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OKLAHOMA TORNADO-FOWLER

Fowler planning $100K donation to Oklahoma relief

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Rickie Fowler is encouraging fans attending the Colonial to contribute to relief efforts after the deadly tornado this week in Oklahoma.

And Fowler is going to do his part for the state where he spent two years playing college golf at Oklahoma State.

Fowler said Wednesday he will match the first $100,000 given by Colonial fans with a donation of his own.

While he doesn't know anybody personally in Moore, Okla., Fowler says he has friends who know people around there, and that it was hard to watch and "pretty tragic to see."

The California-born Fowler says Oklahoma is a great part of the country and is always going to be part of who he is.

OKLAHOMA-WNIT-PRESEASON

Oklahoma chosen for WNIT preseason tournament

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - The WNIT preseason tournament has picked Oklahoma to be in competition this fall.

The university announced Wednesday that the Sooners will be in the 16-team field for the tournament that begins Nov. 8.

Oklahoma is coming off an appearance in last season's NCAA women's tournament.

Other teams chosen for the WNIT are includes Georgia State, Gonzaga, Idaho, IPFW, Louisville, Loyola Chicago, LSU, Mount St. Mary's, North Carolina A&T, Quinnipiac, Saint Joseph's, Stephen F. Austin, Stetson, Tennessee-Martin, and Wichita State.

The second round will be Nov. 10 and 11, with the semifinals Nov. 14 and the championship on Nov. 17.

Teams each are guaranteed three games.

TEXAS TECH-WHITAKER

Whitaker begins new role as Texas Tech coach

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Candi Whitaker's favorite spot on campus while attending Texas Tech was in the basketball arena.

Whitaker was introduced as the new women's coach on Wednesday, nearly 11 years after her final game as a Lady Raider. She succeeds Kristy Curry, who took the job at Alabama this month.

As the starting point guard from 2000-2002, Whitaker twice helped lead the Lady Raiders reach the NCAA round of 16.

Whitaker was an associate coach at Oklahoma State last season. She was an assistant coach at Valparaiso and Missouri-Kansas City.

She took over as head coach of the UMKC program in 2007.

Whitaker's return marks the second time in the past six months the school has hired a former athlete as a coach. In December, Kliff Kingsbury became Texas Tech's football coach.

SHOCK PREVIEW

Strong offseason raises the bar for Tulsa Shock

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Are the pieces finally falling in place for the Tulsa Shock?

Time will tell, but if the preseason prognostications of the league's general managers are any indication, Tulsa finally looks like a playoff contender. A survey found the Shock as the WNBA's most improved team.

Tulsa, which went 9-25 last season, is now on the playoff radar after a series of offseason moves. And it appears that 2011 draft pick Liz Cambage will also rejoin the team, adding to the intrigue.

First, though, came the trades with Minnesota and New York to acquire former Stanford standouts Candice Wiggins and Nicole Powell, respectively. Next, came the signing of Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins, undoubtedly the top point guard in the 2013 draft.

The Shock open the season on the road Saturday in Atlanta.

DRILLERS-OSWALT

Pitcher Roy Oswalt gets stint with Drillers

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Colorado Rockies have assigned 3-time All Star pitcher Roy Oswalt to the Tulsa Drillers.

Oswalt is to start on Friday evening against the Midland Rockhounds at ONEOK Field.

The Drillers say Oswalt will throw about 75 pitches and will likely make between three and five starts for the Class AA ball club.

Oswalt signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies on May 2.

The right-hander has spent 12 years in the majors, pitching for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. Oswalt has a 163-96 career record.

The plan is for Oswalt to be fit enough to join the Rockies in mid or late June.

First pitch Friday is 7:05 p.m. CDT.

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