| NCAA Baseball: |
| Wake Forest transplant recipient returns to field (AP) |
| The Wake Forest baseball player who received a kidney from his coach has returned to the field a year after the transplant saved him from a disease that could have resulted in kidney failure. Left-fielder Kevin Jordan drove home a run, scored another and struck out three times in the Demon Deacons' 16-15 loss to High Point in Wednesday's home opener. |
| Son of former Reds, Mets closer inspired by Major League lineage (CBS Interactive U-WIRE) |
| JJ Franco spent much of his childhood in Shea Stadium, watching his father, John Franco — who will be inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame this summer — pitch for the Mets. |
| Florida, South Carolina among SEC favorites (AP) |
| Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan couldn't believe what he was saying. Just two years ago it would have been college baseball blasphemy: Pitchers are dominant in the Southeastern Conference. "The pitching is as good as it's ever been," O'Sullivan said. "This league's always had the Friday night starters, but now it's a deep league that has great Saturday and... |
| Sooners seek return to Omaha after early NCAA exit (AP) |
| Cody Reine was right at the heart of Oklahoma's charmed run to the College World Series two seasons ago, earning a series of playful nicknames as he slugged the Sooners all the way to Omaha. When the hits stopped coming, he got to experience how the other side of the postseason feels. The Sooners made it to college baseball's premier event in 2010 when no one had predicted much from them,... |
| South Carolina, Florida among top teams to watch (AP) |
| A capsule look at some of the top college baseball teams to watch this season (coaches' records at current schools entering season): ARKANSAS Coach: Dave Van Horn (359-201, 10th season). Last Season: 40-22, NCAA regionals appearance. Key Players: RHP D.J. Baxendale (10-2, 1.58 ERA, 3 saves), 2B Bo Bigham (.291, 2 HRs, 20 RBIs, 17 SBs), 1B Dominic Ficociello (.335, 4, 50), 3B Matt Reynolds (.243,... |
| Stanford RHP Appel headlines players to watch (AP) |
| Some of the top college baseball players to watch this season: -- Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford, junior. Despite so-so numbers last season (6-7, 3.02 ERA), ace of Cardinal's staff is possible No. 1 overall draft pick in June because of three outstanding pitches, including upper-90s fastball. -- D.J. Baxendale, RHP, Arkansas, junior. |
| Gamecocks aim for rare college baseball 3-peat (AP) |
| South Carolina already holds a special spot in college baseball history. After back-to-back College World Series titles, the Gamecocks will take a swing at becoming one of the sport's rare dynasties. Just the sixth school to win two straight championships, South Carolina begins its quest Friday for a third in a row as the aluminum pings of spring start up at college ballparks all around the... |
| Cespedes’ deal with Oakland Athletics raises draft issues (CBS Interactive U-WIRE) |
| Since late last summer, hype has followed Cuban sensation Yoenis Céspedes and his imminent arrival in the United States. |
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