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| East thunders to final Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:48:52 -0500 LOUISVILLE — Throughout the postseason, fans of the Bowling Green East 11- and 12-year-old team have used the cry of “Everybody hits! Everybody scores!” to encourage the BG offense. East nearly pulled off that feat during Tuesday’s 20-1, five-inning pounding of Ashland National in the semifinals of the Little League State Tournament at Valley Sports. BG East capped its dominating day with a 10-run fifth-inning outburst where eight of nine batters scored. The team advanced to tonight’s state championship game. “We’re playing well,” BG East manager Rick Kelley said. “Again, I think there’s a lot of confidence. We’re able to hit up and down the lineup. We’re certainly ready for (tonight). You never know in a situation like this, but we are certainly as ready as we can be.” Click here for a photo slideshow from the Tuesday's game. BG East scored in every inning and had three pitchers combine for a two-hitter. Bowling Green has now outscored its opponents 52-9 in four state tournament games. The offense got rolling early with a pair of runs in the first. East added to its lead in the second when Nacarius Shannon connected on a two-run double and scored on an RBI single by Hunter Rogers, making the score 5-0. Ashland got its only run in the bottom of the second, when Brandon McDaniel smacked a leadoff homer, but BG pitchers stifled the Ashland bats the rest of the way, limiting Ashland to just one hit. BG starter Zach Sibalich pitched the first two innings, Trevor Brewer then went the next two, striking out five and allowing one hit, while Shannon pitched a 1-2-3 fifth to finish the contest. Kelley said he continues to be pleased with his pitching. “We’re doing a good job of placing the ball,” Kelley said. “Our breaking pitches are working. I think we are doing a good job with our pitching. We’re able to go three or four deep and be confident in any of those three or four. We have our top three pitchers ready to go, so that gives us flexibility. We are in good shape pitching-wise.” Kelley was just as pleased with the offense, which continued its assault with a run in the third and four more in the fourth. BG East almost ended the game via the 10-run mercy rule in that inning, but had a runner thrown out at the plate with the score 10-1. BG East more than made up for it one inning later. Almost every East batter scored. The only exception was Sibalich, who still contributed with an RBI ground out. Bowling Green pounded out six hits in the inning and took advantage of four errors. Rogers paced the offense with four hits and a pair of RBIs. Christopher McDaniel, Devin Hayes and Shannon also had multi-hit games for East. Bowling Green, which won last year’s 11-year-old State Tournament, will now try to win a second straight state title. Unlike last season, when the state title was the final step, BG East’s season would continue with a trip to Indianapolis for the Great Lakes Regional later this month. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do,” Kelley said. “They’ve worked hard. They’ve given their heart to it and they feel a responsibility as defending 11-year-old champions. I couldn’t ask any more. We’re in the position where we need to be. We’ll toss it up (tonight) and see what happens.” To advance to Indy, East will have to beat a familiar foe at 7 p.m. tonight - Louisville’s St. Matthews. The two teams met on the opening day of the state tourney and East used a six-run inning to outlast St. Matthews 7-3. “We have a lot of respect for St. Matthews,” Kelley said. “They have an excellent baseball team. I think it does give us the advantage having the win earlier because it gives us confidence. I think both teams are playing well, but I certainly like our chances.” BG 231 4(10) - 20 AN 010 000 - 1 |
| New team won’t use Blitz name Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:04:45 -0500 Turns out Bowling Green’s only big enough for one football team called the Blitz. On Tuesday, a day after Bowling Green-based S&A Incorporated announced its purchase of an expansion franchise in the North American Football League, the company decided not to keep its planned Blitz nickname - the same moniker used by a dormant semi-pro team that last fielded a squad in 2005. Steve Racz, who has been involved with the original Bowling Green Blitz since its inception in 2001, said Tuesday he is trying to rebuild the franchise, which won an Ohio Valley Football League championship in its first season. When Racz saw news reports about S&A’s intention to use the Blitz name, he let the company know the name wasn’t available. Racz - who played for the first Blitz and once served as the team’s general manager - admitted the franchise is essentially starting from square one, considering it currently has no organizational structure. But plans are to resurrect the Blitz, which Racz said is still in “good standing” with the OVFL. “We’re in limbo,” Racz said. “We’re not totally defunct, but we did take a brief hiatus.” David Landreth, communications manager for the Kentucky Mavericks - Bowling Green’s new American Basketball Association franchise, which is also owned by S&A - said Racz’s telephone call on Tuesday was a surprise. Landreth said no one at S&A was aware the first Blitz still existed - or for that matter, ever existed. It was only after S&A made its first announcement that the ownership group learned another team previously used the nickname, Landreth said. S&A issued a news release later Tuesday acknowledging the confusion and announcing that the company will hold a public contest to determine the team’s new name. “We’re not going to use his (team) name,” Landreth said. “We don’t want to do that. We’re not here to push him out of the way.” Despite the confusion over the Blitz name, it appears Bowling Green potentially could field two semi-pro football teams in different leagues - the OVFL is smaller and regionally based, while the NAFL is a sprawling national