THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2023

CENTRAL INDIANA BASEBALL SCORES

INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON 23 CHRISTEL HOUSE 5

MADISON GRANT 15 ELWOOD 3

HAGERSTOWN 1 WINCHESTER 0

SHENANDOAH 10 COWAN 2

CENTERVILLE 15 NORTHEASTERN 7

LAPEL 12 TRI 0

WES DEL 23  RANDOLPH SOUTHERN 4

ALEXANDRIA MONROE 5 EASTBROOK 2

BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 14 SHORTRIDGE  5

RUSHVILLE 8 LAWRENCEBURG 6

WAPAHANI  15  EASTERN HANCOCK 2

CATHEDRAL 10 LAWRENCE CENTRAL 3

EAST CENTRAL 10 CONNERSVILLE 0

IRVINGTON PREP 29 ANDERSON PREP 4

COVENANT CHRISTIAN 7 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 3

BATESVILLE 14 FRANKLIN COUNTY 3

INDIANAPOLIS TECH 15  THRIVAL ACADEMY 5

ZIONSVILLE 8 BROWNSBURG 4

CENTER GROVE 4 RONCALLI 1

WESTFIELD 6 FISHERS 2

MOORESVILLE 11 DANVILLE 10

NOBLESVILLE 14 FRANKLIN CENTRAL 6

NEW PALESTINE 12 SOUTHPORT 2

COMPLETE SCOREBOARD:  HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/BASEBALL/SCORES/?DATE=4/20/2023

CENTRAL INDIANA SOFTBALL SCORES

SHENANDOAH 2 COWAN 1

TRITON CENTRAL 15 IRVINGTON PREP 1

DALEVILLE 20 MONROE CENTRAL 4

WINCHESTER 26 MUNCIE CENTRAL 2

LAWRENCE NORTH 9 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 7

BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 20 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 5

GREENCASTLE 18 PARKE HERITAGE 2

RUSHVILLE 1 GREENFIELD CENTRAL 0

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 17 RITTER 7

NEW PALESTINE 11 MOUNT VERNON 1

LAPEL 5 KNIGHTSTOWN 3

CENTERVILLE 5 UNION CITY 3

SHELBYVILLE 13 FRANKLIN 5

LAWRENCEBURG 5 GREENSBURG 2

FISHERS 3 YORKTOWN 1

HORIZON CHRISTIAN 4 SHORTRIDGE 3

RONCALLI 15  COVENANT CHRISTIAN 2

CONNERSVILLE 17 BATESVILLE 1

WES DEL 14 HAGERSTOWN 4 

EMINENCE 12 INDIANA DEAF 8

EASTERN HANCOCK 15 WAPAHANI 3

COLUMBUS NORTH 12 SOUTHPORT 0

FRANKLIN CENTRAL 10 PERRY MERIDIAN 6

MOORESVILLE 4 BROWNSBURG 0

TRI-WEST 2 PLAINFIELD 0

BEECH GROVE 3 N. CENTRAL 2

COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/SOFTBALL/SCORES/?DATE=4/20/2023

NBA PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD

PHILADELPHIA 102  BROOKLYN  97

GOLDEN STATE 114 SACRAMENTO 97

PHOENIX 129 LA CLIPPERS 124

BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NBA/SCOREBOARD.ASP

NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

***MILWAUKEE BUCKS (1) VS. MIAMI HEAT (8)

GAME 3: BUCKS VS. HEAT | SAT., APRIL 22 | 7:30 ET (ESPN)

GAME 4: BUCKS VS. HEAT | MON., APRIL 24 | TBD

*GAME 5: HEAT VS. BUCKS | WED., APRIL 26 | TBD

*GAME 6: BUCKS VS. HEAT | FRI, APRIL 28 | TBD

*GAME 7: HEAT VS. BUCKS | SUN., APRIL 20 | TBD

***BOSTON CELTICS (2) VS. ATLANTA HAWKS (7)

GAME 3: CELTICS VS. HAWKS | FRI., APRIL 21 | 7 ET (ESPN)

GAME 4: CELTICS VS. HAWKS | SUN, APRIL 23 | 7 ET (TNT)

*GAME 5: HAWKS VS. CELTICS | TUES., APRIL 25 | TBD

*GAME 6: CELTICS VS. HAWKS | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD

*GAME 7: HAWKS VS. CELTICS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD

***PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (3) VS. BROOKLYN NETS (6)

GAME 4: 76ERS VS. NETS | SAT., APRIL 22 | 1 ET (TNT)

*GAME 5: NETS VS. 76ERS | MON., APRIL 24 | TBD

*GAME 6: 76ERS VS. NETS | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD

*GAME 7: NETS VS. 76ERS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD

***CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (4) VS. NEW YORK KNICKS (5)

GAME 3: CAVALIERS VS. KNICKS | FRI., APRIL 21 | 8:30 ET (ABC)

GAME 4: CAVALIERS VS. KNICKS | SUN., APRIL 23 | 1 ET (ABC)

*GAME 5: KNICKS VS. CAVALIERS | TBD

*GAME 6: CAVALIERS VS. KNICKS | TBD

*GAME 7: KNICKS VS. CAVALIERS | TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE

***DENVER NUGGETS (1) VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (8)

GAME 3: NUGGETS VS. TIMBERWOLVES | FRI., APRIL 21 | 9:30 ET (ESPN)

GAME 4: NUGGETS VS. TIMBERWOLVES | SUN., APRIL 23 | 9:30 ET (TNT)

*GAME 5: TIMBERWOLVES VS. NUGGETS | TUES., APRIL 25 | TBD

*GAME 6: NUGGETS VS. TIMBERWOLVES | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD

*GAME 7: TIMBERWOLVES VS. NUGGETS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD

***MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (2) VS. L.A. LAKERS (7)

GAME 3: GRIZZLIES VS. LAKERS | SAT., APRIL 22 | 10 ET (ESPN)

GAME 4: GRIZZLIES VS. LAKERS | MON. APRIL 24 | TBD

*GAME 5: LAKERS VS. GRIZZLIES | WED., APRIL 26 | TBD

*GAME 6: GRIZZLIES VS. LAKERS | FRI., APRIL 28 | TBD

*GAME 7: LAKERS VS. GRIZZLIES | SUN., APRIL 30 | TBD

***SACRAMENTO KINGS (3) VS. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (6)

GAME 4: KINGS VS. WARRIORS | SUN., APRIL 23 | 3.30 ET (ABC)

*GAME 5: WARRIORS VS. KINGS | WED., APRIL 26 | TBD

*GAME 6: KINGS VS. WARRIORS | FRI., APRIL 28 | TBD

*GAME 7: WARRIORS VS. KINGS | SUN., APRIL 30 | TBD

***PHOENIX SUNS (4) VS. LA CLIPPERS (5)

GAME 4: SUNS VS. CLIPPERS | SAT., APRIL 22 | 3:30 ET (TNT)

*GAME 5: CLIPPERS VS. SUNS | TUES., APRIL 25 | TBD

*GAME 6: SUNS VS. CLIPPERS | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD

*GAME 7: CLIPPERS VS. SUNS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD (TNT)

* IF NECESSARY

NHL PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD

TORONTO 7 TAMPA BAY 2

NY RANGERS 5 NEW JERSEY 1

COLORADO 3 SEATTLE 2

VEGAS 5 WINNIPEG 2

BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NHL/SCOREBOARD.ASP

NHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

***BOSTON BRUINS (A1) VS. FLORIDA PANTHERS (WC2)

FRI., APRIL 21: BRUINS AT PANTHERS, 7:30 P.M. ET, TNT, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS

SUN., APRIL 23: BRUINS AT PANTHERS, 3:30 P.M. ET, TNT, SN1, TVAS

WED., APRIL 26: PANTHERS AT BRUINS, TBA

FRI., APRIL 28: BRUINS AT PANTHERS, TBA

SUN., APRIL 30: PANTHERS AT BRUINS, TBA

***TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (A2) VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (A3)

SAT., APRIL 22: MAPLE LEAFS AT LIGHTNING, 7 P.M. ET, TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS

MON., APRIL 24: MAPLE LEAFS AT LIGHTNING, 7:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC

THUR., APRIL 27: LIGHTNING AT MAPLE LEAFS, TBA

SAT., APRIL 29: MAPLE LEAFS AT LIGHTNING, TBA

MON., MAY 1: LIGHTNING AT MAPLE LEAFS, TBA

***CAROLINA HURRICANES (M1) VS. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (WC1)

FRI., APRIL 21: HURRICANES AT ISLANDERS, 7 P.M. ET, TBS, SN1, TVAS

SUN., APRIL 23: HURRICANES AT ISLANDERS, 1 P.M. ET, TNT, SN360, TVAS

TUE., APRIL 25: ISLANDERS AT HURRICANES, TBA

FRI., APRIL 28: HURRICANES AT ISLANDERS, TBA

SUN., APRIL 30: ISLANDERS AT HURRICANES, TBA

***NEW JERSEY DEVILS (M2) VS. NEW YORK RANGERS (M3)

SAT., APRIL 22: DEVILS AT RANGERS, 8 P.M. ET, ABC, ESPN+, SN1, CITY, TVAS

MON., APRIL 24: DEVILS AT RANGERS, 7 P.M. ET, ESPN, SN360, TVAS

THUR., APRIL 27: RANGERS AT DEVILS, TBA

SAT., APRIL 29: DEVILS AT RANGERS, TBA

MON., MAY 1: RANGERS AT DEVILS, TBA

WESTERN CONFERENCE

***COLORADO AVALANCHE (C1) VS. SEATTLE KRAKEN (WC1)

SAT., APRIL 22: AVALANCHE AT KRAKEN. 10 P.M. ET, TBS, SN360, TVAS

MON., APRIL 24: AVALANCHE AT KRAKEN, 10 P.M. ET, TBS, SN360, TVAS

WED., APRIL 26: KRAKEN AT AVALANCHE, TBA

FRI., APRIL 28: AVALANCHE AT KRAKEN, TBA

SUN., APRIL 30: KRAKEN AT AVALANCHE, TBA

***DALLAS STARS (C2) VS. MINNESOTA WILD (C3)

FRI., APRIL 21: STARS AT WILD, 9:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SN1, TVAS

SUN., APRIL 23: STARS AT WILD, 6:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS

TUE., APRIL 25: WILD AT STARS, TBA

FRI., APRIL 28: STARS AT WILD, TBA

SUN., APRIL 30: WILD AT STARS, TBA

***VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (P1) VS. WINNIPEG JETS (WC2)

SAT., APRIL 22: GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT JETS, 4 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS

MON., APRIL 24: GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT JETS, 9:30 P.M. ET, SNW, TVAS, ESPN

THU., APRIL 27: JETS AT GOLDEN KNIGHTS, TBA

SAT., APRIL 29: GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT JETS, TBA

MON., MAY 1: JETS AT GOLDEN KNIGHTS, TBA

***EDMONTON OILERS (P2) VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS (P3)

FRI., APRIL 21: OILERS AT KINGS, 10 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT

SUN., APRIL 23: OILERS AT KINGS, 9 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS

TUE., APRIL 25: KINGS AT OILERS, TBA

SAT., APRIL 29: OILERS AT KINGS, TBA

MON., MAY 1: KINGS AT OILERS, TBA

* IF NECESSARY

TBD – TO BE DETERMINED

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD

BOSTON 11 MINNESOTA 5

NY YANKEES 9 LA ANGELS 3

PITTSBURGH 4 CINCINNATI 3

COLORADO 5 PHILADELPHIA 0

LA DODGERS 6 CHICAGO CUBS 2

SAN DIEGO 7 ARIZONA 5

NY METS 9 SAN FRANCISCO 4

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES

MEMPHIS 6 INDIANAPOLIS 1

GREAT LAKES 5 SOUTH BEND 2

FORT WAYNE AT PEORIA POSTPONED

TOP NATIONAL NEWS

NBA PLAYOFFS

BOOKER HAS 45 POINTS, SUNS TOP LEONARD-LESS CLIPPERS 129-124

LOS ANGELES (AP) Devin Booker scored 45 points, Kevin Durant added 26 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers 129-124 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference playoff series.

Leonard sat out because of a sprained right knee, the same injury that has sidelined fellow star Paul George since March 21. Leonard was hurt in Game 1, and played through it in Game 2, but afterward his condition didn’t improve.

Norman Powell led the Clippers, scoring a career playoff-high 40 points on 14-of-22 shooting. Russell Westbrook added 30 points and 11 assists.

Game 4 is Saturday in Los Angeles.

Booker shot 18 for 29 and had seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks while playing a game-high 44 minutes. He scored 38 points in Game 2.

With Leonard watching from the bench, the Clippers kept it close through the first half, when neither team led by more than six.

The Clippers got within three on two free throws by Westbrook with 1:44 remaining. After a 6-0 run by the Suns, Powell hit a 3-pointer, got fouled and made the free throw to pull the Clippers to 125-120.

Despite the heroics of former UCLA stars Powell and Westbrook, the Clippers sorely missed Leonard’s offense. He had 38 points in a Game 1 win at Phoenix and 31 in a loss in Game 2.

The Suns pulled away in the third behind Booker. He scored eight points in a 17-8 run to open the period and give Phoenix its first double-digit lead of the game, 71-59.

Westbrook scored seven in a row to cut the Clippers’ deficit to 71-66. The Suns answered with eight straight, capped by Durant’s vicious one-handed slam, to lead 79-66. They were ahead by seven going into the fourth.

Without Leonard, the Clippers counted on Westbrook and he made his presence known from the opening tip, keying a 6-0 run to start the game.

The Suns answered with 12 straight points before the Clippers answered with a 14-2 spurt that gave them a 20-14 lead.

The Clippers led by one when Durant, Chris Paul and Booker hit consecutive 3-pointers to go up by eight in the second, Phoenix’s largest lead of the half.

Powell ran off eight straight points to send the Clippers into halftime trailing 54-51.

TIP-INS

Suns: Booker had his fifth career 40-plus-point postseason game. … Paul finished with 11 points and seven assists.

Clippers: Their reserves outscored the Suns’ bench, 37-18, with Bones Hyland scoring 20 points. … Fell to 3-10 this season without Leonard and George in the lineup. … Nicolas Batum was the only starter who didn’t score.

CURRY SCORES 36, WARRIORS BEAT KINGS 114-97 WITHOUT GREEN

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Stephen Curry scored 36 points, Kevon Looney matched his career high with 20 rebounds to go with nine assists, and the Golden State Warriors got right back in their first-round playoff series by thumping the Sacramento Kings 114-97 in Game 3 on Thursday night to pull within 2-1.

As suspended star Draymond Green watched from home, the defending champions dominated without him as they have done so many times before. The fiery forward was suspended without pay for stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Monday’s Game 2 at Golden 1 Center. The Warriors also were without key defensive stopper Gary Payton II after the guard became ill Wednesday.

Curry shot 12 for 25 with six 3s while Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, who never trailed and will now try to even the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Sunday back on their home court at Chase Center.

Sabonis, who grabbed Green’s foot during the play in question, was booed at every chance. The big man underwent tests that revealed a bruised sternum but was able to practice Wednesday and cleared to play. He had 14 rebounds by halftime and 16 total to go with 15 points. But Golden State’s smothering interior defense led to some spectacular plays on offense.

De’Aaron Fox was 5 for 14 in the first half for 12 points but finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings. Fox scored 62 in the first two games.

Jordan Poole – playing on a tender left ankle – started in Green’s place and had 16 points and five rebounds, while the Warriors also counted on contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Donte DiVincenzo.

Looney, who led the NBA in offensive rebounds and played in his 218th straight game, corralled a key board from the offensive glass that led to Curry’s 3 to beat the halftime buzzer and make it a double-digit Warriors lead at 53-41.

Harrison Barnes added 17 points against his old team for Sacramento, whose fans were told to leave those noisy cowbells at home because they’re banned at Chase Center. Warriors fans were raucous in their own right sporting yellow “Gold Blooded” t-shirts and pounding Thunderstix.

Leading into Game 3, Golden State coach Steve Kerr shared with the team his favorite John Wooden quote of all time: “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” That’s a mantra he challenged the Warriors to use to take better shots and be more careful with the ball to limit turnovers.

He felt the Warriors had been in a hurry and committing unforced turnovers, rushed to make a play.

They seemed like their old selves in this one.

NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown, who received a shipment of new Vans sneakers, warned of what might happen if his team let down even in the slightest: “If we’re overconfident we’re going to get our behinds handed to us because these guys are champions.”

Curry and Co. made sure of that.

E-40 IS BACK

Rapper E-40 returned courtside for Game 3 fashionably late and fashionable.

The hip-hop star whose real name is Earl Stevens alleged “racial bias” after being kicked out of Game 1 at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. He and the Kings put out a joint statement Wednesday explaining there was a ‘miscommunication’ and said it was an “unfortunate misunderstanding” between both parties.

“We’re OK, can’t complain,” he said Thursday of being satisfied with the Kings’ response.

Curry and E-40 shared a celebratory embrace shortly after the final buzzer as Curry made his way to the tunnel.

TIP-INS

Kings: The Kings were outrebounded 60-53. … Sacramento shot 11 for 46 on 3s. … The Kings made it to the free-throw line just eight times in the initial two quarters and 23 for the game.

