GOBIS: Perry still jumpin'

** Dighton-Rehoboth High jumping jack Chris Perry, the New England Meet champion in the triple jump at 47 feet, 6 inches, qualified the USA Track and Field Association's Junior Olympic Meet July 28-Aug. 2 at North Carolina A&T, by taking second place at the Northeast Championship Meet last week at Fitchburg State with a jump of 46-6 ...

PawSox beat Jackson, Yanks

PAWTUCKET - Admittedly, it was a tough call a few years ago, listening to the pitches by collegiate basketball coaches, including former PC Friar and current University of Texas mentor Rick Barnes or pursue a professional baseball career.

Softball all-stars unveiled

ATTLEBORO - The key to earning a spot on the Sun Chronicle's softball all-star team? Apparently, it's to wear green and gold.

Fans can vote of favorite Pats' memories

FOXBORO - Did Adam Vinatieri's 45-yard field goal through the snowflakes against Oakland in the final game at Foxboro Stadium give you chills that have lasted a lifetime?

Wagner has plenty to remember about debut

PAWTUCKET - Mark Wagner will never forget his Triple-A debut in the Red Sox organization, with the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium.

Top point men highlight boys' lacrosse stars

Through the years, no member of the Tri-County Regional High School boys' lacrosse team has been as productive and prolific at putting the ball in the net as North Attleboro's Mike Cavanaugh.

LEGION: Foxboro back on track

WESTWOOD - After having a seven-game winning streak snapped on Monday, the Foxboro Legion team started a new one of Tuesday night, shutting down District 6 West foe Westwood 8-2 at Xaverian Brothers High School.

FARINELLA: Bedroom eyes (inadvertent glimpse one of many surprises)

Ponderous thoughts I was pondering while listening to the same four songs, over and over, while scanning the FM dial for something other than a Michael Jackson retrospective:

PawSox punchless in loss

PAWTUCKET - Among the teams in the International League, the Pawtucket Red Sox rank last in hitting, a .236 team average. Among the 14 franchises, only two have hit fewer than the 48 home runs that the PawSox have this season.

KIRBY: Former PGA player Mattiace to hit Wentworth

A former editor of mine, the late, great Bob Gusetti, had a favorite saying: "There's always a local connection."

Mansfield, KP the class of girls' lacrosse

It's another powerhouse playing out of Alumni Field. The Hockomock League champion Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team had five of its Hornets were selected to the 2009 Sun Chronicle All-Star Team.

GOBIS: Eaton among the elite at King Philip

She is in rarified air, spoken of in the same breath as the Pasquantonios, the Cronins, the Cuozzos and many of the rest of the best of the female athletes who have draped a King Philip Regional High School jersey over their shoulders.

Norfolk snaps Foxboro's win streak

NORFOLK - It took some defensive wizardry, but the Norfolk Legion baseball team was able to hold off Foxboro on Monday evening at Freeman Centennial Field, winning the District 6 matchup 3-2.

Another no-decision for Bowden

PAWTUCKET - And on his third pitch to Justin Maxwell, just the second batter that he faced in the first inning, Michael Bowden watched the baseball soar out of McCoy Stadium Monday, a solo home run to left field.

Lowrie slowed up in rehab

PAWTUCKET - Jed Lowrie's rehabilitation assignment with the Pawtucket Red Sox for his tender right wrist is not the issue.

Post 93 notches 7th straight

FRANKLIN - There was no luck needed as American Legion Post 93 won its seventh straight baseball game, routing Franklin 11-4 on Sunday.

Boys' tennis stars honored

ATTLEBORO - The King Philip Regional High boys' tennis team did what no other Hockomock League member has done in the past quarter century - beat Sharon High, and on the Eagles' home court nonetheless.

Guzman lifts PawSox

PAWTUCKET - Freddy Guzman's bases-loaded single with no one out in the bottom of the ninth made walkoff winners of the Pawtucket Red Sox Saturday night at McCoy Stadium as they topped the Syracuse SkyChiefs, 3-2.

Santoro back to defend Newport title one last time

NEWPORT, R.I. - It took him 20 years to win a title and now he never wants to give it back, that's why one of professional tennis' most eloquent spokesman and gentleman Fabrice Santoro will be returning to the International Tennis Hall of Fame Championships.

Top players, top team make up girls' tennis stars

Fabulous, absolutely fabulous - a freshman, Alana Prinos of Foxboro High capturing the MIAA South Sectional Singles Tournament title and the King Philip Regional High girls' tennis team, not only achieving a second straight unbeaten season, but a visit to the MIAA Division 1-South Tournament title match.

