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Category: Sports

Circulator bus, park-and-ride set for College World Series

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — College World Series fans wanting to avoid traffic congestion in downtown Omaha can use Metro’s Stadium Circulator and Stadium Express.

The Stadium Circulator will connect TD Ameritrade Park with downtown hotels, parking garages, the Old Market and other attractions. It will run every 10 minutes and operate 90 minutes before the first game each day until 90 minutes after the last game. Cost is 25 cents, and special signs will designate pickup locations.

The circulator also will operate Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after Opening Celebration Day festivities.

Stadium Express rides are $3 each way with exact change required. Locations are 121st and I Streets near Anytime Fitness, 102nd and Nicholas near Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Lots C1 and C3 of the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Stanton hits 22nd homer to help Marlins beat Rockies 6-0

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MIAMI (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton drove in four runs with his 22nd homer and a 40-foot single, and the Miami Marlins broke a three-game losing streak Thursday night by beating Colorado 6-0.

David Phelps (3-3), rocked by the Rockies at Coors Field last week, pitched a career-high eight innings, allowing four hits. Chris Rusin (2-1), who beat Phelps last week, gave up 11 hits and six runs in 5 1-3 innings.

Stanton came into the game leading the majors in home runs and RBIs, and he pulled a liner into the Rockies bullpen for a three-run homer in the first inning. It was only his second homer this year with more than one runner on base.

Stanton drove in another run in the second with two-out swinging bunt that rolled to a stop on the foul line. He has 13 homers and 41 RBIs in 35 career games against Colorado.

Bittner Joins Wisconsin as Assistant Coach

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JB Bittner
JB Bittner

KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm assistant coach JB Bittner has accepted a new position as the assistant coach with the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team. In addition to his on-ice work, Bittner will also be an important part of the team’s scouting and recruiting.

Bittner becomes the first coach in Storm history to go straight from the USHL ranks to a Division I program.

The Pittsburgh native thanked the Storm organization on Twitter Thursday morning.

“I want to thank the whole Tri-City Storm organization for the opportunity to coach in the USHL,” Bittner said. I’ve worked with and met some great people.”

Since joining the staff in June of 2013, Bittner has played an instrumental role in the scouting and recruitment of players to Tri-City, along with overseeing the team’s defense and penalty killing unit.

 

Tri-City was first in team defense among USHL teams during the 2014-15, giving up just 158 goals in the 60-game regular season.

 

Bittner came to Kearney after spending two years in professional hockey as an assistant coach for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). Before that, the coach spent three seasons as an assistant coach and video coordinator with his alma mater, Ohio State.

The former Buckeye explained his decision to join the Badgers in the team’s official release.

“This is obviously a prestigious place and the hockey program is second to none,” Bittner said. It is one of the top five hockey programs in the country. The tradition is unbelievable. Walking around the building and seeing all the championships that have been won here, the coaches and players who have been here is awesome. Just to get a chance to be part of that is something that I’m really looking forward to.”

Tri-City is preparing for the team’s annual tryout camp, which will be held in Las Vegas next week from June 15-21.

Season tickets for the 2015-16 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011.

NJCAA to follow lead of NCAA on basketball rule changes

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The NJCAA Executive Committee and the basketball committee chairs approved for the NJCAA to follow the recent NCAA Rule changes for men’s and women’s basketball for the 2015-16 season with the exception of the change in the men’s defensive arc. The change in the arc will be adopted in the NJCAA for the 2016-17 basketball season.

Here’s a look at the new rules that will be in place for the upcoming season in the NJCAA.

Men’s Basketball Rule Changes

The key areas officials will focus on in the upcoming season are:

  • Perimeter defense, particularly on the dribbler and strictly enforcing directives established  before the 2013-14 season.
  • Physicality in post play.
  • Screening, particularly moving screens and requiring the screener to be stationary.
  • Block/charge plays.
  • Allowing greater freedom of movement for players without the ball.

Pace of play

Reducing the shot clock to 30 seconds from 35 seconds.

Teams will also have one fewer team timeout (only three can carryover instead of four) in the second half. Officials will focus more on resuming play quickly after a timeout and will issue a delay-of-game warning when a team does not comply and a one-shot technical foul on subsequent violations.

Removing the ability for a coach to call timeout when the ball is live.

Allowing a total of only 10 seconds to advance the ball to the front court (with a few exceptions).

Reducing the amount of time allotted to replace a disqualified player from 20 to 15 seconds.

Restricted-area arc (will be adopted for the 2016-17 season)

Expansion of the restricted-area arc from 3 feet to 4 feet.

Faking fouls

A rule that would allow officials to penalize players who fake fouls. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee felt that players trying  to draw fouls by deception  is a growing issue.

