Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 38

D2 Saturday, June 18, 2005 www.rapldcltyjournal.com Rapid City Journal Huskers open with win over Bevils By Eric Olson AP Sports Writer OMAHA. Neb. Joba Chamberlain allowed Just five hits In seven Innings and Ryan Wehrle hit a two-run single, rallying Nebraska to its first College World Series victory, 5-3 over Arizona State on Friday night. The Cornhuskers (57-13) enjoyed the home-field advantage that comes with playing 58 miles away from their Lincoln campus. They were a combined 0-4 in their only nfc WKi0 PV A ill cn "ft other CWS appearances, In 2001 and '02.

Nebraska advances to a Sunday night game against Florida, a 6-4 winner over Tennessee in Friday's ii hi first game. ASU college w.s. (39-24). mak- ing its 19th CWS appearance but first since 1998, faces the Volunteers In an elimination game Sunday. Chamberlain (10-2) allowed a run in the second inning and two in the sixth, before giving way to Zach Kroenke in the eighth.

Chamberlain walked three and struck out four. Brett Jensen pitched the final 1-13 innings and earned his 16th save. Zechry Zinicola (3-4) took over for ASU starter Jason Urquidez at the start of the third Inning and held Nebraska hitless until Andy Gerch singled to lead off the sixth. Florida 6, Tennessee 4 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Matt LaPor-ta and Brian Jeroloman homered, and Florida held off SEC rival Tennessee 6-4 Friday to win the opening game of the 59th College World Series.

LaPorta extended the Gators' sin- i 1 Eric Franci8AP Matt A. BrownAP Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson, left, is held back by umpire Tim Tschida, center left, as umpire Dale Scott, center right, holds back Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia after Angels pitcher Brendan Donnelly was ejected for having a foreign substance in his glove last Tuesday in Anaheim, Calif. Brendan Donnelly suspended 10 days NEW YORK (AP) Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly was suspended 10 days by Major League Baseball on Friday for having pine tar on his glove during a game against the Washington Nationals. Angels manager Mike Scioscia and Nationals manager Frank Robinson were suspended for one game apiece and fined an undisclosed amount. The two managers screamed at each other after Robinson had umpires inspect Donnelly's glove for a foreign substance in the top of the seventh inning during the Nationals' 6-3 victory Tuesday.

Donnelly was ejected without throwing a pitch, and Scioscia then came face-to-face with Robinson. Both benches emptied and several players pushed and shoved each other. Donnelly appealed the suspension and will play until his case is heard. Robinson has also appealed his suspension and his case will be heard on Monday. Scioscia was scheduled to serve his suspension Friday night when the Angels hosted the Florida Marlins.

Arizona State's Colin Curtis, second from left, reacts to being called out at home plate by umpire A.J. Lostaglio, right, in the sixth inning against Nebraska in a College World Series game in Omaha, on Friday. gle-season record with his 25th Alan Home (10-2) won his ninth the seventh. He allowed two runs on homer In the third, a deep shot Into straight decision for Florida (46-20). four hits with six walks and eight the left-field bleachers off Vols ace The 6-foot-4 right-hander went six- strikeouts.

Luke Hochevar that gave Florida a plus Innings and left with a 6-1 lead Chase Headley had a two-run 2-0 lead. after walking the leadoff batter In shot for Tennessee. ports diges Schilling throws, reports no problems By Jimmy Golen AP Sports Writer BOSTON Boston Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling threw for 20 minutes at Fenway Park on Friday and report NAU sends five to finals ofCNFR A fi LJM ed no problems with the right ankle that has kept him on the disabled list since April. Schilling is scheduled to test his ankle again by throwing batting practice Litke: Hellish From Page D1 from Hell. "Well, Tm a little biased because I would love to see that happen," Mickelson said, to some laughter.

"It's always been my contention that If nobody can hit a green, I've got a pretty good chance," he added, to more laughter. "I'm not opposed to that occurring this week." He repeated It a few more times, in a few different appearances. But when he stopped to talk after his second round, all the bravado had been drained out of his face. "It's a tough course because you Just can't make birdies. The more you try to make birdies, the more bogeys you're going to make.

I wasn't really trying to make birdies," Mickelson said. "I was Just trying to salvage pars and had a tough time doing that. It's a tough golf course." Proof of that was collecting on every side of him. There are precious few birdies to be squeezed out of Plnehurst. The course played five strokes above par In the opening round and a slightly less grueling 4-over Friday.

