By Garrett Miley | National Desk Louisville’s sophomore guard Kevin Ware suffered a ghastly right leg injury during the Midwest Regional final against Duke on Sunday. Ware went down with 6:33 left in the first half as Duke's Tyler Thornton made a 3-pointer to get the Blue Devils within 21-20. After attempting to block the shot, Ware landed on...

By Garrett Miley | National Desk

Louisville guard Kevin Ware is taken off of the court on a stretcher after his injury during the first half of the Midwest Regional final against Duke in the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday March 31, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)





 

Louisville’s sophomore guard Kevin Ware suffered a ghastly right leg injury during the Midwest Regional final against Duke on Sunday. Ware went down with 6:33 left in the first half as Duke's Tyler Thornton made a 3-pointer to get the Blue Devils within 21-20. After attempting to block the shot, Ware landed on his right leg and it buckled instantly, leaving viewers with a nauseating image. He was taken to nearby Methodist Hospital with a broken leg, according to a statement from tournament officials.

The national support for Ware in the aftermath of the injury was overwhelming, with social media ablaze with shock and concern. Many on Twitter offered their thoughts and prayers to Ware and his family after word of his injury spread. Here's a look at some of the reaction:

Doug Lesmerises gives some thoughts on the just-concluded season of the Ohio State men's basketball team.

View full size Ohio State guard Shannon Scott after the loss to Wichita State. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer  

1. Here's the problem with "Big Ten basketball," or what many of us think of as Big Ten basketball. The Big Ten teams aren't that good at playing it. When Ohio State lost to Wichita State on Saturday night, Thad Matta said the Shockers played Big Ten defense. Yes, Ohio State got killed on the glass and had a hard time getting inside, but one of their biggest problems was that the Buckeyes couldn't get out and run. Because as the Buckeyes showed in the tournament, that's what they wanted to do. Indiana always wanted to show its athleticism this season, and went out against Syracuse because the Hoosiers couldn't solve the Orange zone and couldn't win a low-scoring game against a tough defense. And Michigan? The Wolverines have been free as birds and looking great on their Final Four run because they no longer have to play Big Ten basketball. They can get out in transition, show their athleticism and score.

The Big Ten, with good reason, takes pride in its defense. But maybe it isn't always their best plan for winning.

2. Ohio State used its small lineup, with both Amir Williams and Evan Ravenel on the bench, for about three minutes in the first half Saturday. And then the Buckeyes didn't try it for the first 4:37 of the second half, as Wichita State upped a 13-point lead at the break. The Shockers then extended that lead to 20 before the Buckeyes got rolling with the small lineup, but I'm surprised Matta didn't try the look a little more often early on. Deshaun Thomas was jacking 3-pointers in the first half, missing all five, and was more effective in the second half once the small lineup got him around the basket. The Shockers were outrebounding the Buckeyes, but frankly, Williams isn't much of a rebounder anyway. LaQuinton Ross and Thomas were both shaky and forcing it at times in the first half, but maybe a little more of the small lineup in the first 25 minutes would have helped the offense get rolling.

3. Sam Thompson seemed the most upset of the Buckeyes after Saturday's loss, the usually thoughtful and friendly sophomore keeping his answers short. It would make sense if he was personally frustrated. While teammates fired away from the outside --Thomas was 7-for-19, Ross was 4-for-12, Aaron Craft was 2-for-12, Shannon Scott was 3-for-8 and Lenzelle Smith was 3-for-6 – Thompson didn't get much. He was just 1-of-3 from the field and 2-for-3 from the foul line in 33 minutes. He'd played well enough to earn more shots, but he wasn't willing to force them.

4. When I asked Big Ten players at the Big Ten Tournament which conference team had the best chance to go far in the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State and Indiana were the overwhelming choices. Ohio State was barely mentioned. Neither was Michigan.

Today's schedule Baseball

Today's schedule

Baseball

Note: Games are at 4:30 unless noted and subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Akron North at Rittman, 11

Amherst at Clearview, 4:30

Aurora at Nordonia, 4:30

Avon Lake at Elyria Catholic, 4:30

Cleveland Heights at Bedford 4:30

Softball

Note: Games are at 4:30 unless noted and subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Aurora at Nordonia

Beaumont at Cuyahoga Heights

Bedford at Cleveland Heights

Berea at Clearview

Berkshire at Geneva

Brush at Twinsburg, 4

Cardinal at Wickliffe

Cleveland Central Catholic at Holy Name

Cloverleaf at Buckeye

Crestwood at Walsh Jesuit

Gilmour Academy at Rocky River

Hudson at Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Mentor at Elyria

Normandy at Stow

Northwestern at Black River

Norton at Canal Fulton Northwest, 6

Shaw at Warren G. Harding

Smithville at Firestone

Valley Forge at North Royalton

Villa Angela-St. Joseph at Cornerstone Christian

Wadsworth at Ashland, 5

Windham at Jackson-Milton

By Andrew Koob | National Desk The Louisville Cardinals became the second Big East team to earn a spot in the Final Four, following Syracuse to Atlanta for a shot at championship glory. Coach Rick Pitino, following an awful injury to guard Kevin Ware, used the rallying cry "bring it home for Kevin" for the remainder of the game...

By Andrew Koob | National Desk

Louisville guard Russ Smith (2) goes up with a layup against Duke defenders during the first half of the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The Louisville Cardinals became the second Big East team to earn a spot in the Final Four, following Syracuse to Atlanta for a shot at championship glory. Coach Rick Pitino, following an awful injury to guard Kevin Ware, used the rallying cry "bring it home for Kevin" for the remainder of the game as the Cardinals ran away from Duke in the second half of a 85-63 victory.

Here's a look at how the Cardinals punched their ticket to Atlanta for a matchup with the Wichita State Shockers and a chance to hoist the championship trophy:

Most Valuable Player:

Russ Smith, Louisville

"Russdiculous" stole the the show in the Cardinals' Elite Eight win, scoring a game-high 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Smith collected nine of those points from the free-throw line and added two rebounds, two steals and a block.

Honorable mention:

Kevin Ware, Louisville

Prayers and best wishes go out to Ware, who suffered one of the most gruesome injuries ever seen in a college basketball game. Seriously, I don'™t know how anyone can endure the level of pain that must result from having your leg literally snap in half, nor do I know how Ware's teammates continued playing at such a high level after such a traumatic moment. Ware, even from a hospital emergency room, was the driving force behind the Cardinals' second-half domination.

Least Valuable Player:

Rasheed Sulaimon, Duke

Sulaimon was a huge reason why the Blue Devils reached the Elite Eight, scoring 21 points against Creighton and 16 against Michigan State. The freshman guard had no such luck against the Cardinals, scoring just three points on 1-of-10 shooting. While the Big 3 of Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry did their job, Duke needed everyone to chip in to overcome Louisville, and Sulaimon didn't come through.

Stat of the Game:

63 — Duke's point total

Coming into the game, Duke was one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 78.3 points per game. The Blue Devils hit the wall that is the Louisville defense, which surrendered only 57.9 points per game heading into Sunday's matchup (15th-best in the nation). The Cardinals forced 10 steals and swatted nine shots to stifle the Blue Devils' formidable scoring attack.