Legion Post 93 gets revenge on Medfield

FOXBORO - The Foxboro Legion baseball team continues to rise in the District 6 West standings.

Post 93 rallies

FOXBORO - With just three hits going into the sixth inning Thursday, the Foxboro Legion baseball team was in trouble, down 2-0 with just six outs left.

GOBIS: Wade 13th nationally

North Attleboro High recent grad Nick Wade finished 13th overall among the 38 entrants in the 800 meter run at the NIKE National Interscholastic Meet in North Carolina, where the temperature pushed 100 degrees. Wade won his heat in the 800. The Cornell University-bound ex-Rocketeer had competed in the steeplechase an hour before that race, finishing 15th ...

Revs have themselves to blame for tie

FOXBORO - It was bad enough, playing their second match in four days.

Swindells, Foxboro blank Westwood

WESTWOOD - Former Mansfield High ace Joe Swindells delivered a five-hit shutout as the Foxboro American Legion Post 93 baseball team downed Westwood 6-0 Wednesday.

ROSE: Race competition coming to an end

Have you ever wondered what it's like to participate in a farewell tour, such as rock groups undertake.

KIRBY: AAGA taking apps

Think you can compete against the Attleboro area's best golfers?

MHS top sports program in Hock

MANSFIELD - The Mansfield High School Athletic Dept. was the recipient of the Hockomock League's All Sports Trophy, based upon the final standings of its athletic teams during the 2008-09 calendar year.

GOBIS: Sticking it out

Tommy Effler learned a long time ago, that after you fall, you pick yourself up.

Revs get a leg up

FOXBORO - The defending SuperLiga champion New England Revolution struck for three second-half goals - two within a three-minute span - to erase a one-goal deficit and score a feisty, 4-2 decision over Santos Laguna on the first leg of the round-robin Group B Series.

LEGION: Weekend sweep for Norton

NORTON - Andrew McCarty drove in three runs with three hits, while Sean Ryan and Scott Fraatz each had two hits as the Norton American Legion baseball team routed Berkley 13-3 Sunday at Adams Field.

Braves win LNAL championship

Dennery Noone and Nick Gaumond held the Rockies in check with some superb pitching. Noone also opened up the game in the 4th inning by blasting a three-run home run. Matthew Everton, Alec Morton, Tyler Watters, Nick Kerrigan and Brennan Smith all contributed key hits while Zack Fitton, who also sang the National Anthem to start the game, and Nick Thorpe had two hits a piece. Brendan Weir and Kyle Chretien made two great defensive plays to seal the victory.

Allen 7th in nation

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Count Norton High's Kelly Allen among the best in the nation.

FARINELLA: Patriots to throw screen at fans

Ponderous thoughts I was pondering after a somewhat disgusted look at the 10-day forecast:

Locals shine at Shriners

WALTHAM - Walking toward the concession stand at halftime of the 31st annual Shriners' All-Star Game, one North Attleboro football fan in a red polo remarked, "It's incredible how much faster this game is than a regular high school one."

Revs out to defend SuperLiga

FOXBORO - The defending SuperLiga champion New England Revolution will begin defense of its title against Mexican Primera Division club Santos Laguna at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. New England is one of four teams in the Group B.

Cabrera closing for PawSox

PAWTUCKET - The Pawtucket Red Sox have their own stopper, their own shut down closer - Fernando Cabrera.

GOBIS: Gridiron standouts pocket scholarship money

The Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame, in partnership with the L.G. Balfour Foundation, has awarded a total of $15,000 in scholarships to 15 graduating seniors at Attleboro, Bishop Feehan, and North Attleboro High Schools.

Smoltz, Buchholz go back-to-back for Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET - Was it the 42-year old Hall of Famer that was more effective on the pitching mound for the Pawtucket Red Sox? Or the 24-year-old right-handed phenom?

Smoltz satisfied with final rehab outing

PAWTUCKET - As the month of June rolls on - and the postseason begins looming larger in the distance - the debate is continuing to grow more and more heated.

SA ups record to 9-0

TAUNTON - Evan Dean pitched a three-hitter, striking out 11, as the unbeaten South Attleboro American Legion Post 312 routed host Taunton, 17-1, in a game called after five innings because of the mercy rule.

KIRBY: Chemawa aces hosting senior event

A big tip of the visor goes to Glen Bourque and all the folks at Chemawa Golf Course in North Attleboro which last week played host to the Attleboro Area Golf Association Senior Championship.

