News sports 2008-06-01 Andanh.com

TCU takes Tops out Sat, 31 May 2008 22:32:20 -0500
STILLWATER, Okla. — The Western Kentucky baseball team saw its unexpected late-season run come to an end Saturday in a 10-5 loss to Texas Christian in the NCAA Tournament’s Stillwater Regional at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. WKU (33-27) couldn’t hold an early lead and TCU (44-18) seized the momentum with a five-run seventh, giving the Hilltoppers back-to-back losses for the first time since early May. Click here for more photos from WKU's NCAA Regional appearance. “We got off to a good start and obviously things fell apart on us in the seventh,” WKU coach Chris Finwood said. “It was a pretty good college game up until that point.” A pair of freshmen pitchers started the elimination game - and both were gone by the third inning. TCU starter Sean Hoelscher only lasted four batters. The freshman walked the first three on just 13 pitches, then gave up a grand slam to Chad Cregar that gave the Hilltoppers an early 4-0 lead. With the home run - his fourth grand slam of the year - Cregar to broke Mike William’s school record of 79 RBIs in a season. TCU then went to another freshman pitcher, Trent Appleby, who held the Hilltoppers scoreless for the next five frames. “We didn’t do much with him,” Finwood said. “He mixed his pitches really well. I was impressed with him. He was probably the hero of the day for them I think.” With the Hilltopper bats silent, the Horned Frogs’ offense went to work. In the bottom of the first, Ben Carruthers was hit by a pitch to lead off and came around to score on an RBI double by Clint Arnold. Two batters later Chris Ellington singled home Arnold to make the score 4-2. “In this ballpark, a four-run lead is like a two-run lead,” TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Getting the two runs right back in the first inning, I thought that was the key to the game. It got us right back into it and Appleby caught his rhythm.” TCU nearly took the lead in the bottom of the second, but WKU left fielder Jeremy Coleman made a leaping catch against the wall on a fly ball by Carruthers with two on and one out that preserved the Hilltopper lead. That lead lasted one inning, when Matt Vern drilled a three-run home run to left that put the Horned Frogs ahead 5-4 and ended freshman pitcher Rye Davis’s day after just 2 1/3 innings. WKU went to senior pitcher Colby Beach out of the bullpen and he blanked the offense for the next three innings. The Hilltoppers finally pulled even at 5-5 in the top of the seventh when right fielder Matt Hightower smoked a solo home run that hit off the scoreboard in right field. One batter later TCU went to its closer, Andrew Cashner - a potential first-round pick in next week’s Major League Baseball Amateur draft - and the right-hander struck out Cregar on four pitches to end the inning. The Horned Frogs burst it open in the bottom of the inning. Texas Christian started by putting the first two runners on with no outs and loading the bases with one out. TCU catcher Bryan Holaday then roped a two-run double to right center to give the Horned Frogs a 7-5 lead. Arnold scored from third on a balk, and two batters later Bryan Kervin delivered a two-run single that made the score 10-5. “They hit a jam shot and then (reliever Bryce Jenney) made a bad pitch for a double and then they hit another jam shot,” Finwood said. “Sometimes that’s baseball, especially when you have metal bats. If those balls are down instead of up, they are jam shots to the infielders, instead of getting to the outfielders.” WKU put runners on in the eighth and ninth, but were unable to get any closer. “Any time you hang the gloves up it is disappointing, but I’m really proud of our guys,” Finwood said. “They never quit fighting the whole year. I can’t tell you how many times our opponent has told us what a tough-minded group they are.” Cashner picked up the win, pitching to just one batter. Beach took the loss in relief - allowing two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Ellington paced a 12-hit attack for the Horned Frogs with four hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Cregar had three of WKU’s seven hits and finished the season with 21 homers and 82 RBIs after his four-RBI day Saturday. “I’ll trade those four RBIs for a ‘W’ right about now, but it is very special,” Cregar said. “It was my goal coming into this weekend, but like I said, I would like to trade those four RBIs for a win any day.” WKU 400 000 100 - 5 7 1 TCU 203 000 50x - 10 12 0 WP: Cashner (9-3); LP: Beach (3-4)

