Norfolk in a rematch to begin the HAC Tournament, but rebounded with a dominant win over Fremont to wrap up the first day of the conference tourney in Lincoln. 

The Bearcats dropped a one run decision for the third time in the past five contests, falling 6-5 to No. 9 Norfolk in the opening round of the HAC Tournament at Den Hartog Field. 

Kearney then erupted with a vengeance over Fremont, blasting the Tigers 12-1 to improve their record to 6-10 on the season. 

The Bearcats are back in action on Friday, returning to Memorial Field for the first time since March 21, and for just their second home contest of the year.

MEMORIAL FIELD PURCHASE INQUIRED BY KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

The home of Kearney Bearcats baseball and Senior and Junior Legion Baseball could have a new owner in the near future.

According to the April 10 Kearney Public Schools agenda and board meeting, KPS has inquired Kearney Parks and Recreation as well as the City of Kearney for a proposal to purchase Memorial Field.

KPS Superintendent Jason Mundorf had spoke with City of Kearney Manager Mike Morgan in the past few months about the potential interest in selling Memorial Field to KPS, to offset the cost that would come from maintenance and operations for the incoming Kearney Sports Complex.

A proposal of $1.5 million has been approved by the KPS School Board to send to the City of Kearney for the purchase of the Memorial Field property, field house, and the entirety of the north field which is currently used as parking.

The proposal also listed plans and possible changes KPS would have with the field. Which include continuing to support the American Legion Summer Baseball Program, taking over existing contractual agreements with current sponsorships, an interest in adding a digital scoreboard, and assuming all responsibility in maintaining facilities.

BIG RED BASEBALL DROPS ANOTHER HOME STUNNER TO MAVERICKS:

Nebraska climbed back from a five-run deficit before falling 6-5 in 10 innings vs. Omaha on Tuesday night at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.

The Huskers (18-11-1) scored five runs on nine hits and committed two errors, while the Mavericks (12-14) totaled six runs, 11 hits and two errors.

Caleb Clark had the start for the Big Red and gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits in two innings. Corbin Hawkins tossed the next three innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out three Mavericks. Drew Christo threw a perfect inning in relief, while Shay Schanaman dropped to 2-3 after pitching the final four innings. Schanaman surrendered one run on three hits and struck out two in the outing.

Garrett Anglim was 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI and two runs, while Casey Burnham went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Brice Matthews was 1-for-3 with a pair of runs, and Gabe Swansen had a 1-for-5 night with a two-run homer. Max Anderson, Charlie Fischer and Dylan Care also recorded a hit for the Big Red.

Nebraska welcomes Northwestern for a three-game series this weekend at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. First pitch in the series opener between the Huskers and Wildcats is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. on Friday night.

HUSKER FOOTBALL PRACTICE COMMENTS – RHULE:

RHULE – McGUIRE COACHING IS STRONG:

Matt Rhule had high praise for his young coaching assistant in Garrett McGuire, as the 23 year old receivers coach was the inquiring question of the day at the Head Coach’s Tuesday practice session…

McGuire comes from a strong family coaching tree, as his father Joey is the current head coach at Texas Tech. Garrett recently had stints with Baylor and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

RHULE – FIRST PRACTICE FROM EASTER FELT GOOD:

Head Coach for Nebraska Football Matt Rhule spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice and spoke about how his team was continuing to trend in the right direction after the first practice back from Easter break…

The Huskers wrapped their tenth practice of the season on Tuesday morning and return to spring ball on Thursday.

RHULE – TEACHING TACKLING:

Matt Rhule, Nebraska Football head coach, was asked about his philosophy on tackling and what emphasis it holds for the Big Red…

Nebraska hopes to return to a stronger defensive form in 2023 under a new coaching staff and defensive identity.

RHULE – TRANSFER PORTAL IS STILL AN OPTION FOR HUSKERS:

Matt Rhule has dipped his toe into the transfer portal often in his first season for the Big Red, but added after Tuesday’s practice that players on his team are allowed to seek the portal themselves for better situations…

Nebraska is still well over the allotted scholarship limit by double digits, and will need to trim down its roster prior to its first contest. 

RHULE – HUSKER QUARTERBACKS CONTINUE TO GET BETTER:

Nebraska Football’s new head coach Matt Rhule was asked how far his quarterbacks have come in the first three weeks of spring practices after Tuesday’s session…

Nebraska returns three quarterbacks with starting experience in Memorial Stadium, along with Jeff Sims a former Georgia Tech starter in the ACC.

LOPER VOLLEYBALL WRAPS SPRING SEASON WITH LEGENDS CLASSIC SATURDAY:
The Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team finishes up its spring season with the annual UNK Legends Classic on Saturday, April 22.

The 12-team field includes Doane, Hastings, McCook C.C., North Platte C.C., Labette (Kan.) C.C., Northeastern (Colo.) J.C. and five Loper alumni squads. The event is free and open to the public.

The Lopers will face McCook (12 p.m./court 1), Labette (1:30 p.m./court 1), UNK Legends Blue (3 p.m./court 3) and Northeastern (3:45 p.m./court 3).

UNK’s spring season included a trip to Florida (March 14-15; Eckerd College and Tampa) and a stop in Ogallala last Thursday (April 6) to face former RMAC rival Regis.

UNK GOLF ENDS FIFTH IN 54 HOLE TOURNAMENT:

The Nebraska-Kearney women’s golf team rallied for a fifth-place finish at the 54-hole Virginia Laas Invitational Tuesday in Joplin, Mo.

