NET PROCEEDS UCLA is eliminated in softball

The second-seeded UCLA Bruins lost to Missouri, 9-1, at UCLA’s Easton Stadium on Sunday and were eliminated from the NCAA Division I softball playoffs.

Earlier in the day, UCLA (45-11) forced a Game 3 in the Los Angeles super regional with a 5-2 victory over Missouri (50-10) in Sunday’s first contest; but UCLA lost in the second game as the Tigers advanced to the Women’s College World Series.

In the second game, the Tigers scored three in the first inning and two in the second and cruised behind Stacy Delaney (16-3), who gave up one run, two hits and two walks in five innings with four strikeouts.

Megan Langenfeld (17-3), who won Sunday’s first game, gave up five runs, five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss in the deciding game.

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COLLEGE BASEBALL

Irvine, Fullerton are hosts

UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton were selected as two of 16 regional sites for the NCAA Division I baseball playoffs.

Irvine, ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America, won the Big West Conference title and will host a regional for the first time. Fourth-ranked Fullerton will host a regional for the eighth time.

The 64-team playoff field and eight nationally seeded teams will be announced today. The four-team, double-elimination regionals will be played Friday through Monday.

Other regional hosts: Arizona State, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisiana State, Louisville, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rice, Texas and Texas Christian.

-- Gary Klein

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GOLF

Sabbatini wins in Texas

Rory Sabbatini won the Byron Nelson Championship at Irving, Texas, holding on for a two-stroke victory over late-charging Brian Davis.

Sabbatini shot a six-under-par 64 to finish with a tournament record 19-under 261 for his fifth PGA Tour victory.

Davis, whose closing 64 gave him the third runner-up finish of his career, made a 26-foot eagle putt at the 546-yard No. 16 to get to 17 under. But Sabbatini responded with a tap-in birdie on the same hole.

It was the first win for Sabbatini since 2007.

D.A. Points (65) was 16 under for his career-best finish of third. Scott McCarron (62) and Dustin Johnson (66) tied for fourth at 15 under.

Michael Allen shot a three-under 67 to hold off Larry Mize by two shots and win the Senior PGA Championship at Beachwood, Ohio, with a six-under 274. Allen, who had never won in two decades on the PGA Tour, finished first in his seniors debut. It’s the first major of the year for players more than 50 years old.

Allen became the fourth player to win a major championship in his Champions Tour debut, joining Roberto De Vicenzo (1980 U.S. Senior Open), Arnold Palmer (1980 Senior PGA Championship) and Jack Nicklaus (1990 Tradition).

Yani Tseng won the LPGA Corning Classic at Corning, N.Y., by one shot over Soo-Yun Kang and Paula Creamer. Tseng, the 2008 LPGA rookie of the year, finished at 21-under 267 for the second victory of her career.

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ETC.

Cavaliers, Chinese in deal

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed an agreement with an investment group from China to become minority owners of the NBA franchise and its arena, a partnership that could affect superstar LeBron James’ future with the team.

The Asian conglomerate could acquire up to 15% of Cavaliers Operating Co., the entity that owns the team and operates Quicken Loans Arena. The deal must be approved by the league’s board of governors.

If approved, the deal would provide marketing opportunities for the Cavaliers and James, who is eligible to become a free agent in the summer of 2010. The 24-year-old most valuable player, who is already among the league’s most popular players in Asia, has stated he wants to become the first billionaire athlete. His brand overseas could be enhanced by playing for a team with Chinese partners.

Brawn GP’s Jenson Button won the Monaco Grand Prix, capturing his fifth victory in six races to extend his Formula One championship lead.