Sports Headlines-Russo Returns to Lead Bulls

Rocky Russo was officially welcomed back to the Amarillo Bulls family yesterday. 

Russo was re-introduced to fans and the media as he returns to the Bulls as the head coach this time. He was an assistant coach on the Bulls Robertson Cup championship team in 2013. Since then, he spent the past four years as the head coach of the Philly Little Flyers of the Eastern Hockey League.

In a news release, Bulls Vice-President and General Manager Rick Matchett called it an exciting day for the organization.

“This is an exciting day for the Amarillo Bulls to be able to bring Rocky back home!” Matchett said. “Rocky did an amazing job when he was here before and he’s had great success with the Flyers that we believe will continue in Amarillo for the 17-18 season.

- The 11^th Annual Dick Bynum Award winner is Sasha Watson of Palo Duro and West Texas A&M. Watson becomes the first Palo Duro graduate and the fourth Lady Buff to receive the honor. The award is presented by the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club. In honor of Watson, Palo Duro High School will receive a check for $1,000 that will go towards their women's athletic department.

The other nominees for the award included Ashley Owens of Amarillo High and UNLV in volleyball, Lauren Piercy of Randall and Baylor in soccer and Kilee Halbert of Dalhart and West Texas A&M.

- TCU beat Texas A&M 4-1 in a College World Series elimination game. The Horned Frogs avoided going 0-2 for the first time in five all-time CWS appearances and will play Louisville. The Aggies have lost eight in a row at the CWS.

In the night game yesterday, the Florida Gators defeated Louisville 5-1.

Tonight in Omaha, Florida State takes on LSU.

- George Springer hit a leadoff homer to spark a five-run first inning and the Houston Astros once again made themselves at home in Oakland with an 8-4 victory over the Athletics. The Astros have won eight straight at the Coliseum.

- Carlos Gomez homered in a four-run first inning, Nick Martinez allowed two hits while taking a shutout into the seventh and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1. Adrian Beltre had a solo homer in the eighth for his 2,960th career hit as the Rangers get back to .500 on the season.

- Hereford’s Parker Bridwell had another strong outing on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Bridwell went five innings, allowing 2 earned runs, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts and 5 walks in a no-decision against the New York Yankees. The Angels won the game 8-3.