Hawaii Tribune-Herald from Hilo, Hawaii • 11

Hawaii Tribune-Herald Thursday, February 26, 2009 B3 VULCANS From Page B1 A-Rod homers in spring debut SPORTS be great for our program. We think we can win. They're coming in out of the snow to open their season and we've got 14 games under our belts." That's the good news for the Vulcans. The bad news is they're going hunting for bear and the bear is hungry and wearing body armor. The Eagles are a seniorladen squad, with eight seniors, including their top hitters back from their championship season.

It's sort of a last run with seniors Erb and sluggers Amanda Roosa (.352, 13 homers, 61 RBIs) and Sarah Norris (.329, Then there's the mystery of Erb, who's listed at 5 feet 6. She's small, but resembles a pitching giant, and, according to the coaching grapevine, throws hard. Perreira doesn't have any tape on her (nothing on YouTube) but he has heard from other coaches that she works the ball at 64-mph and above, which rates as Olympic-caliber speed, said Perreira. He noted that U.S. Olympian pitcher Cat Osterman throws 64-mph and teammate Monica Abbott fires softballs at 70-mph or equivalent to a 100-mph baseball.

"Cat throws at 64-mph but her ball moves all over the place," Perreira said. "In comparison, Sarah Weisskopf throws at 60-mph on a good day and Amber Waracka is about 61 or 62 mph." However, Christina Pedroza was the most productive pitcher for UHH during the road trip, winning one game, saving another, and firing a two-hitter in a 1-0 loss. toward the end of the trip, pitched two great games and came in and held down a victory," Perreira said. "Jessica Schatz, our freshman catcher, had a lot of key hits. HOOPS From Page B1 past, but they're showing signs that they could make a run in the postseason.

"We've had teams that have maybe had more names, in some ways," Calhoun said. "But this team is getting to be pretty good. A performance like tonight gives you a hint that we can really do some special things." Jerel McNeal scored 26 points for the Golden Eagles, who managed to stay in contention until the final few minutes despite losing James. Williams acknowledged that Marquette is a "different team" with James at the point, but said he wouldn't allow the players to use his injury as an excuse. "We'll be accountable, win or lose," he said.

be grown in how we handle it, because that's part of life. I tell our guys all the time, life is fragile. The success that we've had up until this point, it's fragile." Marquette led by one point with 7:15 remaining after a jumper by McNeal, but Connecticut regained control with an 11-0 run that included three three-point plays one by Kemba Walker and two by Robinson on consecutive possessions that put the Huskies up 82- 74 with 4:28 remaining. Marquette rallied again to cut the lead to three on a pull-up jumper by. McNeal with 2:28 left.

And the Golden Eagles appeared to come up with a defensive stop when Price missed a driving layup, but McNeal was called for a loose ball foul and Jeff Adrien hit two free throws to extend the lead to five. Price then hit the big 3- pointer from the left wing with 1:10 remaining and added two free throws to put Connecticut ahead 91-81 with 45.5 seconds left. Perhaps surprisingly, the Huskies didn't do much to involve 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet on offense much in the first half, very "Sarah was not close to herself. Hopefully, she picks it up and she should because she's a good pitcher. Amber kept us in a lot of games." For the season, Schatz is hitting .481 (13 of 27); the offense's highest average.

Outfielder Sierra Green .333 (16 of 48) and shortstop Nicole Alconcel .333 (12 of 36) are the other top hitters. So how does a team dent a pitcher like Erb? "We've not faced anyone who throws 64-mph." Perreira said. "And we haven't seen her movement. It's a matter of adjusting to the speed and the strike zone and not being intimidated. "We have to go up there, stay within ourselves, put the ball in play and make things happen." Unlike baseball pitchers, softball pitchers don't put a taxing strain on their arm.

That means an ace is able to shoulder the load for an entire staff. Lock Haven logged innings last year. Only innings weren't pitched by the rubber-armed Erb, who, basically, never gives an opponent a break. "I think she'll be in at every opportunity," Perreira said. "The better teams ride one pitcher all season." Meanwhile, the road trip inflated the numbers for Pedroza (1-2, 4.98 ERA), Weisskopf (2-3, 3.90 ERA) and Waracka (2-4, 2.55 ERA), but Pereira believes brighter days are ahead even with a hungry bear sitting at their dinner table.

