Aaron Thompson

Mark Malone, Havre de Grace Sport Swimming BOYS STATS -- The junior returned to the team after electing not to swim last season, and he's been one of the Warriors' most solid swimmers. Malone competes in tough events like the 100-meter butterfly, 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle -- and regularly scores points for a rebuilding Havre de Grace team. He has made a big impact this season. SIDELINES -- He swam on the team two years ago and worked hard to get ready for his return this winter.

Right-handed pitcher Ricky Nolasco signed a three-year, $26.5 million contract with the Marlins. Marlins owner and CEO Jeffrey Loria called Nolasco "an outstanding competitor. " Nolasco is expected to make $6 million in 2011, $9 million in 2012 and $11.5 in 2013. He made $3.8 million last season, when he went 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA. The 28-year-old missed the final month after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery. •The Padres agreed to terms of a one-year contract with Brad Hawpe to play first base, according to people with knowledge of the deal.

Florida State running game vs. Maryland run defense: This should be more of a concern for the Terps than it has been in past years. Seminoles offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden is depending on his running backs as more than just decoys for the pass. To take pressure off redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Rix, the Seminoles have tried to use more of a power attack. With junior tackle Brett Williams and junior guard Montrae Holland as the only returning starters, the team's offensive line struggled with run blocking against North Carolina last month.

Ron Vanderlinden, Maryland's new football coach, recruited some areas where the Terps usually haven't gone for players, like Michigan and Illinois.And Baltimore.When the letter of intent signing period opens today, the Terps expect to make official the oral commitments of 22 high school players. Three are from Michigan and two are from Illinois, reflecting the Big Ten background of Vanderlinden and several members of his staff, but there are also three players from the Baltimore area.Mount St. Joseph running back Aaron Thompson, The Sun's Offensive Player of the Year, and two other members of the All-Metro team, Arundel quarterback Erik Lipton and Wilde Lake safety Tony Jackson, represent the biggest cache of local talent headed to College Park since Joe Krivak was coach.

Most of the fans -- and college recruiters -- at yesterday's inaugural Baltimore-Metro All-Star football game were focused on Baltimore's halfback duo of Ali Culpepper and Aaron Thompson.Enter Sam Scott. The defensive back from Edmondson High stole the show, sparking his team to a 20-6 win at Johns Hopkins' Homewood Field."I'm just out here trying to win a scholarship," said Scott. "I felt really fast on this turf today, and I was able to read the plays quickly."Scott recorded 12 tackles and intercepted a pass, with another interception being negated by a penalty.

Moves Baseball BLUE JAYS: Optioned P Chad Gaudin to Triple-A Syracuse. Recalled OF Gabe Gross from Syracuse. Signed P Ricky Romero, sixth overall pick in amateur draft. BRAVES: Placed P Tim Hudson on 15-day DL, retroactive to June 14, with strained left oblique muscle. MARLINS: Signed P Aaron Thompson, 22nd overall pick in amateur draft. METS: Signed C Benito Santiago to minor league contract. PHILLIES: Acquired P Kevin Hodge from Astros to complete April 21 trade. WHITE SOX: Announced five-year exclusive broadcasting agreement with WSCR-AM.

Erik Lipton completed 17 of 26 passes for 362 yards and five touchdowns to power host Arundel (4-2) past Glen Burnie (2-4), 41-8, yesterday.Joe Parker made six receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. Rodney Farmer had six receptions for 147 yards and three touchdowns, while Tony Ross caught six passes for 86 yards.Severn 37, Spalding 14: Von Craig rushed for three touchdowns and a two-point conversion to lead host Severn (3-2-1) past Spalding (3-4). Craig totaled more than 150 yards on scoring drives.

Aaron Thompson rushed for more than 200 yards for the seventh time, finishing with 222 yards -- and his 26th and 27th touchdowns of the year -- on 36 carries yesterday, but Mt. St. Joe still fell at Steubenville, Ohio, 28-20. Quarterback Lucas Phillips, who rushed for the other score, was 8-for-18 passing for 89 yards.Thompson's first touchdown brought the Gaels (5-2) to within 21-14 with 10: 08 left in the third period, and his final score made it 28-20, with 2:24 left in the game.Steubenville (7-1)

Todd Behler, a workhorse on offense, but happier with a chance to play defense, covered the fumble that meant the most to C. Milton Wright in a mistake-filled fourth quarter, and an ensuing touchdown provided the cushion in a 21-12 Harford County League victory at Aberdeen last night.No. 7 Aberdeen (7-1, 5-0), totally outplayed in the first half, got one sustained second-half drive and E.J. Henderson dove over from a yard out two minutes into the fourth quarter to get the Eagles within 14-12.

COLLEGE PARK - Aberdeen's E.J. Henderson has forced the first significant change in the Maryland football starting lineup with a spectacular two-week preseason practice performance that has earned him a starting spot somewhere among the team's outstanding group of linebackers. Henderson, a 6-foot-2, 229-pound redshirt sophomore, is starting right now at inside linebacker because junior Kevin Bishop is out with a pelvic disorder and lingering knee problems. But Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden said yesterday: "Even when Kevin comes back, we're going to have to move somebody to find a place for E.J. to play.