Mike Patterson

4 weeks ago | journalstar.com | Mike Patterson

Having an organist play at baseball games is somewhat of a rarity these days. Even more rare is having one play at high school games. That's been the job for Omaha Central freshman Finn Paintin, who has been playing at most of the Eagles' home games this year at Boyd Park. He was back in action at a recent game when Central played host to Bellevue East.

1 month ago | journalstar.com | Mike Patterson

OMAHA — Top-ranked Lincoln East defeated third-ranked Millard West 1-0 on Friday night at the Don Kraft/Millard South baseball tournament. The 25-3 Spartans pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the win. Dele Odulate, the No. 9 batter, had the walk-off single through a drawn-in infield. Starter Kalai Larsen went the distance, pitching a four-hit shutout. The Wildcats fell to 18-10.

1 month ago | omaha.com | Mike Patterson

The Omaha Supernovas will start a four-match homestand Thursday in hopes of strengthening their hold on first place. Omaha will host Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. and Atlanta on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the CHI Health Center. The 16-6 Supernovas are fighting to fend off second-place Atlanta (16-8). Omaha, the defending league champion, already has locked up a postseason berth. The top four teams in the eight-team Pro Volleyball Federation qualify for the playoffs, to be held in Las Vegas in three weeks.

1 month ago | omaha.com | Mike Patterson

Papillion-La Vista pitcher Brett Hoelscher said he was feeling "pretty good" when he recently took the mound against Omaha Creighton Prep. The Junior Jays soon found out just how good. The senior left-hander struck out 18 in a 2-1 victory April 7. That's one short of the seven-inning Class A record that has stood for more than 30 years and three short of the all-class mark of 21 set by Nebraska City's Logan Ehlers in 2009. "That's the most strikeouts I've ever had at any level," Hoelscher said.

1 month ago | omaha.com | Mike Patterson

This Metro Conference baseball tournament shapes up as one of the more wide-open events in recent years. Just ask Bellevue West coach Jason Shockey, whose Thunderbirds are the defending champions. "There are a lot of really good players out there this season," he said. "When you look at where some strong teams are seeded, that pretty much tells the story."The tournament begins Wednesday with three play-in games.