Mike Patterson

1 week 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 week 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 week 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.

1 week ago | omaha.com | Mike Patterson

Here are the latest rankings for Nebraska high school baseball by World-Herald staff writer Mike Patterson. * * *Top 10Rank, school, record, previous ranking1. Lincoln East, 14-2, 12. Millard South, 12-3, 33. Papillion-La Vista South, 12-3, 54. Millard West, 6-7, 85. Lincoln Southwest, 9-4, NR6. Elkhorn South, 5-5, 77. Millard North, 10-4, 48. Bellevue West, 10-4, 29. Omaha Skutt, 13-2, 910. Omaha Creighton Prep, 6-7, 10 Class A1. Lincoln East, 14-2, 12. Millard South, 12-3, 33.

1 week ago | omaha.com | Mike Patterson

Bennington's Scott Heese was hoping to see something special in his final season as baseball coach. So far, his Badgers have come through with flying colors. Bennington is off to a 13-1 start and ranked second in Class B. The Badgers won their first 13 before falling to Elkhorn 8-5 on Saturday in the team's fifth game in six days. "The kids have been playing well," Heese said.