Bay Area Husker ENews 3-16-07

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those who are (or claim to be) Irish this Saturday. I noticed that all the Husker merchandisers are offering green Husker apparel to fans, but I have a feeling its still too close to our series with Notre Dame to be turning Red duds into Green duds (I remember we reversed that idea by creating a Sea of Red at their stadium!). So enjoy a wee dram of Irish Whiskey or a little Guinness with your corned beef and cabbage this weekend, and celebrate being Irish (at least for a day).

Following up on the news I sent last week, there will be a memorial service at UNL for Dr. Barbara Hibner on Monday, and I also got another bit of sad news from Dr. Jamie Williams about the passing of former Husker fullback Doddie Donnell last week...see info below.

Lots of Husker action this weekend so hope you enjoy the reading below.

Go Big Red (White and Blue)...and a wee Bit O Green,
Carl

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HUSKERS FALL IN EXTRA INNINGS...

Steve Edlefsen went 2-for-4 and struck out five in 2.2 innings of relief.

Lubbock, Texas – Joey Kenworthy scored from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th inning, as Texas Tech defeated No. 16 Nebraska, 7-6, Thursday night in the Big 12 opener for both teams at Dan Law Field.

Taylor Ashby singled to open the 11th inning off NU reliever Mike Harmelink before Kenworthy, who went 3-for-6, doubled into the left field corner. Ashby was thrown out trying to score, but Kenworthy alertly advanced to third on the play. The heads-up base running proved fateful moments later when Harmelink uncorked a pitch that got past catcher Mark Hightower, allowing the runner to score the winning run for the Red Raiders (16-7, 1-0 Big 12).

While the game was lost in extra innings, Nebraska Head Coach Mike Anderson said the key was when the Huskers could not capitalize earlier when they had opportunities to score. The Huskers stranded 12 runners, including a pair of situations with the bases loaded after taking a 4-3 lead.

"We did not drive in runs when we had the opportunity, and that cost us the game tonight," Nebraska Coach Mike Anderson said. "We had three or four opportunities early that we didn’t take advantage with the guys we wanted at the plate, but we couldn’t get it done. Every time we got something going, they were able to shut us down."

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HUSKERS TOP WAYNE STATE...

Drew Bowman improved to 2-0, allowing one run over five innings.

Lincoln – Ryan Wehrle’s fifth-inning RBI double sparked a four-run outburst, while Drew Bowman and two relievers held Wayne State to one run, as the No. 16 Husker baseball team won its home opener, 6-1, Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday’s crowd of 4,564 – the second-largest opening day crowd in school history – saw the Huskers get off to a slow start before righting the ship with four runs in the fifth to take the lead for good.

"I’m extremely happy with the turnout," Nebraska Coach Mike Anderson said of the mid-afternoon crowd that took advantage of sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s. "It was an incredible crowd today."

After a double and an error put runners on the corners with no outs, freshman DJ Belfonte got the Huskers on the board bunt single, scoring Mitch Abeita, who opened the inning with a double to right. Two batters later, Wehrle snapped an 0-for-18 slump with a smash down the line in left for an RBI double, giving NU a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish. After a groundout by Andrew Brown plated a run, Jake Opitz ended the rally with an RBI single to center, scoring Wehrle with NU’s fourth run of the frame.

Opitz’ hit chased Wayne State starter Travis Mortimore, who had allowed just one hit over the first four frames before running into trouble in the fifth. Mortimore fell to 0-2 on the year, allowing four runs – two earned – on five his over 4.2 innings of work.

Belfonte led NU’s offensive attack with his first career three-hit day, while Craig Corriston added two hits in helping Nebraska win its third straight game and 29th consecutive home opener.

The runs was more than enough for the Husker pitching staff, as Bowman went five-plus innings before handing the ball to the Husker bullpen. Bowman, making his first career appearance at Hawks Field, scattered six hits and fanned four to improve to 2-0 on the year, while Mike Harmelink and Erik Bird combined for four scoreless innings of relief.

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TEZAK NAMED BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK...

Irving, Texas – Nebraska third baseman Jeff Tezak (Poway, Calif.) was selected as the Big 12’s Player of the Week on Monday following the Huskers’ series win at No. 22 Alabama last weekend.

Tezak hit .727 (8-for-11) over the weekend with a home run, two doubles, three RBI and a slugging percentage of 1.182 in helping NU to a 3-1 week. He opened the weekend with six consecutive hits, including a 5-for-5 effort with a homer and two RBIs in Saturday's 4-3 come-from-behind win over Alabama's preseason All-American Tommy Hunter.

Tezak tied a Sewell-Thomas stadium record with five hits, including a homer in the seventh that tied the game at three before driving in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. He posted his second multi-hit game of the weekend on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and an RBI in the Huskers’ 6-5 win.

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HUSKERS HOLD OFF TIDE, 6-5...

Johnny Dorn earned his third straight win as the Huskers picked up a series victory over Alabama on Sunday.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- Craig Corriston drove in three runs while Johnny Dorn earned his third straight victory, as No. 17 Nebraska took the runner match of the three-game series with No. 22 Alabama with a 6-5 victory on Sunday.

The Huskers, who improved to 8-5 on the year, withstood a late Alabama comeback, as the Crimson Tide (13-6) scored once in the eighth and twice in the ninth to pull within a run. With one out and the tying runner on second, Steve Edlefsen struck out Kent Matthes and Matt Bentley – the No. 4-5 hitters in the UA lineup - to collect his second save in as many days.

The Huskers were out-hit, 10-8, but used solid situational hitting, including four sacrifices bunts that played key roles in Nebraska’s offensive arsenal. Corriston matched his career high with three RBI, including a two-run infield single in the fourth, while Jeff Tezak, Andrew Brown and Jake Opitz had two hits apiece. Tezak finished the weekend by going 8-for-11, including six straight hits over the first two games of the series.

Dorn was solid en route to earning his third straight win, allowing a pair of runs and scattering five hits, as the junior took a shutout into the sixth. With the win, Dorn picked up his 24th career win, tying Mike Zajeski (1988-92) for third place on NU's career wins chart.

HUSKERS STEM TIDE, 43...

Tezak broke a 3-3 deadlock with an RBI single to left off reliever Austin Hyatt, scoring pinch runner Luke Wertz with the go-ahead run, capping a 5-for-5 effort for the Husker third baseman. A junior from Poway, Calif., Tezak tied the game earlier with his seventh inning homer off Alabama starter Tommy Hunter after the Crimson Tide took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

"Jeff had a good two-strikeout approach on the last at-bat and did a good job of taking the pitch and going the other way with it," Anderson said. "(Craig) Corriston and (Jake) Mort are both pretty good defensive players, but I thought that we needed to get some offense in there today against Hunter."

Tezak’s heroics made a winner of Zach Herr, who was superb in relief as the Huskers improved to 7-5 on the season. The sophomore lefty picked up his first career win, allowing one hit and totaling a career-high five strikeouts over 3.1 innings – the longest outing of his career.
HUSKERS FALL TO ALABAMA, 8-0...

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Miers Quigley fired seven shutout innings, while No. 22 Alabama took advantage of a rare off night by Husker starter Tony Watson en route to posting an 8-0 victory over the No. 22 Huskers Friday night.

Quigley (3-0), who upped his record to 3-0, worked in and out of trouble most of the evening, allowing three hits and four walks, as NU had at least one base runner on in each frame, but could not plate a run against the left-hander. Quigley, who threw 118 pitches, struck out four and was backed by an Alabama defense that turned a pair of double plays in helping him to lower his season ERA to 1.15.

"You have to give Quigley a lot of credit," Anderson said. He did a great job, and they were great behind him defensively."

UA closer Josh Copeland fired two shutout innings, completing the first shutout against Nebraska in 201 games dating back to the 2003 NCAA Regional title game against Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) and the first time NU had been shutout on the road since the 1998 campaign.

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HUSKER VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES SPRING SCHEDULE...

