Solid pitching keeps TCU alive in CWS
College baseball: Matt Purke and Tyler Lockwood held UCLA to four hits and Taylor Featherston hit the biggest of TCU’s three home runs, leading the Horned Frogs to a 6-2 victory Friday that keeps them alive in the College World Series at Omaha, Neb.
TCU (54-13) forced a second Bracket 1 title game today, with the winner going to the best-of-3 finals beginning Monday.
Featherston’s two-run homer off reliever Garett Claypool gave TCU a three-run lead in the bottom of the seventh after the Bruins (50-15) had closed to 3-2.
The unbeaten Purke set a school record with his 16th win of the season, and Lockwood earned his eighth save. UCLA starter Rob Rasmussen (11-3) struggled with his control early and left in the fifth inning.
In other CWS action, Michael Roth pitched a three-hitter in his first start in 14 months, and South Carolina (51-16) scored in five of the first six innings to force a second Bracket 2 final against Clemson (45-24).
USC takes bowl ban, appeals sanctions
College football: Southern California filed an appeal with the NCAA, asking that several sanctions on its football program be reduced because they are “too severe” and “inconsistent with precedent.”
USC appealed only certain aspects of this month’s ruling. Among the penalties were a two-year bowl ban, four years of probation, scholarship losses and removal of several victories. The school intends to accept a bowl ban for the upcoming season and certain scholarship penalties in football.
Blazers move past Pritchard’s firing
NBA: Trail Blazers president Larry Miller appeared somewhat uncomfortable when he finally emerged after a chaotic draft night, his words making it clear that Portland would like nothing better than to put the protracted drama involving general manager Kevin Pritchard in the past.
Michael Born, Portland’s director of NBA scouting, and Chad Buchanan, director of college scouting, will fill Pritchard’s role until a replacement is found, the Blazers said.
The turmoil that had surrounded the Blazers’ front office since late March came to a boil Thursday. Pritchard met with Blazers owner Paul Allen before the NBA draft got under way, and was unceremoniously fired.
Incredibly Pritchard asked, and was allowed, to stay and direct his final draft for the Trail Blazers.
• Shaw could coach with Cavs or Lakers: The Cleveland Cavaliers’ search for a new coach may rest in the bejeweled hands of Phil Jackson. Jackson will not make a decision on his future until next week at the earliest, and assistant Brian Shaw is rumored to be in line to succeed Jackson. The Cavaliers are also said to have interest in Shaw and former New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott.
Rose shoots 62, leads Travelers by 4
Golf: Justin Rose shot an 8-under-par 62, birdieing five consecutive back-nine holes for the second straight round, to take a four-stroke lead over Kevin Sutherland in the Travelers Championship at Cromwell, Conn.
Rose, the Memorial winner three weeks ago who failed to qualify for the U.S. Open last week at Pebble Beach, broke the tournament record for the first 36 holes, finishing at 14-under 126.
Ferris graduate Alex Prugh shot a 5-under 65 and is at 136.
•Kerr in control: Cristie Kerr shot a 6-under 66 to take a five-stroke lead in the LPGA Championship at Pittsford, N.Y., the tour’s second major of the season. Kerr stands at 134.
Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot a 74 and made the cut at 148.
• Levi holds early lead: Wayne Levi shot a 7-under 65 and has a one-shot lead over Brad Bryant and Dan Forsman after the first round of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, N.Y.
• McCloskey, Tubert advance: Lisa McCloskey and Emily Tubert will play 36 holes for the Women’s Amateur Public Links championship at South Bend, Ind.
U.S., Canada each win at softball worlds
Softball: The United States won its third game and Canada picked up its second straight in the world softball championship in Caracas, Venezuela.
The U.S. defeated New Zealand 12-2 and Venezuela 7-0, while Canada beat Taiwan 5-2.
Montoya takes pole at New Hampshire
Auto racing: Juan Pablo Montoya has found his groove at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H.
Montoya turned a lap of 132.337 mph and won the pole in qualifying – the second straight time he’ll start first at New Hampshire. Montoya won his first pole of the season after taking two last season.
Montoya is looking for his first career NASCAR win on an oval.
•Yet another crew chief for Kenseth: Jimmy Fennig is the latest to get the call to sit atop the pit box for Matt Kenseth. Jack Roush of Roush Fenway racing replaced Todd Parrott with Fennig on the No. 17 Ford this week, giving Kenseth his third crew chief this season.