"The team showed a lot of togetherness," Perreira said. "We showed a lot of energy. At times we were down because we felt like everything was going against us. "But they kept battling and came back with two victories. Overall, we have a lot more confidence than what we started with." despite having a significant size advantage over Marquette's tallest starter, 6-8 Dwight Burke.

But Thabeet scored nine of his 14 points in the second half and finished with 15 rebounds. Thabeet remained a force on defense throughout the game, blocking five shots and altering just about anything Marquette did in the paint. Although Calhoun could celebrate a big win and a milestone after a game -his wife promised to serve cake when he got home he still couldn't quite get past his recent dustup with a freelance journalist. No. 7 Duke 78, Maryland 67 COLLEGE PARK.

Md. This game was far more typical of the Maryland-Duke. rivalry, even if the result was quite familiar. Gerald Henderson scored 19 points, Jon Scheyer hit a kenh 3-pointer with 1:54 left, and the Blue Devils spoiled Maryland's bid for another upset with a 78-67 victory Wednesday night. Duke blew away the Terrapins 85-44 last month, but Maryland was coming off a surprise win over thenNo.

3 North Carolina: So the Blue Devils had a feeling it wouldn't be nearly so easy this time around. "The last time we played them they were really going in a different direction," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "We knew it would be a vintage Maryland team and we knew it would be a vintage Maryland crowd. This is a tough place to win." The fans were on their feet long before the opening tip, and many. of the students remained standing throughout.

Several carried signs, of which read. "DUKE HATES PUPPIES." It was 60-all with 5:44 left, but by the time Scheyer's pivotal shot from beyond are made it 72-63, the volume of the sellout crowd had already: dropped several decibels. "We kind of seized the game there." Krzyzewski said. Elliot Williams had 15 points and Scheyer added 12. for the Blue Devils (23-5, 9-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who ended a game road losing streak in the conference.

Duke has won four straight over Maryland for the first time since 1997-2000. was definitely a big. big win for us," Duke's Kyle Singler said. "We knew coming in it would be a tough game. Maryland is playing well after their big win against North Carolina, but we stuck together and at the end of the game.

we hit big shots." Landon Milbourne scored 19 points for Maryland (17-10, 6-7). which played much of the second half without leading scorer Greivis Vasquez. who was saddled with foul trouble. Taunts, boos do not bother Yank star's solid day Associated Press Instead of apologizing about steroids, Alex Rodriguez was swinging for the fences. Taunted and booed by opposing fans in the Yankees' spring training opener, Rodriguez homered and drew two walks Wednesday in a 6-1 victory over Toronto that was anything but routine.

Rodriguez then got into an SUV that, according to the New York: Post's Web site, was driven by Yuri Sucart the person identified as the cousin who provided Rodriguez with performance-enhancing drugs. Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said he could not confirm the identity of the driver. It was Rodriguez's first game since admitting he took banned drugs from 2001-03 with Texas. He left after drawing a walk in the fifth inning, and signed autographs for five minutes before calling it a day. "When you're playing, it's hard to focus on standing ovations or boos.

You're just trying to go out there and do your Rodriguez said in Dunedin, Fla. "Again, I didn't see anything that was bad at all." There were lots of cheers for the three-time AL MVP, a smattering of boos and occasional catcalls from the crowd of 5,014 at mostly filled Dunedin Stadium. The New York third baseman walked on five pitches in the first inning. Many in the crowd stood and cheered as he circled the bases after hitting a tiebreaking, tworun homer off Ricky Romero in the fourth. "I'm just excited to be playing baseball," Rodriguez said.

"Everything else is confusing, but baseball is what I do best. It's what I get paid to do. I'm just happy to be doing it again." By the third time Rodriguez went to the plate. hecklers who earlier shouted "Hey, A-Rod, where's your cousin?" and "Madonna" were drowned out by applause. Rodriguez had said he was prepared for whatever reception he He high-fived teammate Robinson Cano as he crossed the plate after his homer, and received more cheers when he trotted up the left-field line to the clubhouse.

