No. 3 Hawai'i Pacific used a four-run rally in the fifth inning and then escaped a tense bases-loaded predicament in the final frame to beat No. 2 Valdosta State, 4-3, today to win its first NCAA Division II Softball National Championship at Heritage Park in St. Joseph, Mo.
The Sea Warriors (50-8) went 4-0 in the in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament. The Blazers (50-9) went unbeaten in their bracket, setting up the championship.
***
Hawaii Pacific ace Sherise Musquiz trotted out for her 31st inning of Memorial Day weekend, needing to throw one more scoreless frame to seal a title.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wahine walk off to World Series
The team that lives by the home run is still alive, thanks to the most dramatic one of them all.
Jenna Rodriguez hit a walk-off, two-run blast that just stayed inside the left-field foul pole with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to punch Hawaii's ticket to the Women's College World Series.
One out from elimination at the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, 16th-seeded Hawaii defeated top-seeded Alabama 5-4 to take the best-of-three series. Hawaii will play Missouri in a first-round game Thursday at 7 a.m. Hawaii time in Oklahoma City.
The Rainbow Wahine (49-14) advanced by extending their national-record home run total by two, running it to 154. Every run UH scored yesterday came by home run, and all five runs came off the bat of Rodriguez.
The junior from Arcadia, Calif., came to the islands via Yavapai College, a two-year school in Arizona where she won a national junior college championship last season. She brought with her a mentality that came in handy when she stepped into the batter's box with the Hawaii season on the line.
The Rainbow Wahine trailed 4-3 and had struck out 16 times by the time Rodriguez came up as the last hope. With leadoff batter Kelly Majam on first after drawing a walk, Rodriguez blasted the game-winner off the first pitch from Alabama ace Kelsi Dunne.
"Going through my head, my dad has always told me you want to be that person up with two outs, and thrive on it," Rodriguez said. "I came up there knowing I was going to hit because I had been hitting her all day, and I came out on top."
Rodriguez went 3-for-4, starting with a three-run shot in the first inning that gave Hawaii early control.
Both teams held their breath while Rodriguez's game-winner sailed down the line, waiting to see if it would drift foul or stay fair.
"I knew it had a chance of going foul," she said. "I stood there and watched it, because I had to know if it was going foul or fair."
It stayed inside the foul pole, and a small, but loud, group of Hawaii supporters in the stands began their celebration.
***
The University of Hawai‘i softball team’s post-season run to the 2010 Women’s College World Series catapulted the ‘Bows to No. 7 in both the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association and the ESPN.com/USA Softball final polls. It is the highest finish for the Rainbow Wahine in school history.
Hawai‘i posted a 50-16 overall record—hitting the 50-win mark for just the third time—en route to its first ever appearance in the WCWS. The ‘Bows won both the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles before sweeping through the Stanford Regional, where they defeated UC Davis, No. 15/17 Stanford and Texas Tech. Hawai‘i, the 16th seed in the NCAA tournament, then won the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, defeating the No. 1 seed Alabama. The ‘Bows lost the first game, 8-0 in five innings, but bounced back and held on to an 8-7 win in the second game of the double header that snapped the Crimson Tide’s 28-game win streak. Hawa‘i then punched their ticket to the WCWS on Jenna Rodriguez’s dramatic two-run, two-out, walk off home run to defeat Alabama, 5-4.
The Rainbow Wahine entered the postseason ranked 19th in the ESPN.com poll and 23rd in the NFCA poll. In the WCWS, UH defeated Missouri before losing to Arizona and eventual champion, UCLA, to close their season.
Hawai‘i shattered the previous NCAA single season home record of 134 set last season by Arizona with 158 homers this season. Eight Rainbow Wahine had at least 11 home runs, lead by All-American Kelly Majam’s NCAA-best, 30. Thirteen different UH players hit at least one round-tripper this season. The ‘Bows also set new single-season records in most runs scored (488), most RBI (449), most doubles (92), most walks (185), and most hits (578).