Warriors: Wiggins had a memorable second-quarter sequence with a block then 3-pointer moments later. … Moody had a three-point play and dunk over a sizzling 38-second stretch late in the third putting Golden State up 76-63 and finished with 13 points. … In a quiet outing, Klay Thompson had 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting but hit two timely shots down the stretch.

EMBIID GETS LATE BLOCK AS MAXEY, 76ERS TAKE 3-0 LEAD ON NETS

NEW YORK (AP) Laboring throughout the game and perhaps lucky to not have been ejected for kicking a Nets player in the groin area, Joel Embiid told himself he had to stay on the floor.

Even if the Nets kept hitting him or trying to make him lose his cool, he needed to be there for his Philadelphia 76ers.

“You could see what the game plan was. Got to hit him, try to make me frustrated so I could get ejected,” Embiid said. “So, I’m too mature to put myself in a position where I’m going to be ejected, so I just went about my business and we got the win.”

Thanks in part to his huge block at the end.

Embiid blocked a potential tying basket with 8.8 seconds left and the 76ers beat Brooklyn 102-97 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.

Tyrese Maxey made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 44 seconds left for the 76ers, who can sweep their way into the second round with a victory Saturday in Brooklyn.

With James Harden having been ejected in the third quarter for another groin shot and Embiid not looking like his usual dominant self, Maxey took over the offense and scored eight straight points, turning a five-point deficit into a 99-96 lead on his 3-pointer.

“Tonight, when our ballhandler, our leader went out, take that role in the fourth quarter and help us get into our stuff, help us win the game,” Maxey said.

Spencer Dinwiddie made one free throw, then appeared to have a path to the basket for a tying layup before Embiid rose up and swatted it. P.J. Tucker made a free throw to make it 100-97, and the Nets turned it over on their next possession.

Maxey scored 25 points and Harden had 21 for the 76ers. Embiid shot just 5 for 13 but had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Mikal Bridges scored 26 points and Dinwiddie had 20 for the Nets, who have lost nine straight playoff games and are on the verge of being swept for the second straight year. Cam Johnson scored 17 points.

“I told the group they didn’t give up, they grew up tonight,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said.

Embiid went to the locker room for treatment after checking out in the first quarter, then was limping multiple times later.

The 76ers might’ve been lucky he was still in the game at that point.

Nets fans loudly booed the decision not to eject him for kicking his leg up toward Nic Claxton’s groin in the first quarter, after the Nets center stepped over him after he dunked and Embiid fouled him and fell to the court. Those not in the arena took to social media to ask why he wasn’t tossed, as Golden State’s Draymond Green was for stepping on Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 of their series. Green was then suspended by the NBA for Game 3.

Claxton ended up called for a technical foul – and was ejected in the fourth quarter when he picked up a second one.

But the ruling went against the 76ers in the third quarter when Harden, while closely guarded by Royce O’Neale, swung out his arm and struck the swingman, who fell to the court in pain.

Crew chief Tony Brothers said Harden’s direct contact to the groin made his penalty a flagrant 2, while Embiid’s wasn’t because of his area of contact.

The Nets raced to a 19-11, riding an emotional boost after Embiid’s flagrant foul. But Philadelphia would recover to lead 32-28 after one, extended the lead to 51-40 on Maxey’s 3-pointer with 3:52 left in the half and the lead remained 11 at the break.

But Bridges got the Nets off to a quick start in the third and Johnson scored 13 points, helping the Nets outscore the 76ers 35-18 in the third to bring an 82-76 edge to the fourth.

TIP-INS

76ers: Tobias Harris scored 15 points.

Nets: Brooklyn’s last playoff victory was Game 5 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals, before Milwaukee rallied to win that series and eventually the NBA title. … The Nets fell to 0-6 vs. the 76ers at home in the playoffs. They are 4-5 on the road, with one win in 2019 and three in 1984, when they stunned the defending NBA champions 3-2 in the first round.

SECRET STAT?

76ers coach Doc Rivers was answering a question about how the Nets were defending Harden when he revealed something that created some puzzled looks in the room.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m campaigning, but I am,” Rivers said. “James and Joel do lead the league in missed calls, as far as fouls. They got fouled the most, and that’s not a Sixers stat by the way. I’m just saying.”

Asked for more details about this stat, Rivers would only reply: “I will just say that it’s a stat that we know that it’s there.”

CELTICS’ BROGDON NAMED SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon won the Sixth Man of the Year Award for the 2022-23 season, the league announced Thursday on TNT.

Brogdon earned 60 out of 100 first-place votes, beating out New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis for the award.

In his first season with the Celtics, the veteran guard averaged 14.9 points on 48% shooting from the field, with 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 67 games.

Brogdon had a particularly efficient shooting season, averaging a career high in true shooting percentage at 62%, as well as knocking down 44% of his 3-pointers.

Brogdon is the second player ever to win both Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, joining Mike Miller. The 30-year-old won Rookie of the Year in 2017 as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Boston acquired Brogdon during the offseason for a collection of five players, including Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis, as well as a 2023 first-round pick.

The last Celtics player to win the distinction was Bill Walton in 1986. Prior to that, franchise legend Kevin McHale won the two previous awards.

The Celtics face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday with hopes to take a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

NHL PLAYOFFS

PAVELSKI NOT TRAVELING WITH STARS FOR GAMES 3-4 VERSUS WILD

DALLAS (AP) Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski didn’t travel with the team to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Wild while still in concussion protocol from a crushing hit in the opener.

Coach Pete DeBoer said Thursday before the Stars left for Minnesota that he has “lots of hope” that Pavelski can return at some point during the series.

“He’s getting better every day,” DeBoer said. “He was at the game last night, just not coming on this trip.”

After Game 3 on Friday night and Game 4 on Sunday, the best-of-seven series that is now tied at a game each will return to Dallas for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

The 38-year-old Pavelski had just cleared the puck midway through the second period of Game 1 on Monday night when he took a big hit from Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba. Pavelski banged his head hard on the ice when he fell.

Pavelski missed the first six games of the Western Conference semifinals for San Jose against Colorado in 2019 after a hit he took in Game 7 of the first-round series against Vegas. Pavelski was the Sharks’ captain at the time, and DeBoer was their coach.

DeBoer had said before the Stars won Game 2 on Wednesday night that Pavelski “was in a much worse place at that time” than he is now.

TAVARES, MARNER LEAD MAPLE LEAFS PAST LIGHTNING, SERIES TIED

TORONTO (AP) John Tavares almost singlehandedly got the Toronto Maple Leafs back into their opening round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tavares had his first playoff hat trick and the Maple Leafs rebounded from a poor playoff start with a lopsided 7-2 victory over the Lightning on Thursday night to even the teams’ first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

“We wanted to have a good response,” the 32-year-old Tavares said. “As the captain, tried to set the standard.”

Mitch Marner had two goals and an assist, William Nylander added a goal and an assist, and Zach Aston-Reese also scored for Toronto.

Morgan Rielly tied a franchise record with four assists. Auston Matthews also had two assists for the Maple Leafs, whose stars stepped up.

“That’s the type of performance you’re looking for from those guys,” Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We needed to have a good day today, and we did.

“Now we have a series.”

Ilya Samsonov made 20 saves for Toronto after being pulled in Tuesday’s 7-3 loss.

“More fun to watch,” the Maple Leafs goaltender said. “Offensive zone, we dominate today. Defensive zone, we block ton of shots.”

Ian Cole and Corey Perry scored for the Lightning, who were without injured defensemen Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak.

“These guys are pros,” Tampa head coach Jon Cooper said. “We all had a close seat to what happened. They know what’s going on.”

Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has played every minute of Lightning postseason action since 2020, allowed seven goals on 37 shots.

The series shifts to Florida, where Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven set are scheduled for Saturday and Monday.

“Clear slate,” Marner said. “Be ready to go.”

Facing a 0-2 deficit against an opponent that’s a perfect 10-0 all-time when winning the first two games of a series, Toronto scored 47 seconds into the opening period on a power play when Marner beat Vasilevskiy with a slap shot on the first shot.

The Maple Leafs survived two Lightning power plays thanks to Samsonov and some desperate shot blocks. Then, Tavares made it 2-0 at 12:45 when he took a pass from Rielly and fired through a screen.

Toronto took a three-goal lead on a delayed penalty when Nylander scored his second of the series at 15:08.

After being booed at every buzzer on Tuesday, the Maple Leafs received a loud ovation from their towel-waving fans as they headed to the locker room.

Toronto, which lost to Tampa in a tight first-round series last spring and hasn’t advanced in the post-season since 2004, continued to push in the second.

The Lightning, who won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 and reached the championship round last year, scored at 8:58 of the second when Cole scored off the rush to make it 3-1.

The Maple Leafs wobbled a bit, but Tavares scored his second of the game at 13:14.

Toronto’s fourth line got in on the action when Aston-Reese banged home a loose puck at 15:52, before Marner added his second on a shot that glanced off a Lightning player in front of Vasilevskiy with 1:58 left in the period.

Cooper briefly considered pulling the 2019 Vezina Trophy winner to give him a breather.

“That was quickly shut down by the goalie,” Cooper said. “That’s why he’s the best in the world. He’s not coming out.

“Once again, tip your cap to that kid.”

Perry, who had a goal and two assists Tuesday, added his second of the series for the Lightning with 7:22 left. The winger then dropped the gloves with Justin Holl before both got sent off the ice.

Tavares completed his hat trick – the 12th of his career – with under five minutes remaining on a man advantage.

“Johnny was outstanding,” Rielly said. “We could be here all night talking about the great things that he brings for our team on and off the ice. His actions spoke louder than words tonight.

“We’re tied up and we’re going on the road.”

NOTES: Both teams were minus key pieces Thursday. Hedman sat out with an undisclosed injury suffered in Game 1, while Cernak didn’t dress after taking an illegal check to the head from Michael Bunting in the opener. The Toronto winger was suspended three games. Tampa center Michael Eyssimont also didn’t suit up after taking a huge hit Tuesday from Toronto’s Jake McCabe. … The Lightning did get some positive injury news with Jeannot’s return from a leg injury suffered earlier this month. … Toronto rookie Matthew Knies made his playoff debut in place of Bunting. … Rielly’s four assists tied the franchise record in a playoff game, joining Doug Gilmour (1994), Darryl Sittler (1977) and Ian Turnbull (1976). His three assists in the first marked the only time in team history a Toronto player registered three points in a postseason period. … Marner’s goal 47 seconds into the first was the quickest by a Maple Leafs player in the postseason since Dan Daoust (31 seconds) in 1987.

KREIDER SCORES 2 MORE, RANGERS OPEN 2-0 LEAD ON DEVILS

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Rangers and Chris Kreider certainly picked the right time to get their power play in high gear.

Kreider scored two more power-play goals in a three-goal second period and the Rangers stunned the New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Thursday night to a take a 2-0 lead on the road in their first-round playoff series.

The series has revolved around the power play. The Rangers are 4 of 10 on their chances with the extra skater, with Kreider tipping in all four goals. The Devils are 1 for 8, so they are not scoring – and are giving up goals when defending.

“He’s one of the best, not only in the league, just that I have ever seen,” said Patrick Kane, who had a goal and the two primary assists on Kreider’s goals. “He’s able to get his stick on everything. In practice, we do a lot of drills where shots are coming from the point and he just tips everything.”

And they go in the net.

Rangers center Vincent Trocheck said while it might look as though the Devils are leaving Kreider alone in front of the net, New York has Kane, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin and Kreider on the ice for their power plays.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily leaving him alone. I mean, it’s a 5-on-4,” Trocheck said. ” You got Panarin, Kane, Mika, Fox, Kreider out there. You’re going to take away four of them, but you don’t want to leave any of them open.”

Vladimir Tarasenko and Kaapo Kakko also scored and Fox added two more assists to give him six in two games. Igor Shesterkin had a relatively easy night, making 21 saves.

“Their power play has been dangerous,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “That has been the biggest difference”

Erik Haula scored for New Jersey, which has been outscored 10-2 after going 3-0-1 in the regular season against New York. Vitek Vanecek finished with 26 saves in a game that got one-sided and chippy late.

Referee Wes McCauley and Frederick L’Ecuyer sent five players from each team to the locker room with 6:40 left.

The best-of-seven series shifts across the Hudson River to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday, respectively.

“No one’s over the moon. There’s a long way to go,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said.

Haula put New Jersey on the board first with a rebound in the crease in the waning seconds of a power play.

Tarasenko got the Rangers going 5:53 into the second period, taking a pass from Fox and beating Vanecek with a shot from the top of the circles.

A little more than four minutes later, Kreider tipped a slap shot from Kane past the Devils goalie. He stretched the lead to 3-1, using great hand-eye coordination to pop a soft pass by Kane over Vanecek’s shoulder into the net.

Kane scored on a breakaway at 6:34 of the third period after sustained Devils pressure. Kakko scored in close shortly after a New Jersey penalty ended.

After setting franchise record for wins (52) and points (112) in one of the biggest turnaround seasons in league history, the Devils are suddenly faced with seeing their season in jeopardy.

“This is what we worked for all year,” forward Timo Meier said. “We’re staying positive, we’re going to move on and obviously look and correct some things. But now it’s go time and go win the next game.”

Devils young superstar Jack Hughes acknowledged it’s frustrating not being able to play as well as they did in the regular season.

“They’re a good team, so we’re just not playing to our standard,” he said, “and it’s biting us in the (butt) right now.”

NOTES: With the Rangers cruising late, fourth-line center Michael McLeod and New York defenseman Braden Schneider had a big fight with both landing haymakers. … New York’s two wins by four goals each marks the first time they have done that in the opening two games of a series since 1994, the year they won the Stanley Cup. … The Rangers didn’t make any lineup changes. … The Devils benched D Jonas Siegenthaler and F Jesper Boqvist and dressed veteran D Brendan Smith and F Yegor Sharangovich. Coach Lindy Ruff also changed some of his lines, with the most notable being moving Meier to the top line with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer.

TOEWS SCORES WINNER, AVS RALLY TO TIE SERIES WITH KRAKEN

DENVER (AP) Devon Toews scored with 7:01 remaining to complete Colorado’s rally from two goals down as the Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Thursday night to even their first-round series at a game apiece.

Trailing 2-0 in the second period, Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin scored 48 seconds apart to tie the game. It set the stage for Toews, who knocked in a rebound for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Justin Schultz and Brandon Tanev scored for a Kraken team that once again got off to a flying start after winning 3-1 in Game 1.

Alexandar Georgiev was tested all night and finished with 27 saves. One of his top stops was in the closing seconds of the second period with Seattle on a 3-on-1 break. A pass was sent over to Jordan Eberle, but a sprawled-out Georgiev prevented the score with his extended right leg.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday in Seattle.

Philipp Grubauer stopped 38 shots against his former team. He spent three seasons in Colorado before signing with Seattle prior to the 2021-22 season.

The Avalanche vowed to play with more intensity and more resolve. But it was the Kraken who controlled the early tempo. The Seattle defense found a way to contain Nathan MacKinnon and his speedy cast – until the second period.

That’s when Colorado hit its stride. Lehkonen and Nichushkin re-energized the capacity crowd by scoring 48 seconds apart. Last season, Lehkonen played a role in a two-goal spurt over a 15-second span when he and Josh Manson scored in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

MacKinnon nearly scored a go-ahead goal midway through the third on a mini-breakaway. Grubauer stopped his shot and tumbled into the goal as the puck trickled to the side of the net.

For the second straight game, the Kraken scored early. This time, it was the result of a 2-on-1 break where Schultz sent the puck through the pads of Georgiev. The Kraken were 32-7-3 in the regular season when scoring first.

Tanev added a short-handed goal to make it 2-0 and then blew a kiss to the crowd.

The injuries continue to pile up for the Avalanche with defenseman Jack Johnson and forward Andrew Cogliano sidelined for a second straight game. Midway through the third period, Lars Eller slammed into the boards and struggled to get to the bench.

Colorado used 43 different players in the regular season, the most in a season since the Avalanche moved to town before the 1995-96 season. One of the biggest absences has been captain Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t played all year due to a knee injury.

AROUND THE RINK

Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play. … Kraken forward Yanni Gourde had two assists. … The teams combined for 90 hits.

STONE SCORES TWICE TO LIFT GOLDEN KNIGHTS PAST JETS 5-2

LAS VEGAS (AP) Mark Stone scored two third-period goals and assisted on another in just his second game since returning from back surgery to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-2 victory over Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night in Game 2 to even the first-round series.

Chandler Stephenson and William Karlsson each had a goal and an assist, Jack Eichel scored his first career playoff goal and Phil Kessel and Alex Pietrangelo each had two assists. Laurent Brossoit made 31 saves.

Stone’s goals were his first since January. He underwent back surgery Jan. 31 and returned in time for this game.

Adam Lowry and Kevin Stenlund each scored for the Jets, and Connor Hellebuyck made 34 stops.

Game 3 is Saturday afternoon at Winnipeg.

Lowry scored on a power play at 9:18 of the first period, redirecting Neal Pionk’s shot from the point to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead. It was his third goal in a row. He ended the series opener, a 5-1 Jets victory, with a power play goal and empty netter in the final 1:21.

The Jets dominated the first period by outshooting Vegas 17-8, and tensions were high with three fights breaking out and 18 minutes of penalties handed out.

