Jeff Hart

Hokie freshman Justin Wright tied a career high with seven strikeouts while throwing a complete game to help the Virginia Tech baseball team stun top-ranked Miami on Saturday, 7-6, in the opening game of an ACC doubleheader at English Field.

Georgia Southern exploded early in game one then held off a late UNC Greensboro rally in the nightcap to complete a series sweep, winning 20-6 and 10-9 at J.I. Clements Saturday. The Eagles improved to 31-20 overall and 15-9 in the Southern Conference.

John Smoltz hopes to persuade the Atlanta Braves' medical staff to allow him to resume throwing as early as Sunday. Smoltz has been sidelined for two weeks because of biceps and rotator cuff problems in his right arm. A starter when the season began, Smoltz will go into the bullpen once he returns.

There were signs Saturday that Atlanta Falcons No. 7 jerseys may become yesterday's fashion. Some fans attending the Falcons opening day of minicamp wore No. 2 jerseys in early tribute to the team's new hope at quarterback, rookie Matt Ryan.

David Duncan worked eight solid innings while Charlie Blackmon and Tony Plagman collected three hits apiece to lead No. 25 Georgia Tech to a 5-1 win over Clemson Friday night in the series opener at Russ Chandler Stadium.

After getting blanked for eight innings Saturday, eighth-ranked Georgia found a little ninth-inning magic and then defeated 16th-ranked Vanderbilt 4-2 in 10 innings at Hawkins Field.

Shawn Simpson grabbed the lead on Lap 15 and then cruised to the win Saturday night in the Pro Late Model race at Lanier National Speedway. Simpson held off Fredrick Moore in the 40-lap event.

FLOWERY BRANCH - After three years of frustration in the playoffs, it seemed only fitting that seniors Mason Roberts, Patrick Henry, and Cody Ackerman would be the catalysts to propel the Falcons to their first-ever playoff series win Saturday over Riverwood.

Skin cancer is a big problem in the United States - and with the help of the American Academy of Dermatology, spectators in the stands at one popular Gainesville park will soon be in the shade.

The Elachee Nature Science Center celebrated spring Friday night with its annual fundraiser, "Flights of Fancy." The evening featured live entertainment and both live and silent auctions.