Sports Briefs

BASEBALL

O’s legend Robinson hospitalized with fever

BALTIMORE | Brooks Robinson says he’s on the road to recovery after he was hospitalized with a fever and infection.

The Hall of Fame third baseman was scheduled for an outpatient procedure at Greater Baltimore Medical Center on Thursday, but on Wednesday night he became ill. In a statement, Robinson says doctors chose to admit him early “to aggressively treat the infection.” He says he is “responding well to antibiotics.”

The 73-year-old Robinson did not provide details of his illness and has asked for privacy in the matter.

FOOTBALL

Haynesworth assault trial postponed two months

FAIRFAX | A misdemeanor assault trial for Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been postponed for two months.

Haynesworth was to appear Thursday in Fairfax County General District Court. The trial is now scheduled for May 26.

Police say a man accused Haynesworth of punching him in a road-rage assault in Reston. The man told investigators he made a hand gesture at the driver of a pickup truck because he thought the truck’s driver was tailgating him.

BASKETBALL

Former NBA ref charged with attacking Wilkins

ATLANTA | A former NBA referee was charged with attacking Hall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks television analyst Dominique Wilkins in a dispute over a clothing bill.

Carlos Campos, an Atlanta police spokesman, said 36-year-old Rashan S. Michel was released early Thursday on $1,000 cash bond after being charged with two counts of simple battery.

Michel confronted the former NBA star while he was wrapping up his broadcasting duties after Atlanta’s 85-82 win over Orlando on Wednesday night. He claims Wilkins owes him $12,500 for custom-made suits.

BASEBALL

Texas HS players charged after killing baby chickens

BENBROOK, Texas | Police say two Texas high school baseball players accused of sacrificing chickens in a bid to improve their games have been charged with cruelty to livestock animals.

Benbrook Police Sgt. John Van Ness said Wednesday the case has been turned over to a Tarrant County juvenile court, where a decision will be made on whether to prosecute.

Police in the Fort Worth suburb say the 15- and 16-year-old “engaged in acts that caused the death of two baby chickens” - and superstition about a slump in baseball performance could have played a part.

TENNIS

Federer into semifinals; Sharapova reaches final

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. | Roger Federer advanced to the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open when Gilles Simon retired with a stiff neck Thursday after losing the first three games.

Federer’s opponent Friday will be No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who defeated No. 7 Tomas Berdych 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Federer beat Nadal for the Key Biscayne title early in their rivalry in 2005, and they haven’t played each other in the United States since.

Maria Sharapova overcame a slow start by winning 11 consecutive games to reach the women’s final, beating Andrea Petkovic, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Wichita St. overwhelms Tide to cap run to NIT title

NEW YORK | The only shocker about the end to Wichita State’s season was the location.

J.T. Durley and Graham Hatch scored 12 points each to lead a balanced offense, and the Shockers overwhelmed top-seeded Alabama 66-57 on Thursday night to win the NIT championship at Madison Square Garden.

Hatch was 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, including back-to-back baskets in the closing minutes, as Wichita State (29-8) finished up a remarkable postseason run in style.

From wire dispatches and staff reports