First title for Trojans Sat, 31 May 2008 22:32:21 -0500
Little has been easy for Barren County baseball throughout the program’s history, so it was only appropriate the Trojans won their first Region 4 championship the hard way. Barren County captured the region title with a 9-7 victory over Greenwood on Saturday night at Nick Denes Field, but not before some unexpected late-inning sweat. The Trojans saw an 8-0 lead cut to 9-7 in the seventh inning, when Greenwood scored three runs and put the tying runs in scoring position. But Barren County relief pitcher Tyler Richardson entered and captured the school’s first championship with a strikeout. “We haven’t had an easy seventh inning all year and you’d think by now I’d get used to them,” Barren County coach Scott Gillon joked. “It was pretty hardcore.” Now, the Trojans can finally put a region baseball championship in the school’s trophy case. Barren County had never won a Region 4 title, and the Trojans were playing in their first regional final since 1976. They celebrated like it was a new feeling, as hats and gloves were hurled through the air immediately after Richardson’s strikeout. Next up for Barren County is Region 2 representative Christian County in semi-state play. The best-of-3 series begins Wednesday at tournament host Henderson County High School. “This is the biggest win in the history of Barren County baseball,” Gillon said. “I’m just glad to be a part of it. This is just unbelievable.” Barren County also ended Greenwood’s 11-game winning streak, but not before the Gators got off the mat after being nearly knocked out. Greenwood trailed 8-0 and was nearly mercy-ruled in the fifth inning as the Trojans put the game-ending runs in scoring position. But after surviving that frame, Greenwood responded with four sixth-inning runs. Bradley Vanderglas hit a two-run single and Dillon Graham followed with a run-scoring single before Vanderglas cut the lead in half at 8-4 by scoring on a wild pitch. “That says something about my guys,” Greenwood coach Chris Decker said. “I know you can talk about heart and all that coach-speak, but stuff like that you can’t coach. They did it and I’m as proud as I can be. Those are my guys and I love them.” The lead then shrunk in the seventh, when Ricky Adams singled and reached second on an error. Making the comeback even more improbable was the fact Greenwood scored the runs against Lucas Mohon. The Barren County ace threw a one-hitter against Bowling Green in the Region 4 opener and actually took a no-hitter into the sixth against Greenwood before Hunter Thompson broke it up with a leadoff double. Mohon struck out 13 Gators and gave up four hits. “He carved us up pretty well,” Decker said. Fatigue eventually became a problem for Mohon. “That last inning I was completely gassed,” Mohon said. “I was all right until that last inning. And it was just a roller coaster of emotions.” And when he did get tired, he suggested Gillon bring in Richardson. “When I walked to the mound he told me, ‘Bring in (Richardson),’ ” Gillon said. “I think he knew he got tired there.” Not only was it a long wait for Barren County’s first region title, but it was a long day on Saturday. Because of rain showers earlier in the week, both Barren County (27-10) and Greenwood (24-7) had to play semifinal games earlier in the day before the championship game. The Trojans seemingly sweated less though. Barren County had an easy time in a 10-2 win over Cumberland County on Saturday morning ,while the Gators needed 11 innings to beat Metcalfe County in the afternoon. Plus, GHS used ace Ryan Watson for three innings against Metcalfe County after he threw six innings on Wednesday. Watson started the championship game as well and went 4-plus innings while giving up seven hits. But Decker didn’t spend any time wondering what would have happened had Watson not had to pitch in the afternoon. “To be honest, I don’t think there’s any denying the best team won,” Decker said. “I think with Mohon up there, they are probably the best team in the region.” And even though the Gators came up one win short of the title, it still capped a turnaround season. The Gators went winless in District 14 play last year. “It does mean a lot,” Decker said. “We weren’t very good last year. You always want to play your best at the end of the year and there’s no denying we were playing our best the last three weeks of the season.” Mohon was also in a reflective mood. When Mohon arrived as a freshman, the Trojans went 11-21. Now they’re champions. “It means a whole lot to me,“ Mohon said. “I remember my freshman year when we were getting the pants beat off of us. That makes it that much better.” GHS 000 004 3 - 7 4 2 BCHS 000 441 x - 9 9 5 WP: Mohon; LP: Watson; S: Richardson

Eaton state champ in mile Sat, 31 May 2008 22:32:22 -0500
Greenwood’s Ryan Eaton won the Class 3A state championship Saturday in the boys’ 1,600-meter run at the KHSAA State Track and Field Championships at the University of Louisville. Eaton’s time of 4:18.83 was nearly five seconds faster than second-place finisher Steve Mize of Male. Eaton could not be reached by press time Saturday night. Also collecting a state championship Saturday was Russellville’s Mikie Benton, who took first in the boys’ Class A 110-meter hurdles. Benton finished in 14.87 seconds to claim the top spot. Eaton’s victory in the 1,600-meter run - and a third-place finish in the 3,200-meter run - helped Greenwood’s boys team finish 14th overall in Class 3A. Also in Class 3A, the Bowling Green girls team finished 21st thanks to top-10 finishes in three events. The Lady Purples’ 4x200-meter relay team finished sixth, while the 4x100 team was seventh. Bowling Green’s Jane-Embry Watts was seventh in the girls’ high jump. In Class 3A, Logan County’s Thomas Washington finished second in the boys’ long jump with a measurement of 22-04.00. In Class 2A, Warren East’s Emily Grinstead finished third in the girls’ 400-meter dash in a time of 1:00.81. Allen County-Scottsville’s girls’ 4x200-meter relay team was second in a time of 1:48.83. In the boys’ 1,600-meter run, Warren East’s Jarrett Blankenship was fifth in 4:34.14.