Other changes

Allowing officials to use the monitor to review a potential shot clock violation on made field goals throughout the entire game.

Making Class B technical fouls (hanging on the rim and delaying the resumption of play, for example) one-shot technical fouls. Previously, two shots were granted for these types of technical fouls.

Eliminating the five-second closely guarded rule while dribbling the ball.

Removing the prohibition on dunking in pregame warmups and at halftime.

 

Women’s Basketball Rule Changes

Games will be played in four 10-minute quarters next season, instead of the 20-minute halves.

Teams will now reach the bonus and shoot two free throws on the fifth team foul in each quarter. Previously, teams reached a one-and-one bonus on the seventh team foul of each half and reached the double bonus (two shots) on the 10th team foul.

In the four-quarter format, team fouls reset to zero at the start of each quarter. However, if a team reaches the bonus in the fourth quarter, that team would remain in the bonus during any additional overtime periods.

Advancing the ball

A rule that allows teams to advance the ball to the front-court following a timeout immediately after a made basket in the last 59.9 seconds of the fourth quarter and any overtime periods.

Teams also will be allowed to advance the ball to the frontcourt after securing the ball from a rebound or a change of possession. In these scenarios, the ball would be inbounded at the 28-foot mark on the side of the court where the scorer’s table is located.

10-second backcourt exceptions

NCAA women’s basketball implemented the 10-second backcourt rule during the 2013-14 season.

For the upcoming season, a team will not receive a new 10-second backcourt count when a throw-in results from the following:

  • The ball is deflected out of bounds by the defense.
  • There is a held ball and the possession arrow favors the offensive team.
  • A technical foul is called on the offensive team while the ball is in its backcourt.

Post defense

A new rule that allows defenders to place a forearm or an open hand with a bend in the elbow on an offensive post player with the ball whose back is to the basket.

Three Players Leaving Husker Football Program

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Mike Riley (Photo from ESPN.com)
Mike Riley (Photo from ESPN.com)

Mike Riley announced on Thursday the departure of three Nebraska football players. Safety LeRoy Alexander and receiver Jariah Tolbert plan to transfer and continue their college careers elsewhere.

Senior linebacker David Santos will also not be returning to the Huskers this fall. Santos has started 19 games over the past three seasons for Nebraska, including eight game last year.

Huskers Begin Action at NCAA Championships

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Drew Wiseman placed 14th in the 400-meter hurdles. (Photo Courtesy Walt Middleton)
Drew Wiseman placed 14th in the 400-meter hurdles. (Photo Courtesy Walt Middleton)

Eugene, Ore. – The Nebraska track and field team began action at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships on Wednesday at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.

The men’s 4×100 relay team (Nikita Pankins, Ricco Hall, Antoine Lloyd, Cody Rush) ran a season-best time of 39.76 to finish 13th overall in the event, which earned them second-team All-America honors. The 13th-place finish was the best for the Huskers on the day.

Sophomore Drew Wiseman finished 14th in the 400-meter hurdles, running 51.16 to finish fifth in his heat. Wiseman earned second-team All-America honors in his first time competing in an individual event at the NCAA Championships.

Senior Will Lohman finished 15th in the hammer throw, recording his best effort on his first attempt, reaching 212-5 (64.75m). His finish earned him second-team All-America honors for the first time in his career. He also competed in the shot put later in the evening, registering a best throw of 61-8 1/2 (18.81m) to finish 17th.

The men’s 4×400-relay team (Levi Gipson, Cody Rush, Antoine Lloyd, Jake Bender) finished 15th in 3:07.72. Bender’s 45.52 split on the anchor leg was the fastest in the heat. 

Sophomore Steven Cahoy cleared the opening pole vault height of 16-10 3/4 (5.15m) on his second attempt, but suffered a back injury on his first attempt at 17-4 1/2 (5.30m). He passed through to get to 17-8 1/2 (5.40m) but was unable to clear, finishing in a tie for 16th and also earning second-team All-America honors.

Senior Ricco Hall ran 21.07 in the 200 meters and finished 23rd.

The four-day meet continues on Thursday. Tierra Williams and Jazmin McCoy will compete in the long jump at 7:15 p.m. (CT), and Sarah Firestone will throw the javelin at 7:30 p.m. (CT). TV coverage on ESPN will begin at 7:30 p.m. for track events, while ESPN3.com will stream live field events throughout the day. 

