Sports – Page 295 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Knights Softball Looking to Compete for Region Title

Posted on February 5, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights softball team comes into the spring 2015 season with optimism and high goals. Knights Head Coach Janelle Higgins, who is in her fifth season with the Knights, said about this year’s squad, “I think we have a good chance to come out pretty decent on the conference side and on the region side. We have a pretty good group of sophomores that are our core that is returning for us.”

The three starters that return are Shannon Lieber, Brittney Odum and Jazmin (Mehana) Chang. Sara Runia is returning from an ACL injury last year and Christina Rodie is the other returning sophomore on this year’s team.

The pitching staff will be anchored by Shannon Lieber, who will get a majority of the starts. Lieber, in the 2013-14 campaign had an earned run average of 4.65 in 75.1 innings pitched. She had 3 wins and 6 losses on the season. The Knights have other players who can step in and get some innings.

“Sara Runia has showed a lot of potential in the fall and the spring working on her pitching,” said Higgins. Higgins also looks to freshman Baileigh Oleson, along with Runia, to be back up to Lieber, and get some starts. “She has a lot of hard work and ‘go after it’ attitude. She gets it done on the mound,” Higgins said about Oleson”

Other Knights that will compete out of the bullpen will be Sara Villalobos and Audrie Conner, along with Toree Polsley and Andrea Quiroga to provide some relief. As for pitching, according to Higgins, “We look pretty well depth wise.”

The catcher position is up for grabs. The Knights will look to freshmen Villalobos and Jessica Jarvis, along with sophomore Rodie to handle the catching duties. “Villalobos has stuck out as a good candidate to get some starts. Jarvis will get a lot of starts as well. Jarvis is very quick. We just have to get her some confidence. She is a quiet kid and soft spoken kid, so to get her to open up those lungs and be a vocal leader will get her some starts,” Higgins said.

How the infield shapes up is dependent on who is pitching. Runia and Oleson play middle infield for the Lady Knights. Lieber, when not pitching will play first or second. Polsley can play second. Caroline Mobis will play first or third. “She is very strong, very quick and has a solid arm. I see her getting a lot of innings at third,” said Higgins.

The outfield has two returning players in it, Brittney Odum and Mahana Chang. The third outfielder could rotate depending on who is pitching and catching. Some of the candidates to fill the third position are Christina Rodie, Sara Villalobos, Jessica Jarvis and Andrea Quiroga.

Hitting wise, Higgins said, “We have some pretty good bats coming back. Odum has been working hard in the off-season cranking the ball, along with Chang. Lieber has been working hard and Christina Rodie had some key hits in the fall season.”

Higgins noted freshmen that should contribute offensively. Baileigh Oleson will supply some power. Higgins also mentioned Caroline Mobis.

“During the fall portion of the schedule, Mobis batted in the leadoff spot. She is very consistant. She is good at reading the count, reading the batters and reading the pitchers,” Higgins said. Other freshmen that could provide some power Higgins mentioned are Tara Crouch and Andrea Quiroga. “Out of the 14 kids on the roster, all 14 have the chance to show us some real good at bats” Higgins said.

The running game will miss Siarra Velasquez, who moved on to William Penn University. Velasquez had 36 stolen bases last season. The Knights will look to Audrie Conner, Andrea Quiroga and Mehana Chang to provide spark on the base paths.

The Knights open up the season on Saturday, February 7, as they travel to Colby Community College in a doubleheader. Game times are at noon and 2 p.m. CST.

The Knights will be on the road for the month of February. They will have games throughout the month in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado before their first home game against Colby Community College on March 8.

ESPN Radio will once again do play by play of many Knights softball games. They can also be heard on the internet at www.northplattepost.com . Most of the home games will be live streamed on www.coachesaid.com.

Creighton Tops Xavier in OT, 79-72

Posted on February 4, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — Rick Kreklow scored 17 points and led five players into double-figure scoring as Creighton knocked off Xavier in overtime, 79-72 on Wednesday night.

