[naviga:h3]Belch, McCue advance to states[/naviga:h3]

Butler High School bowlers Mercedes Belch and Ashley McCue placed fourth and fifth, respectively, at the Western Pennsylvania regional girls bowling championships Friday at Princess Lanes in the South Hills.

Both will advance to the state bowling championships next Friday at the same site.

Belch rolled a 940 in her five-game set, her high game being 221. McCue rolled a 937, her high game being 224.

The top 12 boys and girls regional placers advance to state competition.

Butler’s boys highest finisher was Jordan Reges, who was 26th with an 884. His high game was 198. Freeport’s Mark Livingston was 33rd with an 869, high game of 191.

[naviga:h3]Hall places 8th in pole vault

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —Grove City High graduate and Westminster College senior Hailey Hall placed eighth in the pole vault at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday.

Hall cleared 12 feet, 3½ inches to earn All-American honors.

[naviga:h3]Frazier, Bell key Pirates’ victory[/naviga:h3]

Adam Frazier had two hits for Pittsburgh, including a double, and Josh Bell added an RBI double as the Pirates edged Philadelphia 5-4 in spring training action Friday.

Jerad Eickhoff struggled in his third start for Philadelphia, giving up four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings. Rhys Hoskins had two hits and two RBIs for the Phillies, and Odubel Herrera had two hits following a 1-for-17 start.

[naviga:h3]Seattle parts ways with Sherman[/naviga:h3]

The Seattle Seahawks cut ties on Friday with star cornerback Richard Sherman, who became one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks during his seven seasons with the team.

The team informed Sherman early in the day he would be released, and he confirmed the decision in a text message to The Associated Press. The move appeared to be building after he met with the team Wednesday to discuss his future. Sherman declined to comment after the meeting.

“Thank you for helping win championships, shape our culture and define success in Seattle,” the team said in a statement announcing the decision.”

Sherman was an overlooked fifth-round draft pick who went on to become a two-time All-Pro.