Lebanon, Mo. — After winning 3-2 over Waynesville in the first round of the Class 3 District 10 tournament, the Camdenton Lady Lakers returned to the field on Thursday, May 16 to challenge the number one seed Jefferson City Lady Jays for the title in their third consecutive appearance in the district championship.Leading 2-0 in the second half, thanks to two goals by senior Miriam Taylor, the Lady Lakers looked to finish out the game with a...

ST. LOUIS (AP) — David Freese had an RBI in a four-run fourth inning to go with big plays at third base, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat former teammate Kyle Lohse for the third time this season with a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.John Gast (2-0) won his second straight start in place of the injured Jake Westbrook and fellow rookie Seth Maness escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the seventh to help the...

This week, yet another Camdenton senior has signed with a university. This time, it is four-time state golfer Mackenzie Griffin.On Monday, Griffin signed her letter of intent to attend Fontbonne University, a Division III school located in St. Louis."I am pleased to announce that Mackenzie Griffin has decided to attend Fontbonne University and play for our women's golf program," Fontbonne women's golf coach Steve Schafer said. "She is such a fantastic person...

In their last two games, the Camdenton Lakers managed to pull out two seventh inning rallies for the win, knocking two state-ranked baseball teams out of the district tournament in the process. They had developed a reputation that commanded the attention of the opponents.It's the story that every sportswriter wants: the underdog, written off by everyone, coming back to win it all.It's a tale of drama, late inning heroics and of the bond between a team.

LONDON (AP) — David Beckham is retiring from soccer, ending a career in which he transcended the sport with forays into fashion and a marriage to a pop star that made him a global celebrity.The 38-year-old midfielder, who recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, said Thursday he will retire after the season."I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The rules surrounding Saturday night's Sprint All-Star Race continue to change, and fans are concerned the latest tweak is meant to benefit Danica Patrick.Among a handful of changes announced Wednesday was a clarification that the winning driver of the Sprint Fan Vote must only have a car in raceable condition to advance into the All-Star Race. That counters earlier announcements that said the winner of the fan...

The Osage Lady Indians defeated Crocker in a 4-1 match to win their first-ever district title in soccer.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Any question about whether Branden Albert would fit right back in with the Kansas City Chiefs was put to rest when new quarterback Alex Smith greeted his left tackle with a smile.Albert rejoined the Chiefs on Tuesday after missing several weeks of voluntary workouts and team meetings — and after a lengthy and sometimes acrimonious back-and-forth with the franchise — for the start of three weeks of...

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mike Matheny is still waiting for rookie left-hander John Gast to show some emotion."He's the same all the time ... he never smiles," the St. Louis manager said. "Real even keel."Gast used that business-like approach to pick up a win in his major league debut Tuesday night.Carlos Beltran drove in four runs and Gast threw six solid innings, helping the Cardinals cruise past the New York Mets 10-4.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jeremy Guthrie's 18-game unbeaten streak ended with a powerful display from the middle of the Los Angeles Angels' previously underachieving lineup.The Kansas City Royals right-hander gave up solo home runs to Albert Pujols, Howie Kendrick, Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout in a 6-2 loss Tuesday night. It was Guthrie's first defeat since Aug. 3 last year, when the Texas Rangers beat him 5-3 at Kansas City.

Trailing 3-0 after five innings, the Lakers had all but been written off in their Tuesday night match against Helias. But two runs in the sixth revived the Lakers, trailing 3-2 after the end of the inning. Two RBI's from Dylan Hymes in the seventh inning would push the Lakers, giving them a 6-3 lead, their first of the game.All they needed was to hold the Crusaders back for one more half of an inning.The Lakers allowed just one more run, giving...

STOUTLAND - Top-seeded Macks Creek was upset by fourth-seed Tuscumbia on Monday in Class 1 District 9 baseball semifinal action by the score of 17-12.Tuscumbia plated one run in the top of the first for an early 1-0 lead. The Pirates responded with three of their own in the bottom half. Brian Devivo singled and stole second ahead of a Tommie Willis single. Brian would later steal third and advance home when the throw eluded the third baseman and tie the game at one...

Battling breezy conditions, three lake area tennis players qualified for individual state tennis tournaments Monday afternoon.Camdenton senior Luc Ginoux easily defeated the top Waynesville player to qualify for the Class 2 singles tournament. He won 6-0, 6-3 in Monday's sectional competition. Ginoux had a much more difficult task making it to sectionals because of a tough district tournament on Saturday. Ginoux was seeded fourth in the district singles...

