Athletics

Prosecutors file appeals in Pistorius sentencing

STELLENBOSCH, South Africa – Prosecutors in the Oscar Pistorius case filed appeal papers Tuesday, saying they believe a judge did not correctly apply the law when she found the Olympic athlete not guilty of murder for shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The prosecutors also said they were appealing against the “shockingly light” five-year prison sentence Pistorius was given for manslaughter, as well as a third decision by Judge Thokozile Masipa to acquit the double-amputee runner of illegal possession of ammunition for bullets found in his home.

Masipa acquitted Pistorius, 27, of murder for shooting Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door Feb. 14, 2013, and instead convicted him of a lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter.

College Football

College Football Playoff adds Oregon at No. 4

Mississippi State, Florida State and Auburn held their spots in the second College Football Playoff rankings, while Oregon joined them in the top four.

While the top three remained unchanged in the second of seven top-25 rankings, Oregon moved up a spot from fifth in the initial poll by the 12-member selection committee.

Mississippi slid from fourth to 11th after its second consecutive loss, 35-31 to Auburn. But the Rebels remained ahead of four one-loss teams from power-five conferences in the rankings.

Auburn is the highest ranked of the 12 one-loss teams from power-five conferences in the rankings that ultimately will determine the four teams to play in the national semifinals.

Alabama was fifth, giving the SEC West three of the top five spots. TCU was sixth.

MLB

Rodriguez apparently paid his cousin to keep quiet

MIAMI – The United States government said New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez gave his cousin nearly $1 million last year to keep secret Rodriguez’s use of performance-enhancing drugs.

In court documents filed last week in Miami, federal prosecutors said Rodriguez made four wire payments totaling $900,000 between June 2013 and September 2013 to settle a threatened lawsuit by Yuri Sucart, who had worked as Rodriguez’s personal assistant.

NFL

Peterson will avoid prison with a plea agreement

CONROE, Texas – Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson will avoid jail time after reaching a plea agreement in his child-abuse case.

A judge agreed to the plea deal during a hearing Tuesday in Conroe, 40 miles north of Houston.

Peterson was indicted in September for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son earlier this year in suburban Houston. The All-Pro running back was charged with felony injury to a child and faced up to two years in prison if convicted.

Under the agreement, Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault.

Women’s College Basketball

UConn ’mates headline preseason All-Americans

Connecticut teammates Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Breanna Stewart headlined The Associated Press’ preseason women’s All-America team for the second consecutive season. They are the first teammates to twice be honored as preseason All-Americans. They were unanimous picks.

Joining them on the squad announced Tuesday are Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd, South Carolina’s Tiffany Mitchell and Duke’s Elizabeth Williams.

Associated Press