State sports briefs

MOTOR SPORTS ASCS heads to I-30

The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series’ national tour will visit Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway for the 63rd time tonight, bringing drivers from across the nation as well as a strong group of local and regional runners.

The series held its first national tour event at I-30 on May 15, 1993.

Defending national champion Jason Johnson of Eunice, La., who has won seven ASCS events at I-30, was the series points leader entering Friday night’s event at Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, Texas. Johnson held a 40-point advantage over Johnny Herrera of Albuquerque, N.M., and led Lucas Wolfe of Lemoyne, Pa., by 56 points.

I-30’s IMCA modified, super stock and mini-sprint divisions will also compete. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $20 for adults and $1 for children aged 6-12. Pit passes are $30.

WEIGHTLIFTING High school championships set

The Arkansas High School Weightlifting Championships are today at Russellville Junior High School.

Competition begins at 9 a.m.

Weight classes are: 123 and under, 124-132, 133-148, 149-165, 166-181, 182-198, 199-220, 221-242, 243-259 and 260 and up.

State championships will be awarded in Class 7A/6A, Class 5A, Class 4A, Class 3A and Class 2A.

Teams will be ranked by the amount of weight lifted per team for all 10 weight classes.

An overall team championship trophy will be given, and a team plaque will be awarded for each classification winner.

BASEBALL UA-Fort Smith splits in Texas

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith opened its three-game Heartland Conference baseball series against Texas A&M International with a 4-2 victory but lost the second game of the doubleheader 4-2 at Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo, Texas.

The Lions (17-14, 15-11 )and Dustdevils (22-15, 17-9) play the series finale at noon today. UAFS won the first series between the teams Feb. 16-17 at Crowder Field.

Neil Smith (3-2) earned the complete-game victory in the opener for the Lions. Smith allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits with 5 walks and 3 strikeouts over 7 innings.

UAFS starter Brandon Taylor surrendered all four earned runs in the bottom of the third inning of the second game. Taylor (4-5) allowed 8 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 in the complete-game, losing effort.

SOFTBALL Razorbacks fall to No. 13 LSU

No. 13 LSU downed Arkansas 8-2 on Friday at Bogle Park in Fayetteville.

Arkansas (25-14) was led at the plate by freshman Nicole Schroede who had two hits. Chloe Oprzedek had an RBI double in the sixth inning for the Razorbacks.

Starter Chelsea Cohen took the loss for the Razorbacks.

The series continues today at 1 p.m. at Bogle Park.

Sports, Pages 25 on 04/06/2013

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