Bethel can move on to the Division III national championship semi-final game if the Royals defeat Central College of Pella, Iowa tomorrow. The Royals would then play the winner of the Mount Union versus St. John Fisher game, also being played this weekend. The game against Central College will be in Pella and begins at noon, and the broadcast can be accessed at www.kniakrls.com. Bethel won its second round playoff game last week, 21-12 over UW-Eau Claire. The Royals were undefeated during the MIAC regular season, 8-0. Overall the Royals are 11-1, including two playoff games for the first time ever (previous record 0-4). Quarterback Ben Wetzell was chosen the MIAC MVP and Steve Johnson Coach of the Year, the second consecutive season he has won that award. The awards were voted on by conference coaches.
The New York Post speculates that the Twins may keep pitcher Johan Santana until next summer’s trading deadline, allowing time to see if the team can challenge for a Central Division championship and the playoffs.
The New York Yankees have the most regular season wins, 686, since 2001. They are followed by Oakland, 649, Boston, 645, St. Louis, 641, Atlanta, 639, the Los Angeles Angels, 621, and the Twins, 619.
The annual TwinsFest is scheduled for Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27 at the Metrodome. The event will provide fans their first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets to 2008 home games. Tickets go on sale at 5:30 p.m. on January 25 at TwinsFest, www.twinsbaseball.com, (612) 33-TWINS and (800) 33-TWINS and Twins Pro Shops. A tentative 2008 schedule is expected to be finalized soon and includes an opening series with the Angels and Torii Hunter.
Twins pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training in Fort Myers on Sunday, February 17. The full squad is expected on Friday, February 22. The team’s first game in Fort Myers will be on Friday, February 29 against the World Series champion Boston Red Sox.
Ryan Amoroso of Burnsville, who started his college career at Marquette, led San Diego State in scoring Wednesday night with 19 points as the Aztecs defeated Loyola Marymount, 78-56.
Former Gopher coach Dan Monson is 1-4 at Long Beach State. Three of the four losses have been by 15 points or more including a 40 point loss to Brigham Young and 22 points to Montana State.
The Gophers, who have a weekend home series with Michigan Tech, are not ranked among the top 15 teams in the nation in this week’s USA Today/USA Hockey national poll. It’s the first time the Gophers have not been in the publication’s top 15 since December of 2003, ending a streak of 99 consecutive polls that Minnesota was ranked. The Gophers, who were 15th in the poll last week, are still ranked 14th in this week’s U.S. College Hockey Online national poll.
Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber, running back Duane Bennett and guard D.J. Burris are included on The Sporting News 2007 Freshman All-Big Ten Team. Minnesota’s three selections on offense were the most of any team in the Big Ten.
Minnesota seniors Dominique Barber, Amir Pinnix and Ernie Wheelwright have been selected to play in the 2008 Hula Bowl all-star game.