The Lady Lakers have entered into the postseason with some fire in their eyes, and they left it all on the field as they defeated a tough Waynesville team on Monday night.Coach J.D. Hunter and his girls knew it would be a tough match, with Waynesville's defense being so good. Throughout the season, the Lady Tigers have allowed no more than two goals per game to their opponents."We were a little nervous," Hunter said. "We beat them 2-1 last time we met in a...

The governments of the United States and Russia can sometimes be at odds.Americans and Iranians rarely see eye to eye on anything.But the possibility of wrestling losing its Olympic spot has given these three often-divergent nations a cause to rally around.The U.S., Russian and Iranian wrestling teams will meet on Wednesday for an historic exhibition in New York. It's...

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — So much for Billy Butler's offensive drought.Butler broke out of a severe slump with five hits and five RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals kept Joe Blanton winless in eight starts this season with an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night."I knew I had been getting closer, but it's just one game," Butler said. "You've got to come out and do it consistently.

After a season's worth of rainy and cold weather, the lake area track athletes finally have reached the post season. Mother Nature has finally allowed for nice weather with the sporting events, and this past weekend, the lake area schools competed in their district track meets.Camdenton HighlightsThe Lakers came off of a strong showing at the Ozark Conference meet last week, where the Lady Lakers finished first, while the boys took fourth. This...

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A weekend filled with sharp words between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia came down to one last showdown Sunday in The Players Championship, this one staged across the water in a tiny, terrifying section of the TPC Sawgrass.Tied for the lead with two holes to play, Woods kept his shots on land and made two pars.Garcia hit three balls into the water for a quadruple...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nobody in the Kansas City Royals' clubhouse seems ready to bail on the season after a lousy week, much less a lousy series against the New York Yankees.They might have last season, when they were a bunch of wide-eyed youngsters.But after a 4-2 loss to the Yankees resulted in the first sweep of the Royals this season, the mood inside the home clubhouse Sunday was one of...

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jaime Garcia got rocked again by Colorado and fell well short of giving the St. Louis Cardinals three straight pitching gems."I made a couple mistakes and paid the consequences," Garcia said after allowing two homers that accounted for five runs in an 8-2 loss to the Rockies on Sunday. "Those guys had been doing an unbelievable job and you want to be able to continue a good thing."

ST. LOUIS (AP) — About the only surprise St. Louis Rams rookie Brandon McGee experienced since finishing his college career at Miami came during the three-day NFL draft.The cornerback heard from enough people he should expect to be taken on the second day, in either the second or third rounds. After no team selected him, McGee blew off some steam on the fields he grew up playing."It was like adding...

The Osage Lady Indians finished off their regular season with a 10-0 shutout over Belle on Thursday night. The Lady Indians hold a record of 16-4, and will host their district tournament at home. Their first game is Monday, May 13 at 5 p.m. against Laquey. Osage’s defense has played very well this season, finishing the season with over 10 shutouts this season, and under 10 goals allowed by Class 1 teams. Their offensive front, led by a combination of Josie Verslues, Cassidy...

Trailing 6-3 after six innings, the Lakers needed hits from their batters in the top of the seventh inning to stay alive in the district tournament. The Lakers lineup at the plate didn't let them down, scoring four runs in their last inning to take the lead, 7-6, thanks to senior Jake Voorhees' two-run double.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals put right-hander Jake Westbrook on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation and plan to select the contract of left-hander John Gast in time for Tuesday night's game against the New York Mets.To make room for Gast on the major league roster, the team said Sunday that injured closer Jason Motte will be moved to the 60-day disabled list while rehabilitating from reconstructive elbow surgery.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mouth agape, Ken Hitchcock struggled to process the buzzer-beater that crushed the St. Louis Blues' season. Goalie Brian Elliott sank to his knees in disbelief.For the second straight playoffs, the Blues finished with four straight losses to the Los Angeles Kings. They didn't get swept this time, it just felt that way.Especially to Hitchcock, who called out the cluster of high draft...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tyler Bray believes that every rookie has something to prove.He may have more than most.The former Tennessee quarterback left school a year early hoping he'd be chosen highly in the draft, given the relatively weak collection of college signal-callers coming out this year. Instead, every team passed on him over the course of seven agonizing rounds

Over this past weekend, young wrestlers from around the state competed in the Missouri State Freestyle and Roman Greco tournament in Sedalia. Local School of the Osage first grader Gabriel Arnall made people remember his name, capturing the Greco Roman state championship and was the runner-up in free-style at the event.His opponent was 9 years old and weighed around 8 more pounds than him. Gabriel is 7 years old and in his second year of...

It has been a crazy ride for the lake area sports teams, but for the baseball teams, roughing it has been the name of the game this season. Due to Mother Nature's indecisiveness, the local teams have frantically scrambled in order to make up a number of games. Luckily, there's an end in sight. This coming weekend, on May 11, baseball districts will begin.Camdenton (Class 5, District 9)The Lakers have a tough matchup ahead of them, with...

