Laurel 12’s fall in finals

MAGEE — The defending state champions Summit ten-ruled Laurel-Jones County 12-Year-Old Nationals 11-1 in the championship game of the South Regional here Thursday night. Both teams will advance to the state tournament in Greenville that begins next Friday.

Laurel scored one run in the first inning and was scoreless after that. Joseph Ladner, Clint Sasser, and Chance LeWallen all singled for Laurel. Jake Smith and Justin Johnston pitched for the locals.

— By Dale McKee

Coaches predict Southern Miss’ Fletcher, McRath to lead C-USA

HATTIESBURG (AP) — Conference USA coaches don’t have high expectations for Southern Miss, but they believe its two stars will continue to thrive.

They named tailback Damion Fletcher preseason offensive player of the year and Gerald McRath preseason defensive player of the year after they took those honors at the end of last season.

Offensive lineman Ryan McKee also was named to the preseason all-conference team.

Coaches picked the Golden Eagles to finish third in the East Division and fifth overall in new coach Larry Fedora’s first year.

Hampton leaves rehab test after tweaking groin in M-Braves game

ATLANTA (AP) — Injury-prone pitcher Mike Hampton of the Atlanta Braves left a minor-league rehabilitation start after only two innings when he tweaked his groin.

Nick Skinner, public relations director for the Class AA Mississippi Braves said, “He didn’t want to take any chances with it. He said his arm felt good.”

Hampton injured the groin in the first inning Wednesday night, then gave up a solo home run in the second. He threw 29 pitches, walked one and fanned two.

It was his sixth rehab start. He hasn’t pitched n a major league game since August 2005 because of a series of injuries.