Local/State Briefs

BASEBALL

Dorn named Howser semifinalist

LINCOLN -- University of Nebraska pitcher Johnny Dorn has been named as one of 16 semifinalists for the 2008 Dick Howser Trophy Thursday afternoon.

Dorn has been the ace of the Husker pitching staff, going 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts this season. The right-hander has held eight of his 12 opponents to two runs or less, and ranks among the Big 12 leaders in innings (85.0, first), strikeouts (90, second), opponent batting average (.195, second) and in ERA (2.65, fourth). He has reached double figures in strikeouts on four occasions, including a career-high 13 strikeouts against Northern Colorado on March 8.

Dorn is one of two players from the Big 12 on the Howser semifinalist list, joining Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow. The two pitchers will face off Friday evening, as the fifth-ranked Huskers begin a three-game series with the No. 12 Tigers.

The membership of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association will choose the Dick Howser Trophy based on three rounds of voting.  The 2008 winner will be announced just prior to the first game of the College World Series, with a press conference slated for Saturday, June 14, at 10 a.m. (CDT) at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

The 16 semifinalists hail from nine different conferences, with the SEC producing four and the Pac-10 listing three.  Arizona State and Kentucky are the only schools with multiple semifinalists.  Eight different positions are represented on the list, including five pitchers, three outfielders and two first basemen.

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball's most prestigious award.

Criteria for consideration for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.

League-high nine Huskers named Academic All-Big 12

IRVING, Texas -- A Big 12-high nine members of the Nebraska baseball team were among the 62 student-athletes selected to the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 Baseball Team, the league office announced Thursday afternoon.

Nebraska had seven players qualify for first-team honors, including senior center fielder Bryce Nimmo, who earns recognition for the third consecutive season, and third baseman Jake Mort, who received recognition for the second time in his career.

Nebraska's other first-team academic All-Big 12 picks included outfielders DJ Belfonte and Nick Sullivan, infielder Jeff Tezak and pitchers Zach Herr and Dan Jennings. NU's totaled seven of the 46 first-team selections, which required a 3.20 or better GPA.

Jake Opitz and Thad Weber were both recognized as second-team picks and had GPAs of 3.00 or  better.

The Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship returns to Oklahoma City's AT&T Bricktown Ballpark on May 21-25.

UNO wins regional opener

EMPORIA, Kan. -- Chris Kessinger allowed just one unearned run on six hits, throwing a nine-inning complete game, leading the No. 12 University of Nebraska at Omaha baseball team to a 2-1 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato, in the first game of the NCAA II Central Regional, Thursday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex.

UNO (43-11) next faces perennial powerhouse Central Missouri, Friday at 7 p.m.

Kessinger (11-1) became just the second UNO pitcher to win 11 games in a season, as he tossed his sixth complete game of the season. Barry Miller was the only other Maverick to accomplish the feat, back in 1962. Kessinger didn't allow a hit through 4 2/3 innings, when MSU catcher Kyle Hoover reached on a bunt single.

MSU (27-24) didn't get a baserunner to second base until the eighth inning on consecutive singles by Hoover and Corey LaPlante. But Kessinger bailed himself out by picking Hoover off second, before striking out designated hitter Aaron Berner looking, then inducing a fly ball to end the inning.

Mankato took advantage of a rare fielding error by UNO second baseman Josh Shirk to score an unearned run in the ninth, but Kessinger's 100th pitch of the game was a fly out to right field to end the game. Kessinger struck out five, not allowing a walk.

UNO's Jeremy Klein scored the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out he lined a pitch through the left side for a single, then took second on a wild pitch. Right fielder Dustin Koca drove Klein home with two outs, singling to right field.

Brian Goliber led off the seventh by doubling to left center. Klein advanced Goliber to third with a ground ball, then scoring on a single to left by Grand Island native Bryan Frew.

Grand Island Legion senior tryouts scheduled

Tryouts for the Home Federal and Chief senior Legion baseball teams will be held on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. and Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Ryder Park.  Players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, to be eligible for a senior team. Call Tino Martinez at 380-2735 or Ron Depue at 390-0651 for more information.



