The Columbian

Molina's Blast Puts Cards in Series

NEW YORK -- No way anybody was catching Yadier Molina's ninth- inning shot. And by the time it landed beyond the left-field fence, the St. Louis Cardinals were headed to the World Series. Molina's tiebreaking homer and another Game 7 gem by Jeff Suppan helped St. Louis overcome Endy Chavez's astounding grab, giving the Cardinals a 3-1 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday for the NL championship.

Camas Takes Aim On Another League Title

Those associated with the 1969 Camas football team probably never dreamed it would take 36 years for another team from Camas to win a league title. It just happened that way, a long wait until the 2005 Papermakers went undefeated in the regular season. Today, the 2006 Papermakers hope to make sure there is no wait in between championship seasons.

Evergreen Rolls Past Prairie, 42-0

The Evergreen Plainsmen are ready for their rival game against Mountain View next week, even if it might not be for a league title. The Plainsmen had no problem Thursday night topping Prairie 42-0 at McKenzie Stadium, setting up a Week 9 matchup that most likely will determine the league's second and third seeds to the upcoming playoffs.

Fort Vancouver Picks Up Big Win; Camas, Evergreen Clinch League Titles

Natalie Mendoza scored once in each half Thursday, llifting the Fort Vancouver girls soccer team to a 2-0 win over Columbia River. It was one of the most significant wins in several seasons for Fort Vancouver soccer. The victory moved the Trappers into a second- place tie with Columbia River in the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League. Both teams are 3-3 in league play.

Suppan Delivers Again in Game 7

NEW YORK -- Pulsing ballpark, pouring rain, nothing shook Jeff Suppan. Because when it came to the postseason, once again Suppan was super.

Nhl Report: Crosby Helps Pens Get Past Islanders

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- It took Sidney Crosby less than two games to figure out where to find new Pittsburgh Penguins phenom Evgeni Malkin. Crosby broke out of a mini-slump Thursday night with three assists, and defenseman Sergei Gonchar scored Pittsburgh's third power-play goal 3:33 into overtime to lift the Penguins to a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

Junior Hockey: Klinkhammer in Right Place at Right Time

Rob Klinkhammer doesn't yet know his way around Portland, relying on teammate Max Gordichuk to point him in the right direction. But on the ice, the 20-year-old winger knows right where to go. And his willingness to get there is paying off for him, and for the Portland Winter Hawks.

Racing Report: Harvick Takes Aim On Unprecedented Double

Now that Kevin Harvick has wrapped up the 2006 championship in the Busch Series, he can concentrate on the big prize: the Nextel Cup. Heading into Sunday's Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Harvick is third in the Chase for the championship, trailing leader and Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton by 89 points with five races remaining.

Stadium Threats Found to Be a Hoax

Internet threats of "dirty bomb" attacks at NFL stadiums this weekend, including Seattle's Qwest Field, were a hoax inspired by a writing competition between two men trying to come up with scary threats, a law enforcement official said Thursday. The threats, which were posted on a Web site last week and mentioned stadiums in seven U.S. cities, were deemed to be false by the FBI on Thursday after agents questioned a 20-year-old Milwaukee man.

Burleson Not Balancing Hutchinson Trade Yet

KIRKLAND -- In Minnesota, Steve Hutchinson is resurrecting the Vikings' offensive line. "I think he's able to change the line of scrimmage," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said of the former Seattle Sea-hawks All-Pro guard.

Attempted Murder Charge Filed in Stabbing of N. Colorado Punter

DENVER -- A month ago, prosecutors dropped a second-degree assault charge against a former University of Northern Colorado backup punter accused of stabbing the starter in his kicking leg, saying they needed more time to investigate. On Thursday, they filed an attempted first-degree murder charge. Mitchell Cozad could be sentenced to up to 48 years in prison if convicted of the attempted-murder charge, as well as a second charge of second-degree assault, the Weld County district attorney's of...