Gators recover to oust Hornets in 11 Sat, 31 May 2008 22:32:22 -0500
Greenwood’s Chris Page first saved the Gators’ season with his arm. Then he moved the Gators into the Region 4 Tournament finals with his bat. Page helped Greenwood outlast Metcalfe County 10-4 in 11 innings Saturday afternoon at Nick Denes Field, which added another chapter to what was already a crazy regional tournament. Metcalfe County tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but fell short of winning when Page threw out Shawn Firkins at the plate on Aaron Miller’s single to right field. Four innings later, Page came through with the game-winning hit on a bases-loaded single to center field in the top of the 11th inning. “I was just trying to make something happen for my team so we could get a run, then get three outs and get out of (this game),” Page said. “We always thought we would win this game and we didn’t get down.” The Gators were only three outs away from a ho-hum, seven-inning semifinal victory over Metcalfe County until the Hornets began an unlikely rally. GHS starting pitcher Brandon Miller allowed only two base runners over the first six innings and retired the first 12 batters he faced before Will Warf broke up the perfect game on a leadoff double in the fifth inning. But a two-run double by Ryan Coffey cut the GHS lead to 4-2 and resulted in Miller’s departure from the mound - temporarily. Back-to-back Metcalfe County walks resulted in Greenwood coach Chris Decker bringing back Miller. Miller then gave up a two-run, game-tying single to Justin Tudor before the Gators escaped any further damage. Still, a shellshocked Greenwood squad returned to the dugout. “Any ballclub would be on their heels a little bit after that,” Decker said. “But (Metcalfe County) put the ball in play. It’s not like we booted it around out there. They earned it.” After missed opportunities for both squads in the first three extra frames, Greenwood broke it up with help from Miller. After Page’s single gave the Gators the lead again and another RBI single from Ricky Adams, Miller hit a grand slam after destroying a pitch over the left field fence. The Gators had six hits in the inning, one fewer than they had over the first 10 innings combined. Page had three RBIs, including a two-run triple in the third as part of Greenwood’s three-run third inning. Dillon Graham also had an RBI double in the seventh, which turned out to be a critical run. “We had some good at-bats at the end,” Decker said. “We had a lot of times when we didn’t have good at-bats too, but we’re also facing good pitching. “And I can’t say enough about our pitching, because they carried us.” GHS pitcher Ryan Watson was an unlikely winner. Watson picked up the victory in Wednesday’s opening-round win against Allen County-Scottsville and the Gators hoped to save him for Saturday night’s championship game against Barren County. Watson threw three innings of scoreless baseball in the afternoon. He was still eligible for the championship, but would be limited to only six innings according to KHSAA rules. “I think he’s going to give me six quality (innings),” Decker said before the championship. “I know he can. He told me that and I believe him.” GHS 003 000 100 06 - 10 13 0 MCHS 000 000 400 00 - 4 9 3 WP: Watson; LP:Billingsley Barren County 10, Cumberland County 2 Barren County advanced to its first Region 4 final since 1976 by disposing of Cumberland County 10-2 in Saturday morning’s semifinals at Nick Denes Field. The Trojans (26-10) struck early with three first-inning runs on a two-run single from Tyler Edmunds and a RBI single from Mason Myatt. That was enough for Barren County starting pitcher Tyler Richardson, who went six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits. Richardson also struck out six. Barren County led 6-0 before Cumberland County (21-10) scratched out two fourth-inning runs on RBI singles from Kurtis Claywell and Marshall Henson. Cumberland County pitcher Cody Pruitt suffered the loss. After Pruitt beat Logan County 4-0 on Monday, the Trojans connected on 10 hits in 5-1/3 innings against Pruitt. BCHS 303 040 0 - 10 12 1 CCHS 000 200 0 - 2 7 2 WP: Richardson; LP: Pruitt

Local briefs: WKU to host softball camps Sat, 31 May 2008 22:32:23 -0500
The Western Kentucky University softball program will host two camps this summer - the Topper Summer Elite Camp and the Topper Summer Day Camp. The Topper Summer Elite Camp will be held June 16-18. The camp is open to girls between the ages of 13 and 18 and has commuter and overnight options. Commuter campers will arrive at 9 a.m and will leave in the afternoon at 4 p.m. The costs for the commuter camper is $150, while the overnight camper fee is $225.00. The Topper Summer Day Camp will take place July 7-9 for girls ages 9 to 18. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for the day camp is $150. Both camps will enhance fundamentals in hitting, baserunning, defensive position and throwing. The two events will be held at the WKU Softball Complex. — For more information, please contact assistant coach Bonnie Bynum at 745-6848 or by email at bonnie.bynum@wku.edu. Camp registration forms are available online on the softball page at www.wkusports.com. Hole-in-one for Bowling Green man Bowling Green’s Steve Garmon aced the 148-yard seventh hole at CrossWinds Golf Course on May 23. Garmon’s shot was struck with a six-iron and was witnessed by Irv Watts, Dave Reynolds and Jack Lancaster.

