LOCAL

LOCAL
Babe Ruth Starsadvance to semifinals
QUINCY, Mass. -- Armani Johnson pitched 6 2/3 innings, leading the 14-year-old Youngstown All-Stars to a 5-3 victory over Jefferson Parish, La., Thursday in the Babe Ruth World Series.
Relief pitcher Matt Katich closed the game by getting a ground ball out with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
Youngstown will play Eutowah County, Ala. tonight in a semifinal game, with an opportunity to play for the championship Saturday.
Frank Rosile, Corey Collins and Tony Brunett collected two hits apiece to pace Youngstown. Mike Hoelzel hit a single and drove in two runs.
Sharon titles on line
HARTFORD - Season championships are up for grabs in Sharon Speedway's four divisions Saturday night.
Boardman Steel/Diamond Steel Night will end with one driver in each division - Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds, Sunburst Environmental Sprints, Coy Brothers Trucking E-mods and City Disposal Services Pure Stocks - earning the championship trophy.
Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Tickets, available at the gate, are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12-15 and free for children 11 and younger.
Fireworks at Mercer
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer Raceway Park will host the region's biggest fireworks presentation of the summer Saturday.
A full show of Luxaire Heating & amp; Cooling Sprint Cars, Campbell-Peterson Trail & amp; Turf Big-Block Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars will be part of the program.
Adult admission is $13. The Family Pass, which admits both parents and up to four children, is $30. Students 6-15 are $7. Children five and under are free. Pit passes are $20. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps are at approximately 6:15 p.m. and racing begins at 7.
REGION
Sprite signs James
ATLANTA -- LeBron James signed a six-year deal with the Coca-Cola Co. to be a key endorser of Sprite.
Financial terms of James' deal, which also calls for him to endorse Powerade, weren't disclosed.
NATION
Sampras retires
NEW YORK -- Pete Sampras will return to a tennis court one last time -- to say goodbye.
The owner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles hasn't played a match since winning the 2002 U.S. Open, though he never officially announced he was quitting the sport.
That will change at a news conference Monday, when Sampras also will be feted at Arthur Ashe Stadium on the opening night of this year's U.S. Open.
Neuheisel sues
SEATTLE -- Former Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel sued the university and the NCAA, alleging he was wrongfully fired for participating in a college basketball gambling pool.
Valpo's Scott Drewto be hired at Baylor
WACO, Texas -- Scott Drew is leaving Valparaiso to take over the challenge of repairing a Baylor basketball program torn apart by the death of a player, the shame-filled resignation of coach Dave Bliss, a string of transfers and potentially strong NCAA violations.
Hamm makes history
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Paul Hamm made history on the high bar, putting together a near-perfect routine under excruciating pressure to become the first American man to win the all-around gold medal at World Gymnastics Championship.
Mulder on D.L.
BOSTON -- The Oakland Athletics placed left-hander Mark Mulder on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his right hip.
Empire Maker and Funny City out
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Empire Maker and Funny Cide have been pulled out of Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Funny Cide trainer Barclay Tagg was unhappy with the gelding's health.
Empire Maker was pulled out Thursday night.
Vindicator staff/wire reports