Friday Morning Hangover

AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Cycling

Today’s Stage 7 could be where Lance Armstrong attacks… or not

“Today’s climb will take the cyclists to 7,340 feet. The final six miles will rise 2,465 feet. Given Armstrong’s relative inattention to today’s 139-mile stage before the Tour’s start, it’s unclear whether he’ll attack and be aggressive once the riders hit the last climb, or bide his time until the Alps. It is a near certainty that current leader Fabian Cancellara will turn over his yellow jersey to another rider. Cancellara has the thick, powerful physique of a time trial specialist and will not be able to climb as effectively as the jockey-thin cyclists competing for the yellow jersey.”

Minor League Baseball

Round Rock Express 3 – Nashville Sounds 5

“Nashville took the lead for good in the third inning when Hernan Iribarren singled with one out, and Katin walked to put runners at first and second. Joe Koshansky brought Iribarren home with a double down the right-field line, and Adam Heether scored Katin on a ground out to second base to make it 4-2. Chris Johnson chipped into the lead for Round Rock in the sixth inning with a solo home run to right-center field, but that was the last time the Express would score. Dillard earned the win for Nashville, allowing three runs on 11 hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings of work. Former Express reliever Ryan Houston closed out the win for his fifth save of the season. Johnson earned his seventh loss of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings on the mound.”

Pro Soccer

The Aztex need to make the most of their home games if they want to make the playoffs

“Currently in the lower reaches of the United Soccer League standings, clinging on to eighth place in the league, the expansion side has just five home fixtures left between the last two months of regular-season games. Only one win away from the comforts of Nelson Field, Austin needs every point it can get. The race for the eighth and final playoff spot continues with a home tie against the third-place Portland Timbers at home Saturday night. Despite almost doubling Austin’s season total of 15 points with 27 of their own, the Timbers have been vulnerable on the road, winning just once in seven trips (1-1-5).”

College Soccer

Texas State’s women’s soccer team has released their schedule

” ‘We have put together a great schedule this year to help our young team grow,’ added [head coach Kat] Conner. ‘The task of playing on the road is difficult, but the only way to succeed and learn how to play in unfamiliar territory is to go at it head on.’ This year’s slate opens at home against familiar rival St. Mary’s, Aug. 22. From there, Texas State will tackle six-straight games on the road beginning Aug. 28 against UC-Irvine. The west coast rally will end Aug. 30 against UC-Riverside before shifting south to the Samford Tournament. Texas State will meet tournament-host Samford, who went 14-4 last season and snagged the school’s first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA postseason, along with a first-time meeting with Tennessee Tech.”

College Football

Texas football gets a visit from a motivational speaker

“Their first game of the 2009 college football season is 55 days away. The Texas Longhorns have discussed subjects such as the manipulation of the things they will dream about at night. They’ve confessed aloud their love for one another. And they’ve talked earnestly about vampires. Author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon encouraged the team Wednesday to ponder those topics and many others — anything but the actual act of winning. He told the players to think about good habits, not good outcomes. ‘That’s how championships are won,’ Gordon said to the team. ‘I’m asking you to focus on your moments. Seize your moments and you’re going to love your outcomes.’ “

Texas State is unsure who is going to step into the go-to role

“More than likely, the answer will come from the group of unproven Texas State wide receivers. The Bobcats return Daren Dillard (five touchdowns), E.J. LeBlanc (one), Darius Bolden (none) and Da’Marcus Griggs (none). Joe Chaisson, who spent a lot of time on the sideline last year due to injury should see a good chunk of time. ‘There’s going to be a star and you just don’t know who it’s going to be,’ Bush said. ‘We have a bunch of returning guys, which is great because last season we had a bunch of first-year guys at those positions. Right now, I can’t tell you who’s going to step up. Every year it’s someone new.’ “