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Not just a basketball star: Alec Blair’s two HRs lift De La Salle over Granada

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

CONCORD — There is no denying Alec Blair’s talent on a basketball court.In his first two high school seasons, the 6-foot-5 sophomore led De La Salle to consecutive appearances in the North Coast Section Open Division final and Open Division state playoffs, receiving all-area honors along the way.But even as he flourished on the hardwood, there was always a question about the basketball star.Isn’t he good at baseball, too?For those who weren’t sure, Blair peeled back the curtain Wednesday against Granada.Batting from the left side, he smashed a tape-measure shot over De La Salle’s right-field fence in the fourth inning to tie the score.Two innings later, with two out and the score still deadlocked, Blair launched another no-doubt-about-it homer to right that lifted the Spartans to a 2-1 victory in a matchup between the East Bay Athletic League’s hottest teams.“It felt pretty good,” said Blair, the Spartans’ center fielder. “...

Softball: Mitty rallies to defeat No. 1 St. Francis, snaps streak. ‘This is huge for us’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

SAN JOSE — Kyleigh Mace thought she would spend her first Archbishop Mitty vs. St. Francis game cheering from the home dugout. But the freshman was ready to go when an injury to Mitty’s senior ace Ava Markert on Tuesday thrust Mace into the starting role.She wasn’t exactly unproven.After all, Mace pitched a six-inning perfect game against Sacred Heart Cathedral on April 5. Mace wasn’t quite perfect on Wednesday, but she still threw a complete game to give the Monarchs a 3-2 victory, snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Mountain View school with their first win since 2019.The right-hander held the prolific St. Francis offense to six hits in a nail-biter between the West Catholic Athletic League’s best teams.“This is huge for us,” Mace said. “It’s a confidence booster.”SAN JOSE – Mitty pitcher Kyleigh Mace throws a pitch in the first inning. St. Francis and Archbishop Mitty played in a high school softball game at Archbishop Mitty high school in San Jose...

3.7 magnitude earthquake reported in Antioch

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

(KRON) -- A preliminary 3.7 magnitude earthquake was reported in Antioch Wednesday night, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake was reported at 8:35 p.m.The depth of the earthquake is 16.4 km. The preliminary epicenter reported by USGS is roughly three miles west of Kaiser Permanente located at 4501 Sand Creek Road.

Ferreira’s goal gives US 1-1 exhibition tie against Mexico

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Top stars were missing and no titles were at stake. Still, the United States took satisfaction in coming from behind late for a 1-1 exhibition draw against Mexico.“There’s no friendlies against Mexico. It’s always a battle,” Jesús Ferreira said Wednesday night after scoring in the 81st minute on a counterattack that began after Carlos Rodríguez’s shot hit the crossbar.Uriel Antuna put Mexico ahead after Kellyn Acosta’s giveaway in the 55th. Matt Miazga’s giveaway to Atuna led to Rodríguez’s shot off the crossbar and Miazga lofted the rebound from inside his penalty area to Sergiño Dest, who dribbled through the midfield and passed to Alan Soñora in the center circle. Soñora sent the ball wide to Jordan Morris, who crossed toward a streaking Ferreira. “Jesús is always making good runs in the box and I just tried to put it out there for him,” Morris said.Defender Luis Chávez tried to clear and the ball glanced off his foot to Ferreira, wh...

Panthers beat Bruins 6-3 in Game 2 to tie first-round series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Brandon Montour scored twice and the Florida Panthers had four third-period goals to beat the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins 6-3 on Wednesday night and send Boston to its first loss in 10 games.The Panthers — the NHL’s top regular-season team last season — tied the best-of-seven series and head home for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday. There will be a Game 5 back in Boston on Wednesday.Montour scored 22 seconds into the third period to break a 2-2 tie, Carter Verhaeghe added an insurance goal, then Montour scored again for Florida and Eetu Luostarinen added an empty netter with 2:25 to play to make it 6-2.Alex Lyon stopped 34 shots, and Sam Bennett and Eric Staal also scored for the Panthers, who seemed overmatched by the NHL-best Bruins in a 3-1 series-opening loss.Brad Marchand scored a short-handed goal, and Tyler Bertuzzi and Taylor Hall also scored for the Bruins, who won their last eight – and 15 of their last 16 — regular-season games while setting NHL rec...

Bucks rout Heat without injured Antetokounmpo to tie series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday added 24 and the hot-shooting Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to rout the Miami Heat 138-122 on Wednesday night, tying the Eastern Conference first-round series at a game apiece.The Bucks went 25 of 49 on 3-point attempts to tie the NBA record for 3-point baskets in a postseason game. Pat Connaughton, who didn’t even play in Game 1, added a playoff career-high 22 points while going 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Game 1 loss early in the second quarter with a bruised lower back.Jimmy Butler scored 25 points for the Heat.Game 3 is Saturday in Miami.GRIZZLIES 103, LAKERS 93MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Xavier Tillman scored a career-high 22 points and had 13 rebounds and Memphis overcame Ja Morant’s absence to beat Los Angeles in Game 2 to tie the Western Conference series.No. 2 seed Memphis sat Morant after he tested the right hand ...

Trade envoy Tai says US not seeking to ‘decouple’ from China

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Washington is not seeking to decouple the American economy from China’s, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Thursday while on a visit to Tokyo. Tai, who is on her fourth visit to Japan after being appointed the top U.S. trade envoy, said all members of President Joe Biden’s administration have been “very clear that it is not the intention to decouple” China’s economy.U.S. trade sanctions against China are “narrowly targeted,” she said. Given its huge size and importance, unraveling the ties with China that keep the world economy running is “not a goal or achievable,” Tai said in a news conference at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Japan.Chinese officials have often lashed out at the U.S. over trade sanctions and other restrictions on sharing of advanced technology with China, accusing Washington of trying to “contain” China and hinder its path toward greater affluence. Tai said that regular trade work between the U.S. and China was contin...

Oakland A’s purchase land for new stadium in Las Vegas

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have signed a binding agreement to purchase land for a new retractable roof ballpark in Las Vegas after being unable to build a new venue in the Bay Area.Team president Dave Kaval said Wednesday night the team finalized a deal last week to buy the 49-acre site where the A’s plan to build the stadium close to the Las Vegas Strip with a seating capacity of 30,000 to 35,000.The A’s will work with Nevada and Clark County on a public-private partnership to fund the stadium. Kaval said the A’s hope to break ground by next year and would hope to be move to their new home by 2027. “It’s obviously a very big milestone for us,” Kaval said. “We spent almost two years working in Las Vegas to try to determine a location that works for a long-term home. To identify a site and have a purchase agreement is a big step.” The A’s had been looking for a new home for years to replace the outdated and run-down Oakland Colise...

Kazakhstan delivers humanitarian aid to Afghan people

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

Kazakhstan delivered humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan on April 15 during the visit of Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin (pictured) to Kabul, reported the Prime Minister’s press service, writes Aida Haidar in Central Asia, Editor’s Picks, International.The main humanitarian aid, with a total volume of 5,403 tonnes, arrived by rail, consisting of food products, including canned milk, vegetable oil, flour, and buckwheat. The Kazakh delegation brought the boxes of medicines with them on the plane. Zhumangarin said the delivery of humanitarian aid follows the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.“It is symbolic that our humanitarian mission takes place during the holy month of Ramadan, and during this blessed time for all Muslims, allow me to wish peace and tranquility to everyone,” Zhumangarin said.The minister emphasized that Kazakhstan is one of the few countries that maintains a diplomatic presence in Kabul and wishes to see Afghanistan ...

Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on historic visit to Israel

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:07:47 GMT

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi (pictured): "The Iranian people aspire to a government that respects its heritage, with the preservation of human rights and respect for religious and cultural diversity, among other things, through the restoration of peaceful and friendly relations with Israel and Iran's other neighbours." Objective of the visit: renewing the relationship between the Iranian people and the people of Israel – Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel will host this week in Israel Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah, with the aim of creating a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and expressing joint opposition to the Ayatollah regime.Reza Pahlavi is the most senior Iranian personality to ever pay a public visit to Israel.Minister Gamliel said : “I am honoured to host Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and appreciate his brave decision to visit Israel for the first time. The Crown Prince symbolizes a leadership different from that of the Ayat...