ABC SATURDAY 11PM |
ABC SATURDAY 11PM |
TONIGHT--
ABC7 IS TRACKING A COLD FRONT BRINGING FREEZING TEMPERATURE TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
AS THE THERMOMETER DROPS, WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW IT'S IMPACTING RESIDENTS, FARMERS AND THE EDISON FESITVAL OF LIGHTS.
OUR TEAM COVERAGE STARTS IN 60 SECONDS.
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We're at the beginning of our next cold snap as arctic air starts flowing into Southwest Florida this evening into tonight, sending our overnight lows in the 30s and 40s for two mornings in a row.
Freeze Warnings are posted tonight for Hendry in Glades County where temperatures will come close to freezing but will likely stay a few points above even over the interior. Where we'll likely see the coldest temperatures is in the more rural settings from Glades to Desoto County around places like Palmdale and Arcadia.
The main concern through the overnight will be the wind chill, and in fact, we have Wind Chill Advisories set to go into effect late tonight through early Sunday for all of Southwest Florida with winds gusts expected to stay between 25-30 mph.
Sunday will be a very cold and raw day even with a full supply of sunshine. Temperatures will struggle to get out of the 50s, and most spots should only see those daytime highs reach the low 60s.
Sunday night into Monday morning will likely be the coldest morning with temperatures rivaling the lowest temperatures of the season. Freeze Watches are posted for all of Southwest Florida from late Sunday night into early Monday morning as temperatures drop into the mid to upper 30s over urban Charlotte, Lee, and Collier County and as low as freezing for the inland cold spots.
This cold snap should not be prolonged or strong enough to threaten the vegetable or citrus crops, but if you live east of the interstate, it will be a good idea to protect the more sensitive plants.
The stretch of cold weather will start to fade Monday afternoon as daytime highs return to the 70s, and before you know it, we're right back in the 80s by Tuesday.
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THANKS TYLER.
A CHILLY NIGHT FOR THE *BIG EVENT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- THE 75TH ANNUAL EDISON FESTIVAL OF LIGHT GRAND NIGHT PARADE.
bagpipes playing
THAT'S JUST ONE OF 16 BANDS.
THERE WERE MORE THAN 100 FLOATS.
ORGANIZERS EXPECTED A HUGE CROWD.MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE.
THEY WERE WEARING JACKETS AND BUNDLED IN BLANKETS TONIGHT.
IT'S THE LARGEST NIGHT PARADE IN THE SOUTHEAST.
AND THIS YEAR THE PARADE WAS THE **LONGEST IT'S EVER BEEN.ALMOST TWO MILES.
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ABC7'S GEORGE SOLIS IS AT THE FESTIVAL TONIGHT.
HE CONTINUES OUR TEAM COVERAGE RIGHT NOW AT 11. LIVE IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS WHERE ALL THE ACTION IS.
GEORGE, STAYING WARM?
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CERTAINLY TRYING TO JOELLE.
AS YOU CAN SEE EVERYONE AROUND ME IS IN HAPPY SPIRITS EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE A TAD CHILLIER THAN WE'D LIKE.
AS WE'VE REPORTED, THIS WEATHER IS SOMEWHAT A CONCERN FOR FARMERS IN OUR AREA. BUT AS YOU SEE IT'S MORE PEOPLE THAN PRODUCE THAT ARE BUNDLED UP TONIGHT.
TEMPERATURES TIPTOE TO CHILLY LEVELS AT THE LARGEST NIGHT PARADE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.
05:56 " Freezing, cold.06:15 "We're not used to this kinda weather"
CLOSE TO TWO-HUNDRED THOUSAND LINE THE STREETS FOR THE 75TH ANNUAL EDISON FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE.
SOME DRESSED FROM HEAD TO TOE IN ATTIRE FITTING FOR AN ARCTIC EXPEDITION.
04:38 "I'd rather be in a tank top most definitely."
OTHER MORE ACCLIMATED WITH THE FRIGID COLD.
05:26 " I'm from up north so this is mild compared to up there."
FORECASTERS ARE PREDICTING TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS THE 40s TONIGHT.AND AS LOW AS THE 30s BY SUNDAY.
ENOUGH TO GET ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FARMERS RADARS, BUT NOT MUCH ELSE FOR NOW.
02:51 "It's pretty difficult for a vegetable grower out here when you start getting freezing temperatures you can just keep your fingers crossed it doesn't get to awfully cold"
IN THE MEANTIME, THOSE AT THE PARADE ARE BASKING IN THE GLOW AND WARMTH OF THE LIGHT PARADE.
