Here is the latest Virginia sports news from The Associated Press

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Gio Gonzalez pitched three scoreless innings before heading to join the United States team at the World Baseball Classic and the Washington Nationals lost to the Houston Astros 4-2 Thursday. Jason Castro drove in two runs with a single in the eighth inning off losing pitcher Ryan Mattheus that scored Fernando Martinez and Rick Ankiel.

WASHINGTON (AP) — What a way to start: four goals in eight shots. John Erskine, Wojtek Wolski, John Carlson and Mike Ribeiro all scored before the game was 8½ minutes old, and the Washington Capitals climbed out of a tie for last in the Eastern Conference by beating the Florida Panthers 7-1 Thursday night.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The latest round is under way in the attempt by Native Americans to strip the Washington Redskins of their federal trademark petition. Both sides appeared Thursday in a 90-minute hearing before three judges on the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Liberty built a 17-point halftime lead, then held off a furious High Point rally for a 61-60 upset Thursday night in a Big South tournament quarterfinal. The Flames will play Gardner-Webb in Saturday's semifinals. Liberty, which never trailed, led 39-22 at halftime and by 19 early in the second half.