Tracy Stalls and the Huskers will play three spring matches.

Lincoln – The Nebraska volleyball team begins the spring schedule this week, as the defending national champions will play three times during the spring season, including a pair of matches in the state.

The Huskers, who finished 33-1 en route to the school’s third national title, will open their spring schedule on Friday, March 16, they take on NCAA Sweet 16 participant San Diego to wrap up a week of training in San Diego. The Toreros finished the 2006 season with a 26-6 record and won the West Coast Conference title.

Two weeks later, the Huskers visit North Platte for the first time since 2004, as they take on Missouri Valley Conference power Wichita State on April 6. The Shockers went 25-7 in 2006 and placed second in the MVC with a 15-3 league mark. NU’s last trip to North Platte came in 2004, as the Huskers took on Creighton in front of a sellout crowd of 2,400 at North Platte High School.

The Huskers wrap up the team portion of their spring workouts on Saturday, April 14, as they host Colorado State at the Nebraska Coliseum as part of the Spring Football game festivities. First serve for the match is set for 3 p.m. and tickets are available for $8 (adults) and $4 (children ages 7-18 and seniors), while kids ages six and under and UNL Students with Valid ID are free. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting Huskers.com or calling the Nebraska Ticket office at 1-800-8-BIGRED.

Colorado State went 20-10 in 2006 and won the Mountain West Conference title for the seventh straight season.

The Huskers return five starters from a team that went 33-1 and won the school’s third national title in 2006. The Huskers return 2006 Honda Award Winner and AVCA National Player of the Year Sarah Pavan, along with AVCA All-Americans Jordan Larson, Tracy Stalls and Rachel Holloway. In addition, 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling returns for the 2007 season, but will not play for most of the spring schedule.

2007 Husker Volleyball Spring Schedule (Central Time)
Date Opponent Time
Friday, March 16th at San Diego 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 7th vs. Wichita State (at North Platte HS) 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 14th vs. Colorado State 3 p.m.
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HUSKER GYMNASTS TO FACE FALCONS IN SENIOR NIGHT SHOWDOWN...

Senior Jon Charter will take to the Devaney Center floor for the last time against Air Force.

Nebraska seniors Jon Charter and Jason Wassung will grace the floor of the Bob Devaney Sports Center one final time Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m., as the No. 10 Huskers take on No. 16 Air Force to close the regular season. Co-captains of the 2007 Huskers, Charter and Wassung will be honored during a special Senior Night ceremony following the conclusion of the meet.

Saturday’s dual, which features only the Nebraska men for the first time this season, can be followed with Live Stats available on Huskers.com.

The meet marks just the third time this season that Nebraska will face a lower-ranked opponent. The Huskers are currently 2-1 against lower seeds, with a pair of wins over Air Force earlier this season and a loss to Iowa on Feb. 24.

The Huskers aim to turn their luck around against Air Force, after dropping three home meets this season, including back-to-back losses over the last two weekends. The odds are in Nebraska’s favor on Saturday, as the Huskers own a 13-2 record over the Falcons, including seven straight home wins dating back to 2000.

This is the third run-in between NU and Air Force this season, following a season-opening bout at the Falcon-hosted Rocky Mountain Open on Jan. 12-13, and a triangular hosted by Oklahoma on Jan. 20. In both competitions the Huskers walked away the obvious victors, topping Air Force by an average of nearly 19 points.

NEBRASKA NATIVES SHINE IN LOSS TO GOPHERS...

Lincoln-The 10th-ranked Nebraska men's gymnastics team dropped another tough contest against No. 8 Minnesota, 205.45-213.55, as the Huskers continued to battle injuries. NU fell to 0-3 at home this season after the Sunday afternoon dual in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

“I’m really pleased with our score,” Nebraska Coach Francis Allen said. “We were missing lots of guys from our regular line up. If we had a healthier team, I know we would have pulled through.”

Nebraska was only able to pull together a full six-man lineup on just three events, as several injuries plagued the Huskers. New competitors appeared in many lineups for the first time this season, including freshmen Adrion Hernandez (floor exercise and vault) and Stefan Wallof (vault).

“I was happy to see Adrion come through,” Allen said. “It’s really inspiring for him to go out there and compete his hardest. It also inspires me to know that we have such young competitors coming up and gaining experience.”

Despite the injury battle, two Huskers cracked their way into the top-three all-around results. Senior Jason Wassung placed second behind Minnesota’s Jacob Lee with a season-high all-around score of 52.95, while junior Stephen Tetrault placed third with a score of 51.40.

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HILL LEADS HUSKERS PAST NORTH DAKOTA STATE...

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill tossed a two-hit shutout in Nebraska's 1-0 win.

Lincoln – Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill won her fourth straight decision by tossing her first shutout of the season to lead the Nebraska softball team to its eighth straight victory with a 1-0 win over North Dakota State in the opening game of the 2007 Big Red Tournament Friday afternoon at Bowlin Stadium.

The shutout was Nebraska's first in 16 games, the longest stretch NU has gone without a shutout since 1997. Hill (6-4) tossed a two-hit shutout, striking out seven. Her effort propelled the Huskers to a win in their home opener. Nebraska (16-7) has now won 21 of its last 22 games at Bowlin Stadium.

Allison Bakke (10-7) took the loss, despite not allowing an earned run. Bakke allowed just three hits and struck out five, but a lone error cost Bakke and North Dakota State (16-12).

North Dakota State threatened to take an early 1-0 lead when the Bison attempted a squeeze with runners at first and third and no outs. Hill kept them off the scoreboard though by fielding the bunt cleanly and throwing Grete Peterson out at home.

The Huskers cracked the scoreboard when they turned their first hit into a run with the help of a key North Dakota State error. Sophomore Brittany Pascale led of with a single and senior pinch runner Jaime Borg advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Kimberly Fuller.

Borg then scored when a routine grounder to second that got past Laurel Pipkin, allowing Borg to score from second with what proved to be the game-winning run.

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MULLIN TO RECEIVE RAIMONDI SCHOLARSHIP ON SATURDAY...

Meghan Mulliln will be honored as the fifth recipient of the Richard Raimondi Memorial Scholarship on Saturday.

Nebraska sophomore outfielder Meghan Mullin will be presented with the 2006-07 Richard Raimondi Memorial Scholarship prior to the Huskers' 1:30 p.m. game on Saturday with North Dakota State at Bowlin Stadium.

Mullin is a history major who carries a cumulative 3.487 grade-point average in the classroom, while leading the Huskers on the field with a .358 batting average. A native of Mesa, Ariz., Mullin has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in each of her first three semesters at Nebraska and is an Academic All-Big 12 candidate this season.

The Richard Raimondi Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the Husker softball team. The scholarship was created in December of 2001 to honor the father of former NU softball player Melanie Raimondi. The Raimondi Scholarship was the first fully endowed scholarship for a female athlete at Nebraska.

Saturday's on-field presentation, which will include members of the Raimondi family, will take place prior to the Huskers' second game of the day. NU opens the day with an 11 a.m. game against Arkansas before facing North Dakota State at 1:30 p.m.

Mullin is the fifth recipient of the scholarship, joining Amber Burgess (2002-03), KoKo Tacha (2003-04), Sheena Lawrick (2004-05) and Lizzy Aumua (2005-06). Tacha and Aumua were both named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans last season to push Nebraska's nation-leading total to 24 softball honorees.

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HUSKERS HOST BIG RED TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND...

The Nebraska softball team will open the home portion of its schedule this weekend, welcoming Arkansas and North Dakota State to Lincoln for the three-team, round-robin Big Red Tournament that runs from Friday through Sunday, March 16-18 at Bowlin Stadium.

NU (15-7) is scheduled to play six games this weekend. Each day of the tournament will feature three games with one daily ticket providing fans admission for all of the day’s action. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the game at the ticket window located behind home plate. Reserved tickets are $6, while general admission tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children.