Key play:

A 7-0 run early in the second half was capped by a chaotic — ”but effective — possession for the Cardinals. Forward Chane Behanan rebounded a miss by teammate Luke Hancock, but had the ball stripped away by a Duke defender. Center Gorgui Dieng came away from the ensuing scrum with the ball and passed to guard Peyton Siva, who dove into the lane for a tough layup that ended the frenzied sequence. That 7-0 spurt, which was part of a larger 20-4 run for the Cardinals, gave Louisville a 16-point lead that wouldn't fall below double-digits the rest of the way.

St. Cloud State, a Minnesota college, defeated the Miami RedHawks, 4-1, to win the Midwest Regional Sunday afternoon in Toledo, and advance to the Frozen Four next week in Pittsburgh. Miami bows out with a 25-12-5 record.

Miami'€™s Cody Murphy (14) and Sean Kuraly (9) battle for the puck with St. Cloud State's Tim Daly (40) during the third period of their regional final in the NCAA college hockey tournament, Sunday, in Toledo. Andy Morrison, Toledo Blade  

By Mark Malone

Toledo Blade

TOLEDO, Ohio - An ominous start to his freshman season has suddenly transformed into an unbelievably prosperous finish for St. Cloud State forward Joey Benik.

After breaking his leg in the first hour of his first college practice in October, the left winger returned to capture the spotlight at the NCAA Midwest Regional tournament at the Huntington Center this weekend.

Benik scored two goals to lead St. Cloud State to a 4-1 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Sunday as the Huskies earned a trip to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history.

"We're all starting to see what he's capable of doing," St. Cloud coach Bob Motzko said. "He's sure starting to warm up here in the playoffs. It was a big moment."

Benik, who also scored two goals in the Huskies' 5-1 upset of Notre Dame in the semifinals on Saturday, tallied the first two goals on Sunday.

"Both games, yesterday and today, went very well," Benik said. "Everyone's really excited. It's the first time in school history making it to the Frozen Four, so obviously there's a lot of excitement."

St. Cloud, which entered the regionals as the fourth seed, also got two goals from Cory Thorson. Sophomore goalie Ryan Faragher finished with 20 saves for the Huskies (25-15-1).

St. Cloud will face No. 1 seed Quinnipiac (29-7-5) in the semifinal on Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Miami freshman goalie Ryan McKay finished with 18 saves. Miami sophomore Blake Coleman scored the lone goal for the RedHawks (25-12-5), who were the No. 2 seed.

After Benik scored his second goal to give St. Cloud a 2-0 lead early in the second, Miami cut it to a one-goal edge. But just 2:22 later, the Huskies went up 3-1 midway through the second period.

"They took over in the second period, and I just didn't think we had an answer for it," Miami coach Enrico Blasi said. "I think we worked hard. We tried to generate some things, but in the end they were just up for the task. They deserve to be where they're at."

St. Cloud countered quickly to go back up by two on a terrifically placed shot by Thorson.

"We just want to keep this train going," Thorson said.

The crucial goal made it 3-1 with 9:48 left in second period.

"When you get that close, then they come back and score a goal, that's hard to accept," Blasi said.

Miami hit the post twice in a span of 18 seconds in the first.

"If we would have gotten one in the first it may have been a different game," Blasi said

The RedHawks earned a spot in the 16-team NCAA field for the eighth straight year.

McKay gave up three goals but also was very strong at times. He stoned Benik, preventing the hat trick late in the second. St. Cloud State had a two-man advantage for 1:08 in the second period, but McKay was up to the challenge to keep it a two-goal game.

"This isn't the end of the world," Blasi said. "We won a CCHA championship. We got to a regional final, which is not easy to do. And we lost to a great St. Cloud team. You know, we've been on the other side of things, too. I think you need to take the good with the bad."

The Huskies added an empty net goal with less than a second remaining with Thorson's second.

St. Cloud reached the final four of the Division II tournament in 1987. Miami was ranked No. 5 in the country, while St. Cloud was 11th.

Faragher, who was named goalie of the tournament, said Benik's first goal was pivotal.

"That goal lifted the group," he said. "I think we jumped up to another level and the guys' feet felt a little lighter."

Benik said he learned a lot about dealing with his injury from senior Drew LeBlanc, a forward who suffered a compound fracture during a game against Wisconsin in November, 2011. LeBlanc returned for his senior season and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker award.

"Right when it happened I was talking to Drew, and he helped me out a lot," Benik said. "When you're away from games you kind of lose all the little thoughts in your head. I just worked on it every day."

He returned for his first college game on Dec. 21. But he said it took time for his conditioning to catch up. Benik came into the regional tournament with three goals and four assists in 21 games. With his four goals and an assist this weekend, Benik has five goals and three assists in his last five games.

"It's been a great season, but it's not over yet," Benik said. "We've still got one final goal to accomplish."

Benik, a native of Andover, Minn., set the single-season high school state record for goals with 63 in 2009. Motzko said he thought about red-shirting Benik for about "30 seconds."

"We decided 'let's go for it' and get him back in our lineup," Motzko said.

Motzko, a 1987 graduate of St. Cloud who is in his eighth season, guided the Huskies to their first NCAA playoff victory in 2010.

"It's a great moment for our program," Motzko said. "St. Cloud State's been awful close. This program needed to cross that hurdle. This is definitely a big step. We have a proud following. I can't say enough about the character of this hockey team."

Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354 or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.

The plan to construct the 2013 Cleveland Indians was set in motion by two of the worst months in the history of the Tribe and Boston Red Sox.

View full size While there were plenty of smiles all around in spring training, it took the worst month in Cleveland Indians history to set the stage for the acquisition of free agent talent such as Michael Bourn, above. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It begins for real Tuesday for the 2013 Indians when they open the regular season against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. What made this team a reality, however, were two of the worst months in history by two charter members of the American League.

If not for the Red Sox going 7-20 in September of 2011, wasting a sure playoff chance in the worst collapse in franchise history, Terry Francona would not be managing the Indians today.

The Indians secured their part of the equation 11 months later when they went 5-24 in August. The worst month in franchise history turned what promised to be an exciting run at the powerful Tigers in the AL Central into the first recorded outbreak of Zombie Baseball. It cost manager Manny Acta his job and convinced ownership that something drastic was needed to rejuvenate a team that was rapidly losing its relevance and fan base.

The restructured Indians are here because of two months of miserable baseball.

Francona, with World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 on his resume, signed a four-year deal as manager in October. Free agents Mark Reynolds, Nick Swisher, Brett Myers and Michael Bourn were next. Lesser free agents such as Scott Kazmir, Ryan Raburn, Jason Giambi, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Matt Capps and Rich Hill followed Francona and the money to spring training. In between, Shin-Soo Choo was shipped to Cincinnati in a three-team deal that brought Drew Stubbs, Trevor Bauer, Bryan Shaw and Matt Albers from Arizona.

"I hate talking about it," said reliever Vinnie Pestano, concerning the Indians' collapse of 2012. "I hate thinking about it. It really upsets me looking back at last year. All the games and time we wasted.

"I think the guys who went through that last year . . . that's something I won't forget and I know they won't forget in their careers. Our end-of-the-year meetings [with GM Chris Antonetti] were all built around that not happening again."

So to avoid a repeat, the Indians hired the manager who couldn't stop it from happening in Boston. Francona knows exactly how that sounds.

Asked how a manager extracts his team from such a mess, Francona said: "I might be the wrong guy to ask. . . . The point is if you're short in a certain area, over the course of a long season, it will get exposed."

The real answer, of course, is that there is no answer.

