The Colorado Rockies continue the process of adding pitchers – some young, and some not so young. The Rockies acquired a pair of hurlers from the Oakland A’s in a trade for outfielder Seth Smith, who batted .284 with 15 home runs for the Rockies last season. Coming over from Oakland are 27 year-old left-hander Josh Outman, who recovered from Tommy John surgery to pitch in 13 games last season and went 3-5 with a 3.70 ERA, and 28 year-old righty Guillermo Moscoso, who went 8-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 23 games in his first full big league season last year. Both are expected to join a crowded competition for a spot in Colorado’s rotation. In addition, the Rockies have reportedly offered a minor league contract to 49 year-old Jamie Moyer, who last pitched in the majors with Philadelphia in 2010.

True freshman Jessie DeZiel was named the Big Ten’s Gymnast of the Week and Freshman of the Week for her performance in Nebraska’s season-opening victory against the University of Denver. DeZiel becomes the first Nebraska gymnast to earn an individual conference honor after capturing the all-around title with a score of 39.575, which is the highest debut in school history. DeZiel scored at least a 9.875 on all four events, including a 9.925 to win the floor exercise title. As a team, DeZiel helped the Huskers post the 10th-highest score in school history and the highest score ever in a season-opening dual. The victory has propelled the Husker gymnast to the number 1 ranking in the country. DeZiel and the Huskers return to action on Friday, when they travel to Ames to take on Iowa State.

The 15th-ranked Nebraska women’s basketball team saw their nine-game winning streak and perfect start to the Big Ten season come to an end with a 93-73 loss to Penn State at the Devaney Center yesterday afternoon. The Huskers, who had knocked off the Lady Lions on the road in their conference opener, led by six points at the half, but were blitzed in the second 20 minutes as Penn State outscored them 55-29. The 25th-ranked Lady Lions shot 61 percent in the second half, while the Huskers shot just 24 percent. Lindsey Moore scored 16 points to lead three Huskers in double figures. Emily Cady added 15 points while Jordan Hooper chipped in 13 points. The loss drops the Huskers to 15-2 and 4-1 in Big Ten play. They’re back in action on Thursday, headed to Columbus to face 11th-ranked Ohio State.

A loss to the rival Utah Jazz was not what the Denver Nuggets were looking for as an encore to Friday night’s big win over the Miami Heat, but that’s what the Nuggets got, falling to Utah 106-96 at the Pepsi Center last night. The sluggish Nuggets had no answer for Utah’s inside duo of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, who each posted double-doubles. Millsap had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Jefferson tallied 18 points and 12 boards. When the Jazz went on a 14-4 run early in the fourth quarter to stretch a two-point lead to 12 and break the game open, it was Millsap who scored all 14 of those points. The Nuggets were led offensively by Danilo Gallinari, who scored 18 points, and Nene, who added 17 points. The Nuggets head out on the road Tuesday night for a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Nebraska men’s basketball team nearly rallied back from an 11-point second half deficit, but ultimately fell short in a 50-45 loss at Wisconsin yesterday afternoon. A three-pointer by Dylan Talley with 29 seconds left cut the Badger lead down to two points. After Wisconsin made a pair of free throws, a Bo Spencer layup with 18 seconds made it a 47-45 Badger lead. Wisconsin guard Jordan Taylor then missed his second of two free-throws, but got the offensive rebound and made the two ensuing foul shots to seal the game. Spencer’s 13 points led the Huskers in defeat. Talley added nine, all of which came in the second half. The Huskers fall to 9-8 and 1-5 in Big Ten action with the defeat. On Wednesday, they return home to host the seventh-ranked Indiana Hoosiers.

The 15th-ranked Nebraska women’s basketball team keeps rolling in Big Ten play. The Huskers battled back from an early double-digit deficit and knocked off Wisconsin 75-69 in Madison last night. It’s the ninth straight victory for the Huskers, tied for the second longest in program history. The Huskers trailed for much of the game and were down by one point with four minutes to play before outscoring the Badgers 10-3 down the stretch to gain the win. Lindsey Moore paced the offense for the Huskers, pouring in a game-high 28 points. Rebecca Woodberry scored a career-high 14 points, Emily Cady added 11 points, and Jordan Hooper scored 10 points. The victory moved Nebraska to 15-1 on the season and 4-0 in conference action. They’re back home on Sunday to host 25th-ranked Penn State.

Nebraska senior safety Austin Cassidy has been honored with an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game, one of the longest running postseason all-star games for departing college seniors. Cassidy, a Lincoln native and walk-on to the Husker program from Lincoln Southwest High School, started the last two seasons. He racked up 70 tackles in the 2011 season, ranking him fourth on the team, and had two interceptions as well as a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Cassidy is the fourth Husker to commit to play in a postseason all-star game. Alfonzo Dennard and Lavonte David will play in the Senior Bowl, and Mike Caputo is playing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. The 87th edition of the East-West Shrine Game takes place in St. Petersburg, Florida, on January 21st.