The total number of players under par, starting with co-leaders Olin Browne and defending champion Retief Goosen at 2-under, can be counted on one hand. "You Just can't play aggressive here," Mickelson said, repeating himself almost as If he had found the mantra. "You just can't. I think it's going to take 36 pars to have an outside shot at winning and that's kind of what I'm going for." The days when Mickelson let one foot get too far In front of the other only to stumble at the most Inopportune moments were supposed to be a thing of the past. He might yet thrive In the even-tougher conditions expected through the weekend.

But at the moment a bad putting day midway through a tournament that Mickelson said couldn't be tough enough for his satisfaction has him looking more clownish than just about anything the USGA can do to the greens. Curt Schilling for more than seven hours at a Manhattan hotel, the first substantive talks In weeks between the sides negotiating a new labor agreement to replace the seven-year deal expiring June 30. Neither side would Immediately characterize the talks, other to confirm that they began at 1 1 a.m. were still going as of 6:30 p.m. EDT.

ESPN quoted players union president Michael Curry as saying the talks were going "good," and that he was hopeful the framework of a new deal might be In place by the end of the weekend. No meetings had been held since June 1 when the sides met for 2 hours at the union's office. The past two weeks have been marked by posturing from both sides. On Wednesday, Hunter said he surmised from Stern's public comments last Sunday that only three issues remain in dispute an age limit for rookies, a tougher drug-testing program and the maximum length of long-term contracts, but deputy commissioner Russ Granik said Hunter's assumption was incorrect. Owners are known to be seeking several other changes to current rules.

Including a new luxury tax (dubbed a for the highest spending teams, reductions in the size of annual salary increases in long-term contracts, a shortened rookie wage scale and adjustments to the so-called trigger percentages that activate the escrow and luxury taxes designed to curtail spending on player salaries. NHL NEW YORK (AP) The NHL and its players' union wrapped up 28 hours of talks for the week Friday, and plan to resume discussions Monday in "We resumed small group meetings with the league this week and spent the better part of four full days discussing a wide range of Issues," players' association senior director Ted Saskln said In a statement. "Further small group meetings are scheduled starting Monday In Toronto." The two sides met two days In Toronto and two In New York, marking the seventh straight week of discussions. Horse racing INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) Kentucky Derby winner Glaco-mo has a bone chip In his left front ankle and Is likely sidelined for the rest of the year, trainer John Shlrreffs said Friday.

The 3-year-old colt will have surgery at Hollywood Park next week. "The prognosis Is excellent," Shlrreffs told The Associated Press. He said he hopes that Gla-como can return to racing by year's end or early In 2006, when he would race as a 4-year-old. The injury was discovered when X-rays were taken Wednesday, after Jockey Mike Smith said that Giacomo had displaced his palate and could not breathe properly during the Belmont Stakes on June 11. Giacomo finished seventh after fading In the stretch.

Shlrreffs ordered the X-rays as part of a full checkup for Giacomo before he resumed training. "It was a big surprise," Shlrreffs said. "I never expected to find a chip in the ankle. It was a little shock because we had planned on racing him later on In some of the 3-year-old races." Giacomo has two victories In 10 career starts and earnings of nearly $2 million. He won the Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 shot, then finished third at the Preakness.

on Monday. He said he expects to make at least two minor league rehab starts before he is ready to return to the Red Sox rotation. "I have a goal: I want to be back before the All-Star break." he told reporters near the Red Sox dugout before Boston's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. "It's a matter of arm strength and getting comfortable around that." Wearing an oversized high-top to help his balance, Schilling threw for 9 minutes in the outfield before heading into the Boston bullpen to throw from the mound for 1 1 minutes more. He was watched by manager Terry Francona.

the team's training staff and Dr. Bill Morgan, who used an unusual procedure to stitch Schilling's ankle last fall and keep him in the rotation for the CASPER, Wyo. The National American University women's rodeo team is hanging around at the College National Finals Rodeo. "We are still in there," said National American University head coach Glenn Lammers. The Mavericks had three ladies competing Friday but none of them advanced into today's championship and final round.

In the goat tying. Jessica Painter had a 6.7 second am. but was disqualified when her goat kicked free before the required six seconds had elapsed. "If that goat would have stayed down, Jessica would have been in the finals," Lammers said. NAU's misfortunes surfaced in the barrel rac ing as well.

