UMass grateful to be hosting regional

AMHERST - When University of Massachusetts softball coach Elaine Sortino saw her team's name on the television screen during the NCAA selection show Sunday, she was initially disappointed.

"We're flying," she said as her shoulder slumped dejectedly, misreading the screen and thinking her Minutewomen were heading to California because Stanford was the region's highest seed.

Clutch hit helps Hopkins walk off with victory

HADLEY - The Hopkins Academy baseball team gave up two runs in the top of the seventh but then scored on a double to center field by freshman Garrison Banas in the bottom of the inning for a walk-off win Monday over Frontier Regional. With the 3-2 victory, the Golden Hawks (9-7) qualified for the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament for the first time since 1999.

Hamp baseball clinches postseason berth

The Northampton baseball team is headed to the postseason.

The Blue Devils spotted Hampshire Regional a two-run lead in Westhampton, but came back to earn the 7-5 win and clinch a Division 1 postseason berth.

Nick Kellogg and Joe Popielarczyk each had two hits, including a double, for Northampton (10-4), which scored in every inning except the first.

Moussette sparks Hampshire

In just her second varsity at-bat, Bri Moussette made the difference in the Hampshire Regional softball team's 14-10 win over Mahar Monday in Westhampton.

With her team trailing by six in the fourth inning, the eighth grader entered the game as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and promptly smacked a triple to deep right field.

ESPN honors two Amherst infielders

Amherst College infielders Neal Allar and Mike Neff were named to the ESPN the Magazine academic all-district baseball first team for the college division.

Wildcats cruise past Deerfield

Yondo Nyadjroh, Tony Chighisola and Kevin Kelly all had two hits and one run batted in for the Williston Northampton baseball team, which defeated Deerfield Academy 8-2 on Monday in Easthampton.

Connor Sullivan also had an RBI for the Wildcats (9-5) who scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Brett Berlin was the wining pitcher, striking out four in 5-2/3 innings.

James scores 21, Cavs even series with Celtics

CLEVELAND - Back to even, and back to Boston - with authority.

LeBron James scored 21 points, jamming in a powerhouse dunk over a defenseless Kevin Garnett in the final two minutes, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the homesick Celtics 88-77 in Game 4 on Monday night to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Series finale ends in defeat for Sox

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Boston Red Sox designated reliever Julian Tavarez for assignment Monday, clearing room for the return of first baseman Sean Casey.

Goodell, Specter to grill Walsh

NEW YORK - Former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh will meet separately with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Sen. Arlen Specter on Tuesday to discuss New England's videotaping of opposing coaches' playcalling signals in violation of league rules.

Francona to miss two Red Sox games after mother-in-law's death

BALTIMORE (AP) - Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona will miss two games starting Tuesday night following the death of his mother-in-law.

Bench coach Brad Mills will run the Red Sox during their series at Baltimore.

Mary Ann Lang, mother of Francona's wife, Jacque, died Monday night in Tucson, Arizona. Francona and his family traveled to Tucson on Tuesday.