Sports – Page 503 – North Platte Post Archive

Smith Competes at Caribbean Basketball Championships

Posted on July 3, 2014

Tortola. British Virgin Islands – Husker senior forward Leslee Smith is back home in his native country this week, representing the British Virgin Islands in the FIBA Caribbean Basketball Championships.

Smith, a 6-8 forward, has helped the British Virgin Islands to a 2-0 start in the preliminary round, averaging 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He opened competition with nine points and four rebounds in 20 minutes of work a 99-63 win over Guyana on Tuesday and had eight points, four rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocked shots in 19 minutes in an 81-77 win over Barbados last night.

The British Virgin Islands will take on the Virgin Islands tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. (CT) in a matchup of unbeaten teams in Group B, while both teams will advance to the semifinals as the top two finishers in the group.

The semifinals take place on Friday with the championship round set for Saturday. Antigua, Bahamas, Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the other nations in the eight-team event. The top three teams earn berths to Centrobasket Championship where they compete for spots in the FIBA Americas Championship, from which they can qualify for the FIBA World Cup/Championship or the Olympic Games.

Smith played a major role in the Huskers reaching the 2014 NCAA Tournament, as he played in all 32 games and averaged 5.4 points on a team-high 52 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds per game to rank third on the team in rebounding. Despite making only one start, Smith led the Huskers with three double-doubles and ranked ninth among Big Ten played with five double-figure rebound efforts in 2013-14.

This is the second time he has played for the British Virgin Islands in International competition, as he played in five games in the 2009 Caribbean Basketball Championships for his native country.

Smith’s competition this week will be the first of two international competitions for Huskers, as Tai Webster will play for New Zealand later this summer.

College Presidents Say No to Unions for Athletes

Posted on July 3, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — A national organization representing college and university presidents is disputing a federal ruling that students who receive college athletic scholarships are essentially employees of their schools and thus entitled to join unions and exercise collective-bargaining rights.

Student-athletes participate for their own benefit; they do not render services for compensation, said the 1,800 member American Council on Education.

Ahead of a midnight deadline, the council filed a 30-page friend-of-the court brief taking strong issue with the ruling earlier this year by a National Labor Relations Board regional director that allows college athletes at Northwestern University to unionize.

The full labor board is weighing the case.

In its own brief, the fledgling College Athletes Players Association argues that Northwestern football is a commercial enterprise from which the university derives substantial financial benefits.

Ex-NFL Players: Concussion Settlement ‘Lousy Deal’

Posted on July 3, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Seven retired NFL players are objecting to a proposed settlement of concussion claims, calling it a “lousy deal” for ex-players whose symptoms don’t qualify them for compensation.

The players’ lawyers filed a motion in federal court in Philadelphia on Wednesday urging a judge to reject the settlement between the NFL and up to 20,000 retired players.

The NFL last month agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages from thousands of claims. A judge must approve.

The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retirees who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurological problems.

The former players who object say the deal excludes players with symptoms of a degenerative brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy or suffering from milder brain injuries. They say it also excludes veterans of the defunct NFL Europe.

Autopsy: Soccer Referee’s Death Ruled Homicide

Posted on July 3, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — The local medical examiner says a referee who died after being punched during a soccer game near Detroit was killed during a homicide.

The Wayne County medical examiner’s office says an autopsy was conducted Thursday on 44-year-old John Bieniewicz (BEN’-uh-wits). Office spokeswoman Mary Mazur says the autopsy determined he died from blunt force trauma to the neck.

Police say 36-year-old Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad threw the punch during an adult-league soccer game Sunday in Livonia, a Detroit suburb. Bieniewicz, who lived in nearby Westland, died two days later.

Prosecutors have charged Saad with assault with intent to do great bodily harm. But they say the charges against the Dearborn man are being reviewed and could be amended in light of Bieniewicz’s death.

Saad’s attorney says his client is innocent.