Pair of Rocketeers highlight Shriners squad

NORTH ATTLEBORO - Kevin Richman and Mike D'Attilio thought that their high school football careers had concluded on Thanksgiving Day, representing the Rocketeers of North Attleboro High School.

FARINELLA: A busy sports fall on horizon

We have entered a great wasteland, the period of time between the end of one sports cycle and another. Thank God for vacations.

Erickson powers Post 93

NEEDHAM- Chuck Erickson had a career day with the bat for the Post 93 American Legion baseball team, hitting three home runs as Foxboro cruised to its second victory in a row Tuesday night, 14-2 over Needham.

Lotti lands Hartford job

HARTFORD - Former St. Raphael Academy softball star Kayleigh Lotti of Attleboro has been named an assistant softball coach at the University of Hartford.

Swindells throws no-hitter for Post 93

NORWOOD - Mansfield High product Joey Swindells no-hit Norwood to give Foxboro American Legion Post 93 its first victory of the season, 6-0 Monday night.

GOBIS: From first base to first place

The Tri-Valley League champion.

Buchholz, Smoltz playing waiting game

PAWTUCKET - Will Clay Buchholz be pitching again for the Pawtucket Red Sox? Will John Smoltz be making another rehabilitation assignment appearance for Boston's AAA-affiliate?

Locals shine at New Englands

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Had they kept team scores they might have been able to hang another girls' track banner at Mansfield High School... for winning the New Englands.

Tourney run ends for Prinos

WORCESTER - For now, there is still at least one accolade for Foxboro freshman Alana Prinos to strive for.

Dunn back on the beam

ATTLEBORO - Maggie Dunn stepped into a gym in late March, knowing full well that time was running out for her to qualify for the Massachusetts state level 10 gymnastics championships. But that was the least of her concerns.

FARINELLA: Hotel has a view

Visions of banner headlines were dancing in my head late last week after I read a story by colleague Rick Foster on Page 1 of Thursday's Blue Ribbon Daily.

One more hurdle to clear

MANSFIELD - Mansfield High School girls' track coach Derek Ellis could see the necessary tools to become a great hurdler: natural speed, a long stride and tall hips to glide over the hurdles instead of jumping over them.

Post 312 pounds Acushnet

ACUSHNET - Paul Piatelli gave up just one hit in five innings of work and Lucas Gagne drove in six runs as the South Attleboro Post 312 baseball team pounded Acushnet 11-0 Friday in American Legion action.

ROSE: Withers made the 'Y' races go

There was a time when I used to be a very demanding and discerning customer ... of road races. Whenever I went to a race in my formative running years, I always found something amiss, out of place or not up to standard. I was never satisfied with what was offered.

Thomas fundraiser planned for Sunday

FOXBORO - Adalius Thomas has a sweet ride, a well-preserved 1967 Ford Mustang that he just loves to show off from time to time.

Pats opt to pass on Pass

FOXBORO - For Patrick Pass, this test ended in failure.

GOBIS: Prinos hits the court for title

When the first ball is bounced on the Corash Tennis Courts at Clark University in Worcester Saturday morning, Foxboro High School's Alana Prinos will be serving for the MIAA State Individual Girls' Tennis Tournament championship.

Tricks of the trade

NORTON - Nine hundred kids on a golf course is almost never a good idea.

KIRBY: Revered Red Tail course one of best

The United States Golf Association has a reputation for choosing America's most challenging golf courses for its tournaments.

The game never gets old

NORTH ATTLEBORO - John Thibeault was a happy man. At 82 years of age, the Attleboro resident had survived playing 18 holes of golf; he had lost only one golf ball; and he broke 100.

Show of faith

FOXBORO - Vince Wilfork had two choices: Make a point and lose up to $500,000 of his salary, or swallow his pride and possibly gain a few important allies in the process.

Nance voted into Patriots Hall of Fame

FOXBORO - From his unique perspective, Gino Cappelletti understood how difficult it was to choose this year's addition to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Ryan amuses Belichick

FOXBORO - The Border War is generally no laughing matter, but Bill Belichick got a chuckle or two out of the latest shots fired over his bow.

Twellman a welcome, and needed, addition

FOXBORO - The mere presence of No. 20 on the pitch for the New England Revolution makes it a whole new match for the MLS franchise.

McCabe, Hornets win heptathlon title

HINGHAM - The Mansfield High girls' spring track team continued to reap postseason awards by winning the MSTCA Heptathlon Wednesday at Notre Dame Academy.