Fans unable to make it to the ballpark this weekend can still follow all of the action live. All six games will air on Huskers.com, with four contests set to air on select Husker Sports Network stations in Nebraska. Fans in Lincoln can tune in to KLIN, 1400 AM to hear the action, including the Huskers’ Friday 1:30 p.m. game with Arkansas, Saturday’s 11 a.m. tilt with the Lady Razorbacks and both of Sunday’s 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. contests.

Lane Grindle will make his radio debut for Nebraska softball this weekend, handling the play-by-play duties for the radio contests. Nate Rohr will add color commentary for the radio broadcasts, and will call the action on the internet-only games.

After spending the first five weeks - and first 23 games - on the road, Nebraska is anxious to step onto the Bowlin Stadium dirt. The Huskers have not played a home game this season and weren’t scheduled to have their first practice at their home stadium - and first outdoor practice in Lincoln - until Tuesday of this week.

NU has won five of its six home openers since Bowlin Stadium opened in 2001. The Huskers have won seven of their last eight home openers overall, including last season when Nebraska opened its home campaign with 11 consecutive victories. Overall, NU has won seven straight at Bowlin Stadium and 20 of its last 21.

The Huskers hope to continue those streaks and timing may be on their side, as they appear to be playing their best ball of the season. NU is coming off a perfect 5-0 weekend when Nebraska captured the tournament championship at the Shocker Invitational.

Overall, the Huskers have won seven in a row and 11 of their last 13. Nebraska excelled last weekend, outscoring its opponents 22-9 at the Shocker Invitational, after outscoring its first 17 opponents by a combined score of just 45-39.

A big reason for the Huskers’ recent success is the emergence of the NU bats. After stranding 135 runners on base through the first 17 games, Nebraska left just 26 runners on in five games in Wichita.

The long ball also re-emerged last weekend for Nebraska as four players hit their first home run of the season and NU hit more home runs in five games last weekend (four) than it had in its first 17 contests (three).
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NEBRASKA ANNOUNCES 2007 RADIO/INTERNET SOFBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE...

The Nebraska Athletic Department and Host Communications are proud to announce that at least 10 Nebraska softball games are scheduled to be broadcast live on select stations on the Husker Sports Network this season. The radio broadcasts will also be streamed live for free on Huskers.com, along with an additional 12 games broadcast only on Huskers.com.

The radio voice of Husker softball for the 2007 season will be Lane Grindle. A native of Hastings, Iowa, Grindle will enter his first year as the play-by-play man and will continue to host “Sports Nightly” which airs from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday across Nebraska. A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Grindle served as the Director of Sports Operations for KVTK-AM, the ESPN Radio affiliate in Yankton, S.D., before joining the Husker Sports Network (then Pinnacle Sports Productions) in January of 2006.

Nate Rohr will also be back in the booth for the Big Red, adding color commentary after serving as both the play-by-play announcer and color commentator of Husker softball the past two seasons. In addition to teaming with Grindle, Rohr will again call all of the action in the Huskers’ Internet-only broadcasts.

The Husker Sports Network is in its 11th year of producing live broadcasts of University of Nebraska sporting events. The network broadcast nearly 15 softball games on the radio last season and produced nearly 30 live broadcasts on either the radio or Huskers.com.
Below is the 2007 broadcast schedule for Huskers.com. Updates on the broadcast schedule, as well as coverage information pertaining to the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Tournament, will be posted on Huskers.com as they become available:

2007 Huskers.com Broadcast Schedule (all time Central)
(all games produced by the Husker Sports Network)
Date Opponent Time
March 16 North Dakota State* 11 a.m.
March 16 Arkansas 1:30 p.m.
March 17 Arkansas 11 a.m.
March 17 North Dakota State* 1:30 p.m.
March 18 North Dakota State 11 a.m.
March 18 Arkansas 4 p.m.
March 21 Creighton 6 p.m.
March 27 Drake (Game 1) 3:30 p.m.
March 27 Drake (Game 2) * 6 p.m.
March 28 Colorado State (Game 1)* 2 p.m.
March 28 Colorado State (Game 2)* 4 p.m.
March 31 Texas Tech* 2 p.m.
April 1 Texas Tech* Noon
April 9 South Dakota St. (Game 1) 4 p.m.
April 9 South Dakota St. (Game 2) 6 p.m.
April 14 Texas* 2 p.m.
April 15 Texas* Noon
April 17 Iowa State* 5 p.m.
April 19 at Iowa State 3:30 p.m.
April 25 Kansas 6:30 p.m.
April 28 Oklahoma State * 2 p.m.
April 29 Oklahoma State * 1 p.m.*internet only broadcast
Note: The internet-only games are tentative and subject to change. Please check Huskers.com for any changes to the broadcast schedule.
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HUSKER SOCCER TRAVELS TO NORTH PLATTE ON APRIL 21...

Lincoln –The Husker volleyball team will be one of two Husker teams visiting North Platte next month for matches, as the Nebraska soccer team will travel to North Platte, Neb., on Saturday, April 21, to meet up with the Colorado Buffaloes.

The game is set for 6 p.m. at North Platte High School Stadium. Tickets for Nebraska’s game against Colorado are $5 per person and can be ordered in advance at North Platte High School and on Huskers.com.

Nebraska’s match with Colorado will feature an experienced Husker roster that includes nine returning starters. NU welcomes the return of seniors Abby Penas and Meghan Hungerford, as well as well as sophomore Lauren Isenhower, to the pitch. All three were injured in 2006. They will help ease NU’s transition into 2007, along with seniors Tanya Dennis and Jessie Bruch.
The match with Colorado is one of four Husker spring soccer matches this spring, as the Nebraska opens the spring season against Minnesota on Sunday, March 25.
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HUSKERS COMPLETE SWEEP AT SHOCKER INVITATIONAL...

Ashley DeBuhr struck out 13 and allowed just two hits while picking up her eighth victory of the season.

Wichita, Kan. - Senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr was dominant in the circle and sophomore Crystal Carwile tallied three RBIs at the plate, as the Nebraska softball team wrapped up an unbeaten weekend in Wichita with a 4-1 victory against Wichita State on Sunday.

With the win, Nebraska (15-7) earned its seventh consecutive victory and was crowned champion of the Shocker Invitational with a perfect 5-0 record.

"It was a good weekend in that we did a lot of things to win ball games," Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "We pitched well, we played well defensively and we had a lot of key hits. It was a good, balanced weekend of softball.

"I felt like we finally got into a rhythm both offensively and defense and put our game together."

DeBuhr (8-3) was on her game in the circle, tossing a two-hitter and striking out 13. Katie McGeeney was the only hitter to stand between DeBuhr and a perfect game, as the Wichita State leadoff hitter recorded both of the Shockers' two hits and drew their lone walk as no other player reached base against DeBuhr.

For her efforts on the weekend, DeBuhr was named the 2007 Shocker Invitational Most Valuable Player.

Offensively for NU, Carwile went 2-for-3 with a season-high three RBIs. Her first-inning home run proved to be the difference and was also her first of the season. Senior Devin Porter went 2-for-3 with an RBI of her own as Porter and Carwile - the Huskers' No. 3 and 4 hitters - went a combined 4-for-6 and produced all four RBIs.

Margo Pruis (5-7) took the loss for Wichita State (11-17), allowing four runs on four hits in 5.2 innings.

The early switch to daylight savings time did nothing to slow the Huskers, as NU jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on the strength of a two-out, two-run home run off the bat of Carwile.

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HIBNER TO BE HONORED ON MONDAY...

Please join the Nebraska Athletic Department for a Celebration of Life in honor of Dr. Barbara Hibner.

Dr. Hibner was a key member of the University of Nebraska Athletic Department’s staff for nearly three decades. She had retired as NU’s Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator December of 2005, and fought a valiant battle with cancer for the past year. She passed away on Wednesday, March 7 at the age of 65. Dr. Hibner’s funeral was held yesterday in McSherrystown, Pa.

