Another popular Colorado Rockie saw his career with the team likely come to an end yesterday. Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs was not tendered a contract at the arbitration deadline, making him a free agent. The 32 year-old has spent the entirety of his seven big league seasons with the Rockies. After enjoying five productive seasons as a part-time outfielder, Spilborghs’ production dropped significantly in 2011, as he batted just .210 with 3 home runs in 98 games. The Rockies also declined to tender a contract to outfielder Cole Garner, who made his big league debut with the Rockies in 2011. The Rockies did avoid arbitration with newly-acquired pitcher Kevin Slowey, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. Slowey came to the Rockies from Minnesota in a trade last week.

A former Nebraska assistant is on his way to join another one on his new coaching staff. Marvin Sanders will be Carl Pelini’s first hire as the new head coach of Florida Atlantic. Sanders, who coached defensive backs at Nebraska from 2008 to 2010, will be Pelini’s defensive coordinator. The hire was made official yesterday. Sanders was let go from the Huskers staff in February and took 2011 off from coaching for personal and family reasons. While a member of the Nebraska staff, Sanders tutored secondaries that helped the Huskers rank first nationally in pass defense in 2009 and 2010. He also recruited heavily in Florida. As for the other Pelini’s defensive coordinator, Bo and the Huskers are reportedly close to making a decision on who will succeed Carl in Lincoln.

Tonight on ESPN Radio 1410, it’s a doubleheader of North Platte Community College basketball. The Knights and Lady Knights take the floor at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium as they host Southeast Community College. For the Lady Knights, it’s their final game before the Christmas break, and their first meeting of the season against their Region IX Division II foes. The Knights men are looking to snap a three-game losing streak and get conference play started on a high note. ESPN Radio 1410’s coverage begins at 5:15, leading to the women tipping off at 5:30.

The Nebraska women’s basketball team regained some in-state hardwood pride with a 66-55 win over Creighton at the Devaney Center last night. Four Husker starters scored in double figures, led by Jordan Hooper’s 22 points. Emily Cady scored 13 points, Lindsey Moore chipped in 12 points, and Kaitlyn Burke added 10. The Huskers scored 28 points off of 21 Blue Jay turnovers, and held the lead for the vast majority of the second half. Hooper and Moore scored the team’s final 15 points to ward off any possible Creighton comeback. Nebraska held the Jays to just 37 percent shooting. It’s the seventh straight victory for the Husker women over their in-state rivals. The Huskers are now 8-1 on the season. They hit the road for their next game this Saturday, as they face Northern Arizona.

While the Colorado Rockies haven’t made headlines by grabbing big name talent this offseason, they continue to tinker with their roster. The Rockies made another trade yesterday, sending third baseman Ian Stewart and a minor league pitcher to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder D.J. LeMahieu. Stewart played the last five seasons in Colorado but suffered through an injury-plagued 2011. He batted just .156 with no home runs in 48 games, but had hit 43 home runs over the previous two years. Colvin also had a miserable 2011, batting .150 with six homers in 80 games in his second full big league campaign. He hit 20 homers as a rookie in 2010. The 23 year-old LeMahieu made his big league debut in 2011, batting .250 for the Cubs in 37 games.