February 2015 – Page 49 – North Platte Post Archive

Maryland Tabbed Big Ten Baseball Preseason Favorite, Nebraska Second

Posted on February 11, 2015

Rosemont, Ill. – Maryland was voted the preseason favorite to claim the 2015 Big Ten Baseball Championship as voted on by the conference coaches and announced on Wednesday. The coaches voted on the top six teams and also selected three student-athletes from their own squads to a Players to Watch list. The Terrapins were followed in the preseason poll by Nebraska in second place, No. 3 Illinois, Indiana in fourth place, No. 5 Michigan and Ohio State in sixth place.

Maryland is coming off its first Super Regional appearance in program history and returns All-American infielder Brandon Lowe and pitcher Mike Shawaryn. Lowe batted .348 last season and tied for the team lead in RBI (42). Shawaryn set the program record with 11 wins last season. Kevin Mooney, who notched a program record 13 saves in 2014, also returns for the Terrapins. Lowe, Mooney and Shawaryn were named Maryland’s Players to Watch.

Nebraska was picked to finish second after advancing to the NCAA Regional and finishing the season with a 41-21 record. The Huskers finished second in the Big Ten a year ago and return unanimous All-Big Ten first-team pitcher Chance Sinclair. Also comprising Nebraska’s Players to Watch are outfielder Ryan Boldt, a 2014 All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection, and senior pitcher Kyle Kubat, who earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team in 2013 and 2014.

Illinois welcomes back 18 letterwinners from last season, including five starting pitchers. Among the staff and Players to Watch are junior left handers Kevin Duchene and Tyler Jay. Duchene went 4-1 with a Big Ten-best 1.80 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 55 innings pitched in nine starts last season. Jay earned second-team All-Mideast Region and All-Big Ten honors a year ago, while sophomore shortstop Adam Walton was named second-team All-Big Ten and was a member of the All-Freshman team.

The Hoosiers won the 2014 outright Big Ten title and Big Ten Tournament Championship. Indiana returns three starters that hit over .300 last year, including first-team All-Big Ten selection Scott Donley, who was named to the Players to Watch list, along with pitchers Scott Effross and Ryan Halstead. Effross led the conference with 32 appearances and recorded an ERA of 1.98. The Hoosiers welcome back Halstead after redshirting last season. As a junior, he struck out 48 batters in 43.2 innings of work.

Michigan is coming off a 30-win season in 2014, with infielder and relief pitcher Jacob Cronenworth, outfielder Jackson Glines and shortstop Travis Maezes recognized as Players to Watch. On the mound, Cronenworth recorded 12 saves and posted a 1.75 ERA last season. Glines was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection after batting .332 in 2014, while Maezes hit .302 with 18 doubles, four triples and three home runs.

Ohio State rounded out the preseason poll’s top six teams. The Buckeyes return 21 letterwinners from the 2014 campaign, including seven position players and four starting pitchers. Ohio State’s southpaw, Tanner Tully, was named the 2014 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and returns as a Player to Watch this season. Ronnie Dawson and Travis Lakins were also recognized as the Buckeyes’ Players to Watch.

The 2015 Big Ten baseball season is set to begin on Friday, Feb. 13.

The top-six preseason poll and complete Players to Watch list can be found below.