Outdoors: Tips for beginning fishermen Sat, 31 May 2008 22:32:23 -0500
This Saturday and Sunday brings Kentucky’s Annual Free Fishing Weekend, which means that fishing licenses are not required for anglers throughout the commonwealth. At heart, the free fishing weekend is a savvy recruitment tool adopted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources so newcomers may have an opportunity to wet a line for the first time, or at least for the first time in a long time. It is a weekend of discovery for many children and adults, who find out that they too enjoy the tranquility and satisfaction of wading the creek or watching the sun set over the lake while in search of the “big one.” Still, one barrier plagues greenhorns of most any pastime - finding and choosing the proper equipment. For those who have not grown up around a family with roots in the water, gazing down the sporting goods aisle at hundreds of different lures, baits, lines, and rod/reel combos, trying to merely find a good starter rig can seem very intimidating. You don’t want to spend too much, but you still desire quality and ease of use. Without prior experience, this knowledge doesn’t come naturally. For this reason, I would like to outline the beginner’s rig that I would purchase if starting completely from scratch. The combination is easy to use for anyone ages 9 to 90, is as tough as nails, is not prone to tangling and is affordable. With a seven-year warranty and a reputation that has been upheld through nearly three decades as America’s top-selling fishing rod, the Ugly Stik by Shakespeare cannot be beaten. The Ugly Stik - which is appropriately named, I might add - is a no-frills rod that can take abuse and keep on catching fish. My choice for all-around fishing in this area would be a six-foot classic series Ugly Stik. If you make it your first, it may very well be your last as well. Like many others my age, the first fish I caught was reeled in using a Zebco 202 reel. Pre-spooled, easy to cast and affordable, Zebco has positioned itself as the go-to reel company for beginners and experienced fishermen alike. Combined with the durable Ugly Stik, I would mount either the Zebco 22 or 33 Gold spin cast reels and feel confident going in search of anything from slab crappie to bucket-mouthed largemouth bass. The Zebco Golds come with either 8- or 10-pound line out of the box, can be switched from right- to left-hand retrieve, and are far easier to learn how to cast on than an open-faced or bait-casting reel. Selecting artificial bait is confusing for newcomers as well, and a suitcase-sized tacklebox isn’t required to get started. I have a lot of favorite baits, both live and artificial, but if I were stranded on an island with only three lures, I would rely on the following classics. Mepp’s is a company that has been around for a long time and the Aglia spinner is one reason for its success in the industry. Unlike some of the other small spinners found on store shelves at lesser prices, an Aglia can catch fish after fish without bending, breaking or malfunctioning. When fishing creeks, I’ve never found another lure that can hold a candle to the Rebel Crawdad. This little imitation crawfish comes in dozens of different size, color and depth variations and at some point I’ve seen all of them catch fish when other baits wouldn’t. Thirdly, for the sheer excitement and consistency, I would have to choose a broken back topwater Rapala minnow. On farm pond bass, the broken back Rapala is unreal, but it also works anywhere else a fish would be expected to live. Time-proven, effective and easily found, these three lures do not require the user to do any sort of fancy rod twitching or acrobatic casts; you just toss them out, reel them in, and stay prepared for a strike. Make plans to hit the water next weekend, and if you can, introduce someone new to the joys of fishing. They will be glad you did. — Geordon T. Howell is outdoors columnist for the Daily News. He can be reached by e-mailing highbrasshowell@yahoo.com.

They can pop the cork if he pulls this upset Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:38:00 EST
So what kind of impossible moment would it be if trainer David Carroll's horse, Denis of Cork, was the one who stopped Big Brown's dance to the Triple Crown next Saturday at Belmont Park? As unlikely as Buster Douglas flattening Mike Tyson? As stunning as the New York Giants soiling the New England Patriots' perfect season?

Cardinals' road ends in Georgia Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:08:00 EST
The inning that would never end brought an end to the University of Louisville's season. The third-seeded Cardinals cruised into the seventh inning with a three-run lead, but host Georgia erupted for seven runs and held on during a rocky ninth to win 9-8 in an NCAA baseball regional yesterday, halting U of L's bid for a second consecutive trip to the College World Series.

Cats lose once, then stay alive Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:08:00 EST
The University of Kentucky hasn't played its best baseball this weekend, but coach John Cohen believes it's coming. He feels fortunate that the Wildcats are still alive in the NCAA Tournament's double-elimination Ann Arbor Regional after two close games yesterday.

Bottom of Bats' lineup helps roast IronPigs 9-3 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:26:00 EST
The Bats tapped unlikely power sources last night to defeat Lehigh Valley 9-3 before a Louisville Slugger crowd of 10,738. Louisville's Alvin Colina and Drew T. Anderson produced runs from the bottom third of the lineup as each homered off IronPigs left-handed starter J.A. Happ (2-5).

Jasper will transfer from Kentucky Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:07:00 EST
After six weeks of speculation, Derrick Jasper is officially seeking a new basketball home. The University of Kentucky announced yesterday that Jasper has requested a release from his scholarship with the intention of transferring to a school closer to his Paso Robles, Calif., home.

IU target Franklin is always on the move Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:23:00 EST
On the AAU basketball circuit, it's not uncommon to see a player take a few plays off. That's not the case with Roger Franklin. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound small forward from Duncanville, Texas, is a high-energy player. He's a member of Team Texas Elite and is enthusiastic every second on the floor.

Green is money, with 4 wins for Dogs Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:23:00 EST
His shot at a fourth state championship seemingly slipping away, Male High School junior Justin Green mustered the energy for one final kick.

Butler's big Brown races to quadruple crown Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:24:00 EST
After the awards ceremony for the Class 3-A girls' 200-meter dash last night at the KHSAA State Meet, Butler junior Chelsea Brown briefly forgot about a reporter she was speaking to a few minutes earlier.

Jr.'s 599th, Bruce's 1st power Reds Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:19:00 EST
Jay Bruce insists that his first career home run won't overshadow Ken Griffey Jr.'s 599th. Oh, really?

Old names, new generation: Andretti knocks Rahal off pole Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:06:00 EST
Sixteen years after their fathers last sat side-by-side on the front row of an open-wheel race, Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal matched the feat. It was July 1992 when Bobby Rahal beat out Michael Andretti for the pole at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Indian Chant shows he's a 'top sprinter' Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:09:00 EST
Indian Chant already had a special place in owner Maggi Moss' heart before he won yesterday's $118,029 Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs by a head over Noonmark.

Big Brown gets fresh sutures Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:51:00 EST
Big Brown has new sutures in his hoof, and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said his unbeaten colt "knows it's time to get ready" for a shot at the Triple Crown.