DISC GOLF

Iron Man Tournament set for Saturday

The Burwell, Ord, Loup City Iron Man Disc Golf Tournament takes place Saturday.  Over 40 disc golfers from all around Nebraska and South Dakota will play 20 holes at the disc golf courses in each of the cities. 

This year's tournament is a PDGA sanctioned C-tier event through the Competition Endowment Program. The tournament will begin in Burwell's Riverside Park at 10 a.m. Then the players will drive to Ord to play the course at Bussell Park.

The players will then travel to Loup City for the final segment of the tournament at Jenner's Park.



BASKETBALL

Grand Island Northwest boys camp June 2-6

The Grand Island Northwest boys basketball coaching Staff will be hosting a basketball camp on June 2-6 for grades 5-12. Grades 9-12 will be from 9 a.m. to noon.Grades 7-8 will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Grades 5-6 will be from 2:30-4 p.m.  

To register for the camp you can pick up a brochure at Northwest High School or call the school at 385-6394to have them send you a brochure.



VOLLEYBALL

Northwest summer volleyball clinic scheduled

Coach Diane Rouzee announced the dates and times for the Northwest Summer Volleyball Clinic. It will be held June 16-19. Grades 1-5 will be from 8-9:15 a.m. each day, grades 6-8 will be 9:30-10:45 a.m. and grades 9-12 will be 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

This is for the grade you will be entering in the fall.  Cost is $30 if you pre-register, $35 if you register the day of the camp. Clinic will include instruction in all areas of the game, a t-shirt, certificates and prizes.

Questions can be directed to Diane Rouzee at drouzee@esu10.org and Ann  Purdy at apurdy@esu10.org or call Northwest High School (308) 385-6394.



TENNIS

Yazdgerdi named Hastings College coach

HASTINGS -- Hastings College athletic director Fran Hummel has announced the hiring of Comron Yazdgerdi as head men's and women's tennis coach at Hastings College. 

The Pueblo, Colo., native is a 2005 graduate of Hastings College while majoring in biology and psychology with a minor in coaching.  He is currently the head tennis coach at Scottsbluff High School. 

Comron was named first team all-conference in 2005 and garnered second team honors in 2004.  Yazdgerdi takes over for Lee Wigert, who stepped down to concentrate on his position of professor of psychology at Hastings College.



COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Eighteen more join UNK

KEARNEY -- Nebraska-Kearney head football coach Darrell Morris Thursday announced the names of 18 high seniors who will play for the Lopers next season.

They join four mid-year transfers and 17 high seniors who came aboard in February, as newcomers to the program.      

Thursday's group features 10 Nebraska natives, four players from Colorado and two from Kansas. Other states represented are Arizona and New Mexico.

By position, this group includes six defensive backs, three wide receivers, two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen/ends, two quarterbacks, two linebackers and one running back. 

 The Nebraska natives include Cambridge's Lance Shifflet, who ranked second in the state this past fall in rushing (2,103 yards). However, he'll switch over to the defensive side of the ball and play outside linebacker for the Lopers. 

 Justin Drudik of Adams Central, whose older brother Adam is currently at tight end for UNK, and Nick Cooley of Morrill will be the new quarterbacks on the 2008 roster. The current QBs include a senior and three redshirt freshmen.

 Another family connection comes from Grand Island Senior High where Pete Kropp will join older brother Jay in the UNK secondary.

 From Colorado, the Lopers picked up running back Ryan Skogg of Heritage High School (Highlands Ranch). In the state's largest class (5A) this fall, Skogg ranked fifth in rushing with 1,556 yards.

UNK returned to Fort Collins -- home to many an ex-Loper -- to snag linemen Parker Jolly (Rocky Mountain H.S.) while defensive linemen Ray Hatchett (Sand Creek H.S.) and cornerback Josh Jordan (Rampart H.S.) come from Colorado Springs.

Finally, UNK went out west to pick up linemen Eric Cooley (Los Alamos, N.M.) and safety Zach Moore (Chandler, Ariz.).

  The Lopers begin the 2008 season Aug. 30 with a home game vs. Wayne State. Game time is still TBA.