Earnest, Welch deliver for Hamilton in key victory

HAMILTON — Dylan Earnest had an edge on Austin Welch going into the season.

The Hamilton High School senior knew he would be a fixture on the mound and in the field for the Lions.

Meanwhile, Welch, a sophomore, had no idea what to expect entering the 2010 season.

New Hope’s Franks signs with EMCC

Gabe Franks never doubted himself.

Thanks to plenty of coaching from his father, Gary, and other age-group coaches, Franks always believed one day he would realize a goal to play baseball in college.

New Hope makes most of miscues

Champions need killer instincts.

It remains to be seen whether the New Hope High School baseball team will navigate through a difficult district and regional schedule to play for a Class 5A state title.

But the Trojans showed Friday they are developing a knack for making opponents pay for their mistakes.

Roberts has solid outing in relief role

It’s only natural for a pitcher to want to keep his arm warm.

But superstition rules baseball, so it shouldn’t be surprising a pitcher would accept having a cold arm in return for a little success.

Based on his performance the past two nights, Blake Roberts appears ready to let his right arm withstand the elements for the rest of the season.

Cabela’s King Kat Tournament visits Columbus

Local catfish anglers will have an opportunity this weekend to show their prowess and to make a little money at the same time.

The Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail will visit Columbus for the first time Saturday for a qualifier that will send the top 20 teams to the Classic on Nov. 12-13 in Columbus.

Anglers will fish the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Columbus in a team event that is open to anyone. Teams can be made up of one or two individuals, with one exception. A third person can accompany a team provided he or she is under 16 years of age or older than 65 years of age. There is a $200 entry fee per team.

Columbus High’s Oliver shows winning speed

Danté Oliver didn’t have to be in the “fast” heat Saturday to win two titles.

New Hope’s Hollivay invited to USA trials

Rachel Hollivay is going to be busy again this spring and summer.

The New Hope High School sophomore, who already is recognized as one of the state’s top prep girls basketball players, has been invited by USA Basketball to participate in the 2010 Under-17 National Team Trials on June 8-11 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“It means a lot,” Hollivay said. “I am looking forward to going back so I can work harder to make the team this time.”

Hamilton takes advantage of West Lowndes’ errors

HAMILTON — It might not seem like it, but the marathon is only approaching the halfway point for the Hamilton and West Lowndes high school baseball teams.

Poor weather has made it seem like the teams have been at it longer, canceling several dates and making it even tougher to find dry time on the field.

On Tuesday, both teams showed they are still striving to find their consistency in a game that featured plenty of action on every play.

Hawkins, Tentoni provide senior spark for Columbus

Throwing a curveball for a strike was becoming a nuisance for Tyji Hawkins.

Finding a groove at the plate was equally as difficult for Josh Tentoni.

The Columbus High School seniors might have solved their problems on Friday night, and, in the process, set the Falcons up to accomplish some big things this season.

Building should be next step for program

Mission accomplished.

Even though the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s season ended Sunday with a 74-71 loss to Florida State in the Sweep 16 of the NCAA tournament, the Lady Bulldogs took the next step.

Lady Bulldogs seek repeat performance

STARKVILLE — Defense has been the calling card for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team in the NCAA tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs used a 13-0 run in the final four-plus minutes to rally past Middle Tennessee State in the first round.

MSU had 14 steals and forced 24 turnovers Tuesday against second-seeded Ohio State in an 87-67 upset that secured the program’s first trip to the Sweet 16.

MSU women getting ready for FSU

STARKVILLE — The “experts” have spoken.

On Thursday, ESPN.com contributors Charlie Creme, Graham Hays, and Mechelle Voepel turned in their predictions for the Sweet 16 pairings in the women’s NCAA tournament.

Lady Bulldogs take next step

PITTSBURGH — Sharon Fanning-Otis said all of the right things Tuesday night.

Faced with the emotion of a stirring 87-67 victory against Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Petersen Events Center, Fanning-Otis stuck to a script she has repeated this season like a Broadway performer.

Decisive victory was fun to watch

Wow.

That was the reaction many people had Nov. 22, 2009, when the Mississippi State women’s basketball team rolled past the University of Maryland 84-55 at Humphrey Coliseum.

MSU makes Sweet 16 for first time

PITTSBURGH — Connected toughness has never been sweeter.

The seventh-seeded Mississippi State women’s basketball team delivered a 40-minute dose of the catch-phrase that has come to be the key to its success on Tuesday night to earn a historic victory.

Alexis Rack scored 30 points to lead four players in double figures and help MSU secure its first trip to the Sweet 16 with an 87-67 victory against second-seeded Ohio State in a second-round NCAA tournament game at the Petersen Events Center.

Antonelli happy to see Fanning-Otis make the Sweet 16

PITTSBURGH — Debbie Antonelli has known Sharon Fanning-Otis for a long time.

The veteran college basketball analyst developed a friendship with Fanning, as she was then known, in 1988 when she was the women’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky.

Through the years, Antonelli has worked as an analyst on numerous games in which Fanning-Otis has coached. She couldn’t have been any prouder Tuesday night as she watched seventh-seeded Mississippi State defeat second-seeded Ohio State 87-67 in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Petersen Events Center.

Ohio State suffers stunning loss to MSU

PITTSBURGH — The Ohio State women’s basketball players didn’t know what hit them.

On paper, the second-seeded Lady Buckeyes had all of the statistical advantages entering their game Tuesday night against seventh-seeded Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Petersen Events Center.

But Ohio State’s accuracy from 3-point range (nation-best 39.5 percent), the dominance of three-time Big Ten Conference Player of the Year Jantel Lavender, and the steadiness of sophomore point guard Samantha Prahalis were lost in a wave of MSU momentum.

Lady Bulldogs get rematch

PITTSBURGH — The NCAA tournament brings out the best in everyone.

For the second consecutive game, Mississippi State senior center Chanel Mokango will have the opportunity to match up against one of the best post players in the nation. More than two days after defending Middle Tennessee State’s Alysha Clark, the nation’s leading scorer, Mokango likely will match up in the post against junior center Jantel Lavender when seventh-seeded MSU (20-12) takes on second-seeded Ohio State (31-4) at 6:11 tonight (ESPN2) in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Petersen Events Center.

State gets second chance to finish the deal

PITTSBURGH — This time, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team wants to finish the deal.

A year ago, 11th-seeded MSU led third-seeded Ohio State 58-54 with 6 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in their second-round NCAA tournament game in Columbus, Ohio.

Unfortunately, the Lady Buckeyes shut out the Lady Bulldogs the rest of the way en route to a 64-58 victory.

MSU not to be denied

PITTSBURGH — The look said Mississippi State wasn’t going to be denied.

It started in Alexis Rack’s eyes after the senior guard made a 3-pointer with 4 minutes, 3 seconds to play.

Before she knew it, the look became infectious, and just in the nick of time.