CRANBERRY TWP — Jon Pratkanis, a Butler High School graduate, fired a 68-70-138 to tie for second place with three other players at the Dick's Sporting Goods Tri-State Amateur Championship Tuesday at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course.

The quartet trailed winner C.G. Mercatoris, who carded a 4-under par 136.

Rob Voltz, golf coach at Knoch High School, tied for eighth place with a score of 73-67-140.

Jeff Achezinski, a 2008 graduate of Butler High School, will continue his academic and athletic career at St. Vincent College.The 6-foot, 215-pound offensive and defensive lineman for the Tornado, was a senior team captain and was voted the Tornado's Offensive Lineman of the Year as well as Team MVP.Achezinski graduated from Butler with a 4.0 grade point average.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to terms with shortstops Jordy Mercer and Chase D'Arnaud, their third- and fourth-round draft picks, respectively, in the June 5 draft.Less than two weeks after the draft was held, the Pirates have signed 24 of their 50 picks. In their most recent drafts, the Pirates have averaged signing fewer than 30 picks per season.

KASHGAR, China — Shops and roads were closed and people were kept off the streets Wednesday as part of a huge security effort to safeguard the Olympic torch as it wound its way through this predominantly Muslim city in China's restive far west.Black-gloved security agents jogged alongside the flame during the relay through the streets of Kashgar.