Baseball

May 11, 2008
Nebraska-Omaha Wins Final NCC Baseball Title; NCC Competition Done

The University of Nebraska at Omaha baseball team won the final North Central Conference championship in dominant fashion, defeating Minnesota State, Mankato 17-0, Sunday afternoon at Boys Town.

UNO (42-11), ranked No. 18 in Division II and No. 3 in the North Central region earn an automatic berth into the NCAA II Tournament, starting Thursday. The championship is UNO's fourth, first since 2005.

Evan Porter got the ball rolling for UNO in the first inning with a three-run homer. The momentum carried into the second, as the Mavericks exploded for 10 runs. Dustin Koca socked a three-run homer to start things. UNO loaded the bases, then scored on a walk by Bryan Frew. Chris Weimer blew things open further with a grand slam, his 18th home run of the year, tying his own single-season record. Koca capped the barrage with his second long ball of the inning, his 12th of the year.

The power surge resumed in the fifth, as Porter belted his second of the game, 15th of the season. Mat Eikmeier added a solo shot, his fifth of the year.

Koca finished 5-for-6 with four RBIs. Porter, Eikmeier and Brian Strawn had two hits each.

MSU (27-23), winner of the last two NCC championships, had no answer for UNO starter Tim Huber, who went seven innings, allowing three hits, with eight strikeouts and no walks.

The seedings for the regional tournament will be announced Sunday night.

The championship game concluded all the competition for the North Central Conference. The storied 86-year-old has one event remaining, a gala celebration dinner on June 21st. Tickets and more information is available online at www.northcentralconference.org.

--Courtesy UNO Sports Information 

Tournament Scores
Thursday, May 8, 2008
St. Cloud State 8, North Dakota 4
Augustana 10, Minnesota Duluth 3
Minnesota State 6, St. Cloud State 2
Nebraska-Omaha 2, Augustana 1 (10 inn.)

Friday, May 9, 2008
St. Cloud State 7, Minnesota Duluth 6 (UMD eliminated)
North Dakota 4, Augustana 3 (AC eliminated)
St. Cloud State 12, North Dakota 4 (UND eliminated)
Nebraska-Omaha 11, Minnesota State 10 

Saturday, May 10, 2008
Minnesota State 2, St. Cloud State 1 (SCSU eliminated) 

Sunday, May 11, 2008
Championship Game: Nebraska-Omaha 17, Minnesota State 0