Sports: Pistons Lose; Rookie scores 26

Pistons

The Pistons lost their preseason opener 115-112 to the Indiana Pacers at The Palace.  Rookie Stanley Johnson had 26 points for the Pistons. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 22 points, going 6 for 7 on 3-pointers.  Andre Drummond grabbed nine rebounds and had 16 points.  Paul George, who missed most of last season recovering from a broken leg, made six straight 3-pointers in the opening quarter and scored a total of 32 points.

Glenn Robinson III, who played his college ball at nearby Michigan, was booed by Michigan State fans throughout the game.  The next pre-season game for the Pistons is Thursday night, as they host Brooklyn.

Baseball

It will be the Houston Astros against the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series.  The Astros have advanced by knocking off the New York Yankees 3-0 in the wild card game in the Bronx.  Dallas Keuchel worked six shutout innings.   Keuchel was in command most of the night despite pitching on three days' rest. The 20-game winner gave up just three singles and a walk while fanning seven.  Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez each hit solo homers for Houston.   The Astros will open their division series Thursday in Kansas City.

The Pirates will play host to the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Game tonight. Jake Arrieta will oppose Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole.   The winner plays in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

Lions

Lions’ defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker is out for the season with a dislocated ankle and broken leg.  Walker had surgery yesterday.  He was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason.

Coach Jim Caldwell says he and his team are done talking about the controversial way the Lions lost Monday night.  Caldwell says he doesn't want the Lions to be distracted by more discussion of Calvin Johnson's fumble on Detroit's final possession in a loss to Seattle.  The ball was knocked out of the back of the end zone by the Seahawks' K.J. Wright. Rather than flag him for illegally batting the ball, officials ruled the play a touchback.  Caldwell said he spoke with NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino on Tuesday, but the Detroit coach would not go into detail about that conversation.

The Lions host the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.  Broadcast time is 3pm on WBCK.

NHL Hockey

The Stanley Cup champs Chicago Blackhawks open at home and will raise their championship banner before tonight's game against the New York Rangers.  Toronto hosts Montreal tonight in the regular-season debut of new Leafs coach Mike Babcock, who coached the Red Wings for 10 years.   The Red Wings host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the season opener at Joe Louis Arena Friday.

MSU Football

MSU, 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, is on the road Saturday night against Rutgers. Broadcast time is 6:30 on WBCK.   Hear the Coach Mark Dantonio show Thursday night at 7 on WBCK.

Michigan Football

Michigan will host Northwestern on Saturday in Ann Arbor. Broadcast time is 2:30 on Mix 104.9.  The Wolverines took a hit this week, losing linebacker Mario Ojemudia to a season ending injury.

WMU-CMU

Central Michigan hits the road for their biggest game of the season against archrival Western Michigan. The Broncos host CMU at noon on Saturday at Waldo Stadium.

Western earned a win on the road last season in Mount Pleasant, and the Chippewas did the same the year before in Kalamazoo.

Olivet Hires Shockey

Olivet College has appointed Ryan Shockey to the position of Athletic Director.  Shockey has served as interim Athletic Director since July.   One of Schockey’s first official moves was to hire KCC’s Darrick Brown as Olivet’s new softball coach.  Brown coached two seasons at KCC and led the Lady Bruins to a program-record 37 wins in 2015 as the team captured the Conference championship and earned a berth to the NJCAA District I Tournament.

Boys Soccer

Battle Creek Central 2, Niles 1.   Cesar Duran and Blady Patino scoring for the Bearcats.

Marshall 1, Harper Creek 0.  Marshall clinches a share of the Interstate Eight title.

Boys' cross country

At the Calhoun County invite at Cornwells….Marshall was first, followed by Harper Creek, Pennfield, Tekonsha, Olivet and St. Phillip.   Tekonsha’s David Frederick had the best time of the day at 16 minutes and 56 seconds.

Marshall won the girl’s race, followed by Harper Creek, Olivet and Pennfield. Harper Creek’s Allegra Baird was the overall winner.

Volleyball

St. Phillip beat Climax-Scotts, Bellevue and Colon in a quad match.  Morgan Luoma led Class D top-ranked St. Phil with 22 kills and 5 aces.

Class C top-ranked Bronson lost to Mattawan at the Gull Lake invite.  They beat the host team and St. Joseph.

Delton-Kellogg 3, Lawton 0.

Olivet 3, Leslie 0.

Camden-Frontier 4, Tekonsha 0.

High School Football

Friday night….Battle Creek Central hosts Mattawan….6:35 on WBCK.

Saturday…St. Phillip hosts Waldron…1:06 on WBCK.