organization of more than 100 squads. A previous Bowling Green-based NAFL squad, the Southern Kentucky Knights, folded after a brief existence in 2002. While it remains to be seen if the Bowling Green area can sustain two semi-pro football organizations, Racz said he’s not worried. “If there’s enough talent to go around, we welcome the competiton,” he said. Meanwhile, the Kentucky Mavericks plan to announce the team roster and other developments at a news conference at 11 a.m. Friday at Phil Moore Park. — To submit name suggestions for Bowling Green’s new NAFL team, mail an entry to Kentucky Mavericks, 1301 U.S. 31-W By-Pass, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Entries may also be submitted through the Mavericks’ Web site, www.mykymavericks.com. The 10 top names will be whittled to two, which will then be put up to a final vote. The submitter of the winning name will receive a $100 donation to the charity of their choice. |
| Sun Belt adds three more bowl chances Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:04:45 -0500 NEW ORLEANS — When addressing the state of the Sun Belt Conference on Tuesday, commissioner Wright Waters stressed overall growth and a desire to keep league postseason play as local as possible. With the announcement Tuesday of the Sun Belt reaching partial tie-in arrangements with three more bowl games - all located within Sun Belt territory - it appears those two points will continue to be a focus. As expected, the Sun Belt has reached an agreement with the PapaJohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., the newly formed St. Petersburg Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the PetroSun Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. The Sun Belt does not have direct tie-ins to these games, but they will allow the Sun Belt’s bowl-eligible teams a chance to play in these games should the bowls’ conference partners be unable to fulfill their requirement. These bowls - in addition to the Sun Belt’s direct tie-in with the New Orleans Bowl - will allow the league to avoid lengthy travel for postseason play. “You’ve got 34 bowl games and it requires 68 teams to fill them, and the average of teams that were bowl eligible over the past five years was 70, so if we have a team that is bowl eligible, the chances of them participating in a bowl just went up,” Waters said. “We’ve got to create an environment where our teams stay local. We don’t ever need to have a situation again where we send a team like Troy to San Jose (for the now-defunct Silicon Valley Bowl in 2004). It wasn’t good for Troy, and it wasn’t good for the former Silicon Valley Bowl. “We need to keep our teams regional because we need to show that, No. 1, we need to compete against good competition, and we need to show that we can bring a crowd.” The agreements are good for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. This deal also presents an opportunity for Sun Belt teams to compete against larger conferences in a bowl environment - the PapaJohns.com Bowl features Big East and SEC ties, while the St. Petersburg Bowl has Big East and Conference USA deals. The PetroSun Independence Bowl typically features teams from the Big 12 and the SEC. The new situation could help prevent a bowl-eligible team with a strong resume from being shut out of a game, which is what happened with Troy’s 8-4 squad a year ago. Waters said the chance to face stiffer competition in the postseason will aid in the growth of the league, and could go a long way in proving that the Sun Belt has a place among the power Football Bowl Subdivision conferences. “It gives us that opportunity to stay regional and show that we can play with people,” Waters said. “It also gives us the opportunity to compete with Big 12, SEC, Big East type opponents. “And that’s important because we want to continue to prove that we belong in 1-A.” Waters also talked at length Tuesday about the growth of the teams with regard to scheduling. Rarely now do Sun Belt teams need to play several guaranteed money games without getting a home game in return, he said. “Back in 2001, we had teams in this league that were playing five and six guarantee games, and were 0-6 at the start of the (Sun Belt) season,” Waters said. “Now, we’re starting to see those numbers not only get in line, but we’re starting to see teams from the SEC, the Big 12, the Big Ten, the Big East come and play us home and home - and that’s huge.” Waters talks WKU With Western Kentucky a year from officially entering Sun Belt play as a bowl-eligible member, Waters said he expects nothing but good things from the Hilltoppers. But Waters also said success won’t come easily. “I think they’ll come in and make an impact in a hurry. I think they’ll win some games their first year in the league,” Waters said. “I think when you compete at this level day in and day out, it’s a different deal. But I think they’ve taken an organized approach to it and they’ve certainly done their research in knowing the value of a facility and the value of selling tickets. “But the great thing about football is still that you’ve got to be able to go out there and win.” Waters said WKU will have an advantage over other transitional teams in that its athletic department has grown accustomed to success in its other Division I teams such as men’s and women’s basketball. But at the same time, he added, major college football is different. “Coach (Bear) Bryant used to say that winning is a habit, and unfortunately, so is losing, and when you come into an environment where you have successful teams, the thing you want to do is build on that attitude that success is expected ... ,” Waters said. “You talk to the people at Florida International or Florida Atlantic, and they had other very successful programs also before they introduced 1-A football - but football brings an urgency with it like nothing else.” |