"When you go through stuff like that, it can tear you apart," said Francona. "But if you can get through that, and don't kill each other, and still care about each other, you're going to be better.

"That's what I want. Regardless of what our record is we have to have that fierce loyalty to each other. That's what we're working at right now."

The odds of such a slump happening again are long. The Indians and Red Sox have been playing baseball since 1901 and what happened in 2011 and 2012 has happened only once to each team.

Still, a slump doesn't have to make history to ruin a season.

In 2011, the Indians were 30-15 with a seven-game lead in the Central on May 23. They went 50-67 the rest of the way as Detroit ran them down to win the division by 15 games over Acta's second-place club.

Compared to last year, the 2011 slump looked like a pennant drive. After beating Detroit's Justin Verlander on July 26 to pull within 31/2 games of first place in the Central, the Indians won just 18 of their remaining 63 games to finish at 68-94.

"The ship is just sinking," said Pestano, when asked where his head was at in August. "You're sitting there with a bucket throwing water out, but every time you look down more water is coming in."

Swisher, who signed a four-year, $56 million deal in December, is well versed on the Indians' recent mid-season failures.

"We need to have the same attitude and mentality that we've have had in spring training," he said, "because we can't go out there and just blow up [play well] the first couple of months and tail off. That's the one thing we need to avoid."

Closer Chris Perez, like Pestano, has weathered the storms of 2011 and 2012. He has not done it quietly, railing against the departed Acta and ownership's refusal to improve the ball club.

Perez senses something different this year with Opening Day at hand.

"It's more businesslike," he said. "In years past we had more young guys on the team experiencing it for the first day. It was more of an event than just a regular opening day and getting ready for the season."

Francona, Swisher, Bourn, Reynolds and Myers have postseason experience. They've learned to cope with stretch runs, slumps, big wins, bad losses and surging adrenaline. It can only help the Indians.

"I think sometimes, especially early in the year when you have a young team that's in first place like we had last year," said Perez, "you say 'Oh, God, we had a five-game lead now it's only a half game.' You're looking behind you when there is still four months to go.

"Sometimes that's detrimental. You're putting too much pressure on yourself and there's still 100 games to go."

If the Indians find themselves in that position again this season, the idea is that, because of the new players they've added, the team will be better able to right the ship before all hands are lost. It's either that or Pestano is going to have to get a bigger bucket.

By NANCY ARMOUR | AP National Writer Kevin Ware is already up and walking, and he's got a nice souvenir to keep him company until he's cleared to return to Louisville. Cardinals coach Rick Pitino brought the Midwest Regional championship trophy when he visited Ware, who remains hospitalized after surgery to repair a gruesome fracture in his right leg....

By NANCY ARMOUR | AP National Writer

In this photo released by the University of Louisville, injured Louisville guard Kevin Ware lies in a hospital bed holding the NCAA Regional Championship trophy flanked by coach Rick Pitino, left, and former Louisville assistant coach Richard Pitino on Monday, April 1, 2013. Ware broke his leg in the first half of Sunday's Midwest Regional final when he landed awkwardly after trying to contest a 3-point shot, breaking his leg in two places. He was taken off the court on a stretcher as his stunned teammates openly wept. His teammates went on to defeat Duke 85-63 to reach their second straight Final Four. (AP Photo/University of Louisville, Kenny Klein)





 

Kevin Ware is already up and walking, and he's got a nice souvenir to keep him company until he's cleared to return to Louisville.

Cardinals coach Rick Pitino brought the Midwest Regional championship trophy when he visited Ware, who remains hospitalized after surgery to repair a gruesome fracture in his right leg.

"He was real excited about (the trophy)," Pitino said after visiting Ware again Monday morning. "I said to him, 'You want me to bring it back or stay with you?' He said, 'It's staying with me.' I said, 'All right, just make sure you don't lose it.'"

During a 2-hour surgery Sunday night, doctors reset Ware's broken tibia and inserted a rod into the bone. Because the bone broke through the skin, Pitino said doctors are monitoring Ware to make sure no infection develops. If there are no complications, he should be released Tuesday.

The Cardinals plan to leave for the Final Four in Atlanta on Wednesday night, and Pitino said they expect to have Ware with them. Ware is originally from New York City, but he moved to the Atlanta area before high school.

"He gets to go home, be with his family and be with us on the bench," Pitino said. "He's in very good spirits and anxious to get out of the hospital and get back with the guys."

Ware's right leg snapped in the first half of Sunday's Midwest Regional final when he landed awkwardly after trying to contest a 3-point shot. The horrific injury devastated his teammates, and several fell to the court crying. Chane Behanan, Ware's best friend on the team, had to be helped to his feet.

But before Ware was wheeled off the court on a stretcher, he repeatedly urged the Cardinals to "just go win the game." The Cardinals did, beating Duke 85-63 to reach their second straight Final Four, and they said afterward there was no way they could have let Ware down.

"Right before the surgery, when he was able to watch the players at the press conference, the nurses and doctors told me that was the first time he broke down and cried, when the players were talking about him," Pitino said.

Ware's injury dominated social media Sunday night, and Pitino said the sophomore guard has been moved by all the messages of support. Joe Theismann, whose NFL career was ended by a horrific broken leg in a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants, has called Ware, Pitino said. On Sunday, Theismann tweeted, "Watching Duke/ Louisville my heart goes out to Kevin Ware."

Television analyst Greg Anthony also called, and Pitino said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski called him Monday to see how Ware was doing.

"A lot of really positive calls that are making him feel good," Pitino said.

Pitino and his son, Richard, who recruited Ware while he was on his father's staff, were at the hospital when the sophomore guard got out of surgery and went back Monday morning. Ware's girlfriend stayed with him overnight, and his mother and her husband arrived Monday.

"She just needed to see him this morning," Pitino said. "She was crying all night. Once she gave him a hug this morning, she was fine. Everything is good right now."

Kenny Klein, Louisville's sports information director, tweeted a picture of Ware on crutches Monday. Richard Pitino, now the coach at Florida International, posted photos of Ware with his family and with the championship trophy.

While some have speculated that Ware could have had a previous stress fracture that left him predisposed to such an injury, Pitino discounted that, saying there was "nothing prior."

"Basically his leg went one way and his shoe went another and the bone split," Pitino said. "There's no preexisting thing that makes it do that."

Ware's injury is similar to the one suffered by running back Michael Bush, who also played at Louisville. Bush recovered from the injury and has had a productive NFL career with Oakland and Chicago.

"It will be a long recovery," Pitino said. "But we expect him to make a full recovery."

Cavs' record has slipped to 22-50. Kyrie Irving's return puts Livingston back in a reserve role. More Cavaliers story links.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers try to end their eight-game losing streak when they play the Hawks in Atlanta.

The Cavs are 22-50; the Hawks, 41-33.

Point guard Kyrie Irving returned to the Cavaliers lineup on Sunday evening in New Orleans. Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's story that despite Irving's 31 points, the Cavs lost, 112-92, to the Hornets (with video). And, Schmitt Boyer's Cleveland Cavaliers Insider.

Irving's return means that guard Shaun Livingston will again come off the bench. Jason Lloyd writes for the Akron Beacon Journal:

Livingston is able to return to his reserve role after averaging 32 minutes in the eight games he started.

Livingston played well in Irving’s absence, but he now strengthens a bench that has been depleted by the injuries to the starters.