***
BRISTOL, Conn.—University of Hawai`i centerfielder, Kelly Majam, was named an ESPN.com All-American on Monday. Majam is the first Rainbow Wahine to ever be selected for the honor by ESPN.com.
Majam, one of UH’s freshman phenoms, finished as the NCAA DI home run queen with 30—a new UH and WAC record. Majam is the first Hawai`i player to ever lead the nation in home runs. She also set new school marks with 81 runs scored and 44 walks. Majam led the 'Bows this season with a .400 average (84-for-210) while hitting 15 doubles, two triples, and driving in 60 runs. On defense, she had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 79 put-outs and six assists in centerfield.
On top of leading the nation in home runs, Majam ended the 2010 season ranked fourth in the NCAA DI with 1.23 runs scored per game; fifth with a .919 slugging percentage; 27th with a .519 on-base percentage; and 42nd in batting average at .400.
Jenna Rodriguez hit a walk-off, two-run blast that just stayed inside the left-field foul pole with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to punch Hawaii's ticket to the Women's College World Series.
One out from elimination at the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, 16th-seeded Hawaii defeated top-seeded Alabama 5-4 to take the best-of-three series. Hawaii will play Missouri in a first-round game Thursday at 7 a.m. Hawaii time in Oklahoma City.
The Rainbow Wahine (49-14) advanced by extending their national-record home run total by two, running it to 154. Every run UH scored yesterday came by home run, and all five runs came off the bat of Rodriguez.
The junior from Arcadia, Calif., came to the islands via Yavapai College, a two-year school in Arizona where she won a national junior college championship last season. She brought with her a mentality that came in handy when she stepped into the batter's box with the Hawaii season on the line.
The Rainbow Wahine trailed 4-3 and had struck out 16 times by the time Rodriguez came up as the last hope. With leadoff batter Kelly Majam on first after drawing a walk, Rodriguez blasted the game-winner off the first pitch from Alabama ace Kelsi Dunne.
"Going through my head, my dad has always told me you want to be that person up with two outs, and thrive on it," Rodriguez said. "I came up there knowing I was going to hit because I had been hitting her all day, and I came out on top."
Rodriguez went 3-for-4, starting with a three-run shot in the first inning that gave Hawaii early control.
Both teams held their breath while Rodriguez's game-winner sailed down the line, waiting to see if it would drift foul or stay fair.
"I knew it had a chance of going foul," she said. "I stood there and watched it, because I had to know if it was going foul or fair."
It stayed inside the foul pole, and a small, but loud, group of Hawaii supporters in the stands began their celebration.
***
The University of Hawai‘i softball team’s post-season run to the 2010 Women’s College World Series catapulted the ‘Bows to No. 7 in both the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association and the ESPN.com/USA Softball final polls. It is the highest finish for the Rainbow Wahine in school history.
Hawai‘i posted a 50-16 overall record—hitting the 50-win mark for just the third time—en route to its first ever appearance in the WCWS. The ‘Bows won both the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles before sweeping through the Stanford Regional, where they defeated UC Davis, No. 15/17 Stanford and Texas Tech. Hawai‘i, the 16th seed in the NCAA tournament, then won the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, defeating the No. 1 seed Alabama. The ‘Bows lost the first game, 8-0 in five innings, but bounced back and held on to an 8-7 win in the second game of the double header that snapped the Crimson Tide’s 28-game win streak. Hawa‘i then punched their ticket to the WCWS on Jenna Rodriguez’s dramatic two-run, two-out, walk off home run to defeat Alabama, 5-4.
The Rainbow Wahine entered the postseason ranked 19th in the ESPN.com poll and 23rd in the NFCA poll. In the WCWS, UH defeated Missouri before losing to Arizona and eventual champion, UCLA, to close their season.
Hawai‘i shattered the previous NCAA single season home record of 134 set last season by Arizona with 158 homers this season. Eight Rainbow Wahine had at least 11 home runs, lead by All-American Kelly Majam’s NCAA-best, 30. Thirteen different UH players hit at least one round-tripper this season. The ‘Bows also set new single-season records in most runs scored (488), most RBI (449), most doubles (92), most walks (185), and most hits (578).