2015 BIG TEN BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL (top six teams)

1. Maryland

2. Nebraska

3. Illinois

4. Indiana

5. Michigan

6. Ohio State

2015 BIG TEN BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kevin Duchene, Jr., SP, Illinois

Tyler Jay, Jr., RP, Illinois

Adam Walton, So., SS, Illinois

Scott Effross, Jr., SP, Indiana

Ryan Halstead, Sr., RP, Indiana

Scott Donley, Sr., OF, Indiana

Jake Mangler, Sr., 2B, Iowa

Tyler Peyton, Jr., 1B/SP, Iowa

Eric Toole, Sr., OF, Iowa

Brandon Lowe, So., 2B, Maryland

Kevin Mooney, Jr., RP, Maryland

Mike Shawaryn, So., SP, Maryland

Jacob Cronenworth, Jr., IF/RP, Michigan

Jackson Glines, Sr., OF, Michigan

Travis Maezes, Jr., SS, Michigan

Jeff Kinley, Sr., RP, Michigan State

Blaise Salter, Sr., C, Michigan State

Mick VanVossen, Sr., SP, Michigan State

Ben Meyer, Sr., SP, Minnesota

Dalton Sawyer, Jr., SP., Minnesota

Connor Schaefbauer, Jr., 2B, Minnesota

Ryan Boldt, So., OF, Nebraska

Kyle Kubat, Sr., SP, Nebraska

Chance Sinclair, Sr., SP, Nebraska

Scott Heelan, Sr., C, Northwestern

Brandon Magallones, Sr., RHP, Northwestern

Kyle Ruchim, Sr., IF, Northwestern

Ronnie Dawson, So., OF, Ohio State

Travis Lakins, So., RHP, Ohio State

Tanner Tully, So., LHP, Ohio State

James Haley, So., SS, Penn State

Christian Helsel, So., 3B, Penn State

Taylor Lehman, Fr., LHP, Penn State

Kyle Johnson, Jr., CF, Purdue

Brandon Krieg, Sr., 3B, Purdue

Kyle Wood, Jr., 1B/RP, Purdue

Howie Brey, Jr., SP, Rutgers

Mike Carter, So., OF, Rutgers

Vinny Zarrillo, Sr., OF, Rutgers

Huskers Welcome Stanford for Senior Night

Posted on February 11, 2015

No. 10 Nebraska (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) hosts its final home dual of the season on Friday when the Huskers face Stanford for Senior Night at the Devaney Center.

Eight seniors will be honored before the dual, which starts at 7 p.m. (CT): Nyle Bartling (HWT), Luis DeAnda (149), James Green (157), Spencer Johnson (197), Robert Kokesh (174), Ian Ousley (165), John Svoboda (157) and Brandon Wilbourn (165).

The dual will be streamed on BTN Plus, with a subscription required to view the matches. Scoring will be available on TrackWrestling.com and Twitter updates can be followed from @HuskerWrestling.

The Huskers lead the all-time series against the Cardinal, 3-0-0. Last season, NU picked up a 28-12 triumph on Nov. 30, 2013, in Stanford, Calif.

This season, both teams enter the matchup on hot streaks. The Huskers have won seven consecutive duals in dominating fashion since the start of the New Year. Stanford has won eight straight duals since a loss to Oregon State on Jan. 10.

In its most recent outing, Nebraska completed a weekend sweep on the road in Michigan to finish the Big Ten dual season with an 8-1 record, which marked the Huskers’ best mark since joining the conference in 2011.

Head Coach Mark Manning enters Friday’s dual with 198 victories at Nebraska. With a win, he can tie Tim Neumann for the most wins in school history. Following Friday’s dual, Nebraska heads East to face Drexel and Princeton on Saturday, Feb. 21.

It’s Fast Becoming a Lost Season for Cold-Shooting Nebraska

Posted on February 11, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Tim Miles is looking for answers to spark his offense after losses in four of the last five games.

The Cornhuskers (13-11, 5-7) are 10th in the 14-team Big Ten after Tuesday’s 65-55 loss to Wisconsin. The Huskers play at Purdue on Sunday.

Miles said the Huskers are an “incomplete team” that lacks a playmaking point guard and an inside scoring threat. Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields are among the top seven scorers in the Big Ten, but there isn’t much offensive support behind them.

Nebraska is last in scoring and 3-point shooting in Big Ten play. The Huskers have averaged 48.6 points and shot 20 percent on 3s in their five conference road games, all losses. Miles said the struggles have sapped his team’s confidence.

Potential Employee Threatens to Kill Omaha Job Interviewer

Posted on February 11, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a man applying for a job in Omaha threatened to kill an interviewer when he was told he needed to shower in order to continue with the process.

According to an Omaha Police Department report, the potential employee arrived at an employment agency for an interview “with a foul smell about him.” Following the interview, the interviewer told the applicant that he must shower before returning for orientation.

The interviewer says the man smelled worse when he arrived for orientation and was told he couldn’t proceed until he cleaned up. The report says the applicant left but returned soon after threatening to shoot the interviewer.

Authorities advised the agency on how to obtain an arrest warrant following the incident last month.

Lincoln Emergency Service Deduce ‘Banana’ in Pine Tree is Geocache

Posted on February 11, 2015February 11, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Emergency personnel and a bomb disposal expert have determined that a suspicious “banana” hanging in a pine tree in Nebraska is simply a harmless geocache.

A utility worker spotted the device wrapped in yellow tape and attached to a wire on Tuesday in northeast Lincoln.

The worker called 911.

Police, firefighters and a bomb technician determined the “banana” wasn’t a bomb, but a prize hunted by people on geocaching quests.

Geocachers across the world use GPS devices to track and find the hidden objects.

Lincoln fire investigator Chuck Schweitzer says city bomb technicians have been out on similar calls through the years as geocaching has grown in popularity.

UNK Student Convicted in Threats Case

Posted on February 11, 2015February 11, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old student accused of making bomb threats to the University of Nebraska at Kearney has been convicted of a lesser charge.

Matthew Skinner, of Ogallala, pleaded guilty on Monday to attempted threat to use or place a bomb. Court records had lowered the original felony charge to a misdemeanor in exchange for Skinner’s plea. His sentencing is scheduled for April 9.

Anonymous threats were posted in September against a residence hall, another building on a library. The university says the social network Yik Yak cooperated with university police in tracking the posts.

A university spokeswoman says Skinner remains enrolled but isn’t allowed to live in the residence halls.