“It keeps the second unit a little more intact and it cuts down his minutes, which I think is important,” coach Byron Scott said. “I thought he was running on fumes for a little while because of all the minutes we’ve been playing him. He gets more of a break and can resume his normal position and normal playing time. That definitely helps.”

Watching the NCAA Tournament from the viewpoint of being a Cavs fan, and trying to figure who the Cavs should draft. (WaitingForNextYear)

A preview of tonight's Cavaliers at Hawks game. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Power forward Tristan Thompson is one of seven finalists for the J. Walter Kennedy Award, presented annually for service and dedication to a community. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

Playing the Cavaliers gives the inconsistent Hawks a chance to get something started. (FoxSportsOhio.com/Associated Press)

The Cavs continue to slide in these latest team power rankings. (ESPN.com)

Breaking down the race between the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. It's important to the Cavaliers, because if the Lakers make the playoffs, the Cavs get L.A.'s first-round pick in this June's draft -- probably the 15th, 16th or 17th overall pick. If the Lakers don't make the playoffs, the Cavs will get the Miami Heat's first-round pick, which will likely be No. 29 or No. 30 overall. (By Ben Golliver, Sports Illustrated)

Ways the Cavaliers could spend their money in the summer of 2014 -- besides on LeBron James. A slideshow. (By Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report)

The Cavs encounter the same problems in their 20-point loss to the Hornets in New Orleans. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

The Cleveland Indians open the season with three games in Toronto against the Blue Jays, starting Tuesday night.

View full size Mark Buehrle, who pitched for the Marlins last year after spending 12 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, makes his Toronto Blue Jays debut Thursday night against the Cleveland Indians. Carlos Osorio, Associated Press  

Cleveland Indians
vs. Toronto
Blue Jays

Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM AM/1100 and WMMS FM/100.7.

Pitching matchups (2012 stats): RHP Justin Masterson (11-15, 4.93 ERA)vs. RHP R.A. Dickey (20-6, 2.73) Tuesday at 7:07 p.m., RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (9-17, 5.40) vs. Brandon Morrow (10-7, 2.96) Wednesday at 7:07 p.m. and RHP Brett Myers (3-4, 3.12) vs. LHP Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.74) Thursday at 7:07 p.m.

Series: The Indians went 2-4 against the Blue Jays last year. The Blue Jays lead, 190-188, overall.

Indians update: They finished the Cactus League season at 17-16-2. Last season Michael Brantley hit .375 (9-for-24) against Toronto. Masterson went 1-0, allowing one run with 15 strikeouts in 15 innings against Toronto. Jimenez went 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA, allowing 10 runs on eight hits and seven walks in two starts.

Blue Jays update: Like the Indians, Toronto made many roster changes after last season. They are favored by many to win the AL East. Dickey, the NL Cy Young winner, is 2-0 lifetime against the Tribe in nine games, only three as a starter. Buehrle is 15-17 with a 4.77 ERA lifetime against the Tribe.

Injuries: Indians -- DH Jason Giambi (back), RHP Josh Tomlin (right elbow), RHP Frank Herrmann (right elbow) and RHP Blake Wood (right elbow) are on the disabled list. Blue Jays -- RHP Kyle Drabek (right elbow), RHP Drew Hutchinson (right elbow), 2B Brett Lawrie (left oblique), RHP Dustin McGowan (right shoulder), LHP Luis Perez (left elbow) and RHP Michael Schwimer (right shoulder) are on the disabled list.

Next for Indians: The Indians open a three-game series against the Rays on Friday at Tropicana Field.

With Al Horford's status unknown, the Hawks try to make it two in a row Monday night as they host a Cavaliers team mired in a season-worst eight-game losing streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

With Al Horford's status unknown, the Hawks try to make it two in a row Monday night as they host a Cavaliers team mired in a season-worst eight-game losing streak.

Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson (44) celebrates scoring with point guard Devin Harris (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 97-88. (AP Photo/John Amis)  

(AP) -- After alternating wins and losses over a nine-game stretch, the Atlanta Hawks could get on a roll against the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Zeke Marshall era has come to an end with at lot of accomplishments in the Mid-American Conference, but not as much on the big stage.

Akron's Zeke Marshall was voted best all-around center in the MAC. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer  

The waves may still be rippling following the Akron Zips’ dramatic end to the college basketball season. Not only was a potentially promising season washed away, but Akron’s sudden demise also signaled the end of the four-year Zeke Marshall era.
    The 7-0 center from McKeesport, Pa., arrived with much notoriety as the most prized recruit ever in the Mid-American Conference. But just as Akron’s still impressive 26-7 season seemed to imply so much more was possible, so did Marshall’s career, even as it raised the bar for Akron hoops.
    MAC titles, yes. Postseason success, none. That is true for both Akron and Marshall.
    “I give the kid a lot of credit,” Akron head coach Keith Dambrot said as he prepared to spend the week recruiting. “For a guy who came here and didn’t really understand it, didn’t even like basketball much, really, he’s really become professional about it. That is what success does.
    “Zeke got better. He’s probably not what some people would have thought. But he definitely got better. He came a long way, really. He went to two NCAAs, an NIT and a CBI. He won two regular season MAC championships and two MAC tournament. You’ve got to say he did a good job.”
    There’s no question the Zips sit at the top of the MAC, and they have been there awhile. Marshall, with his 13 points and 7 rebounds per game and a MAC-record 368 blocked shots, has had a huge role in that.
    Yet, pick a big game outside of conference play where the two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year took over. Name a quality non-conference, mid-major program the Zips defeated.
    This was projected to be the season to change all that. But it did not happen, even as the team rolled through a 19-game winning streak.
    Then the season began to unravel, starting with point guard Alex Abreu’s arrest on drug charges one game before the end of the season and ending with the humbling, flu-ravaged 88-42 NCAA Tournament loss to Virginia Commonwealth.
    “Bad circumstances,” Dambrot said. “A lot of bad things happened at the end. It’s a shame. With a break or two, we could have gone into the tournament hot and won a couple of games,” Dambrot said. “But we just lost too many guys when it mattered.”
    That’s still three NCAA Tournament appearances in five years, two of them with Marshall. So Akron is looking to get back on top again.
    “We still got good horses,” Dambrot said, noting strong play all season from 6-7 freshman Jake Kretzer and 6-4 Reggie McAdams. “We can still win. We have some question marks, but a lot of good players still.”
    He barely mentioned Abreu’s late-season arrest, beyond the fact it now puts the Zips on the hunt for a point guard for next season. However, the coach is hopeful for the return of 6-6 Quincy Diggs, the 2012 MAC Sixth Man of the Year who was suspended for a violation of Akron’s student conduct code. Combined with incoming junior college point guard Nyles Evans, the Zips will become more athletic on the perimeter while remaining strong on the baseline.
    Plus, 6-11 Pat Forsythe, 6-7 Demetrius Treadwell and 6-7 Nick Harney all return. Forsythe is a different post player than Marshall, but equally effective, while Treadwell will likely before the new face of the program with his tenacious style of play. Harney remains the offensive “X” factor.
    And this does not count a four-man recruiting class which includes 6-9 Isaiah Johnson, who one Akron assistant said, “is a bigger, taller Justin Greene (former MAC Player of the Year) or B.J. Gladden, a 6-5 forward who Dambrot said, “is a Chris Singletary type. I just hope he’s as good as Singletary.”
    “We will be OK. It will just be interesting to see how we do without Zeke defending at the rim.”

