Sports Roundup: Lions draft Tight End

Lions

The Detroit Lions surprised many fans and experts by using their top draft choice to select North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron.  Detroit already has Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria at the tight end position.  The Lions passed on MSU cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who was taken by the Cincinnati Bengals at number 24.  They could have had safety Ha Ha Clinton- Dix went to the Packers.  Today, the Lions have the 13th pick in the second round and the 12th selection in the third round. Some of the needs the Lions may address are at wide-receiver, cornerback, safety and defensive line.

Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan went to the Tennessee Titans with the 11 pick.

The number 1 pick by the Houston Texans was South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.  Johnny Manziel didn’t crack the top 20 in the draft, finally being picked by Cleveland at number 22.

NHL Playoffs

Boston Bruins beat Montreal 1-0 in overtime to tie the series at 2.  Game five is tomorrow in Boston.   The Ducks beat the Kings in Los Angeles, 3-2.  The Kings up 2-1.   Game 3 is tomorrow in L.A.   The Penguins host game 5 tonight, and the New York Rangers must win to stay alive.  The Minnesota Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks, looking to get the series tied at 2-2.

Team USA Plays Friday

Red Wings’ Justin Abdelkader and Danny DeKeyser will skate for team USA today against Germany at the World Championships in Minsk, Belarus today.

Griffins In Round Two

Several other Red Wings were on the ice last night for the Grand Rapids Griffins, to begin Round Two of the Calder Cup Playoffs.   The Griffins lost to the Texas Stars 5-2.

Corry Emmerton and Tomas Jurco scored for the defending champ Griffins. Petr Mrazek took the loss in goal. Game Two is in Texas tomorrow night.

Tigers

The Tigers lost to Houston 6-2, ending their winning streak at 8 games.  Starter Drew Smyly gave up three runs in the 5^th, and that was all Houston starter and Smyly’s old roommate Dallas Kuechel would need.  Nick Castellanos had an RBI double. Victor Martinez had three hits for the Tigers, who only managed 7 hits on the day.  The Tigers have the best record in baseball at 20-10 and lead the Central Division by 4 1.2 games over Chicago.  Justin Verlander goes for win number 5 tonight, as the Twins come in for a weekend series at Comerica Park.   Broadcast time is 6:40 on WBCK-FM.

NBA Playoffs

Miami beat Brooklyn 94-82 to go up 2-0.  San Antonio beat Portland 114-97 to go up 2-0.  Tonight, Indiana is at Washington, with the series tied at a game each. Oklahoma City is at the LA Clippers, also tied at a game each.  Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford is the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year.

Diamond Classic This Weekend

The 42nd annual Cereal City Diamond Classic is tomorrow at Bailey Park. Lakeview will look to defend its’ Diamond Classic title in baseball, while Harper Creek is the two-time defending champion in softball.

Softball

Mendon swept Marshall.

Athens beat Union City 5-2.  Kelcie Weeks got the win and Ally Fuller had three hits.

KCC Softball

The KCC Lady Bruin softball team lost to Owens Community College, 7-6 at the NJCAA District G Softball Tournament.   That ends KCC’s season.  They finish the season 19-24 overall after advancing to the postseason for just the second time in program history.

Boys Golf

Delton Kellogg 171, Allegan 193.

Battle Creek Coyotes Start Saturday

The Battle Creek Coyotes, Battle Creek’s minor league football team will host the Lake Michigan Havoc in a preseason game Saturday. Kickoff is 6:30pm at Harper Creek High School.  To welcome fans to Coyote Football, the team is offering free admission, however donations are encouraged.  Event Coordinator Kurtis Ploehn says that the team name has changed, but the mission is the same.  For the past 6 years, the football team plays to raise awareness and funds in the battle against cancer.  You can find more details at www.battlecreekcoyotes.com or like them on Facebook.

Golf

Martin Kaymer fired a course-record tying 9-under 63 on Thursday to claim a 2-stroke lead after the opening round of the Players Championship.