Acoma takes Dogwood Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:51:00 EST
Owner/breeder Helen Alexander said her 3-year-old filly Acoma went from primary to secondary school in leaping into stakes company with a half-length victory over favored Keep the Peace in yesterday's $109,000, Grade III Dogwood at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Graded Entries Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:49:00 EST
Horses are listed in post-position order, not according to program number.

PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown upends Central Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:08 -0500
ELIZABETHTOWN What a difference two weeks can make.

PREP BASEBALL: John Hardin sweeps North Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
RADCLIFF It’s been said that hitting is contagious and the John Hardin Bulldogs certainly had a bad case of it spread through the team Thursday night.

PREP SOFTBALL: Krupinski, Central Hardin shut out John Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
CECILIA Having been shut out in their previous two games, the Central Hardin Lady Bruins were in a little bit of a funk.

PREP SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Lady Panthers fall; Mayfield moves to 7-1 Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
The slumping Elizabethtown Lady Panthers lost for the 10th time in 13 games, falling to visiting Warren Central on Thursday, 3-1.

BOYS'/GIRLS' PREP TENNIS RESULTS: Thursday's Matches Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
Results from Thursday's area high school tennis matches:

NCAA baseball: Arizona sets up possible matchup with Cats Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:35 EDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. . Arizona scored three runs in the first and one in the third, then held on to edge Michigan 4-3 in a second-day NCAA Regional baseball game Saturday night.

The loss drops Michigan (46-13) into the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tourney. The Wolverines will face Kentucky in an elimination game Sunday at 2 p.m.

Top-seeded Arizona (40-17), 2-0 in the tournament, will play Sunday at 7 p.m. against the Michigan-Kentucky winner. If Arizona loses, a final game would be played Monday at 7 p.m.

Wolverines right-hander Chris Fetter went the distance but was burned for three runs in the first.

Fire's big second half burns Lexington again Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:35 EDT

A second quarter with six lead changes was followed by a second half in which Louisville outscored Lexington 35-7 and routed the Horsemen 61-31 before 4,811 fans at Rupp Arena Saturday night.

The Fire's second victory over the expansion Horsemen created a three-way tie with Green Bay in the Midwest Division of arenafootball2. The teams are all 6-3.

Louisville quarterback Aaron Marshall played his best game in af2, completing 26 of 33 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns against a Horsemen secondary depleted by injuries.

.No excuses,. Lexington Coach Mike Harmon said. .They flat-out beat us..

UK football recruits shine at State Track Meet Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:38 EDT

LOUISVILLE . In the middle of the University of Louisville campus, a pair of future roommates at Kentucky shined.

Future UK football players E.J. Fields and Winston Guy each captured multiple state championships at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Track and Field State Championships on Saturday at the Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park.

Fields took his third consecutive Class A 400-meter title and also won the 200. Guy won the 100-meter dash and ran on Lexington Catholic's victorious 4-by-100-meter relay team, helping power the short-handed Knights to an improbable third-place finish.

Kentucky's track powerhouses dominated the team titles. Bardstown won its fourth Class A title in five years, Paducah Tilghman scored its eighth consecutive 2A title and Louisville Male won its state-leading 28th title and its second straight in 3A.

Station's Williams wins four medals Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:39 EDT

In many aspects, the girls' State Track and Field Championship wielded the results people expected.

St. Henry dominated Class A, its fifth straight title, the Louisville schools (Ballard and Butler) took the top-two spots in Class 3A, and Nealy Williams of Bryan Station placed in the top three in all four of her events.

On the other hand, there were a few surprises.

Highlands knocked off eight-time defending champion Paducah Tilghman in Class 2A, ending one of the longest streaks in Kentucky track history, and a couple of individual upsets in Class 3A brought more first-place finishes to Lexington schools than some expected.

Football recruits deserve early signing period Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:39 EDT

Normally, Southeastern Conference athletics directors and coaches trek down to Florida in late May to catch a few rays, eat some fresh seafood and read the latest revenue numbers.

This year, the league's football coaches actually came in from the sun long enough at the annual SEC Meetings to agree upon a good idea . an idea that could help Kentucky football.

After voting down a similar proposal 9-3 last year, SEC coaches reversed field last week and voted 9-3 in favor of a measure that calls for the NCAA to adopt an early signing period for football.

The league's athletics directors threw a monkey wrench into matters Friday, voting not to approve the proposal, basically returning the measure back to committee.

New challenge for UK quarterbacks coach Sat, 31 May 2008 07:34 EDT

University of Kentucky quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders received a feather in his cap for turning Andre Woodson into an elite Southeastern Conference quarterback.

Sanders' next project, developing Woodson's successor, figures to be one of the bigger challenges in his coaching career. But Sanders talks like a man ready to embrace that challenge.

.Developing guys is actually more fun that coaching the developed guy,. Sanders said. .It's fun to take them and build. The fun comes from the challenge of it, the uncertainty of it and just not knowing. You can see the ability, but you never really know what's going to happen until you get out there, turn the lights on and put people in the stadium. You just really don't know what you've got.

.That's what makes it fun. Coaching Andre was a great experience and I feel blessed to have done it, but I'm also looking forward to coaching the next guy..