| Toppers go door-to-door Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:04:47 -0500 Who could say ‘no’ to Western Kentucky football players? Not Ken Stovall, who was greeted Tuesday by a pair of Hilltoppers who were canvassing neighborhoods and going door-to-door trying to sell $25 season tickets. “My wife (Debbie) answered the door and said, ‘Honey, come here.’ When I walked in ... oh my God. I didn’t realize how big they were,” Ken Stovall joked. “They didn’t grow them that tall when I was there. But they were neat kids.” Even though the Stovalls might have been awed by the Hilltoppers’ size, the players didn’t need to give a hard sell. Like many in their neighborhood, the Stovalls took a brochure and proclaimed they would buy season tickets. “You want to be a part of the community as much as possible,” Ken Stovall said. “We’ve been listening and we’ve been excited about the stadium (upgrades) and supporting Western as much as we can. When (the players) came around, we felt that was pretty neat.” It’s the second year the Hilltoppers have gone door-to-door attempting to drum up interest in season-ticket sales. Last year, the Hilltoppers sold 380 season tickets on the streets. They’ll try to top that number when they conclude their neighborhood sales Thursday. “We want fans in there,” punter Jeremy Moore said. “That’s our whole motivation. It’s so much more enjoyable to play in front of a packed house. It’s so much better to have a ton of people out there supporting you.” Some, like the Stovalls, take a mail-order form to send in. Others make their commitment immediately by calling a number handed to them by the players. According to WKU officials, the school received 60 order calls last night. It does take the Hilltoppers out of their element from the field to a public-speaking role, but Moore said most people have been receptive to the Hilltoppers’ efforts. “You’ve got to be brave,” Moore said. “That’s the hardest part - going up there and starting a conversation. You feel out of place, you feel embarrassed. But if you can get the nerve up there to start a conversation, usually it’ll be just fine.” And some do appreciate the efforts the Hilltoppers are making. “It (puts a face on the program),” said Jonathan Britt, who expressed interest in buying season tickets but wanted to consult his wife before making a decision. “I can remember just before I came to Western, the football program was almost dead. Now to see it is as rejuvenated and upbeat, it makes you proud to be an alum.” There are some pitfalls and rejections the Hilltoppers have to accept. Although it was tame Tuesday, offensive lineman Mychal Patterson said last year’s jaunt through the neighborhood included one adventure. Not everybody - or everything - can be intimidated by a Hilltopper. “Last year, we got chased by dogs two times and they did not give up,” Patterson joked. “They chased us right onto the bus.” The worst part? “I didn’t even get the sale,” Patterson said. “The lady said, ‘No, not interested.’ I turned around and hear those dogs coming at me.” Still, the overall effort made this week is worth it come fall at Houchens-Smith Stadium. “The more people we have there, the better we play,” Patterson said. “Everybody likes to show off now and then.” |
| Kelly, Lee take high honors Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:04:48 -0500 Western Kentucky announced Tuesday that All-America basketball players Crystal Kelly and Courtney Lee have been selected the John O. Oldham Student-Athletes of the Year. It’s the second year in a row that Kelly has claimed the award. The Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, she also picked up All-America accolades from the coaches association, The Associated Press and cbssportsline.com after averaging 22.6 points and 10.5 rebounds a game in her final year on the Hill. In addition to leading the nation with a school-record .644 field-goal percentage, she ended the year ranked sixth nationally in scoring and eighth in rebounding. Kelly, one of 17 finalists for the John R. Wooden Women’s Player-of-the-Year Award, also earned first-team all-Sun Belt honors for the fourth straight year, and was named to the all-Sun Belt Tournament team after leading the Lady Toppers to their league-record ninth conference tournament title. She was a four-time winner of the league’s Player-of-the-Week award as well. She’s the first WKU female student-athlete to win the honor in back-to-back years since ShaRae Mansfield - also a women’s basketball player - achieved the feat in 2000 and ’01, and just the third to earn that distinction since the award’s inception in 1973. Lee was the 22nd overall selection in this summer’s National Basketball Association draft after also picking up All-America honors from the Basketball Times and The Associated Press. He was voted the SBC Player of the Year, was a first-team all-league selection and made the all-tournament team as well after averaging 20.4 points and 4.9 rebounds an outing while helping the Hilltoppers to a 29-7 finish on the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. A three-time league Player of the Week, he ended the season in the top 100 in the country in scoring (28th), free-throw percentage (89th) and steals (92nd). Kelly and Lee emerged from a field that included 11 total candidates - six male and five female - in voting conducted among head coaches and athletic administrators. |
| U of L target Asia likened to Angel Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:37:00 EST Some of the best high school girls' basketball players in the nation are in town for the Summer Derby Classic at the Basketball Academy. One drawing much attention from colleges, including the University of Louisville, is Asia Taylor. |
| Early commitments risk a bust Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:47:00 EST For several months I've been looking for the ideal story to illustrate why this rush, rush, rush to offer college basketball scholarships to 10th-, ninth- and even eighth-graders is an unnecessary and unsettling trend that needs to be reversed by adults who should know better. Blog: Jody Demling |