Signed Lou Gehrig Glove Could Sell for $200K

Posted on July 3, 2014

GREENWICH, Conn. (AP) — A mitt signed by legendary New York Yankees slugger Lou Gehrig is going up for auction.

Howard Henderson was a boy some 80 years ago when the first baseman befriended him during front-yard games of catch. The glove Gehrig gave his fellow lefty will be auctioned off July 15.

Hunt Auctions says it can’t prove Gehrig used the glove in a game, though Henderson said Gehrig told him he had.

The glove is autographed “To Howard. I hope you have much luck with this glove as I did. Lou Gehrig.” It is expected to fetch between $200,000 and $300,000.

Gehrig was friends with Henderson’s father, songwriter Ray Henderson. Howard Henderson turns 92 on Friday, the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s famous July 4 farewell speech at Yankee Stadium.

Desmond’s Homer Lifts Nationals past Rockies 4-3

Posted on July 2, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — After a replay review, Ian Desmond’s solo homer provided the go-ahead run and the Washington Nationals rallied from a three-run deficit for 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night, sweeping the three-game series.

Jayson Werth also homered for Washington, which has won a season-high five straight.

Right-hander Matt Belisle (2-4) came on to face Desmond with one out in the seventh. Desmond’s hit appeared to bounce off the top of the wall in right center, then off the railing in front of the first row and onto the field.

He ended up on third, but after a review that took 3:42, Desmond was given his 15th homer.

Washington’s Doug Fister (7-2) allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings.

Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth for his 20th save.

Michael McKenry hit a three-run homer for Colorado.

Rockies Acquire RHP Jair Jurrjens from Reds

Posted on July 2, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have acquired right-hander Jair Jurrjens from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league first baseman Harold Riggins.

Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati in May, and was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA at Triple-A Louisville.

He has a 53-37 record with a 3.63 ERA in seven major league seasons, including five with Atlanta. He last pitched in the majors in 2013, appearing in two games with Baltimore.

Riggins was playing at Double-A Tulsa.

The Rockies have used 12 starting pitchers this season, the most in the majors, and have the worst team ERA, 4.99.

A team spokesman said Wednesday that Jurrjens will join the Rockies’ top farm club in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Vargas Pitches Royals to Victory, 4-0 over Twins

Posted on July 2, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have played well away from home. They’re consistently capable of winning with only a couple of runs.

If they can keep this up for the summer, they’ll probably be right there in the pennant race at the end.

Jason Vargas threw seven scoreless innings, Raul Ibanez homered in his second game for Kansas City and the Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 4-0 Wednesday.

“We’ve been running the ball out there and doing a good job of keeping our team in the ballgame, and when we’re not the boys are stepping up and keeping us in the ballgame,” Vargas said. “So we’ve got a good combo going on right now.”

Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Only five of their 21 outs against him were outfield flies.

“He’s got all the pitches,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed. With Joe Mauer missing, placed on the disabled list before the game because of a strained muscle on his right side, the Twins didn’t cause Vargas any trouble. They were shut out for the sixth time this season and lost for the seventh time in their last nine games.

“Obviously you have to score to win,” said Correia, the league leader in losses. “It’s tough. It’s a good pitching staff they have. It’s going to happen.”

With rookie Yordano Ventura and now Danny Duffy joining the veteran trio of Vargas, James Shields and Jeremy Guthrie, who are all in the top 10 in the league in innings pitched, the Royals have a deep rotation. They’ve pitched well enough to make up for substandard seasons by several key hitters.

Vargas improved to 4-1 in his last eight starts, seven of which have counted as quality: six innings or more and three runs or less. Vargas also became the first Royals left-hander to win eight games or more before the All-Star break since Chris George in 2003.

“I thought he was splendid,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He was pretty much in complete control.”

The 42-year-old Ibanez signed Monday with the Royals, the team that first gave him a regular spot in the lineup all the way back in 2001. He had two hits and two runs in this game, including the solo shot to right field in the eighth. Ibanez was released by the Los Angeles Angels last month.