Herald-Leader turf writer Wall retiring Sat, 31 May 2008 07:31 EDT

Herald-Leader staff writer Maryjean Wall, a three-time Eclipse Award winner who has covered thoroughbred racing since 1973, is retiring.

Wall said Friday that she decided to accept the Herald-Leader's recently announced voluntary buyout program because .it's time to move on and do something else.. She said her first priority will be completing her dissertation for a PhD in history at the University of Kentucky, something she's been working on for about three years.

Herald-Leader Publisher Timothy Kelly said the number of employees who decided to participate in the buyout program was .very close to the number we anticipated.. Wall was the only reporter to take the buyout.

She was one of the first women to cover horse racing full time, in an era when sports writing was a profession still dominated by men.

Kentuckian Perry tied for lead at Memorial Sat, 31 May 2008 07:43 EDT
The first sign of hope at the Memorial came from the scoreboard, which showed Mathew Goggin coming back to the pack after a blazing start. The second sign came from a gray sky that promised relief from a brutal test of golf.

Goggin birdied four of the first five holes before strapping in for a wild ride of birdies and bogeys that ultimately added up to an even-par 72 that tied him for the lead with two-time champion Kenny Perry, who recovered from a rugged start for a 71.

They were at 7-under 137, one shot clear of Jerry Kelly.

All those scores seemed so much lower on a Muirfield Village course that felt like a major with its ankle-deep rough that swallowed up errant shots and greens as slick as glass.

Only three players broke 70 on Friday, with Johnson Wagner turning in a remarkable 67. Twenty players couldn't break 80.

LIVE: Follow Kenny Perry at the Memorial Sat, 31 May 2008 08:40 EDT

Griffey's 599th career homer helps Reds top Braves Sat, 31 May 2008 20:36 EDT
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 599th career homer Saturday, leaving him one shy of a seldom-reached mark, and Jay Bruce extended his amazing weeklong debut with a 10th-inning homer that lifted the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Bruce's first big league homer off Manny Acosta (3-2) dealt another crushing road defeat to the Braves, who couldn't hold a one-run lead heading into the ninth.

Griffey was on deck when Bruce connected for the game-winning solo shot. The 21-year-old rookie rounded the bases, flipped his helmet into the air halfway to home, then got pummeled by teammates when he hopped on the plate.

The Reds' top prospect is 11-for-19 in his first five games in the majors, providing one big hit after another. He has a pair of three-hit games and a four-hit game.

The only thing he hadn't done in his amazing week was connect for a homer. He pulled it off on a 2-1 pitch from Acosta, sending it deep into the seats in right field.

Ginepri prevents US shutout in Paris; Sharapova wins Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:31 EDT
Robby Ginepri is easy to spot at the French Open in his oh-so-American getup: black baseball cap turned backward and sleeveless T-shirt.

His game, remarkably, has the feel of someone from somewhere else. He slides across the court comfortably. He plays defense. He waits, patiently, for openings. Even more remarkably, he is into the fourth round at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament, the first man from the United States to reach that stage since Andre Agassi in 2003.

That Ginepri would beat Florent Serra of France 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Saturday is not necessarily newsworthy, in and of itself. Ginepri is 25 years old, ranked 88th and was a U.S. Open semifinalist in 2005; Serra is 27, ranked 94th and lost in the first or second round at each of the previous 13 major championships he entered.

Yet consider this: A week ago, Ginepri owned an 0-5 record at Roland Garros and a 6-24 career mark on clay. He was ranked 171st in January after losing in the first round of qualifying at the Australian Open.

"He is back," Serra said.

Jamaica's Bolt sets world record in 100 meters Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:31 EDT
Like lightning out of nowhere, Usain Bolt is now the world's fastest man. The Jamaican sprinter, who doesn't even consider the 100 meters his best race, set the world record Saturday night with a time of 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix, .02 seconds faster than the old mark held by his countryman, Asafa Powell.

Bolt was using the 100 as "speed work" to get better for his favorite race, the 200, and also to avoid having to run the more grueling 400. Then, unexpectedly, he ran the world's second-fastest time a few weeks ago at 9.76.

Even with that, he said he wasn't sure if he would switch out the 400 for the 100 at the Beijing Olympics.

"I think that will change today," Bolt said. "It doesn't matter if I have the world record if I don't have the Olympic medal."

Springing from the starting block and unfurling his lanky frame - listed at 6-foot-4, but probably more like 6-5 and, either way, considered too tall for this kind of speed work - he created a big-time gap between himself and Tyson Gay at about the halfway point, then routed America's top sprinter to the finish line.

Manny Ramirez joins elusive 500 home run club Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:41 EDT
Manny Ramirez connected for career homer No. 500 on Saturday night, hitting a drive off Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chad Bradford to become the 24th major leaguer to reach the milestone.

Ramirez drove the first pitch into the seats in right-center in the seventh inning. The Red Sox star watched the flight of the ball, then took off around the bases.

"As soon as I hit it, I knew it was gone," Ramirez said. "So I was happy to move on."

Ramirez was slow reaching the milestone. He hit No. 496 on April 19 and had only three in 34 games before Saturday.

This one, however, was worth the wait.

Hamlin hands Gibbs 9th Nationwide win of season Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:36 EDT
Denny Hamlin made it nine victories for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series this season, leading all but 69 laps to win Saturday night at Dover International Speedway.

Rookie phenom Joey Logano finished sixth in his NASCAR national-level debut, running near the front of the 200-mile race with veterans such as Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and JGR teammate Hamlin.

