April provides wide range of sporting options

April is arguably the best sports month of the year.

From the NCAA basketball tournaments to baseball’s Opening Day to the commencement of playoffs for the NBA and NHL, this month provides fans a buffet’s worth of entertainment. But along with the postseason in two major sports, we get our first glimpse into the upcoming pigskin season, both in the NFL and college.

While the NFL Draft begins Thursday, college football spring camps conclude this month, including the Nevada Wolf Pack as they host the annual Silver and Blue game on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mackay Stadium.

Saturday’s event is no scrimmage as a game-like atmosphere will greet for fans. From tailgating to the marching band to packing the stands (free admission, too), fans get the opportunity to glimpse into the future of the Wolf Pack as they conclude spring ball.

And there’s no reason not to be excited about this year’s group.

Despite losing some key playmakers, like Cody Fajardo and Brock Hecking, Nevada begins its third season under coach Brian Polian and will try to build on last year’s improvement after playing in a bowl game. Nevada has a favorable 2015 schedule and will entertain a possible Top-10 opponent in September when Arizona visits Mackay Stadium.

But while Saturday’s football game will provide a nice break from the routine sporting events or even the prolonged yard cleanup, just down the east side of campus will be the baseball team in action against San Jose State. Nevada already met last year’s win total this past weekend in a sweep over San Diego State and gets an opportunity to improve on its first-place standing starting today.

Who would have thought that the most exciting and successful sport on the Nevada campus this season would be baseball? The baseball team has given fans something great to cheer about this spring, especially after both basketball teams were duds this winter.

And while it’s easy to get caught up in Nevada’s success this spring, on the high school level, Fallon is turning in another strong spring season.

It’s not just the baseball and softball teams playing well as both have qualified for the postseason and will host Sparks this weekend. The track teams continue to shine and turned in a strong showing at the Del Oro Invite.

But the biggest surprise has been the boys golf team, which turned in a third-place finish in its last tournament. Fallon (29) is eight points away from tying Truckee (37) for third in the Northern Division I-A while Elko leads the division with 43 points. The top three schools qualify their entire team for the state tournament.

The swimmers, meanwhile, have also steadily risen as 10 athletes have qualified in numerous events. The Wave aims to record a few more regional times in the final two meets of the season.

April couldn’t be any better for a sports fan. There’s a good mix of professional, college and high school sports, and this weekend will be another fun one to enjoy.

Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.