2C » Friday, February 19, 2016 » THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL ««

In the news UOFMBASEBALL Panthers DE Jared Allen retires Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen is hanging Tigers open season vs. Vols up his cleats and putting on his cowboy boots. The 12-year veteran posted a video through his Twit- ter account announcing his retirement from football. ■ Memphis-UT series set for Chattanooga “Hello, everyone, I just want to say thank you for an MEMPHIS BASEBALL amazing 12-year career,” Allen says while on horseback. VS. TENNESSEE “This was the part where I was going to ride ofinto the From Our Press Services as voted on by the league’s head sunset, but seeing how there’s no sunset, I’m just going coaches. What: Season-opening series for to ride of.” The University of Memphis Also on the All-AAC preseason both teams Allen, 33, finishes his career in a tie for ninth in career baseball team leads ofthe season team is Tigers junior closer Nolan When, where: 4p.m.CSTtoday, sackswith136.HeplayedsixyearsinKansasCity,fourin with a trip to Chattanooga to take Blackwood, who is a Louisville noon Saturday, noon Sunday, all at Minnesota and one in Chicago, splitting his final season on the Tennessee Volunteers in a Slugger Preseason second-team AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. between the Bears and Panthers. three-game series at AT&T Field, All-American after he had a school- Pitchers: Friday, Memphis RH The four-time All-Pro had two sacks for the Panthers home of the Minnesota Twins record 14 saves in 2015. Colton Hathcock (2-4, 3.98 ERA last in the 2015 and started Super Bowl 50, which Carolina Double-A afliate, the Chattanooga Memphis was picked to finish season) vs. UT LH Andy Cox (3-3, lost 27-10 to the Denver Broncos. Lookouts. seventh in the conference by the 3.36); Saturday, Memphis RH Connor Tigers sophomore right-hander league’s head coaches. UT was pre- Alexander (4-3, 4.03) vs. UT RH Kyle SmyczekadvancesatDelrayBeach Colton Hathcock will start today’s dicted to finish seventh in the SEC Serrano (5-4, 4.47); Sunday, Memphis 4p.m.openeragainstVolssenior East. RH Matt Ferguson (2-0, 5.21) vs. UT Tim Smyczek was entered in the qualifying tourna- left-hander Andy Cox (St. Benedict). Memphis returns five position LH Zach Warren (2-0, 5.09) ment for the Delray Beach (Florida) Open when he The Tigers are coming a 37-21 starters from last season, and all Radio: WUMR 91.7 FM (Sunday’s learned American teenager Taylor Fritz had earned a record, their program-record fifth nine projected starters have Divi- game joined in progress) special exemption into the main draw by reaching the consecutive season with 30 or more sion 1 experience. semifinals last week at the Memphis Open. victories. Under head coach Daron Schoen- Smyczek was given the wild card instead and he beat Memphis and Tennessee are rock, Memphis is 5-6 on Opening Vols are led by preseason All-Amer- Fritz in the first round. He followed that up with a win meeting in baseball diamond for the Day and 1-2 when opening on the ica infielder Nick Senzel, and Ten- over seventh-seeded Donald Young,lastyear’srunner- first time since 2012 and this is the road. The Tigers are 73-37-1 in the nessee returns three other positional up, 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the second first three-game series between the first weekend of the season since starters and four pitchers who made tour-level quarterfinal of his career. teams since 1981. 1974.TenoftheTigers’first14games at least five starts each. The 28-year-old Tampa resident has never reached The Tigers are led by junior cen- are away from home. After the Vols, Memphis will play asemifinal. ter fielder and leadofbatter Darien Tennessee finished sixth in the at Mississippi State at 3 p.m. on Mon- Young led Smyczek 6-1, 3-1 before giving back the Tubbs, the American Athletic Con- SEC East last year with a 24-26 re- day. The Tigers’ home opener is at 4 break with two costly double faults in the sixth game. ference Preseason Player of the Year cord and an 11-18 league mark. The p.m. Tuesday against Belmont. Down 4-1 in the third set, Young called a trainer for treatment