***
BRISTOL, Conn.—University of Hawai`i centerfielder, Kelly Majam, was named an ESPN.com All-American on Monday. Majam is the first Rainbow Wahine to ever be selected for the honor by ESPN.com.
Majam, one of UH’s freshman phenoms, finished as the NCAA DI home run queen with 30—a new UH and WAC record. Majam is the first Hawai`i player to ever lead the nation in home runs. She also set new school marks with 81 runs scored and 44 walks. Majam led the 'Bows this season with a .400 average (84-for-210) while hitting 15 doubles, two triples, and driving in 60 runs. On defense, she had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 79 put-outs and six assists in centerfield.
On top of leading the nation in home runs, Majam ended the 2010 season ranked fourth in the NCAA DI with 1.23 runs scored per game; fifth with a .919 slugging percentage; 27th with a .519 on-base percentage; and 42nd in batting average at .400.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Darnell Arceneaux named St. Louis coach (again)
After a week of contemplation and soul searching, Darnell Arceneaux looked to the future.
His decision to return to coach football at Saint Louis, where he coached in 2003, had as much to do with family as anything. The increase in salary that Saint Louis offered was too much to refuse.
"I would never have left Mililani unless I could really improve the security of my family," he said. "We've got three children: Chloe is a sophomore, Cole is 10 and we just had a baby girl, El, who's five months old. Furloughs this year kind of hurt my wife and me (both teachers). We both took a pay cut. And they want us to work three extra days for free."
***
'Iolani has hired former Saint Louis football coach Delbert Tengan as its new defensive coordinator.
After weeks of speculation, Raiders coach Wendell Look confirmed the hiring yesterday afternoon.
"It's a good fit for us," Look said. "Delbert is a good guy who has his priorities straight. He is going to bring a lot to our program. Our kids are going to benefit from his knowledge and experience."
Tengan spent more than 20 years as an assistant and head coach at Saint Louis. He guided the Crusaders to a state title in 2002 during his first stint as head coach. During his second go-round, he was 22-2 in his last two seasons before being released in 2007.
Prior to that, he was a defensive backs coach, then defensive coordinator during Saint Louis' dynasty under then-coach Cal Lee, and was also the head basketball coach with current Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona as his assistant.
In recent months, Tengan applied for the Saint Louis athletic director position, but the job went to Ed Paola, a science teacher who has experience as an AD.
Tengan also was in contention for the vacant coaching position after John Hao was not retained, and was at one point offered the job. Tengan declined because by that time he had already given a commitment to 'Iolani; Look wanted him on board as a defensive coordinator.
With Joel Lane as the offensive coordinator, 'Iolani has two coaches who turned down the head coaching position at Saint Louis. Tengan replaces Nat Tan, who retired from coaching to spend more time with family.
His decision to return to coach football at Saint Louis, where he coached in 2003, had as much to do with family as anything. The increase in salary that Saint Louis offered was too much to refuse.
"I would never have left Mililani unless I could really improve the security of my family," he said. "We've got three children: Chloe is a sophomore, Cole is 10 and we just had a baby girl, El, who's five months old. Furloughs this year kind of hurt my wife and me (both teachers). We both took a pay cut. And they want us to work three extra days for free."
***
'Iolani has hired former Saint Louis football coach Delbert Tengan as its new defensive coordinator.
After weeks of speculation, Raiders coach Wendell Look confirmed the hiring yesterday afternoon.
"It's a good fit for us," Look said. "Delbert is a good guy who has his priorities straight. He is going to bring a lot to our program. Our kids are going to benefit from his knowledge and experience."
Tengan spent more than 20 years as an assistant and head coach at Saint Louis. He guided the Crusaders to a state title in 2002 during his first stint as head coach. During his second go-round, he was 22-2 in his last two seasons before being released in 2007.
Prior to that, he was a defensive backs coach, then defensive coordinator during Saint Louis' dynasty under then-coach Cal Lee, and was also the head basketball coach with current Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona as his assistant.
In recent months, Tengan applied for the Saint Louis athletic director position, but the job went to Ed Paola, a science teacher who has experience as an AD.