A Celebration of Life Program will be held on the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln on Monday, March 19 at 2 p.m. The Celebration is open to the public and will be held in the West Stadium Club, which is the third level of Memorial Stadium. Please enter through the skybox/press box entrance on the west side of the stadium. Come reminisce and learn of the incredible impact “Dr. H” has had on Husker Student-Athletes over the last three decades and of the path she has trailblazed for generations of student-athletes to come.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Dr. Barbara Hibner Scholarship Fund for Nebraska Athletics. Funds donated will provide a scholarship for the Nebraska Female Student-Athlete of the Year. The scholarship will be presented annually at the Academic Awards Recognition Banquet. This year’s banquet is scheduled for Sunday, April 15.

Please make checks payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation and send to the University of Nebraska Athletic Development Office, One Memorial Stadium, P.O. Box 880154, Lincoln, NE 68588-0154. Condolences or personal reflections may be sent to the family at Roperandsons.com.

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ANOTHER SAD NOTE FROM JAMIE WILLIAMS...

Just a quick note to inform you that Husker football great, former fullback, Doddie Donnell, passed away from cancer last week. Former husker, Tony Samuel (head coach of SW Missouri State University) texted me that update.

Furthermore, I totally enjoyed the luncheon!
Jamie Williams, Ed.D.
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NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...
Snow Did Not End Drought Problems

*The snow in western Nebraska was welcome, but it was not a cure for the seven-year drought. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/16/45fac2c8326e7

* El Nino And La Nina And ... Let's Call The Whole Thing Nebraska Weather
Drought-plagued southwestern Nebraska needs good amounts of precipitation over the next couple of months. Things look better in the eastern two third of the state. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/12/45f58a7cdb6ab

* Contemporary German Cinema Restrospective At UNL
A unique offering at The Ross film theater at UNL. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/16/45fad1a2d9b10

* District Judge Rejects Challenge To Omaha Smoking Ban
The case is destined to wind up in front of the Court of Appeals and, most likely, the state Supreme Court.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/15/45f9a6c001173

* Was Hagel's Indecision A Last-Minute Decision?
Let the discussion continue. Kudos on the debate to date. Only one Feedback has been rejected for profanity!
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/14/45f84237b2c67

* UNK Women Fall In NCAA Sweet 16 - But Coach Gives Birth To A New Era
Talk about spirit. The UNK coach gave birth to a son, then toddled back to the arena to cheer on her Loper proteges.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART
/2007/03/13/45f6529c511ff

* Body Of Missing Chadron State Prof Found In Ravine
Missing since December 4. Authorities are awaiting a final autopsy report. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART
/2007/03/13/45f6bdffe18d9

* Nebraska Women Face Temple In First-Round Of NCAA Basketball Tournament
The Husker women open NCAA Tournament play Sunday in North Carolina. First up: The Temple Owls. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/13/45f63dfe97c06

* Report: College Students The Most Narcissistic-ever Generation
An interesting bit of research. Not only do they think they're hot stuff, they can get pretty nasty when rejecting suggestions that they aren't such hot stuff. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/09/45f1a34531e5f

Visit our Bay Area Huskers website for additional Husker information, Links, Upcoming Events, Past Events, Watch Sites, and the Schedule of Games. Also order Merchandise online, and get information on Husker Scholarships. Check out the History of the Huskers and meet our Directors.

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Bay Area Husker ENews 3-8-07

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

We had a great Founders Day event last month! Jamie Williams was a huge hit with the more than 50 Bay Area Huskers in attendance. He provided wonderful insight into not only his college/pro football career and the movie industry, but he gave us a real touchstone discussion about being a role model, his quest for more education (he's a PhD for those that didn't know) and why being FROM Nebraska (and Iowa) was so important to him and other Husker players in their day-to-day lives.

Although there is a lot of info below about the various athletic teams competing right now...especially a number of women's athletic programs, its important to note that the University's Athletic Department lost a true champion yesterday with the passing of Dr. Barbara Hibner (see article below). Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

The Mission Chamber Orchestra is holding their last concert of the season on April 28th, and our own Emily Ray (wife of Mike Ray, Chapter Historian) is the conductor for this wonderful orchestra. See the info below for more details and how to purchase tickets.

And for those that haven't seen it, there is a little Husker Humor at the end of the email courtesy of a dear Dear Abby column about Weddings in Football country...should bring a smile to your face.

And don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour this Sunday since they started Daylight Savings Time three weeks early this year.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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NEBRASKA ATHLETIC TRAILBLAZER - DR. BARBARA HIBNER PASSES AWAY...

Dr. Hibner was honored in 2000 with the NU Athletic Department’s first Trailblazer Award, which will be renamed in her honor.
Dr. Barbara Hibner

Lincoln, Neb.

Sept. 26, 1941 - March 7, 2007

A true champion for women’s athletics, the University of Nebraska Athletic Department lost a loyal friend and trailblazer today. Dr. Barbara Hibner, 65, passed away this morning in her home after fighting a valiant battle with cancer.

Born on Sept. 26, 1941, in Gettysburg, Pa., Dr. Barbara A. Hibner has been a Nebraskan for nearly three decades.

Before her retirement, Hibner had been a valuable member of the Husker Athletic Department for 28 years, leading the way for thousands of young women as they boldly and proudly succeeded as varsity student-athletes.

University of Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson said, “Today, I have lost a dear friend. When she arrived in 1978, few could have imagined the impact she would have on Nebraska athletics. She gave Nebraska her talents and her heart. We will always be indebted.”

Dr. Hibner hired many of Nebraska’s women’s coaches, including Rhonda Revelle as head softball coach in 1993. Revelle said of her mentor and friend, “There is absolutely no beginning or end to the love, admiration and respect that I have for Barbara. ‘Dr. H’ has been my role model, my compass, my mentor and most of all...my friend. She has been my greatest supporter, enthusiastic teacher, wisest counsel, and loyal confidant.

“She gave me and Nebraska Women’s Athletics every piece of knowledge and every ounce of energy she had. Most of all, Dr. Hibner has taught us all to lead by word and by example. She will be greatly missed, but her presence will forever be evident in each of our women’s athletic programs here at Nebraska.”

Dr. Hibner came to Nebraska after serving as a successful teacher, coach and athletic administrator at both the high school and collegiate levels. She began her Husker career as Nebraska’s Assistant Women’s Athletic Director from 1978 to 1985. She served as the Women’s Athletic Director from 1985 to 1994 and finished her career as associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator from 1994 to her retirement in December of 2005.

Hibner was responsible for NCAA compliance for the entire athletic program, and also coordinated and directed special events, including conference and women’s NCAA in women’s basketball, gymnastics, softball, volleyball, soccer, swimming and diving and tennis. Most recently, she served as the tournament director for the first and second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Volleyball Tournament at the NU Coliseum and the 2005 NCAA Softball Regional at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln. She proudly worked behind the scenes as Nebraska women’s teams won nine national championships.

A graduate of Gettysburg High School, Dr. Hibner’s start as an administrator coincided with the official start of the Title IX Educational Amendment of 1972. After graduating from Penn State University in 1964, Hibner taught high school in Pennsylvania and New York, coaching basketball, tennis and softball. After earning her master’s from State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland, she moved to SUNY Binghamton to assume coaching, teaching and administrative tasks. She earned her Ph.D. from Texas Women’s University and assumed the duties of women’s athletic director, professor of physical education and coach at Simpson College in Iowa.

In support of women’s athletics, Hibner saw the Nebraska Athletic department grow from 10 women’s varsity sports in 1978 to the current 13 sports, which leads the Big 12 Conference, providing Nebraska women 117 scholarship opportunities.

A tireless supporter of sports for all ages, Hibner established events in Lincoln for women’s gymnastics, women’s basketball and volleyball. Hibner was responsible for the partnership between the women’s athletic department and DARE in 1989 that encouraged student-athlete involvement in community service projects. She received the lifetime achievement award from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in May of 2004.

