NATIONWIDE TOUR FORT SMITH CLASSIC : Going Nationwide

BY JEFFREY SLATTON

FORT SMITH — Little Rock’s Luke Bakke signed his scorecard, and walked over to his caddie. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Hogs following lead of Leavitt

BY RICK FIRES

FAYETTEVILLE — Chase Leavitt is getting his batting stroke down and his batting average up at just the right time for Arkansas. - Friday, May 9, 2008

NBA PLAYOFFS : Celtics regain shooting touch

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON — Paul Pierce and Ray Allen found their shooting touch. LeBron James can only hope he left his in Cleveland. - Friday, May 9, 2008

7 birdies let Garcia take lead

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The flag was in a tempting location, back and left on the 13th green at the TPC Sawgrass with a pond running alongside the left side. Sergio Garcia took dead aim with a 7-iron and the ball never left its target. - Friday, May 9, 2008

‘Two Gloves’ uses hot hand off greens

BY JEFFREY SLATTON

FORT SMITH — The rain held off and Tommy Gainey poured it on Thursday morning. - Friday, May 9, 2008

LIKE IT IS : Pay tribute to Eells by teeing it up at Greystone

WALLY HALL

It might not be for a championship and it might not be the most prestigious golf tournament in the state, but it is one that has become one of the most emotional. - Friday, May 9, 2008

DIGEST

Steady Shaddy Senior pitcher Taylor Shaddy (above) has made a difference for Fayetteville ever since breaking into the starting rotation as a sophomore, and the Bulldogs see no reason for that to change heading into the Class 7A state tournament this weekend. 8C UALR cuts tennis UALR will announce today that it is discontinuing its men’s tennis program in a move that is being made primarily to keep the program in line with Title IX regulations. 5C Naturals top Cardinals Kila Kaaihue hit his 10th home run Thursday as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Springfield Cardinals, 6-2. 7C Thursday’s results HOCKEY NHL PLAYOFFS Detroit 4, Dallas 1 Detroit leads series 1-0 BASEBALL NATIONAL LEAGUE Pittsburgh 5, San Francisco 4 Atlanta 5, San Diego 4 Colorado 9, St. Louis 3 Arizona 8, Philadelphia 3 Florida 7, Milwaukee 2 Washington 8, Houston 3 AMERICAN LEAGUE NY Yankees 6, Cleveland 3 Chicago White Sox 6, Minnesota 2 Boston 5, Detroit 1 Baltimore 4, Kansas City 1 Tampa Bay 8,Toronto 3 Texas at Seattle, (n) - Friday, May 9, 2008

Off the wire

— Democrat-Gazette Press Services

BASKETBALL Bryant unanimous pick Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant added another honor Thursday to go with his MVP award, becoming the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team. He was voted to the first team for the third consecutive season and sixth time in his career. He averaged 28.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists this season, playing in all 82 games. Joining Bryant on the first team were New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, who was three votes shy of being a unanimous pick, along with Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. Garnett was a first-team pick for the fourth time, and James made his second appearance. Paul and Howard were first-timers. Garnett, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 18.8 points, a team-high 9.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Paul averaged 21.1 points a game and a league-high 11.6 assists and 2.7 steals. James was the league’s leading scorer with 30 points a game. Voting was done by a - Friday, May 9, 2008

COMMENTARY : College football playoffs non-negotiable

BY KIRK BOHLS AUSTIN (TEXAS) AMERICAN-STATESMAN

AUSTIN, Texas — We enter Year 11 of college football held hostage. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Second thoughts

Compiled by Mike Marino

Pitcher has ‘crazy’ day in Denver The odds of hitting for the cycle and pitching a perfect game in one game are considerable. - Friday, May 9, 2008

WESTERN CONFERENCE : Red Wings heat up early

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT — Johan Franzen, Brian Rafalski and Tomas Holmstrom scored power-play goals for the Detroit Red Wings, who built a big lead in the second period and coasted to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference final Thursday night. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Fort Smith Classic report

By Marty Cook

Co-leader feels fine, plays fine FORT SMITH — First-round coleader Kris Cox was happy to be in the lead of the Fort Smith Classic on Thursday and feeling fine. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Between rounds with ... Won Joon Lee

— Marty Cook

Born in Seoul, South Korea, but raised in Australia since he was 4, Lee didn’t start playing golf until he was 14. Lee, 22, is a Nationwide Tour rookie who has made $4,582 in six events this year, but he shot 3 under Thursday to put himself on the early leaderboard. Lee was a basketball standout before taking up golf fulltime, although he stills plays pick-up games when he can. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Fort Smith Classic at a glance

— Jeffrey Slatton

WHAT Nationwide Fort Smith Classic WHEN Second round begins at 7:20 a.m. today WHERE Hardscrabble Country Club, Fort Smith TICKETS $10 and available at the gate LEADING Tommy Gainey, Kris Cox and Matt Weibring are tied for the lead at 6-under-par 64 LOCALS Former Arkansas Razorback Rich Morris shot 3-under-par 67 to lead the way Thursday. Other locals to break par were Glen Day (-1 ) and Grant Masson (-1 ) - Friday, May 9, 2008

Hard to find fault in UA’s seniors

BY ROB KEYS

FAYETTEVILLE — When Audrey Bordeleau and Maryori Franco reported for their freshman seasons at Arkansas, the Lady Razorbacks tennis team had lost 40 consecutive matches against SEC opponents. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Earnhardt sees ‘Intimidator’ in Busch

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Busch just might have a little “Intimidator” in him. - Friday, May 9, 2008

UALR cutting men’s tennis program

BY JEFFREY SLATTON

UALR will announce today it is discontinuing its men’s tennis program. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Daly 3 back following 67