Tengan also was in contention for the vacant coaching position after John Hao was not retained, and was at one point offered the job. Tengan declined because by that time he had already given a commitment to 'Iolani; Look wanted him on board as a defensive coordinator.
With Joel Lane as the offensive coordinator, 'Iolani has two coaches who turned down the head coaching position at Saint Louis. Tengan replaces Nat Tan, who retired from coaching to spend more time with family.
Hawaii softball racks up miles as well as homeruns
When Hawaii landed in Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday on its way to an NCAA softball super regional against top seed Alabama, they already had traveled roughly 7,500 miles since the end of the regular season.
Now in their third week on the road, the days are beginning to run together for the No. 16 seed Rainbows (47-13) and third baseman Melissa Gonzalez. "We took a plane off the island," Gonzalez says. Since then "it's been a lot of driving from airports to hotels to fields."
From Hawaii to California to Texas to New Mexico back to Texas to California and now Alabama, the Rainbows have taken the miles in stride.
"We get a lot of rest and we make sure to get a good workout and stretch," Gonzalez says.
The physical strain hasn't been lost on coach Bob Coolen. "We really try to keep a sense of normalcy," he says. "It's something we work on diligently."
But travel isn't the only thing in excess for Hawaii.
The Rainbows have hit an NCAA Division I-record 149 home runs, eight of them as they swept three games last weekend in an NCAA regional at Stanford.
Gonzalez, who has accounted for 25 home runs, offers a simple answer for Hawaii's proficiency at the plate.
"We're seeing the ball," she says.
Five players have more than 50 RBI, six are batting better than .300 and the Rainbows lead Division I in scoring (7.8 runs a game) and slugging percentage (.661).
Now in their third week on the road, the days are beginning to run together for the No. 16 seed Rainbows (47-13) and third baseman Melissa Gonzalez. "We took a plane off the island," Gonzalez says. Since then "it's been a lot of driving from airports to hotels to fields."
From Hawaii to California to Texas to New Mexico back to Texas to California and now Alabama, the Rainbows have taken the miles in stride.
"We get a lot of rest and we make sure to get a good workout and stretch," Gonzalez says.
The physical strain hasn't been lost on coach Bob Coolen. "We really try to keep a sense of normalcy," he says. "It's something we work on diligently."
But travel isn't the only thing in excess for Hawaii.
The Rainbows have hit an NCAA Division I-record 149 home runs, eight of them as they swept three games last weekend in an NCAA regional at Stanford.
Gonzalez, who has accounted for 25 home runs, offers a simple answer for Hawaii's proficiency at the plate.
"We're seeing the ball," she says.
Five players have more than 50 RBI, six are batting better than .300 and the Rainbows lead Division I in scoring (7.8 runs a game) and slugging percentage (.661).
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Jared Spiker to play for UH
University of Hawai‘i men’s tennis coach John Nelson announced the addition of two players to the 2010-11 roster. Jonathan Brooklyn, a native of Hillingdon, England, and Jared Spiker, a two-time Hawai‘i state singles champion, both signed with UH and will join the program this fall.
Spiker is a 2010 graduate of Kalani High School who has won back-to-back state singles titles for the Falcons. The native of Honolulu played just two years of high school tennis and during that span went undefeated, winning two league and two state singles titles. In 2009 Spiker became the first O‘ahu Interscholastic Association player to win a state singles tennis title in 26 years.
The 5-9 Spiker is also a brown belt in judo and was accomplished in that sport—winning three national championships—before turning to tennis. His two older brothers both competed collegiately in wrestling after winning a combined five state high school championships.
Spiker is a 2010 graduate of Kalani High School who has won back-to-back state singles titles for the Falcons. The native of Honolulu played just two years of high school tennis and during that span went undefeated, winning two league and two state singles titles. In 2009 Spiker became the first O‘ahu Interscholastic Association player to win a state singles tennis title in 26 years.
