Duquesne player upgraded to serious

The most seriously injured of five Duquesne University basketball players shot after a campus dance last weekend was upgraded from critical to serious condition yesterday and has begun to speak softly. Forward Sam Ashaolu is the only injured player who remains hospitalized. Family members said Ashaolu, sedated for much of the week, asked Thursday night about two of his brothers -- the first words he is known to have spoken since being shot early Sunday morning. He also recognized himself, and a brother, while watching TV news accounts of the shooting. Stuard Baldonado, a junior forward shot in the left arm and back, was released from Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh late yesterday afternoon . . . Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech's career leader in touchdown receptions with 28, was granted an academic eligibility waiver by the NCAA and is expected to play for the first time this season today against Southeastern Louisiana.

Placido Polanco's fear apparently won't be realized. Less than a week after he said his season was over, the Tigers second baseman will come off the disabled list today to join Detroit's stretch run in the tight AL Central race. Polanco, hitting .294 with three home runs, 44 RBIs, and 54 runs scored, went on the DL Aug. 16 after separating his shoulder the day before while diving for a ball in shallow center at Fenway Park. Manager Jim Leyland said Polanco would play today against Kansas City . . . Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since June 2005 because of injuries and who broke ribs in an Aug. 15 car crash he didn't disclose to the team until after he made three minor league rehab starts, was ordered by Yankee officials to come to the clubhouse in St. Petersburg, Fla., and see his teammates. ``[Pavano] has got to understand what his priority is. Baseball has to be his life and he's got to live his life that way," manager Joe Torre told the New York Daily News . . . Colorado Rockies reliever Jose Mesa and San Francisco Giants pitcher Jamey Wright were each suspended for three games for intentionally throwing at an opposing hitter during the teams' game Tuesday. Giants manager Felipe Alou was suspended for one game. Mesa has filed an appeal . . . Toronto Blue Jays righthander Roy Halladay will miss the rest of the season because of a strained right forearm . . . The St. Louis Cardinals extended general manager Walt Jocketty's contract through the 2008 season . . . Florida manager Joe Girardi said he's focused on helping the Marlins continue their surprising playoff push, despite rumors he'll be fired after the season . . . Kansas City Royals manager Buddy Bell had surgery to remove his tonsils after a growth was discovered earlier in the week. Results from a biopsy on the growth are expected to be known early next week . . . Thirty baseballs that Pete Rose signed and inscribed with an apology for betting on baseball were sold for $1,000 apiece.

Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon had gone 47 races without a pole -- the longest drought of his career -- before yesterday. Gordon took the top spot with a lap of 156.162 miles per hour at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, his first pole since June 24, 2005. Gordon is fourth in the points standings heading into tomorrow's second race of NASCAR's 10-man Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship. Series leader Kevin Harvick will start 25th . . . Cristiano da Matta, in a coma for nearly a month after a deer wandered onto the track and caused a crash with his car during an Aug. 3 test session in Wisconsin, is walking, talking, and playing his guitar. Dr. Randall Johnson, who performed emergency neurosurgery on da Matta seven weeks ago, said the driver still tires easily but is "doing fantastic" and can expect continued improvement.

Dajuan Wagner, a once-promising point guard whose NBA career was derailed by injuries and colitis, signed with the Golden State Warriors after being out of the league for nearly two years . . . Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh's mayor, said that land for a potential new arena for the Penguins has been secured and asked the hockey team to commit to staying in the city . . . Forward Vladimir Orszagh, slated to play on the St. Louis Blues' first line, had surgery on his left knee Thursday and could miss the season . . . Amelie Mauresmo defeated Lindsay Davenport, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the China Open semifinals in Beijing and end a nine-match losing streak against the former No. 1 . . . Karrie Webb moved into contention for her fourth LPGA Tour victory of the year, shooting a 2-under-par 70 in windy conditions for a share of the second-round lead with Jeong Jang at 7-under 137 in the Longs Drugs Challenge in Danville, Calif. . . . Eric Axley shot a bogey-free 7-under 63 for a share of the second-round lead with D.A. Points (66) at 9-under 131 in the Texas Open in San Antonio.