Mandeville earns slot on All-America team
Northeastern University tight end Brian Mandeville of Walpole has been selected to the Sports Network's preseason All-America second team.
The 6-foot-7, 253-pound senior is among 10 players from New England to be selected to one of the three teams.
Last fall, Mandeville hauled in 30 catches for a team-high 411 yards and five touchdowns. He was a defensive end his freshman year before making the switch.
On Saturday, he was named a team captain by NU head coach Rocky Hager. Northeastern will kick off its season tonight at Ball State.
Hit Dr. Diamonds make tourney noise
The Hit Dr. Diamonds' 14-and-under baseball team recently placed 13th at the National AAU Division 1 Baseball Tournament in Sarasota, Fla.
The team, based at TJO Sports in Canton, finished among the top 16 teams after going undefeated in pool play.
Led by coaches Terrence O'Malley and Dave Roberto, the squad included: Brennan Sullivan and Andrew Vinciguerra of Canton; Matt Baron of Dedham; Mike DeMille, Max Devin, and Braedy Taugher of Milton; Dave Roberto and Dave Zabinsky of Sharon; Steve Pike of Stoughton; David Thibault of Walpole; and Brendan Skehill of Westwood.
Brockton's comeback wins softball title
The Brockton 18-and-under girls' softball team has captured the South Shore League championship, defeating Weymouth, 5-4. Brockton rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the final inning, with Kelsey Sheridan delivering a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh.
The team finished the season 13-2 under coach Kevin Sheehan.
Poll sees UMass-Lowell as topping the NE-10
The University of Massachusetts at Lowell's field hockey team has earned the attention of the Northeast-10 Conference, with a preseason poll of its coaches putting the River Hawks at No. 1.
Two area players, freshman midfielder Kayla Littig of Carver and junior defense Laura Sullivan of Norwood, are on the UMass-Lowell squad, which is returning 10 of its 11 starters.
The River Hawks went 19-3 last fall, swept the Northeast-10, and reached the NCAA Division 2 national championship game before falling to Bloomsberg, 5-2. UMass opens its season this weekend at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Braintree High to host sports psychologist
A sports psychology consultant from Duke University will speak today at Braintree High about the issues surrounding the enhancement of athletic performance, roles for creating a positive experience in athletics, and other topics.
Greg Dale will speak at 5 p.m. in the school's H. Fred Herget Gymnasium. All Braintree athletes and their parents are encouraged to attend. Other topics include communication between coach, parent, and athlete, and tips to help parents keep sports in perspective. More information about Dale can be viewed at excellenceinperformance.com. After his talk, parent meetings for all fall athletic teams will be held.
Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com 