The 5-9 Spiker is also a brown belt in judo and was accomplished in that sport—winning three national championships—before turning to tennis. His two older brothers both competed collegiately in wrestling after winning a combined five state high school championships.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Andy Ganigan suffers permanent brain damage
Police arrested a 21-year-old Waianae man yesterday for allegedly assaulting former world lightweight boxing champion Andy Ganigan, 57, leaving him with permanent brain damage.
Ganigan and a friend had just left Last Stop Bar, near the Highway Inn in Waipahu, when he was assaulted near some stairs leading to Pizza Hut about 11 p.m. March 23.
The suspect had been drinking and does not recall what the fight was about, police said.
Ganigan was hospitalized in Honolulu, and was later transported with two medical escorts to a rehabilitation hospital in Las Vegas, where his eldest daughter and two of his five sons live.
The former boxer suffered severe brain damage and needs round-the-clock care for the rest of his life, Shue said. Ganigan can sometimes recognize people, but only sporadically, she said.
Ganigan, who became the North American Boxing Federation lightweight champion in 1978, was named World Athletic Association lightweight champion in 1981 when he knocked out Sean O'Grady. Ganigan, known as the Hawaiian Punch, is in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.
Shue said because Ganigan didn't have a regular job or medical insurance except through the state, he didn't qualify for any services. All local nursing homes denied the Medicaid patient a bed since older patients were given priority, and that's why he was taken to Las Vegas, Shue said.
The medical bills have exceeded the family's entire savings.
The family is holding a fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. June 8 at Ige's Restaurant in Aiea. Presale tickets are $25 or at the door. Contact Michelle at 381-4000 for advance tickets.
***
He was the B.J. Penn of our generation in some ways -- including the most important criterion for us high school junior boys: He could beat up just about anyone else in the world.
But now Andy Ganigan is down for the count following a beating he suffered in a street fight, allegedly from a 21-year-old assailant. Doctors say the 57-year-old former champ may never recover and likely has permanent brain damage.
His family should be comfortable because of the winnings from his boxing career. Instead, its savings are drained paying for his medical care. Universal health insurance is too late for Ganigan, who has none.
I want to always remember the smiling and joking world champion Andy Ganigan. But right now it's hard to shake the image and sad reality of him losing the joys of his golden years in a street scuffle, 27 years after his last fight in the ring.
A fund-raiser to help with Andy Ganigan's medical expenses will be held at Ige's Restaurant in Aiea on June 8 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Ganigan and a friend had just left Last Stop Bar, near the Highway Inn in Waipahu, when he was assaulted near some stairs leading to Pizza Hut about 11 p.m. March 23.
The suspect had been drinking and does not recall what the fight was about, police said.
Ganigan was hospitalized in Honolulu, and was later transported with two medical escorts to a rehabilitation hospital in Las Vegas, where his eldest daughter and two of his five sons live.
The former boxer suffered severe brain damage and needs round-the-clock care for the rest of his life, Shue said. Ganigan can sometimes recognize people, but only sporadically, she said.
Ganigan, who became the North American Boxing Federation lightweight champion in 1978, was named World Athletic Association lightweight champion in 1981 when he knocked out Sean O'Grady. Ganigan, known as the Hawaiian Punch, is in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.
Shue said because Ganigan didn't have a regular job or medical insurance except through the state, he didn't qualify for any services. All local nursing homes denied the Medicaid patient a bed since older patients were given priority, and that's why he was taken to Las Vegas, Shue said.
The medical bills have exceeded the family's entire savings.
The family is holding a fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. June 8 at Ige's Restaurant in Aiea. Presale tickets are $25 or at the door. Contact Michelle at 381-4000 for advance tickets.
***
He was the B.J. Penn of our generation in some ways -- including the most important criterion for us high school junior boys: He could beat up just about anyone else in the world.
But now Andy Ganigan is down for the count following a beating he suffered in a street fight, allegedly from a 21-year-old assailant. Doctors say the 57-year-old former champ may never recover and likely has permanent brain damage.
His family should be comfortable because of the winnings from his boxing career. Instead, its savings are drained paying for his medical care. Universal health insurance is too late for Ganigan, who has none.
