Wildcats end Gamecocks’ run

Baseball: Arizona ended South Carolina’s two-year run of dominance at the College World Series with a 4-1 victory on Monday night in Omaha, Neb., delivering a long-awaited national title to the coach – Andy Lopez – who took over Arizona’s downtrodden program 11 years ago.

Brandon Dixon’s tie-breaking double started a three-run ninth inning for Arizona, and the Wildcats (48-17) won their first title since 1986.

Lopez figured it would come in 2008, when a team that started the season ranked No. 1 lost in the super regionals at Miami. Lopez still talks of the disappointment of that season.

“Coach Lopez means the world to us, and we’re so happy we brought joy back to his life in coaching,” CWS Most Outstanding Player Robert Refsnyder said. “This goes to out to coach Lopez and everyone involved in the program, and without (athletic director) Greg Byrne this wouldn’t be possible.”

Heat celebrate title with parade

Basketball: The Miami Heat took their championship celebration to the streets.

The Heat held their NBA Finals parade on Monday morning, an event with tens of thousands of fans lining the roadways in downtown Miami. A celebration was scheduled for later Monday inside the team’s arena.

Players, coaches and team officials loaded onto flatbed trucks and double-decker buses for the celebration.

Heat guard Dwyane Wade addressed some of the fans from his bus: “I appreciate all our fans for sticking with us. … Best fans in the world.”

Miami won the title by defeating Oklahoma City in five games.

Associated Press

Parker nearly lost his eye in fight

Basketball: NBA star Tony Parker may miss the London Olympics after almost losing his eye in a fight involving singer Chris Brown and members of hip-hop star Drake’s entourage.

Parker’s cornea was scratched in the fight, and the San Antonio Spurs guard has revealed he had to have an operation to remove a shard that had “penetrated 99 percent” of his left eye.

Parker says “I almost lost my eye.” He did not join the rest of France’s team Wednesday and will see a specialist in New York when he is cleared to take long-haul flights after July 5.

Associated Press