Congratulations to Grand Island Islander baseball star Kash Kalkowski on being selected honorary captain of the Lincoln Journal Star’s All State baseball team. The junior and UNL recruit led the state in hitting and was one of its top pitchers. The Journal Star put him as a “utility” player in the all star lineup, I’m guessing because he does everything well on the field. The utility designation carries a less than all star connotation, but I can see that Kalkowski would present a dilemma. A player with his skills doesn’t come along very often. And we get to watch him as an Islander for another season and a Home Federal legion player this summer and next. You should make a point to do that.

Props, too, go to Islander catcher Josh Smith, who was named to the Journal Star’s All State second team, and Cody Raile, Matt Hilligis, and Ross Helleberg, who were named among the Honorable Mention crew.

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The Huskers punched their baseball tix to the desert Monday, being seeded third in Tempe and making a date with UC-Riverside for a Friday game. I like us in a short (two game) series because of pitchers Tony Watson, Johnny Dorn, and the hard charging Luke Wertz, who is throwing very well when it counts.

After a season of too many distractions and not enough base hits, the Huskers could leave a much sweeter taste in Husker Nation mouths with a win or two in Arizona. A salty schedule and high RPI put the team in a regional. Let’s hope the experience of a tough season will play well for the Huskers this week.

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I caught ESPN’s report on the NFL and other’s continuing investigation into Michael Vick’s role — if any — in dog fighting. The footage was gruesome and the accusations by an unidentified informant sensational. The informant, a law enforcement officer, and an official from the Humane Society said a number of NFL players are involved in dog fighting. Pay attention. This is a story that will be making noise as the summer wears on.