“Dr. H,” as she is fondly termed by many student-athletes and peers, would say she never “worked” a day in her life, and never wanted credit for paving the way for women in athletics. Yet, she received numerous honors.

Hibner was selected to receive the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award from the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2003. She was chosen as the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators District VII Administrator of the Year in 1997.

The National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women named Hibner the 1998-99 Region III Administrator of the Year. Hibner, who received the YWCA Tribute to Women award in 1994, was honored in 2000 with the Nebraska Athletic Department’s first Trailblazer Award, an honor that will be renamed in her honor this spring upon its sixth presentation.

Leaving behind a legacy well documented in print as well, Hibner supervised the annual publication of the student-athlete handbook and was the senior editor of the letterwinners directory, “107 Years of Letterwinners at Nebraska,” in 1997. She also published the first staff policy and procedures manual for the women’s athletic department, and was the driving force in the creation of Nebraska’s mascot, “Lil’ Red,” in 1994.

Extremely active in the community, Big Eight and Big 12 Conference as well as on NCAA Committees, Hibner was an active member of the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification and served a five-year term as a peer reviewer. She also completed service as chairwoman of the Big 12 Conference Board of Senior Woman Administrators in September of 1999, and was a member of the Big 12’s Administrative and Television Committees.

She was a member of the National Association for Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators. Hibner previously was a member of the National Association of Athletic Marketing and Development and the National Association of Athletics Compliance Coordinators.

Dr. Hibner was also a member of the American Association of University Women, and the softball, women’s basketball and volleyball coaches associations, and was a member of the NCAA Women’s Committee on Committees from 1989 to 1991. She was chairperson of the NCAA Division I Midwest Softball Advisory Committee and a member of the NCAA Division I Softball Committee from 1999 to 2003 and served as director of the Women’s College World Series in 1991.

A true friend of nature, in her rare moments away from athletics, Dr. Hibner loved spending time fishing, gardening, and being with family and friends.

Hibner served on the Board of Directors of the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union for six years, and was a past president of the University of Nebraska Association for Administrative Development.

Barbara is survived by her mother, Welma N. Wagaman (Hanover, Pa), her father, Murry E. Hibner (Oceanside, Calif.), and her seven brothers and sisters: Gary D. Hibner (Roseville, Mich.), Nancy J. Hill (Des Moines, Iowa), Richard W. Wagaman, Jr. (Bartlett, Tenn.), Susan L. Baublitz (Abbottstown, Pa.), Peggy D. Beard (Hanover, Pa.), Lynda K. Racer (Hanover, Pa.), and Robin Barton (York, Pa.). She is preceded in death by her brother Bobby E. Wagaman, who greeted Barbara in Heaven. Barbara also has nine nephews, nine nieces, 16 great nephews and 15 great nieces.

The funeral and burial will be Monday, March 12 in McSherrystown, Pa. A Celebration of Life will be held on the University of Nebraska campus the following week. Details of both will be announced as soon as available.

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UNIVERSITY CLOSED BY WINTER STORM...

Lincoln - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (was) closed Thursday, March 1, because of a winter storm in the area, University officials announced. All classes and non-athletic events (were) canceled and all offices and clinics (were) closed as well.

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DORN, HUSKERS STOP STETSON...

DJ Belfonte scored twice in NU's win over Stetson
Deland, Fla. -- Johnny Dorn allowed two runs over eight-plus innings, while Andrew Brown’s two-run single sparked a five-run, fifth-inning outburst, as No. 17 Nebraska posted a 6-2 victory over Stetson Monday afternoon.

Dorn, who moved into fourth place on NU’s career wins chart with his 24th career win, scattered five hits over eight frames to improve to 2-1 on the season. The junior right-hander struck out four and took a shutout into the eighth in a 110-pitch effort.

"I was really, really pleased with the performance of Johnny Dorn," Anderson said. "Our team needed Johnny to pitch well, and this team needed a win after yesterday. He was a spark for us and he was just outstanding on the mound. To see (Steve) Edlefsen come in and pitch well gave us two outstanding pitching performances today."

The Huskers, who improved to 6-4 on the season, were held to five hits, but took advantage of their opportunities, getting four of the hits in the fifth, including a two-run single by Brown and an RBI single by Jake Opitz, while Craig Corriston’s ninth-inning RBI single gave NU a five-run cushion.

"I liked what our offense showed," Anderson said. "The numbers didn’t show it, but we hit the ball well and Brown and Corriston had some big hits for us allowed us to do things."

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HUSKERS FALL TWICE IN FLORIDA...

Jake Opitz homered twice and drove in seven runs in two games on Sunday.
Deland, Fla. – Jake Opitz homered twice and drove in seven runs on the day, but the Huskers dropped a pair of games at the Stetson Invitational Sunday afternoon. The Huskers, who dipped to 5-4 on the season, saw an 8-0 lead evaporate in a 12-8 loss to Iowa before dropping a 16-6 setback to Notre Dame in the nightcap.

Head Coach Mike Anderson didn’t mince words in describing the Huskers’ performances on Sunday.

"Not many things went right for us today," Anderson said. "I was very surprised by our lack of competitiveness. That is something that has not been a trait of our teams, and we did not have it today. We allowed Iowa to scratch and claw back and we weren’t competitive against Notre Dame. There is no excuse for that, and we need to be accountable for the way we played."

Not only did the Huskers lose a pair of games, but also lost starting center fielder Bryce Nimmo to an injury in first inning of the nightcap. Nimmo collided with right fielder DJ Belfonte on Brett Lilley’s triple to right center and was motionless for several minutes as both teams’ medical staffs tried to assist the Husker outfielder. Nimmo was taken to a local hospital and was later released after being diagnosed with a concussion and a shoulder injury.

"Bryce will be out for a little while," Anderson said. "There was a collision, but we weren’t sure if the collision that caused the injury was with JD or after he hit the ground."

Nimmo’s injury was a harbinger of a long afternoon for the Huskers in the nightcap, as Notre Dame put five runs on the board in the frame and chased starter Drew Bowman. Base hits by A.J. Pollock, Ross Brezovsky and Matt Weglarz made it a 3-0 game before a passed ball and sacrifice fly gave Notre Dame a 5-0 cushion.

"We let the momentum of one game go into the next one," Anderson said.

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OPITZ NAMED BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK...

Dallas -- University of Nebraska second baseman Jake Opitz was named Big 12 Player of the Week Monday for his performance at the Rice Invitational over the weekend. It is the first weekly honor for Opitz, a junior from Littleton, Colo.

Opitz hit .600 (6-for-10) with five runs scored, one RBI and a pair of doubles in helping the Huskers to a 2-1 week, highlighted by a win over nationally-ranked Florida Atlantic. Optiz, who also drew three weeks, finished the weekend with a .692 on-base percentage. Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, he went 3-for-4, scored three times and went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks against sixth-ranked Rice on Saturday.

Opitz and the Huskers stayed seventh in the Collegiate Baseball poll and jumped from 19th to 18th in the Baseball America poll released Monday. The Huskers return to action on Friday when they travel to Deland, Fla., for the Stetson Invitational, where they will face Iowa, Notre Dame and the host Hatters.

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HUSKERS CLIP OWLS, 8-7...

Houston – Ryan Wehrle went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, while four relievers combined on three innings of shutout relief, helping the seventh-ranked Nebraska baseball team to an 8-7 victory over No. 27 Florida Atlantic Sunday afternoon at the Rice Invitational.

Wehrle belted his second homer of the year to highlight NU’s 13-hit outburst, while Andrew Brown and Andy Gerch enjoyed three-hit days for NU, which improved to 5-2 on the season and closed the tournament with a 2-1 record.

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OMAHA TO HOST 2007 AVCA VOLLEYBALL SHOWCASE...

College volleyball’s premier preseason event comes to Omaha for the second time, as the AVCA announced that Qwest Center Omaha will host the 2007 AVCA Showcase. The event features defending national champion Nebraska, along with national semifinalist UCLA and NCAA qualifiers Tennessee and Utah.

