Tony Thompson smacked a three-run home run in the first inning and Travis Blankenship pitched five solid innings for KU (4-3).

2. HEIGHTS WRESTLER CHOSEN: Joe Newberry, a Class 5A state wrestling qualifier for Shawnee Heights, has been selected to wrestler for the Kansas squad in the U.S. Army Metro Classic, which will be held Mar. 11 at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Newberry, who was 19-8 this season, will wrestle Platte County's Joe Pace.

A trio of area wrestlers will also compete in the showdown with Missouri - Silver Lake's Dustin Zahorsky (140), Baldwin's Alan Callahan (112), and Tonganoxie's Matt Brock (135).

Heights coach Chad Parks will also serve as one of the coaches.

3. KU PLAYERS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12: Kansas men's basketball players Tyrel Reed and Matt Kleinmann were named to the 2009 Academic All-Big 12 first team Wednesday, and Cole Aldrich was named to the second team.

4. KU SOFTBALL TEAM AT HOME: The Kansas softball team (7-11) will open its home season this weekend with the KU Invitational. KU will open the tournament with a 3 p.m. contest on Friday against North Dakota State. On Saturday, KU will take on Northern Iowa at 10 a.m. and Eastern Illinois at noon. Kansas concludes the tournament on Sunday with games against NDSU and UNI at noon at 4 p.m., respectively.

Baseball

1. MANNY STAYING IN L.A.: Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers officially agreed Wednesday on a $45 million, two-year contract that keeps him with the NL West champions. The slugger can void the second season of the deal and again become a free agent.

2. Royals SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE: The Kansas City Royals announced single-game ticket sales for 2009 will be Saturday. Tickets are available online at Royals.com, by phone at 1-800-6ROYALS, at metro area Hy-Vee stores and at the Kauffman Stadium ticket windows.

The Royals will conduct a random drawing for buying tickets at The K. Overnight camping will not be permitted. From 5 p.m. Friday to 7:20 a.m. Saturday, fans may visit the Sports Complex only at Gates 2 or 6 to get a numbered ticket from a Royals staff member. The drawing to determine line order will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Gate B.

3. WOOD HEALTHY FOR NOW: Kerry Wood reported no problems with his aching back after pitching batting practice for the first time Wednesday, and the Cleveland Indians' new closer appears to be on track to start the season with the club.

4. Reds INVITE OBAMA TO CIVIL RIGHTS GAME: The Cincinnati Reds have invited President Barack Obama to throw out the first pitch at this year's Civil Rights Game at Great American Ball Park.

The game is June 20 against Obama's favorite team, the Chicago White Sox.

FOOTBALL

1. 49ERS SIGN SPIKES, HUARD: Linebacker Takeo Spikes re-signed on Wednesday with the San Francisco 49ers, who also signed veteran quarterback Damon Huard.

Kansas City released Huard last month. The 35-year-old's signing guarantees the 49ers will have at least two quarterbacks in uniform when they begin their first full team workouts in two weeks.

2. Cardinals RE-SIGN WARNER: Kurt Warner agreed to terms Wednesday on a two-year, $23 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

The deal includes a $15 million signing bonus.

3. MOUNTAIN WEST TAKING ON BCS: The Mountain West Conference presented the BCS with a proposal Wednesday to create an eight-team playoff system that would allow greater access to the national championship game to teams outside the six most powerful leagues.

Commissioner Craig Thompson and four university leaders from the MWC announced details on a conference call and the entire 2?-page proposal was posted on the league's Web site.

4. SHIELDS ON COLLEGE HALL OF FAME BALLOT: Three former Nebraska players and an Omaha native are among the 76 Football Bowl Subdivision nominees for the College Football Hall of Fame.

The ex-Huskers on the ballot are offensive lineman Will Shields (1989-92), linebacker Trev Alberts (1990-93) and defensive end Grant Wistrom (1994-97). The 2009 Hall of Fame class will be announced April 30.

Staff and wire reports