But the Knights came out stronger in the second period and took the first lead of the series on Karlsson’s shot from the slot and Eichel’s redirect from 21 feet away.

Winnipeg evened the game at 2-2 on Stenlund’s goal off a 2-on-1 breakaway with 3:59 left.

The Knights broke open the game with three third-period goals.

BLOODIED BUT NOT BOWED

The first two games have not easy from a physical standpoint for the Jets.

Morgan Barron took a skate to his face in Game 1 dangerously close to his right eye that required more than 75 stitches. Then on Thursday, Hellebuyck took a shot to the helmet of Jack Eichel’s stick that put bloodied his face near his left eye.

It was a quite a sequence for Hellebuyck, who moments earlier made a lunging glove save off a power-play shot from Stephenson. He somehow kept the puck in front of the goal line to keep the Knights off the scoreboard.

PERSONNEL MOVES

Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers (upper-body injury) remained out. Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness has been calling Ehlers day to day. Ehlers last played April 11 at Minnesota, but said before this series he felt ready to go.

Adin Hill was the Knights’ backup goalie in place of Jonathan Quick, who entered the playoffs at No. 2. Hill was 16-7-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage, but hasn’t played since March 7 because of a lower-body injury.

Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb went to the locker room midway through the third period after delivering a big check into the boards.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

SCHERZER SUSPENDED 10 GAMES FOR FOREIGN-SUBSTANCE VIOLATION

MLB suspended New York Mets right-hander Max Scherzer 10 games for violating the league’s foreign-substance policy, the league announced Thursday.

Scherzer said he’s not appealing his ban because he doesn’t think he can win on appeal.

“I thought I was going get in front of a neutral arbitrator, but I wasn’t. It was going to be through MLB. Given that process, I wasn’t going to come out on top,” Scherzer said, according to SNY.

The star hurler was also fined $10,000, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Umpires ejected the 38-year-old from Wednesday’s contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers after they discovered a foreign substance on his glove and hand.

Scherzer was removed from the game between the third and fourth innings following a verbal dispute with umpire Phil Cuzzi after he was asked to change his glove and wash his hands following a routine foreign-substance check.

“Based on the umpires’ training to detect rosin on a pitcher’s hands, they concluded that the level of stickiness during the fourth-inning check was so extreme that it was inconsistent with the use of rosin and/or sweat alone,” the league said in a statement.

MLB added: “Consistent with official baseball rules, the umpires then appropriately ejected Mr. Scherzer from the game.”

The Mets ace said he followed an MLB official’s instructions in how he washed his hands, re-applied rosin, and mixed it with sweat before returning to pitch the fourth inning. Umpires told him that his hand was still too sticky, which led to the argument in which he was ejected.

“(Cuzzi) said my hand’s too sticky, and I said, ‘I swear on my kids’ life, I’m not using anything else. This is sweat and rosin. Sweat and rosin,'” Scherzer said, per SNY. “I keep saying it over and over, and they touch my hand, and they say, ‘It’s sticky.’ … And they threw me out because of that.”

Crew chief Dan Bellino said the level of stickiness on Scherzer’s hand was much worse than it was during the initial inspection.

“This was the stickiest that (a hand) has been since I’ve been inspecting hands, which now goes back three seasons,” he said, according to Healey.

Rosin, in certain circumstances, qualifies as an illegal substance, according to a memo sent to teams before the season began. Umpires approve one rosin bag before each game, and it’s brought to the mound by an MLB compliance officer. Any other sort of rosin application isn’t allowed.

D-BACKS DESIGNATE 4-TIME ALL-STAR BUMGARNER FOR ASSIGNMENT

PHOENIX (AP) The up-and-coming Arizona Diamondbacks see themselves as potential contenders in the National League West after a good start to the season.

That optimism forced general manager Mike Hazen to make a tough decision on Thursday.

The D-backs designated four-time All-Star Madison Bumgarner for assignment following his latest shaky start, eating nearly $34.4 million of the salary from his $85 million, five-year deal that was signed in 2020.

“I ask our players and staff to have urgency around how we’re going to play and attack, so I have to do the same thing,” Hazen said. “That was part of the reason we made a decision. The team has played its butts off over the first three weeks of the season, frankly.”

The move takes Bumgarner off the team’s 40-man roster and leaves Arizona seven days to trade the 2014 World Series MVP or else place him on outright waivers. The Diamondbacks announced the move Thursday, a day after Bumgarner allowed seven runs in three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The big left-hander hasn’t lived up to expectations in the desert since signing his long-term deal in 2020. A postseason hero for San Francisco, he has gone 15-32 with a 5.23 ERA in 69 starts and is having his worst season with Arizona.

The 33-year-old has allowed at least five runs in three of his four starts and dropped to 1-3 with a 10.26 ERA after his latest blowup at St. Louis.

“I wish I had some kind of answers,” Bumgarner said after Wednesday’s game. “Not that I’m not going look for them – I’m going to look for them. But right now, I don’t have any for you guys. I wish I did. But I don’t.”

Hazen praised Bumgarner on Thursday, saying the pitcher came to spring training in great shape and did everything he could to improve. There were occasional good moments, but he was never close to the same pitcher he was in San Francisco.

Hazen said he wasn’t sure why Bumgarner’s steep decline couldn’t be stopped.

“We’ve all lost a lot of sleep over it, trying to answer that question,” Hazen said. “I haven’t answered it yet and we’re here today, so I don’t have the answer for you. It just didn’t work out.”

Bumgarner is owed $20.4 million this season and roughly $34.4 million on the remainder of his contract. If he clears waivers, he would be clear to sign with any team for a prorated share of the league minimum of $720,000.

Bumgarner was one of baseball’s best pitchers during 11 seasons with the Giants, helping them win three World Series titles. He was a workhorse for San Francisco during that time, going over 200 innings seven times in addition to 16 postseason appearances, including a memorable five-inning save in Game 7 of the ’14 Series.

The D-backs have several options to take Bumgarner’s spot in the rotation, including prospects Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt. They called up lefty reliever Anthony Misiewicz to bolster the bullpen in the meantime.

OAKLAND A’S PURCHASE LAND FOR NEW STADIUM IN LAS VEGAS

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Athletics have signed a binding agreement to purchase land for a new retractable roof ballpark in Las Vegas after being unable to build a new venue in the Bay Area.

Team president Dave Kaval said Wednesday night the team finalized a deal last week to buy the 49-acre site where the A’s plan to build the stadium close to the Las Vegas Strip with a seating capacity of 30,000 to 35,000.

The A’s will work with Nevada and Clark County on a public-private partnership to fund the stadium. Kaval said the A’s hope to break ground by next year and would hope to be move to their new home by 2027.

“It’s obviously a very big milestone for us,” Kaval said. “We spent almost two years working in Las Vegas to try to determine a location that works for a long-term home. To identify a site and have a purchase agreement is a big step.”

The A’s had been looking for a new home for years to replace the outdated and run-down Oakland Coliseum, where the team has played since arriving from Kansas City for the 1968 season. They had sought to build a stadium in Fremont and San Jose before shifting their attention to the Oakland waterfront.

Las Vegas would be the fourth home for a franchise that started as the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-54.

“We’re turning our full attention to Las Vegas,” Kaval said. “We were on parallel paths before. But we’re focused really on Las Vegas as our path to find a future home for the A’s.”

Commissioner Rob Manfred said in December the A’s would not have to pay a relocation fee if the team moved to Las Vegas.

“We’re past any reasonable timeline for the situation in Oakland to be resolved,” Manfred said then.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said in a statement that she was disappointed the A’s didn’t negotiate with the city as a “true partner.”

“The city has gone above and beyond in our attempts to arrive at mutually beneficial terms to keep the A’s in Oakland,” she said. “In the last three months, we’ve made significant strides to close the deal. Yet, it is clear to me that the A’s have no intention of staying in Oakland and have simply been using this process to try to extract a better deal out of Las Vegas. I am not interested in continuing to play that game – the fans and our residents deserve better.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a City, including securing a fully entitled site and over $375 million in new infrastructure investment that will benefit Oakland and its Port for generations to come. In a time of budget deficits, I refuse to compromise the safety and well-being of our residents. Given these realities, we are ceasing negotiations and moving forward on alternatives for the redevelopment of Howard Terminal.”

The A’s would be only the second MLB team to change cities in more than a half-century. Since the Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers for 1972, the only team to relocate was the Montreal Expos, who became the Washington Nationals in 2005.

The A’s lease at the Coliseum expires after the 2024 season. The A’s has struggled to draw fans to the Coliseum in recent years as owner John Fisher has slashed payroll and many of the team’s most recognizable stars have been traded away.

Oakland had the lowest opening day payroll in baseball at at $58 million – less than the combined salaries of Mets pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, who tied for the major league high of $43.3 million.

The team is 3-16 this season and has been outscored by 86 runs – the worst mark through 19 games since 1899. The average attendance through 12 home games this season is 11,027 for the lowest mark in the majors and less than half of the league average of about 27,800. The A’s haven’t drawn 2 million fans at home since 2014 — their only year reaching the mark since 2005.

If the A’s leave Oakland, the city with a rich sports tradition would have no major pro sports teams with the NFL’s Raiders having moved to Las Vegas in 2020 and the NBA’s Warriors moving across the bay to San Francisco in 2019.

“We know it’s a difficult message for our folks in Oakland,” Kaval said. “Obviously we’re grateful for all the hard work that went into the waterfront. But we have been unable to achieve success or make enough progress.”

Las Vegas is quickly become a sports mecca after years of being considered a pariah because of ties to the gambling industry. With gambling legalized in much of the country, the city now could have a baseball team to join the NHL’s Golden Knights, who began as an expansion team in 2017 and the Raiders.

MLB ROUNDUP: 9TH-INNING SLAM LIFTS DODGERS OVER CUBS

Rookie James Outman clubbed a tiebreaking grand slam in the ninth inning, his second homer of the night, and the Los Angeles Dodgers cooled off the host Chicago Cubs with a 6-2 victory on Thursday night.

Outman also homered in the third, one inning after Max Muncy’s eighth home run of the season for Los Angeles. David Peralta and Miguel Vargas each had two hits for the Dodgers, who got three-plus innings of two-run, five-hit ball from starter Michael Grove before he left with a right groin strain.

Cody Bellinger homered for Chicago, which had won four straight and 10 of the previous 13 and was leading the NL with an average of 5.21 runs.

After scheduled Cubs starter Jameson Taillon was placed on the 15-day injury list due to a left groin strain, Javier Assad was called up from Triple-A Iowa. Assad allowed two solo homers, one other hit and two walks in three innings.

Mets 9, Giants 4

Pete Alonso continued his torrid start with a homer and four RBI as visiting New York beat San Francisco in the opener of a four-game series.

Jeff McNeil and Eduardo Escobar also homered for the Mets, who improved to 6-1 on their 10-game California road trip. The homer was the first of the season for McNeil, who had three hits. Brandon Nimmo went 3-for-5 one day after tying a career high with five hits.

Blake Sabol and LaMonte Wade Jr. homered during a four-run fifth inning for the Giants, who have lost six of seven.

Padres 7, Diamondbacks 5

Trent Grisham drove in four runs with a pair of doubles and Xander Bogaerts and Matt Carpenter homered as visiting San Diego defeated Arizona.

The Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. went 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts in his return from an 80-game PED suspension. It was Tatis’ first major league game since the end of the 2021 season.

Grisham’s second double, off Kyle Nelson (3-1), snapped a 5-5 tie in the top of the sixth. Brent Honeywell (2-0) worked two scoreless innings for the win, and Josh Hader earned his sixth save.

Rockies 5, Phillies 0

C.J. Cron homered, singled and drove in two runs to lift Colorado past host Philadelphia.

Elias Diaz added an RBI single for the Rockies, who entered the game with the worst record in the National League but managed to snap an eight-game losing streak. Rockies starter Ryan Feltner (1-2) tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six.

The Phillies had only six hits and left all 11 runners on base. Matt Strahm (1-2) gave up three hits and three runs, struck out a career-high 11 and walked two in 5 1/3 innings.

Yankees 9, Angels 3

Jose Trevino had a three-run double in a five-run first inning and New York cruised to a win against visiting Los Angeles in the rubber game of a three-game series.

Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-3, scored two runs and drove in another and Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza each contributed two RBIs for the Yankees. New York starter Nestor Cortes (3-0) allowed three runs in six innings.

For the Angels, Logan O’Hoppe had three hits and two RBIs, Luis Rengifo scored two runs and Patrick Sandoval (1-1) allowed five runs and four hits in four innings. Sandoval matched his career high of six walks.

Red Sox 11, Twins 5

Offense wasn’t a problem for host Boston, which collected 14 hits including home runs from Alex Verdugo and Yu Chang in beating Minnesota.

The Red Sox received seven strong innings from pitcher Tanner Houck in the longest start of his major league career. Houck (3-0) allowed three runs on six hits, struck out seven and walked one.

Kike Hernandez had three of Boston’s 14 hits and scored two runs.

Pirates 4, Reds 3

Connor Joe and Jack Suwinski hit back-to-back home runs in a four-run first inning to send Pittsburgh on its way to a win over visiting Cincinnati.

The Pirates have won four straight and five of their past six. Pittsburgh starter Roansy Contreras (2-1) allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, with eight strikeouts and two walks. It was the team’s 10th straight quality start.

Jason Vosler and Jonathan India each hit an RBI single for the Reds, who have lost three in a row and four of five.

NFL NEWS

NFL PROSPECT JEFFERSON RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER CRASH

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) Former Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver and NFL prospect Michael Jefferson has been released from the hospital after his involvement in a car accident earlier this month in which a 55-year-old was killed.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Jefferson attorney Brad Sohn said Thursday that the NFL hopeful “would not have made it this far without being a fighter and remains in good spirits under the circumstances.”

“He still has optimism that – even as he continues to undergo grueling rehabilitation – he can have an outstanding NFL career,” Sohn’s statement said. “We believe that optimism is well-founded and hope a team will still select this terrific young man and great football player.”

At about 7:55 p.m. on April 9, Easter Sunday, a car driven by Charles A. Dunn collided head-on with a 2014 Dodge Charger driven by Jefferson, 23. Another vehicle then struck Dunn’s car. Dunn was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sohn said that “a drunk driver tragically hit my client.”

Asked if there was any evidence that Dunn was impaired at the time, a spokesperson with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the agency had no further comment on the crash.

Jefferson played the last two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette after transferring from Alabama State. He finished with his best season, catching 51 passes for 810 yards and seven touchdowns.

Jefferson has been projected as a potential late-round pick in the draft starting April 27.

NFL DRAFT-TOP LINEBACKERS

DREW SANDERS-ARKANSAS

Sanders was a big signing for Alabama in 2020, ranking as a five-star prospect and top overall high school player from talent-rich Texas. The two-way star played on the defensive side and on special teams as a true freshman for the national champions, making nine stops in 12 contests. The Denton native started three times in 12 appearances the following year (24 tackles, 2.5 for loss with one sack, two pass breakups) but was limited by an injury suffered at Ole Miss midway through the season. Sanders decided to transfer to Arkansas to play inside for the Razorbacks in 2022 and stood out immediately. He garnered first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-SEC honors and was a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, leading the team with 103 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Sanders also intercepted a pass and broke up five others in 12 starts before opting out of the team’s bowl game to prepare for the draft. 

Overview

Unique linebacker prospect with the physical traits, athleticism and skill set to be deployed as an inside linebacker or a stand-up edge rusher. The former five-star Alabama signee transferred to Arkansas for the 2022 season and posted eye-catching production with the Razorbacks. He plays with good technique in take-ons and has plenty of pursuit range, but he’s still finding his footing with his run fits and tackle consistency. He’s a tough out for interior protection as a blitzing linebacker and has natural rush talent to hunt quarterbacks off the edge. Sanders’ athletic gifts, versatility and toughness could help him become a highly impactful playmaker with Pro Bowl upside.

Strengths

• Demeanor and traits of a playmaker.
• Long, explosive, rangy and versatile.
• Can line up at inside linebacker or as an outside rusher.
• Wickedly fluid slide-and-swim move as an A-, B- or C-gap rusher.
• Possesses athletic ability to beat tackles around the edge.
• Willing to dart into gaps when he recognizes disruption potential.
• Lateral scrape quickness to beat blocker to the spot.
• Contact balance keeps him upright and in the play.
• Capable in sideline-to-sideline pursuit.

Weaknesses

• Just one season as a full-time starter.
• Will need to add more mass and base strength.
• Inconsistent in reading his keys for misdirection.
• Some change-of-direction delay in coverage.
• Pursuit leverage and tackle balance need improvement.
• Allows runners to slip away from his grasp.

NOLAN SMITH GEORGIA

Smith was rated the top overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite. The Georgia native went to IMG Academy for two years, winning the Maxwell Club’s Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior. He was the co-winner of the Bulldogs’ Defensive Newcomer of the Year award in 2019 (18 tackles, 2.5 sacks). He started one of 10 games in 2020 (22 tackles, 2.5 sacks) before breaking out in 2021, starting 14 games for the national champions (56 tackles, nine for loss with 3.5 sacks, one interception) and leading the squad with three forced fumbles. Smith started the first eight games of the Bulldogs’ 2022 title march (18 tackles, seven for loss with three sacks) before suffering a season-ending torn pectoral muscle.

