OKLAHOMA CITY — Kaitlin Cochran hit a three-run home run, Katie Burkhart pitched a four-hitter and Arizona State routed Texas A&M 11-0 on Tuesday night to win its first NCAA softball title.
Cochran slammed the first pitch from Megan Gibson over the left- field fence in the fifth inning to give the sixth-seeded Sun Devils a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning. Arizona State then started its celebration early with a seven-run seventh inning highlighted by a two-run single by Caylyn Carlson and a three- run home run by Mindy Cowles.
Pacman shines during practice
IRVING, Texas — On the day receiver Terrell Owens signed a three-year contract extension, the Dallas Cowboys got their first look at their newest standout pass defender, Adam “Pacman” Jones.
Although he’s still technically suspended, Jones is allowed to do everything up to the regular season, and he went through his first practice. He capped it by intercepting a pass — from third-stringer Richard Bartel — and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said receiver Terry Glenn failed a physical after the season and still hasn’t passed it because of problems with the right knee that was operated on twice last season.
Jones wants Glenn to agree to accept a $500,000 injury settlement if he can’t play this season. His base salary is $1.74 million.
• Green Bay Packers running back Noah Herron thwarted a would-be burglar by hitting him with a bed post during a break-in at his home. Brown County Sheriff Dennis Kocken said the break-in happened late last Friday and the injured the intruder remained hospitalized but is expected to recover.
• The Houston Texans signed general manager Rick Smith to a four-year contract extension — keeping the former Broncos assistant with the team through 2012.
• “Inside the NFL” has found a new home on Showtime. The studio show, which ended its 31-year run on HBO in February, will be produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films. The program will air on Wednesdays starting Sept. 10.
Mosley wins FIA vote of confidence
PARIS — Max Mosley overcame a sex scandal and won a vote of confidence to remain FIA president through October 2009 — when his fourth term ends — in a decision that could threaten to divide motor racing’s governing body.
The 68-year-old Englishman won a secret ballot 103-55 — with seven abstentions and four invalid votes.
Footnotes.
Ashley Harkleroad will turn down a berth on the U.S. Olympic tennis team to focus on improving her ranking during the summer hard-court season. With Harkleroad stepping aside, Jill Craybas is likely to make the U.S. team.
• Antonio Pettigrew gave up his Olympic gold medal, two weeks after the sprinter admitted in court he cheated to win at Sydney in 2000.
• Syracuse’s top receiver, Mike Williams, who had 10 touchdown catches last season, was suspended for academic reasons and is no longer enrolled at the school.
• Former England soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was hired to lead Mexico. The Associated Press