"Maybe I'm just so used to it," the 33-year-old slugger said of the reception. the WBC. Beltre wants to test his surgically repaired shoulder in a couple of spring training games. The initial test will come today against San Diego, according to Mariners, manager Don Wakamatsu. In other spring training games: OPT New York's Alex Rodriguez rounds second base after hitting a two-run, fourth-inning home run against Toronto in the first game of spring training baseball Wednesday.

"It's been a decade for me, going at it. I just felt really relaxed." Earlier, manager Joe Girardi talked to Rodriguez during the short ride on the team bus from Tampa to Dunedin, where Yankees fans arrived early and gave A-Rod a polite reception. There were some boos mixed with cheers during pregame introductions and again when he strolled to' the plate for the first time. "We weren't quite sure what it would be like today. It was a mixture of both." Girardi said.

"We talked a little bit about today. Told him, we're with you the whole way. We're going to be here no matter what happens. I can't pretend to know what it's like to be in Alex's shoes." Rodriguez is expected to be in the lineup again today, when the Yankees play their first home exhibition against Tampa Bay. At Fort Myers, Josh Beckett pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts in his first spring training outing and said he felt fine after a Red Sox split squad beat Boston College 7-1 in a seven-inning game.

"Even though it was a college team, you still have that adrenaline." Beckett said. "It was nice to get out of there and just feel good." The right-hander is healthy again and poised to reclaim his spot as the ace of the Red Sox. Injuries to his back, elbow and side prevented him from keeping that job last year. "I was actually just having a conversation with David Ortiz about that." Beckett said. "It's a lot easier to focus on what you're trying to do when you're not dealing with those little nagging things that end up being exterior distractions." In other news, Cleveland closer Kerry Wood has a sore back.

Wood, who has a long history of arm injuries with the Chicago Cubs, hasn't thrown off a mound since last weekend and the Indians will rest him for a few more days before he pitches again. Minnesota right-hander Boof Bonser is expected to miss the entire season after arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder detected partial tears in his labrum and rota-: tor cuff. Seattle lefty Ryan Feierabend might need season-ending surgery on his: injured pitching elbow. Colorado lefty Jeff Francis had arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder at a Denver-area clinic and will likely miss the whole season. Miguel won't play for the Dominican Republic in next month's World Baseball Classic.

Tejada and Astros manager Cecil Cooper said the Dominican team's request that the shortstop play first base during the tournament was a major factor in the decision. Also, Adrian Beltre wants a few more days to decide whether to defy the Mariners and play for the Dominican Republic in Giants 10, Indians 7 At Goodyear. Hall of Famer Bob Feller threw out the ceremonial first pitch and four F- 16 fighter jets screamed by in a fly-over as the Cleveland Indians christened their. new spring training home. First baseman Travis Ishikawa homered twice.

Nate Schierholtz hit a two-run shot: and NL. Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum worked one scoreless inning for the Giants. Padres 4, Mariners 3 10 innings At Peoria. Jake Peavy breezed through a scoreless inning for San Diego in a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic. Mets 9, Orioles 3 At Fort Lauderdale, Luis Castillo looked more like a cleanup hitter than a leadoff man.

In his new role atop the Mets' lineup. Castillo drove in four runs with a single and a double, and New York got three RBIs from Ryan Church. Marlins 5, Cardinals 5 10 innings At Jupiter. Hanley Ramirez embraced his move to the third spot in the order, hitting a two-run homer for Florida, which committed four errors." Astros 6, Nationals 3 At Kissimmee, Mike Hampton escaped a bases-loaded. none-out jam and worked two scoreless innings in his first outing for Houston since 1999.

Tigers 5, Braves 4 At Lakeland. Justin Verlander staked an early claim to regain his role as Detroit's ace. throwing two shutout innings. Pirates 8, Phillies 2 At Bradenton, Jamie Moyer pitched scoreless innings, but the World Series champions lost their spring training opener. Reds 7, Rays 0 Al Port Charlotte.

Carlos Hernandez faced major league hitters for the first time in three years and tossed two hitless innings for the AL. champs, who opened their new park after moving their spring training headquarters downstate from St. Petersburg, Angels 12, White Sox 3 At Tempe. Mike Napoli hit a two-run double for Los Angeles. The game drew 2.246 fans at Tempe Diablo Stadium, which has a capacity of 9.558.

