Rattlers back at home to face Wichita Falls on Saturday
The Rattlers (2-2) return home Saturday at 6 p.m. to face the Wichita Falls Nighthawks (4-1), who are considered among the upper echelon of teams in the Indoor Football League. The Nighthawks are coming off a 55-21 loss to Sioux Falls, but QB Charles McCullum ranks first in the league in yards per game (213.2) and touchdown passes (22). The game is televised live on Fox Sports Arizona Plus.
Harigae, Kono lead at Gateway Classic at Longbow in Mesa
Mina Harigae shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to move into a share of the lead at 7-under in the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa. Stephanie Kono made birdie on her last hole to get to 7-under as well.
ASU baseball falls to UCLA in series opener at Phoenix Muni
UCLA pulled away with five runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat ASU baseball (11-13) 9-3 on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Chris Isbell allowed five runs on four hits and two walks in 12⁄3 innings to take the brunt of the damage. Starting pitcher Eli Lingos took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) in 52⁄3 innings.
ASU softball manages just 3 hits, falls on the road against Oregon
ASU softball (23-10) was held to three hits as Oregon secured a 4-0 win on Friday night in Eugene, Ore. Sun Devils starter Breanna Macha took the loss after allowing four earned runs on nine hits.
U.S. women open with win over Canada at world hockey tourney
PLYMOUTH, Mich. - Brianna Decker broke world championship opener for both teams.
The Americans started fast and strong just three days after averting a boycott with a four-year deal with USA Hockey.
They controlled play all night against their rivals. Gigi Marvin gave the U.S. a two-goal cushion early in the third, and its swarming defense shut out a high-powered offense.
Shannon Szabados made some spectacular saves to keep the Canadians in the game and finished with 28 saves, but they couldn’t get a puck past Hensley.
Tiger Woods not ready, decides to sit out another Masters
Tiger Woods won’t play in the Masters for the third time in the last four years because he says he is not tournament ready.
Woods announced Friday night on his website that he did everything possible to try to play. He says his back rehabilitation simply didn’t allow him enough time.
He said there was no timetable for his return.
Woods withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic in early February after shooting a 77, claiming back spasms. Since then, he has sat out his own tournament at Riviera, the Honda Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He even withdrew from a press conference in Los Angeles.
This is the 20-year anniversary of Woods winning his first Masters by a record 12 shots. He last won the Masters in 2005.
Blazers lose C Nurkic for rest of regular season with broken leg
PORTLAND, Ore. - Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic has a broken right leg and will miss the rest of the regular season.
The team says Nurkic has a non-displaced right leg fibular fracture. It was unclear when Nurkic was injured, but the Blazers announced 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 20 games with the Blazers.
The 7-foot center was embraced by Portland fans and is credited with boosting the team as it makes a final push for the playoffs. The Blazers are currently sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, two games up on Denver.
Portland has just seven games left in the regular season.
Mavs guard Devin Harris fined over altercation with official
DALLAS - Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris has been fined $25,000 over an altercation with an official that led to his ejection in a game against New Orleans.
Harris was punished Friday for aggressively pursuing official Ben Taylor and failing to leave the court in a timely manner in the 121-118 loss to the Pelicans.
After Taylor called Harris for a blocking foul early in the second quarter Wednesday, Harris pushed past teammates to get to Taylor, who called the first technical.
Harris then escaped the grasp of teammate Dwight Powell and rushed Taylor again, leading to the second technical and an ejection as official Lauren Holtkamp intervened.
Saints bringing back reserve QB Daniel on 1-year contract
METAIRIE, La. - The New Orleans Saints have brought back former reserve quarterback Chase Daniel on a one-year contract.
Daniel, whose re-acquisition was announced Friday, returns to New Orleans after four seasons away.
Daniel spent last season with Philadelphia and was with Kansas City from 2013 to 2015.
Joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri in 2009, Daniel spent his first four pro seasons with the Saints. interception.
Daniel is the second former Saint to be brought back this week.
On Thursday, New Orleans re-signed safety Rafael Bush, who spent last season with Detroit.
Bust: Former 3rd overall pick Jordan released by Dolphins
MIAMI - Defensive end Dion Jordan has been released by the Miami Dolphins, solidifying his status as a draft bust.
Jordan, who starred at Chandler High School, started one game and totaled three sacks after being taken with the No. 3 overall draft pick four years ago.
Jordan was reinstated by the NFL in July following a 15-month suspension for his latest violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. He spent last season rehabilitating from knee surgery and hasn’t played in a game since 2014.
The former Oregon star’s release has been expected, and he was waived Friday after failing a physical.
Jordan’s departure coincided with the signing of free agent safety T.J. McDonald, who will miss the first half of the season while serving an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Mariners’ Drew Smyly could be out 2 months with elbow strain
Seattle Mariners starter Drew Smyly will begin the season on the disabled list and could be out up to two months because of a strained left elbow.
General manager Jerry Dipoto said Friday that Smyly likely will miss six to eight weeks. He will rehab the injury and surgery is not expected, but he likely will get a second opinion.