The Cleveland Indians will open the season with eight relievers on the roster, but only three of them -- Chris Perez, Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith -- have defined roles.

View full size Bryan Shaw, obtained in a trade with Arizona, is one of eight relievers in the Cleveland Indians bullpen. It might take a few weeks before all the relievers settle into defined roles. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

TORONTO -- The Indians are carrying eight relievers into tonight's season opener against Toronto at Rogers Centre. Three of them have defined roles. The other five will jump every time the bullpen phone rings.

Closer Chris Perez and setup men Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith know what is expected of them. Smith pitches the seventh inning, Pestano the eighth and Perez works the ninth for the save.

They are the big reason why the Indians, despite losing 94 games last season, went 24-12 in games decided by one run. It was the second-best winning percentage in the big leagues.

Where does that leave Rich Hill, Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Matt Albers and Nick Hagadone?

"When they give you the ball, you go out there and pitch with conviction," said Hill. "It doesn't really matter when they give it to you. The point is, if you're concerned about where you're being used, you're missing the whole point of playing baseball.

"You're there for the team."

Hill, Allen, Shaw, Albers and Hagadone are opening the season for the first time with the Tribe. Hill, 33, made the club as a non-roster free agent. Shaw and Albers were acquired in a December trade with Arizona. Allen and Hagadone appeared in the Tribe pen last year.

It usually takes four to five weeks for a bullpen to get itself in order. Sometimes it can happen faster, but usually not with as many new arms as there is in the Indians' pen.

"With eight guys down there we could be used in a lot of different ways," said Allen.

Hill and Hagadone are the two lefties in the pen. Hill pitched for manager Terry Francona in Boston and Francona hinted how he'd used him on Monday while talking to reporters at Rogers Centre.

"Rich Hill, in my opinion, is the guy facing a left-handed hitter in a leverage situation," said Francona. "I think Rich can do way more than that, but if there's a situation like that in the sixth or seventh innings, that where we want him."

Lefties have hit .209 (74-for-354) against Hill in his career.

"After that we have a collection of guys with pretty good arms and we'll try to use that to the best of our advantage," said Francona. "We're not gong to pigeonhole these guys, especially early in a season. All teams have guys coming out of the game earlier than normal because they haven't settled in to where you're comfortable letting them stay out there for a long time. Especially, if they have men on base."

Francona, like most manager, loves the idea of having eight relievers. The luxury won't last long because a move will have to be made when Scott Kazmir is activated Saturday to start against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field.

"It's going to be a hard move to make because I like the idea of going with eight," said Francona. "We don't have a typical long guy and that's by choice. If we get a situation where we [need a long reliever], we'll just piece a game together."

Hagadone, Shaw and Allen have options.

"There are innings to be won down there," said Allen. "There are innings to be won and earned, but we really won't know that until a couple of weeks in."

To put it simply, the relievers who are relieving the best will pitch the most. It's always been that way.

"The guys who are throwing well get into games," said Francona, "but I have an obligation, especially early in the season, not to overuse guys.

"The idea is, if we have to get out of an inning, to go to the guy that matches up the best so we can limit some damage."

Early in spring training the Indians had two injury concerns in the bullpen with Smith (oblique) and Perez (right shoulder). Smith has been healthy for a while, but Perez made just five appearances in spring training.

Francona is not worried.

"Chris handled himself really well," said Francona. "He got it under control. He listened to the medical people. He's ready.

"Not only is he ready to go pitch, but he's ready to go pitch and be effective. There can be a difference."

Left-handed starter Scott Kazmir pitched for Tampa Bay for six seasons before he was traded to the Angels. He'll make his first start for the Cleveland Indians on Saturday in Tropicana Field, his former home park.

View full size Scott Kazmir will start the season as the No. 5 starter in the Cleveland Indians' rotation. Gregory Bull, Associated Press  

TORONTO -- Left-hander Scott Kazmir finally believes. It took him a while, but he gets it.

Kazmir is back in the big leagues as the Indians' fifth starter. They told him on March 25. He even held a news conference, but it was clear he had his doubts.

"I don't even remember what I told you guys," Kazmir told reporters before Monday's workout at Rogers Centre. "I blacked out. I was definitely in another place, but it has sunk in."

Kazmir's last big-league start was April 3, 2011 with the Angels. Just over a month later, he was released.

"Just getting back in the swing of things, the whole routine, is something I've missed," he said. "I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Kazmir pitched for the Rays for parts of six seasons (2004 to 2009) until they traded him to the Angels. On Saturday, he'll start against them.

"How ironic is that?" he asked. "It's going to be a good one. I'm in familiar territory. I know what the field plays like. I know what the mound feels like, that's for sure."

Kazmir, 29, went 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in four appearances, including two starts, this spring. He struck out 13, walked one and allowed 18 hits in 13 innings.

He also made a couple of minor league starts, including one Saturday before breaking camp with the Indians.

He said what? Nick Swisher was bouncing around the locker room Monday at Rogers Centre wearing a blue T-shirt that said "awesomeamazingness."

Not sure if he created the word, but Swisher used it in an interview during spring training and it looks like it stuck.

Good moment: As part of the pre-game festivities for the Indians home opener against the Yankees on April 8, the fathers of Indians players, coaches and manager will throw out ceremonial first pitches to their sons. Players Nick Swisher, Michael Brantley and Zach McAllister will take a throw from their fathers Steve, Mickey and Steve. Bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. will accept a throw from his father Sandy and manager Terry Francona will catch a throw from his father, Tito.

"I haven't thought a lot about it because getting through Opening Day (Tuesday night) is half panic, half chaotic . . ." said Francona. "I hope he has enough left to get it to me. All kidding aside, my dad being part of this is really special to me."

Waiting game: It seems as if Lonnie Chisenhall has been with the Indians forever. He's already played in more than 100 big league games, but Tuesday will be the first time he's opening a season with the Tribe.

"I think I'll be more excited when we open the season at home," said Chisenhall. "Right now, we have to go through Toronto's process. It will be different when we get home."

Chisenhall hit .400 in spring training with four homers and 12 RBI.

"I don't think I was playing out of my mind," he said. "I have high expectations."

RIP: Clare H. Hegan, wife of Indians catcher Jim and mother of former team announcer Mike, died on March 25 in Burlington, Mass. She was 90.

Finally: Former Indian Esmil Rogers said hello to several of his former teammates Monday. The Indians sent Rogers to the Blue Jays in November for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes. . . . McAllister rejoined the Indians in Toronto after making a minor league start Sunday. "He did well," said pitching coach Mickey Callaway. "He threw five innings and struck out 11. He was only facing Class A ball players, but he did well." McAllister makes his first start Friday at Tropicana Field against the Rays.

Cleveland Cavaliers' forward Tristan Thompson is one of seven players nominated for the NBA's Walter J. Kennedy Citizenship Award.

View full size Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson talks to Tabetha Blake, a 10-year-old patient in the epilepsy center at the Cleveland Clinic, during a January visit. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer  

ATLANTA --For Tristan Thompson, community service is not optional.

"Me being blessed, you need to bless others," said Thompson, who was one of seven NBA players nominated for the 39th annual J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award presented by the Pro Basketball Writers of America. "That's what my mom taught me being young and growing up in the church. That's what we're here to do, is bless each other."

