Nebraska’s ongoing investigation into whether some members of the Huskers’ 2007 baseball team committed an NCAA secondary violation by trying to exchange school-issued bats for credit at a local sporting goods store involves five players.

So said two people Saturday with ties to the squad.

The two were read a list of players and asked if it included everyone involved in the matter, and both gave positive responses.

The names they heard are:

Senior outfielder Andy Gerch, senior catcher Mitch Abeita, senior designated hitter Jeff Tezak, senior infielder Craig Corriston and Jeff Lanning, a catcher who has transferred to the University of New Orleans.

Tezak was a second-team All-Big 12 Conference performer in 2007, while Corriston and Abeita earned honorable-mention tags.

Through multiple interviews conducted since June, the Journal Star learned that at the conclusion of the season the players made their transactions at Scheel’s in South Pointe Pavilions mall. Someone then alerted the coaching staff of what had happened and Anderson — coming off a season in which he suspended four players for alcohol-related incidents and dismissed two from the squad — took care of the situation within 24 hours.

At that time, assistant athletic director Gary Bargen, who handles the school’s NCAA compliance issues, was notified of the matter. But it’s remained unclear whether the school felt it would have to send a report to the governing body.

Reached Saturday, Gerch, who in 2005 became the only NU player named to a College World Series all-tournament team, spoke in a somewhat embarrassed tone.

“It happened. In no way, shape or form did I ever mean to make anybody look bad or do anything wrong,” he said. “I apologize to Coach Anderson and all the fans.”

On Friday, the athletic department acknowledged that it was reviewing alleged improprieties. Despite that, neither Anderson nor Bargen have returned messages requesting information on the matter. Scheel’s representatives also are taking a “no-comment” stance.

Bargen said last month that Nebraska officials had made a determination about whether violations had occurred, but wouldn’t divulge what that decision was. Friday’s announcement by the school would make it appear that the NCAA will eventually be sent a report.

What might come of that? Possibly nothing. Or possibly the NCAA handing out some sort of suspension to the players and giving the school a stern lecture about adhering to rules.

In five years with Anderson as coach, Nebraska has filed two secondary violation reports to the NCAA for procedural errors, and never been penalized.

Briefly

Gerch, who missed fall practice during his sophomore season after having shoulder surgery, had work done on Wednesday to repair the same shoulder and rotator cuff, as well as fix a bicep tendon and bone spur problem, so he’ll be held out again this fall.

Reach Curt McKeever at 473-7441 or cmckeever@journalstar.com.