| Colina's double is just in time Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:42:00 EST His two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the ninth gave the Louisville Bats a 2-1 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs last night. |
| Reds keep Maddux in winless situation Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:42:00 EST The 350-game winner had another teasing day on the mound yesterday, watching his lead vanish one pitch after he left the game. |
| Tamme among Colts' 6 signees Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:42:00 EST After a series of whirlwind negotiations, the Indianapolis Colts reached agreements yesterday on four-year deals with six of their draft picks, including former University of Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme, their fourth-round selection. Financial terms weren't released. |
| God bless us, every one! It's shiny Tim Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:43:00 EST His initial "How y'all doin?" was met with merely a murmur from the media, and Tim Tebow doesn't do distracted. |
| Slive says conference mulling next TV deal Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:43:00 EST The Southeastern Conference should know this fall how different its athletics television package will look next fall. |
| In Las Vegas, Dotson rises from underdog to favorite Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:44:00 EST What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas -- especially this week with college basketball recruiting taking center stage. |
| Javanon falls in national tourney Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:44:00 EST Javanon U16 (16 years old and younger) took a 2-0 halftime lead but couldn't hold on in a 4-2 loss to Real So Cal Blue in yesterday's opening round of the United States Youth Soccer National Championships in North Little Rock, Ark. |
| Hornish hopes to bounce back Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:45:00 EST Chasing down Marco Andretti during the final yards of the 2006 Indianapolis 500, Hornish swept past the son of racing royalty to win by about a car length, the distinct rumble of the yard of bricks under his wheels at the finish line telling Hornish he'd finally captured the most-coveted title in open-wheel racing. |
| Jockey Club completes program to build horse-injury database Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:42:00 EST The Jockey Club announced yesterday the completion of a computer program for a national database of racing injuries. |
| 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: |
| Top-seeded woman falls in Fifth Third Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT Both underdogs in the Firth Third Bank Tennis Championships evening matches shocked high seeds who were ranked hundreds of ranking spots above them on Wednesday night. Unseeded Carly Gullickson, who turned pro in this event four years ago, finally got the big win, finessing top-seeded Elena Baltacha of Great Britain in the third set for the 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 win. Gullickson, who took off seven months last year, is No. 319 in the world; Baltacha is 134. On the men's side, qualifier Somdev Devvarman, winner of the past two NCAA titles for Virginia, wore down second-seeded Bobby Reynolds . who committed three costly unforced errors in the final game . for the 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4 upset. Special to the Herald-Leader |
| Legends' new hitting coach teaches consistency over power Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT He's heard all the one-liners about self-scrutiny, self-pity and selflessness. Todd Self is able to laugh, so long as it's tasteful. And now he has the task of helping Lexington Legends hitters become Self taught. Self is the Legends' new hitting coach, filling in while Stubby Clapp heads to Beijing to play second base for Canada in the Summer Olympic Games. Self arrived Tuesday to get a briefing from Clapp, who will leave the team during the upcoming road trip. |
| Everybody wants a piece of Tebow Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT HOOVER, Ala. . Usually it's the coaches who bring the celebrity flavor to Southeastern Conference Media Days. Steve Spurrier is always a big hit. Alabama onlookers packed the lobby of the Wynfrey Hotel for Nick Saban 's first appearance last summer, and Florida Coach Urban Meyer isdefinitely a presence. But Florida quarterback Tim Tebow might be the only guy who can make the media day atmosphere seem like a Jonas Brothers autograph session. It's the kind of aura that not even a high-profile coach like Meyer can relate to. |
| 31-year-old mother of two is making her tennis comeback Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT Try juggling a professional tennis career with two kids, a history of nagging injuries and a virtual tennis academy to run. And try doing that at an age when most other pros call it quits. Lindsay Lee-Waters is doing exactly that, and frankly, she's making it look easy. The 31-year-old is competing in this week's Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex on UK's campus. To even get in the tournament, Lee-Waters had to win three straight matches to qualify for the first round. All that got her was a match with sixth-seeded Lauren Albanese in what appeared to be an early-round exit. |
| Horsemen foe fighting for playoff spot Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT On the one hand, Lexington is in, as in the arenafootball2 playoffs. On the other hand, Lexington is likely out, as in hosting a first-round playoff game the weekend of Aug. 1-3. On the one hand, a Quad City win over the visiting Horsemen in Thursday night's regular-season finale would put the Steamwheelers in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Steamwheelers will miss out on the playoffs with a loss and a Louisville Fire victory over Peoria on Saturday. |
