Miami coach optimistic about MAC tourney

Dan Simonds feels good about Miami University’s chances in the Mid-American Conference baseball tournament, even though the RedHawks have failed to win a title since he took over the program in 2006. “I might be the eternal optimist, but I’ve got a good feeling,” said Simonds, whose fifth-seeded squad will ...

• 11:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hal: Is Leake baseball’s best No. 5?

Wondering why any of us ever thought Mike Leake should be shuffled to the bullpen to make room for Tony Cingrani because it looks as if Leake might be the best No. 5 starter in the majors right now.

Area high school baseball, softball and boys volleyball schedules and results for May 21

BaseballSECTIONAL TOURNAMENTToday’s Sectional FinalsDIVISION IIIAt KingsRoger Bacon vs. Cin. HIlls, 5 p.m.At Deer ParkMadeira vs. Summit Ctry Day, 5 p.m.At MadisonBadin vs. Carlisle, 5 p.m.At CarlisleFenwick vs. Waynesville, 5 p.m.At Howell Field, TippecanoeVersailles vs. West Liberty-Salem, 5 p.m.At UrbanaMiami East vs. Triad, 5 p.m.DIVISION IVAt Prasco Park, MasonFayetteville vs. Cin. ...

• 11:11 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Indy drivers eating up 500 experience

The green flag signaling the start of the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 wasn’t dropping for another six days. But drivers Pippa Mann and Buddy Lazier were confronting difficult decisions. The juicy, calorie-laden cheeseburger or the more weight-friendly salad and rice? “Diet starts becoming a big issue,” said Lazier, ...

• 9:25 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Carlisle goes for sweep of Badin

By John CummingsContributing WriterEvan Helton’s days of walking the halls at Carlisle High School are over, but that doesn’t mean the senior first baseman doesn’t empathize with the underclassmen who still have to endure another week of school and final exams.What he doesn’t want is for the underclassmen to have ...

• 8:27 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Bengals backup QB derby off and running

While the majority of the Cincinnati Bengals were in more of a casual, relaxed mode for the start of OTAs Tuesday at Paul Brown Stadium, the three guys vying to back up Andy Dalton at quarterback are competing hard with each limited snap they get. “Obviously we’re in a competition, ...

• 5:29 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Bengals open OTAs with deep thoughts

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton heard a lot of criticism this offseason, with much of it focused on his deep-ball accuracy. It was, after all, a deep-ball overthrow to A.J. Green in the playoff loss at Houston that cost the Bengals a chance to take the lead late in the ...

• 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

High School sports tournament schedule

Wednesday’s Sectional Finals DIVISION III At Kings Roger Bacon vs. Cin. HIlls, 5 p.m. At Deer Park Madeira vs. Summit Ctry Day, 5 p.m. At Madison Badin vs. Carlisle, 5 p.m. At Carlisle Fenwick vs. Waynesville, 5 p.m. At Howell Field, Tippecanoe Versailles vs. West Liberty-Salem, 5 p.m. At Urbana ...

• Updated: 12:56 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hal: Cueto is back and so is Chapman

Johnny Cueto returned to the Reds' pitching rotation after four weeks on the disabled list and led the Reds to victory over the Mets.

Lebanon baseball and softball advance

BaseballLebanon 9, West Carrollton 2: Starter Wes Noble (6-1) struck out 11 and went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs for Lebanon (20-6) in this Division I sectional.Carlisle 6, Franklin 2: Alec Turner, Andrew Goodpaster and Evan Helton each doubled and knocked in a run for visiting Carlisle (25-2) ...

• 11:19 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013

Carlisle rallies, tops Rams for sectional title

The resurgence of Carlisle High School’s softball program claimed another victim Monday.The Indians captured their first Division III sectional championship since 2009 by knocking off top-seeded Badin 10-8 at Monroe, rallying from a 4-0 deficit with 10 runs in the last four innings.“If you had told me that we were ...

• 9:29 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013

‘Bolts survive blasts for 4th straight sectional title

The long ball usually trumps small ball, but the Northmont softball team was able to buck the trend Monday afternoon in a Division I sectional final at Fairmont High School. Bolts pitcher Jordan Stoltz surrendered three home runs for the first time at any level, but she allowed the Cougars ...

• 8:51 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013

Versatile Hormann commits to Witt

If basketball doesn’t work out for Landon Hormann at Wittenberg University, there’s always football. The 6-foot-6 senior has committed to play basketball for the Tigers. He averaged 18.6 points and 9.6 rebounds in leading West Liberty-Salem High School (20-6) to a Division III district final last season. He collected third-team ...

• 4:55 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013

Elks have it on the line

Over the past three years, no high school in Ohio has churned out more interior lineman then Centerville. Since 2011, the Elks have sent Michael Bennett (Ohio State), Brant Gressel (Iowa), Evan Lisle (Ohio State), Benny McGowan (Michigan State), Ifeadi Odenigbo (Northwestern), Jake Replogle (Purdue), Mike Replogle (Indiana) and Kyle ...

• 5:52 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013

First round of Dean Memorial won by Troy’s Stapleton

A stout field of 27 late models filled the pits at Shadybowl Speedway on Saturday for the first leg of the Robbie Dean Memorial series. Of them, 26 left knowing what the Shadybowl regulars already knew: Troy’s Greg Stapleton is tough to beat on the 3/10th-mile paved oval. Stapleton won ...

• 5:39 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013

5 sports storylines to watch this week

1. Reds welcome Cubbies: After a three-game series at the New York Mets, Cincinnati welcomes Chicago to Great American Ball Park for a three-game series starting Friday. And how is this for cool: Sam the Bald Eagle, who calls the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden home, swoops down from the ...

• 5:34 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013

Hal: Cuban Missile misfires again

Hal describes how Aroldis Chapman gave up back-to-back home runs to a pair of guys few fans ever heard of, the second straight blown save for Chapman.

Visit Midwest’s only wake-boarding park, explore underground treasures, zip along scenic trails

For those who thrive on an adrenaline rush, southwestern Ohio has a wealth of thrill-seeking adventures.The state boasts five major zip-line canopy tours — Columbus, Hocking Hills, Loudonville, West Liberty, the Wilds — but one of the most breathtaking views can be found at Oregonia’s Ozone Zipline Adventures, which stretches ...

• Updated: 6:39 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013

College basketball scoring reaches 60-year low

The caliber of the play in Louisville’s 82-76 win over Michigan in the NCAA tournament final was applauded by many because of the high-powered offenses on display.Given the ever-slowing pace in college basketball, the game also was an anomaly.Overall scoring in 2012-13 was 67.5 points per team, marking four straight ...

• 12:05 a.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013

Second Thoughts: Fairmont has great arena, but can it win?

The news coming out of Washington never ceases to amaze. The Benghazi scandal. The IRS scandal. Bryce Harper trying to run through an outfield wall. Not to be outdone, the Redskins plan to sign Tim Tebow to play quarterback and move RG3 to cornerback. And for the coup de grace, ...

• 12:05 a.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013