Poland jumps

Poland jumps

to 5-0 lead

PORTLAND, Ore.

The Poland 11-12 Little League softball team scored two runs in the first inning and three in the second in Thursday night’s World Series opener against Texas.

Claire Testa scored twice while Abby Masluk, Ally Deemer and Madison Rowe scored once as Poland led 5-0 in the second inning.

The game was not over in time for this edition. Check vindy.com or the Little League website (http://www.softballworldseries.com/default.htm) for an update.

Sokol selected for Showcase

BOARDMAN

Boardman High softball pitcher Julie Sokol has been chosen to compete in the Queen of Diamonds Showcase East at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long island, N.Y.

Last spring, Sokol helped lead Boardman to a Division I district championship and regional runner-up finish.

Softball players from 17 states and two Canadian provinces will participate.

Pickleball event set

CORTLAND

The first Cortland Doubles Pickleball Tournament is set for Sept. 18-19 at Willow Park.

There will be two divisions of the tennis event. One division will be for those 55 years and older. The second division will be for those 54 years or younger. All ages and gender are welcome. Entry fee is $20 per team and the deadline for entry is Sept. 13. Those interested should contact Dave Majick at 330-720-4180.

SRU softball sets fund-raiser

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.

The Slippery Rock University softball team will join thousands of other walkers at the Canfield Fairgrounds on Oct. 17 to raise money for the American Diabetes Association.

“We are very excited to be taking part in this event this year,” Rock head coach Vashion Johnson said. “We have set a goal to raise $1,000 and have set up an online site through the ADA where people can donate up until the event.”

Bross seeks national title

HARTFORD, Conn.

Alicia Sacramone got the high five from Bela Karolyi. Rebecca Bross got the love from everyone else.

One of America’s best veterans kept her comeback on track and one of the country’s top up-and-comers started on what looks like an inevitable road to a national title.

Bross, the 17-year-old looking for her first U.S. gymnastics championship, scored 60.4 points in qualifying to open a big, 2.2-point lead over Mattie Larson.

Sacramone, the 22-year-old hoping for a return trip to the Olympics, did nice work on her beam routine and both her vaults.

Federer advances

TORONTO

Third-seeded Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament with a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Michael Llodra of France on Thursday.

Federer, who won here in 2004 and 2006, needed 1 hour, 19 minutes to complete the victory. He will next play No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, who edged Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain, second-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia and fourth-seeded Andy Murray of Britain also posted victories to move on to the final eight.

White happy off the snow

PORTLAND, Ore.

Truth be told, Shaun White prefers skateboarding.

Snowboarding fans, take a deep breath: That doesn’t mean White won’t return to the mountain. Indeed, he’s planning to be at the 2014 Sochi Olympics to defend his gold medal in the halfpipe.

However, now that his life has settled from the Vancouver Games, White is enjoying his wheels.

Staff/wire report

continuing his comeback in the sport after being sidelined last season by injury and Olympic prep.

The red-haired 23-year-old and six others from Thursday’s skate vert prelims advanced to Sunday’s final round at the Rose Garden Arena, home of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.

Staff/wire report

LONDON (AP) — David Beckham will reject the chance to make one final appearance for England, a person familiar with the former captain’s plans said Thursday.

Coach Fabio Capello announced Wednesday that the 35-year-old Beckham was too old to continue playing competitively for England, but offered him an opportunity to say farewell to fans in an exhibition match.

Beckham, who is recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury that denied him a trip to a fourth World Cup, has played 115 times for England, second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton on the country’s all-time appearance list.