on five of its opening nine drives this season, three

Kelsie Whitmore only ever wanted to play baseball, so why pass up just about any opportunity to continue doing so at this point?That was the thinking behind the 17-year-old Californians decision to be one of two women to try their hand at the professional version of the national pastime.Both Whitmore and Team USA baseball teammate Stacy Piagno, 25, signed with the independent Sonoma Stompers of the Pacific Association earlier this week. They were making their debuts on Friday night, with Whitmore in left field and Piagno on the mound.We hope this sends a message to the rest of the baseball world that there is room for women and girls in this game, from Little League to the Major Leagues, Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster said.Neither Whitmore nor Piagno are strangers to baseball, with each having played with Team USA previously -- including at last summers Pan American Games, where they won silver medals.It was that connection to the game Ive always loved that helped land Whitmore a spot with the independent team just a few short months after graduating from Temecula Valley (California) High School.Whitmore, who played baseball exclusively throughout her high school career, had taken part with an organization called Baseball For All when she was young. And it was a member of that group, which aims to provide opportunities for girls to participate in baseball, who first contacted Whitmore to see if she was interested in joining the professional ranks.After a few scouting trips to watch Whitmore, the Stompers -- who last season fielded the sports first active openly gay player, Sean Conroy -- agreed the fit and timing were right.Any opportunity like this, of course I wanted to do it, Whitmore said.Whitmore first played for Team USA as a 16-year-old after having been a part of the teams development program for three years. That while she was still in high school, and after having politely declined chances to play varsity softball instead because of her love for baseball.My relationship with baseball is different than anything else, Whitmore said. Its like my best friend. I hate it some days, but the next day I just love it and am enjoying it. Its competition all the time, and theres so much to learn.Whitmore will make the switch to softball later this year, having accepted a scholarship to play at Cal State Fullerton. She was offered by the school after having never played the sport, with her only experience coming during a weekend camp following her junior year of high school.Shell keep playing baseball as well, beginning Friday night -- though shell do so without pay to ensure her NCAA eligibility isnt jeopardized.So far, Ive tried to earn respect with everyone individually, but theyve been great, Whitmore said. Im lucky to have a good group of guys to play ball with.Clearance Football Jerseys Throwback . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Discount Football Jerseys Throwback . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Sale Football Jerseys Throwback . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- This time, Seattle won it at the goal line.It certainly wont make up for the Super Bowl loss two seasons back, but the Seahawks goal-line stand lifted them to a 31-24 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.Tom Brady couldnt connect with Rob Gronkowski on a fade pattern on fourth down as New England (7-2) failed four times from inside the 2 in the dying moments.He was playing off me ... pretty far, farther than usual, Gronkowski said about safety Kam Chancellor. You dont usually see that. A fade, I had to go up to him and initiate a move. I just wanted get on top of his toes, that is what you are taught. I just got up on his toes too much.It was reminiscent of how the Seahawks (6-2-1) lost the 2015 Super Bowl when Malcolm Butler intercepted at the goal line to win the NFL title for the Patriots.When it got down to it, when you get a chance to win a game on the 1-yard line , there aint nothing like it in football, said coach Pete Carroll, whose Seahawks worked on defending that exact play at the end of Fridays practice. Its one of the great challenges that a team and a defense gets. And our guys just came through, and hung in there, and just fought for every inch and let us walk away with the win.Doug Baldwin caught three touchdown passes from Russell Wilson, including a 15-yarder for the final margin. Strangely, Seattle went for 2 points and failed on the conversion, leaving the Patriots a chance to tie with a touchdown and an extra point kick.`We wanted to make it a two-possession game, Carroll said.But LeGarrette Blount, who earlier rushed for three touchdowns and has 12 this season, couldnt get into the end zone from close range, nor could Brady on a pair of sneaks.Our execution wasnt great, Brady said, and they put a lot of pressure on you defensively. They have a lot of good players and they make you earn every yard. They play to the end, they have been in a lot of close games.It came down to a yard at the end and we didnt get it.Wilson finished 25 for 37 for 348 yards and the three scores to Baldwin. Brady was 23 of 32 for 316 yards but no TDs after throwing for 12 in his first four games since returning from suspension.ddddddddddddew Englands Martellus Bennett had seven receptions for 102 yards to lead all receivers.A GAME OF SWINGSIt was a fierce, sometimes viciously physical game. Gronkowski took one particularly hard hit from Seahawks standout safety Earl Thomas and temporarily had to leave the game in the first half.It also was a game of big plays and big swings, perhaps none more so than Julian Edelmans spectacular over-the-shoulder 33-yard catch on a third-and 25 to end the third quarter. That set up Stephen Gostkowskis 30-yard field goal for a 24-22 lead.Or maybe it was rookie C.J. Prosises 38-yard catch between two defenders to the New England 2, leading to Hauschkas fourth field goal after a strong goal-line stand by the Patriots.Or any of Baldwins three TD receptions.Or, in the end, the power of Seattles interior defense on the short runs by Blount or Brady, and Kam Chancellors tight coverage on Gronkowski on the final play.BLOUNT INSTRUMENTBlount scored twice on 1-yard rushes, bulling his way into the end zone on the second score. He also scooted left for a 13-yard TD in the third period for a 21-19 lead.PICK-FREE NO MOREBradys interception in the second quarter derailed the Patriots chance to tie the 1960 Cleveland Browns for an NFL-record nine games without an interception. DeShawn Shead made the pick.New England had thrown 258 passes before being intercepted.DONT DEFERSomeday perhaps teams will learn not to defer when winning the opening coin toss against New England. The Patriots drove relentlessly for 75 yards and their opening touchdown after the Seahawks did precisely that.New England has scored touchdowns on five of its opening nine drives this season, three of those with Brady at quarterback.Oh yeah, Seattle went three-and-out with the second-half kickoff.UP NEXT:Seattle: The Seahawks host the Eagles.New England: The Patriots also play on the West Coast next Sunday, at San Francisco.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '