[AP photo: John Hayes] Gerald Williams steals second as Gary DiSarcina takes the throw in the third inning. Williams later scored on Dave Martinez's double.

April 28, 2000

Devil Rays
Luck favors Rays
After two excruciating losses, Tampa Bay gets bounces in 7-3 win.

• White brings relief
  "He's done a heck of a job," Rays manager Larry Rothschild says.
• Tonight: Rays at Angels
• Injury continues to limit Mecir
  ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A nerve is flaring again in Jim Mecir's right arm, and the pain can be felt throughout the pitching staff.

Gary Shelton
Suddenly, Lightning struck
He still remembers the walk, that slow shuffle across the ice that began in agony and finished in wonder.

Triathlon
Olympic qualifier a quick study
ST. PETERSBURG -- A half-dozen years ago, the triathlon was not an Olympic sport. Which works out nicely since, a half-dozen years ago, Jennifer Gutierrez was not a triathlete.

• St. Anthony's triathlon facts, figures

On The Air: Ernest Hooper
'Sports Source' may be worth a ruined home
Fox Sports Net's The Daily Sports Source is not meant to be a detriment to marriages, but in my case it could be.

Storm
Kicker discovered after hectic week
The Storm signs Justin Skinner, a Citadel product who played last season for Houston.

Colleges

• Spartan shorts
  TAMPA -- In capturing the Sunshine State Conference tournament championship last week, UT swept Barry, broke school records, recorded its first shutout of the season and had two players receiving honors.
• Spartan's power surge could lead to big time
  TAMPA -- University of Tampa baseball coach Terry Rupp calls him one of his most consistent players. Opposing pitchers and coaches call him trouble. And soon, a major league team may just call him.
• Bull bits
  TAMPA -- After hitting .316 for the week of April 17, compiling a .421 slugging percentage and .350 on-base percentage and leading the Bulls to their season-high 14th consecutive win, USF shortstop Lea Mishlan was honored -- sort of.

Mutiny
Lagos is adding offensive punch
The midfielder has found a place with the Mutiny after spending 3 1/2 seasons bouncing around MLS and fighting injuries.

Tonight: Mutiny at Chicago
WHEN/WHERE: 8:30; Soldier Field, Chicago.

Preps

• DeHeart brings home a state title
  JACKSONVILLE -- While most of his classmates were out chasing the sun and the opposite sex, Jesuit's Ryler DeHeart had other ideas on how to spend his spring break: namely, bringing home a couple of state championships for the Tigers.
• 10-run inning propels 'Canes
  HUDSON -- Tarpon Springs coach Craig Drake was waiting for the inning.
• Sickles grabs another title
  CITRUS PARK -- There was one big difference in the Class 6A, District 7 championship at Sickles on Thursday night.
• Royal Knights shine: boys take 2nd, girls 4th
  EAST LAKE -- About this time every season, the River Ridge coaches start to worry.
• Citrus coach breaks through
  The Hurricanes win six events to give Tom Darby his first regional title in 19 seasons at the helm.
• Hernando cruises to 3A-8 crown
  Jason Dunn pitches a one-hitter and the top-seeded Leopards use five homers to rout Central 16-0.
• Hurricanes explosion seals title
  HUDSON -- Tarpon Springs coach Craig Drake was waiting for the inning.
• Hurricanes coach finally breaks through with title
  BROOKSVILLE -- Tom Darby was surprised to see his Hurricanes boys track team win six events at Thursday's meet at Central.
• Brandon rallies past Plant for 5A-9 crown
  TAMPA -- It would be almost impossible to pick one hero in Brandon's 7-6 victory over Plant Thursday night that gave it the Class 5A, District 9 championship. At first glance, you might choose Brandon's Marques Chilsom, who in the fifth inning came to the plate with two outs, two runners on and his team trailing 5-3.

Outdoors
Last chance
Spring weather brings out the best in snook -- but act quickly, the season closes June 1.