Cooper likely done at NU

Khiry Cooper’s baseball career at Nebraska has come to an end.

Thursday, head baseball coach Darin Erstad announced that Cooper, Nebraska’s starting center fielder, will sit out the 2012 baseball season.

Cooper suffered a foot injury in Nebraska’s football game at Penn State on Nov. 12. Erstad said the recovery from that injury will prevent Cooper from playing this season.

Instead, Cooper – who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels – will focus on academics and the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in May.

“We wish Khiry nothing but the best and appreciate everything he has done for the Nebraska baseball program,” Erstad said. “We will be here to help him with anything he needs.”

It has not been announced whether Cooper will join Nebraska football for his final season of eligibility in the fall.

Cooper batted .260 with 12 RBI in 96 plate appearances last season, adding 4 receptions for 60 yards in football in 2011.

He left high school as a three-star wide receiver according to Rivals.com. Expectations were high for the Shreveport, La., native, but he fell down the depth chart in football after his freshman year.

As a baseball player, Cooper’s batting average never fell below .239.

By Chris Peters

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