Sports briefs for June 24, 2005

Friday, June 24, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.

Gators earn place in title game

Alan Horne came back to the dugout with a brace on his knee and needing crutches to walk. That's how much the injured pitcher wanted to be part of Florida's celebration in Omaha, Neb.

The Gators are heading into uncharted waters after earning their way into the championship round of the College World Series with a 6-3 victory against scrappy Arizona State on Thursday night. After a fan interference call went against them, the Gators hit three home runs.

"Florida's got four or five as good a hitters as I've seen this year," Arizona State coach Pat Murphy said. "They can bomb the ball."

Florida will play Texas in a best-of-three championship series for the national title, beginning Saturday. This is already the Gators' best showing at college baseball's showcase event in their fifth appearance.

Tommy Boss (9-4), who came in when Horne left with a leg injury in the fourth inning, got the victory after throwing 5 2/3 innings of shutout relief.

Baylor hit with five years' probation

Baylor's men's basketball team was banned from playing nonconference games for one season and placed on five years' probation by the NCAA for numerous rules violations found after a former player murdered a teammate in 2003.

Gene Marsh, chairman of the Division I Committee on Infractions and a professor of law at Alabama, said he believes it is the first time the NCAA has instituted a partial ban on regular-season games in basketball.

He said the committee seriously considered banning Baylor's program for a season.

May-Walsh team still undefeated

At Berlin, defending champions Misty May and Kerri Walsh maintained their perfect record after players staged a brief boycott at the Beach Volleyball World Championship.

The walkout lasted 1 hour, 45 minutes -- affecting a dozen matches -- while players negotiated with International Volleyball Federation president Ruben Acosta.

After play resumed, May and Walsh beat hosts Stephanie Pohl and Okka Rau 21-19, 21-17 for their fourth consecutive win at the championship. The American pair have not lost an international match since July 2003, aside from two forfeits last year when May had an abdominal injury.

Arena names roster for CONCACAF Gold Cup

Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Eddie Johnson and Kasey Keller headlined the 23-man roster picked by U.S. coach Bruce Arena for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Midfielder Chris Armas, who has not played with the national team since last Aug. 18 because of injuries, is on the roster for the tournament, the championship of soccer's North and Central American and Caribbean region.

Also picked were oft-injured midfielder John O'Brien, who has played just one game for the United States since the 2002 World Cup, and defender Tony Sanneh, who also has been sidelined by injuries.

Meet opens on sad note

At Carson, Calif., the first United States Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Los Angeles in 15 years began Friday on a somber note.

A brief moment of silence was held at 4:40 p.m. in remembrance of 77-year-old volunteer official Paul Suzuki of Los Angeles, who died Wednesday after being struck in the head by a shot put.

The USA Track and Field and Anschutz Entertainment Group flags located outside the stadium were lowered to half staff in memory of Suzuki, where they will remain for the duration of the meet.

-- Sun wire services