The Showcase first-round matches will be UCLA versus Utah, followed by Nebraska versus Tennessee on Friday, August 24. The consolation and championship matches will be played the following night, August 25. Times for matches on both dates will be announced at a later date.

“The AVCA Showcase is the premier event in the United States for college volleyball outside of the NCAA Championships, and we have proven that there is no place like Nebraska to play major events,” said Nebraska head coach John Cook. “The community embraces the sport of volleyball, and the players and fans of all four teams in the AVCA Showcase will get to experience a first-class event with huge crowds and a Final Four-type atmosphere.”

The Huskers are making their sixth AVCA Showcase appearance and have won the event in 2001 and 2005. Nebraska, which finished 33-1 in 2006, returns five starters, including AVCA National Player of the Year Sarah Pavan and All-Americans Rachel Holloway, Jordan Larson and Tracy Stalls along with 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

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A FRESH START ON FASHION A SUCCESS...(probably a little too fru-fru for most Husker fans!)...

Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Johnny Rodgers joined Head Coach Bill Callahan as models at the Fresh Start fashion show.

Despite the wintry weather, Coach Callahan Charities and Fresh Start provided a peek into spring’s newest styles with the first annual Coach Callahan Charities: A Fresh Start on Fashion spring fashion show. More than 300 people attended the event, which was held Friday evening at the Rococo Theater (134 No. 13th) in downtown Lincoln.

The evening began at 6 p.m. with a social hour and silent auction, in which several unique and exclusive items and packages were up for bid. Favorites included a “USC Game-day Husker Experience Ticket Package,” which gave the winning bidders the opportunity to attend the Sept. 15, 2007 football game and be on the field during the Tunnel Walk; autographed items from Nebraska’s three Heisman Trophy winners and current Chicago White Sox outfielder Darin Erstad, among other items. A raffle was also held for two fantastic prizes. The grand prize was a “Journey Necklace” of eight Lazare Diamonds, totaling one carat, donated by Wright’s Jewelers, while the second-place prize was a package featuring two tickets to the Oct. 20, 2007 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M football game with pregame sideline passes.

Two of the three Nebraska Heisman winners – Johnny Rodgers (1972) and Eric Crouch (2001) – were on hand for autographs and pictures with attendees. The photos were available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going toward Fresh Start.

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RUDOLF NAMED HUSKER ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH...

Nebraska added Joe Rudolph to its coaching staff on Tuesday. Rudolph will coach Nebraska's tight ends.

Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan announced on Tuesday that Joe Rudolph has been hired to fill the open assistant position on the Husker offensive staff. Callahan has also announced that third-year assistant coach Ted Gilmore will take over the role of recruiting coordinator for the Nebraska staff.

Rudolph will coach the Nebraska tight ends and joins the Huskers after spending the past three seasons at Ohio State. In 2006, Rudolph was a member of the Buckeyes’ strength and conditioning staff, where he developed position-specific training for OSU’s tight ends, offensive linemen and fullbacks. Prior to spending this past season as part of the Buckeyes’ strength and conditioning unit, Rudolph spent two seasons on Coach Jim Tressel’s staff as a graduate assistant with the Buckeye offense.

The Buckeyes had great success while Rudolph was part of the program. In 2006, Ohio State compiled a perfect 12-0 regular season before losing to Florida in the BCS National Championship Game. While serving as a graduate assistant, Rudolph helped guide the Buckeyes to a trip to the Alamo Bowl in 2004. He also assisted with the Ohio State offense in 2005, as the Buckeyes finished ranked fourth nationally with a 10-2 record, including a victory over Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

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TEXANS AGREE TO TERMS WITH AHMAN GREEN...

The Houston Texans agreed to terms with free agent running back Ahman Green on Sunday.

The 30-year-old former Green Bay Packer will likely become the starter for a team that struggled at the position last season after Domanick Williams; formerly Davis; missed the year with knee problems.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://journalstar.com/articles/2007/03/05/sports/
doc45ec5a3751ca3780306146.txt

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HUSKER NFL HOPEFULS WORK OUT FOR SCOUTS...

Defensive end Adam Carriker performs position drills during Wednesday's Pro Day at the Hawks Center.

More than a dozen former Husker football players showcased their physical ability and football skills for NFL scouts on Wednesday afternoon at Nebraska's Pro Day at the Hawks Championship Center.

The event attracted more than 30 NFL scouts and team representatives to Lincoln. Eleven members of Nebraska's 2006 Big 12 North Championship team worked out for the scouts.

Among the players performing for the scouts were the five Huskers who participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month--defensive ends Adam Carriker and Jay Moore, linebacker Stewart Bradley, quarterback Zac Taylor and running back Brandon Jackson.

In addition, six other members of last year's Husker team got their first opportunity to impress NFL scouts including defensive linemen Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer, tight end Matt Herian, fullback Dane Todd, safety Andrew Shanle and long snapper Lane Kelly. Former Huskers Josh Sewell and Donald DeFrand also worked out at the event.

The players were tested in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, vertical jump and bench press, while several of the players participated in position-specific drills. The National Football League will holds its draft on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29.

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NU SOFTBALL WRAPS UP TOURNAMENT PLAY THIS WEEKEND...

Sophomore Darcy Rutherford ranks second on the team with a .370 average.
After traveling to Hawaii, Georgia and Nevada, the Nebraska softball team will stay closer to home this weekend, finishing the road portion of its season-opening five-tournament schedule by heading south to Wichita, Kan., for the Shocker Invitational.

Joining the 10-7 Huskers in the Sunflower State will be Minnesota, Western Illinois and host Wichita State. NU will face the Golden Gophers and Westerwinds twice on Friday and Saturday, before playing a lone game against the Shockers on Sunday.

This weekend will also mark NU’s first radio games of the season. In a late addition made possible by the Husker Sports Network, all five games are scheduled to air, free of charge, on Huskers.com. In the unlikely event that Nebraska baseball and both basketball teams play in the same time window as a softball game, the softball game would not air.

After finishing a third straight tournament at one game above .500, Nebraska is looking for more this weekend. In each of the past two tournaments, a single day has spoiled the weekend, as the Huskers dropped both games on the first day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic and lost a pair of Saturday contests last weekend at the UNLV Invitational.

To finish with a better record this weekend, the Huskers will have to improve at beating a team for a second time. Nebraska has already played four teams twice, posting a 4-4 record in those games. NU was swept in two games at Hawaii and defeated then-No. 18 Auburn twice, but against Portland State and DePaul, the Huskers were winners in the first meeting before being shut out in losses the second time the teams met.

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FOUR-RUN EIGHTH LIFTS NU PAST NO. 18 CAL...

Senior Ashley DeBuhr improved to 3-1 against ranked opponents this season with the victory over No. 18 Cal.

Las Vegas, Nev. – Senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr continued her mastery of ranked teams and the Husker offense erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth as the 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team upset No. 18 Cal, 5-1, on Sunday in the final game of the UNLV Invitational.

With the win, Nebraska finished the tournament with a 3-2 record after recording two victories on Sunday. The Huskers (10-7) are now 4-1 this season against ranked teams, with two of the victories and the lone loss all coming in extra innings.

DeBuhr (5-3) earned the victory, her third win against a ranked opponent this season. The Beatrice, Neb., native did not allow an earned run while striking out 12 in a complete-game, three-hit performance. DeBuhr became more dominant as the game progressed as she allowed just one hit after the second inning.

In four complete games against ranked foes this year DeBuhr is 3-1 with a 0.45 ERA. She has not allowed an earned run through the first seven innings in each of those starts. Overall, DeBuhr has surrendered only two earned runs in 31.1 innings versus top-25 opponents while allowing only 12 hits and posting 38 strikeouts.

HUSKERS DEFEAT HORNETS, 2-1...