Cubs 5, Dodgers 3 At Mesa, Micah Hoffpauir hit a grand slam for Chi- Associated Press cago. Brewers 3, Athletics 3 10 innings At Phoenix. Trevor Hoffman pitched a scoreless seventh inning in his first appearance with Milwaukee. Corey Hart homered. singled and stole a base for the Brewers.

Rangers 12, Royals 7 At Surprise. Josh Hamilton. Hank Blalock and Nelson Cruz homered for Texas. Kris Benson, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2006. allowed one run and two hits in two crisp innings, Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 3 At Tucson, Aaron Cook threw two scoreless innings for Colorado in front of a crowd of 3.327.

less than half the capacity for Hi Corbett Field. Twins 5, Red Sox 2 At Fort Myers. Glen Perkins pitched two shutout innings to help Minnesota beat Tim Wakefield and a Boston split squad. Hilo's Nelson will fight in UFC 96 By JOHN BURNETT Tribune-Herald staff writer BJ Penn's Mixed Martial Arts Academy has been well represented on recent UFC fight cards. Penn, the UFC lightweight champion, co-headlined UFC 94 on Jan.

31, and "Rude Boy" Troy Mandaloniz fought on the UFC 95 undercard on Feb. 21. UFC 96, March 5 at Columbus, Ohio, is no exception. Hilo lightweight "Sugar" Shane Nelson (11- 3) will be on the undercard against Aaron Riley (27-10-1), and Maui's Kendall Grove (9-5) will fight against Jason Day (17-7) on the same bill. Nelson.

24, was one of 16 hopefuls on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 8 and won his official UFC debut on the show's live finale Dec. 13 with a split decision over George Roop. "I'm just stoked to be in the UFC." he said. "It's a dream come true and I'm totally prepared. I feel the pressure is all on Aaron Riley.

He's the veteran with almost 40 fights. I'm relatively unknown besides the show, so this is a great chance for me to break into the spotlight." Nelson will be paid $8,000 to fight Riley, 28. of Herndon, and an $8.000 bonus if he wins. The fight night bonuses doled out by the UFC's sugar daddy. President Dana White, give the preliminary fighters a shot at: some bigger bucks.

Riley's last fight, against Jorge Gurgel on UFC 91, took Fight of the Night honors. "That's a $60,000 bonus, I think." he said. "I think we'll give the fight fans a treat. He can hit me with everything he's got and I'll keep coming forward and make it an exciting night. I.

know he likes to stand and trade and I'm planning on staying in the pocket and trading with him. If I need to, I can take him down: I think I'm better on the ground, as well." Riley has been training with Joe "Daddy" Stevenson in his desert camp near Victorville, Calif. Nelson has been working with Grove and Mandaloniz at Penn's 639 Kinoole St. gym under the tutelage of Penn's brothers, Jay Dee and Reagan. Nelson's main sparring partner for this bout has been Hilo welterweight Ross "Da Boss" Ebanez.

"Riley's a southpaw, and I'm a southpaw, so I've been sparring Ross Boss' Shane Nelson is hoping to move up in the tough UFC. because he's a southpaw." Nelson said. "He's a welterweight, as well, and after the weigh-in, we're expecting Riley to be Ross' size. He'll come into the octagon at about 170." On one episode of TUF8, a drunken Nelson was shown antagonizing the eventual winner Efrain Escuedo, an incident that became rant fodder for the MMA blogosphere. "When it showed.

1 got a little backlash from it." Nelson noted. "What a lot of people don't realize. it's reality TV. They don't show everything that happens. They show the parts that viewers want to turn into.

That time I got trashed, they showed that. What they didn't show is me apologizing and making amends with everybody. From that day forward, we didn't have any While the contracts for TUF call for ejection of any house member who touches another outside of training or a bout, the show does its utmost to foster that type of confrontational atmosphere. Picture this: 16 young alpha male fighters in one house with no women, no iPods, iPhones or Internet access, and an almost endless supply of alcohol. "The boredom in the house is insane." Nelson said.

"We train only four hours out of the day, so you figure the rest of the we're in the house with each other with no TV. no radio. no phone, no nothing. So what do we turn to, us 20-somethings? We turn to alcohol. and that makes for some drama." Nelson said that one lesson he's learned is to save the boorish behavior for inside the octagon, wb it's appreciated.

ever ebrated. "I'm looking.com giving the want ioneds sot We.