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USF baseball wins 11th straight

 
Tampa Bay Times
Published April 21, 2013

STORRS, Conn. — Anthony Diaz, a graduate of St. Petersburg's Palm Harbor University High, hit the go-ahead single in the 15th inning Saturday as USF beat Connecticut 7-4 for its 11th consecutive victory.

The win, coupled with Louisville's loss at St. John's, left the Bulls (25-14, 9-2) in first place in the Big East. They lead Louisville and Pittsburgh by a game.

Three wins during the streak have come in extra innings, including 6-2 over Stetson in 13 on Tuesday and 3-2 over Alcorn State in 14 on April 13. The Bulls lost their first three extra-inning games this season but have won their past four.

USF scored three in the ninth to take a 4-3 lead but allowed UConn (23-15, 8-6) to tie it in the bottom half. Alex Mendez, USF's ninth pitcher, earned the win with 1⅓ scoreless innings.

Women's basketball: Wreck kills ex-FSU star

Alicia Gladden, one of the top women's basketball players in Florida State history, died in a car crash. Details were not disclosed. She was 27.

Gladden, a guard, led FSU in scoring in 2006 and 2007 and is ninth in school history with 1,403 points. She also holds the school record with 275 steals.

"Our prayers are with her family during this extremely difficult time," FSU coach Sue Semrau said in a statement released by the school. "Alicia was a compassionate, caring teammate who was an extremely talented athlete and an exceptional student."

Football: Auburn fans visit trees once more

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn fans said goodbye to the two oak trees at Toomer's Corner with one more toilet paper celebration after the spring game.

Longtime Alabama fan Harvey Updyke pleaded guilty to poisoning the Toomer trees after Auburn's victory in the 2010 Iron Bowl. The trees will be cut down Tuesday.

"There's more to Auburn than two oak trees, revered and sturdy as they are," retired athletic director David Housel said. "These oak trees are but an outward visible symbol of the Auburn heart. This is a day of celebration and remembrance."

New Big Ten divisions: The Big Ten will use geography to determine its divisions beginning in 2014, when Maryland and Rutgers are scheduled to join, espn.com reported. Previously, the Legends and Leaders divisions were based primarily on competitive balance. The proposed West Division includes Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin. The East includes Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers. Purdue-Indiana will be the only cross-division game played annually. A vote is expected this week.

UF wins gymnastics title: Florida finished first in the vault, floor and bars to win its first women's gymnastics national title. The Gators earned 197.575 points, 0.2 more than Oklahoma and 0.225 more than Alabama at the meet in Los Angeles. Only Florida, Alabama, UCLA, Georgia and Utah have won titles since the NCAA began to govern the sport in 1981.

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SOFTBALL: Tampa (28-8, 16-5 Sunshine State) swept visiting Nova 3-2 and 4-2 on Senior Day. Four seniors, including Hillsborough High grad Katie Bannon, were honored at their final home game. In Game 1, former East Bay High standout Kayla Cox (21-4) struck out 10.