Gamecocks stay alive by beating Hogs

College baseball: Freshman Jordan Montgomery and Matt Price combined on a three-hitter Thursday night, lifting two-time defending national champion South Carolina to a 2-0 victory over Arkansas at the College World Series.

Michael Roth of the Gamecocks threw a two-hitter against Kent State earlier in the day. South Carolina and Arkansas will play again tonight to decide which team goes to the best-of-3 finals against Arizona.

The Gamecocks’ runs came in the second inning on Tanner English’s double and Chase Vergason’s single.

Montgomery (6-1) struck out six and walked one in his first outing since June 3.

Earlier, Arizona converted three Florida State errors into a six-run first inning and advanced to the finals with a 10-3 victory over Florida State.

Freshman starter Brandon Leibrandt was pulled after he recorded just one out for the Seminoles, who used eight pitchers to tie a CWS record for a nine-inning game.

NFL denies cover-up in bounty testimony

FOOTBALL: The NFL denies accusations it covered up retractions made by key witnesses in its bounty investigation, or that commissioner Roger Goodell has placed gag orders on Saints employees and others who could help punished players clear their names.

Lawyer Peter Ginsberg, who represents suspended Saints player Jonathan Vilma, made the accusations when punished players appeared earlier this week for an appeal hearing, a full transcript of which has been obtained by The Associated Press.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says claims of a gag order are “completely untrue,” and that no potential witnesses were instructed by the league to stay away from Monday’s hearing.

The transcript also shows that the NFL Players Association formally asked Goodell to recuse himself from ongoing appeal proceedings, contending that he is incapable of ruling “without the appearance of bias.”

“The commissioner has publicly appeared on television and in other (forums) defending the discipline,” NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler said. “We would ask that the commissioner step down, to the extent that these proceedings continue, as the decision maker and that a neutral decision maker be appointed in his place.”

The early portions of the transcript detail a series of verbal jousts that Ginsberg sought to deliver to the commissioner before leaving the hearing early in protest.

Confident Clemens rejected plea deal

BASEBALL: Roger Clemens rejected a plea deal that would have spared him prison time, and instead took his chances by going to trial.

Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin said in a telephone interview that prosecutors offered to let the former pitcher plead guilty to one count of lying to Congress when he denied using human growth hormone. In exchange, Clemens would have received probation.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner was indicted in August 2010 on six counts for allegedly lying to Congress for denying he used HGH as well as steroids. At the time, Hardin revealed that his client had rejected a plea offer, but the lawyer declined to provide the details.

NHL schedule hinges on labor deal

HOCKEY: If the NHL can avoid another work stoppage, the schedule for the upcoming season is set.

The league announced that the Los Angeles Kings will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner Oct. 12 when they host the New York Rangers.

The current collective bargaining agreement, though, expires Sept. 15.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said May 30 that he expected negotiations with the players’ association on a new CBA to begin in a couple of weeks. If there have been talks taking place or scheduled, the league isn’t saying.

“No update to offer,” NHL spokesman Frank Brown wrote in an email.

Messages seeking comment were left with NHL Players’ Association spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon.

Portugal reaches Euro semifinals

Miscellany: Cristiano Ronaldo scored on a powerful header in the 79th minute, sending Portugal to the European Championship men’s soccer semifinals with a 1-0 victory in Warsaw over the Czech Republic.

Ronaldo hit the post twice, then finally delivered. He headed a cross by Joao Moutinho straight at the ground and up past the flailing hands of Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Portugal will play Spain or France in the semifinals in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday.

• January sparks Fever: Former Lewis and Clark High School star Briann January scored 20 points and Katie Douglas added 17 to help the Indiana Fever cruise to a 95-61 victory over the Connecticut Sun, in Indianapolis.

Tamika Catchings had 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Fever (6-4), who set a franchise record with 15 3-pointers. The Fever had lost four of five, including an 88-85 defeat at Connecticut on Tuesday.