of a left wrist injury, then broke in the sev- enth game. Smyczek ended the match when Young hit a backhand crosscourt passing shot wide. GOLF “I was feeling good mentally even though I was getting Vols my butt kicked,” said Smyczek, who had played Young 11 previous times in futures and challenger events but only once before at the tour level. “I was just trying to player figure out a way to disrupt his rhythm. I knew I needed Villegas’ to change my game plan and stop being so ofensive.” Fifth-seeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy fought through swirling wind to beat 19-year-old American denies wild-card Noah Rubin 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. Chardy joined fourth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 63 leads of Bulgaria as the only seeded players left in the draw. charges BIRD DOG FIELD TRIALS ■ In Thursday morning’s brace 17 at the National Bird ■ DT suspended, Dog Championship on Ames Plantation near Grand at Riviera Junction, Tennessee, Caladen’s Supremacy,handled released on bond by Ross Callaway,hadacoveyfindbuthadabreachof Associated Press manners at 0:24 and was picked up. Hendrix’s Outlier, By Dustin Dopirak with Tommy Davis,hadthreefindsandfinishedthethree LOS ANGELES — Jordan Spieth was ev- Knoxville News Sentinel hours. In the afternoon brace 18, True Confidence, with erywhere he wasn’t supposed to be at LukeEisenhart,hadtwofindsandwaspickedupat1:32. Riviera and wound up with a 79 in the KNOXVILLE — Tennessee Lester’s Knockout,withGary Lester,hadabackandafind Northern Trust Open. defensive tackle Alexis before he was picked up at 1:26. Spieth called it a day to forget. It was Johnson’s attorney said his worst score since an 80 in the 2014 Thursday that Johnson COLLEGES Tour Championship. plans to plead not guilty ■ Union University’s women’s soccer team signed For Camilo Villegas, it was a day to charg- Hannah Daniel (Arlington), Alli Herring (Hutchison to savor. The Colombian ran offour es of ag- School/Olive Branch), Anna Venckus (Bartlett) and straight birdies late in his round and JOHN MCCOY / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE gravated Brooke Watson (DeSoto Central/Southaven). challenged the course record until a Camilo Villegas pumps his fist on the assault ■ Tennessee junior third baseman Nick Senzel was bogey on his final hole for a 8-under- eighth green after making his fourth and false named first-team Preseason All-SEC, as chosen by the par 63. birdie in a row on Thursday at Riviera imprison- conference’s 14 head coaches. Also on the first team was “You don’t really shoot 8 under Country Club. Villegas fredafrst-round ment. Arkansas junior right-hander Zach Jackson.Onthesec- around this place not playing good,” 63 and leads the Northern Trust Open by John- ond team were Arkansas junior designated hitter/util- Villegas said. “Obviously, the rain yes- three shots. son, a ity player Clark Eagan and senior second baseman Rick terday madethegolfcoursealotmore first-year UT defensive Nomura;OleMissjuniorshortstopErrol Robinson;and accessible.” champion at Riviera, was in the group junior lineman Alexis Vanderbilt sophomore third baseman Will Toffey and Villegas led by three shots over Bub- at 67. Charl Schwartzel, coming ofa college Johnson junior outfielder Bryan Reynolds.Theleaguealsoan- ba Watson, Chez Reavie and Luke List. victory last week in South Africa, had transfer nounced its preseason poll, with Florida expected to win “It’s all about hitting the right tra- a68. who joined the program the East, followed by Vanderbilt, with Tennessee picked jectories, hitting the right line and in January, was arrested seventh. In the West, Texas A&M is the favorite, fol- hopefully on certain pins, hitting the ANOTHER EVENT Wednesday night. He was lowed by LSU, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. fairway so you can produce a little bit Women’s Australian Open at Ad- immediately suspended ■ Vanderbilt has scheduled home-and-home football of spin,” Watson said. “It’s just a tradi- elaide: Canadian-based South Kore- from all team activities, ac- series with Purdue and Georgia State. The Commodores tional, old-school golf course that’s got an SooBin Kim shot a course-record cording to a text message will play at Purdue on Sept. 7, 2019, and will host the alotofhistory.” 