06:27 "It helps, it helps.
11:04 It's a little warmer when you're closer to the streets especially with the big ones"
ON CAM:
I'M CERTAINLY TRYING TO KEEP WARM MYSELF.
THE PARADE IS JUST ABOUT OVER.ENDING HERE ON JACKSON STREET.
MANY EAGERLY AWAITING TO GET HOME AND STAY WARM.LIVE IN FM GS ABC-7
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THANKS GEORGE.
WE'RE ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON CROPS TONIGHT.
ALWAYS A CONCERN WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP.
IF IT STAYS TOO COLD FOR TOO LONG.TOMATOES WILL BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.
GROWERS AT THE SOUTH NAPLES CITRUS GROVE SAY THEY AREN'T PREPPING JUST YET.
BUT THAT COULD CHANGE AT ANY MOMENT.
GROWERS TELL US, IT REALLY DEPENDS JUST HOW COLD IT GETS.BECAUSE DIFFERENT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CAN WITHSTAND DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES.
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"It's pretty difficult for a vegeatble grower down here when you start getting freezing temperatures you can just keep your fingers crossed to awfully cold that they get damaged."
SEVERAL FARMERS SAY THEY ARE ALSO KEEPING THEIR EYES GLUED TO THEIR THERMOMETERS.
IF NECESSARY.THEY'LL TAKE ACTION TO AVOID A MASSIVE LOSS OF CROPS.
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RIGHT NOW AT 11-
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING A TROOPER INVOLVER CRASH THAT SENT 3 PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL.
INVESTIGATORS SAY CHRIS MCCLURE'S JEEP FLIPPED ON I-75 AFTER A FHP VEHICLE REAR ENDED IT.
MCCLURE AND HIS PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.
A ONE YEAR OLD WAS ALSO IN THE JEEP AND SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.
MCCLURE IS LISTED IN FAIR CONDITION AT LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
HIS PASSENGER - CRYSTAL CRAWFORD-MCCLURE - WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION THIS AFTERNOON,
BUT IS NO LONGER LISTED AS A PATIENT AT LEE MEMORIAL.
THE TROOPER WAS NOT INJURED.
NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.
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DEVELOPING AT 11 --
AN ARSONIST IS TO BLAME FOR A HOUSE FIRE IN SAN CARLOS PARK TODAY.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS CELL PHONE VIDEO.
YOU CAN SEE THE THICK BLACK SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE HOME ON -- ROAD.
A NEIGHBOR SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM DOWN THE ROAD, AND RUSHED OUT TO SAVE ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN INSIDE.
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dave mcKay neighbor 10:27 the neighbor and I were pounding on the door and screaming to see of anyone was in there. We pulled pulled stuff out of the garage and tried to gain access but it was too smokey 10:37
NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME, BUT A DOG MANAGED TO ESCAPE.
FIREFIGHTERS TELL US AN 18 YEAR OLD WAS STAYING THERE.
THE HOME IS NOW UNLIVABLE.
THE FIRE IS ABOUT A 1/2 MILE FROM WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN 6 ARSON BRUSH FIRES RECENTLY.
FIRE INVESTIGATORS ARE WORKING TO SEE IF THIS FIRE IS RELATED.
SO FAR, THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED A SINGLE TIP ON THOSE CASES- EVEN WITH A 5 THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD FOR ANYONE WITH INFORMATION.
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WE'RE GETTING A BETTER IDEA OF THE CONDITIONS ABOARD THE CARNIVAL TRIUMPH THANKS TO A CAPE CORAL WOMAN'S FIRST HAND ACCOUNT.
DEE TUCKER WAS A PASSENGER ON THAT SHIP ALONG WITH HER SISTER.
SHE TOOK HUNDREDS OF PICTURES OF HOW LIFE WAS FOR FIVE DAYS AS THEY WERE STRANDED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO WITHOUT POWER AFTER AN ENGINE FIRE.
PEOPLE LEFT THEIR CABINS TO ESCAPE THE SMELL AND DARKNESS.
THEY SETTING UP CAMPS ON THE DECK.
IT WAS KNOWN AS 'TENT CITY.'
OTHERS DRAGGED OUT THEIR MATTRESSES AND STAYED NEAR ELEVATORS.
TUCKER ALSO SAYS FOOD WAS HARD TO COME BY.