Las Vegas, Nev. – The 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team rebounded from a pair of tough losses on Saturday to post a 2-1 victory over Delaware State in the first of two games Sunday at the UNLV Invitational.

Despite being outhit, 7-4, Nebraska evened its record at 2-2 at the tournament while improving to 9-7 overall. The Huskers were helped by their patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths, as NU drew a season-high five walks and added five stolen bases, one shy of its season high.

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill (3-4) picked up her second victory of the season, tossing 4.2 innings of shutout relief. Hill allowed just three hits while striking out three. Freshman right-hander Alex Hupp made her third career start and surrendered one run on four hits in 2.1 innings.

FRESNO STATE RALLIES PAST NEBRASKA...

Las Vegas - The 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, only to see Fresno State rally for three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 3-2 victory over the Huskers on Saturday at the UNLV Invitational.

Nebraska (8-7) lost for the fourth time this season when leading after three innings of play. In 2006, Nebraska lost only four times all season when taking a lead into the middle innings. Senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (4-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on 10 hits in five innings of work.

Fresno State improved to 11-6 with the victory. Robin Mackin, a star pitcher for Team Canada which is coached by NU associate head coach Lori Sippel, earned the victory allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits in a complete-game effort.

NU'S WIN STREAK SNAPPED AT FOUR...

Las Vegas, Nev. – In a game where offense was at a premium, DePaul was the more opportunistic team as the Blue Demons avenged an early-season loss to Nebraska by defeating the 23rd-ranked Huskers, 2-0, Saturday at the UNLV Invitational.

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill (2-4) was the hard-luck loser for Nebraska (8-6). Tossing her second complete game in as many days, Hill allowed only two runs (one earned) on four hits, while working around a pair of Husker errors. She also added nine strikeouts, but walked four.

Becca Heteniak improved to 3-2 on the season by tossing her first career shutout. DePaul picked up its fifth straight victory with the win and improved to 11-5 on the season.

Although neither team had many scoring chances - there were only seven combined hits - DePaul parlayed its four hits into two runs, while Nebraska was shut out for the second time this season. The Huskers had their chances as they got their leadoff runner aboard in five of the seven innings and had at least one baserunner in six frames. NU left seven runners on base but was only able to advance one runner past second base.

HUSKERS EARN 4TH STRAIGHT VICTORY...

Las Vegas, Nev. – A delayed arrival of more than 14 hours and a delayed start of more than one hour did nothing to slow the 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team, as the Huskers opened the UNLV Invitational with a 5-2 victory over Southern Utah late Friday night.

Nebraska’s fourth straight win was the capper to a whirlwind 36 hours for the Huskers, who had a Thursday flight out of Omaha canceled, then bused to Kansas City for a 6:30 flight Friday morning and arrived in Las Vegas at 7:45 a.m. before having to wait until a 9:22 p.m. first pitch.

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill improved to 2-3 on the season with her second win in as many games. Hill allowed only three balls to leave the infield while tossing a complete-game two-hitter. She allowed just one earned run and struck out 12, but also surrendered six walks.

With the win, Nebraska improved to 8-5 on the season, while Southern Utah fell to 8-9. Bobbi Jo Merrill (1-1) took the loss for the Thunderbirds, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3.0 innings of work.

PORTER'S BLAST POWERS HUSKERS PAST BULLDOGS...

Columbus, Ga. – Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill picked up her first win of the season and senior Devin Porter hit her first home run of the year to lift the 21st-ranked Nebraska softball team to the bronze bracket championship with a 2-1 victory over No. 18 Georgia in the final game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.

Hill (1-3) had her best outing of the year, tossing a complete-game three-hitter and not allowing an earned run. She also added six strikeouts and was able to work around four walks, including three leadoff walks.

Hill’s work in the circle set the stage for Porter, who launched a towering solo home run to left field with one out in the seventh inning to power the Huskers to their third victory over a top-25 opponent this season.

NU LOSES HEARTBREAKER TO NO. 20 FLORIDA STATE...

Columbus, Ga. – After stranding 17 runners through a scoreless first eight innings, the 21st-ranked Nebraska softball team finally converted a run in the top of the ninth, only to see No. 20 Florida State rally with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the inning to claim a 2-1 victory.

On the game, Nebraska stranded a season-high 18 runners, while the Seminoles left just three on base. NU left the bases loaded four times and stranded two runners in two other innings. The Huskers pounded out 11 hits to just four from Florida State, but in the end it was FSU’s two final hits that made the difference.

Despite squandering numerous scoring opportunities, Nebraska was able to get to extra frames thanks to the work of senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr in the circle. DeBuhr took a two-hit shutout into the ninth inning before surrendering the two home runs.

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HUSKER GYMNASTS HUNT FOR DUAL WIN OVER GOPHERS THIS WEEKEND...


Junior Stephen Tétrault and the Huskers welcome Minnesota to the Devaney Center this Sunday.

The No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team remains in Lincoln this weekend, as it hosts eighth-ranked Minnesota at 2 p.m. this Sunday, March 11 at the Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers will be joined by the eighth-ranked Nebraska women, which play host to No. 13 Iowa State in a double dual. Sunday marks fans’ final chance to the see the Nebraska men and women in a double dual this year. Fans unable to attend can watch live stats for both the NU men and women by going to Huskers.com.

The Huskers are 0-2 at home this season and will be hunting for their first dual win against the Gophers on Sunday. NU’s highest team marks of the year have both come at home, and the Huskers are on pace to better those scores once more against Minnesota. Sunday’s dual against the Gophers is one of two final chances for Nebraska to improve its national qualifying score, which can include as many as two home totals.

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HUSKERS SNAG SEASON-HIGH IN LOSS TO STANFORD...

Lincoln – Despite battling an injury-plagued lineup, the No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team notched a season-high team score of 206.30 in its loss to No. 5 Stanford (216.85) Sunday afternoon at the Devaney Center.

A string of injuries to the Husker freshman class over the last two weeks left Nebraska able to put a full six-man lineup on just four events. Despite the setbacks, Nebraska still managed its team best performance behind high scores on the pommel horse (35.35), vault (34.95) and parallel bars (35.40).

“We had a skeleton crew out there this afternoon, and the team was still able to pull together and overcome those obstacles,” head coach Francis Allen said. “If we get some of those injured athletes back, we’re going to be an impressive young team toward the end of the season.”

Much of NU’s success is owned to a trio of Nebraska natives, senior Jason Wassung, junior Stephen Tétrault and sophomore T.J. Schmidt, who have continually spearheaded the Husker efforts in 2007. Wassung claimed the runner-up spot in the all-around with a season-high score of 52.80, followed by Tétrault in third (51.20). Schmidt captured Nebraska’s lone event title of the afternoon with his a score of 9.25 on the parallel bars, his fourth title of the season.

“Jason, Stephen and T.J. had proven time and again that we can rely on them to perform,” Allen said. “It’s nice to have that kind of leadership on such a young team. They continue to get better every meet, and I look for them to keep going on that path over the next few weeks.”


NEBRASKA OPENS THREE-MEET HOMESTAND AGAINST STANFORD...

The No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team returns to Lincoln this weekend for the first meet of a three-week homestand beginning with No. 5 Stanford on Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m. The Huskers will be joined by the seventh-ranked Nebraska women, which play host to No. 5 Utah in the second of three double duals this season. Fans can watch live stats for both the NU men and women by going to Huskers.com.

The Huskers are 0-1 at home this season after falling to Oklahoma, 205.95-213.30, on Feb. 2. Despite the loss, NU’s score was its highest of the 2007 season, and the Huskers will be looking to improve on that mark this weekend.

This is the second run-in between NU and the Cardinal this season, as Nebraska traveled to Palo Alto, Calif., for the Stanford Open on Jan. 27. That meet ended in a 202.90-209.95 Cardinal win, improving Stanford’s undefeated streak against the Huskers to 5-0.

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WASSUNG NAMED MPSF CO-GYMNAST OF THE WEEK...

