Sports: Tigers Win With New Closer; Playoff and High School Results

The Tigers started a series with the Diamondbacks in Phoenix with a 7-3 win.   The Tigers scored three runs in the fifth inning with timely hitting from Miguel Cabrera and Mikey Mahtook to take the lead for good.  Mahtook and Nicholas Castellanos each drove in two runs on the night. James McCann and Justin Upton each hit solo homers in the win.  Justin Verlander (3-2) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings of work while fanning seven on the night. Justin Wilson, after being announced as the new closer, threw the ninth inning in a non-save opportunity.  The two game series concludes tonight in Phoenix. The Tigers send Matt Boyd to the mound.  Catch the action on 95.3 WBCK tonight at 9:15pm.

NBA Playoffs

The San Antonio Spurs took a three-games-to-two lead over the Houston Rockets with a 110-107 overtime win in game 5 in San Antonio.  Danny Green scored seven of his 16 points in overtime to lead the Spurs after Kawhi Leonard hurt his right ankle midway through the third quarter.   Game 6 is Thursday in Houston.

Washington and Boston are tied at two games.   Game 5 is tonight in Boston. Game 6 is Friday at Washington.

The Warriors and Cavaliers both have swept two opponents so far in their quest for a rematch of last year’s NBA championship series.

NHL Playoffs
The Ottawa Senators beat the New York Rangers, 4-2 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a decade.  Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone each had a goal and an assist.

The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins play the deciding game seven Wednesday night in the nation’s capital.

The Oilers play the Ducks in game 7 of their series tonight in Anaheim.

Jack Brown Obit

Funeral services will be held tomorrow for long time St. Philip football coach Jack Brown, who passed away Saturday after a six month battle with cancer.  Brown coached from 1967 and to 2016. As defensive coordinator, he helped lead St. Phil to State Championship's in 1974 and 1985.  Visitation will be today from 5-8pm at Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home in Battle Creek.

High School Baseball

Lakeview swept Kalamazoo Central, winning game 1 by a score of 8-1, and taking the nightcap, 12-4. Zach Dehn didn’t allow an earned run in the complete game win in the opener.   Nate Jones had a homer, triple and two doubles as he knocked in seven runs on the night.

Harper Creek split with Coldwater, winning game 2 by a 5-2 score.  Jeremiah Davis got the pitching win and had three hits.   The Beavers dropped game one, 3-2.

Marshall and Jackson Northwest split a pair.   Marshall won game 2 by a score of 13-6.  Logan Austin knocked in four.

Softball

Lakeview swept Kalamazoo Central, 10-8 and 18-0.  Grace Pierce had both pitching wins.

Pennfield took two from Hastings, 10-0 and 8-7.

Jackson Northwest swept Marshall.

Coldwater took two from Harper Creek.

Girls’ Tennis

Lakeview 7, Battle Creek Central 1

KCC Wins Baseball Conference

The KCC Bruins baseball team plays Lansing Community College on Thursday at Siena Heights University for the State Championship.

Griffins Beat Chicago

The Grand Rapids Griffins lead the Chicago Wolves 3-1 in the best of seven Central Division Finals.  The Griffins can wrap up the series with a win Saturday in Chicago.

MSU Player Ordered to Have Daily Alcohol Tests

A court has ordered Michigan State defensive end Demetrius Cooper to undergo daily alcohol testing after he consumed alcohol last month in violation of his bond. Cooper in November accepted a plea deal on misdemeanor assault charges for spitting in the face of an East Lansing parking officer.