American Indoor Football Association

The host Mariners (3-0) made six sacks, forced seven turnovers and held the Fayetteville Guard to 69 yards of total offense, winning, 59-0, and becoming the first team in American Indoor Football Association history to record a shutout. Armar Watson had an interception, Adam Goloboski had 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss, and Brian Bradford had two interceptions. Running back Isaiah Grier rushed for three touchdowns and had one receiving. "Overall this was our best effort of the season.

The Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association will take on the Fayetteville Guard at 4 p.m. today at 1st Mariner Arena. The Mariners are looking to improve to 3-0, while the Guard is making its season debut. The Guard was founded in South Carolina in 2003, moved to Fayetteville in 2005 and is entering its eighth season of indoor football play under new coach Webbie Burnett . - From Sun staff and news services

Powered by a record-tying five interceptions by defensive back Armar Watson and five touchdown passes from quarterback E.J. Nemeth, the Mariners overpowered the New Jersey Revolution, 68-23, in their home season opener Sunday at 1st Mariner Arena. The Mariners, 2-0 and in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference of the American Indoor Football Association, set a franchise record with 51 points in the first half on their way to a 51-10 lead at the break over the Revolution (0-1)

The Orioles will raise money at their annual FanFest today to support the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Money will be collected through a portion of FanFest admission fees, proceeds from a silent auction of Orioles items and the team's memorabilia sale and through other donations. The Orioles will match the donations. Fans may also donate by sending checks to the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation, with "Haiti Relief" in the memo line, Baltimore Orioles Haiti Relief, 333 W. Camden St., Baltimore, 21201.

The Blast has signed defender Zach Wilkes for the remainder of the season, general manager Kevin Healey announced Wednesday. Wilkes, 26, spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Ignition and was a member of the 2009 XSL championship squad. The Blast, 5-4 this season and tied for first place in the Major Indoor Soccer League, will travel to Milwaukee on Saturday before returning to 1st Mariner Arena to host the Wave on Jan. 30 . - Glenn Graham Indoor football: Defensive back Nikkieda Rutland , who played at Tennessee State, signed with the Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association.

The AMA Arenacross Series returns to 1st Mariner Arena this weekend for the second stop of its 12-race season. About 150 truckloads of dirt will be sculpted into a course for dirt-bike racers. Action begins Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, at Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 800-551-SEAT. For series information, go to arenacross.com. Women's college basketball: Maryland (13-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference)

The Washington Capitals have signed center David Steckel to a three-year, $3.3 million contract extension and defenseman-forward Tyler Sloan to a two-year, $1.4 million extension. The Capitals also assigned defenseman Karl Alzner to American Hockey League affiliate Hershey. Steckel leads the NHL with a .619 winning percentage on faceoffs. Boxing: Darnell "The Ding-a-Ling Man" Wilson , "The Persecutor" Mike Paschall , Willie Wilson and Thomas Snow will be on the Ballroom Boxing card Jan. 29 at Michaels Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.

Under questioning from Congress, a doctor who used to lead the NFL's concussion committee stuck to his position that there is no proven connection between football head injuries and brain disease. Members of the House Judiciary Committee expressed frustration at the oral and written testimony delivered at Monday's hearing in Detroit by Dr. Ira Casson , a neurologist from New York and former co-chairman of the NFL's panel on head injuries. "There is not enough valid, reliable or objective scientific evidence at present to determine whether or not repeat head impacts in professional football result in long-term brain damage," Casson said.

The Major Indoor Soccer League named Blast forward Lucio Gonzaga the Offensive Player of the Month for November. Gonzaga led the Blast to a 19-8 win over the Philadelphia KiXX on Nov. 21, recording a hat trick, including a three-point goal. The Blast (1-1) travels to Monterrey on Sunday with game time set for 1 p.m. Indoor football: The Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association re-signed offensive lineman Jeff Tyler ( Towson University), who played with the team last season.

The Blast's first road game of the season - Sunday at Monterrey - has been changed to 1 p.m. Eastern time after being originally set for 6 p.m. The game can be seen live on the Internet at laraza.com.mx/live-video.html. The Blast takes a 1-1 mark into the game. - Glenn Graham Indoor football: The Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association added three rookies to their training camp roster, including two former Maryland high school stars. Joining the team were wide receiver Delannie Spriggs Jr. (Northern)