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Finlandia
The Finlandia University softball team advanced to the championship round at the American Collegiate Athletic Association softball tournament with a pair of victories yesterday. The Lions began with a 10-4 win over SUNY-Delhi in the morning. Denia Bent earned the complete-game win, striking out eight. She also had two hits, and scored three runs. Kassandra Avila had three hits, and drove in four runs.
The Lions then scored five runs in the sixth inning to earn an 11-9 victory over SUNY-Canton. The Kangaroos scored all their runs in the first four innings – eight off Avila, before she was relieved by Dent. The Lions scored three in the first, and three in the third to stay within striking distance. The winning outburst in the sixth was keyed by RBI singles from Kyndell Coffman, Lopez and Bent.
Finlandia will face SUNY-Canton again today at noon in the championship match. Because the tournament is double-elimination, if the Lions lose that game, the two teams will play another contest to determine the winner.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers scored three runs in the first inning, then held off the Kansas City Royals for a 3-2 victory yesterday. Nicholas Castellanos, Victor Martinez and John Hicks each doubled home a run. Despite suffering from the flu, Jordan Zimmermann turned in five scoreless innings. Kansas City got one back against Blaine Hardy in the sixth. They scored another in the ninth, when Leonys Martin lost a ball in the shadows in centerfield, and it bounced off his forehead. With a runner on third, closer Shane Greene struck out Jon Jay with a 95 miles per hour fastball to nail down the save.
The Tigers conclude that series in Kansas City this afternoon. Matthew Boyd will pitch against Jakob Junis. Pregame coverage will begin at 1:50 on 99.3 The Lift.
Ryan Braun’s two-run double in the eighth inning lifted the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday. Jhoulys Chacín turned in a quality start, giving up a run over six innings. Josh Hader gave up two runs in the eighth, as the Pirates tied the game, but then pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win.
The Brewers host the Pirates again this afternoon. Chase Anderson will pitch against Chad Kuhl.
Milwaukee traded reliever Oliver Drake to the Cleveland Indians yesterday. Drake had been designated for assignment earlier in the week. The Indians will provide cash compensation in exchange.
NHL
In the NHL playoffs yesterday…
– Washington outskated Pittsburgh 6-3. The Capitals lead that series 3-2.
– Winnipeg defeated Nashville 6-2. The Jets lead that set 3-2.
Today…
– Boston skates at Tampa Bay. The Lightning lead that series 3-1.
– Las Vegas plays at San Jose. The Golden Knights are up 3-2 in that series.
NBA
In the NBA playoffs yesterday…
– Boston edged Philadelphia 101-98 in overtime. The Celtics lead that series 3-0.
– Cleveland got past Toronto 105-103. The Cavaliers are up 3-0 in that set.
Today…
– Golden State plays at New Orleans. The Warriors lead that series 2-1.
– Houston tips off at Utah. The Rockets lead that set 2-1.
Our high school softball coverage continues tomorrow, when Calumet plays at Lake Linden-Hubbell. The broadcast will begin around 3:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
Email sports stories and game results to mornings@up.net.