Overview

Lower weight class edge defender with the toughness to mix it up with bigger players. Based purely upon his sleek but smallish frame, one might expect him to be more effective as a rusher than run defender but the opposite is true. Smith is hard to move off of his spot due to his technique and leverage, and he can be disruptive when firing into gaps. He can get off the mark as a rusher, but lacks the counters and contact balance to consistently assault the pocket at a high rate. Smith falls below the size standards some team might have for a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he plays team-first defense with quality technique that should help him translate to the pros.

Strengths

• Plays with a team-first mindset and plus toughness.
• Attacks pulling blocks.
• First with hands to separate and stay ready.
• Rare point of attack leverage strength for his size.
• Cuts a tight, efficient track to the ball in pursuit.
• Potential to become a bend-and-flatten rusher.
• Agility for more creative edge-to-edge attacks in the future.

Weaknesses

• Slender through waist and hips, with a need for more mass.
• Unable to generate speed-to-power conversion.
• Rush plan can be monotonous and lacking counters.
• Squared up punch from tackle can derail his pass rush.
• Unable to control block and shed quickly.
• Exerts excessive strain to battle tackles at the point of attack.
• Very average pursuit speed for a smaller player.

TRENTON SIMPSON CLEMSON

Simpson was a top-20 overall recruit out of Mallard Creek High School in North Carolina. He started three of 12 games played as a true freshman (28 tackles, 6.5 for loss with four sacks) and racked up 64 tackles, 12 for loss, with six sacks in 13 games (12 starts) in 2021. Simpson was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2022 (72 tackles, four for loss, with 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles in 12 starts), missing the Orange Bowl due to an ankle injury. His father, Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy D. Simpson, served 17 overseas tours with the U.S. Army Rangers.

Overview

Chiseled weakside linebacker with rare speed for the position to run down the action in all directions. Simpson played inside in 2022 but displayed average play recognition and a lack of patience that saw him get caught in traffic near the line. He can play run-and-hit football with his speed when playing outside. He needs to cut back the arm tackles and pursue with better angles to the ball. He’s a premium athlete capable of squeezing routes from zone and attacking the pocket as a blitzer. Simpson isn’t quite game-ready yet, but players with his traits and range eventually find the field.

Strengths

• Starting experience at inside and outside linebacker spots.
• Plays with good bend through read and scrape phase.
• Good read and response to his keys.
• Blazing speed to track down ball-carriers in all directions.
• Ideal traits for use as a spy on mobile quarterbacks.
• Good stack-and-shed twitch when taking on tight ends.
• Quick to squeeze routes underneath.
• Explosive charge forward when activated as a blitzer.

Weaknesses

• Base is a little light to play inside.
• Gets bumped and bounced by climbing blocks.
• Below-average feel for attacking blocks with timing.
• Sinks into the mess unnecessarily while diagnosing.
• Pursuit angles to sideline can run too steep.
• Inconsistent to break down and center his tackle tries.
• Moments of coverage confusion in 2022.

JACK CAMPBELL IOWA

Campbell could have played Division I basketball after helping his Cedar Falls High School squad win Iowa state titles as a junior and senior. He chose to sign with the Hawkeyes football program, though, playing in 11 games as a reserve as a true freshman. He missed the first three games of 2020 due to an illness but came back to play in five games off the bench (29 tackles, 4.5 for loss with one sack, one interception, three pass breakups). Campbell broke out as a junior, garnering third-team All-Big Ten Conference and the team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player honors by leading the FBS with 143 tackles (3.5 for loss) in 14 starts. He also intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, broke up six others and forced one fumble. He starred for the Hawkeyes again in 2022 (128 tackles, 5.5 for loss in 13 starts), winning the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and garnering first-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Linebacker of the Year recognition. Campbell also received the 2022 William V. Campbell Award, also known as the Academic Heisman.

Overview

Inside linebacker who is built for the box and plays with good overall physicality. Campbell’s size allows him to challenge blocks and stand his ground despite inconsistent hand usage at the take-on point. He scrapes and plugs his run fits with workmanlike dependability but lacks the short-area burst and reactive athleticism teams typically look for from NFL starters. He plays with above-average field awareness. He’s capable as a zone defender and in some matchups against in-line tight ends. What you see is what you get with Campbell, and teams will need to balance the consistency with the playmaking limitations in their evaluations.

Strengths

• Big, long frame for the position.
• Highly communicative with his teammates on the field.
• Feel for blocking schemes and a nose for the action.
• Able to step downhill and neutralize lead blocker.
• Scrapes with pads square to the line.
• Finds his run fit and spills the action wide.
• Careful to close distance to ensure tackle success.
• Awareness and ball skills to succeed in zone coverage.

Weaknesses

• Plays conservatively on his second-level perch.
• Initial diagnosis movements lack suddenness.
• Allows climbing blockers into frame before punching.
• Needs to play off blocker with better efficiency.
• Tall center of gravity slows change of direction in open field.
• Lacking desired short-area burst in pursuit.
• Long legs hinder ability to match in man coverage.

HENRY TO’OTO’O ALABAMA

To’oTo’o was a top 50 national recruit from De La Salle High School in California when signing with Tennessee. He was a Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team pick with the Volunteers in 2019, starting 12 of 13 games (72 tackles, five for loss, blocked kick). To’oTo’o led his squad with 76 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 2020 (also intercepting one pass and breaking up two others) while starting all 10 games at the Will spot. He transferred from Tennessee to Alabama for 2021. To’oTo’o earned second-team All-SEC honors in his first season with the Tide, leading the team with 112 tackles (8.5 for loss with four sacks) and breaking up two passes in 15 starts. He was a first-team all-conference pick as a senior, starting all 13 games (93 tackles, eight for loss with 2.5 sacks). 

Overview

Assignment-oriented linebacker whose play is steady but unspectacular. To’oTo’o is tough but lacks thump inside and doesn’t have the speed to cut off angles and stop outside run plays before they get to the corner. He’s a good technician but his play is a little more conservative than it will need to be with relatively average traits. To’oTo’o is always under control and generally where he needs to be. He’s just average in coverage and will need to become much more consistent as an open-field tackler. Good backup to below-average starter could be his career path whether he plays inside or outside.

Strengths

• Operates with above average technical savvy.
• Strikes the block with decent pop and leverage.
• Extends and separates from blocker to stay pursuit-ready.
• Rarely drifts too far into the forest while diagnosing the action.
• Scrapes efficiently to the action with squared pads.
• Consistent to mirror runner’s cuts and lane choices.
• Operates with good discipline against zone read.
• Adequate athleticism for spot drops in coverage.

Weaknesses

• Missing desired stopping force to be a thumper.
• Needs faster downhill flow to disrupt block timing.
• Inconsistent balance taking on second-level blocks.
• Lacks the range to hunt and tackle from sideline to sideline.
• Below average eye-balance, losing track of receivers.
• Leggy change of direction in open field leads to missed tackles.

GENERAL MANAGER BRETT VEACH SAYS CHIEFS UNDECIDED ON PICKING UP RB CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE’S FIFTH-YEAR OPTION

The future of former Chiefs first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Kansas City beyond next season is an uncertain one.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Thursday the team has yet to make a decision on whether to pick up Edwards-Helaire’s fifth-year rookie option.

“I mean we have some time here,” said Veach, via team transcript. “We’ll see. I just think we’ll go through the draft and handle our business and make smart decisions like we always do. I don’t think we’ve reached a decision on anything yet, but safe to say that once we get through the draft, we’ll look at our board and look at our offseason business that we have to attend to, some different players and contract stuff and we’ll handle all that after the draft.”

There isn’t all that much time to make a decision, as May 2 stands as the deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Months after hoisting the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy, the Chiefs appeared as though they were the rich getting richer back in 2020. Out of LSU, Edwards-Helaire seemed to be a perfect fit for the taking at No. 32 overall. He had a championship pedigree and a dual-threat resume. As a rookie, CEH was excellent to the tune of 803 rushing yards, 297 yards receiving and five total touchdowns.

However, CEH’s rushing yards have gone down each season and he’s been hampered by injuries throughout his three-year stay in K.C., having missed multiple games each year and having played in just 10 games in each of the last two.

Complicating matters for Edwards-Helaire was the 2022 NFL Draft, as the Chiefs found a diamond in the rough of the seventh round, selecting Isiah Pacheco, who produced 830 yards rushing during Kansas City’s run to its latest Super Bowl triumph. Veteran Jerick McKinnon is still a free agent and is another option for the Chiefs backfield after hauling in nine TD catches for the squad last year.

Sidelined by an ankle injury for the final seven games of the 2022 regular-season, CEH is on the road back from an injury with an uncertain future ahead.

WILL NICK SIRIANNI’S APPROACH CHANGE WITH EAGLES QB JALEN HURTS’ NEW CONTRACT? ‘WE DIDN’T PAY HIM MORE TO DO LESS’

Through dual threat dazzlement, Jalen Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl berth and himself to a massive new contract.

Don’t expect Hurts’ big five-year, $255 million payday to influence how he’s handled on the field, however.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni made it known Thursday that while keeping Hurts healthy has and will continue to be paramount, he’s not going to rein in what’s made his quarterback a dynamic talent so far.

“Will we still think about how to protect him? Yeah, because that’s our job to protect our quarterback. But Jalen does a lot of things really well, and we want to utilize the skills that he has so he can continue to play at a high level,” Sirianni said, via team transcript. “You know, to me, we’ll continue to go about our business the same way we went about our business. We’ll always think about protecting him first, but we didn’t pay him more to do less.”

Hurts was a rock star in 2022, playing the hits whether he was throwing the ball or running it. He threw for 3,701 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, while adding 760 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing the rock. That’s 35 total touchdowns for those counting at home, a season after he posted 26 total scores.

As Sirianni put it, he wasn’t handling Hurts’ health in cavalier fashion when he was on a rookie contract, so he’s not suddenly going to change how the offense is run because his quarterback has a larger bank account, either.

“Here’s what I definitely wasn’t doing. Jalen is on a rookie contract. I’m just going to be reckless and do whatever we want with him. We were very careful,” Sirianni said. “I know he’s gotten injured, but we didn’t pay him more to do less.”

Hurts missed a pair of games last season with a shoulder injury and one the year before with an ankle ailment. So it’s next door to certain that questions about how Hurts — considering his propensity to run and his injury history — is used will continue for as long as there’s a crack in the Liberty Bell.

Sirianni’s not looking to go the cautious route, but he does believe things will change — for the better.

“Like I said, we’re going to continue to do things,” he said. “We’ll have new wrinkles this year, obviously. We’re going to find ways to do the things that we’ve done better. How we can coach them better. How we can get our guys in position to make the plays better. We’ll grow on the scheme that we’ve had to maximize Jalen’s ability.

“But make no mistakes about it. That’s our job, right, to do those things. Jalen, the reason Jalen is in this position where he’s signed this big contract is the fact that, I’ve said this a million times, nobody knows what Jalen Hurts’ ceiling is. Why? Because he loves football. He’s tough. He has high football IQ.

“So, the guys that have those things, and he’s competitive. The guys that have those things tend to reach their ceiling. He’s just going to continue to rise, so he’s a big part of this, too, because no man suddenly becomes different than his cherished thoughts and habits. He’s going to continue to do the things he’s done to this date because that’s who he is.”

In 2022, it became clear the Eagles have one of the best quarterbacks in all the NFL world, and they’re going to continue to use him in every which way that they can.

COWBOYS PICK UP WR CEEDEE LAMB’S FIFTH-YEAR OPTION 

In little to no surprise, the Dallas Cowboys are picking up the fifth-year option of Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday night.

The team subsequently announced the move.

Lamb is the second player from the 2020 NFL Draft first-round class to have his option exercised following Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Coming off the best season of his burgeoning career, Lamb is now set to make $19.74 million in 2024.

The 24-year-old earned his second straight Pro Bowl selection in 2022 after piling up career highs of 107 receptions, 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns.

A long-term extension is on the agenda for Lamb and the Cowboys, but for now, as expected, Dallas has locked up its No. 1 WR for the duration of his rookie deal.

ALABAMA QB BRYCE YOUNG ‘ANXIOUS’ TO FIND OUT WHERE HE’LL BE PLAYING

This time next week, Bryce Young will be embracing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell once his name his called at the 2023 NFL Draft.

How early in the draft that time comes is the biggest question that remains for the quarterback out of Alabama. Joining NFL Total Access on Thursday, Young admitted he was “anxious” to learn where he will begin his pro career, but is “excited more than anything” for April 27 as he embraces the process of being a highly touted prospect.

“Regardless of where I go or where my name is called, I think it will be a blessing,” Young told NFL Network’s MJ Acosta-Ruiz. “I will go wherever I’m supposed to. For me, I’m big on trying to focus on what I can control and for me trying to present myself in the best light to every team that has taken the time and the opportunity to talk to me, which I’m super grateful for. And wanting to do everything I can in this process to be ready, so that when that time comes and my name is called I’m able to go to work; I’m able to give my all to a franchise. So, really, that’s all I’ve been concerned about.”

Young tops NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s latest top 50 draft prospect rankings, and being a potential franchise QB has the 21-year-old projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the majority of NFL.com’s mock drafts.

Having traded for that coveted No. 1 overall selection and in need of that elusive franchise quarterback, the Carolina Panthers have done their due diligence with this year’s crop of QBs, hosting Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis on pre-draft visits.

The Panthers were just one of two teams (Houston Texans) Young formally met with before cancelling his remaining pre-draft visits this past week. His decision to forgo any meetings with teams outside the top two picks is stoking the speculation of him being the first to hug Goodell on draft night.

“It was a lot of getting to know each other,” Young recalled of his meeting with Carolina, which included Panthers owner David Tepper. “I really do appreciate the dedication to everything. With Mr. Tepper, him being so involved, that just shows how much he cares about the team and you can tell that that radiates through the entire coaching staff. They’re extremely invested in everything. I’ve been able to talk to them and they have a very clear plan of what they want for the future and what they’ve been building, and they’ve been doing that for a while now. Just being able to sit with him and everyone else that was a part of the dinner, it was just a great opportunity for me and a great experience. Even personally, I learned a lot from just hearing from their philosophies on and off the field. So it was a great experience for me.”

Young, who was awarded the 2021 Heisman Trophy as a true sophomore, led the Crimson Tide to a 23-4 record, throwing for 8,200 passing yards with 79 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions in two seasons as Alabama’s staring QB (27 starts). Listed at 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, Young’s size is the prevailing question as teams go through every detail before making a selection.

Young has kept a positive attitude on the inevitable subject, maintaining that he can “only focus on what I can control” during the process.

“I have enough experience getting asked the question,” Young said. “I’m used to it. I know who I am, I know what I can do. It’s not something that’s new for me at all. I’ve been this size, relative to everyone around me, for as long as I’ve been playing football and I don’t know any other way. So, I get it, I understand. Everyone’s entitled to their opinions and it’s OK. I don’t have any issue of being asked or talking about it, but I know what I’m capable of.”

As for the pressures that will come with being a top pick, Young feels well-equipped given his experience in high-profile games at Alabama and as a perennial contender in California’s competitive high school football landscape. Young completed his collegiate career on a high note despite not getting Alabama back to the College Football Playoff National Championship in consecutive seasons in 2022, completing 15 of 21 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns in the 2022 Sugar Bowl.

Young’s final performance in college was a near-perfect example of his poise in the pocket and his accuracy throwing the football, and he feels ready to continue that in the pro ranks come April 27.

“I feel like that’s something that I’ve experienced before in different levels throughout my life,” Young said of the pressure. “For me, I want to do everything I can to be the best version of myself, and collaborate with the people who I am working with. With coaches, with players and doing everything I can to take their input and their advice. Those are the people’s standards that I want to live up to.

“Whatever the expectations are, I can’t control that. All I can control is how hard I work, what I put into my day to day, trying to do everything I can to try to achieve my goals and the team’s goals.”

TOP INDIANA RELEASES

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

CRISS BEYERS NAMED WARREN CENTRAL BOYS COACH

Warren Central has hired Criss Beyers as its new boys basketball coach. The announcement was made Thursday.

Beyers led the Warriors to an undefeated Class 4A state championship back in the 2017-18 season. In four seasons at Warren Central, he was 86-18. Beyers left Warren Central after the 2018-19 season to take the job at Franklin Central, where he was 36-55 the past four seasons.

The Warriors were 14-10 last season.

INDIANS BASEBALL

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite top prospect Endy Rodríguez’s team-leading third home run of the season, the Indianapolis Indians dropped their third straight game to the Memphis Redbirds on Thursday night at AutoZone Park, 6-1.

The Indians (7-11) were in control through the front four innings, thanks to a strong start from left-hander Caleb Smith (L, 0-2) in his first start since coming off the 7-day injured list. Smith was perfect through his first three innings and didn’t allow a hit through his first four.

Rodríguez supplied the Indians’ early, and only, offense with a solo home run against Redbirds starter Connor Thomas (W, 2-1). The switch-hitter clubbed his first long ball of the season as a right-handed hitter, with his previous two coming at Victory Field from the left side of the plate. Last season, just six of his 25 home runs across all levels came as a right-handed hitter.

The Redbirds (13-5) flipped the game in the bottom of the fifth against Smith thanks to a two-run home run from third baseman Juniel Querecuto. Memphis struck for three more in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single from center fielder Óscar Mercado, and one more in the seventh on an RBI double from right fielder Juan Yepez.

The Redbirds extended their International League-best 10-game winning streak with the win on Thursday. Despite the loss, Indians right fielder Cal Mitchell extended his hitting streak to five games with a single to right field in the seventh, while center fielder Chavez Young singled in the sixth to extend his on-base streak to seven games.

The Indians continue their six-game series at AutoZone Park on Friday night at 8:05 PM ET. Pirates top pitching prospect Quinn Priester (1-1, 6.08) will toe the rubber for the Indians, while the Redbirds have yet to announce a starter.

FUEL HOCKEY

GAME 70 – FRIDAY, APRIL 14 VS FORT WAYNE – 2-1 W

The Fuel hosted the Fort Wayne Komets in the final regular season home game this year. Despite the playoffs already being set, this cross-state rivalry was in full swing in their first match of the weekend. The Fuel ultimately won 2-1 with a shorthanded goal by Seamus Malone.

GAME 71 – SATURDAY, APRIL 15 AT FORT WAYNE – 5-4 W

The Fuel came away with a 5-4 victory in the teams’ final meeting of the 2022-23 regular season. Usually a physical matchup, this game was no different. The game totaled 105 penalty minutes with Indy tallying 34 compared to Fort Wayne’s 71. This provided 12 power play opportunities for the Fuel, the most in a game in franchise history.

GAME 72 – SUNDAY, APRIL 16 AT KALAMAZOO – 3-2 SOW

The Fuel finished their regular season in Kalamazoo hoping to keep some momentum before heading into the first round of the playoffs against Toledo next weekend. They did just that, making a two goal comeback and going to their first shootout of the season.

OIL DROPS 

• Alex Wideman finished the regular season with 72 points, the most this season and the most in franchise history for a single season.
• Chad Yetman finished as the Fuel’s leading goal scorer with 26, joining just two other players in Fuel history to have over 25 goals in one season. Spencer Watson and Joshua Shalla have both achieved that feat twice. 
• Yetman and Seamus Malone both broke the Fuel franchise record for most game winning goals with nine. 
• Malone also finished the regular season on a four game goal streak after returning from injury. 
• Goaltender Zach Driscoll finished the season with the fifth most minutes played in the ECHL with 2,434 in 42 games played.
• Spencer Watson also broke the Fuel franchise record for most goals and points with 91 and 176 respectively. Wideman took a close second place totaling 175 points, also breaking Shalla’s previous record. 

TEAM NOTES

• At the end of the regular season, the Fuel set and broke multiple franchise records. 
• They finished the 2022-23 season with the best home record and most road wins in franchise history. Overall, the Fuel finished 43-24-5-0. 
• Additionally, 43 is the most overall wins for the Fuel in franchise history beating their previous best of 36.
• This is the Fuel’s third trip to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in franchise history and their second time matching up with Toledo in the first round.
• Until their final game of the season, Indy was the only team remaining to have not gone to a shootout all season. That changed in game 72 when they beat Kalamazoo in a four round shootout on Sunday.

INDY FUEL PLAYOFFS WEEK 1 SCHEDULE:

PLAYOFF GAME 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 21 AT TOLEDO

PLAYOFF GAME 2 – SATURDAY, APRIL 22 AT TOLEDO

Tuesday, April 25 – We’re in! The Fuel will host the Toledo Walleye for the third game in the division semi-final playoff series. It’s also a Do317 Night, so fans can enjoy $3 beverages, $1 hot dogs and $7 specialty t-shirts (while supplies last).

Thursday, April 27 – It’s Thirsty Thursday! The fourth game in the division semi-final playoff series will feature $3 Bud Light, $3 specialty cocktails and $3 wine by the glass. At the Moon Drops Distillery bar, you can also get our specialty playoffs ‘Gone Fishin” cocktail! 

INDY ELEVEN WSOCCER

Indy Eleven today announced the first 33 players that will be part of the club’s 2023 roster in the USL W League, the national women’s pre-professional league that has grown to 65 member clubs for the circuit’s second season of play beginning in May.

By the time Indy Eleven’s 2023 season kicks off on Wednesday, May 10, in the St. Louis area at St. Charles FC, the squad is expected to reach upwards of 40 players. Additional roster signings will be made as players clear the league’s registration process in the coming days and weeks.

Indy Eleven has also confirmed its coaching staff for the 2023 campaign, led by the return of Head Coach Paul Dolinsky. The Carmel native helmed the squad during a successful inaugural season that saw the Eleven capture the Great Lakes Division title and finish the regular season as one of only three undefeated teams (10W-0L-2D) across the then 45-team league.

Dolinsky’s staff will be filled out by more familiar faces, including Assistant Coach Brandon Kim and Goalkeeping Coach Kelly Freeland back for their second seasons, while Maddy Williams will add to her role as a standout striker by returning as a player/assistant coach. In addition, Head Athletic Trainer Sierra Garber MS, LAT, ATC and Team Administrator Lisa Macdonald will return in their roles, filling out a staff ready to roll over last year’s success seamlessly into season two.

The contingent of nine confirmed returnees from last year’s squad includes All-USL W League forward selectees Katie Soderstrom (First Team, 11 goals/1 assist) and Williams (10 goals/1 assist); midfielders Addie Chester, Becky Dean, Abby Isger, Greta Kraszula, and Ella Rogers; defender Karsyn Cherry; and U.S. Youth National Teams pool goalkeeper Nona Reason.

The players returning this season played an influential role last year and we envision that occurring again this season. We are very excited about the new players added to the team which will allow us not only to stay fresh when we play games in close proximity to one another, but allow us to be more prepared for playoffs if we are fortunate enough to qualify once again. 

“The players returning this season played an influential role last year, and we envision that occurring again this season,” said Dolinsky, who led a pair of San Diego Surf teams to youth national titles and Indy-based Lady Victory FC to a WPSL Conference title in his lone season with the club in 2021 prior to joining the Eleven in November 2021. “We are very excited about the new players added to the team, who will allow us not only to stay fresh when we play games in close proximity to one another, but also to be more prepared for the playoffs should we qualify once again.”

As of today’s announcement, the squad consists of 11 Indiana natives and 10 players who have at least one season of collegiate soccer experience inside the Hoosier State under their belts. Eight of the 33 players will be plenty familiar with the squad’s Grand Park home for training and matches after also playing in the Indiana Fire Juniors system during their club soccer careers. Meanwhile, the squad also boasts six international players, featuring two members each from Japan (Kanna Matsuisha and Seira Uko) and England (Amelie Darey and Megan Wilson) in addition to the Australian Kraszula and Colombian Maria Venegas.

Visit indyeleven.com/wleague  for more information on the 2023 season as kickoff nears in just three weeks’ time. Right now, the only way to secure tickets for the Eleven’s 2023 USL W League Season at the Grand Park Events Center (indoor facility) is by securing a 2023 Season Ticket Membership for the men’s first team season in the USL Championship, which includes complimentary tickets for all five women’s matches taking place across June. Learn more and secure your membership today at indyeleven.com/season-tickets. 

Indy Eleven 2023 W League Roster (as of April 20) (1-page PDF)

Goalkeeper (2): Sara Kile (Noblesville, Ind.),Nona Reason (Noblesville, Ind.)

Defender (8): Karsyn Cherry (Lafayette, Ind.), Teagan Jones (Cary, Ill.), Nicole Kevdzija (Strongville, Ohio),  Greta Kraszula (Sydney, Australia), Rafferty Kugler (St. Louis Park, Minn.), Alia Martin (Carmel, Ind.), Lizzie Sexton (Cincinnati, Ohio), Megan Wilson (Maidstone, England)

Midfielder (17): Addie Chester (Muncie, Ind.), Amelie Darey (Epson, England), Becky Dean (Liberty Township, Ohio), Sam Dewey (Indianapolis, Ind.), Hal Hershfelt (Atlanta, Ga.), Ella Higgins (Roanoke, Va.), Abby Isger (Indianapolis, Ind.), Mollie Kuramoto (Loveland, Ohio), Alli Leonard (Troy, Mich.), Kanna Matsuhisa (Tokyo, Japan), Rhonda Ojongmboh (Smyrna, Ga.), Ella Rogers (Granville, Ohio), Sam Slimak (Troy, Mich.), Susie Soderstrom (Carmel, Ind.), Seira Uko (Toba City, Japan), Alexis Vazquez (Madera, Calif.), Maria Venegas (Cali, Colombia)

Forward (6): Madisyn Hunt (Jasper, Ind.), Maya Lacognato (Granger, Ind.), Katie Soderstrom (Carmel, Ind.),  Olivia Simmons (Aldie, Va.), Maisie Whitsett (San Diego, Calif.), Maddy Williams (Perrysburg, Ohio)

Head Coach: Paul Dolinsky
Assistant Coaches: Brandon Kim, Maddy Williams
Goalkeeping Coach: Kelly Freeland
Head Athletic Trainer: Sierra Garber MS, LAT, ATC
Team Administrator: Lisa Macdonald

INDIANA BASEBALL

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Taking a step out of conference play, the Indiana baseball program will host Ohio for a three-game series at Bart Kaufman Field. The series will open with a 6 p.m. first pitch on Friday (April 21).

Indiana (27-11) won a pair of midweek contests with a 7-3 home win over No. 10/13 Louisville and an 11-9 road victory over Cincinnati. Ohio (15-17) was off during the midweek and has won its last four weekend series, which includes three-game sweeps of Eastern Michigan and Toledo.

Gameday Info
Friday, April 21, 2023 | 6 p.m. ET
IU: Brooks Ey, RHP, Jr.
OU: Luke Olsen, RHP, Jr.

Live Video: bit.ly/3LfmNpk
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats:  bit.ly/IUStatbroadcast

Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 1 p.m. ET
IU: Luke Sinnard, RHP, So.
OU: Colin Sells, RHP, Gr.

Live Video: bit.ly/41NeA0W
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats:  bit.ly/IUStatbroadcast

Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Noon ET
IU: Seti Manase, RHP, Jr.
OU: Zach Weber, RHP, So.

Live Video: bit.ly/3UUXGvk
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats:  bit.ly/IUStatbroadcast

Promotions

• Retro Weekend: Celebrating the 80s, 90s and 2000s on the weekend. Anyone born in those years can receive $5 tickets on the day of the game with proof of age. (80s on Friday, 90s on Saturday, 2000s on Sunday)
• Saturday is Bark In The Park: Fans are allowed to bring dogs into Bart Kaufman Field. Any fan who brings their dog is required to sign a waiver to allow their dog into the stadium. Waivers will be located and collected at the marketing table.
• Sunday is Baseball Bingo and Kids Run the Bases/Postgame Autographs: Bingo cards are available at the marketing table with prizes from Bucceto’s. After the game, all kids 12 and under are invited to come down to the field and run the bases.
• Giveaways:
  Friday – Script Indiana water bottles to the first 250 fans at the marketing table.
  Saturday – Hoosier Hills Credit Union will be passing out IU-themed shirts to the first 250 fans.
  Sunday – Script Indiana pennants to the first 250 fans at the marketing table.

Quick Hitter

• Indiana and Ohio will meet for the fourth time in program history to open its three-game series on Friday. Indiana is 3-0 in those contests, including a win in the 2017 NCAA Lexington Regional.
  The Hoosiers have won 19 of 20 home games in 2023.Its 15-straight to open the season marks the longest home winning streak in Bart Kaufman Field history and the second-longest streak in program history.
  Freshman Devin Taylor began his 27-game reached base streak in his first career start at Texas (2/25) and has 36 hits, 23 walks and four hit-by-pitch in that span for a .512 on-base percentage.
• Taylor earned his third B1G Freshman of the Week award on April 17 and joined some exclusive company at IU and the Big Ten in the process.
  Sophomore Luke Sinnard struck out 12 Iowa batters over six scoreless innings for his second career double-digit strikeout game of the season.
  Senior Phillip Glasser enters the weekend with a 38-game reached base and has 19 multi-hit games in that span. The 28-game reached base streak is the third-longest by a Hoosier since at least 2005.
  Glasser is also among the top-50 active hitters in a bevy of categories, including No. 5 with 248 career hits.
  Sophomore Ryan Kraft is riding a consecutive scoreless innings streak of 23 innings dating back to March 12.
  Head coach Jeff Mercer became the eighth IU skipper to reach 100 victories in the cream and crimson with a series finale win at Auburn on February 19, 2023. He then won his 200th career game as a head coach at Illinois on April 15.
  
  Scouting the Opponents

• Ohio enters the weekend with a 15-17 overall record but sits No. 2 in the Mid-American Conference standings entering the final five weekends of the regular season at 13-5 in conference play.
• Offense has been a major factor for Ohio as the Bobcats have scored eight-plus runs 14 times and 10-plus runs on nine occasions. They have scored three-or-fewer runs just five times on the year.
• Alec Patino leads the team with a .364 average, 47 hits, 15 doubles and 41 RBIs on the season. He owns six home runs and has 11 walks with six hit-by-pitch to just 17 strikeouts.
• The nine home runs for Mason Minzey leads the team, while his 32 runs, 33 RBIs and 22 walks all rank second on the squad.
• Of the 14 pitchers with more than three appearances, just four have an ERA of under 5.00. Relievers Dillon Masters (2.76) and Jacob Tate (3.86) are a combined 5-1 with ERAs under 4.00 and back-end reliever Braxton Kelly has six saves with a 4.11 ERA with an 0-2 record.

Inside the Series

• With just three previous meetings entering the weekend, Indiana is 3-0 all-time against Ohio in baseball since the two teams first met in a doubleheader in 1982.
• The two teams first met in a Monday doubleheader in Bloomington, with Indiana winning 12-3 and 4-3 on May 3.
• The last meeting between the programs came on June 3, 2017, at the NCAA Lexington Regional. The Hoosiers claimed an 11-2 victory in the elimination game of the regional.
• Against the Mid-American Conference, Indiana is 140-91-1 all-time in 232 previous meetings. That includes a 3-0 record this season against the conference.
• The most frequent opponent from the MAC has been Miami (Ohio) with 81 all-time meetings, followed by Ball State with 61 meetings.

INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––––– Indiana Men’s Tennis will close out the regular season this weekend with road matches at Penn State and Ohio State.

The Hoosiers will play Penn State at noon on Saturday and face Ohio State for another noon match on Sunday.

Entering the weekend, Indiana holds a 12-12 overall record with a 1-6 mark in conference play.

The Hoosiers have been consistent in strong doubles play, sporting a collective 34-21 record in doubles matches of all combinations. Patrick Fletchall and Ilya Tiraspolsky have been an anchor at No. 1 doubles with a 10-4 record together this year.

In singles, freshman standout Sam Landau leads the way with a 12-2 mark. Landau has played at No. 2 and No. 3 singles this year.

Penn State enters the match with Indiana at 13-11 and 0-7 in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions have claimed wins over Georgetown, Villanova and Princeton, among others.

Ohio State is the No. 2-ranked team in the country with a 24-2 record and a flawless 7-0 conference record. The Buckeyes own 13 wins over ranked opponents.

Following this weekend’s slate, Indiana will prepare for the Big Ten Tournament which will be held in Bloomington from Thursday, April 27 to Sunday, April 30.

INDIANA WOMEN’S GOLF

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana women’s golf team will compete in the 2023 Big Ten Championship at the Fox Chapel Golf Club. The three-round event will be played from April 21-23 in Pittsburgh.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

2023 Big Ten Women’s Golf Championship • Pittsburgh, Pa.

Fox Chapel Golf Club

Par 71 • 6045 yards

Live Results: GolfStat

TEAMS COMPETING (14)

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin

INDIANA LINEUP

1. Alexis Florio

2. Dominika Burdová

3. Valerie Clancy

4. Margaret Fernandez

5. Beatriz Junqueira

6. Hanna Tanaka

TOURNAMENT NOTES

• Northwestern (15), Ohio State (24), Michigan State (32), Maryland (33), Michigan (43), and Purdue (45) all rank inside the top-50 of the latest GolfStat rankings (April 16).

• In total, 11 of the 14 teams teeing off in the Big Ten Championship are ranked as top-100 programs according to GolfStat. The Hoosiers sit at No. 129.

• For the second-straight tournament, IU will play six players in its lineup with four counting toward the team score in each round.

• Indiana will be paired with Iowa and Rutgers with tee times beginning at 8:57 a.m. ET. 

• The Mary Fossum Award Winner and All-Championship Team will be announced following the final round of play.

INDIANA WOMEN’S TENNIS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s tennis (13-9, 4-6 B1G) heads to Wisconsin (16-5, 7-3 B1G) for a match against the Badgers on Friday afternoon at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. 

SERIES HISTORY

• Indiana holds a 34-8 advantage over the Badgers. 

• The Hoosiers have dropped the last two matchups in 2021 (6-1) and 2022 (7-0). IU is looking for its first win against UW since 2017 where the earned a 6-1 victory.

STATS

• The matches can be viewed on playsight and followed using the live stats link.

LAST TIME OUT

• Indiana dropped the contest, 4-1, against No. 53 Purdue.

• Freshman Nicole Teodosescu put the Hoosiers on the board winning No. 5 singles in straight sets to cut the Boilermaker’s lead, 3-1.

• Purdue won a three-set match in No. 6 singles to seal the game.