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It was so noisy there. All these people are always fighting for something. We were always in a line for something it was so noisy.
CARNIVAL IS REIMBURSING ALL THE PASSENGERS--
GIVING THEM A FREE TRIP AND 500 DOLLARS.
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THREE PEOPLE ARE DEAD AFTER A PLANE CRASH IN SOUTH FLORIDA.
INCLUDING TWO GREAT-GRANDSONS OF "BUFFALO BILL,"
WHO'S REAL NAME IS WILLIAM F CODY.
HE BECAME FAMOUS FOR HIS BUFFALO BILL WILD WEST SHOW IN THE 1880s.
THE CESSNA TOOK OFF THURSDAY.
SHORTLY AFTERWARD FLIGHT CONTROL LOST CONTACT.
WRECKAGE WAS DISCOVERED FRIDAY ABOUT 20 MILES WEST OF VERO BEACH.
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REPORT CARDS ARE IN FOR LEE COUNTY TEACHERS.
THE DISTRICT RANKED 98 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY'S TEACHERS AS EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.
THE EVALUATIONS ARE BASED ON STUDENT F-CAT SCORES AND SUPERVISOR EVALUATIONS.
WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT COLLIER AND CHARLOTTE COUNT'S RESULTS.
COUNT ON ABC7 TO BRING YOU THE RESULTS WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED.
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THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR'S PYTHON CHALLENGE ARE IN.
AND ACCORDING TO FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE,
THE WINNER OF THE 'MOST SNAKES CAUGHT' AND 'LONGEST' IS DONATING HIS PRIZE.
FWC POSTED ON THEIR TWITTER PAGE THAT RUBEN RAMIREZ IS GIVING HIS MONEY TO A LITTLE GIRL NAMED 'BELLA' WHO'S BATTLING CANCER.
RUBEN CAUGHT A WHOPPING 18 PYTHONS - THE LONGEST ONE AT TEN FEET.
HIS TOTAL WINNINGS - 25-HUNDRED DOLLARS.
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AN ATHLETIC ICON ACCUSED OF MURDER.
TONIGHT, THE FAMILY OF OLYMPIAN OSCAR PISTORIUS IS SPEAKING OUT ON THE ALLEGATIONS HE KILLED HIS GIRLFRIEND.
her winnings were over a billion dollars. unfortunately, her losses exceeded even that.
A FORTUNE STOLEN AND GAMBLED AWAY.
WHY A FORMER MAYOR OF SAN DIEGO SAYS HER MEDICAL CONDITION FUELD HER ADDICTION.
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A SOUTH AFRICAN MODEL- DEAD.
HER OLYMPIC SWEETHEART BOYFRIEND- IN PRISON ACCUSED OF HER DEATH.
TONIGHT- OSCAR PISTORIOUS IS IN A SOUTH AFRICAN JAIL ON SUICIDE WATCH.
TODAY- A REALITY SHOW FEATURING REEVA STEENKAMP MADE IT'S DEBUT DESPITE HER DEATH.
IT INCLUDES A SPECIAL TRIBUTE OFF THE TOP.
STEENKAMP WAS DISCOVERED IN A POOL OF BLOOD IN PISTORIUS' HOME ON VALENTINES DAY.
POLICE SAY SHE WAS SHOT FOUR TIMES WITH A PISTOL FOUND INSIDE THE HOUSE.
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SOT Arnold Pistorius, Oscar Pistorius' uncle
"Oscar, as you can imagine, is also numb with shock and grief, in total pain."
PROSECUTORS ARE DISMISSING THE THEORY THAT PISTORIUS MISTOOK HIS GIRLFRIEND FOR AN
INTRUDER.
HE'S NOW CHARGED WITH PREMEDITATED MURDER.
THAT'S PUNISHABLE BY LIFE IN PRISON.
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PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THE SUMMER HOME WHERE POPE BENEDICT WILL LIVE UNTIL A NEW PONTIFF IS CHOSEN.
THIS IS CASTEL GANDOLFO.
IT'S LOCATED IN A SMALL ITALIAN TOWN ABOUT 25 MILES FROM ROME.
THE 16TH CENTURY PALACE HAS LONG BEEN A POPULAR RETREAT FOR POPES.
POPE BENEDICT WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE TO A CONVENT IN THE GARDENS BEHIND SAINT PETER'S BASILICA IN VATICAN CITY.
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A BILLION DOLLAR SCANDAL.