| Reds leave Maddux empty again Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT CINCINNATI . Greg Maddux has never gone so long without a win. The 350-game winner had another teasing day on the mound Wednesday, watching his lead vanish one pitch after he left the game. Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run homer that put Cincinnati ahead, and Adam Dunn added a grand slam that let the Reds pull away to a 9-5 victory over the San Diego Padres. Again, nothing to show for Maddux. .I appreciate the fact that I'm still playing,. the 42-year-old pitcher said. .I appreciate the fact that I still play good enough to win. I haven't won, but I feel like I've been playing (good). And I do appreciate that.. |
| Dunn's slam leads Reds over Padres 9-5 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:01 EDT CINCINNATI . Adam Dunn hit Cincinnati's first grand slam of the season, and the Reds kept Greg Maddux in the longest winless streak of his sterling career by beating the San Diego Padres 9-5 on Wednesday. The 42-year-old Maddux hasn't won since May 10, going 14 starts without a victory. He was thwarted again on Wednesday with an assist by the Padres' defense and bullpen. Maddux left the game with a 3-2 lead in the sixth after giving up an unearned run. Edwin Encarnacion hit the first pitch by Cla Meredith (0-3) for a two-run homer that put the Reds ahead, dooming Maddux to another empty outing. He's 0-5 with nine no-decisions and a 4.54 ERA since his last victory. Bronson Arroyo (9-7) won his fifth consecutive start by holding the Padres to three runs in seven innings. It's the longest consecutive-win streak by a Cincinnati pitcher since Steve Parris won seven in a row in 2000. |
| Ugly scuffle mars WNBA game Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:47 EDT Candace Parker wanted to focus on all of the good parts of the Los Angeles Sparks' win over the Detroit Shock. Unfortunately, it will be the final 5 seconds that everyone else is going to remember. Parker was one of three players ejected along with Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn after an ugly scuffle with 4.6 seconds left in Los Angeles' 84-81 victory. "To be honest, I don't recall exactly what happened," said Parker, who led Los Angeles with 21 points. "I'll have to watch the tape." The skirmish started moments after Parker and Detroit's Cheryl Ford had to be separated after Ford fouled Parker. |
| Georgia LB commits to Cats Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:32 EDT The University of Kentucky picked up a big football commitment Monday when LaGrange High School (Ga.) linebacker Qua Huzzie informed offensive coordinator Joker Phillips that he has chosen to attend UK. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Huzzie is listed as a three-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. He picked UK over offers from schools such as Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and South Carolina. Huzzie plays middle linebacker for LaGrange, which has sent players such as former All-Southeastern Conference linebacker Wesley Woodyard and current Wildcats Braxton Kelley, Randall Burden and DeMoreo Ford to UK. He recorded 102 tackles as a junior, including 27 for loss. Huzzie's high school coach, Steve Pardue, compared Huzzie to former LaGrange linebacker Sam Olajubutu, who was a two-time All-SEC player at Arkansas. "I think Qua has a chance to be a great college football player," Pardue said. "He's athletic enough to play all three linebacker positions. He's a good-looking 210 pounds right now, and he'll get bigger." |
| Bengals need more wins, less drama in '08 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:43 EDT Are you ready for some football? Better be. That annual talk-fest known as SEC Football Media Days kicks up the summer dust this week down in sweet home Alabama. In-state grid combatants Kentucky and Louisville meet for a friendly round of golf, with some coaches' comments mixed in, this Thursday at the University Club. The Cats then report to campus Aug. 4, before pulling on the shoulder pads a day later. But first up is the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals return Sunday to Georgetown College for another go at training camp. First practice is Monday. So, as is their tradition, the Bengals brass put on a surf-and-turf media luncheon Tuesday at Paul Brown Stadium to feed the need for a late-summer, pre-camp football fix. |
| Aurilia's big hit lifts Giants Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:05 EDT Rich Aurilia lined a go-ahead two-run double to center field in the eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Washington Nationals 6-4 on Wednesday night. Aurilia came up big with an eight-pitch at-bat in which he fouled off three straight pitches before the double. Omar Vizquel gave the Giants an insurance run with an RBI double off Luis Ayala (1-6) on the heels of Aurilia's hit and had his third three-hit game this season. Geno Espineli (1-0) recorded two outs in the eighth for his first major league victory and the Giants won consecutive home games for the first time since June 1-2 against the New York Mets. Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his NL-leading 27th save in 29 chances and 18th in a row. San Francisco came back after Nationals pinch-hitter Johnny Estrada hit a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth, the same inning in which Jesus Flores hit a tying two-run homer for Washington. Bengie Molina provided the Giants' big hits for the second straight game, getting two RBI doubles after his two-homer game a night earlier. |
| Jays, Orioles to finish suspended game Thursday Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:10 EDT The game between Toronto and the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night was suspended by rain with the Blue Jays leading 2-1 in the sixth inning. Play will resume Thursday afternoon with two outs in the top of the sixth. The teams will then play the finale of the four-game series. Toronto went up 2-1 in the sixth, moments before a thundershower stopped play. Alex Rios led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Lyle Overbay. Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie then got two outs before the rain came. After a delay of more than 1 1/2 hours, the game was suspended. A.J. Burnett allowed one run and six hits in five innings for Toronto. He struck out seven and walked none. |
| Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to duty Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:28 EDT Caleb Campbell was a day away from practicing with the Detroit Lions and taking a step toward his dream of playing in the NFL. "He was issued a helmet, ready to go," coach Rod Marinelli said Wednesday. Now, Campbell is closer to joining his fellow West Point graduates in Iraq or Afghanistan. The U.S. Army revised its interpretation of U.S. Department of Defense policy two weeks ago regarding soldiers playing professional sports, requiring cadets to complete two years of active duty before applying for a release. Campbell and the Lions didn't officially receive notice of the change until the eve of training camp. "It's unfortunate, but it doesn't mean Caleb Campbell's dream is dead. It just means it will be delayed," Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb told The Associated Press. "We want to take care of soldiers and dashing their hopes is not what we intend. But it is what it is." Edgecomb said minor league baseball players Nick Hill and Milan Dinga, former West Point standouts, will be allowed to finish their seasons before eventually joining their units. |
| Braves lose Jones to injury but beat Marlins 9-4 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:23 EDT By the time Chipper Jones pulled up lame, the Atlanta Braves already had plenty of runs for Tim Hudson. Then Hudson departed with a tender elbow. Jones strained his left hamstring, and Hudson left after six innings with tightness in his right elbow, tempering the glow of the Braves' 9-4 victory Wednesday night over the Florida Marlins. Jones, the major-league batting leader at .369, was hurt running out a groundout in the fourth inning and immediately left the game. It was an alarming development for a team that's 2-10 without Jones and struggling to stay in the NL East race. Hudson's status is even more worrisome. He improved to 11-7, allowing only three hits and one walk, but departed after throwing just 68 pitches in six shutout innings. The team said both players will be evaluated further. The Braves are off Thursday before starting an important series Friday in Philadelphia. |
| Reyes homers to pull Mets into tie with Phillies Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:18 EDT Jose Reyes' three-run homer snapped a sixth-inning tie and the New York Mets, with closer Billy Wagner back, rebounded from a demoralizing defeat by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Wednesday night. John Maine pitched seven effective innings and New York took advantage of a wild Brett Myers in his return from the minors to again tie the Phillies for first place in the NL East. The Mets had a great chance to take sole possession of the division lead in the series opener Tuesday night, but their makeshift bullpen - missing an ailing Wagner - blew a three-run lead for Johan Santana in the ninth inning of an 8-6 loss. Wagner declared himself available Wednesday after testing his sore left shoulder before the game by playing long toss from about 250 feet and throwing off a bullpen mound. The All-Star entered in the ninth and got three quick outs for his 25th save in 31 chances, securing New York's eighth victory in nine home games. |
| Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez out with sore knee Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:13 EDT Manny Ramirez missed Boston's 6-3 win in 12 innings over the Seattle Mariners Wednesday with what his manager said was a sore knee. "Just showed up this morning. He just came in and said, 'My right knee hurts,'" manager Terry Francona said hours before the Red Sox got their first series sweep in Seattle since 1993. When asked if the slugger will be back for Friday's opener against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, Francona said, "I'm hoping it'll be all right Friday. I don't know. I don't really have a good answer for that. I hope so." Francona said after the game Ramirez was unavailable even for pinch-hitting and that he got treatment and an examination from trainers. He did not know if Ramirez's absence would go beyond Wednesday. Ramirez said his knee has been bothering him for about a week. |
| Near retirement, Rod Smith to hold news conference Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:38 EDT Broncos receiver Rod Smith is planning to hold a news conference Thursday amid published reports he will retire. Smith's agent, Jack Mills, confirmed the event but declined to give details. The Broncos said they were aware of the reports, but didn't know about a news conference. Smith, 38, has been on the reserve/retired list since February and has had two hip operations in the last year and a half. He's the franchise's career leader in every major receiving category. In June, Smith visited the Broncos and passed out pointers to the younger receivers as they ran their routes. He said at the time he wasn't sure if he was ready to walk away from football. However, he admitted if he had caught his last pass, he was at peace with the decision. |
| NASCAR squeezes horsepower down on Toyota motors Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:33 EDT NASCAR tried to even out the competition in the Nationwide Series on Wednesday by ordering all teams using Toyota motors to squeeze down their horsepower before this weekend's race in Indianapolis. Toyota has won 14 of 21 races this season in the Nationwide Series, and all but one came in a Camry fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing. The exception was JGR driver Kyle Busch's victory at Charlotte in May in a car fielded by Braun Racing. NASCAR ordered all the Toyota motors to use a smaller spacer that will knock down 15 horsepower in the motors. Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development, said he was "extremely disappointed" and found no justification for NASCAR's decision, arguing the Nationwide teams have been successful this season because of hard work and not technical advantage. "Despite this setback, we will continue to work diligently to keep our Nationwide teams competitive," White said. "Our hope remains that a Toyota team or driver will be rewarded with a championship at the conclusion of this year." |
