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Published: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

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LOCAL

Bluejay sophomore
sets school record

JACKSON-MILTON — Jackson-Milton sophomore Jeff Balent intercepted a school-record five passes and returned two for touchdowns in the Bluejays' 32-0 win over Sebring on Friday in an Inter Tri-County League game.

The individual state record for interceptions in a game is six. Balent had returns of 4, 24 and 30 yards. Two were not returned.

"Jeff executed assignments very well and we are proud of that," said Jackson-Milton coach Mark Assion.

Wilbur Wilson of the Bluejays returned an interception 65 yards to put the Bluejays out in front 6-0 in the second quarter. Nick McLarren returned one 40 yards for a TD.

Sebring attempted 14 passes and completed only two for 21 yards.

TAC honors Roscoe

GIRARD — Elise Roscoe was named the Trumbull Athletic Conference player of the week. She had 39 kills, 21 service points, seven aces and 24 digs while serve receiving at 95 percent.

REGION

Browns moves

CLEVELAND — The Browns signed defensive back Jereme Perry from the practice squad on Tuesday to add depth to their banged up secondary.

The Browns, who have been without cornerback Gary Baxter, lost cornerback Leigh Bodden during their win at Oakland on Sunday. Bodden rolled his ankle and his status for this Sunday's game at Carolina is uncertain.

Perry, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Eastern Michigan, earned a spot on the practice squad during training camp.

The Browns waived rookie nose tackle Babatunde Oshinowo to make room for Perry. Oshinowo, a sixth-round pick this year, was signed from the practice squad last month.

Penguins set roster

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins set their season-opening roster Tuesday by claiming forward Chris Thorburn on waivers from the Buffalo Sabres and demoting goaltender Dany Sabourin to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

Thorburn, 23, had 23 goals and 27 assists in 77 games last season with Rochester (AHL). He has played only two games in the NHL, both last season with Buffalo. Thorburn was a second-round draft pick by Buffalo in 2001.

Sabourin was not expected to play much as the Penguins have settled on Marc-Andre Fleury as their starter and Jocelyn Thibault as his backup.

The Penguins open the season at home Thursday night against Philadelphia.

NATION

Marlins switch
skippers

MIAMI — Thanks to a managerial shuffle Tuesday, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria can now yell at umpires with the skipper's approval.

The Marlins fired Joe Girardi, and five hours later introduced as his replacement Fredi Gonzalez, third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves the past four years. Girardi's departure after only one season had been expected after his rift with Loria boiled over two months ago in an on-field confrontation over the owner's heckling of an umpire.

Gonzalez, 42, interviewed with the Marlins a year ago after Jack McKeon resigned but finished runner-up to Girardi. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, he became the first manager in the Marlins' organization when they hired him to run their minor league team in Erie, Pa., in 1992.

"It's a long way from Erie, man," a smiling Gonzalez said at a news conference. "I hope I'm here for a lot of years."

Gonzalez said he has no problem with the owner razzing umps.

"If he wants to yell, he can yell," he said. "He paid for the team. He has the most expensive seat in the stadium."

The Marlins decided to fire Girardi not because of the umpire incident, but because he failed to mesh with others in the organization, general manager Larry Beinfest said.

"Joe is not returning because it was not a good fit," Beinfest said. "I will take some of that blame. I'm in charge, and it's my job to make sure everything runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible."

The cost-conscious Marlins wanted Girardi out so badly they were willing to let him go with two years left on a guaranteed three-year contract, which may cost them as much as $1.5 million.

NFL suspends
Haynesworth

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After dialing his number all day with no luck, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth finally got the chance Tuesday to personally apologize to Andre Gurode for tearing open the Cowboys center's face with a cleat. He spent much of the day getting unanswered rings and a full voice mail box, then connected in the afternoon with Gurode, who needed 30 stitches to repair the facial cuts.

"The purpose of the conversation was to apologize," said Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck.

Haynesworth was suspended five games without pay by the NFL — the longest-ever punishment in the NFL for on-field behavior — for kicking Gurode's helmet off, then swiping his cleated foot on his face while he lay on the ground.

Vindicator staff/wire reports

Wednesday, October 4, 2006