NCAA Championships Finishes
4×100 Relay (Nikita Pankins/Ricco Hall/Antoine Lloyd/Cody Rush), 13th: 39.76
Drew Wiseman, 14th – 400m Hurdles: 51.16
Will Lohman, 15th – Hammer Throw: 212-5 (64.75m)
4×400 Relay (Levi Gipson/Cody Rush/Antoine Lloyd/Jake Bender), 15th: 3:07.72
Steven Cahoy, T-16th – Pole Vault: 16-10 3/4 (5.15m)
Will Lohman, 17th – Shot Put: 61-8 1/2 (18.81m)
Ricco Hall, 23rd – 200m: 21.07

Sweep, it is: Gordon, Volquez guide Royals past Twins 7-2

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a three-run homer, Edinson Volquez struck out six batters over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals beat Minnesota 7-2 on Wednesday to finish the first series sweep this season of the Twins at home.

The Twins scored 11 runs while stumbling to a 1-5 record on this home-stand, which handed the division lead back to Kansas City. The Twins hadn’t been swept since the opening series of the season at Detroit.

Their frustration was evident in the eighth, when Torii Hunter was ejected by home plate umpire Mark Ripperger for arguing a called third strike. Hunter had to be restrained briefly, before yanking off his elbow pad, shin guard and batting gloves and throwing them toward the batter’s box.

For good measure, Hunter ripped off his jersey and threw that over the first-base line, before retreating to the dugout.

Manager Paul Molitor was given his first career ejection during the conflict, too.

Husker QB Commit, O’Brien, Invited to Elite 11 Finals

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obrien

Nebraska quarterback commit Patrick O’Brien is an Elite 11 finalist.

The 6-foot-4 California quarterback received his official invitation to the Elite 11 Finals on Wednesday night, and will be one of 18 competitors to compete in the annual top quarterback competition.

The Elite 11 finals will take place July 5-11 at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

Ten of the past 11 Heisman-winning quarterbacks were Elite 11 finalists.

 

Patrick O’Brien Highlight Tape

SGA Torch Run Miles Available for Local Runners Tuesday, June 16

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Lincoln – – The Nebraska Sports Council invites Ogallala and North Platte area residents to run a mile with the State Games of America (SGA) Torch on Tuesday, June 16.   There is no entry fee and runners will receive a free T-shirt.

The Torch Run is the precursor to the 2015 State Games of America, which takes place July 28-August 2 in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities. Competition is offered in 67 sports for an estimated 18,000 athletes, including national qualifiers from 46 states and host-state entries from 190 different Nebraska communities.

Locally, the Sidney High School Cross Country team will kick things off west of Ogallala around 7:30 a.m.  The Ogallala High School Cross Country team will take over in Ogallala around 9 a.m. and continue west on Highway 30.  The Torch will travel through Paxton, Sutherland and Hershey before members of the North Platte High School Cross Country team bring the Torch into the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in North Platte for a media stop.  At 7 p.m. Nebraska National Guard soldiers will make a special appearance with the Torch at the Demolition Derby at the Lincoln County Raceway.

Runners are responsible for their own transportation and will be scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis.  To sign up, please contact:  Pat Hagedorn at 402-471-2544 or hagedorn@nebraskasportscouncil.com

The Torch Run, sponsored by the National Guard, completes its journey on Friday, July 31, when the caldron is lit at the Games’ Opening Ceremonies at Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium, home of the Huskers.  Olympic hurdler and bobsledder Lolo Jones and Olympic wrestler Jordan Burroughs will do the honors to cap off a show featuring the parade of athletes from 46 different states, exhibitions by the Metal Mulisha motocross team, the Army Golden Knights Parachute team and the famous Crevier family.

For State Games of America entry information and to register online log onto:  www.SGA2015.com or call 402-471-2544.

Peitzmeier, Lubach among 8 with Nebraska ties taken in draft

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Tanner Lubach (Photo Courtesy Stephanie Carpenter/NU Media Relations)
Tanner Lubach (Photo Courtesy Stephanie Carpenter/NU Media Relations)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Eight players with ties to Nebraska have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft.

Tyler Peitzmeier of Yutan, who pitches for Cal State Fullerton, and Nebraska catcher Tanner Lubach out of Lincoln Southwest High both were taken in the ninth round. Peitzmeier went to the Chicago Cubs and Lubach to the Los Angeles Angels.

Iowa Western Community College shortstop Ryan Merrill, who graduated from Millard West High, went to St. Louis in the 15th round. Bellevue University pitcher Stephan Meyer, from Tucson, Arizona, went to Pittsburgh in the 18th.

Other picks: Nebraska third baseman Blake Headley (Millard South), 20th, Cubs; Nebraska pitcher Josh Roeder (Plano, Texas), 21st, New York Yankees; Nebraska pitcher Colton Howell (O’Fallon, Missouri), 27th, San Diego; and Papillion-La Vista High School pitcher Sean Chandler, 32nd, Milwaukee.

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