Major League Baseball
YANKEES BEAT TWINS ON TEIXEIRA'S WALK-OFF BLAST: Mark Teixeira hit a leadoff homer in the 11th inning to give the New York Yankees a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night and 2-0 lead in their AL playoff series.
Teixeira's drive off Jose Mijares hit the top of the left-field wall and skipped over as the Yankee Stadium crowd roared. Teixeira tossed aside his batting helmet as he approached home and was mobbed by teammates.
Alex Rodriguez hit a tying, two-run homer in the ninth off Minnesota closer Joe Nathan.
The Twins loaded the bases with no outs in the 11th without scoring. They were hurt by a mistake by left-field umpire Phil Cuzzi, who ruled Joe Mauer's leadoff liner foul. The ball bounced into the stands and clearly should've been a leadoff ground-rule double.
Mixed martial arts
PORTAGE'S KOLOSCI WILL FIGHT FOR STRIKEFORCE: Sources close to the fighter's camp told The Times on Friday that Portage welterweight John Kolosci will fight Nov. 7 on Strikeforce's card at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
According to the source, Kolosci will fight Shamar Bailey on the event's preliminary card. While bout agreements have not yet been signed, the source said verbal agreements to the fight have been made.
Auto racing
C.P.'S GOMEZ NINTH IN MIAMI: Crown Point race car driver Logan Gomez, saddled most of the season due to lack of sponsors, got his chance to drive in the final event on the Firestone Indy Lights series schedule.
He didn't disappoint either, finishing ninth in the 17-car field and earning $13,000 at the Homestead-Miami Firestone Indy Lights race on Friday afternoon.
"I felt it was a good event, my first time back all year," Gomez said in a news release. "Sam Schmidt Motorsports gave me a good chance. I wish I would've been able to do some tests and could have started quicker out of the box."
Gomez started in the eight position and basically maintained his position in race won by the car that started 10th. He led no laps in the 44-minute race.
"(The sun was) kinda brutal -- there were a lot of reflections off the cars," Gomez said. "It was confusing, but I got through it."
Gomez said he's working on landing a full-time ride for next season.
"Hopefully we can work with Sam (Schmidt) and get some sponsors over the offseason," Gomez said. "Obviously that was what was holding me back this year. It's nice to finish out the season, and it gives me some confidence going into the offseason."
Women's soccer
VU TIES INDIANA STATE: Valparaiso University squandered a late lead and ended up with 3-3 tie against visiting Indiana State. Jackie Kondratko gave the Crusaders (4-8-1) a 3-2 lead at 76:58. Indiana State knotted things at 80:42.
College sports
ATHLETES MAKE VU'S TOP 150 LIST: Thirteen people and two teams are among those included from athletics in a list of the 150 most influential people in Valparaiso University's history.
Recognized from athletics are Gene Bartow, Emory Bauer, Patty (Shook) Boice, Ruth Brown, Patty Cisneros, Bryce Drew, Homer Drew, Scott Drew, Richard Koenig, Lloyd McClendon, Dr. Bill Steinbrecher, Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston, and Jim Wacker, along with the 1997-98 "Sweet 16" Team and the "World's Tallest Team."
The complete list of VU's most influential people can be viewed online at www.valpo.edu/alumni.
Local bowling
MCCUNE WINS FIRST PLAZA TOUR EVENT: Eugene McCune, of Munster, a longtime touring member of the PBA, claimed the initial Plaza Tour event late Thursday at Plaza Lanes. McCune defeated Chris Cundiff, of Portage, to win. Others making it to the stepladder finals were Charlie Jones, of Portage, and Mike Kubacki, of Griffith. Kenny Parks, of Hammond, had the event's high game with a 247 on the Dydo Japan Cup lane condition.
For more information on the weekly Thursday event, call Justin Hauser at Plaza Lanes, (219) 923-3800.
Around the horn
Valparaiso University men's basketball head coach Homer Drew will be speaking at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County's 10th annual steak and burger dinner Thursday at the Porter County Expo Center. The event begins with a silent auction at 5:15 p.m., while the main program starts at 6. For details, call Pam Edlund-Waters at (219) 464-7282, ext. 235. ... Valparaiso University's men's and women's swimming teams each finished fourth overall at the Dennis Stark Relays at Notre Dame. Michigan won both team titles. The Crusader men finished with 92 points, while the women totaled 90. ... Prairie State women's volleyball player Colleen Gentile, a T.F. North grad, was named NJCAA player of the week. ... Boone Grove is looking for a head girls varsity tennis coach for the upcoming season. If interested, call athletic director Doug Knutson at (219) 988-4481 or (219) 462-1966. ... The Lowell Mixed Bowling League from Country Lanes will be on Comcast Ch. 110 at 6 p.m. today.
