Oshkosh North 7, Oshkosh West 7

Larry Graham: On the first play of the game, Juston Wara fumbled the snap. Two plays later, he fumbled again.
It’s what he did on every other play that really counted though.
Escaping a sack for a loss on the second play of the game, Wara tossed a 30-yard pass to running back Josh Murphy, all alone in the flat. Then, two plays after his second fumble, Wara launched a 61-yard pass to senior wide receiver Jake Kellesvig, who was brought down at the 1.
Wara ran the ball in for the touchdown on the ensuing play, resulting in a 7-0 lead.
West wasn’t demoralized with the Spartans’ three-minute drive. The Wildcats simply one-upped them.
After a 7-yard run by Chris Agrell, the senior running back scampered 62 yards. He receiving excellent help with a solid block by wide receiver Jamie Braasch down around the five, before strolling in for the touchdown.
The drive only took one minute.
Agrell rushed for 79 yards on five carries in the first quarter.

You have to be kidding me

Larry Graham: I'm at the Ripon vs. UW-Stevens Point, and the umpire has the widest strike zone I've ever seen. Seriously, I think you could drive a VW bug through this guys' strike zone.

Big Shot Bob Abel

Larry Graham: In his last at bat, Bob Abel homered for the game-winning run on Friday. Well, he's back!!! Bob homered in the bottom of the second against UW-Stevens Point in what could be the championship game of the NCAA Division III Midwest regional. Ripon is ahead 2-0, but Point has runners on the corners with only one out in the top of the third.

Ripon takes the lead

Larry Graham: Compliments of an error by St. Olaf, and some timely hitting by the Red Hawks, Ripon captured a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Leadoff hitter Andy Monigal scored from third on a single by Eric Schwendiman. Ripon added another run when Tyler Haddock scored from second on a single to left field by Chevy Schultz. However, St. Olaf just scored on a homerun by Josh Schultheis.

Ripon/UWO

Larry Graham: I'm sure I'm not the only one surprised that Ripon's the No. 1 seed in the regional. More importantly, the Red Hawks are playing like a No. 1 seed. But pardon me if I'm mistaken, but I thought UW-Oshkosh was supposed to be the big, tough baseball team in the area.

Red Hawks NCAA baseball update!!

Larry Graham: In the third inning, the Red Hawks just earned their first hit on a single by Chevy Schultz. However, after a sacrifice bunt advanced Schultz, Chad Olson struck out to end the inning. The score remains 0-0 midway through the third with an error charged to Ripon.

Can Bonds just go away?

Dan Kohn: It sure would be nice if we didn't have to see Barry Bonds' mug every night. Unfortunately, until he ties and then passes Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list, it will continue.

Baseball's black eye thanks to the steroids era just won't go away.

When will networks learn?

Dan Kohn: When will radio and TV people learn to keep former athletes, especially those who may have been drinking, away from the camera or the microphone?

It seems every year some former jock is loaded and a microphone or camera are jammed in their faces. What do you expect is going to happen? Joe Namath made a fool of himself on ESPN a couple of years ago.

This past week, it was former Chicago Cubs standout Rick Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe was coaxed to go on the air during a San Diego Padres baseball game. The slurred speech should have been a warning, but no. Stick that microphone in his face and let him talk.

Sure, both Namath and Sutcliffe should have just declined any interview requests, but the real culprits here were the supposed professionals with the microphones. Instead of getting on the former jock, it's about time someone else takes ownership and puts an end to this problem before things really get out of hand. Just because someone is a former player is no reason to risk an FCC violation.

Is anyone really interested?

Dan Kohn: ESPN and the rest of the networks may be in love with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, but do they have to show every game of every season? There are 28 other Major League Baseball teams, but you'd never know it.

If this were playoff time, maybe it'd be worthwhile, but it's only May 11.

How about seeing more games that involve the World Champion Chicago White Sox or the up-and-coming Cincinnati Reds or Milwaukee Brewers? Just a thought.

Weather cancels schedule

Dan Kohn: Several baseball, boys golf, boys tennis, girls soccer and softball games and matches have been postponed due to inclement weather. For a complete listing of rescheduled events, check out Friday's Northwestern or log on to: www.thenorthwestern.com later today.

Sheets a poor investment so far

Dan Kohn: How fragile is pitcher Ben Sheets? Talk about not getting your money's worth. After signing a contract last season that pays him nearly $10 million a year for the next four years, Sheets has barely been on the field.

After starting this season on the DL, he developed "shoulder stiffness" this past weekend and is now on the shelf again for two weeks.

As exciting and young as the Brewers are this season, they need a lot more production from their ace. He may have an Olympic gold medal but he hasn't done much in the pros. Hopefully, that changes this season, but if early indications are anything, it sure looks like the Brewers have another Teddy Higuera on their hands.

After winning 20 games and becoming the ace of the Brewers' staff in the mid-to-late 1980s, Higuera signed a lucrative contract only to never pitch well again.

Sheets has yet to have a 20-win season. Time is marching on and hopefully Sheets can prove his critics wrong and bounce back strong.