| Red Sox complete sweep of Mariners with 6-3 win Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:58 EDT Mike Lowell hit a two-run single off Sean Green in the 12th inning, and the Red Sox took advantage of two outfield errors to beat the lowly Mariners 6-3 on Wednesday and complete Boston's first series sweep at Seattle in 15 years. The Red Sox entered the series having lost eight of 11 on the road, leaving manager Terry Francona to say he was perplexed. They flew home for a weekend against the surging New York Yankees after their first three-game sweep on the road this season. Boston stayed a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East. Raul Ibanez and Jose Vidro hit home runs for Seattle, which lost its fifth consecutive game. The Mariners expected to be in the postseason but sunk a season-low 25 games under .500, and are in clearance-sale mode for the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. Ibanez and Vidro are top candidates to go. Jacoby Ellsbury began the 12th with his fourth hit in 34 at-bats, a single off Green (2-3). A hit-and-run groundout by Dustin Pedroia got Ellsbury to second before Green intentionally walked J.D. Drew. |
| Wagner available for Mets after shoulder improves Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:58 EDT Billy Wagner was available to pitch for the New York Mets on Wednesday night against Philadelphia after missing the previous game with a sore left shoulder. Without the All-Star closer, New York's makeshift bullpen blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Tuesday night and lost 8-6 to the Phillies. The defeat cost the Mets a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the NL East. Wagner played long toss from about 250 feet and threw off a bullpen mound before Wednesday night's game to test his shoulder. "I'm going tonight," he said about 75 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. "Give you all something to write about." Wagner felt tightness in his pitching shoulder while warming up Sunday in Cincinnati. Mets manager Jerry Manuel and a trainer started out of the dugout to check on Wagner during the 10th inning, but he waved them off and struck out the side for his 24th save in 30 chances. |
| Saints, Marques Colston agree to 3-year extension Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:48 EDT Wide receiver Marques Colston got his reward for playing far beyond the expectations for a seventh-round pick. Colston, whose 168 catches are more than any NFL receiver through his first two seasons, agreed to a three-year extension that could keep him in New Orleans through the 2011 season, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday night. "It's really a tribute to how well Marques has done for us coming from Hofstra and being a seventh-round pick," said Loomis, who declined to offer financial details. "Clearly, he's been very productive, a nice surprise and a great story for us." Colston, who at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds provides quarterback Drew Brees a big target, surprisingly emerged as one of Brees' favorite receivers during training camp in 2006. He went on to compile 2,241 yards receiving for 19 touchdowns in his first two seasons. "He brings a level of consistency and he knows what to do," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He's been reliable and there is a high amount of confidence in him from our quarterback." |
| Hester missing in action on 1st day of Bears camp Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:23 EDT Devin Hester, who has electrified the NFL with 11 punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns in his first two seasons, skipped the Chicago Bears' first training camp practice Wednesday in a holdout. Hester, a two-time Pro Bowler, was placed on the Bears' Reserve/Did Not Report list. "I'm not coming," Hester told the Chicago Tribune in a phone interview. "I have to make a statement. I showed by going to (organized team activities) that I was a team player. But then, I just felt like they weren't taking it seriously that I wanted to get a new deal." Hester, who also played wide receiver last season, has two years remaining on his initial deal. He was the Bears' second round-draft pick in 2006. In addition to his four kickoff returns and seven punt returns for touchdowns over two seasons, he also returned a missed field goal 108 yards for a TD and took the opening kickoff of the 2007 Super Bowl 92 yards for a score. |
| Holliday helps Rockies take 2 of 3 from Dodgers Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:58 EDT Matt Holliday drove in two runs, including one on a double that bounced off the pitcher's glove, and Jeff Baker scored twice to lift the Colorado Rockies to a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Brad Hawpe, Ian Stewart and Garrett Atkins also drove in a run apiece for the defending NL champions, who closed out a seven-game homestand with a 6-1 mark. With 11 more hits Wednesday, the Rockies had 49 in taking two of three against the Dodgers. Glendon Rusch (4-3) earned his third straight victory, his longest streak since winning four in a row in September 2005 while a member of the Chicago Cubs. Rusch gave up three runs and seven hits in five innings before being lifted. It's the first time he's defeated the Dodgers in six career starts. The Dodgers had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth, before Taylor Buchholz wiggled out of the jam by striking out Andruw Jones and Andy LaRoche. |
