Braden River gets no-hit in Sarasota Baseball Classic

Trae Ratliff threw a no-hitter and allowed only one base runner (via a walk) to lead Hernando County to a 5-0 victory over Braden River, Monday night in an opening round game of the Sarasota Baseball Classic.

The game was originally scheduled for a 7:30 start at the Buck O'Neil Complex, but lighting knocked out the power at the field and there were no lights. The game was swtiched to Sarasota High.

Rodgers-Cromartie preferred one year deal

Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie says he preferred a one year contract with Broncos because he is out to prove a lot of  people wrong and Denver promised long term deal with more money if he has big 2013 season.

The Lakewood Ranch product said he was real impressed with Denver's head guy John Elway and sees this as perfect match. He cancelled scheduled trip to visit Indianapolis Colts, who were courting him..

Mirabella strikes out 20; misses perfect game in last inning

Courtney Mirabella stuck out 20 and just missed a perfect game allowing only one –hit to lead Braden River to a 1-0 victory over Texas Ridge Point Thursday in opening round play of the Sarasota Spring Break Softball Tournament at Sarasota High.

The only hit off Mirabella was a bloop single with one out in the seventh inning. She had struck out 18 of the 19 batters she faced until that point.   

Freshman Bethaney Keen doubled in the third to drive in the Pirates run. Ashley Allard, who reached on a walk, scored on the play. The only other hit for Braden River was first inning single by Brittany Cole.

Mirabella (7-1) now has 130 strikeouts in 59 innings.

 

  

Today is 20th anniversary of Jim Valvano's famous "Don't Ever Give Up" speech

March 4th commemorates the 20th anniversary of Jim Valvano's memorable ESPY speech in which he announced that with ESPN, he would be forming The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

The Foundation kick-offs its 20 year anniversary this year and the money it has funded through donations have helped enormously in the battle against cancer that Dick Vitale has spearheaded.

The V Foundation has contributed to the fight against cancer with made many grants and donations. One significant example is a recent breakthrough by Dr. Reuben Harris and Dr. Douglass Yee of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center.

Their work with others over the years has led to the discovery of an enzyme that is believed to be the probable source of many genetic mutations in breast cancer. If scientists can find a way to block this enzyme, it may slow or stop the cancer from growling, researchers say.

The discovery, reported last month in the prestigious journal Nature, could pave the way for better ways of diagnosing and treating the disease, said Harris, who led the research.

The researchers found an enzyme called APOBEC3B that they say is the "probable source" of DNA mutations that are found in the majority of breast cancer cases.

"Mutations cause cancer. The enzyme appears to act like a 'genetic fuel,' causing cells to mutate and turn cancerous,” Harris said in announcing his findings to media outlets.

f an enzyme (A3B for short) that is the probable source of many genetic mutations in breast cancer. If scientists can find a way to block this enzyme, it may slow or stop