9-under 63 to leave defending cham- from Tennessee athletic Boilermakers on Sept. 8, 2029. Vanderbilt will play Geor- Spieth ended his round with a three- pion and top-ranked Lydia Ko seven department spokesman gia State in Atlanta on Sept. 28, 2024, and will host the putt from 8 feet for a double bogey. strokes behind. Ryan Robinson. Panthers on Sept. 20, 2025. “It’s just a day to forget,” Spieth said. Kim’s bogey-free opening round “Alexis Johnson has co- “It’s one in, hopefully, every couple came after starting on the 10th hole operated with every aspect FOOTBALL years.” of The Grange’s West course. She had of the investigation,” John- ■ The Cowboys are set to hire Michigan secondary The world’s No. 1 player beat only athree-strokeleadoverAmerican son’s attorney, Greg Isaacs, coach Greg Jackson and put him in charge of safeties one other guy in the 144-man field. Casey Grice and Germany’s Caroline said in a statement. “Alexis while working alongside current Dallas assistant Joe Steven Bowditch shot an 81. Masson. adamantly denies the al- Baker. The Cowboys had an opening after former defen- Rory McIlroy, in his American Five-time champion Karrie Webb legation contained in the sive backs coach Jerome Henderson became the defen- debut for 2016 and his first time at was in a group with 67s, four behind. warrants and plans to en- sive passing game coordinator in Atlanta. ... Jacksonville Riviera, opened with a 67,along with Ko bogeyed two holes on her first ter a plea of not guilty. Our Jaguars backup quarterback Chad Henne, 30, signed a University of Illinois senior Charlie nine after starting on the 10th, but the firm is conducting its own two-year contract extension. ... The cast on Colin Kae- Danielson. New Zealander had three birdies on independent and more ex- pernick’srightthumbwasremovedthisweekastheSan Charles Howell III, another past the back nine for her 70. pansive investigation re- Francisco 49ers quarterback continues to rehabilitate garding these allegations.” from his latest of three surgeries. Doctors repaired a Johnson, 20, was taken partially torn ligament on his right thumb last month. into custody Wednesday Kaepernick also had procedures on his left knee and left night in connection with shoulder since November. PREPS an incident that allegedly occurred at his apartment TENNIS early Sunday. He was ■ Rafael Nadal and defending champion David Fer- booked and released on rer are into the quarterfinals of the Rio Open, the third Harding girls advance $30,000 bond Wednesday clay-court tournament in the ATP’s monthlong swing night. Arraignment is set around Latin America. Nadal and Ferrer — the No. 1 for March 1. and No. 2 seed, respectively — beat fellow Spaniards to The victim, who previ- reach the last eight. Nadal beat Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 7-5 to face top-ranked USJ ously dated Johnson on and Ferrer defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. two occasions, told police ... At Marseille, France, second-seeded Czech Tomas By John Varlas quarter to defeat Fayette Wolverines, who hung she was “play-fighting” Berdych and third-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet [email protected] Academy, 56-43. Princess on for a 54-51 victory over with him in his apartment reached the Open 13 quarterfinals. ... Barbora Strycova 901-529-2350 Stark had 16 and Breanna White Station behind 23 early Sunday when the of Czech Republic advanced to the Dubai (United Arab Bullock 12 to lead the Lynx, from Ciera Pettis. Central horseplay turned violent, Emirates) Tennis Championships semifinals by outlast- The semifinals are set who outscored the Vikings has won both meetings be- according to arrest war- ing former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 7-6 (5), in the Division 2-A West 23-8 in the first eight min- tween the two this season. rants. The episode esca- 6-3. Strycova will play Caroline Garcia of France, who Regional girls basketball utes. Kayli Skelton led The Spartans, who were lated when the 6-foot-4, reached