Thompson's community service involved purchased turkeys and full bags of groceries for 150 families from Historic Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Cleveland, shopping sprees for children, as well as working to raise awareness of domestic violence and pediatric epilepsy, which affects his younger brother. Thompson attended the grand opening of a Legacy Project, a family room at the Cleveland Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as the Cavaliers Youth Fund Golf Classic and hosted "Tweet and greets" to encourage fans to donate to the "Harvest for Hunger" food drive. He participated in the filming of a Valentine's Day video in conjunction with a flower delivery that players did for women whose military husbands were deployed. For the second season, he purchased season tickets for underserved children in the community (Tristan's Town).

Next season, he will launch a new education program called "BLOCKS 13" in the public school system for students in grades 6-8. BLOCKS 13 focuses on Behavior, Leadership, Opportunity, Character, Knowledge and Success, a program developed by Thompson to help at-risk children stay on the right track in school.

"Being able to take kids on shopping sprees and the turkeys, that's just from the love of my heart," Thompson said. "It's just putting a smile on someone's face.

"At the end of the day, we play for the community. They come out there and parents spend their hard-working money to come support us and fill the stadium, so it's only right to give back."

Coach Byron Scott thought Thompson's nomination was well-deserved.

"That's great for Tristan," Scott said. "He's done so much in the community. Almost every time you turn on the TV, he's at a school or a hospital, giving his time and his money. He's very well-deserving of that because he does definitely care about the community in Cleveland and he's done a terrific job. He gives back a lot in his country of Canada as well. He hasn't taken his basketball status as far as getting up there in the NBA and forgotten about everything else. He is truly a believer in giving back to the community and he's done a terrific job."

Also nominated this year were New York's Tyson Chandler, Chicago's Luol Deng, Denver's Kenneth Faried, Atlanta's Kyle Korver, Golden State's David Lee and Boston's Jason Terry. The only previous Cavs to win the award were Austin Carr in 1979-80 and Eric Snow in 2004-05.

Irving out: As planned, Kyrie Irving did not play against the Hawks. For the time being, he will not play in back-to-backs. He returned Sunday at New Orleans after missing three weeks with a sprained left shoulder. He is expected to play Wednesday and Friday against Brooklyn and at Boston, respectively, and the Cavs will go from there in determining his ability to play.

"He said he feels good, but I expected him to say that," Scott said of Irving's status on Monday. "I thought he played pretty good. Defensively, he allowed [Greivis] Vasquez every now and then to get by him, and I thought he got tired, which is understandable. He's missed the last three weeks. It's hard to emulate a basketball game on a treadmill. I thought he played pretty well overall.

"It's a good feeling to know he was [feeling good] and it's a good feeling to know if he had to, he could have played. But, again, from a medical standpoint, not going back-to-back right now is very important. I think he understands we're just looking out for him, want to make sure he finishes out the season on a good note and healthy going into next season."

Zeller diary: Cavs rookie Tyler Zeller has been writing a diary for NBA.com this season. His latest entry, which will be posted today, deals with his new nephew, the NCAA Tournament, the end of the season and his viewing and reading choices. To check it out, visitallball.blogs.nba.com/

Marreese Speights tied his season high with 23 points, but it was no where near enough to prevent the Cavs from losing at Atlanta, 102-94, to extend their losing streak to a season-high nine games.

ATLANTA -- When it was all over and the dust settled, coach Byron Scott was thrilled with the fight his team showed in a 102-94 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday in Philips Arena.

From Marreese Speights tying his season high with 23 points to Daniel Gibson's second-quarter ejection to Luke Walton's fourth-quarter shove of Ivan Johnson and Tristan Thompson returning for the second half after needing three stitches near his left eye to close a cut opened in the first half, the short-handed Cavs did not back down from the tough, physical, playoff-bound Hawks.

"That's how we've got to fight," Scott said after the Cavs fell to 22-51 with their season-high ninth straight loss. "That's how we've got to play. We've got to fight with that type of passion. If we do that, then we'll be OK.

"I've been waiting for that all season long. That was good to see. It took a lot longer than I wanted. But I think that also can put to rest the questions about these guys giving up or quitting, whatever you want to say. Like I told them, they played as hard as they could play tonight. They played with that fire, they were physical. If we fight like that every night, we'll be OK."

The Cavs started the game against knowing they'd be without Kyrie Irving, who returned after missing eight games with a sprained left shoulder on Sunday at New Orleans but is not playing in back-to-backs for now. They lost C.J. Miles at tipoff with a sore right foot, suffered at New Orleans. Then they lost Gibson with 7:07 left in the second quarter after he received two technical fouls, one for arguing with the referee about not calling a foul on a shot and then one for jawing with old Cavs nemesis DeShawn Stevenson, who also received a technical foul for his part in the incident.

It was the second ejection of Gibson's career. He was tossed once his rookie season for launching his mouthpiece into the stands.

"I shouldn't have let my emotions get the best of me and take me out of the ballgame," he said, adding he had no ill will toward Stevenson. "I could have helped."

Actually, he did. By someone finally boiling over, there seemed to be a renewed spirit on the floor and in the locker room after the game.

"I think guys on this team are really competitors," Gibson said. "Everybody wants to win and we haven't been winning of late. Maybe that frustration came out. Things weren't going our way. It got physical and we didn't back down. That's what coach wants us to be like, the team he wants us to be."

With his squad short-handed and under-sized, Scott turned to a zone -- and it likely won't be the last time this season. He dared the Hawks to shoot from the outside, and they did. Devin Harris finished with 25 points and seven assists, and Jeff Teague added 19 points and nine assists.

But thanks to the efforts of Speights and Omri Casspi, who finished with nine points, four rebounds and four assists, the Cavs battled back and cut the Hawks' 14-point third-quarter lead to six midway through the fourth quarter. Casspi played 16:48, his longest appearance since Dec. 5 and his first extensive appearance since he had an appendectomy in Orlando on Feb. 23.

"I thought he did a good job of being ready," Scott said. "C.J. goes down, the next man up is Omri. I thought he came in and did a real good job on both ends of the floor. I expected that from him."

Casspi expected nothing less from himself and his teammates.

"It's something that we need to bring every night to get out of this losing streak and show the character of the team," said Casspi, sporting a big red welt on his chest from a scratch suffered in the game. "If we're going to do it and bring it every night, we're going to win a lot of games."

It's too late to win a lot of games, but Walton pointed out that learning how to play tough will help the Cavs in the long run.

"They're fighting for playoff spots and we're fighting for our pride and to get off this losing streak that we're on," said Walton, who was originally assessed a flagrant foul for shoving Johnson after getting hit in the head twice, dislodging the facemask he's wearing to protect his broken nose. "There weren't any dirty plays out there, just aggressive basketball. It's going to get more like that with the playoffs coming around.

"For a young team us, I think it's good for us. We don't have a lot of playoff experience on this team, but once this team gets there, that's the style of basketball you've got to get ready to play. That's what it takes in the playoffs."

The Cleveland Browns had private workouts with Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan and Kentucky guard Larry Warford.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns worked out a draft-eligible cornerback and guard last week, a source told The Plain Dealer.

The club held a private workout with Rutgers defensive back Logan Ryan. He started all 26 games the past two seasons for the Scarlet Knights, and is projected as a second- or third-round pick, according to NFLDraftScout.com. Ryan (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) recorded 94 tackles, 17 pass breakups, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a junior last season.

