Stampede Hang-on For Win Over Volcanoes, 137-134

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - Ramon Taylor`s last second block secured a Stampede victory Friday night.

The Stampede (5-1), who led by as many as 30 points in the first half, held on to beat the Vancouver Volcanoes 137-134.

Stampede center Eric Fiegi led all scores with 34 points, Taylor poured-in 28 points.

Maroth, Tigers' Bullpen Silence Mariners

(SEATTLE) - Mike Maroth says his improvement is all just a matter of maturity. A 21-game loser for Detroit in 2003, Maroth improved to 3-0 in 2006 — with just one earned run allowed in 18 1-3 innings — and the Tigers upped their road record to 8-2 with a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners Friday night.

"As you gain experience, you get better," the 28-year-old left-hander said after outpitching Jarrod Washburn. "I'm not trying to make huge strides. But nothing can replace experience on the mound."

Men's Baseball- Wolves Claim Two From NNU, 4-3, 8-0

Corrigan hits walk-off homer in first game as WOU continues roll.

(MONMOUTH) - Western Oregon`s Kevin Corrigan hit a walk-off home run in the first game and Matt Skundrick pitched five shutout innings in the second contest as the host Wolves won 4-3 and 8-0 over Northwest Nazarene on Friday.

The victories were WOU`s 17th and 18th in their last 20 contests, and they improved to 29-13 on the year. They are now 11-3 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, with a four-game lead over NNU who fell to 16-20 overall and 6-6 in league play.

Castroneves Wins Japan 300 Pole

(MOTEGI, Japan) - Helio Castroneves was awarded the pole position for the Indy Japan 300 after Friday's qualifying session was canceled because of rain

Castroneves, winner of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg earlier this month, was given pole position for the third race of the Indy Racing League season on Saturday because he leads the IRL championship with 93 points.

"I always like racing in Japan and I'm looking forward to Saturday's race," said Castroneves, who drives for Team Penske. "Motegi is a challenging place because you're flat out in turns one and two, and you have to downshift in turns three and four."

Guardado`s Wildness Allows Rangers to Win

(SEATTLE - AP) - Mariners closer Eddie Guardado's postgame message was as simple as his in-game problems. "I blew it, guys," Guardado told his teammates in their eerily quiet clubhouse immediately after he walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning — and then walked Phil Nevin to force in pinch-runner Gerald Laird with the go-ahead run.

But we had a tough battle," starting pitcher Joel Pineiro said Guardado told his teammates. "And we'll get them tomorrow."

Guardado (0-2) was appearing for the first time since allowing Mark Loretta's two-run, game-winning home run Sunday at Boston. And he imploded again.

Kyle Busch Claims Phoenix Pole

(AVONDALE, Ariz. -- AP) - Kyle Busch picked up where he left off at Phoenix International Raceway, winning the pole Thursday to put himself in prime position to win a second straight race in the desert

Busch, who won at Phoenix last November, ran a lap at 133.745 mph to take the top qualifying spot for Saturday night's Subway Fresh 500. His lap bested Greg Biffle, who qualified second, and Tony Stewart, who was third.

After crossing the line, Busch barked into his radio.

"I was just chomping at the bit," he said.

Swank and Sisler Lead Warriors to 2nd Place Finish at CU Invitational

(PORTLAND) - Senior Jason Swank (Albany, Ore ) and junior Ben Sisler (Corvallis, Ore ) shot a 4-over 76 and a 5-over 77 respectively in leading Corban`s golf team to a second place finish at the Concordia invite featuring Concordia University, Corban College, and Central Washington University at Heron Lake Golf Course.

This was the final regular season tune-up for Corban before the Warriors head north of the border for their second-ever NAIA Region Tournament.

Despite a solid performance from Corban`s top pair it was not enough, a Concordia shot a match and season-low 6-under 282 enroute to winning the three-team event. Corban fini hed econd with a team total of 34-over 322 to finish even shot ahead of Central Washington.

Anglers in For Ample Water, Good Weather as Trout Season Opens on Saturday

The Willamette system reservoirs are at or near capacity.

(SALEM) - Anglers looking for water and open boat ramps are in great shape this weekend for the state's opening day of trout season.

"We've had plenty of snow and rain to fill lakes and reservoirs statewide, even in eastern Oregon," said Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Oregon State Marine Board.

"The amount of water is exciting. Boaters are ready to get out there." Last year at this time, the winter drought left many wondering if there would be a boating season.

Gonzaga's Adam Morrison Declares For NBA Draft

(SPOKANE, WA – AP) - Gonzaga All-America forward Adam Morrison declared for the NBA draft Wednesday, passing up his senior season for a chance to be a lottery pick.

The 6-foot-8 floppy-haired, mustachioed forward, who led Division I in scoring last season at 28.1 points per game, is a diabetic and said uncertainty over his future health prospects was a factor in his decision.

"It's been a great process so far. It's been fun, but I've decided to try to take my game to the next level and further my career as a basketball player," Morrison said at a campus news conference.

The West Coast Conference player of the year, Morrison edged Duke's J.J. Redick for this year's national scoring title. He finished second to Redick for the Naismith and John R. Wooden Awards for college basketball's player of the year.