Dee Davis hit the first of two free throws with :34 left to tie the game at 65-65, but missed a go-ahead free throw that could have decided the game in regulation.

Matt Stainbrook and Davis each converted a pair of free throws in overtime, but Davis’ 3 with 1:26 left was the Musketeers’ lone field goal of the extra period. Xavier was just 1 for 6 from the field in the final two minutes.

Creighton (11-13 2-9 Big East) closed it out by going 6 for 6 from the line in the final :16.

Groselle finished with 15 points for the Bluejays, who shot 45.8 percent from the field (27 of 59).

Jalen Reynolds led Xavier with 17 points as the Musketeers (14-9, 5-6) were just 22 of 57 from the field.

Former Knight Montalvo, Texas St. Claims 63-43 Victory over Cold-Shooting S. Alabama

Posted on February 4, 2015

Ethan Montalvo with the NPCC Knights in 2014

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Ethan Montalvo hit four 3-pointers and scored 15 points as Texas State clobbered cold-shooting South Alabama 63-43 on Wednesday night.

With the win, Texas State (11-10, 5-7 Sun Belt) has swept the season series and owns the tie-breaker on South Alabama (7-16, 5-7).

Nearly a third of the Bobcats’ made field goals (23) were 3-pointers as they hit eight from long range. They made a season-high 10 in their first meeting with South Alabama.

The Jaguars scored a season-low in points, held to 31-percent shooting (16-52), making just 4 of 16 from 3-point range and 7 of 12 from the line. Texas State’s defensive stopper Wes Davis was back in the lineup after injury.

Ken Williams led the Jaguars with nine points on 3 of 12 shooting.

JaMarcus Weatherspoon added 12 points for Texas State, which scored the first seven points and led by 18 at halftime.

Benched at Start, Sullinger helps Celtics beat Denver at End

Posted on February 4, 2015

BOSTON (AP) — Benched at the start because of lateness, Jared Sullinger made two free throws with 22.8 seconds left to break a tie and lift the Boston Celtics over the Denver Nuggets 104-100 Wednesday night.

Coach Brad Stevens kept Sullinger out of the lineup for the second straight home game after the forward was late for the afternoon shootaround. On Sunday, he was late for a walkthrough.

Sullinger wound up scoring 14 points. It was 100-all when he was fouled by Kenneth Faried driving to the basket, and he hit both free throws.

The Celtics won their second in a row and seemed energized by a loud ovation from the crowd that honored several New England Patriots who were in attendance after winning the Super Bowl. Defensive back Malcolm Butler, who saved Sunday’s victory over Seattle with an interception in the closing seconds, was among those at the game.

Rockies, Blue Jays Swap Minor League Left-Handers

Posted on February 4, 2015

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired left-handed Jayson Aquino from the Colorado Rockies for lefty Tyler Ybarra in a swap of minor leaguers.

The trade was announced Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Aquino went a combined 5-10 with a 5.13 ERA as a starter in Single-A and Double-A.

The 25-year-old Ybarra was 4-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 38 relief appearances in Double-A.

Toronto designated infielder Chris Colabello for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Huskers Sign Quartet of Soccer Players

Posted on February 4, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska soccer team announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2015 season on Wednesday. The commits include Kristi King, Caroline Buelt, Emily O’Neal and Lindsay Hargreaves.

King and Hargreaves each hail from Canada, while Buelt comes from Polk City, Iowa and O’Neal joins the Huskers from Dallas, Texas. King is from Burlington, Ontario, and Hargreaves is a Victoria, B.C. native. All four signees are defenders and bring a wealth of experience to the Nebraska soccer program.

Complete bios are available at the links below.

Nebraska Soccer 2015 Recruiting Class

Storm Raise Over $16,000 For Team Jack Foundation

Posted on February 4, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm fans raised over $16,000 for the Team Jack Foundation in the month of January.

