Softball

Oregon wins regional opener over BYU — Oregon broke open a 2-0 lead with a five-run fifth inning en route to an 8-0 win over BYU in six innings in the Ducks’ first game of the Eugene Regional of the NCAA tournament on Thursday. No. 2 seeded Oregon will face North Dakota State in Game 3 at 11 a.m. today. BYU will meet Fresno State, which took a 4-0 loss to North Dakota State on Thursday, in the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination regional. Pitcher Cheridan Hawkins went the distance for the Ducks, recording 12 strikeouts.

Football

Brady appeals suspension in ‘Deflategate’ — Tom Brady has appealed his four-game suspension for his role in using deflated footballs during the AFC championship game. The expected appeal was filed Thursday ahead of a 5 p.m. deadline. The NFL announced the quarterback’s suspension on Monday, also fining the New England Patriots $1 million and taking away two draft picks. Brady’s appeal only deals with the suspension and must be heard within 10 days.

Seahawks’ Irvin says he’s going to Atlanta in 2016 — Seattle linebacker Bruce Irvin said Wednesday night while attending the Atlanta Hawks game that he plans to play for the Falcons in 2016. Irvin, who grew up in Atlanta, told BlackSportsOnLine.com that “I’m going to be in Atlanta next season. I’m ready.” Irvin, of course, may well have his choice of where he wants to play following the 2015 season as the Seahawks did not pick up an option for the 2016 season that would have paid him almost $7.8 million.

Cycling

Cavendish races to 3rd Tour of California stage victory — Britain’s Mark Cavendish raced his third Tour of California stage victory and Latvia’s Tom Skujins retained the overall lead Thursday in the rainy fifth stage in Santa Clarita, California. Cavendish, the Etixx-Quick Step rider who won the first two stages, powered to the front in the final 200 yards to win the 95.7-mile leg from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita in 3 hours, 51 minutes, 37 seconds.

Griepel sprints to stage 6 win, Contador keeps Giro lead — Andre Greipel sprinted to victory on the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday, while Alberto Contador remained in the overall lead despite being involved in a crash in the rush to the finish. Greipel was perfectly led out by Lotto Souda teammate Greg Henderson and he had enough power to beat Matteo Pelucchi by a bike length.

— From staff and wire reports