The host Sanford Mainers used a four-run sixth inning to break open a tie game and defeat Vermont Mountaineers 9-6 to clinch the NECBL North Division title.
Caden Bailey, Drake Parker and Nick Lovullo each were 2 for 4 to pace a balanced offense. Dan Hetzel had a three-run homer.
Sanford will face the winner of the South Division playoff series. The league championship series will be Aug. 10-12, starting at the home of the South Division winner.
FCBL: Jake Fishman pitched seven solid innings allowing only one run on six hits and striking out four as the host Brockton Rox (30-25) defeated the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide (19-34) 5-2.
Graham McIntire led the Tide with a double, a triple and an RBI.
TWILIGHT: Andrew Richards threw a complete game, allowing three runs, striking out 12 and walking only one as Aero Heating and Ventilating defeated Patriots Insurance 6-3 in playoff action at Deering Oaks.
TENNIS
ROGERS CUP: Serena and Venus set up an all-Williams semifinal at Montreal.
The sisters advanced to their 25th career meeting, both rallying to win their quarterfinal matches in the hard-court event. Serena beat Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, and Venus topped Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reached the men’s semifinals with a second straight upset victory in Toronto. The 13th-seeded Frenchman beat eighth-seeded Andy Murray 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4 on Friday. On Thursday, Tsonga upset top-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2.
COLLEGES
NCAA: Colorado State University President Tony Frank fired Athletic Director Jack Graham, saying the two had irreconcilable differences of opinion over the direction of the department.
• The Northwestern football team suspended running back Venric Mark for the first two games for violating an unspecified team policy.
He ranks fourth all-time at Northwestern with 4,271 all-purpose yards.
• Nebraska defensive back LeRoy Alexander was suspended for the 2014 football season for unspecified reasons.
GOLF
LPGA: South Korea’s Inbee Park took the second-round lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic at Belmont, Michigan, birdieing her first three holes en route to her second straight 5-under 66.
– From staff and news services
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