Sports in brief

| The New Mexican and wire services

5/15/2008 - 5/16/08

Isotopes, Royals get rained out

The rain that began late Wednesday night never ceased on Thursday, which forced the postponement of the Triple-A baseball game between the Albuquerque Isotopes and the Omaha Royals in the Pacific Coast League.

It will be made up as a part of doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at 1:35 p.m. The delay will not cause a shift in the Isotopes' rotation, as right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (4-1, 5.40 ERA) will take the ball as scheduled for today's 7:05 p.m. start. Thursday's anticipated starter, Dallas Trahern, will pitch on Sunday.

The Royals, on the other hand, will move their starters back a day, as lefty Kyle Davies (4-2, 2.43) takes the mound.

Higgins, N'doye sign with NMSU

New Mexico State University head men's basketball coach Marvin Menzies has signed Johnny Higgins and Abdoulaye N'doye to play for the Aggies next season, the school announced Thursday.

Higgins is a 6-foot-1 guard from Baltimore, Md., and N'doye is a 7-0 center from Dakar, Senegal.

Higgins spent the previous two seasons at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg, Ma., where he led the Crusaders to the 2007 Prep School National Championship. He averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 assists in 2007.

"He is a very strong, athletic combo guard, who will be able to help us immediately," Menzies said.

N'doye attends the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dekar.

"He has very good hands, runs the floor well for his size, is an excellent student and is a very good fit for us," said Menzies.

The Aggies lost five seniors from last season and sophomores-to-be JayDee Luster, DeAngelo Jones and Wendell McKines has left the team.

Autopsy: Filly had no abnormalities

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Eight Belles had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities that caused the filly to break down after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby.

Autopsy results reviewed by The Associated Press on Thursday confirm compound fractures of both front legs at the fetlock joints. They also describe lacerated skin on both legs, an absence of joint fluid in the damaged areas and congested lungs.

The filly also experienced a bruised head and hemorrhaging in the left thyroid gland, which the report blamed on her fall after the initial injuries.

Eight Belles was euthanized on the track at Churchill Downs after collapsing while jogging about a quarter-mile past the finish line.

JoePa hospitalized for dehydration

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State coach Joe Paterno spent several hours at a hospital being treated for dehydration before returning home late Thursday.

The 81-year-old coach had been working at home late in the morning when he began feeling nauseated and was taken by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center, team spokesman Guido D'Elia said.

Doctors determined he suffered from dehydration, team officials said.

Brewers ink Braun to $45 million deal

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun grinned. He had just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers' history.

"I really believe in the direction this franchise is headed," the NL Rookie of the Year said Thursday after his $45 million, eight-year deal was announced.

Braun hit .324 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs last season in 113 games after his May 25 debut.