The Enquirer and wire reports

Bearcats senior David Payne (Wyoming) finished second in the 110-meter hurdles at the NCAA Mideast Regional at Baton Rouge, La., and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Payne finished in a wind-aided 13.42 seconds, just behind Ohio State's Joel Brown (13.39). Payne also competed in the 400-meter hurdles final, finishing ninth in 52.61.

UC's Chris Wineberg probably will join Payne at the NCAA Championships, as he has the 16th-best decathlon score in the nation.

The Bearcats totaled 12 points to finish 17th overall.

OSU BASEBALL: The Buckeyes had 20 hits and scored in every inning except the eighth to cruise to a 14-2 elimination victory over Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis. The Buckeyes advanced to the championship game against Minnesota.

MIAMI BASEBALL: Eastern Michigan's Ryan Ford struck out seven RedHawks in a 2-0 victory over second-seeded Miami (36-21) in the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals at Mount Pleasant, Mich.

NCAA TENNIS: Stanford's Amber Liu won 12 of the final 16 points to beat Fresno State's Jelena Pandzic and claim her second straight women's singles title.

Horse racing

BELMONT DEFECTIONS: When Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones goes for the Triple Crown on Saturday at Belmont Park, Tapit (lung disease) and The Cliff's Edge (bruised hoof) won't be there to try to stop him.

Nick Zito, trainer of The Cliff's Edge, still plans to run Birdstone and Royal Assault in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. Other contenders include Rock Hard Ten and Eddington, second and third in the Preakness; Master David, Purge, Tap Dancer, Caiman.

Women's Soccer

LADYHAWKS LOSE: The undefeated Detroit Jaguars scored a 6-1 W-League victory against the winless Cincinnati Ladyhawks (0-5) at Lakota West Stadium. Erica Nollen scored for Cincinnati.

NFL

EAGLES: Former Bengals quarterback Jeff Blake signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia. Blake, who was released by Arizona in February, gives the Eagles insurance should starter Donovan McNabb or backup Koy Detmer get injured. He replaces A.J. Feeley, who was traded to Miami for a second-round pick.