Another wasted effort [Times photo: Michael Rondou] YANKEES 3, RAYS 1: Joe Kennedy is dominating but Tampa Bay gets 3 hits, loses 14th straight.

Preps
Royal Knights reach first state title game
TAMPA -- It took River Ridge five innings just to muster a hit in Thursday's Class 4A state semifinal at Ed Radice Park.

Give Sharks ace a run and she'll do the rest
RIVERVIEW 1, DAVIE WESTERN O: Beth DiPietro strikes out nine on the way to the state title game.

Sophomore ace leads Cougars to state title
COUNTRYSIDE 4, BUCHHOLZ 0: Bree Spence pitches a one-hitter in Class 5A championship.

Sharks nip Western in typical 1-0 fashion
TAMPA -- It was the bottom of the third inning, her Riverview Sharks were hanging on to a one-run lead like a person hanging by a fingernail out of a 10th-story window, and everywhere Beth DiPietro looked, Wildcats lurked.

Simon's defense stellar
TAMPA -- Stefanie Simon was waiting in the on-deck circle, hoping to vindicate herself for an 0-for-4 day at the plate, when teammate Christine Beck lined a single to rightfield to bring in the winning run in River Ridge's 1-0, 10-inning victory Thursday at Ed Radice Park.

State track meets

Softball roundup
Unearned run leads to Aquinas win

Cougars, Spence wrap up title
TAMPA -- Despite so many great teams in recent years, Countryside had never stood in this position on a softball field, playing for a state title.

Knights win 1-0 in 10th
TAMPA -- It took River Ridge five innings just to muster a hit in Thursday's state semifinal at Ed Radice Park.

Sharks slip past Western
TAMPA -- It was the bottom of the third inning, her Riverview Sharks were hanging on to a one-run lead like a person hanging by a fingernail out of a 10th-story window, and everywhere Beth DiPietro looked, Wildcats lurked.

Colleges
Six has been enough for Gator tennis team
GAINESVILLE -- The road to No.1 has been filled with irony, fate and a bit of good luck for the Florida wo-men's tennis team.

Defensive lapses cost Bulls in loss to Cardinals
Errors and misplays send USF to the losers bracket of the Conference USA tournament.

College football
Ex-Irish football coach is dead
Dan Devine led Notre Dame to a national title in 1977 and Missouri to two Big Eight titles.

Sports TV/Radio
Sports Animal comes out way ahead in ratings
WDAE-AM 620 general manager Brad James didn't hide his feelings about the latest ratings, which left his station as the clear winner in the battle between Tampa Bay's sports stations.

Baseball
Sosa blasts sign theft accusation
CHICAGO -- Sammy Sosa denied suggestions by St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan that Cubs coaches signaled him pitch locations during a game against the Cardinals.

Storm
Poor start has Storm on verge of a record
Redemption and the AFL playoffs are still within reach, but so is a fourth straight loss.

Et cetera
Spiraling Rays find no solace on the Web
If the losing streak hadn't convinced you, public opinion has officially welcomed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to rock bottom.