Stories from Saturday, April 18, 2009


COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Brooks Raley scatted two hits over 7.1 innings, as No. 23 Texas A&M took the opening game of the series with an 8-2 victory over Nebraska Friday night at Olsen Field. Raley (7-1) fanned four and allowed only two hits, as he pitched into the eighth for Texas A&M (23-14, 9-7 Big 12)...

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Hastings College softball team swept Dordt College Friday night in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Lady Broncos won game one 9-4 and shutout the Defenders in game two, 6-0. In game one, Chelsey Woodside was credited with the win as she gave up four runs off five hits while striking out four batters. Woodside also led Hastings at the plate as she was 3 for 4 with one double...

LINCOLN -- Forget the calendar; Nebraska football fans mark the first day of spring on the day of the Huskers' Red-White scrimmage game. Fans will flock to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday for the game. Coach Bo Pelini said this week that fans will get a look at three quarterbacks who've all had solid performances on the practice field in recent weeks. They are Zac Lee, true freshman Cody Green and converted linebacker Latravis Washington...

LINCOLN -- It was a perfect start and finish for Courtney Kupets, and a perfect ending to Suzanne Yoculan's 26-year career at Georgia. The Gym Dawgs sent out their retiring coach with a fifth straight national title and record 10th overall at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships on Friday night...

LINCOLN -- Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson says radio and TV talk show personalities are distorting the public debate on critical issues with bias and misinformation. The Democrat pointed the finger at personalities on both the right and the left during a speech to the Nebraska Public Policy Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Friday. He said facts often get "in the way of a good rant."...

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Gil Meche didn't look like somebody who hates pitching in Rangers Ballpark, and his Kansas City Royals teammates certainly didn't seem like the worst-hitting team in the majors. Meche pitched into the seventh without allowing a run, Mark Teahen assumed his new role by going 5-for-6 with a homer and the Royals beat the Texas Rangers 12-3 on Friday night...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Millions of Americans may be facing unemployment, but 53 plum jobs came open Friday in Kansas City. The money is awesome. The requirements are tough. Real tough. Applicants must be young, strong, well coordinated, physically skilled and male...

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Danny Woodhead walks around the New York Jets' locker room looking as if he's just somebody's kid brother. After all, he's only 5-foot-7½ and a tuft of chin hair is the only proof that he's even old enough to shave. He might not look the part, but the former NCAA career rushing leader certainly believes he belongs in the NFL...