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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 2000)
Baseball, softball, track teams win Bis 12 titles SPORTS from page 6 home crowd in Omaha, and, despite being the ninth seed in the tournament, a legitimate chance at the national title because of the distinct advan tage. Rodrigue pitched against a Stanford youngster by the name of Brian Segar. In later conversa tion, Van Horn would lament missed opportunities in the third game, of which there were a few, such as when right fielder Adam Shabala stood on third base in the fifth inning, with the score 3 2 in Stanford^ favor. One out on the board, Van Horn turned to second baseman Josh Hesse, an accomplice for die squeeze play, as Shabala would blitz home as the ball theoretically rolled past him in fair territory. But Hesse’s bunt attempt turned upward into a pop out. And then, Shabala was caught trying to steal home on a passed ball. The inning ended; Nebraska’s chances were less threatening afterward. Stanford boosted its lead in die eighth with a two-run homer, an often occurrence for the Cardinal, who had several near misses during the game, and the series as a whole. At 5-2, it was all but done. Catcher Justin Cowan hit a home run in the ninth, but the Huskers climbed no farther. In two successive games, then, the Huskers had suffered mid-lineup power outages when least need ed. But Van Horn did not place blame upon his hitters, who along with facing three consecu tive Major League prospects and slaying one, had more than earned keep for the entire sea son, and put themselves in posi tion for victory. Though no blinding star emerged, this was a hitting team of speed and aver age, along with 21 home runs apiece from Matt Hopper and Dan Johnson. The team hit for an average of .325, with nearly all of the starters above the .300 marie. As with teams that lose, NU had disappointment while Stanford piled onto the field in their trademark pullover jerseys. The Cardinal have an easy brack et to navigate for the series; one expects them to capture a spot in die national championship game. Nebraska, though it may feel wanting when its players visit Rosenblatt Stadium this week and next, will recover and can take solace in knowing that if it had to be beaten, the possible champion is the best option available. And though seniors depart, no one denies the program’s future from here is sunny with the completion of a baseball complex that will make NU one of, if not the, preeminent base ball force north of the Mason Dixon line. Few teams, exclud ing the upper throes of California, capture a national title north of that line. Last to do it was Wichita State, in 1989. It may be fitting, then, that the Cornhuskers eliminated the Shockers in the opening region al. If the winds are shifting, they do so in favor of the men in red. And next year, surrounded by a facility that will serve as envy for many top Northern programs, and even a few of the elite Southern ones, the next logical step toward the series is, in a manner of speaking, the next logical step. This belief, not four years removed from a stagnant pro gram, is the best determinant of Nebraska’s progress. The Comhusker team, with Komine Zoo, Old Market offer CWS fans respite from baseball By Jill Zeman Staff writer Starting today, college base ball enthusiasts will have their eyes on Omaha as the opening ceremonies of die College World Series commence at Rosenblatt Stadium. But with all the excitement and chaos surrounding the series, even the greatest baseball afi cionados may need a break from the action. Across the street from the sta dium is Omaha1* Henry Doorly Zoo, recently voted the number one zoo in the Midwest, according to zoo director Dr. Lee Simmons. A popular attraction currently atthezooisapairofkoalas, which will be featured until Sept. 4, Simmons said. Another new exhibit features the okapi, a type of giraffe native to the Zaire rainforest Simmons said the okapi are “incredibly rare” and encourages people to take advantage of the exhibit Despite the new attractions, Simmons said he anticipates a drop in attendance during the CWS mainly because of a lack of available parking. Although the overall visitor count may be down during the CWS, Simmons said he expects to see more guests from outside the Omaha area. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 am. to 5:00 pm Admission is $7.75 for adults, $4.00 for chil dren and $6.25 for senior citizens, he said. Series spectators who need a break from the heat can also travel to Southroads Mall, located in Bellevue. A shuttle service from the mall to the stadium is being offered, beginning Friday. The departure times from the mall are 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., said Traci VanDeWalle, Southroads Mall marketing director. The shuttle will run until June 16 and will cost $2.00, she said. VanDeWalle said die mall will showcase a craft show, a pet adop tion service, and a fashion show during the CWS. “We’ve got a lot going on here,” she said. Other shopping opportunities, restaurants and entertainment options fix guests include the Old Market area in downtown Omaha, Crossroads Mall, at 74th and Dodge streets and Westroads Mall at 102nd and West Dodge. mall.Dailyneb.com returning to lead the pitchers, and a balanced speed attack on offense, will expect no less. And now that they are aware of the dream’s possibility, neither will the fans. Softball It might be of some consola tion to the Nebraska softball team that of the six losses nation al champion Oklahoma accrued during its national title run, 33 percent - well, two - were hand ed out by the Comhuskers. There was little to suggest that the season would finish out that way, based on a start that left NU with a 14-15'record midway through its schedule. But the run after that point - 38-6 - estab lished Nebraska as one of the nation’s elite, alpng with Big 12 Tournament champion, which it wrested away from a Sooner team two weeks yet from its national title. It came from all different directions for the Comhuskers, as pitchers Leigh Ann Walker and Jenny Voss combined for a solid 1-2 punch. NU struggled more offensively, with midsea son injuries to All-American Jennifer Lizama and shortstop Leigh Suhr. But the Huskers persevered with walk-on replacements and backups. And when needed, the defense stood up nicely. In its regional, Nebraska ran into a buzzsaw, so to speak, in Arizona, which shut out die Huskers twice en route to a spot in the college world series. Track and field The Longhorns of Texas had established a dominance in track and field, at least in the Big 12 Conference, in two previous years, but 2000 proved a rever sal. Working off of two confer ence indoor titles earlier in the spring, Nebraska achieved the feat again on the men’s and women’s side in the outdoor sea son, besting UT on the strength of field events. For leading those efforts, NU Coach Gary Pepin was named Big 12 Coach of die Year. At nationals, held in Durham, N.C., the womens’ team performed admirably, fin ished eighth. This was its best finish since 1995. The men’s team did not send a full team, and none of the sent athletes scored. r want to experience some of the finer things of journalism? WORK FOR THE DN UNL’s No. 1 source for news, sports. | commentary and r , entertainment, (plus, you get paid) Here’s how to find out more: 1. Stop on down. Wo’ro in the basement of the Nebraska Union. Z. Ring our bell at472-2588 over the summer for a chataroo. 3. N you’re interested in the adveretising biz, call 472*2589. 4. If you want to be a columnist, call472*1765.