SPORTS DIGEST || Scrappers eliminated from playoff contention

Scrappers eliminated from playoff contention

WILLIAMSPORT, PA.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers saw their playoff hopes come to an end on Wednesday night. The Williamsport Crosscutters rallied late for a come from behind 4-2 win over the Scrappers to officially eliminate them from playoff contention.

The Scrappers struck first in the top of the third inning. Mitch Longo singled to start the inning. He moved to second on a foul out and third on a wild pitch. With one out, Longo scored on a Jonathan Laureano RBI sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.

The Scrappers held the lead until the bottom of the sixth inning. The Crosscutters got a run on the board on an RBI groundout. Then with two outs, David Martinelli singled to extend the inning. Darick Hall followed with a two run go ahead homerun off of reliever Alsis Herrera for a 3-2 lead.

Tanner Tully started and took a no decision in five innings pitched. He scattered two hits and struck out three without allowing a walk. Alsis Herrera (0-1) took the loss in two innings of work. He allowed three runs, all earned, on three hits.

French Open champ falls early again

new york

Garbine Muguruza has lost in the second round in back-to-back majors since winning the French Open title.

The third-seeded Spaniard was upset in straight sets Wednesday by Anastasija Sevastova, who returned to tennis last season after a nearly two-year retirement. The 48th-ranked Sevastova won 7-5, 6-4 to reach the third round at the U.S. Open for the first time.

Muguruza has never been past the second round at Flushing Meadows. The 22-year-old fell to 124th-ranked Jana Cepelova in the second round at Wimbledon after she beat Serena Williams in the French Open final for her first major title.

She needed three sets to win her first-round match Monday, when she struggled with her breathing. Down two breaks in the second set Wednesday, she saved two match points and rallied to get the set back on serve. Then she got broken to end the match.

The 26-year-old Sevastova, who reached the round of 16 at the 2011 Australian Open, retired in May 2013 because of a series of injuries. She returned in January 2015.

ECU, UNLV out of Big XII expansion race

East Carolina and UNLV are out of the Big 12’s expansion derby.

Officials at both schools said Wednesday that they were notified by the Big 12 that they are no longer being considered for membership.

East Carolina spokesman Tom McClellan says Commissioner Bob Bowlsby notified Chancellor Cecil Staton of the league’s decision Tuesday by phone.

Athletic director Jeff Compher says it’s “obviously not the decision we were hoping for,” but expressed satisfaction that “we were able to tell our story to not only the Big 12, but the entire nation.”

East Carolina is beginning its third season in the American Athletic Conference after winning two Conference USA championships in football in the 2000s.

UNLV President Len Jessup and athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy issued a statement later in the day to acknowledge the Rebels were no longer being considered.

Brady to be honorary captain at Michigan

ann arbor, mich.

Tom Brady has found at least one thing to do during his suspension.

The New England Patriots quarterback will return to his alma mater to be Michigan’s honorary captain Sept. 17 when it hosts Colorado.

Brady will sit out the first four games of the NFL season, serving a suspension because of his role in what has become known as “Deflategate.” The Patriots drafted Brady out of Michigan in the sixth round in 2000 after he shared time as senior with Drew Henson.

Michael Jordan will serve as honorary captain for the seventh-ranked Wolverines on Saturday when they open the season against Hawaii.

Staff/Wire reports