Senior Jason Wassung earned his first MPSF Gymnast of the Week title on Feb. 27.
Lincoln – Senior Jason Wassung was named this week’s co-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Week on Tuesday, sharing the title with Oklahoma’s Jonathan Horton.

Wassung’s award comes following an outstanding meet at Iowa on Feb. 24 that saw him capture the fourth all-around title of his career with a season-high score of 52.50. He also won the high bar (8.50), and finished third on the floor exercise (9.00), pommel horse (8.55) and still rings (9.20). Wassung’s scores on the pommel horse and rings were both season highs.

Five meets into the season, Wassung has finished either first or second in the all-around each time, including earning a pair of all-around titles. Nebraska’s only fourth-year competitor, Wassung has also set career-high marks on the parallel bars (9.40) and high bar (9.20), and owns an event title on each apparatus.

This is Wassung’s first gymnast of the week honor of the season and the third of his career after the Lincoln native earned a pair of awards during his sophomore season in 2005. This is also the second MPSF Gymnast of the Week selection for the Huskers in 2007, as sophomore T.J. Schmidt earned the award on Jan. 23.

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HUSKERS EDGED BY HAWKEYES IN IOWA...

Iowa City, Iowa – The ninth-ranked Nebraska gymnastics team dropped a nail biter to the Iowa Hawkeyes, 205.05-204.20, on Saturday in Iowa City. This is the second dual between the two programs that has been decided by less than a point, as Iowa topped Nebraska, 209.60-209.45, last season.

Despite the loss, Nebraska earned four individual event titles, including a pair from sophomore T.J. Schmidt on the pommel horse (8.85) and parallel bars (8.95). Schmidt shared his parallel bars crown with junior Stephen Tétrault (8.95), while freshman Tony Maras added Nebraska’s third title with a 9.45 on the still rings. Maras’ score is the highest on any event for Nebraska in 2007.

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NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...

* Hagel Will Announce Political Plans Monday

Thank goodness. The speculation about his influence on the 2008
presidential race will take on a new dimension - one way or another. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/08/45f042ee8f689

* Two Men Murdered In Grand Island - A Third Is Sought By Police

Bad business. The third guy is accused of stealing a car. The cops would appreciate your help. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/08/45f04fab45b6f

* Medders Leads Iowa State Past NU Women, 79-76 In OT

A heck of a player from ISU contributed much to the undoing of the Huskers in the Big 12 tournament. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/08/45f02142b3453

* Huskers Defeat Oklahoma State - Look To Big 12 Tournament This Week

Good on the Husker men.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/06/45ed77c32e0f1

* Creighton Defeats SIU, Wins MVC Title, Heads For NCAA Tourney

Go Jays! This piece will link you to a lot of stories from writers outside Nebraska. Interesting to know what they have to say - and they say good things. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/05/45ec595825097

* City Council Will Vote On Override Of Concealed-Carry

A mayor vetoes a concealed-carry ordinance. A city council will decide whether to enact it over the mayor's objections. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/05/45ec5cc4c2504

* Milliken Urges Lawmakers To Recommend NU Budget Increase

What's good for NU is said to be good for all of Nebraska. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/07/45ef20366cc15

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MISSION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS "CLASSICAL SPLENDOR" WITH PIANIST JON NAKAMATSU...

San Jose, California — The Mission Chamber Orchestra (conducted by our own Emily Ray) brings its adventurous 2006/2007 season to an end with a tribute to the classics. One of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, Jon Nakamatsu, a California native, joins MCO to perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 1. The evening will also include Mozart's eloquent Symphony no. 38, and an overture by the young Spanish contemporary of Beethoven, Juan Arriaga.

Concert Details


Event: The Mission Chamber Orchestra: Classical Splendor

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2007

Time: 8:00pm

Pre-concert lecture begins at 7:15
There will be a 15-minute question and answer session immediately following concert

Location: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. 5th Street, San Jose

Conductor: Emily Ray

Soloist: Jon Nakamatsu, pianist

Parking: Free. Suggest parking in lot near corner of N. 5th and St. John.



Program:

· Beethoven Piano Concerto #1 with Jon Nakamatsu, pianist

· Arriaga Overture to Los Esclavos Felices with artwork from Monta Vista High School art students

· Mozart Symphony no 38, K.504 in D major, "Prague"



Tickets:
Advanced ticket purchases available online: http://missionchamber.org/cat_season.php

Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.



Tickets purchased at the door*: $32 general, $25 seniors & students, $5 children under 12

*subject to availability



MCO Phone: 408-236-3350
Website: www.missionchamber.org



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HUSKER HUMOR...

DEAR ABBY COLUMN ABOUT NEBRASKA FOOTBALL AND WEDDINGS...(thanks to many of you who sent me copies of this article, and to Roman for sending me the electronic version)

Dear Abby More Dear Abby

In Wedding vs. Football, Guess Which Wins Toss?

CORNHUSKER FANS HAVE THEIR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT ON GAME DAY

DEAR ABBY: When I first read the letter from "Wounded Bride" (Jan. 6), whose father left immediately after her wedding ceremony to watch a football game on television, I thought, "What an insensitive, inconsiderate boor!" However, when I saw the signature, "Wounded Bride in Nebraska," I laughed.

I was born and raised in Nebraska. The percentage of the population in Nebraska who are not obsessed with football is definitely in the minority. It has reached the point where weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversaries -- even women's C-sections -- are planned around the Cornhuskers' schedule.

This may seem ridiculous and juvenile, but it's the reality if you choose to live in Nebraska.

What her father did was wrong, yet he probably was never taught anything different. I'd cut the guy some slack. -- REFORMED CORNHUSKER FAN, NOW IN MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR REFORMED: I told "Wounded Bride" (in essence) that her father might have been trying to send her a message about his feelings about her marriage, but she should try to forgive him and concentrate on building a successful life with her spouse. Of course, when I penned my answer, I had no idea how pervasive football fanaticism has become. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: Although I feel her pain, I had to chuckle. We just moved back to Colorado from Nebraska, and believe me when I say that "Husker" is the state religion.

Some close friends recently planned the marriage of their son around the Cornhuskers' football schedule, and another friend was late to his own wedding because he was watching "the game."

"Wounded Bride's" father is just a typical Husker fan. -- BRENDA IN AURORA, COLO.

DEAR ABBY: It was the bride's own fault for scheduling her wedding during a game-day Saturday. Having grown up in Nebraska, I can tell you there are Catholic priests and Protestant ministers who refuse to perform weddings on game day. Repairmen refuse to come until the game is over. My wife is a nurse, and when she worked in the hospitals there, she knew of doctors who put off patients until the game was over. Nothing in Nebraska is more important -- at least in their minds. It's actually one of the reasons we moved away. -- FORMER NEBRASKAN IN TEXAS

DEAR ABBY: My in-laws' anniversary was in the fall, and we had to plan their 60th on a weekend other than game day or many guests would not have come. Heck, my father-in-law might not have come! They played the Nebraska fight song at his funeral, and everyone cried. -- HUSKER FAN, ROCKLIN, CALIF.

DEAR READERS: In fairness, it isn't just Nebraska football fans. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: The only day we could have our wedding was the day of the Pitt-Penn State game -- a big deal here in western Pennsylvania. At our reception, those guests who weren't in the bar glued to the TV had headphones plugged into their ears, either cheering or groaning at inappropriate times. -- MARTHA IN CHICORA, PA.

DEAR ABBY: Brides-to-be in Oklahoma who schedule their weddings on an Oklahoma University Sooner game-day Saturday can expect low attendance. It may not be right, but it's true. -- SOONER FAN IN OKLAHOMA CITY

DEAR ABBY: In Texas, we schedule funerals so as not to interfere with our college football games. That bride knew her father's habits. She should have had the wedding on a different date. -- ANOTHER FATHER'S OPINION

DEAR ABBY: "Wounded Bride" should take comfort in the fact that what goes around comes around. Nebraska lost! -- AUBURN WAR EAGLE

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