SOFTBALL

Biddeford again manages to stay alive with 7-1 win

Charlotte Donovan pitched a four-hitter and Chantelle Bouchard hit a two-run double as Biddeford again avoided elimination from the Little League Softball East Regional with a 7-1 win Monday over Worcester, Massachusetts, at Bristol, Connecticut, on Monday.

The Maine champions scored five runs in the second inning, aided by four errors. Bouchard capped the outburst with a double that drove home Donovan and Kerri Scott.

Donovan allowed a run in the first inning but was in control the rest of the way. She struck out 11 and walked only one.

Biddeford plays another elimination game Tuesday.

SENIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL: Kate Shubert had a pair of hits and drove in two runs as Shaker Valley rolled past Elmwood, Rhode Island, 11-0 in a game shortened to three innings in a New England East Regional game at Worcester, Massachusetts.

Julia Gregoire went the distance for Shaker Valley, surrendering one hit while striking out five.

Shaker Valley will face the host Jack Barry team at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

BASEBALL

EMPIRE EAGUE: The Sullivan Explorers (22-22) opened up an early 6-0 lead in a 10-4 win over the host Old Orchard Beach Surge (26-24).

Jordyn Van Atta had three hits, including a double, for Old Orchard Beach and Brian White had two singles.

JUNIOR LEGION: Hunter Owen and James DiBiase had two-run singles in a five-run fifth inning as South Portland pulled away to defeat Gray-New Gloucester 7-1 in the Junior Legion state tournament championship game at Waterville.

South Portland will represent Maine in the Junior Legion regional tournament at Rockland, Massachusetts, starting Aug. 5.

BASKETBALL

WNBA: League president Lisa Borders said she hopes that rescinding the fines imposed for wearing black warm-up shirts in solidarity for shooting victims will lead to a fresh start on social activism for the players and their union.

Borders said rescinding the fines was decided on Friday, hours before the Rev. Al Sharpton and his organization, the National Action Network, said they would pay the fines.

NBA: Michael Jordan finally spoke out about racial tensions in America in hopes of easing conflicts between blacks and law enforcement.

The NBA great and Charlotte Hornets owner announced he is giving $1 million to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and another $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

The high-profile Jordan has been notoriously silent over the years when it comes to his opinions on politics or social justice issues, which has drawn some criticism.

AUTO RACING

NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. warned that his return to NASCAR could take longer than planned. NASCAR’s most popular driver is scheduled to miss his third consecutive race this Sunday with concussion-like symptoms. Replacement Jeff Gordon will race the No. 88 car again this weekend at Pocono.

HOCKEY

NHL: Forward Stefan Noesen, 23, agreed to a one-year contract to stay with Anaheim.

n Philadelphia avoided arbitration with Brayden Schenn, 24, signing the forward to a four-year contract.

– From staff and news services

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