Russell back to practice for the Hardrockers

South Dakota School of Mines quarterback Nick Russell is back and practicing with the team after spraining his ankle on the first day of practice.

Russell rolled his ankle during warm-ups but was back leading the first team offense on Monday at O'Harra Stadium.

Custer Granite has season come to an end

The Custer Granite men's baseball team ended play for 2009 at Chadron, Neb., in the Grasslands South Hills League Regional Tournament losing a tough 6-4 decision to the undefeated league champion Chadron Titans on Aug. 9.

Custer went 2-2 in the tournament losing the opener to Rushville, Neb., 5-1, beating Sundance, Wyo., 15-5, defeating Rushville, Neb., 4-2, and losing to Chadron.

Custer was 11-9 for the season. This is the second year that the wood bat league has played.

Football scrimmage set for Saturday

Rapid City Central will conduct its annual preseason football scrimmage Saturday at O'Harra Stadium beginning at 10 a.m.

Cobbler merchandise, skybox spaces and Rushmore Bowl tickets will also be available to purchase at the scrimmage. The scrimmage is free to the public and everyone is welcome to

attend.

The Cobblers open the regular season Aug. 29 at Yankton. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. MDT.

For more information, contact the Central activities office at 394-4041.

Mike Coley tournament is Sept. 5-7

The third annual Mike Coley Memorial Baseball Tournament will be played in Rapid City on Sept. 5-7.

Games will be played Sept. 5-6 with two championship games played Sept. 7. There will be two age divisions - 48 and over and 58 and over. There are four teams in each division for a total of eight teams this year as the tournament continues to grow.

In the 48 and over division, Rapid City Over The Hill Bunch, Denver Shredders, SD Jackalopes and another Denver team will compete. In the 58 and over division, Custer/Rapid City Geezers, two SD Pheasant teams from Sioux Falls and another 60-year-old Denver team are entered.

Games will be played at

McKeague and Pete Lien fields beginning at 9 a.m. and are free to all baseball fans. Only wood bats are permitted and all games are seven innings.

The tournament honors the baseball skills and life of Mike Coley a long time amatuer baseball player from Rapid City who died of cancer three years ago.

Chadron State volleyball team picked sixth

The Chadron State College volleyball team is picked to finish sixth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference East Division, according to the 2009 RMAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll released Monday.

The Eagles, who finished the 2008 season with a 3-26 overall record and a 1-18 mark in the conference, are also tabbed to finish 12th in the 14-team conference.

Like writing about sports

The Rapid City Journal sports department is looking for fall sports stringers who are willing to cover high school sports in the Black Hills area.

For more information, call the sports department at 394-8430.