On April 23, I said something dumb. I’ve made other less-than-intelligent statements since, but this proclamation turned out to be particularly lousy. I typically try to avoid mentioning when I’m wrong (I let my Twitter followers handle that responsibility), but an apology is in line. On that Saturday afternoon, I was at a softball doubleheader: Reed at Reno. I … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Jensen owns DI North tournament, Everyone is all-league, Pack baseball three wins from conference crown
The Reed softball team won its fourth straight regional title on Saturday, topping Spanish Springs 6-0 in the title game at Bishop Manogue. The Raiders will now attempt to win their second-straight state title, starting Thursday at Hixson Park against Rancho at 4:30 p.m. Those are the headlines. What is easy to overlook among all the success the program is having, … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Nevada baseball red hot, bold(ish) predictions for DI North baseball/softball tourneys
The Nevada baseball team is saving its best for last. The Wolf Pack, which started 1-4 in Mountain West play, swept San Jose State at Peccole Park over the weekend and has now strung together nine-straight wins to join the MW regular-season title conversation. Nevada (27-20, 16-8) trails just New Mexico (32-18, 17-7) and Fresno State (32-17, 19-8) atop the Mountain … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Reed softball goes prom dress shopping, Spanish Springs baseball sliding
Very few coaches have to “worry” about entering the postseason undefeated. However, it’s something Reed coach Jon Wunder has at least had to consider the last three years. The Raiders played 14 games this season before suffering their first loss of the season. It may have been the best thing to happen to the defending state champs. Since wearing a surprising 2-1 … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Is Spanish Springs baseball legit? Reed softball on another torrid pace
Baseball is a weird game. No matter how long you’ve played/watched the game, the possibility always exists to witness something for the first time. That’s what happened to me on Saturday. I played t-ball through college and as a pitcher, I occasionally was the reason a team got hot. Yes, hitting is contagious. My sophomore season ERA at Pacific Lutheran University was … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: #LawlorIsLit, Reed softball still undefeated—again, Williams closing in on national title—again
If you weren’t at Lawlor on Friday night, you missed out. Even the most casual of fans couldn’t have helped but get goosebumps at certain points down the stretch of what was maybe the most anticipated Nevada sporting event since the football team beat No. 4 Boise State in 2010. There hasn’t been a whole lot of reason for optimism inside Lawlor the last couple years, so … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Nevada fans say ‘whew’
Nevada fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief on Friday when Stanford hired Jerod Haase to fill its men’s basketball head coaching vacancy. As I mentioned last week, Stanford would’ve been a realistic landing spot for Eric Musselman had the Cardinal decided to give him a call. Musselman no longer having the option to go to Palo Alto wasn’t the only local tie in … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Nevada’s place in the postseason; Musselman leaving?; Fast starts for local baseball squads continue
The NCAA tournament has dominated the national headlines the last week. And how could it not? Of the major sports in our county, the NCAA’s 68-team national tournament is the most watchable postseason. And it’s not close. That was especially true this year. When the field was announced in the Selection Show debacle last week, there were upward of 15-20 teams that had … [Read more...]