Maxwell Man Pleads Not Guilty to Killing His Wife

Posted on February 11, 2015

MAXWELL, Neb. (AP) — A 60-year-old man accused of killing his wife on their farm in western Nebraska has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder.

Emerson Craig entered his plea in Lincoln County District Court on Monday. The judge set a status hearing for April 27.

Authorities responded to the farm near Maxwell in April on a report that a woman was trapped under a large, round hay bale. They say that when they arrived they found that Emerson Craig had removed the hay bale. Fifty-two-year-old Heidi Craig was pronounced dead at the scene.

The autopsy reports say she died of blunt force trauma and strangulation.

Former Omaha PD Official Appointed to Nebraska Parole Board

Posted on February 11, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Omaha police official has been appointed to the Nebraska Board of Parole.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Wednesday that he has chosen Virgil Patlan, of Omaha.

Patlan served on the Omaha Police Department for 25 years, and was a member of Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s security detail. He also provided security for the Omaha Housing Authority and worked as a gang and youth violence investigation unit detective.

Patlan is the co-founder of the Latino Peace Officers Association (Omaha Chapter), the Burlington Road Neighborhood Association-Omaha, and the This Is Your Neighborhood Anti-Gang and Graffiti Program.

Patlan served in the U.S. Army and the Nebraska National Guard. His term begins on Feb. 17 and expires on Sept. 8. His annual salary will be $77,223.

Patlan’s appointment fills the board’s final vacancy.

Former Knight Nick Tomsick Takes His Skills to Germany

Posted on February 11, 2015

Former North Platte Community College Knights basketball player Nick Tomsick has taken his skills to Germany to play for the BBG Herford team in the Regonalliga league.

Tomsick made his debut on Feb. 7 for Herford against Baskets Lüdenscheid. Tomsick was only able to attend one practice with Herford after a 30 hour long journey to Germany before his debut.

Tomsick said that he got to Germany mid-day on Thursday, practiced on Friday, and then started at point guard on Saturday.

“I had to learn two offenses, five plays, four defenses in German and some in English then started the game at point guard on Saturday,” Tomsick said.

During that game Tomsick scored 18 points, had seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in 21 minutes of playing time.

Tomsick said that the Regonalliga league that he plays in is not the Euroleague. In the Euroleague there are different teams in it each year.

Tomsick said, “You have to qualify from your country the previous year, so you have many teams from different countries in that each country has its own leagues. If you win the current league you are in you get to move up a league.”

The league that Tomsick plays in only allows one American on the team. Playing in a foreign country Tomsick has to overcome some language barriers.

Tomsick said, “Some players speak better than others. My coach speaks good English but uses German in practice and games most the time, unless he is speaking to me directly. I have one player here who usually translates in practice or tells me what to do if I do not understand.”

Tomsick, a native of Scottsdale, Arizona, played for the Knights during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. He was a first team All-Region IX player for the Knights in the 2011-2012 season. He finished his career with the Knights with 956 points, which is currently 19th on the Knights all-time scoring list. During his sophomore season with the Knights, Tomsick led the NJCAA Region IX and ranked third in the nation in scoring at 22.3 points per game. He also added 3.6 rebounds per game.

Tomsick said, “North Platte Community College and Coach Kevin O’Connor prepared me to be successful and be able to adjust in any situation that I have experienced including playing at Fort Lewis College and moving across the world to play in Germany, and for that I’m grateful.”

After Tomsick left North Platte Community College, he went to Fort Lewis College in Colorado. Fort Lewis is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in NCAA Division II. Tomsick played for Fort Lewis during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. During his senior season, Tomsick averaged 20.0 points per game 3.1 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game.

Tomsick graduated from Fort Lewis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a Management option in May of 2014.

During his two years at Fort Lewis Tomsick left his mark at the four year school. He scored 1020 points, ranks 12th all-time in the Fort Lewis College career record books in three-point field goals (130) and 16th in free throws (232). He ranked second in both categories all time in a two year span. Tomsick was a team captain his senior year and named to the Second Team All-RMAC team his junior year and First Team All-RMAC his senior year. Tomsick was also selected as the Don Whalen Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year his senior year at Fort Lewis College.

BBG Herford is tied for first in their division with a 13-2 record.

Brain Stents Show Big Promise for Certain Stroke Patients

Posted on February 11, 2015

(AP)-Doctors are reporting a major advance in stroke care. They say that stents similar to ones that are used to open clogged heart arteries also can be used to clear a blood clot in the brain, and that this cuts the risk a patient will end up disabled.

The key to surviving a stroke is getting help fast. The first treatment usually is clot-dissolving medicine but it doesn’t always work. Three studies tested mesh cages called stents that are pushed through a blood vessel to trap and remove the clot. The treatment was so successful that all three studies were stopped early so it could be offered more widely.

The studies were discussed Wednesday at an American Stroke Association conference in Nashville.