Eric Hosmer, who walked three times, added an RBI single in the ninth inning for insurance.

The Royals won their fifth straight road series. After losing eight of 12 following a 10-game winning streak, Vargas put them back on track.

“Just typical Vargas, just going out, working, throwing strikes, letting his defense work,” Hosmer said. “He really knows his game plan when he’s out there.”

Correia lowered his ERA to 4.95, the only time he’s had that mark under 5.00 since his first start of the year, after surrendering six hits and two walks in six innings while striking out three. The right-hander completed exactly six innings for the fifth consecutive turn, and he has allowed two runs or fewer in four of those starts.

But the second inning was the one that hurt, when five batters reached. He struck out Billy Butler to finish the frame with the bases loaded.

NOTES: The Royals swapped RH relievers Wednesday, calling up Casey Coleman from Triple-A Omaha and sending down rookie Michael Mariot, who gave up five runs Tuesday in his second appearance in as many days. … Chris Parmelee played 1B and batted third for Mauer. He had two hits and stretched his hitting streak to a career-long 12 straight games. … One of the runners to reach second base for the Twins was Sam Fuld, who was originally ruled out on a steal attempt to end the fifth inning. Gardenhire challenged the call, which was overturned. Gardenhire is 9 for 19 on challenges this season. … With a rest day for Royals CF Lorenzo Cain, SS Alcides Escobar batted leadoff for the first time this season. … The Royals have Thursday off before a three-game series in Cleveland against the Indians. The Twins host the New York Yankees for a four-game series.

Nebraska Game and Parks Announces 2014 Lake Maloney Carp-O-Rama

Posted on July 2, 2014

North Platte — Anglers interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing may attend Carp-O-Rama Saturday, July 12 at Lake Maloney State Recreation Area.

The free event is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the east side of the lake, near the main boat ramp. Lake Maloney SRA is located approximately 7.6 miles south of North Platte in Lincoln County. Loaner fishing poles, bait and instruction will be available.

Carp is an excellent fish for beginning anglers to pursue because they are plentiful statewide, and the required equipment is relatively simple. The strong-fighting fish also is not restricted by bag, possession limits or size limits.

Carp caught by anglers will be used in demonstrations on cleaning, preparing and cooking the fish. The cooked fish will be served with Dutch oven fruit cobbler as a free shore lunch. Try your hand at fish printing by recording your fish on fabric with paint. Prize drawings will be held for children age 15 and younger.

A park entry permit is required of all vehicles entering Lake Maloney. A fishing license is required of anglers age 16 and older. Both permits may be purchased at the lake.

The First Nationals get Swept by Grand Island

Posted on July 1, 2014July 1, 2014

The North Platte First Nationals traveled to Grand Island for a Cornhusker League doubleheader and got swept 9-1 and 3-2 Tuesday.

Grand Island scored consistently throughout the first game with seven hits in the 9-1 win. GI took advantage of 10 walks and two North Platte errors to earn the win.

Darian Allberry led the way for North Platte (24-14) in the loss by going 2-4 with a run scored. Jayden Kruse started on the mound and took the loss after giving up eight runs, seven earned, on six hits. He also walked eight batters and struck out four in five innings of work. Devan Hovden pitched the final two innings and gave up one earned run on one hit and walked two batters.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel between North Platte’s Jace Barker and Grand Island’s Calvin Hehnke. Grand Island earned the win 3-2. The First Nationals took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Grand Island responded by tying the game in the bottom of the third with two runs of their own. Grand Island scored the game-winning run in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Riley Baasch.

Barker gave up three earned runs on five hits while striking out four batters and walking two in six innings of work for North Platte. The First Nationals only got one hit off Hehnke and it was an RBI single by Drew Callaghan. Callaghan finished the game 1-2.

The First Nationals next play in Densmore on our nation’s Independence Day. North Platte plays Blue Springs, Mo. at 2:30 pm followed by a game with Pinnacle from Lincoln Southwest at 5:00 pm Friday.