SPORTS BRIEFS: Deerfield-Windsor tennis sweeps past Southland

Deerfield-Windsor tennis tops Southland

The Deerfield-Windsor boys and girls tennis teams scored a pair of victories over Southland on Wednesday. The girls won 3-2.

In No. 1 girls singles, Southland’s Kendall Crew defeated Deerfield’s Lilia Sullivan 6-1, 6-0. Sarah Perrine defeated Southland’s Kaitlin Brown 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, while Deerfield’s Stephanie Mathes defeated Mary Martin Shealy 6-0, 6-3 at No. 3 singles.

In doubles play, Deerfield’s No. 1 team of Joyner Tyson and Gabby Pinnero defeated Southland’s No. 1 team 6-0, 6-0, while Southland earned a forfeit victory at No. 2 doubles.

In boys action, Deerfield-Windsor scored a 3-2 victory over Southland.

Southland’s Alex Arnold defeated Cohen Bonner 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1 singles, while Deerfield-Windsor’s Fletcher Cromartie defeated Andrew McDonald 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2 singles. Deerfield’s Reed Reynolds defeated Southland’s Landon Henson 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.

In doubles play, Southland’s No. 1 team of John Wojnar and Corey Doggett defeated Deerfield’s Tyler Lowe and Will Calhoun 6-3, 4-6, 10-6, while Rob Pilcher and Nick Myers defeated Southland’s Jeremy Ledger and Chance Westra 7-6, 7-5 and 6-1.

Both teams improved to 5-1 on the season.

Deerfield-Windsor golf tops Brookwood

Deerfield-Windsor topped Brookwood in a golf match on Thursday. The Knights finished at 309, while the Warriors finished at 335.

Wilson Joiner and Charlie Ellis led the way, both finishing at 76. Ethan Shellhaas shot a 77, while Garrett Jones finished with an 80.

Taylor Patterson led the Warriors with a 78.

Braves release reliever Veras

The ranks of Atlanta Braves bullpen candidates was reduced by one Thursday morning when they released Jose Veras, about 12 hours after the veteran former closer struggled in an appearance against the Yankees.

A non-roster invitee to spring training, Veras posted an 11.81 ERA in six games, allowing eight hits, seven runs and seven walks with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Most of the damage came in the Grapefruit League opener against the Mets, when he was charged with three hits, five runs and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Veras allowed four hits, one run and four walks in four innings over his next four appearances before Thursday, when he was again undermined by control issues and gave up one hit, one run, two walks and a hit batter in two-thirds of an inning.

Closer Craig Kimbrel, setup men Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson and left-hander Josh Outman are the only bullpen certainties for the Braves, although lefty James Russell, making $2.425 million, also figures to have a spot based on his salary and track record.

That would leave three spots and at least six competing for them: lefty Luis Avilan, Arodys Vizcaino, Juan Jaime (who’s out of options and can’t be sent down without clearing waivers), Brandon Cunniff and non-roster invitees Michael Kohn and Sugar Ray Marimon.

Browns sign former Chief Bowe

The Cleveland Browns reportedly came to terms with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe on a two-year contract Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs released Bowe last week after they signed wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to a five-year, $55 million contract.

The Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2007, Bowe caught 532 passes for 7,155 yards and 44 touchdowns in eight years. He led the NFL with 10 touchdown catches in 2010.

However, his production had fallen off over the last three seasons. Last season, he caught just 60 passes for 754 yards and no touchdowns.

In Cleveland, he figures to replace the suspended Josh Gordon as the top receiver. The Browns also have added former Miami Dolphin Brian Hartline.