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MILAN, Italy — John Daly, the former Arkansas Razorbacks golfer from Dardanelle, shot a 5-under-par 67 Thursday to trail co-leaders Ross McGowan and Marco Ruiz by three strokes after the first round of the Italian Open. - Friday, May 9, 2008

NATIONAL LEAGUE : Webb beats Phillies to remain perfect after 8 starts

The Associated Press PHOENIX — Brandon Webb became the first pitcher to win his first eight starts in three years, tossing his 13th career complete game to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on Thursday. - Friday, May 9, 2008

TEXAS LEAGUE : Kaaihue powers Naturals back into lead in division

BY RICH POLIKOFF

SPRINGDALE — Back to.500, back in a tie for first place. - Friday, May 9, 2008

THE RECRUITING GUY : UA eyes Alabama cornerback

RICHARD DAVENPORT

Arkansas has its eye on another top prospect from Mobile (Ala.) Davidson. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Naturals at a glance

— Rich Polikoff

WHAT Springfield at Northwest Arkansas WHEN 7:30 Central tonight WHERE Arvest Ballpark, Springdale RADIO KURM-AM, 790, in Northwest Arkansas WEB SITE www.nwanaturals.com PROMOTIONS Friday Night Bash and postgame fireworks, presented by Kix 104, KNWA and Fox 24. It is also Northwest Arkansas Community College affiliation night, when students presenting a valid student ID receive $1 off tickets for reserved or lawn seats. PITCHING MATCHUP Naturals: Blake Johnson (RHP, 2-2, 4.35); Drillers: Tyler Herron (RHP, 0-0, 7.36). Johnson pitched six shutout innings in his most recent start, earning a victory against Tulsa. Herron is making only his second start since being promoted from advanced Class A Palm Beach. He went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA for Palm Beach. SHORT HOPS Johnson has made three starts at Arvest Ballpark, shutting out Tulsa and Corpus Christi, but he took the loss against Springfield on April 24 when he gave up 4 runs on 7 hits over 4 2 /3 innings. ... Naturals first baseman Kila Kaaihue reached base twice W - Friday, May 9, 2008

State tournaments

BASEBALL CLASS 7A at Burns Park (North Little Rock) TODAY’S GAMES Game 1 Bryant vs. Van Buren, 4 p.m. Game 2 Rogers vs. Pine Bluff, 4 p.m. Game 3 FS Southside vs. Cabot, 6:30 p.m. Game 4 Conway vs. Bentonville, 6:30 p.m. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Petrino’s addition just adds to Fayetteville’s riches

BY ROB KEYS

FAYETTEVILLE — Given the fact he teaches history every day before assuming his role as Fayetteville’s softball coach, Jason Shirey might know it was Andrew Jackson who first espoused the notion that the rich tend to get richer. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Bulldogs can count on always steady Shaddy

BY ROB KEYS

FAYETTEVILLE — When Fayetteville Coach Vance Arnold thinks of Taylor Shaddy’s first season with the Bulldogs, he remembers a skinny sophomore who he wasn’t sure was ready to be tested by the heat of varsity play. - Friday, May 9, 2008

State sports briefs

— Democrat-Gazette Staff and Press Services

FOOTBALL Arkansas State RB Brown suspended Arkansas State Coach Steve Roberts announced Thursday that sophomore running back Preston Brown has been suspended indefinitely from the team while facts are gathered surrounding a violation of team rules. “I am aware of the situation with Preston Brown and once all the facts have been gathered, we will move forward accordingly and a final decision on his status as a member of the ASU football team will be made,” Roberts said. Brown played in 10 games last season as a redshirt freshman, rushing for 298 yards and a touchdown on 54 carries. Brown also made 20 receptions for 192 yards and another touchdown. - Friday, May 9, 2008

SEC report

By Chris Cocoles

SEC race big mess in middle With two weekends remaining in the SEC regular season, only the top and bottom looks clear-cut with Georgia comfortably ahead of everyone else and Mississippi State likely to finish last overall. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Weekend matchup

— Chris Cocoles

KEY MATCHUP S. Carolina’s Reese Havens vs. Arkansas’ Justin Wells It’s crucial for Arkansas to start fast this weekend, and tonight’s pitcher, Justin Wells, gets the first look at a South Carolina lineup that boasts four players with 13 or more home runs. - Friday, May 9, 2008

Razorbacks at a glance

— Rick Fires

WHEN 6:35 Central tonight WHERE Baum Stadium, Fayetteville RADIO Arkansas Razorback Radio Network, which includes KFAY-AM, 1030, in Fayetteville ; KURM-AM, 790, in Rogers/Springdale; KWBF-FM, 101.1, in Little Rock; KHGG-FM, 103.1, in Fort Smith and KOMT-FM, 107.5, in Mountain Home. PITCHING MATCHUP South Carolina: Will Atwood (LHP, 5-2, 4.33 ERA). Arkansas: Justin Wells (RHP, 3-1, 5.52 ERA). Atwood has won five of his eight SEC starts, and he’s coming off his first career complete game in a victory over Florida last weekend. Wells pitched into the eighth inning last week while suffering his first loss, 11-6 to Alabama. He struck out 10 but allowed 12 hits and 8 runs. SHORT HOPS Arkansas first baseman Andy Wilkins could return to the lineup this weekend after missing several games with a pulled muscle in his upper body. “I’ve got him in the hitting group and so far, so good,” Coach Dave Van Horn said. “It can all change with one swing, but we’ll see how it goes in batting practice. If he’s OK, we’ll try to get - Friday, May 9, 2008

Charting the progress

BY TOM MURPHY

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino released the first depth chart of his Razorbacks tenure Wednesday, reiterating his belief that some of Arkansas’ freshman signees will have to break into the two-deep in the fall. - Thursday, May 8, 2008