Iowa-Nebraska is a budding rivarly and Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller says his sport is no different. The Hawkeyes take a 3-3 Big Ten record to Lincoln for tonight’s (Friday night’s) start of a three game series against a Husker squad that is 4-1-1 in the league race. And it is a series that Heller would like to see played every year. With the Big Ten’s rotating schedule the Hawkeyes and Huskers did not even play in 2016.

The Huskers enter the series having won 10 of their last 12. Iowa’s thin pitching staff is even thinner with the loss of Sunday’s projected starter Kyle Shimp. The freshman left hander is 3-0 with an earned run average of 1.35.

(Learfield Sports)

Iowa quarterbacks coach Ken O’Keefe says the battle to become the Hawkeye’s new signal caller may not be decided until fall camp. O’Keefe says it is neck and neck between junior Tyler Wieggers and sophomore Nathan Stanley as they battle to replace C.J. Beathard under center.

O’ Keefe says both quarterbacks have had to deal with some changes that followed a shake up in the coaching staff on offense, and he says both quarterbacks have a long way to go. O’Keefe says foot work and a quick release are two of the factors that will decide who wins the job.

Iowa’s spring game is April 21.

(Learfield Sports)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals say Hall of Fame outfielder Lou Brock was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. The 77-year-old Brock was supposed to appear at a Busch Stadium event on April 25, but that has been canceled while he is undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.

His left leg was amputated below the knee in late 2015 because of an infection caused by complications with diabetes. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes more than 15 years ago and has worn a prosthesis since the amputation to throw out the occasional ceremonial first pitch at Cardinals games.

Brock, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1985, says he and wife Jackie are thankful for the support they have received.

The Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association released their week 2 rankings for boys soccer.  Locally in Class 1A St. Albert is in the poll at #13.  Check out the full rankings for all classes by taking a look at the document below.

Week_2_Rankings_Press_Release

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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The number of Olympic athletes who will take part in this month’s Drake Relays is nearing 50. That includes a star studded women’s 15-hundred meter field that includes Webster City native and three time Olympian Jenny Simpson. Drake Relays director Blake Bolden says Simpson will be joined by Sioux City native Shelby Houlihan, who competed at the Rio Olympics in the 5,000 meters.

Boilden says the field is so strong for that event he had to put together a waiting list. The Drake Relays are April 26-29.

(Learfield Sports)

An Iowa State football player is preparing for life after football. Redshirt senior defensive back Evrett Edwards got a special pass to spend the day on the floor of the Iowa Senate. He started five games for the Cyclones last season after coming to Iowa State as a graduate transfer from Duke. “I’m enjoying it a lot. This is an amazing opportunity.”

Edwards was the guest of Senate President Jack Whitver of Ankeny in the Iowa Senate, Tuesday. Whitver is a former wide receiver for the Cyclones. “I was partnered with him in a mentee-mentor relationship program at Iowa State with current players and former players and he has an interest in politics,” Whitver said during welcoming remarks on Tuesday.

Edwards, a native of Texas, graduated from Duke University in three years with a degree in international comparative studies. He played two seasons for the Blue Devils and got to I-S-U with two years of eligibility remaining. “I’m currently enrolled at Iowa State in the community and regional planning masters program,” he says.

Edwards, who speaks Spanish, French AND English, says his trip to the state capitol is helping him understand how politics actually works. Edwards played in a dozen I-S-U games last season. He’s credited with 52 tackles for the season and an interception. He had eight solo tackles in the Baylor game.

(Learfield Sports)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Leake outpitched 2016 NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Piscotty homered and had five RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Leake (1-1) gave up four hits, struck out seven and walked none over seven shutout innings. The right-hander allowed hits to the first two batters, then picked off a runner before getting 19 straight outs. The streak ended when Daniel Murphy singled with two outs in the seventh. By that time, St. Louis had taken a 3-0 lead against Scherzer, who yielded only one earned run. He did, however, throw three wild pitches — two in the third inning — after tossing only two all last year while going 20-7.

Scherzer (1-1) allowed three runs, four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out 10, the 50th time in his career he reached double figures in strikeouts. Piscotty hit RBI singles in the first and fifth innings before launching a three-run drive in the ninth off Joe Blanton. The five RBIs tied a career high.

CAM senior Marcus Daugherty signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at Briar Cliff University.

Daugherty rushed for 242 yards, had 294 yards receiving, and scored 9 touchdowns for the Cougars last year. Daugherty also finished as CAM’s 3rd leading tackler.

As a Junior baseball player Daugherty hit .380 with an on base percentage of .483. He’s been a four-year starter for CAM.

Daugherty joins the Chargers this fall.

A couple of other Southwest Iowa athletes signed to continue their athletic careers in college on Wednesday.

Nodaway Valley multi-sport star Jared Corder signed with Briar Cliff University to play both football and track. Corder signed with family and coaches present at Nodaway Valley High School. Corder caught 37 passes for 463 yards and 6 touchdowns and also rushed 52 times for 333 yards and 1 touchdown this past season for the Wolverines. He also currently holds the third fastest time in the 400 meter dash in Class 1A.

Also Wednesday Fremont-Mills basketball player Dalian Melgoza signed to play hoops for the Doane Tigers.  Melgoza averaged 11 points per game for the Knights this past season on 41% shooting.