I want to always remember the smiling and joking world champion Andy Ganigan. But right now it's hard to shake the image and sad reality of him losing the joys of his golden years in a street scuffle, 27 years after his last fight in the ring.
A fund-raiser to help with Andy Ganigan's medical expenses will be held at Ige's Restaurant in Aiea on June 8 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Shogun knocks out Machida
No one is invincible: That's the belief Mauricio "Shogun" Rua carried into the Octagon last night at UFC 113 for his rematch with light heavyweight champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida.
After their first fight, Rua discovered a weakness in Machida's once impenetrable armor. Though he'd come up short previously, losing a disputed unanimous decision, Rua knew he would prevail this time around.
***
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua made certain there was no controversy this time around, taking the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title from Lyoto Machida with a devastating first-round knockout Saturday at the Bell Centre in the main event of UFC 113.
Machida, who won a highly controversial decision at UFC 104 in October, missed a right hand to start the closing sequence. Rua landed a grazing right and the two went down. Rua then landed a crushing right from the top that closed Machida’s eye and essentially ended the fight.
Rua landed several more blows before referee Yves Lavigne mercifully stopped the bout.
The fight was fought on even terms until the final sequence. Machida had two takedowns and Rua had landed several hard kicks.
On the undercard, Josh Koscheck outwrestled Paul Daley in a lackluster welterweight fight that was more notable for post-fight antics. Koscheck won a 30-27 decision and earned the right to fight welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in December. The UFC had announced on Friday that the winner of the Koscheck-Daley fight would coach opposite St. Pierre in “The Ultimate Fighter 12.”
Daley, who is a power puncher, had no answer for Koscheck’s superior wrestling skills. Koscheck repeatedly took him down and while he didn’t do much damage, he easily controlled the fight and nullified Daley’s punching power.
After the fight, Daley walked over to Koscheck, who shooed him away. Daley then threw a punch at him, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to step in. UFC president Dana White entered the cage and berated Daley for his actions.
The large and vocal crowd did not like the fight and booed lustily throughout. It frequently chanted obscenities at Koscheck, but the fighter upped the ante by ripping into the hometown Montreal Canadiens of the NHL.
Matt Mitrione scored a big victory over his much more well-known castmate from Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter” when he beat up Kimbo Slice and stopped him at 4:24 of the second round in a one-sided heavyweight fight.
The fight wasn’t the standup battle that many expected. In the first round, Mitrione and Slice were rolling around the ring. Mitrione nearly submitted Slice with a triangle choke, then later he worked for several other submissions, none of which got close.
“It was tight,” Mitrione said of the triangle. “I thought I had him, but then Kimbo put his thumb in my eye. Even the ref saw it.”
He was working Slice’s legs over in the second with leg kicks and it was clear that Slice did not appreciate the kicks and was unable to check them. He was backing away from Mitrione and trying to hide his lead leg.
Mitrione took him down and got a dominant position and pounded on him until Miragliotta stopped it.
“I feel like I softened him with those legs kicks and then when he went for that shot, I took him down,” Mitrione said.
***
UFC president Dana White laid down the challenge to Internet phenom Kimbo Slice and the street fighter accepted it. Kimbo made it through his stint on Season 10 of "The Ultimate Fighter" and got two more fights with the promotion.
Slice went 1-1 in the UFC after the reality show, including a bad loss tonight at UFC 113 against Matt Mitrione. The fight was so one-sided, the UFC president decided to give Kimbo his pink slip.
"That's probably Kimbo's last fight in the UFC," said White. "Listen, Kimbo made it farther than I thought he would."
After their first fight, Rua discovered a weakness in Machida's once impenetrable armor. Though he'd come up short previously, losing a disputed unanimous decision, Rua knew he would prevail this time around.
***
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua made certain there was no controversy this time around, taking the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title from Lyoto Machida with a devastating first-round knockout Saturday at the Bell Centre in the main event of UFC 113.
Machida, who won a highly controversial decision at UFC 104 in October, missed a right hand to start the closing sequence. Rua landed a grazing right and the two went down. Rua then landed a crushing right from the top that closed Machida’s eye and essentially ended the fight.
