HOCKEY

Former Pirates forward wins in arbitration, gets one-year, $1 million deal with Sabres

Buffalo Sabres forward Tim Kennedy was awarded a one-year, $1 million contract by an arbitrator Thursday, two days after his hearing was held in Toronto.

As a rookie last season, the 24-year-old Kennedy made $635,000 when he had 10 goals and 16 assists in 78 games. He spent his first professional season with the Portland Pirates in 2008-09.

The Sabres have no option but to accept the contract terms. Teams cannot walk away from an arbitrator’s ruling that is lower than $1,611,180, according to the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.

SOFTBALL

JUNIOR LITTLE LEAGUE: Gray-New Gloucester claimed the Junior Little League state championship by defeating Bangor 15-5 Wednesday at Westbrook.

Gray-New Gloucester advanced to the regional tournament, which begins Aug. 5 in West Haven, Conn.

BASEBALL

NECBL: Doug Elliot and Mike McCann hit solo home runs, and Pat Cantwell hit a two-run shot to lead the Sanford Mainers to a 5-2 victory over the Keene Swamp Bats at Keene, N.H.

Regan Flaherty hit an RBI single for Sanford.