The Browns also worked out University of Kentucky guard Larry Warford.

The 6-foot-3, 332-pounder was a three-year starter for the Wildcats. NFLDraftScout.com projects him as a second- or third-round pick. He was an Associated Press third-team All-American.

The Browns have needs at both positions, particularly at cornerback. They are searching for a starter opposite Joe Haden with 33-year-old free agent Sheldon Brown expected to sign elsewhere.

Today's schedule Baseball

Today's schedule

Baseball

Note: Games start at 4:30 unless noted and are subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Akron Garfield at Norton, noon

Amherst at North Olmsted

Avon Lake at Brecksville

Beachwood at Kent Roosevelt

Bedford at Crestwood

Berkshire at Chagrin Falls

Brush at Perry (DH), 1

Brunswick at Twinsburg, 4:30

Eastlake North vs. Sandusky at Lorain Pipeyard Field

Elyria Catholic at Open Door Christian

Fairport at Chardon, 3

Garrettsville at Cardinal 2

Garfield Heights at Elyria

Highland at Green

Holy Name at Cleveland Central Catholic

Kenston at University

Lake Center Christian at Coventry

Ledgemont at Conneaut, 11 a.m.

Ledgemont at Edgewood, 1

Lincoln West at Fairview

Lorain at Sandusky Perkins, 5

Midpark at Berea

Nordonia at Copley

North Royalton at Cuyahoga Falls

Olmsted Falls at Westlake, 4:30

Streetsboro at Barberton

Parma at Keystone

Richmond Heights at Trinity

Tallmadge at Revere

Timken at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

Wadsworth at Cloverleaf

Waterloo at Field

Softball

Note: Games start at 4:30 unless noted and are subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Amherst at Magnificat

Avon at Avon Lake

Buckeye at Cloverleaf

Clearview at Barberton

Eastlake North at Harvey

Euclid at Riverside

Fairview at Cuyahoga Heights

Garrettsville at Lordstown

Geneva at Kenston

Holy Name at Cleveland Central Catholic

Kent Roosevelt at Southeast, 4:15

Lake Center Christian School at Coventry

Ledgemont at Cardinal

Midpark at Lakewood

Solon at Brunswick

St. Joseph Academy at North Royalton

Waterloo at Springfield, 4:15

Westlake at Keystone

Track

Akron East at Akron North, 4:15

Beaumont at Boardman, 4

Cardinal vs. Newbury, 4:15

Cloverleaf at Wadsworth, 4

Copley at Nordonia, 4

Fairless at CVCA, 4:30

Garrettsville Garfield at Crestwood, 4:30

Highland at Green, 4

Holy Name at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 4:30

Independence Triangular (Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Lutheran West), 4:30

Manchester at Tuscarawas Valley, 4:30

Open Door at Clearview, 4:30

Streetsboro at Aurora, 4

Tallmadge at Revere, 4

Trinity Triangular (Holy Name, SVSM, Trinity) 4:15

Baseball CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

Baseball

CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

Crossover

Harvey001 001 0-- 2 1 2

Hawken011 020 0-- 4 5 1

Har (0-1): Dickison (L, 0-1). Haw (1-0): Pagon (W, 1-0). S: Hughes (1). HR: Haw, Weil (1)

Notable: Weil (Haw)1-2, 2 RBI, 1R, SB.

LAKE ERIE LEAGUE

Maple Hts.000 00 -- 0 1 1

Lorain431 11 --10 8 1

MH (0-1): Roundtree (L, 0-1). L (3-0): Velez (W, 2-0).

Notable: Velez (L) 1H, 8K.

PRINCIPALS' ATHLETIC CONF.

CVCA445 00 --13 8 0

Timken001 00 -- 1 3 1

CVCA (0-1): Starcher (W, 1-0). T (0-1): Mattern (L, 0-1).

Notable: Brook (CVCA) 2B, 3R, 3 RBI.

NONLEAGUE

Greenup, Ky060 001--7 5 2

Medina003 000--3 5 5

G (4-1): McCall (W, 1-0). M (0-1): Winters (L, 0-1).

Notable: Minor (M) 2-3.

St. Ignatius000 032 0-- 5 7 1

Ashland400 101 x-- 6 6 2

SI (0-1): Lynch (L, 0-1). A (1-0): Goetz (W, 1-0).

St. Edward004 020 0-- 6 10 4

Walsh Jesuit240 030 x-- 9 8 2

SE (1-2): Jacobs (L, 0-1). WJ (2-1): Machamer (W, 1-0).

Notable: Romans (WJ) 2-2, 2 2B, 3 BB.

Clearview000 000 1-- 1 2 2

Amherst220 020 x-- 6 3 0

C (0-2): Vargo (L). A (2-0): Skladan (W, 1-0). HR: A, Morris (1).

Notable: Skladan (A), 6K, 0 ER.

Eastlake000 200 0-- 2 6 3

Mayfield001 021 x-- 4 7 1

EN (0-1): Luchouski (L, 0-1). M (1-0): Schreiber (W, 1-0).

Notable: Schreiber (EN) 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI; 5K

John Hay000 00 -- 0 0 4

Benedictine655 0x --16 14 0

JH (0-1): Lucic (L, 0-1). B (1-0): Piascik (W, 1-0).

Notable: Hopkins (B) 3-5, 2B, 2R, 2 RBI.

Avon Lake011 010 5-- 8 6 1

Elyria Catholic005 000 0-- 5 4 1

AL: Montaque (W, 1-0). EC: Katynski (L, 0-1). HR: EC, Whitacre (GS, 1).

Notable: Morisette (AL) 2B, 2 RBI.

Bishop Timons, NY100 100 -- 2 3 3

NDCL202 161 --12 10 1

BT: Milewski (L, 1-1). NDCL: Radosky (W, 1-0).

Notable: Proud (NDCL) 2-4, 3R, 2 RBI, 3 SB.

Softball

NORTHEAST OHIO CONFERENCE

Crossover

Normandy100 00 -- 1 6 2

Stow222 41 --11 14 0

N (0-1): Hester (L, 0-1). S (1-0): S. Jones (W, 1-0). HR: S, Slider (1)

Notable: Slider (S) 2-3, 2 RBI

NONLEAGUE

Black River000 200 0-- 2 3 5

Northwestern100 504 x--10 9 0

BR: Smith (L,1-1). N: Twinem (W).

Notable: N, Smith 13K; 3B, SB

Aurora201 020 1--6 9 2

Nordonia000 000 4--4 6 2

A (1-0): Petrash (W, 1-0). N (0-1): Vickers (L, 0-1).

Notable: Ternia (A) 2B-2, 3R.

Orange101 000-- 2 1 1

Cuy.Falls460 011--12 20 1

O (0-1): Wisnievski (L, 0-1). CF: Fryberger (W, 1-0).

Notable: Collins (CF) 3-4, 3R, 4 RBI.

Beaumont000 000 0--0 3 3

Cuyahoga Hts.121 041 x--9 10 0

B (0-1): Iott (L, 0-1). CH (1-0): Chopka (W, 1-0).

Notable: Chopka (CH) 7IP, 7K; 2-3, 3B, 3R, RBI

Hudson002 00 --2 4 1

Brecksville233 22 --12 11 4

H (0-1): Smith (L, 0-1). B (1-0): Frederick (W, 1-0). HR: B, Kenny (1).