Rua landed several more blows before referee Yves Lavigne mercifully stopped the bout.
The fight was fought on even terms until the final sequence. Machida had two takedowns and Rua had landed several hard kicks.
On the undercard, Josh Koscheck outwrestled Paul Daley in a lackluster welterweight fight that was more notable for post-fight antics. Koscheck won a 30-27 decision and earned the right to fight welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in December. The UFC had announced on Friday that the winner of the Koscheck-Daley fight would coach opposite St. Pierre in “The Ultimate Fighter 12.”
Daley, who is a power puncher, had no answer for Koscheck’s superior wrestling skills. Koscheck repeatedly took him down and while he didn’t do much damage, he easily controlled the fight and nullified Daley’s punching power.
After the fight, Daley walked over to Koscheck, who shooed him away. Daley then threw a punch at him, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to step in. UFC president Dana White entered the cage and berated Daley for his actions.
The large and vocal crowd did not like the fight and booed lustily throughout. It frequently chanted obscenities at Koscheck, but the fighter upped the ante by ripping into the hometown Montreal Canadiens of the NHL.
Matt Mitrione scored a big victory over his much more well-known castmate from Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter” when he beat up Kimbo Slice and stopped him at 4:24 of the second round in a one-sided heavyweight fight.
The fight wasn’t the standup battle that many expected. In the first round, Mitrione and Slice were rolling around the ring. Mitrione nearly submitted Slice with a triangle choke, then later he worked for several other submissions, none of which got close.
“It was tight,” Mitrione said of the triangle. “I thought I had him, but then Kimbo put his thumb in my eye. Even the ref saw it.”
He was working Slice’s legs over in the second with leg kicks and it was clear that Slice did not appreciate the kicks and was unable to check them. He was backing away from Mitrione and trying to hide his lead leg.
Mitrione took him down and got a dominant position and pounded on him until Miragliotta stopped it.
“I feel like I softened him with those legs kicks and then when he went for that shot, I took him down,” Mitrione said.
***
UFC president Dana White laid down the challenge to Internet phenom Kimbo Slice and the street fighter accepted it. Kimbo made it through his stint on Season 10 of "The Ultimate Fighter" and got two more fights with the promotion.
Slice went 1-1 in the UFC after the reality show, including a bad loss tonight at UFC 113 against Matt Mitrione. The fight was so one-sided, the UFC president decided to give Kimbo his pink slip.
"That's probably Kimbo's last fight in the UFC," said White. "Listen, Kimbo made it farther than I thought he would."
Monday, May 03, 2010
Duke defeats Butler for NCAA championship
In a matter of seconds, Butler's Cinderella trip to the national championship ended with a heartbreaking loss.
Duke defeated Butler 61-59 to win its fourth national championship, forcing Butler's Gordon Hayward to miss with 4 seconds left to hold off the Bulldogs 61-59 and end the tiny school's run at the title one game short of the perfect ending.
Kyle Singler had 19 for the Blue Devils and Brian Zoubek rebounded Hayward's miss and hit one free throw with 3.6 seconds left to give Duke a two-point lead.
Hayward rebounded Zoubek's intentional miss and threw up a desperation heave at the buzzer, that hit glass, bounced off the rim and out.
The win gave Mike Krzyzewski his first national title since 2001 and fourth overall, tying him with Adolph Rupp for second on the all-time list.
Duke defeated Butler 61-59 to win its fourth national championship, forcing Butler's Gordon Hayward to miss with 4 seconds left to hold off the Bulldogs 61-59 and end the tiny school's run at the title one game short of the perfect ending.
Kyle Singler had 19 for the Blue Devils and Brian Zoubek rebounded Hayward's miss and hit one free throw with 3.6 seconds left to give Duke a two-point lead.
Hayward rebounded Zoubek's intentional miss and threw up a desperation heave at the buzzer, that hit glass, bounced off the rim and out.
The win gave Mike Krzyzewski his first national title since 2001 and fourth overall, tying him with Adolph Rupp for second on the all-time list.
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