The 18-year-old Logano drove the No. 20 Toyota that entered leading the Nationwide Series in owner points and has won six races in 14 starts this season with Kyle Busch, Hamlin and Tony Stewart behind the wheel.

Edwards, who started on the pole, was second. David Stremme was third and David Reutimann fourth.

Logano was eligible to drive once he turned 18 last week, and JGR immediately put him to work. He's scheduled to run about 18 Nationwide races this year and might be positioned to make the move to the Sprint Cup Series if JGR expands to a four-car team as early as next season.

Goggin builds 3-shot lead entering Memorial finale Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:36 EDT
Mathew Goggin kept birdies and mistakes to a minimum on a long Saturday at the Memorial, shooting a 1-under 71 that was good enough to build a three-shot lead as he tries to win his first PGA Tour event.

Muirfield Village changed its character, but only slightly, thanks to a 2 1/2-hour rain delay that led to long shadows late in the third round. What didn't change was the rough and difficult conditions, and Goggin didn't have to do much to keep his lead.

He was at 8-under 208, the highest 54-hole score at Jack Nicklaus' event since Greg Norman won a rain-shortened tournament in 1990 at even-par 216. The more significant number was his three-shot lead.

Goggin has said since opening with a 65 that a first- and second-round lead didn't mean too much. And now?

"Expectations are rising," he said. "Three shots in front, I expect to win."

Red Wings beat Penguins to close in on Stanley Cup Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:26 EDT
The Detroit Red Wings wrecked the Pittsburgh Penguins' home-ice advantage and gave themselves a shot to hoist the Stanley Cup in Hockeytown. Jiri Hudler snapped a third-period tie for the Red Wings, who rallied from an early deficit to beat the Penguins 2-1 Saturday night and grab a 3-1 lead in the finals.

Detroit will get the first of three potential chances to win the Cup back home in Game 5 on Monday night.

The Penguins were a perfect 9-0 in the Igloo during the postseason and hadn't lost at home since falling in a shootout to San Jose on Feb. 24 - a span of 17 games. Now they will have to figure out how to win at Joe Louis Arena to force the series back to Pittsburgh for Game 6.

That'll be a tough task indeed considering they couldn't even score a goal in two games there to open the series.

Six teams have survived long enough to reach Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in the finals, but only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs - who fell behind 3-0 to the Red Wings - came all the way back to win.

Boston designated hitter Ortiz sprains left wrist Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:41 EDT
Designated hitter David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox left Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning after sustaining a left wrist sprain while fouling off a pitch.

X-rays were negative and Ortiz is listed as day to day, though Ortiz said after Boston's 6-3 victory that he doubted he would play Sunday.

"I don't think so. It's sore," Ortiz said.

The injury occurred when Ortiz, who was 2-for-3 with his 13th home run, a sacrifice fly and two RBIs, fouled off a 3-1 Dennis Sarfate pitch.

"I feel that pop right away when I swung. ... I think I maybe sprained something right there and it's a little sore. Hopefully, it'll go away soon," Ortiz said.

Abreu's single lifts Yanks past Twins in 12th, 7-6 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:56 EDT
Bobby Abreu gave the New York Yankees another big hit, breaking a 12th-inning tie with a one-out single Saturday night in a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Juan Rincon (2-2) gave up singles to Johnny Damon and slumping Derek Jeter before Abreu - who had three hits and four runs the night before - came through with his floater into shallow center field.

Mike Lamb just missed ending the game for Minnesota in the 10th, hustling for a triple after a high drive off the right-field wall against Ross Ohlendorf (1-1). Nick Punto was intentionally walked, but Carlos Gomez struck out on a pitch way out of the zone.

Alex Rodriguez had two RBIs for the Yankees, but after walking and stealing second in the 10th against Dennys Reyes, he was picked off with a nifty move by Reyes while trying to swipe third.

The Twins left two men on in both the 10th and the 11th, with none out in the 11th. Mariano Rivera pitched the 12th for his 15th save in 15 tries.

Rivera's hit in 10th gets Angels by Blue Jays Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:31 EDT
Maicer Izturis set up the winning run with a bunt single, his fourth hit of the game, and pinch-hitter Juan Rivera delivered an RBI single in the 10th to give the Los Angeles Angels a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night.

Casey Kotchman singled with one out against Brian Tallet (0-1) and advanced to third when Izturis laid down a bunt to the left of the mound. Tallet picked it up and bounced his throw past first base, giving the Angels runners at second and third. Rivera batted for Brandon Wood after an intentional walk to Jeff Mathis and lined a 1-1 pitch to right-center, giving the Angels their third walk-off win in five games.

Reggie Willits came up in the Angels' ninth with a runner at first and bunted to the right of the plate. Catcher Rod Barajas' throw up the line struck Willits in the back and plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called Willits out for running inside the baseline, prompting a long and animated argument from manager Mike Scioscia.

Garret Anderson singled when play resumed and Toronto manager John Gibbons replaced reliever Scott Downs with Armando Benitez, who retired Vladimir Guerrero on a foul popup.

Barajas, capitalizing on his chance to start regularly behind the plate while Gregg Zaun is on the disabled list, gave Toronto a 2-1 lead in the seventh against John Lackey with a two-out solo homer that hit the top of the fence in left-center as the 5-foot-11 Willits attempted a leaping catch.