Post 312 grabs 5th straight victory

EASTON - Paul Piatelli delivered the key hit for South Attleboro, crushing a one-out double in the top of the seventh to break open a tie game and give Post 312 a 9-4 victory over Easton in American Legion action Wednesday night.

Pass, it's like he never left

FOXBORO - The number is different (32, most recently worn by LaMont Jordan) and there may be a few pounds missing. Other than that, Patrick Pass said he might have been able to wake up any morning this week and believe that he had never left the New England Patriots.

NOTEBOOK: Watson has company at TE

FOXBORO - If Benjamin Watson is worried about the increasing competition to be a tight end for the New England Patriots, he isn't letting on.

FARINELLA: MIAA has split personality

Ponderous thoughts I was pondering while trying to figure out why the winter coat has yet to go into storage:

LEGION BASEBALL: Norfolk routs Walpole

NORFOLK - The Norfolk American Legion Post 335 baseball team got back into the win column Tuesday night, recovering from back-to-back losses to beat Walpole at Freeman-Centennial Field, 7-1.

Plymouth North ousts Warriors in classic game

BRAINTREE - The pre-requisites for optimal performance, perhaps even a championship - pitching and defense - were present.

Pitchers take center stage

BRAINTREE - Foxboro senior Brian Swanton was brilliant on the mound Monday night in the Division 2-South Sectional Final against Plymouth North.

GOBIS: Common bond leads to uncommon friendship

They are the shot put sisters.

Making their marks

FOXBORO - It was a historic night of soccer for the New England Revolution - striker Taylor Twellman notched his 100th career goal, defender Jay Heaps appeared in his 300th match, midfielder Steve Ralston upped his MLS career-best assist total to 131 and goalkeeper Matt Reis notched his 50th career shutout.

KP tourney run ends

WESTWOOD - Courtney Puddester and Lauren Trudeau may not have played any finer tennis this season than they did late Saturday afternoon on the courts at Westwood High School.

GIRLS TRACK: MHS wins States

FITCHBURG - First it was the Hockomock League, then it was the Division 2 Championship.

BOYS TRACK: Hornets third

FITCHBURG - Led by a second-place performance by senior Dan Glavin, the Mansfield High School boys' track team finished in a tie for third place overall at the All-State Meet held Saturday at Fitchburgh High School.

Smoltz dazzles in rehab outing

PAWTUCKET - He says he's a different pitcher, yet John Smoltz delivered familiar results Saturday night.

AAGA Seniors to tee off

ATTLEBORO - The Attleboro Area Golf Association's annual Seniors Tournament will be held Wednesday at the Chemawa Golf Course in North Attleboro. The 18-hole tournament will consist of both net and gross divisions in various age groups.

PC puts rugby on the map

PROVIDENCE - What better way to celebrate your 30th anniversary than by chalking up an overtime victory?

FARINELLA: Bear sighting

One of the problems of working late into the night is that it tends to limit one's shopping options on the ride home. Seriously, I'll be heading home after another productive day of journalism when I suddenly realize I'm out of fabric softener or Kraft Easy Mac, and I have to hurry up and stop at one of the local supermarkets before they close.

Lewis among those new Pats learning

FOXBORO - The learning process continues this week, as the Patriots morph from "organized team activity" mode into their first and only mandatory, full-squad minicamp.

Area throwers among best

It's the most simple, most natural throwing event.

FHS defense has been stellar

FOXBORO - If pitching and defense produces championship, the Foxboro High baseball teams seems to have found the formula at the most opportune time - in the MIAA Division 2-South Tournament.

Champs KO Feehan

TAUNTON - It was not a good day to be a Shamrock.

Hornets can't make lead stand

 BRAINTREE - Sometimes, a 9-1 lead isn't enough to hold off the best teams that Division 1 baseball has to offer.

GOBIS: FHS has history on its side

The last time that the Plymouth North High baseball team lost a game in the MIAA Division 2-South Tournament was 10 games and two years ago - to Glen Conlon's Foxboro High Warriors, that in the quarterfinal round of the 2007 sweepstakes.

Pass returns to Pats

FOXBORO - When asked earlier in the week about all of the veterans that had departed from the Patriots between this year and last, linebacker Tedy Bruschi sounded a little lonely.

LEGION: Norfolk wins opener

NORFOLK - Jon Irwin pitched a two-hitter as the Norfolk American Legion baseball team opened its season with an 11-1 six-inning rout of Canton. Irwin allowed a first inning single and then blanked Canton through the middle four frames before yielding a solo homer.

Redding verdict official

MANSFIELD - It's finally official.