The rosters for the 2013 Grin Iron Classic All-Star football game have been announced, and five Camdenton Lakers made the team. Camdenton's rushing duo of Murphy Ward and Justin Bernabe, fullback/linebacker Jake Voorhees, tight end/linebacker Chase Nugent and quarterback Cory Simpson will all get the chance to play one final game as Lakers on Friday, June 7. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Parkview High School in Springfield.East RosterCaleb Miles Ava DB

Marshall, Mo. — School of the Osage senior Amanda Blaeuer of Lake Ozark, Mo., signed a letter of intent to play volleyball next season for the Missouri Valley College Lady Vikings.In high school, Amanda was an All-Conference, All- District player. She was also a member of the French Club and T.I.E.S.Blaeuer also played basketball and is currently competing in track for the Lady Indians.

The Osage Indians tennis team reversed the 2012 decision in the district title match Wednesday, winning 5-4 against Marshall, capturing the district championship.

BALTIMORE (AP) — One bad throw led to another, and then another. And another.Throw in a wild pitch to cap the comedy of errors, and it's easy to understand why the Kansas City Royals lost to the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Wednesday night.The Royals got home runs from Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas, and they outhit the Orioles 7-5.That, however, wasn't enough to...

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The way the Los Angeles Kings opened the playoffs is old news. The defending Stanley Cup champions are headed home where they've dominated, one win shy of surviving the first round.Defenseman Slava Voynov scored on an odd-man rush 8 minutes into overtime and the Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Wednesday night, winning for the third straight time after dropping the first two games.

CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Beltran and Jon Jay drove in two runs apiece, and the St. Louis Cardinals capped an impressive trip with a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.Beltran also had three hits as St. Louis won for the seventh time in eight games and improved to a major league-best 14-7 on the road. The Cardinals went 5-1 on a six-game swing to Milwaukee and Chicago, with the lone loss coming Tuesday in their first game of the...

OsageThe Osage Indians baseball team finished out their last home game on Tuesday night, hosting the Blair Oaks Falcons.The visiting Falcons knocked off both the Indians and the California Pintos in a doubleheader at Osage, scoring a total of 27 runs on the night.Osage proved to be little trouble for the strong Falcons, scoring in every inning for a 14-4 win in just under five innings. Osage scored two runs in the second and third...

BALTIMORE (AP) — When analyzing the key elements of a stinging defeat, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost looked past Baltimore's eight hits and Matt Wieters' three RBIs.To Yost, the most regrettable aspect of the 4-3 loss on Tuesday night was reliever Tim Collins' inability to throw a strike when it mattered most.Collins (1-1) walked leadoff hitter Adam Jones to open the eighth inning, and nothing...

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum has his choice for best starter right now in the major leagues: Travis Wood.Wood pitched impressively into the seventh inning to outduel Lance Lynn, Nate Schierholtz hit a two-run homer and the Cubs snapped the St. Louis Cardinals' six-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory.Wood (3-2) allowed one run and five hits while striking out eight in 6 2-3...

It only took six matches for the Camdenton tennis team to secure the five wins necessary to walk away victorious in the first round of district team play Monday afternoon.

A storm was coming.As the Osage Lady Indians played host to the Southern Boone Lady Eagles on Monday night, dark clouds loomed overhead, threatening to let loose at any moment. But the gray skies were just a backdrop to the fury of the Lady Indians soccer team. With just two matches before the district tournament, the Lady Indians were coming off of a tough loss to Sacred Heart last week, where victory was snatched from their grasp by their...

The football teams were still on the field, exchanging the traditional postgame handshakes, when Pete McCabe walked by. The veteran referee heard another official call his name and turned, only to be smashed in the face with a helmet by one of the players.Almost every bone in McCabe's face was broken, his skull fractured in several places and his nose nowhere close to where it belonged. As he lay on the ground in Rochester, N.Y., the...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The St. Louis Blues were confident they could push the Los Angeles Kings to the brink of elimination when they took a one-goal lead into the third period.Then the defending Stanley Cup champions pushed back and this highly entertaining first-round series became all even again.Anze Kopitar tied it with 12:46 to play, Justin Williams tipped home the go-ahead goal 76 seconds later,...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — After James Shields pitched eight shutout innings, he was gone.Soon, so was Kansas City's lead and the game.The Chicago White Sox tied it in the ninth against closer Greg Holland and Jordan Danks homered in the 11th Monday for a 2-1 lead over the Royals.Shields said he was fine with manager Ned Yost's decision to pull him with a 1-0...