Funds were collected through t-shirt sales, a silent auction of specialty game-worn jerseys and January’s Jerseys For A Cause program.

T-shirt sales began in December and continued through Team Jack Night on Jan. 24, when the Storm wore the specialty jerseys in a 4-2 win over the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Over $10,000 was collected from the silent auction of uniforms during the contest.

Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Jerseys For A Cause benefits a different organization each month. The full list of participants also includes Relay For Life, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Phelps Memorial Hospital, Mary Lanning Hospital, Stay In The Game and SAFE Kids.

“Once again, Storm fans came through and supported with great volume a month-long project to raise both money and awareness for the Team Jack Foundation,” said Team President Greg Shea.

“We’re so pleased to have been able to play a small part in what has become a major brand in the fight against pediatric brain cancer.”

The Storm now hit the road for a three-game trip starting Friday against the Lincoln Stars at 7:05 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming games, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.

CBs from Colorado Top Riley’s 1st Nebraska Recruiting Class

Posted on February 4, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New Nebraska coach Mike Riley has announced a recruiting class of 20 players on letter-of-intent signing day.

Riley added 11 players to a group of nine that verbally committed to former coach Bo Pelini before Pelini’s firing after the regular season.

Some of the biggest names in the class are cornerbacks recruited out of Colorado by Pelini’s staff. Rivals.com lists Eric Lee of Highlands Ranch as the top overall prospect in Colorado and the 12th-ranked cornerback in the nation. Rivals has Avery Anderson of Colorado Springs ranked No. 25 at cornerback.

Other four-star recruits signing Wednesday were defensive tackle Khalil Smith of Blue Springs, Missouri; offensive lineman Jalin Barnett of Lawton, Oklahoma; and wide receiver Stanley Morgan of New Orleans.

The full list of recruits can be seen below.

NEBRASKA=

x-Avery Anderson, db, 6-0, 175, Pine Creek HS, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Lavan Alston, wr, 6-0, 175, St. Bonaventure HS, Ventura, Calif.

Jalin Barnett, ol, 6-4, 310, Lawton (Okla.) HS.

Mohamed Barry, lb, 6-1, 215, Grayson HS, Loganville, Ga.

Alex Davis, de, 6-5, 230, Dwyer HS, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Carlos Davis, dt, 6-2, 265, Blue Springs (Mo.) HS.

Khalil Davis, dt, 6-2, 265, Blue Springs (Mo.) HS.

Michael Decker, ol, 6-4, 285, North HS, Omaha, Neb.

Tyrin Ferguson, lb, 6-2, 200, Edna Karr HS, New Orleans.

Christian Gaylord, ol, 6-6, 275, Baldwin City (Kan.) HS.

x-Eric Lee, db, 6-0, 180, Valor Christian HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Stanley Morgan, wr, 6-0, 185, St. Augustine HS, New Orleans.

DaiShon Neal, de, 6-7, 250, Central HS, Omaha, Neb.

Jordan Ober, long snapper, 6-1, 200, Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas.

Devine Ozigbo, rb, 5-11, 225, Sachse (Texas) HS.

Antonio Reed, ath, 6-2, 200, Southaven (Miss.) HS.

Matt Snyder, te, 6-5, 245, San Ramon (Calif.) HS.

Adrienne Talan, lb, 6-1, 200, Flanagan HS, Davie, Fla.

x-Aaron Williams, db, 5-11, 185, Carver HS, Atlanta.

x-Dedrick Young, rb, 6-1, 220, Centennial HS, Peoria, Ariz.

X_enrolled in January

Kendrick Agrees to $5.5 Million, 1-Year Deal with Rockies

Posted on February 4, 2015

DENVER (AP) — Free agent pitcher Kyle Kendrick and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $5.5 million, one-year contract.

The 30-year-old right-hander is 74-68 with a 4.42 ERA in eight major league seasons, all with the Philadelphia Phillies, and has won 10 games or 11 games six times.

