Dexter Fowler’s first home run of the Cactus League season lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday. Fowler hit a solo blast off former teammate Matt Reynolds in the sixth inning as part of a two-hit day. Tyler Chatwood worked four strong innings on the mound for the Rockies, allowing one run. The Rockies take on the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Arizona today.

After a pair of dual wins last week, the Husker women’s tennis team has ascended to its highest ranking in school history. Nebraska checks in at sixth in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings. The Huskers topped Illinois and previously seventh-ranked Northwestern last week to move to 15-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten.

First round opponents have been set for the North Platte Community College Knights and Lady Knights in their respective national tournament appearances. The Knights men, making their second trip to nationals, are the 16^th seed in the newly-expanded 24-team field. They face Mineral Area College from Missouri in the tournament’s first game, at 10 AM next Monday in Hutchinson, Kansas. A win would pit the Knights against the top overall seed, Iowa Western, in round two. The Lady Knights are also heading to nationals for the second time. They are the 16^th seed out of 16 teams in the double-elimination Division II tournament. They face top-seed Mesa Community College from Arizona in their tournament opener, next Tuesday at 1 PM in East Peoria, Illinois.

Husker junior running back Ameer Abdullah could miss the rest of spring practice after suffering a knee injury. Nebraska’s leading returning rusher tweaked his knee in a scrimmage last Saturday. The coaching staff admits there’s no real hurry for Abdullah to return this spring, seeing as he’s the clear number one running back. Imani Cross and redshirt freshman King Frasier will get more reps in Abdullah’s absence. Offensive lineman Ryne Reeves also suffered an injury Saturday. An ankle injury will keep the sophomore out for the rest of the spring.

The Husker football recruiting class of 2014 has its first member – and it’s an in-state prep standout. Luke Gifford from Lincoln Southeast High School pledged to the Huskers yesterday. Gifford is recruited as an athlete with no fixed position, but most believe he projects best as a safety. One of Gifford’s teammates, offensive lineman DJ Foster, also has an offer from the Big Red among other interest from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State and Michigan.

Husker basketball players Dylan Talley and Brandon Ubel were recognized with the release of the Big Ten’s postseason awards last night. Talley was selected an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and the media. The senior averaged 14.2 points per game to lead the team. He was also tops on the Huskers with 76 assists. Ubel was the Huskers’ honoree with a Sportsmanship Award. He led the Huskers in rebounding with 6.7 boards per contest.

Another member of the Nebraska softball team’s strong freshman class has been honored by the Big Ten as the week’s top freshman. Designated player Dawna Tyson took home the award for her performance in a 9-0 win over Wichita State last Saturday. Tyson went 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. She’s the second Husker freshman to win the Freshman of the Week award this season. Pitcher Emily Lockman has won it twice.

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights clinched a trip to the NJCAA Division II national tournament. They routed Dakota College at Bottineau 64-40 at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium Sunday afternoon to earn their second ever trip to nationals. The Lady Knights went on a 25-4 run in the first half to take a commanding lead and kept the visiting Ladyjacks at bay throughout the second half. Paige Hasty led the Lady Knights with 20 points in the win. DaVontaye Merritt contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan Dickerson and Courtney Widick had eight points apiece. The Lady Knights improve to 15-14 overall with the win. They are headed to East Peoria, Illinois for the National Tournament. The 16 team, double-elimination event begins next Tuesday.

The Denver Nuggets look to stretch their winning streak to eight games as they visit Phoenix to take on the Suns tonight. A win tonight would match Denver’s longest winning streak of the season. The Nuggets are fresh off a 111-88 pounding of Minnesota Saturday night. The Suns topped the Nuggets 110-100 in Phoenix back on November 21 in their first meeting of the season. They have won three of their last four at home. Tip-off tonight is scheduled for 9 PM.

The Husker men’s basketball team received the tenth seed into the Big Ten tournament after brackets were finalized yesterday. They will play seventh-seeded Purdue in round one action next Thursday. The Huskers and Boilermakers only played once during the regular seaosn, with Purdue edging the Big Red 65-56 at the Devaney Center on January 16. This year’s conference tournament takes place at the United Center in Chicago.