the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Andrea tournaments. Fayette Academy with a led by 12 points from Da- 295-pound Johnson placed Petkovic of Germany. Harding Academy will game-high 21. miah Grifn, face Ham- his hand around the vic- play University School of In boys play, Anthony ilton in the consolation tim’s throat, repeatedly From Our Press Services Jackson at 2 p.m. Saturday Yarbrough and Tim Taylor game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. choking her to the point at Tipton-Rosemark. The each scored 21 as Harding that she could not fight Lions (22-6) got 12 points eliminated Tipton-Rose- 15-AAA backandfeltshewasgoing On the air apiece from Antoinette mark, 81-62. The Lions (17- Southwind’s boys topassout.Awitnesssaid TELEVISION Lewis and Callie Stubbs to 10) will take on defending and Germantown’s girls Johnson “appeared to be defeat Rossville Christian, state champ St. George’s, earned their places in Sat- really punching her,” and Autos: Xfinity, PowerShares QQQ 300 practice, FS1, 9:30 a.m., 53-27 Thursday. which edged Catholic 45- urday’s championships that the victim’s lip was noon; final practice, FS1, 2 p.m. Autos: Sprint Cup, Daytona 500 practice, FS1, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. They’ll face the Bruins 44 in a Saturday 6:30 p.m. with victories. “busted,” according to the Autos: Truck Series, NextEra Energy Resources 250 qualifying, —thestate’stop-ranked semifinal. Mr. Basketball Carlos Marshall poured warrants. FS1, 3:30 p.m.; race, FS1, 6:30 p.m. D2 team — who held of finalist Chase Hayden led in 31 as the Jaguars defeat- Aone-pageUTPolice Basketball: NBA, Indiana at Oklahoma City, ESPN, 7 p.m. upset-minded ECS, 56-50. the Gryphons with 18. ed Ridgeway in overtime Department incident re- Basketball: NBA, Minnesota at Grizzlies, FSSE, 7 p.m. Anna Jones, a Miss Bas- Rayshad Williams led 67-63. Mark Freeman add- port released Thursday Basketball: NBA, Boston at Utah, ESPN, 9:30 p.m. ketball finalist, scored 29 abalancedattackwith10 ed 12 for Southwind, which by the university does not Boxing: Adam Lopez vs. Mario Munoz, Showtime, 9 p.m. points to lead the Bruins as Lausanne handled ECS, beat its archrival for the include any names but Golf: PGA, Northern Trust Open, Golf, 4 p.m. and help withstand a stel- 74-42. The Lynx will take third time this year. Ty- shows that an ofcer was Golf: LPGA, Australian Open, Golf, 10:30 p.m. lar 40-point efort from on USJ, which eliminated ler Haynes had 20 for the assigned to take the re- Hockey: NHL, Philadelphia at Montreal, NBC Sports, 6:30 p.m. Arkansas-Little Rock sign- FACS 73-62, at 3:30 p.m. Roadrunners. port Sunday night from a Soccer: Bundesliga, Hamburg at Eintracht Frankfurt, FS2, 1:20 p.m. ee Emily Lytle in her final Southwind will play female at Volunteer Hall. Soccer: Women’s Olympic qualifier, U.S. vs. Trinidad at Tobago, high school game. 16-AAA GIRLS Germantown in Saturday’s She alleged that she was NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m. Northpoint and Laus- It will be Central and 7:30 p.m. championship. assaulted at the hall. RADIO anne will meet in a 5 p.m. Overton round 3 in Satur- The Lady Red Dev- Johnson, who played semifinal. day’s 5:30 p.m. champion- ils will play tournament this past season at Fort Basketball: NBA, Minnesota at Grizzlies, WMFS 680 AM/92.9 FM, 6:30 p.m. Jade Wells had 21 points ship game at Melrose. host Houston Saturday at Scott Community College and 15 rebounds and Miss The top-seeded War- 6aftera59-52winover in Kansas, signed with This listing is compiled using information supplied by stations and networks, and is subject to late changes without notice. Basketball finalist Ashtyn riors (30-1) got 23 points Ridgeway.Breuanna Burks the Vols in December and Baker added 14 points as from Jireh Washington led Germantown with 17. enrolled at UT in January. CONTACT the Trojans eliminated and 19 from Jasmine Car- Elizabeth Dixon had 19 for The Jonesboro, Georgia, SPORTS EDITOR Catholic, 61-35. son to defeat Hamilton, Ridgeway, while Brandi native was a four-star re- David Williams • 901-529-2310 • [email protected] Lausanne used a big first 65-28. They’ll face the Beasley chipped in with 17. cruit.