Kendrick, whose agreement was announced Wednesday, is a durable sinkerball specialist, but has a 5.26 ERA in seven career appearances at Coors Field.

He allowed 25 homers last year, when he went 10-13 for the second straight season. His 32 starts and 199 innings were career highs.

Left-hander Yohan Flande was designated for assignment. He went 0-6 with a 5.19 ERA last year in 10 starts and six relief appearances.

Nebraska-Kearney Football Signings

Posted on February 4, 2015

NEBRASKA-KEARNEY=

Bob Bailey, ol, 6-5, 295, Mesa (Ariz.) CC, San, Antonio, Texas

Jack Barna, db, 6-0, 185, Millard West HS, Omaha, Neb.

Jacob Browne, ol, 6-0, 265, Fort Lupton (Colo.) HS.

Nick Brungardt, ol, 6-4, 290, Kearney (Neb.) Catholic HS.

Dennis Cabanting, dl, 6-0, 250, Kearney (Neb.) Catholic HS.

DJ Curtis, db, 6-1, 215, Francis Howell North HS, St. Charles, Mo.

Brayden Davis, lb, 6-2, 195, Twin Loup HS, Sargent, Neb.

Austan Daniels, wr, 6-0, 180, Burke HS, Omaha, Neb.

Kevin Estime, db, 6-0, 200, North Dakota School of Science, Orlando, Fla.

Kevin Gallardo-Franklin, lb, 6-2, 210, Lincoln (Neb.) HS.

Rakid Hill, db, 5-11, 190, Hazelwood West HS, Florissaint, Mo.

Quentin Holley, db, 6-1, 170, Valor Christian HS, Centennial, Colo.

Tobey Huebert, wr, 5-11, 180, Aurora (Neb.) HS.

Jake Kadow, wr, 6-2, 180, St. Cecilia HS, Hastings, Neb.

Kolin Kenton, ol, 6-5, 230, Lexington (Neb.) HS.

Brennan Koller, db, 5-11, 180, Arapahoe (Neb.) HS.

Matt Kostenbauer, te, 6-5, 225, Palmer Ridge HS, Monument, Colo.

Tanner Lusk, te, 6-3, 235, Beatrice (Neb.) HS.

Brandon McDonald, ol, 6-2, 270, Elkhorn South HS, Omaha, Neb.

Jamarion McDonald, db, 6-2, 190, Manatee HS, Bradenton, Fla.

Alex McGinnis, qb, 6-4, 215, Crete (Neb.) HS.

Jack McLeay, ol, 6-1, 280, Creighton Prep HS, Omaha, Neb.

John Masker, qb, 6-1, 170, Kearney (Neb.) Catholic HS.

Randon Moore, db, 6-0, 175, North Side HS, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Payton Nelson, qb, 6-0, 175, North HS, Omaha, Neb.

Devon O’Grady, de, 6-4, 230, Sierra Canyon HS, Simi Valley, Calif.

Zach Pierre, db, 6-0, 180, Sierra Canyon HS, Canoga Park, Calif.

Justin Roberts, qb, 6-3, 200, Pomona HS, Arvada, Colo.

Ethan Rose, wr, 6-2, 180, Sterling (Colo.) HS.

Thomas Russell, rb, 6-1, 205, Millard West HS, Omaha, Neb.

AJ Schulze, te, 6-3, 220, Francis Howell North HS, St. Charles, Mo.

Sal Silvio, lb, 5-10, 225, Liberty North HS, Kansas City, Mo.

Colton Sis, lb, 6-4, 225, McCook (Neb.) HS.

Alec Sovereign, wr-te, 6-3, 195, Southwest HS, Lincoln, Neb.

Josh Stoltenberg, ol, 6-2, 300, Creighton Prep HS, Omaha, Neb.

Zach Sullivan, db, 6-3, 185, Millard West HS, Omaha, Neb.