COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Zilnicki named player of week Western Connecticut State University senior center fielder Jackie Zilnicki of Riverhead has been named the Little East Conference player of the week for the second time this season. Zilnicki recorded multiple hits in each of her four games this past week to register a .750 batting average (9 for 12) with six runs scored and four runs batted in for Western Connecticut. She helped the Colonials (13-3) complete a sweep of Westfield State with a 2-for-3 performance from the plate with a pair of RBI. Later in the week, Zilnicki went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a triple, and two RBI against Manhattanville.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Ascher strikes out seven Jarred Bronley picked up his first collegiate win in relief after Oneonta State starter Steve Ascher of Mattituck turned in a strong outing in a 6-3 win over Fredonia State on March 25. Bronley recorded the final out of the eighth inning with the bases loaded and worked out of second-and-third jam in the ninth. Ascher recorded seven strikeouts in his seven and two-third innings while walking no one.

The Blue Devils trailed, 3-0, before breaking through in the bottom of the eighth off Ascher. Oneonta coach Benjamin Grimm removed Ascher and replaced him with Jim Hegmann, who walked a batter to force in the first Blue Devils run. A line drive single up the middle got by the diving second baseman Ivan Plata and two runs scored. Bronley then pitched out of further trouble.

AUTO RACING: Tooker appointed co-chief steward Steve Tooker of Riverhead has been appointed co-chief steward, joining Mike Cappiello in heading up the team of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Officials for the 2012 Riverhead Raceway season. Tooker is a former three-time Late Model champion at Riverhead Raceway, racking up 30 career feature event wins along the way, which is good for fourth on the all-time Late Model win list. Over the past few seasons Tooker he served as a NASCAR track steward.