TONIGHT, A FORMER MAYOR OF SAN DIEGO IS MAKING HEADLINES FOR A HISTORIC FALL FROM GRACE.
MAUREEN O'CONNOR ADMITS SHE STOLE MILLIONS TO SUPPORT A DECADE-LONG GAMBLING ADDICTION.
SHE SAYS SHE STOLE THE MONEY FROM THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF HER LATE HUSBAND, THE FOUNDER OF THE JACK-IN-THE-BOX RESTAURANT CHAIN.
IT'S BELIEVED THOSE MILLIONS TURNED INTO MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS LOSS.
NOW 66, THE FORMER FIRST FEMALE MAYOR OF SAN DIEGO IS IN FRAIL HEALTH.
HER FORTUNE IS GONE. HER HUMILIATION DEEP.
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"i never meant to hurt the city.
O'CONNOR CUT A DEAL TO AVOID JAIL TIME FOR WIRE FRAUD.PAY BACK THE CHARITY AND FULLY ADMIT HER WRONG-DOING.
SHE BLAMES THE ADDICTION ON A BRAIN TUMOR THAT WAS REMOVED TWO YEARS AGO.
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HERE IS A LOOK AT YOUR SEVEN DAY FORECAST.
IT'S 11:15 AND TIME FOR TONIGHT'S FLORIDA LOTTERY DRAWING.
GOOD LUCK. FROM ALL OF US HERE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S OFFICIAL LOTTERY STATION - ABC7!
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THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.
IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.
We're at the beginning of our next cold snap as arctic air starts flowing into Southwest Florida this evening into tonight, sending our overnight lows in the 30s and 40s for two mornings in a row.
Freeze Warnings are posted tonight for Hendry in Glades County where temperatures will come close to freezing but will likely stay a few points above even over the interior. Where we'll likely see the coldest temperatures is in the more rural settings from Glades to Desoto County around places like Palmdale and Arcadia.
The main concern through the overnight will be the wind chill, and in fact, we have Wind Chill Advisories set to go into effect late tonight through early Sunday for all of Southwest Florida with winds gusts expected to stay between 25-30 mph.
Sunday will be a very cold and raw day even with a full supply of sunshine. Temperatures will struggle to get out of the 50s, and most spots should only see those daytime highs reach the low 60s.
Sunday night into Monday morning will likely be the coldest morning with temperatures rivaling the lowest temperatures of the season. Freeze Watches are posted for all of Southwest Florida from late Sunday night into early Monday morning as temperatures drop into the mid to upper 30s over urban Charlotte, Lee, and Collier County and as low as freezing for the inland cold spots.
This cold snap should not be prolonged or strong enough to threaten the vegetable or citrus crops, but if you live east of the interstate, it will be a good idea to protect the more sensitive plants.
The stretch of cold weather will start to fade Monday afternoon as daytime highs return to the 70s, and before you know it, we're right back in the 80s by Tuesday.
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ANOTHER BUSY WEEKEND FOR LOCAL SPORTS
FGCU ATHLETICS. WE'VE GOT BASKETBALL. SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL IN ACTION. UPDATES ON THAT. SPRING TRAINING. TWINS WITH THEIR FIRST FULL SQUAD WORKOUT.
AND OF COURSE THE ACE GROUP CLASSIC IN NAPLES. THE BEST FROM THE CHAMPIONS TOUR BATTLING EACH OTHER AND MOTHER NATURE THIS AFTERNOON. I'LL EXPLAIN NEXT IN SPORTS.
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GOOD EVENING. ON THE CHAMPIONS TOUR. WHERE MOST TOURNAMENTS ARE JUST 3 ROUNDS INSTEAD OF 4. GOING LOW IS A MUST. MISTAKES ARE MAGNIFIED. AND BOGEYS CAN BE THE KISS OF DEATH. THROUGH 2 ROUNDS OF THE ACE GROUP CLASSIC. ONLY ONE GUY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY BOGEY-FREE. AND NO SURPRISE HE HAS THE LEAD.
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2nd ROUND ACTION FROM A BLUSTERY TWINEAGLES CLUB IN NAPLES.
TIGER'S BUDDY. Mark O'Meara birdies 10th to go -8. TRYING TO CHALLENGE FOR THE LEAD.
Tom Pernice Jr.3rd shot at 10th.would save par to stay at -7.
HERE IS YOUR LEADER. BERNHARD Langer. WON THIS EVENT 2 YEARS AGO, just misses BIRDIE putt at 10. SETTLES FOR PAR.
CHIEN SOON LU. WITH A GREAT DAY. CAN'T GET THE BIRDIE AT 18 TO PULL TO TEN UNDER.
LANGER. TWO BIRDIES AND 16 PARS TODAY. THIS CHIP ON 18 GETS HIM ONE OF THOSE PARS. A 70 IN TOUGH CONDITIONS. GOOD ENOUGH TO KEEP THE LEAD.
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LANGER AT 12 UNDER. SITS 3 SHOTS AHEAD OF PERNICE JUNIOR AND LU.
MARK O'MEARA AND A FEW OTHERS ARE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE BUT WILL NEED SUPERB ROUNDS ON SUNDAY TO CATCH LANGER. DEFENDING CHAMP KENNY PERRY OUT OF IT AT 3 UNDER.
OUR BRIAN COLLERAN WAS AT TWINEAGLES AND FILED THIS REPORT.
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4-A BOYS SOCCER STATE FINALS. GULF COAST BATTLING GEORGE STEINBRENNER HIGH.
FIRST HALF. CLAYTON CURVIN. OFF THE LONG PASS. BEAUTIFUL PLAY TO BEAT THE KEEPER. 1-0 SHARKS.
NOT DONE YET. WITH THIS MONSTER SHOT BY RIN VAN. 2-0 GULF COAST.
THAT'S THE FINAL. SHARKS WIN THEIR FIRST EVER STATE TITLE IN BOYS SOCCER.
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BOTH FGCU BASKETBALL TEAMS ON THE ROAD TONIGHT. THE WOMEN ARE IN GREAT SHAPE. 12-0 IN LEAGUE PLAY. CRUISING TOWARDS ANOTHER A-SUN TITLE. BUT THE GUYS ARE LOCKED IN A BATTLE FOR FIRST WITH MERCER.
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AND AN UGLY LOSS FOR THE MEN. 84-74 TO LIPSCOMB. WITH MERCER WINNING. IT MEANS THE BEARS NOW TAKE A 1/2 LEAD FOR THE CONFERENCE LEAD.
THE LADIES JUST BRUTALIZE THEIR OPPONENT. FORCING 27 TURNOVERS EN ROUTE TO AN 89-38 VICTORY.
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FGCU SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT CONTINUES TODAY. THE EAGLES FACING APP STATE
UP 5-1 IN THE 6TH. BUT THE MOUNTAINEERS RALLYING. DANIE HEICHEN THE RBI SINGLE TO RIGHT. 5-2 FGCU.
NEXT BATTER. SARAH WARNOCK DOES THE VERY SAME THING. ANOTHER RUN HOME 5-3.
TROUBLE FOR THE EAGLES? NOPE. JACLYN OWEN SHUTS IT DOWN. THE NORTH FORT MYERS HIGH GRAD HELPS FGCU WIN 6-3.
THEY ALSO BLANKED SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 6-0 IN THE NIGHTCAP.
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TOUGH LOSS FOR THE FGCU BASEBALL TEAM UP IN SARASOTA.
THEY LED NOTRE DAME 5-3 IN THE 9TH. BUT A 2-RUN HOMER SENT IT TO EXTRA INNINGS. WHERE THE IRISH GO ON TO WIN. 6-5 FINAL.
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SPRING TRAINING. THE RAYS WILL HOLD THEIR FIRST FULL SQUAD WORKOUT TOMORROW.
THE TWINS HAD THEIRS TODAY IN FORT MYERS.
BUT IT WAS A LITTLE UNUSUAL. PITCHERS AND CATCHERS WORKED SEPARATELY FROM THE POSITION PLAYERS.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC HAS ALTERED THE SCHEDULE A BIT THIS YEAR.
MANAGER RON GARDENHIRE DOESN'T HAVE A STAR STUDDED ROSTER. BUT HE LIKES THEIR MOXIE.
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COLLEGE HOOPS. 7TH RANKED FLORIDA ALL OVER AUBURN TODAY.
MIKE ROSARIO A BIG REASON WHY. NICE BUCKET AND THE FOUL HERE. HE LED THE WAY WITH 22 POINTS.
MICHAEL FRAZIER WAS DEADLY FROM LONG RANGE. HIT 5 OF 6 THREE POINTERS. CHIPPED IN 15 POINTS.
GATORS CRUISE TO THE 83-52 VICTORY.
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AD LIB GOODBYE
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