WRESTLING

‘Bombastic’ Piper dies, was WrestleMania pioneer

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who trash talked his way to the main event of the first WrestleMania and later found movie stardom, died on Friday. He was 61.

Piper, born Roderick Toombs, was the second WWE Hall of Famer to die this summer following the June death of Dusty Rhodes.

WWE chairman Vince McMahon says Piper “was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world.”

 

TENNIS

SWISS OPEN: David Goffin advanced to the semifinals at Gstaad, Switzerland, beating sixth-seeded Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (1). Also, Thomaz Bellucci beat defending champ Pablo Andujar 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

ATLANTA OPEN: Two-time defending champion John Isner rode his big serve to a 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Ricardis Berankis.

COLLEGES

TRACK AND FIELD: Georgetown announced the resignation of the director of its track and field and cross country programs following investigations of reports of hazing and sexual misconduct by team members.

The university announced Pat Henner’s resignation and self-imposed sanctions following two investigations involving alleged racial bias and sexual misconduct.

The statement added that not every member of the team engaged in misconduct and the investigation “found no wrongdoing by the coaches.”

BASEBALL

NECBL: Shaine Hughes doubled home Sam Dexter as the Sanford Mainers (23-18) took an early lead in a 9-0 shutout of the Blue Sox (18-23) at Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Sanford increased the lead to 6-0 with a four-run fifth inning capped by Dalton Thomas’ two-run double.

Johnny Slater finished with three hits, a run and an RBI for the Mainers. Harrison Wenson had three hits and two runs scored while David Schanz added three hits.

NCBL: Nick Grady and Kenny Kirshner each drove in a run in the eighth as the visiting Newburgh Newts held off the Old Orchard Beach Surge for a 5-4 win at The Ballpark.

Carlos Valdez hit a two-run single in the first inning for the Surge.

HOCKEY

NHL: Forward Marcus Johansson, 24, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $3.75 million, one-year contract with the Washington Capitals. Johansson had a career-high 20 goals and 27 assists last season with Washington.

– From staff and news services

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