Ashley Williams clocked a 14.37 run. how-pii' j- ever she needed a College rodeo 14 34 or better to qualify. "Her horse was a little sore which was too bad," said Lammers. "It cost her a shot at participating in the all-around." Danielle Rausch was also competing in the barrel racing but couldn't crack the top 12. The NAU women's team is now fifth place in the overall standings.

33 teams have scored points in the event. "Obviously a lot is riding on today's performances." said Lammers. We have three girls that have qualified for the finals." One of those is Ashley Williams who is tied for first in goat tying average. Teammate Megan Huxtable is tied for ninth in the same event. NAU's other female final performer is Jessica Mueller a barrel raring who sits in eighth place.

"Realistically there are six or eight teams that could win the title." Lammers noted. "Only three teams have got three girls in the finals and we are one of them." "We need to draw some good stock and put out solid performances and we will have a good shot." The men's team has two saddle bronc riders competing in today's final performance as the Mavs O.J. Heidler sits in sixth and Casey Holmes is in the 10 spot. "We'll just have to see how the cards play out," Lammers added. postseason.

The current injury Is In the same ankle but may be a different problem. NBA NEW YORK (AP) If progress can be measured In time spent together, things were looking better in NBA labor talks Friday. Commissioner David Stern, union director Billy Hunter and sev eral owners and players met Toronto In the hopes of ending the league's nine-month Timberwolves hire Sonics assistant Casey U.S. Open: From Page D1 when overcast skies and cooler conditions made Plnehurst more playable, Lefty only produced half of his short-game wizardry he could chip, he Just couldn't putt. Mlckelson's 77 was his highest score In the U.S.

Open since a 79 the final day at Oakmont In 1994, and it left him eight shots out of the lead. "It's a tough course to turn things around on because you Just can't make birdies." he said. The more you try to make birdies, the more bogeys you're going to make. I was Just trying to salvage pars, and had a tough time doing it." Woods started strong with two birdies on the first four holes, but It wasn't long before he ran Into problems with the pace of the greens a three-putt on No. 6, and another one on the ninth, which ran some 12 feet by the cup.

When the par putt came up short, he dragged his putter across the green and scuffed up the line. Despite his tantrums and a few errant shots, he was only three shots behind. "Days like today typify a U.S. Open." he said. "No one Is going to run off with It." It was wild and wacky, typical of what can happen on the domed greens Donald Ross designed.

In one bizarre sequence. Westwood holed a 30-foot putt from off the green. Kenny Perry was next, and his putt rolled back off the slope to his feet. Then he made the next one for par. Expect that kind of topsy-turvy play over the next two days.

assistants Randy Wittman. Sidney Lowe and Jerry Sichting, among others. The 48-year-old Casey's coaching resume includes a stint In Japan and assistant jobs under Clem Hasklns at Western Kentucky and Eddie Sutton at Kentucky. Casey left Kentucky In 1989 after an envelope stuffed with $1,000 In cash was sent to recruit Chris Mills with Casey's name on 1L Casey coached In Japan before coming to the Sonics in 1994 to Join George Karl's staff. Casey comes to a team that has considerable talent.

Including former MVP Kevin Gamett and for tweaking, especially on the defensive end." It's the first NBA head coaching Job for Casey, who served on the Seattle bench for the past 1 1 seasons and was promoted to associate head coach when Nate McMillan took over In 2000. He replaces Kevin McHale. who served as Interim coach for 31 games after firing Flip Saunders In February. McHale. the team's vice president of basketball operations, always maintained that his coaching stint would be brief.

McHale also Interviewed San Antonio assistant PJ. Carlesimo. former coach John Lucas and Wolves ward Wally Szczerblak, but Is reeling after a disappointing season. The Timberwolves lost to the Lakers In the 2004 Western Conference finals, and were considered one of the favorites In the West when the season started. But contract squabbles, age and Injuries plagued them throughout the season.

Garnett was nagged by a sore knee for most of the season, point guard Sam Cassell dealt with multiple Injuries and a bruised ego after not receiving a contract extension In the offseason, and swlngman Latrell Sprewell vastly underperformed considering his $14 million salary. By Dave Campbell AP Sports Writer MINNEAPOLIS The Minnesota Timberwolves hired longtime Seattle assistant Dwane Casey as their new coach on Friday. Casey agreed to a five-year contract that only guarantees three years' pay. He'll be charged with turning around a team that tumbled out of the playoffs last season after making the Western Conference finals in 2004. The Timberwolves are not broke." Casey said.

They had a hiccup last season. It's not a team that's down, it Just needs a little.