Kuznetsova, Jankovic advance at French Open Sat, 31 May 2008 07:46 EDT
Svetlana Kuznetsova faced only one break point and beat fellow Russian Nadia Petrova 6-2, 6-1 in the third round of the French Open on Saturday.

Kuznetsova, seeded fourth, hit five aces and lost only five points on her first serve. She was the runner-up to Justine Henin at Roland Garros in 2006.

Kuznetsova will next play No. 16 Victoria Azarenka, who beat No. 18 Francesca Schiavone 6-1, 6-1. Azarenka took advantage of Schiavone's weak second serve, winning 23 of those 28 points.

Azarenka has lost only six games in three matches this week.

In the completion of a match suspended due to darkness, No. 3 Jelena Jankovic beat No. 28 Dominika Cibulkova 7-5, 6-3. Jankovic led 4-2 in the second set when play was halted Friday.

Boston's Dice-K placed on DL with shoulder injury Sat, 31 May 2008 01:06 EDT
Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday by the Boston Red Sox, who opted to take a cautious approach after an MRI exam revealed a mild strain of his right rotator cuff.

Matsuzaka was examined in Boston by Dr. Thomas Gill. It is the first trip to the disabled list by Matsuzaka, who joined the Red Sox last season after pitching in Japan.

"The real good news is there were no structural changes," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "The best way we can see to attack this, we'll DL him, take the time down and get him ready to pitch the rest of the season. That's kind of where we are."

The move was retroactive to Wednesday. Matsuzaka is 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 starts this season. Opponents are batting .195 against him.

Francona said Dice K put up a mild protest, hoping to pitch through the injury.

UConn coach Calhoun treated for skin cancer Sat, 31 May 2008 01:01 EDT
Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun had some moments of fear, but never thought about retiring after being diagnosed for a second time with skin cancer.

"All I thought was, 'How do we defeat this?'" Calhoun said Friday.

The 66-year-old Hall of Fame coach said doctors determined last month that a lump in the upper right side of his neck near the jaw line was squamous cell cancer, a type of skin cancer.

He had surgery on May 6 to remove the lump, several dozen surrounding lymph nodes and part of his salivary gland. Subsequent tests indicated all the cancer had been removed.

Calhoun will begin six weeks of radiation treatments on June 24 at the UConn Health Center to minimize chances that the cancer will return.

Rivas hits grand slam as Pirates rout Cards 14-4 Sat, 31 May 2008 22:56 EDT
Luis Rivas hit his first career grand slam, Xavier Nady and Ronny Paulino drove in three runs apiece and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 14-4 on Saturday night.

Nady hit a three-run double in a four-run first and Rivas finished a five-run third with a two-out drive to left-center. Rivas' third home run of the season came on the second pitch he saw from Kelvin Jimenez, who entered to face Rivas in relief of rookie starter Mike Parisi.

Tony La Russa managed his 2,000th game with St. Louis, surpassing Red Schoendienst for most games as a Cardinals manager. Troy Glaus hit his third home run and Albert Pujols had two hits.

Jose Bautista singled four times for his first career four-hit game and Freddy Sanchez had three hits for the Pirates, who finished with season highs for runs and hits (19). It was their most runs since a 15-1 victory against St. Louis on Aug. 1, 2007.

Paulino hit an RBI single in the third and a two-run drive in the sixth. Sanchez also homered for the Pirates.

Josh Hamilton lifts Rangers past A's, above .500 Sat, 31 May 2008 23:16 EDT
Josh Hamilton homered and drove in three runs and the Texas Rangers moved over .500 with an 8-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night.

The Rangers (29-28) have won 22 of 34 games since starting the season 7-16, and crawled over the break-even mark for the first time since they were 5-4.

Hamilton pushed his RBI total to major league-leading 61 with a two-run homer in the fifth. Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Frank Catalanotto each added three hits for the Rangers, who battered Joe Blanton and the A's for 14 total hits.

Sidney Ponson (4-1) allowed four runs and nine hits in seven innings for Texas, which finished the month 19-10 - the first time the team has won 19 games in a month since June 1983.

Eric Chavez had three hits, and Travis Buck and Jack Hannahan each drove in two runs for the A's, who equaled a season-high with their fourth straight loss.

Marlins rough up Hamels to end Phils' win streak Sat, 31 May 2008 22:26 EDT
Ricky Nolasco pitched 6 2-3 strong innings and the Florida Marlins roughed up Cole Hamels in a 7-3 victory over the Phillies on Saturday night that ended Philadelphia's five-game winning streak.

Luis Gonzalez hit a go-ahead two-run homer and Cody Ross and Jorge Cantu also went deep for the upstart Marlins, who moved back into first place in the NL East - a half-game ahead of the Phillies.

Chase Utley hit his major league-leading 19th homer for Philadelphia. Utley also leads the NL with 49 RBIs.

Nolasco (5-3) allowed two runs and four hits to win his fourth straight decision. The right-hander held in check a potent lineup that scored 60 runs in the previous five games.

Hamels (5-4) lasted 5 2-3 innings, allowing seven runs and eight hits. The All-Star left-hander was coming off one of the poorest outings of his career. He gave up six runs in four innings in Philadelphia's 15-6 win at Houston last Sunday. Hamels' ERA rose to 3.73 from 2.61 a week ago.

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