who pitched for the first time since leaving the AL wild-card game

It wouldnt be all that big a surprise if womens college basketball coaches across the country had UConns graduation date circled on their calendars last spring.They were happy to see the Huskies mighty trio, led by Breanna Stewart, head to the WNBA after winning four consecutive national championships and their last 75 straight games.Now for the first time in a while, it appears the road to the title -- that will be played in Dallas this year -- is more wide open.I think it will be an exciting year, Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. This was the year nobody lost a lot of talent except for Connecticut. So I think that really evens things out.Unlike the past decade or so where there was a limited number of teams that realistically had a chance for the title, this season there appears to be a lot more, including last seasons surprise Final Four participant Washington.I definitely think we opened a lot of eyes with the run we had last year and thats a great thing for the sport, Washington coach Mike Neighbors said. Ive had coaches tell me that we gave them hope they could do something similar.Washington, Syracuse and Oregon State all made unexpected runs to the Final Four, marking the first time since 1994 three newcomers reached the national semifinals. Even though Geno Auriemma has to replace three starters, no one is counting the 11-time champions.They are still going to be really good, Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. Hes still got a lot of McDonalds All-Americans on that team.A few other things to watch leading to Fridays start of the womens college basketball season:TRANSFER EFFECT: Diamond DeShields says she talks a lot to her former North Carolina classmates Stephanie Mavunga and Allisha Gray. All three were part of the Tar Heels unbelievable freshmen class a few years back. All have now transferred.We laugh about it sometimes, everybody left, DeShields said. It seems everywhere there is a red-shirt from our class.In fact, six of the top eight players from that 2013 high school senior class have changed schools. Ohio State and South Carolina have been the biggest beneficiaries, each adding top players to already strong programs.DeShields couldnt put a finger on whether there was a common reason for all the transfers.Im not sure, everyones story is different, she said. I think the big thing is they werent comfortable where they were at. I think it helped that they saw me do well at Tennessee so they knew it could work.NEW NCAA FORMAT: The NCAA Tournament format has changed, with the Final Four going back to a Friday-Sunday configuration. Its the first time since 2002 the championship game will be played on a Sunday. The NCAA also said this month it will reveal the top 16 teams in order three times during January and February. Last season the top 10 teams were announced.This definitely will help create more of a buzz and give some teams the chance to prepare for hosting first and second round games if they know they are potentially in the mix, said Terry Gawlik, chair of the Division I Womens Basketball Championship Sport Committee and senior associate athletic director at Wisconsin.NEW FACES: There are 56 new head coaches this season in Division I womens basketball. Stephanie White left the Indiana Fever to join Vanderbilt. Jen Rizzotti left Hartford for George Washington and Jim Crowley came to Providence after a successful stint at St. Bonaventure.---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg Blake Martinez Super Bowl Jersey . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Paul Hornung Super Bowl Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/Elite-Lane-Taylor-Packers-Jersey/ . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. Reggie White Super Bowl Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Bryan Bulaga Super Bowl Jersey . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Toronto left-hander Francisco Liriano was hospitalized as a precaution after taking a line drive near the back of his head in the Blue Jays 5-3 win over Texas on Friday in Game 2 of the AL Division Series.Liriano turned away from the hit by Carlos Gomez with one out in the eighth inning, and the ball ricocheted into right center off the back of his neck near his head. The hit was measured at 102 mph, and Gomez winced as he headed to first on the run-scoring single.The 32-year-old stayed on his feet and walked around the infield briefly before his teammates, a trainer and manager John Gibbons came out to check on him. Liriano was replaced by closer Robert Osuna, who pitched for the first time since leaving the AL wild-card game three days earlier with shoulder discomfort.Lirianno stayed in the dugout briefly before going to the Toronto clubhouse.dddddddddddd Gibbons said he wasnt sure precisely where the ball struck Liriano.Hes just going for further tests, Gibbons said. Anytime you get a head injury, you got to get it looked at. So thats about the extent of it right now.Gomez also wasnt sure where the ball hit Liriano.Its tough to see that, but its part of the game, Gomez said. Just wait for the good news that hes OK.Liriano was the winning pitcher in the wild-card game against Baltimore, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings before Edwin Encarnacions game-ending three-run homer in the 11th. He allowed two hits and two runs in 1/3 innings Friday. ' ' '