The Colorado Rockies wrapped up a sweep of the Houston Astros with an 7-6 win in 10 innings yesterday afternoon at Coors Field. Troy Tulowitzki scored the winning run when he scampered home from third on a wild pitch to cap off another wild game between the two teams. Tulowitzki’s two-run homer, his 26th of the season, was part of a four-run first inning that gave the Rockies a 4-2 lead. Carlos Gonzalez also homered, his 23rd, and drove in three more runs, making it ten straight games that he has tallied an RBI. Matt Belisle earned the win in relief for the second straight day, his ninth victory of the season, all of which have come in relief. The Rockies have now won five straight games, and head out on the road after an off day today for nine games out west against Los Angeles, division leading Arizona, and San Diego.

Houston Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez, who had been claimed off of trade waivers by the Colorado Rockies, will be pulled off of waivers, ending trade discussions between the two teams. Rodriguez allowed six runs on ten hits in six innings against the Colorado Rockies in Colorado’s 7-6 win in Denver while the possibility he would be traded hung over his head. The Rockies claimed Rodriguez, a 32 year-old lefthander who is 9-9 with a 3.41 ERA this season, in the hopes they could add him to bolster their pitching rotation. But the Astros wanted the Rockies to pick up the rest of Rodriguez’s 36 million dollar salary over the next three seasons and trade them a top prospect. The Rockies balked at that asking price, but the Denver Post reports they will continue to look for pitching help before the waiver trade deadline August 31.

BY BRETT COBB, McCook Community College News Bureau Coordinator

They say timing is everything!
McCook Community College Volleyball Coach Natalie Alred came on board in late July with ten members for her squad. So, one of her first goals was to make sure she had exhausted all the recruiting possibilities in the area to ensure quality players who may not have considered MCC without having a coach in place, would take a second look after she came on board.
So she started by looking at the roster of the 2011 Sertoma all-star volleyball roster. One player, North Platte graduate, Janessa States, had verbally committed elsewhere, but hadn’t signed her letter of intent, and decided to hear what MCC’s new coach had to say.
Janessa, who had made quite an impression in the Sertoma Volleyball game, decided to talk to Coach Alred, and decided to visit the MCC campus.
During her visit, Janessa started to see the possibilities — for volleyball and the opportunities for a strong academic transfer program.
She spent nearly four hours on campus and by the end of the day made the decision to join the 2011 MCC Volleyball squad. Coach Alred, just a few days in to her new job, had signed one of the top volleyball athletes in the area.
“We were instantly impressed with Janessa,” said Kelly Rippen, who served as the Interim volleyball coach during the spring. “She has a love for the game, great character, and a strong desire to be on the court.”
Rippen said after showing Janessa around campus, and spending just a few minutes with her, she could tell what an excellent fit it would be for both Janessa and for MCC.
“She is passionate about athletics, but also has tremendous academic dedication,” Rippen said.
If a few more days had passed, Janessa would have been making plans to attend another institution, but the timing worked out perfectly for her to be able to see what other possibilities existed for her a little closer to home, and with more potential to make an impact on the volleyball court and in the classroom.
The MCC Volleyball Squad will be playing in North Platte this Friday and Saturday during the Subway Invitational, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
For more information about MCC Volleyball, 2011 schedule, and/or Coach Alred, check out www.mpcc.edu follow the MCC athletics link.