Notable: Mack (B) 3B, 3R; Schentur (B) 3B, 5 RBI

Berea000 000 1--1 1 0

Clearview200 000 x--2 5 0

B: Alward (L, 0-1). C: Kaya (W, 1-0).

Notable: Kaya (C) 0 ER, 14K; 2-3.

Boys tennis

Crestwood 5, Harvey 0

Singles: S. Geiger (C) d. E. Gonzales 6-1,6-0; J. Vaughan (C) d. J. Orosz 6-1, 6-4; G. Monroe (C) d. I. Vizuel 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

Doubles: Shahan/H. Strahan (C) d. M.Grundy/A. Turner 2-6, 6-2, 6-4; J. Hanzlik/T. Fear (C) d. E. Negrete/E. Brown 6-4, 7-6.

Highland 5, Strongsville 0

Singles: Hutchings (H) d. Gulden 6-1, ret.; Hadler (H) d. Bringman 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-2; Joyce (H) d. Reed 1-6, 6-2, 6-0

Doubles: Gsellman/Kelly (H) d. Hayak/Arney 6-4, 6-3; Luth/Wagner (H) d. Tomcko/Cindrosky 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

Lake Ridge 3, Avon 2

Singles: Mostardi (A) d. Mayer, 6-1, 6-0; Peckham (LR) d. Robbins, 6-3, 6-3; Syed (LR) d. Badt, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Doubles: Lin-Varun/Kumar (LR) d. Burger/Baskar 6-4, 6-4; Nicklaus/Alexander (Avon) d. Reese/Dempsey 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Lakewood 5, Berea 0

Singles: Richardson d. Harrington 7-5, 6-1; Brinich d. Boxlel 6-0, 6-1; Mezin d. Anguilano 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: Carlson/Levis d. Richardson/Smith 6-2, 6-2; Ebner/Figueiredo d. Cary/Martin 6-0, 6-0

Two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning proved enough on Monday as junior pitcher John Schreiber stepped up and did it with arm and bat in leading Mayfield to a 4-2 nonleague baseball win over Eastlake North. Schreiber, in relief, struck out five batters in the final three innings and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a...

Two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning proved enough on Monday as junior pitcher John Schreiber stepped up and did it with arm and bat in leading Mayfield to a 4-2 nonleague baseball win over Eastlake North.

Schreiber, in relief, struck out five batters in the final three innings and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and two RBI for the Wildcats.

Aurora 4, Nordonia 3: The Greenmen tallied all their runs in the last two innings to squeeze out the nonleague road win. Senior Frank Sivillo's two hits, including the game-winner, paced Aurora.

Walsh Jesuit 9, St. Edward 6: The Warriors were outhit, 13-8, but parlayed four St. Edward errors into a win. Nate Romans' two doubles and three walks led Walsh.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 13, Timken 1: Ryan Starcher threw a five-inning complete game for the Royals in the PAC-7 win, allowing three hits and striking out 10 while Elijah Brook was 3-for-3 with three RBI.

Softball

Aurora 9, Nordonia 6: Junior Devan Ternai ripped two doubles and scored three runs to lead the Greenmen to the nonleague road win.

Clearview 2, Berea 1: Clippers pitcher Sarah Kaya lost her shutout bid in the top of the seventh inning but nonetheless gave up just one hit and struck out 14 in the nonleague game. Kaya and Katelyn Jones accounted for four of Clearview's five hits.

Cuyahoga Heights 9, Beaumont 0: Woodridge transfer Meredith Chopka had a successful debut in a Redskins uniform, pitching a three-hit, seven-strikeout gem and collecting a triple, driving in a run and scoring three times in the nonleague game.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights 12, Hudson 2: The Bees got a triple and five RBI from Mary Schentur and a triple and three runs scored from South Carolina recruit Alexis Mack in the nonleague game.

Boys tennis

Lake Ridge Academy 3, Avon 2: The Royals escaped with the win when Qasim Syed rebounded with a come-from-behind 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 decision over Tyler Badt.

Wadsworth 3, Orrville 2: The doubles teams of Ben Hanna and David Fergusson and Asa Berlin and Owen McDovitt were victorious in leading the Grizzlies to victory.

The Niners had 14 draft picks and didn't mind using one to obtain the 26-year-old McCoy

BEREA, Ohio: The Browns moved up nine spots at the back end of the NFL Draft on Monday and banked an additional seventh-round pick by trading a third-string quarterback that many figured would eventually be released.

Translation: a good day in Berea.

Colt McCoy was jettisoned from a team on which he had no future and acquired by a Super Bowl contender who will allow him to battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Colin Kaepernick.

Translation: not a bad day to be McCoy.

The Browns dealt McCoy and a sixth-round pick (No. 173) to the Niners for a fifth-round (No. 164) and seventh-round (No. 227) selection. Whether you like or distrust the new management team of Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi, it’s hard to deny it’s a decent return on a quarterback that threw just 17 passes a season ago.

McCoy’s time with the Browns began to grow short the night they drafted Brandon Weeden a year ago. His exit was virtually assured when they signed Jason Campbell to a free-agent deal a week ago.

A source told the Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot a day after the Campbell signing that McCoy would soon be released or traded. That came to fruition. A year after the old regime could not find a suitor for the backup quarterback, the new one was able to secure an extra draft pick, giving them seven total and two in the fifth round.

It helped that the Super Bowl runners-up had about as many draft picks as local sporting goods stores had No. 40 “Hillis” jerseys in their discount racks. The Niners had 14 selections in the upcoming draft including four seventh rounders.

Why were they willing to make a two-for-one swap for McCoy when it seemed likely the Browns would have to cut him? A source told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio at least one other team had interest in a quarterback with 21 career starts. Only the Baltimore Ravens are lower in the waiver order than San Francisco, meaning anyone ahead of them would have had first crack at McCoy, who’s set to earn $1.5 million next season.  That lone team’s interest might have been enough for the Browns to acquire an additional asset for a player they didn’t want.

Former coach Pat Shurmur did not favor McCoy and he was a West Coast offense disciple. He certainly didn’t have a future with new coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, advocates of the vertical passing game.

McCoy supporters – and they’re a vocal, loyal bunch – believe their man merited another chance, especially given Weeden’s rocky rookie season. They are entitled to that opinion. But under the new regime McCoy wasn’t going to get a shot even if Weeden 2.0 again started throwing balls into the paws of defensive linemen and the hands of safeties. Heck, there’s still a possibility, however remote, Weeden has done to him in the draft what happened to McCoy a year ago – the Browns take a quarterback in the first round.

In San Francisco, McCoy will earn a fresh start and the opportunity to work with the tandem of Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who helped resurrect the career of Alex Smith. Like McCoy, Smith does not have a strong arm, but he nevertheless enjoyed a productive 1-1/2 year run before the Niners turned to Kaepernick midseason. Smith was dealt to Kansas City, where he could start next season providing the Chiefs don’t draft Geno Smith.

The Harbaugh-Roman tandem is among the best at tailoring a game plan to the strengths of a quarterback. McCoy certainly will have a terrific supporting cast, which added receiver Anquan Boldin for a sixth round pick. (That’s right, the Niners surrendered more for McCoy than Boldin).

Kaepernick plays a high-risk game with the read-option and it might afford McCoy, 26, some playing time. Besides, reuniting with Phil Dawson is never a bad thing.

The Browns moved forward Monday. Colt McCoy moved on. Perhaps both are the better for it.