| Bay homers as Pirates sweep Astros with 8-7 win Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:53 EDT Jason Bay hit a two-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates earned their first road sweep this season with an 8-7 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Doug Mientkiewicz drove in two runs, starter Ian Snell had an RBI single and Franquelis Osoria (4-3) pitched two innings of scoreless relief as the Pirates finished off their first sweep since taking three from San Francisco at PNC Park from May 6-8. Damaso Marte shut out the Astros in the ninth for his fifth save in seven chances. The Pirates have won three straight road games for the first time this season and have their first three-game victory streak since taking six straight from May 6-12. Kaz Matsui hit a solo homer and Mark Loretta added a two-run single for the Astros, who've lost four in a row and dropped into last place in the NL Central. |
| Source: Swimmer Jessica Hardy tests positive Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:07 EDT Jessica Hardy's first trip to the Olympics could be over before it began. The swimmer tested positive for a banned substance, leaving her just two weeks to pursue any appeals before the Beijing Games begin. Hardy's "A" sample from the recent U.S. Olympic trials tested positive, a person familiar with the test results told The Associated Press on Wednesday night. The person, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said the banned substance was a stimulant but did not provide any other details. USA Swimming spokeswoman Jamie Olson declined to comment from the team's training camp at Palo Alto, Calif., where Hardy left to return to her family's home in Southern California, the swimmer's agent said. Agent Evan Morgenstein told the AP that during a brief phone conversation with Hardy, she told him, "I never did anything wrong. I never cheated." Morgenstein said he heard there were conflicting results from Hardy's tests, though he didn't have any details. |
| Evans faces familiar scenario in Tour de France Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:02 EDT Once again, Cadel Evans needs to make up time on a Spanish rider if he wants to win the Tour de France. Runner-up last year to Alberto Contador, the Australian is now chasing Carlos Sastre. Evans got dropped by Sastre in the mythical climb up to L'Alpe d'Huez in Wednesday's 17th stage - the toughest in the Alps - and now trails Sastre by 1 minute, 34 seconds, having led the Team CSC veteran by 41 seconds overnight. "I have two days to enjoy the yellow jersey and on Saturday I'll think about the time trial," Sastre said. "I'll find out then if I am able to win the Tour." The remaining riders who survived this year's most grueling mountain stage - the three climbs were so hard they do not have a classification - now face a medium mountain stage Thursday and Friday's flat stage before Saturday's time trial. Should the time gaps stay much the same, Evans would find himself in a similar position to last year, when Contador led him by 1:50 before the decisive race against the clock on the penultimate day of the Tour. |
| Roger Federer drops 1st match since Wimbledon loss Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:53 EDT Top-ranked Roger Federer was knocked out of the Rogers Cup with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 loss to France's Gilles Simon in a second-round match Wednesday night. Federer, who won the tournament in 2004 and '06, was playing his first match since losing the Wimbeldon final in five sets to Spain's Rafael Nadal. "That's just unbelievable for me to win against him," Simon said. Federer, who became the first top seed to lose in his first match here since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002, finished second here last year to Serbia's Novak Djokovic. "The problem was my game today," Federer said. |
| Sabathia's 3-hitter leads Brewers past Cardinals Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:03 EDT CC Sabathia threw a three-hitter, his third straight complete game for his new team, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 on Wednesday night. Ryan Braun had four hits, lacking a double for the cycle, and J.J. Hardy hit his 14th homer for the Brewers, who have won seven straight. Milwaukee won the first three games of this four-game series behind stingy pitching, limiting the Cardinals to six runs. The Brewers have homered in 19 straight games, tying the franchise record set in 1996, and have 30 home runs in that stretch. Hardy, who is 8-for-14 in the series, hit his first homer since July 10 with one out in the fifth off Braden Looper (9-8) for the game's first run. A single, a hit batsman and Rickie Weeks' sacrifice fly off Kelvin Jimenez made it 2-0 in the sixth and Braun homered off Jason Isringhausen leading off the ninth. It was more than enough for Sabathia (4-0), who followed up a four-hitter over Cincinnati and an eight-hitter over San Francisco with another gem, matching his career best for hits allowed with his third career three-hitter and 22nd complete game. The 6-7, 290-pound left-hander has won all four starts since the Brewers acquired the 2007 AL Cy Young winner from Cleveland. He has won seven straight decisions overall in his last nine starts. |
| Lions, tackle Cherilus agree to 5-year contract Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:58 EDT Tackle Gosder Cherilus agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday night. Cherilus was the 17th pick in April's draft out of Boston College. He is expected to play right tackle for the Lions after being a left tackle in 2007. Final details on the contract were not set, but Greg Diulus, Cherilus' agent, said an agreement was in place and could be finalized Thursday. The team opened training camp Wednesday. Cherilus will be a focal point as the Lions try to improve their running game. He played the right side early in his career at BC, and will replace Damien Woody, who left as a free agent to join the Jets. The Lions will take all the help they can get. Detroit surrendered 54 sacks last season and has given up an NFL-worst 117 in the last two years. |
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