LOCAL DIGEST: Stanislaus runners snag second

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- It's expected that athletes competing in championship track events improve on their qualifying times. But 12 seconds?

The California State University, Stanislaus, distance relay team of Marina Ghabbour (1,200 meters), Chavariana Ryan (400 meters), Aman Hundal (800 meters) and Courtney Anderson (1600 meters) showed an absolutely incredible improvement and claimed second place in the championship race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday. Each athlete became an All American.

Their time of 11:31.76 was 2.8 seconds behind top-ranked University of Mary (N.D.). The Warriors had qualified with the nation's fourth best time, 11:43.26 on Feb. 8.

"These girls ran their hearts out tonight. They raced exactly as we planned," coach Diljeet Taylor said. "To come to (indoor) nationals for their first time and improve their school record and place second is beyond amazing."

• MJC INVITE — Modesto Junior College's throwers made a statement on Friday. Markus Sanders and Tyler Lamott each uncorked throws that are the best in the state at the Jack Albiani Invitational at MJC. Lamott threw the hammer 186 feet, besting the state mark by 1 inch. Sanders threw the discus 163 feet, 10 inches — also breaking the state record by 1 inch. On the track, Stephen Thayer won the 200 meters in 22.17 seconds. The men's 4x400m relay team of Deshawn Craig, Eric Adorno, Akim Muhammad and Strat Stravionadoukas won in 3:19.55.

Softball

• CSUS SWEPT, at Turlock — Chico State freshman Desiree Gonzalez had big hits in both games of a doubleheader as the Wildcats beat CSU, Stanislaus, 6-5 and 10-6. For the day, Gonzalez was 5-for-7 with 7 RBIs. In the first game, the Warriors (9-13, 4-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association) were up 5-2 when Gonzalez hit a bases-loaded triple to spark a four-run inning for the Wildcats (11-8, 9-5). For the Warriors, Brianna Nicholson and Cierrah Mullins each had two hits.

Baseball

• CSLA 7, CSUS 2, at Turlock — Cal State L.A. followed a leadoff error by the Warriors in the fourth inning with four two-out RBI hits en route to a six-run inning and a 7-2 win in the opener of a four-game CCAA series. The Golden Eagles (12-8, 10-3) gave up both Warriors' runs in the ninth. Craig Beevers and Ross Gonsalves each went 2 for 4 for the Warriors (5-15, 2-11 CCAA).