ABOUT THE HOOSIERS

• The Hoosiers are 13-9 on the season and 4-6 in Big Ten play.

• Redshirt-sophomore Lara Schneider is 12-4 in No. 1 singles matches with a 5-2 conference record.

• Teodosescu is 8-5 and holds a 5-3 record in conference play.

• Redshirt-junior Mila Mejic holds a record of 11-9 overall record on the season.

INDIANA TRACK AND FIELD

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers will return to the Robert C. Haugh Track Complex for the first time since hosting the NCAA East Preliminary round in 2022.

The Indiana Invitational, one of three outdoor meets hosted in Bloomington this spring, will feature some of the Midwest’s best schools this Friday and Saturday.

After spending four-straight weekends on the road, IU will field a full roster to compete across 18 events on the men’s side and 17 events on the women’s side.

69 of IU’s athletes are set to race this weekend pending weather in the Bloomington area over the course of the weekend.

Action is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM on Friday evening and 12:30 PM on Saturday. Live results can be followed through Primetime Timing.

THE MEET

Location: Bloomington, Ind. (Robert C. Haugh Complex)

Dates: April 21st and 22nd

Start: 4:00 PM (Friday) and 12:30 PM (Saturday)

Live Results (Indiana): Primetime Timing

NEWS AND NOTES

IU’s Jayden Ulrich remains the Big Ten leader in the discus after improving on her school record mark at the Triton Invitational with a throw of 59.29m/194-6.

The Hoosiers have seven top-five marks among the women’s field events including Ulrich (shot put and discus), Serena Bolden (long jump), Paola Fernandez-Sola (long jump), Mahogany Jenkins (triple jump and high jump) and Makayla Hunter (javelin).

Camden Marshall was named the Big Ten Men’s Track Athlete of the Week on April 5th for his then NCAA-leading 3:39.51 in the 1500 meters at the Pepsi Florida Relays.

Ulrich was named Big Ten Women’s Field Athlete of the Week on April 12th after throwing a Big Ten lead in the discus and then-No. 2 mark in the Big Ten in the shot put at the Triton Invitational.

Antonio Laidler became the second athlete to match or improve upon a school record during the outdoor season. He clocked a 10.20 to match Rikkoi Brathwaite’s school record in the 100 meters. However, Laidler’s time is the fastest by a Hoosier run within the collegiate season.

Alyssa Robinson has become one of the most versatile sprinters in program history. She is the only woman to record top-8 program marks outdoors in all three sprint events (100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters).

Jake Gebhardt is the only IU runner with two top-five Big Ten marks this year, having run 8:59.77 (3000-meter steeplechase) and 13:37.70 (5000 meters) in the opening stages of the outdoor season.

The next program record to fall might come from Jenkins who keeps inching closer to becoming IU’s second-ever six-foot high jumper. She attempted three tries at 1.83m/6-0 in Louisville to match the school record set by Emma Kimoto in 2013. Jenkins would settle for a season’s best of 1.78m/5-10.

THE HOOSIER LINEUP

IU will host its first meet of the outdoor season with the Indiana Invitational set to be contested this weekend in Bloomington.

A full roster of athletes is set to go for IU with the pole vault, throws, jumps, sprints and distance crews sending their best out to the track.

Nathan Stone, Tyler Carrel, Tyler Sierks, Riley Johnston and Jessica Mercier will vault this weekend for the Hoosiers.

Paola Fernandez-Sola will return to the long jump alongside Kelly Moran on the women’s side and Robert Blue, Alex Smith, Kynton Grays and Crase Bergman for the men.

Mahogany Jenkins, Eli Crouch, Taylor Schoonveld and Grayson Rolen will look to continue their run of good form in the high jump.

IU’s throws group will put its top athletes to the test this week. Jayden Ulrich and Noah Koch will double in the shot put and discus. Makayla Hunter will also double enter in the javelin and shot put.

The busiest event on the track will be the 800 meters where nine men, including Camden Marshall and Keefer Soehngen, and six women, including Maddie Russin and Jenna Barker, are slated to run.

Gabriel Sanchez and Sarah Schmitt are back in the 5000 meters while Maddie Dalton and Dustin Horter go again in the 1500 meters.

Antonio Laidler and Christopher Grant are strong entries in the 100 meters with Alyssa Robinson doubling back in the 200 meters and 400 meters this weekend.

Season debuts are expected to come for Reece Proctor, Gage Pratt and Maria Anderson this weekend.

LOUISVILLE INVITATIONAL AND BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL RECAP

The Hoosiers had a number of strong performances split between the Louisville Invitational and Bryan Clay Invitational.

Sarah Schmitt ran a six-second personal best in 15:53.34 to strengthen her hold on the No. 5 spot in program history in the 5000 meters.

Antonio Laidler matched Rikkoi Brathwaite’s program record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.20 at the Louisville Invitational. Laidler’s time is the fastest run inside the collegiate season in school history.

Maddie Dalton ran 4:18.00 over 1500 meters to move into sole possession of seventh place all-time in program history at the Bryan Clay Invitational.

Serena Bolden had a productive day in Louisville, long jumping 6.44m/21-1.5w and triple jumping 12.68m/41-7.25.

Mahogany Jenkins cleared a season’s best 1.78m/5-10 in the high jump and went for three attempts at a school record 1.83m/6-0 but barely missed on all tries.

Alyssa Robinson ran a personal best of 11.45 in the 100 meters. She also ran a season’s best 23.46 in the 200 meters.

Indiana Invitational: April 21st

Time (EDT)          Event: Athletes

5:00 PM               Women’s Pole Vault: Jessica Mercier

5:30 PM               Men’s Hammer: Hunter Smith

5:30 PM               Women’s 200 Meters: Olivia Gee, Alyssa Robinson, Kaylee Lane, Lauren Thomas

5:50 PM               Men’s 200 Meters: Alex Smith, Trelee Banks, Christopher Grant, Gage Pratt, Antonio Laidler, Jaylen Grimes

6:00 PM               Women’s Long Jump: Paola Fernandez-Sola, Kelly Moran, Serena Bolden

6:20 PM               Men’s 400 Hurdles: Micah Camble, John Colquitt, David Olowookere, Shaton Vaughn

7:00 PM               Men’s Pole Vault: Nathan Stone, Tyler Sierks, Riley Johnston, Tyler Carrel

7:15 PM               Women’s Shot Put: Jayden Ulrich, Makayla Hunter, Emily Herndon

7:15 PM               Women’s 3000 Meters: Tristan Forsythe, Skylar Stidam

7:30 PM               Men’s Long Jump: Kynton Grays, Alex Smith, Crase Bergman, Robert Blue

7:45 PM               Women’s 1500 Meters: Katelyn Winton, Audrey Mendrys, Alyssa Skorge, Phoebe Bates, Maddie Dalton, Mikaela Ramirez

8:10 PM               Men’s 1500 Meters: Keelan Grant, Dustin Horter, Gabriel Sanchez, Nico Colchico

8:35 PM               Women’s 5000 Meters: Katelyn Winton, Tori Schmidt, Sarah Schmitt, Claire Overfelt

9:00 PM               Men’s 5000 Meters: Abe Eckman, Gabriel Sanchez, Tristan Forsythe

9:00 PM               Men’s Shot Put: Adam Strouf, Noah Koch

Indiana Invitational: April 22nd

Time (EDT)          Event: Athletes

12:30 PM             Women’s Discus: Jayden Ulrich

1:00 PM               Women’s High Jump: Mahogany Jenkins, Taylor Schoonveld

1:00 PM               Women’s Triple Jump: Mahogany Jenkins, Serena Bolden

1:10 PM               Women’s 100 Hurdles (Prelims): Nile Brown, Hope Purcell

1:25 PM               Women’s 100 Meters (Prelims): Olivia Gee, Serena Bolden

1:40 PM               Men’s 100 Meters (Prelims): Trelee Banks, Christopher Grant, Antonio Laidler, Gage Pratt

1:55 PM               Women’s 400 Meters: Alyssa Robinson, Kaylee Lane, Lauren Thomas

2:00 PM               Men’s Discus: Noah Koch, Tyler Reyna, Hunter Smith

2:10 PM               Men’s 400 Meters: Jaylen Grimes

2:20 PM               Women’s 100 Hurdles (Finals): TBD

2:30 PM               Men’s High Jump: Eli Crouch, Grayson Rolen

2:30 PM               Men’s Triple Jump: Robert Blue

2:30 PM               Men’s 110 Hurdles (Finals): John Colquitt

2:40 PM               Women’s 100 Meters (Finals): TBD

2:50 PM               Men’s 100 Meters (Finals): TBD

3:05 PM               Women’s 800 Meters: Maria Anderson, Jenna Barker, Shynae Deas, Mikaela Ramirez, Elizabeth Stanhope, Maddie Russin

3:25 PM               Men’s 800 Meters: Nico Colchico, Andrew Anderson, Jaylen Castillo, Nick Couyoumjian, Keelan Grant, Reece Proctor, Parker Raymond, Keefer Soehngen, Camden Marshall

3:30 PM               Women’s Javelin: Shanna Esters, Makayla Hunter

3:55 PM               Women’s 4×400 Relay: Indiana

4:05 PM               Men’s 4×400 Relay: Indiana “A”, Indiana “B”

PURDUE BASEBALL

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Purdue (18-18, 7-5 B1G) at Maryland (23-14, 6-3 B1G)

Friday to Sunday, April 21-23

Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium / College Park, Maryland

Series Opener: Friday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET on B1G+

Middle Game: Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. ET on B1G+

Series Finale: Sunday, April 23 at Noon ET on ESPNU

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

Friday: Khal Stephen (So, RHP) vs. UMD’s Jason Savacool (Jr, RHP)

Saturday: Jonathan Blackwell (Jr, LHP) vs. TBA for UMD

Sunday: Kyle Iwinski (Jr, RHP) vs. UMD’s Kyle McCoy (Fr, LHP)

SERIES HISTORY

All-Time: Maryland leads 12-4

All-Time in College Park: UMD leads 5-4

2022: UMD swept a 2-game set (May 19-20 in West Lafayette)

Last Series in College Park: UMD swept a 3-game set (May 2021)

Purdue’s Last Series Win vs. UMD: Swept a 3-game set in College Park (April 2018)

First Meeting: UMD 11, Purdue 1 (February 2012 in Greenville, N.C.)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue baseball’s final out-of-state road trip of the Big Ten season brings the Boilermakers back to the East Coast as the second half of the conference schedule opens with a three-game series at Maryland.

First pitch at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park is slated for 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. The series finale will be nationally televised by ESPNU and streaming on the ESPN app.

The Boilermakers have won a season-high four consecutive games and three straight Big Ten series. They’re back at .500 for the season at 18-18. Five years ago, Purdue flew to Maryland for the weekend of April 18-20 with a 16-16 record (4-4 in Big Ten). The Boilermakers swept the series. It led to a 13-game win streak and 21-2 stretch through May 26 that propelled the program into an NCAA Regional.

While duplicating those feats may be unrealistic, winning a fourth straight Big Ten series is certainly an achievable feat that would keep this year’s team trending in the right direction. Purdue’s starting pitching has been very consistent over the last four weekends and should remain a pivotal piece of the puzzle as the schedule firms up – playing three of the top four teams in the current standings – over the second half of the Big Ten season.

Khal Stephen, Jonathan Blackwell and Kyle Iwinski have teamed up for a 3.84 ERA and .263 batting average against in 68 innings, racking up 53 strikeouts vs. 15 walks. Toss out Iwinski’s rough first inning April 9 at Minnesota and the three runs that scored in the seventh inning after Blackwell left the mound April 15 vs. Penn State and the rotation’s collective ERA improves to 2.69 in 67 innings in Big Ten play.

ACTIVE STREAKS

• Connor Caskenette – 14-game on-base streak; 7-game hit streak; 10-game on-base streak in Big Ten play

• Jake Parr – 10-game on-base streak; 7-game hit streak in Big Ten play

• Paul Toetz – 8-game on-base streak; 6-game hit streak

• Jonathan Blackwell – Pitched at least 5 innings in 9 consecutive starts

PARR’S 10-GAME ON-BASE STREAK (Since April 2)

• 15-for-34 (.441/.513/.765), 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB, 7 R, SB

CASKENETTE’S 14-GAME ON-BASE STREAK (Since March 26)

• 16-for-49 (.327/.411/.592), 4 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 4 BB, 3 HBP, 8 R

PURDUE’S ALL-TIME LEADERS IN STOLEN BASES

1.) Dave Scheitlin (1988-91) – 70

2.) Jeff Allison (1984-87) – 69

3.) Mike Bolton Jr. (2020-Pr) – 67

4.) Chris Walker (1997-00) – 60

5.) Chris Detrick (1978-81) – 57

CONSECUTIVE 20-STEAL SEASONS

• Dave Scheitlin – 26 in 1990, 30 in 1991 /// 2-Year Total: 56

• Jeff Allison – 23 in 1986, 33 in 1987 /// 2-Year Total: 56

• Mike Bolton Jr. – 28 in 2022, 21 in 2023 /// 2-Year Total: 49

• Chris Detrick – 21 in 1980, 25 in 1981 /// 2-Year Total: 46

• Chris Walker – 20 in 1998, 21 in 1999 /// 2-Year Total: 41

MORE ABOUT MARYLAND

• Maryland is the defending Big Ten champion, clinching the conference title at Alexander Field during the final weekend of the regular last season in its first appearance in West Lafayette since April 2015. As the league’s preseason favorite this year, the Terrapins have won six straight weekend series since starting the season 4-7. Maryland has not lost a Big Ten series since April 2021 at Nebraska and hasn’t dropped a traditional three-game series at home since May 2019 vs. Michigan. That extended excellence on weekends is a big reason why the Terps have earned an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional each of the last two seasons.

WEEKEND #5 OF BIG TEN PLAY

• Purdue (7-5) at Maryland (6-3)

• Michigan State (6-3) at Michigan (7-5)

• Rutgers (4-5) at Northwestern (3-6)

• Minnesota (4-5) at Illinois (4-8)

• Ohio State (3-9) at Penn State (2-7)

• Nebraska (7-2) at Iowa (4-5)

• Ohio at Indiana (9-3) – Non-Conference

TOP 10 IN THE BIG TEN ENTERING THE WEEKEND

• Mike Bolton Jr. – 2nd in Steals (21), T-3rd in Triples (3), T-4th in Sac Bunts (4), T-5th in HBP (11)

• Couper Cornblum – 3rd in Steals (17), T-3rd in Sac Bunts (5)

• Jake Parr – T-3rd in Triples (3)

• Evan Albrecht – T-3rd in Sac Bunts (5), 10th in Steals (11)

• Jonathan Blackwell – 4th in Innings (50)

• Paul Toetz – 5th in RBI (44)

• Kyle Iwinski – T-5th in ERA (3.27)

• Aaron Suval – T-6th in Saves (4)

• Jake Jarvis – T-7th in HBP (10)

COMBINED RECORDS FOR PURDUE’S OPPONENTS (As of April 20)

• First Half of Big Ten Play: 59-73, 15-21 Big Ten

…Michigan State (23-11, 6-3), Northwestern (6-25, 3-6), Minnesota (10-24, 4-5), Penn State (20-13, 2-7)

• Second Half of Big Ten Play: 92-52-1, 26-13

…Maryland (23-14, 6-3), Rutgers (21-16, 4-5), Indiana (27-11, 9-3), Nebraska (21-11-1, 7-2)

BOILERMAKERS OUT TO REVERSE RECENT TRENDS VS. UPCOMING BIG TEN FOES

• Maryland (April 21-23 in College Park): The Terrapins have won 11 of the 15 meetings since joining the Big Ten, including five straight the last two years. Purdue’s three-game sweep in College Park in April 2018 remains its only series victory vs. UMD.

• Rutgers (April 28-30 at Alexander Field): The Scarlet Knights have won nine of the 16 meetings since joining the Big Ten in 2015, including five of the last seven since 2019. Purdue’s three-game sweep at Alexander in April 2018 remains its only series victory vs. Rutgers.

• Indiana (May 12-14 in Bloomington): Since 2007, the Boilermakers have won 17 of the last 22 meetings with their rivals away from Bloomington. But IU has enjoyed a decided edge when it’s the home team, winning 12 of the 14 meetings since Bart Kaufman Field opened in 2013 and 16 of 21 in Bloomington since 2007.

• Nebraska (May 18-20 at Alexander Field): The Huskers are one of two Big Ten teams that is unbeaten at Alexander Field, sweeping series in 2013 and 2016. Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2012, both of Purdue series victories vs. the Huskers have come in Lincoln. Nebraska has won 10 of the last 11 meetings since 2016.