The 17-team field was at the par 72 (6,066 yards) Eagle Creek Golf Club. Thirty-six holes were played on Monday with the final 18 on Tuesday. Eagle Creek hosts this year’s MIAA Championships (April 24-26).

Ranked fifth in the most recent NCAA Regional Rankings, the Lopers carded a 341 early on Monday to sit in 14th place. They moved up five spots after round two (323) and then vaulted up four spots on Tuesday (314; 978 total). Northeastern State, ranked sixth in the region, came in fourth (970).

UNK’s final regular season tournament is early next week at Wayne State.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Baseball: @ HAC Tournament
    • GAME 1: #9 Norfolk 6-5 #8 KHS
    • GAME 2: #8 KHS 12-1 #12 Fremont
  • Girls Tennis: v. Lexington @ Harmon Park
    • KHS 7-2 LHS
  • Girls Soccer: v. Lincoln Southwest @ Kearney High School
    • LSW 4-1 KHS
  • Boys Soccer: v. Grand Island @ Kearney High School
    • KHS 2-1 GISH
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Girls Soccer: v. Columbus Scotus
    • Scotus 6-3 KCHS
  • Boys Soccer: v. Columbus Scotus
    • KCHS 2-1 Scotus

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • KHS Collegiate Signing Day @ CHaT – 4 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • Women’s Tennis: v. Fort Hays State – 3 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • Women’s Golf: @ CSM Spring Classic @ Omaha, NE – 10 AM
  • Men’s Tennis; @ Doane – 3 PM
  • Softball: v. Midland – 4 PM
  • Softball: v. Midland – 6 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Girls Tennis: v. KHS Invite @ Harmon Park – 9:30 AM
  • Boys Golf: @ Hastings Invite @ Lochland Country Club – 10 AM
  • Track & Field: @ Omaha Central Invite @ Burke Stadium – 4 PM
  • Boys Soccer: v. Omaha Central @ Kearney High School – 7 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at 6:45 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Boys Golf: @ Hastings Invite – 10 AM
  • Track & Field: @ Gothenburg Invite – 2:30 PM
  • Boys Soccer: @ Platteview – 4:30 PM
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ Bryan Clay Invite @ Azusa, CA
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • M/W T&F: @ KU Relays – 1 PM
  • Women’s Golf: @ CSM Spring Classic @ Omaha, NE – 10 AM
  • Women’s Tennis:  @ Doane – 3 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Sports Nightly (6 PM – 6:45 PM)
  • Kearney Boys Soccer v. Omaha Central (6:45 PM – 8:45 PM)

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Track & Field: @ KU Relays – TBD
  • Baseball: v. Fremont @ Memorial Field – 4 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at 3:45 PM
  • Girls Soccer: v. Lincoln North Star @ Beechner Field – 6 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Girls Tennis: @ Lexington Invite – 9 AM
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ Bryan Clay Invite @ Azusa, CA
  • Softball: @ Lincoln @ Jefferson City, MO – 1 PM
  • Softball: @ Lincoln @ Jefferson City, MO – 3 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • M/W T&F: @ KU Relays – 1 PM
  • M/W T&F: @ Concordia Outdoor Invite – 1 PM
  • Softball: @ Dordt @ Sioux City, IA – 4 PM
  • Softball: @ Dordt @ Sioux City, IA – 6 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Kearney Baseball: v. Fremont (3:45 PM – 6:45 PM)
  • Nebraska Baseball: v. Northwestern (6:45 PM – 10 PM)

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Track & Field: @ KU Relays – TBD
  • Girls Tennis: v. Gering @ Harmon Park – 9 AM
  • Girls Tennis: v. Scottsbluff @ Harmon Park – 11 AM
  • Baseball: v. Hastings @ Memorial Field – 12 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at 11:45 AM
  • Boys Soccer: @ Lincoln Pius X @ Pius X High School – 1 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Girls Tennis: @ Scottsbluff – 9 AM
  • Girls Tennis: @ Gering – 9 AM
  • Girls Soccer: @ Omaha Mercy – 1:15 PM
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ Bryan Clay Invite @ Azusa, CA
  • M/W T&F: v. Loper Invite @ KHS – 11 AM
  • Softball: @ Central Missouri @ Warrensburg, MO – 12 PM
  • Women’s Soccer: v. College of St. Mary @ Foster Field – 12 PM
  • Softball: @ Central Missouri @ Warrensburg, MO – 2 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE: 
  • M/W T&F: @ KU Relays – 1 PM
  • M/W T&F: @ Concordia Outdoor Invite – 1 PM
  • Men’s Tennis: v. Mount Marty – 12 PM
  • Women’s Tennis: v. Mount Marty – 12 PM
  • Baseball: v. Briar Cliff (IA) @ Duncan Field – 1 PM
  • Softball: @ Northwestern (IA) – 1 PM
  • Softball: @ Northwestern (IA) – 3 PM
  • Baseball: v. Briar Cliff (IA) @ Duncan Field – 4 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Kearney Baseball v. Hastings (11:45 AM – 2:45 PM)
  • Nebraska Baseball v. Northwestern (2:45 PM – 6 PM)

SUNDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • Baseball: @ Midland – 2 PM
  • Baseball: @ Midland – 4:30 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Nebraska Baseball v. Northwestern (12 PM – 4 PM)