Sports briefs for June 14, 2005

Tuesday, June 14, 2005 | 10:40 a.m.

Fresh faces earn trips to Omaha

The College World Series is practically an annual destination for Texas and Arizona State. For most of the other six teams in college baseball's championship round, Omaha is largely unfamiliar territory.

Oregon State, the No. 8 national seed, is making its second trip to the round of eight -- and first since 1952. The Beavers (46-10) will take on top-seeded Tulane (55-10) on Saturday.

The Green Wave have also been to the series just once before, in 2001, when they went 1-2.

Baylor (44-22), the No. 4 seed, is headed to the round of eight for the first time since 1978. On Saturday they play Texas (51-16), which is making its record 32nd appearance and has 73 wins, one off Southern California's record.

Tennessee (46-19), which upset No. 2 seed Georgia Tech in the super regionals, plays Florida (45-20) in the CWS opener on Friday. The Volunteers are making just their fourth appearance, and first since 2001.

The Gators are in Omaha for the fifth time overall, but first since 1998.

Local favorite Nebraska (56-13) is making its third trip and first since 2002. The Cornhuskers, the No. 3 seed, will take Arizona State (39-23) on Friday.

The Sun Devils upset defending national champion Cal State Fullerton in the super regionals to assume the No. 6 seed.

Congress investigates use among teen girls

The congressional committee that interrogated Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco will turn its focus Wednesday to steroid use by teenage girls.

The House Committee on Government Reform will hold its fourth hearing on steroids in response to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that anabolic steroid use by young girls is rising. The report indicated that girls not only take steroids to enhance athletic ability, but also to control weight and lose body fat.

World Cup could use microchip in balls

FIFA will consider using an electronic microchip inside soccer balls at the 2006 World Cup finals if the technology proves successful.

The microchip, intended to confirm whether or not a ball has crossed the goal line, will be tested at the under-17 world championship in Peru in September and October.

Ghostzapper is retired

A hairline fracture was discovered in 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper's left front sesamoid and owner Frank Stronach retired the horse, denying a possible Breeders' Cup showdown with Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex.

-- Sun wire services