PURDUE WOMEN’S GOLF

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Postseason play is here for Purdue Women’s Golf, as the Boilermakers travel to Pittsburgh this week for the 41st Big Ten Conference Women’s Golf Championship. The 54-hole stroke play tournament that determines the conference champion takes place at Fox Chapel Golf Club for the second consecutive season.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, April 21: Round 1 (Tee Times starting at 8:30 a.m. ET)

Saturday, April 22: Round 2 (Tee Times starting at 8:30 a.m. ET)

Sunday, April 23: Round 3 (Tee Times starting at 8 a.m. ET)

THE LINEUP

Ashley Kozlowski – Jr. (10:09 a.m. ET off No. 1)

Ranked No. 193 in Golfstat’s national rankings

Playing in her 27th tournament as a Boilermaker, including her 10th of the season

Holds a 74.4 stroke average this season after recording a 75.1 stroke average over 12 tournaments last season

Has made a team-best four eagles this season

Last time out, paced Purdue at the Lady Buckeye Invitational, tying for ninth on the individual leaderboard

Named B1G Women’s Golfer of the Week (Feb. 15), becoming the first Boilermaker to earn the honor since 2019

Led Purdue to a win at the Tulane Classic, placing runner-up for the best finish of her career

Tied for 43rd at last year’s B1G Championship at 13-over (76-76-74—226)

2021-22 Academic All-Big Ten

Kan Bunnabodee – Sr. (10 a.m. ET off No. 1)

Appearing in her 26th tournament as a Boilermaker

Last week, made 14 birdies to lead the 87-player field at the Lady Buckeye Invitational on her way to tying for 14th with a season-best 217 (+1)

Has cracked the Top 20 in three of six tournaments this spring,

Missed the entire fall due to injury

Earned First Team All-Big Ten accolades last season, becoming the first Boilermaker to earn first team honors since 2018

Tied for 33rd at last year’s B1G Championship at 10-over (74-78-71—223)

Ranked in the Top 100 of Golfstat’s national rankings throughout the 2021-22 season

2021-22 Academic All-Big Ten

Jocelyn Bruch – R-So. (9:51 a.m. ET off No. 1)

Making her 19th appearance as a Boilermaker, including the ninth of the season

Last weekend, tied for 18th at the Lady Buckeye Invitational for her first career Top-20 finish, carding two rounds of par-or-better

Fired a career-best 70 (-2) in the second round of the Illini Invitational before leading the Boilermakers in the final round with a 1-over 73

Holds a 75.0 stroke average after recording a 76.52 stroke average last season

Tied for 43rd at last year’s B1G Championship at 13-over (73-79-74—226)

Tied for ninth at the 2022 Michigan PGA Women’s Open over the summer, competing against professionals; her performance featured a hole-in-one during the opening round

2021-22 Academic All-Big Ten

Momo Sugiyama – So. (9:42 a.m. ET off No. 1)

Ranked No. 86 in Golfstat’s national rankings

Leads the team in stroke average (73.1), team-low round (12), rounds in the 60s (5) and pars (342)

Became one of eight Boilermakers all-time to record five rounds in the 60s in a single season

Has recorded three Top-5 performances this season, including at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic where she beat 13 golfers ranked in Golfstat’s Top 100

Her 142 (73-69) at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic was the second-best 36-hole total in school history

Has led Purdue in five tournaments as a Boilermaker, including a fourth-place finish (75-74-69—218) at the Windy City Collegiate Classic

Making her 11th appearance as a Boilermaker but playing in her 22nd collegiate tournament

Transferred to Purdue after earning First Team All-Big West accolades as a freshman at Hawaii

Set new Hawaii single-season records for stroke average (73.40), rounds of par-or-better (13), birdies (85) and 54-hole score (211)

Danielle du Toit – Sr. (9:33 a.m. ET off No. 1)

Ranked No. 199 in Golfstat’s national rankings

Has played in 44 tournaments as a Boilermaker, the most on the team, totaling 121 rounds

Leads the team in birdies (80) and ranks second on the team in stroke average (73.8)

Paced the Boilermakers to a third-place finish at The Bruzzy, tying for seventh on the individual leaderboard for the sixth Top-10 performance of her career

Has carded four rounds in the 60s this season

Placed a career-best third to help Purdue win the Tulane Classic to start the spring

Her 67 (-5) in the second round of the Illini Invitational matched a career low and was the best round of the season by a Boilermaker; it was also her 100th round at Purdue

Tied for 30th at last year’s B1G Championship at 9-over (69-72-81—222)

Won a men’s tournament over the summer, capturing the IGA Challenge Tour’s Road to #5 at Akasia Golf Club in her home country of South Africa

Jade Gu – R-Fr. (9:24 a.m. ET off No. 1)

Playing in her eighth tournament of the season, which also matches her career appearances as a Boilermaker

Holds a 76.3 stroke average over 21 rounds

Tied for 26th in her Purdue debut, second best on the team, at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship with a 3-over 216 (73-71-72)

Finished runner-up at the 2022 Pennsylvania Women’s Am

Tied for 16th at the 2022 Canadian Women’s Am

Redshirted a season ago

THE FIELD

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Maryland

Michigan

Michigan State

Minnesota

Nebraska

#15 Northwestern

#24 Ohio State

Penn State

Purdue

Rutgers

Wisconsin

THE COURSE

Hosting the Big Ten Championship for the second straight year, Fox Chapel Golf Club is a premier club in Pittsburgh and one of the finest in the nation.

The par-71 course will play at 6,045 yards when the conference championship is up for grabs.

Designed by Seth Raynor, the course opened in 1923. Nearly a century later, Fox Chapel spent 2020 under restoration. The restoration included building 97 new bunkers to shapes as seen on the original 1923 course; sand lines, mowing lines, green shapes, fairway widths were restored to Raynor’s original design.

The golf course is consistently ranked among the Top 100 Best Classic Courses in America by Golfweek Magazine, Top 10 Courses in Pennsylvania by LINKSmagazine, Golfweek’s Best 2020 Private Courses State by State, The Best Golf Courses in Pennsylvania by Golf Digest, The Top 10 Seth Raynor Courses by LINKSmagazine.com, and in The 100 Most Prestigious Golf Clubs in the World by Links Magazine.

The championship layout served as host of the 2002 Curtis Cup and the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Senior Players Championships

FOX CHAPEL EXPERIENCE

Four of the six Boilermakers in the lineup competed in the 2022 Big Ten Championship at Fox Chapel Golf Club.

Jocelyn Bruch, Kan Bunnabodee, Danielle du Toit and Ashley Kozlowski all played in last year’s championship.

Du Toit fired a 2-under 69 in the opening round to sit near the top of the individual leaderboard.

PURDUE IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS

The Boilermakers enter the tournament ranked No. 45 in Golfstat’s national rankings.

Purdue is the sixth-highest ranked team in this week’s field behind Northwestern (15th), Ohio State (24th), Michigan State (32nd), Maryland (33rd) and Michigan (43rd).

BOILERMAKERS B1G SUCCESS

Purdue has been one of the most successful programs in Big Ten history. The Boilermakers have won six conference championships to go along with nine medalists.

Purdue captured its six titles in a 14-year span (2000-13), which includes a three-peat from 2008 to 2010.

The lowest individual scores in conference championship history have been by Boilermakers. Laura Gonzalez-Escallon holds the 72-hole low with a 280 (71-70-70-69) in 2010. Also that year, Purdue broke the 72-hole team record to capture its third straight Big Ten title (289-292-294-294—1,158)

In 2016, August Kim set the 54-hole mark at 207 (69-71-67), which now ranks second all-time. The Big Ten Championship has been decided by a 54-hole stroke play format since 2012.

LAST TIME OUT

Purdue proved it can compete with anyone in the Big Ten. Facing 12 conference foes, the Boilermakers carded the lowest final round at the Lady Buckeye Invitational to finish strong and carry some momentum into the Big Ten Championship.

Purdue fired a 293 (+5) to conclude the tournament, moving two spots up the leaderboard to secure their fourth Top-5 performance in six spring tournaments. The Boilermakers finished fifth, ahead of Michigan and Kent State, two teams ranked higher than them in Golfstat’s national rankings.

PLAYING THEIR BEST AT THE RIGHT TIME

Three Boilermakers played some of their best golf at last weekend Lady Buckeye Invitational, the final tune-up ahead of the conference championship.

Placing ninth on the individual leaderboard, Ashley Kozlowski recorded her second Top-10 performance of the season. Kozlowski’s 215 (69-72-74) bested her previous 54-hole season low by six strokes.

Kan Bunnabodee shot a season-low 217 (72-69-76) to finish tied for 14th at 1-over, another season best. The 2021 First Team All-Big Ten golfer made 14 birdies through 54 holes, leading the 87-player field.

Keeping with the trend of Purdue golfers having their A-game, Jocelyn Bruch had her best tournament as a Boilermaker. The redshirt-sophomore tied for 18th for her first career Top-20 finish, carding two rounds of par-or-better.

POSTSEASON ON THE HORIZON

Sitting at No. 45 in Golfstat’s national rankings, the Boilermakers plan to see their name on next week’s NCAA Selection Show (April 26, 1 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel).

NCAA Regional play will take place at six sites (May 8-10).

Athens, Georgia – University of Georgia Golf Course

Westfield, Indiana – The Club at Chatham Hills

Pullman, Washington – Palouse Ridge Golf Club

Raleigh, North Carolina – Lonnie Poole Golf Course

San Antonio, Texas – TPC San Antonio

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – PGA National Resort Champions Course

The top five teams and the low individual not on an advancing team from each regional site will advance to play in the championships at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona (May 19-24).

ADDING TO THE RECORD BOOK

The Boilermakers added a pair of Top-5 performances to their record book while competing at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic (March 24-25).

Momo Sugiyama’s 142 (73-69) was the second-best 36-hole total in Purdue Women’s Golf history.

As a team, Purdue’s two-day total of 583 (298-285) marked the fourth-lowest 36-hole performance by a Boilermaker squad.

With five rounds in the 60s, Sugiyama is one away from tying Purdue’s single-season record held by five Boilermakers: Maria Hernandez (2007-08), Maude-Aimee Leblanc (2009-10), Paula Reto (2012-13), Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri (2018-19) and Micaela Farah (2018-19).

TULANE CLASSIC CHAMPIONS

Purdue began the spring season on the right note, defeating 17 teams to win the Tulane Classic at English Turn Golf & Country Club in New Orleans (Feb. 12-14).

In just the fifth tournament under first-year head coach Zack Byrd, the Boilermakers captured their first team title since winning the 2018 Illini Women’s Invitational.

The Boilermakers (+33) used Top 5 individual performances from Ashley Kozlowski (second), Danielle du Toit (third) and Momo Sugiyama (fifth) to secure a four-shot victory.

The Boilermakers recorded 37 birdies throughout the 54-hole tournament, the most by any team. Purdue also paced the field in par-3 scoring (E) and par-5 scoring (+1) on the difficult par 72 course.

For leading Purdue to victory, Kozlowski was named B1G Golfer of the Week following the tournament.

YEAR OF THE BYRD

Following the retirement of legendary coach Devon Brouse, Zack Byrd was named the new head coach of Purdue Women’s Golf prior to the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

One of the top recruiters in the country, Byrd made the move to West Lafayette after spending four seasons at Ole Miss.

Byrd helped the Rebels capture the 2021 NCAA National Championship, the first women’s team national championship in Ole Miss history.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Byrd spent 10 years as a professional golfer; his career featured an appearance in the 2011 U.S. Open and qualifying for the final stage of PGA Tour Q School.

Byrd hired Lauren Guiao as assistant coach; Guiao made the move to coaching and returned to the program after playing in 20 tournaments over her Purdue career (2017-21).

PURDUE TRACK AND FIELD

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Purdue track & field team travels south to Bloomington, Indiana, for the Indiana Invitational from April 21-22, in the team’s penultimate meet of the regular season.

The Boilermakers’ first event on Friday, April 21, is the men’s hammer throw and women’s 200-meter at 5:30 p.m. ET. The opening day concludes with the men’s shot put and men’s 5,000m at 8:45 p.m. On Saturday, April 22, the women’s discus begins the day, and Purdue’s first event on the track is the women’s 100m hurdle prelims at 1:10 p.m. The meet concludes with the men’s javelin at 5 p.m.

Fans can follow along with live results and the meet schedule from Bloomington, while direct links are available on the schedule page at PurdueSports.com/TrackField. Additional updates, including schedule updates should weather be an impact, can be found by following and connecting with the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

This weekend will be the Boilermakers’ first of two visits to IU’s Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex this season. The venue also will host the 2023 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships from May 12-14.

The Indiana Invitational field includes the host-Hoosiers, fellow Big Ten foe Michigan State and in-state opponents Butler, Evansville, Indiana State, IUPUI and Notre Dame. The Boilermakers will be represented by 36 student-athletes, 19 men and 17 women.

PURDUE IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS

Two Boilermaker relays appear in the top-25 in the fourth weekly national TFRI individual rankings, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The women’s 4×100 relay is No. 21, and the women’s 4×400, with the fifth-fastest time in school history, is No. 22

As a team, four events appear in the top-25 of the season’s third #EventSquad rankings. The women’s 200m is No. 15 and the women’s 100m is 18th. The women’s pole vault checks in at No. 19, while the men’s hammer throw is 20th nationally.

A FAMILIAR VENUE

Purdue returns to IU’s outdoor track for the seventh time in the last three seasons. In 2022, the Hoosiers hosted the Indiana Invitational from April 23-24 and the NCAA East Prelims from May 25-28.

At the Indiana Invitational, the Boilermakers earned 10 top-10 marks in program history, six victories and 25 personal-best marks in two days. Four victories came with top-10 marks, including now-junior Cierra Williams in the 400m and the women’s 4×400 relay. Now-sophomore Shianne Dacosta also etched her name in the record book, while now-fifth-year Camille Christopher added a win of her own.

One month later, 21 Boilermakers competed in Bloomington for a spot at the NCAA Championships, and eight events advanced out of the weekend to the national championships. Among those who qualified as the top 12 finishers in their events were current Boilermakers Justin Becker, Naomi Campbell, Christopher, Dacosta, Saran Kouyeth, Kerris Roberts, K’Ja Talley and Williams.

LAST TIME OUT: WEEKEND AT FLORIDA AND LOUISVILLE

A weekend ago, Williams moved up in the record books and sophomore Rieko Wilford earned a win with a personal-best-tying mark as the Boilermakers competed at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, and the Jim Freeman Louisville Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, from April 14-15.

A total of 22 personal-best marks were achieved by the Boilermakers at the two meets, including Williams. Another 10 season-bests were recorded, while Wilford was one of three to tie their collegiate or season-best mark.

Recap all the action from day one and day two, including full results, at PurdueSports.com/TrackField.

NEXT UP: REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

The regular season concludes at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, from April 26-29. The Boilermakers return to the nationally-renowned meet for the second consecutive season.

BUTLER BASEBALL

INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs are back in BIG EAST action this weekend with a three-game series at Seton Hall. All three contests will stream on FloSports.com. Friday’s 6 PM start will be carried on the BIG EAST Digital Network. The games on Saturday and Sunday will be brought to you by the Pirate Sports Network.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, April 21 – 6 PM

Saturday, April 22 – 2 PM

Sunday, April 23 – 12 PM

Projected Starters

RHP Nick Miketinac vs. RHP Nick Payero

LHP Cory Bosecker vs. RHP Daniel Frontera

RHP Lukas Galdoni vs. RHP Chris Shine

Scouting Seton Hall

The Pirates took two of three at St. John’s and recently defeated Wagner 14-5 to improve their overall record to 19-16. A 4-2 conference record currently has SHU in a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings. Seton Hall opened BIG EAST play with two wins vs. Georgetown. They opened the 2023 campaign with an impressive win at #12 North Carolina. Head Coach Rob Sheppard played for Seton Hall (1989-92) and inherited a winning tradition left by his father, Mike Sheppard. The 2023 team is led by junior shortstop Max Viera and his .346 average. Viera ranks second in the league in stolen bases (18) and third in doubles (13). Alex Clyde is another SHU hitter to keep an eye on. The grad student is also batting .346 and is near the team lead with 26 runs scored. On the mound, look for Seton Hall to throw Nick Payero, Daniel Frontera and Chris Shine. Payero got pulled early at St. John’s, but struck out six over 5.2 innings vs. Georgetown. The same can be said for Shine who went five full vs. GU with seven K’s, but only got four outs at St. John’s.

Recent History vs. the Pirates

Butler is 10-15 vs. Seton Hall since joining the BIG EAST Conference. The Bulldogs won the weekend series over the Pirates in 2022, 2017, 2015 and 2014. SHU swept Butler in 2018 and 2016.

BIG EAST Standings

UConn 4-2, 27-10

Xavier 4-2, 22-15

Seton Hall 4-2, 19-16

Georgetown 5-4, 22-16

Villanova 5-4, 10-25

Creighton 3-3, 15-14

St. John’s 2-4, 18-15

Butler 0-6, 7-29

Upcoming BIG EAST Schedule

Xavier at Villanova

Butler at Seton Hall

Georgetown at UConn

St. John’s at Creighton

BIG EAST Breakdown

The Bulldogs are 0-6 in the BIG EAST after the opening two weekends. Carter Dorighi, Xavier Carter, Joey Urban, Kollyn All and Garret Gray have started for BU in all six games. Dorighi and Carter have the best batting averages vs. conference competition hitting .462 and .435 respectively. All and Gray have two homers during this stretch and Scott Jones has two triples.

Streaks

Carter Dorighi and Joey Urban both have seven-game hitting streaks heading into the Seton Hall series. 

Bulldog Bits

– Butler has 78 hits over their last seven games

– They had 17 hits in game one vs. Nova and recorded a new season-high total with 18 in the finale

– Joey Urban and Scott Jones homered at Purdue on Wednesday night

– Urban has recorded an RBI in three-straight games

– Scott Jones leads the BIG EAST in triples with four

– Jones has seven RBIs over his last three games

– BU leads the BIG EAST with 13 triples

– Keegan Connors has started at DH in five-straight games

– Kollyn All had a double and a sac fly the last time Butler faced Seton Hall

– All came up with his first triple of the year Wednesday at Purdue

– Jake DeFries recorded his first multi-RBI game of April at Purdue

– Cory Bosecker threw a season-high 109 pitches in his last start

– Nick Miketinac’s longest outing this year was his last start (57 pitches)

– Lukas Galdoni’s longest outing included 81 pitches (4/2)

– Cole Graverson threw in all three games vs. Nova

– Seton Hall has the best team ERA in the BIG EAST (4.64)

– Michael Gillen has the best ERA in the league (0.50)

– Alex Nicolosi is limiting opponents to a .136 BA

– BU is 4-8 vs. Seton Hall at Bulldog Park

– Three of the last 10 meetings have gone into extra innings

Up Next

Four-straight home games appear on the schedule for the Bulldogs once they return from New Jersey. BU will host Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, April 25 and remain in Indianapolis for a three-game home series vs. visiting Creighton.

BUTLER WOMEN’S TENNIS

The Bulldogs defeated Providence 4-0 to start off their BIG EAST tournament on Thursday. Butler will now face No. 2 seed DePaul in the Quarterfinals.

Butler earned a convincing doubles point to start the match. The No. 3 duo Norah Balthazor and Jordan Schildcrout blanked their opponents 6-0 while Natalie Boesing and Chase Metcalf won 6-3 from the top court.

In singles play, Butler took three matches in straight sets to close out the 4-0 victory. Boesing won from the No. 1 in a 6-2, 6-2 score line. Balthazor and Katie Beavin earned wins from the No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. Both didn’t give up a game in their first sets and then closed out the match with controlling second sets. Delaney Schurhamer, Metcalf, and Emma Beavin all held leads before their matches went unfinished.

First serve for tomorrow’s match with DePaul is set for 9 a.m.

Match Results – Butler vs. Providence

Singles:

1. Natalie Boesing (BU) def. Katie Mulvey (PC) 6-2, 6-2

2. Delaney Schurhamer (BU) vs. Julia Migliorini (PC) 6-4, 1-2, unfinished

3. Chase Metcalf (BU) vs. Vannelie Melendez (PC) 6-4, 4-3, unfinished

4. Norah Balthazor (BU) def. Lauren Carson (PC) 6-0, 6-1

5. Katie Beavin (BU) def. Mae Abreu (PC) 6-0, 6-2

6. Emma Beavin (BU) vs. Elisa Davalos (PC) 6-2, 4-3, unfinished

 Doubles:

1. Natalie Boesing/Chase Metcalf (BU) def. Katie Mulvey/Vannelie Melendez (PC) 6-3

2. Veronika Bruetting/Delaney Schurhamer (BU) vs Julia Migliorini/Lauren Carson (PC) 4-4, unfinished

3. Norah Balthazor/Jordan Schildcrout (BU) def. Mae Abreu/Elisa Davalos (PC) 6-0

BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

INDIANAPOLIS – Ari Wiggins will return to Indianapolis to continue her collegiate career at Butler. The 5-8 guard attended Michigan for two seasons after a stellar high school career at Heritage Christian. Wiggins appeared in 37 games for the Wolverines over her first two seasons. Prior to her time in Ann Arbor, Wiggins was an Indiana All-Star and the Runner-Up for Miss Basketball in 2021.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ari back home to Indy,” Head Coach Austin Parkinson said. “Ari is a veteran point guard who is extremely fast with the ball in her hands and can really push the ball in transition. Bulldog fans will love watching her heat up the basketball defensively and score in a variety of ways on the offensive end the next two years.”

Wiggins earned two varsity letters at Michigan and was an Academic All-BIG Ten selection in 2022-23. She came off the bench to score four points in three different games against Rutgers, Michigan State and Illinois. Ironically, Wiggins made her Michigan debut against IUPUI in 2021 with Parkinson coaching the Jaguars.

“I decided to come to Butler because it’s like a homecoming,” Wiggins explained. “The women’s basketball team operates as a family and values me as a person, a student, and a basketball player. Butler will help me grow in each area of my life. I’m glad to be a part of the Butler family.”

At Heritage Christian, Wiggins was a four-time All-State, All-City and All-Conference selection. She was a two-time Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee (2018-19, 2020-21) that capped off her high school career with 1,689 points, 362 rebounds, 247 assists and 274 steals. Wiggins averaged 27.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.4 steals per game as a senior. Those numbers helped her become a four-star recruit that ranked No. 25 by Prospects Nation, No. 35 by the All-Star Girls Report, No. 38 by Blue Star and No. 68 by ESPN in the 2021 Class.

BALL STATE WOMEN’S GOLF

MUNCIE, Ind – The Ball State women’s golf team returns to the course for the final time during the regular season for the Mid-American Championship on the Kalamazoo Country Club. The Tournament is scheduled for one round on Friday, one on Saturday, and the final round on Sunday.

Last season, the Cardinals finished in fifth place. Kiah Parrott, Jasmine Driscoll, Madelin Boyd, Sarah Gallagher, and Peyton Broce look to improve on last year’s result. Payton Bennett will serve as an alternate.

Ball State is joined by host Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo, and Western Michigan.

The Kalamazoo Country Club is a par-72, 6,011-yard course. The Cardinals will tee off beginning at 9:30 a.m. from hole one. Ball State will be joined by Ohio in the opening round. Live stats can be found on golfstat.com or by clicking here.

Weekend Schedule

Friday – 9:30 a.m. teeing off from hole one

Saturday – 9:30 a.m. teeing off from hole one

Sunday – 11 a.m. from hole one; 11:30 a.m. from hole 10

BALL STATE BASEBALL

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State baseball team returns to the friendly confines of the Ball Diamond at First Merchants Ballpark for a three-game series against Northern Illinois. The Cardinals and Huskies are slated for one game on Friday, a game on Saturday, and the final game on Sunday. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m., times and dates could change due to weather. 

The Cardinals are coming off a 3-2 loss against the Purdue Boilermakers on Tuesday. Ball State enters the weekend with a 23-13 overall record and a 10-5 conference mark, while Northern Illinois is 7-27 overall and 4-10 in league games. 

Gold Glove Peltier

At the conclusion of last season, Ryan Peltier was honored as the best defensive third baseman in the NCAA and received an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove. After being named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and earning a spot on the All-MAC Second Team for back-to-back seasons, Peltier was awarded the first Gold Glove in BSU history. He was a 2023 Preseason All-American honoree from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Peltier is second on the team with a .387 batting average, which is tied for 63rd in the NCAA and second in the MAC. He has pelted a team-best seven homers and has a team-high 31 RBIs. He has a slugging percentage of .648, which is tied for 148th in the country and third in the MAC. Peltier has scored 46 runs, which is tied for 29th in the NCAA and is first the MAC. He leads the team in doubles with 14 and he has added one triple. His 14 doubles are tied for 36th in the NCAA and are tied for third in the conference.

What Can Brown Do for You?

Ryan Brown was named the No. 49 prospect in college baseball by D1 Baseball. Brown was the only Mid-American Conference player selected to the top-100 list. He was also tabbed as one of the top mid-major prospects for the 2023 season. Brown also landed on the 2023 MLB Draft: Rising Righthanded Pitchers watch list. Last season, Brown earned recognition as a Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-American along with the MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year. He also earned a spot on the All-MAC Second Team.

Brown is currently tied for 121st in the NCAA and eighth in the MAC with 54 strikeouts. He his 4-1 on the year and has thrown 27 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting just .170 against him for the season. He has a 4.88 ERA.

Don’t Mess with Tex

Trennor O’Donnell leads the team with a 3.12 ERA. His ERA is tied for the 95th best in the country and is second in the MAC. His 56 strikeouts are tied for 102nd in the NCAA and seventh in the MAC. He has a 2-2 record and has thrown 49 innings. Opponents are hitting just .231 against him.

Scouting the Cardinals

Decker Scheffler is second on the squad with .364 batting average, which is tied for 153rd in the NCAA and is fifth in the MAC. He has 30 RBIs, 25 runs scored, seven doubles, four homers, and three triples. His three triples are tied for 52nd in the country and tied for second in the conference. Scheffler is tied for 143rd as the toughest player to strikeout in the NCAA and is fourth in the MAC. Adam Tellier is third on the team with a .322 average. He has 33 runs scored, 18 walks, 20 RBIs, nine doubles, three triples, and three home runs. His three triples are tied for 52nd in the NCAA and are tied for second in the MAC. Nick Gregory might only be hitting .253, but he leads the team with 32 walks. His 32 walks are tied for 42nd in the NCAA and are second in the MAC. He has scored 28 runs and driven in 14 runs.

Logan Schulfer is third on the team with 41 strikeouts. He as a 2-2 record with a 5.90 ERA. Ty Johnson is fourth on the team with 36 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings of work. He has a 3-2 record with a 4.25 ERA. Ty Weatherly has 35 strikeouts on the season. He has a 6.49 ERA in 34 2/3 innings of work and a 1-1 record. Tanner Knapp has 33 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. He is 1-2 on the season with a 6.49 ERA. Jacob Hartlaub is the remaining pitcher with more that 20 strikeouts, with 24. He has a 3-2 record.

Ball State vs. Northern Illinois: The Series

BSU and NIU will meet for the 103rd time this weekend. The Cardinals lead the series 64-37-1. Ball State has won the last 10 meetings. BSU is 26-12 at home against NIU. The Cardinals are 40-4 against the Huskies under Head Coach Rich Maloney.

Scouting the Huskies

Colin Summerhill leads the Huskies with a .317 batting average. He leads the team with 33 RBIs, nine doubles, and six home runs. He has added 21 runs scored and one triple. Andre Demetral leads the team with four triples, which is tied for 18th in the country and most in the MAC. He is hitting .310 with 25 runs scored, 14 RBIs, and six doubles.

Mason Ruh leads the pitching staff with 30 strikeouts. He has a 1-1 record with a 6.23 ERA in 34 2/3 innings of work. Matt Salomonson is second on the squad with 24 strikeouts. He has a 6.00 ERA in 33 innings and has a 1-3 record. Brandon McPherson and Jacob Wilde are tied for third on the team with 23 strikeouts.

MAC Standings

1. Kent State – 26-10, 12-3

2. Ohio – 15-17, 13-5

3. Ball State – 23-13, 10-5

4. Central Michigan – 23-13, 10-5

5. Western Michigan – 10-24, 7-7

6. Bowling Green – 14-19, 8-10

7. Toledo – 16-20, 6-9

8. Miami – 11-28, 7-11

9. Eastern Michigan – 16-18, 6-12

10. Akron – 14-22, 6-12

11. Northern Illinois – 7-27, 4-10

BALL STATE SOFTBALL

» THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE SOFTBALL: The Ball State softball team is scheduled to return to action Saturday, when it travels to Bowling Green for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Meserve Field … The teams are also slated to play a single game Sunday at Noon.

» A QUICK LOOK AT THE CARDINALS: Ball State enters Friday’s contest at BGSU with a 21-21 (11-9 MAC) record after sweeping a three-game home series versus Buffalo last weekend … The Cardinals swept an April 15 doubleheader by scores of 4-1 and 6-2, before topping the Bulls 11-3 (6) Sunday … Senior Amaia Daniel leads the Ball State offense and ranks 40th nationally with her .419 batting average and is currently on an 11-game hitting streak … In the circle, sophomore Angelina Russo leads the Ball State pitching staff with her 2.89 ERA and .222 batting average against over 99.1 innings of work.

» THE OVERALL RECORD: Ball State enters the weekend with a 1142-1137-4 (.501) overall record dating back to the 1975 season … The Cardinals have tallied 30-or-more wins in 16 seasons, most recently a 37-18 mark under current head coach Lacy Schurr in 2021 … Of the 16 seasons with 30-or-more wins, 11 have come in the past 15 seasons.

» ABOUT BOWLING GREEN:

– The Falcons enter the series with an 8-30 (1-17 MAC) record and are currently on a 15-game losing streak … Last weekend, BGSU was swept by Akron … The Zips won both ends of a Saturday doubleheader by scores of 10-2 (5) and 7-1, while taking Sunday’s contest 11-1 (5).

– Sophie Weber leads the squad in nearly every offensive category with a .314 average, 16 RBI, nine doubles, and three home runs … Maycee Goldbolt is second on the squad with a .263 average … As a team, the Falcons are batting just .229 on the year.

– Six different pitchers have seen action in the circle for BGSU this season, with Hannah Davies leading the squad with 84.2 innings of work over 20 appearances … Davies has a 6.12 ERA and a 1-13 record, with opponents batting .316 off her.

– Bowling Green holds a 54-48 edge in the all-time series, including wins in two of three games last season in Muncie … The Falcons won the first game of an April 29 twinbill by a score of 2-1 (9), while Ball State took the nightcap 7-2 … Unfortunately, BGSU added another 2-1 win the next day to win the series … This weekend’s games will mark the first hosted by Bowling Green since the 2018 season, with the Falcons holding a 23-20 edge at home … BSU did win two of three in its last trip to Meserve Field, splitting a March 23, 2018, doubleheader by scores of 9-0 and 2-4, while earning a 12-0 (5) win the following day.

BALL STATE NEWS & NOTES:

» WHERE WE STAND: Ball State enters the week ranked sixth in the MAC standings with its .550 (11-9) league winning percentage … The top four teams earn a berth in the 2023 MAC Tournament which will be hosted by the No. 1 overall seed … Ohio currently holds the top spot at .700 (14-6), followed by Akron at .650 (13-7), and both Miami and Central Michigan at .647 (11-6) … Northern Illinois is also currently ahead of the Cardinals at .562 (9-7).

» CHASING 200: Senior shortstop Amaia Daniel enters the Bowling Green series with 197 career hits and is three shy of becoming just the ninth player in program history to reach 200 career hits … Over 206 career games, Daniel has tallied 137 singles, 39 doubles, three triples, and 18 home runs … She is also looking to become the eighth-fastest player in program history to reach 200 career hits, with the fastest being Jennifer Gilbert (2011-14) who did it in 153 games.

» MORE ON DANIEL: Amaia Daniel, who has reached base safely in 38 of Ball State’s 42 games this season, enters the weekend on an 11-game hitting streak which ties her career long … That has helped her climb to 15th in program history with a .333 career batting average … Just the 16th Cardinal to record 100 career RBI, currently ranking 12th on BSU’s career charts at 117, Daniel is eighth all-time with a .430 on base percentage … She is also tied for ninth in career doubles (39), 11th in runs scored (122), and 16th in home runs (18) … On defense, she has helped turn 46 career double plays, which is the second-most in program history.

» SPEAKING OF DOUBLE PLAYS: Ball State’s defense has registered 19 double plays over its first 42 games of the season and currently ranks second in the MAC and 21st nationally with a 0.45 double plays-per-game average … Junior infielder Samantha-Jo Mata has had a hand in 12 double plays, while Amaia Daniel at shortstop has factored in 11.

» GONE WITH THE WYNN: Senior infielder Haley Wynn opened the year with a bang, smashing a solo home run to center field for Ball State’s first hit of the 2023 season in the team’s 5-3 victory over Samford (Feb. 17) … Since then, she has added seven more home runs and is second on the team with eight on the year … Of those seven additional home runs, four came in back-to-back two home run games starting with a three-run blast and solo homer in the 15-9 victory over Kent State (March 17) and followed by a pair of solo shots in the 8-4 victory over Central Michigan (March 25).

» MORE ON WYNN: Haley Wynn enters the BGSU series as one of the most prolific batters in program history ranking 13th on Ball State’s career charts with a .335 career average, including her .386 mark this season … She is also 13th all-time in slugging percentage (.533) and 14th in on base percentage (.411) … In addition, her 124 career runs score are 10th in program history, while her 0.88 runs per game average this season is second in the MAC and 80th nationally.

» ON THE BASE PATHS: Ball State picked up right where it left off last season, stealing a total of 55 bases over the first 42 games of the season … The Cardinals currently rank third in the MAC and 77th nationally with a 1.33 steals-per-game average … Junior outfielder Remington Ross leads the way, going a perfect 18-for-18 in stolen base attempts … With the mark, Ross remains first in program history with a .976 (40-for-41) stolen base percentage … In addition, her 40 career stolen bases are tied for 12th in program history.

» NEAR PERFECTION: Sophomore pitcher Angelina Russo, who threw the first perfect game in program history versus Western Michigan last season, added to her lore in the 10-1 (5) victory over Lindenwood (Feb. 19), collecting just the 18th recorded no-hitter for the Cardinals dating back to the 1980 season … The 2022 MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year and a MAC All-Freshman Team selection, Russo retired 15 of the 17 batters she faced against the Lions with a walk and an error being the lone blemishes … She also struck out three batters in the contest.

» ANOTHER NO-NO: Ball State registered the 19th recorded no-hitter in last Sunday’s win over Buffalo as sophomore Angelina Russo and freshman Bridie Murphy combined to hold the Bulls hitless in the 11-3 (6) victory … Russo threw the first 4.0 innings, allowing no hits and striking out five batters … Murphy followed by retiring six of the seven batters she faced with a pair of strikeouts … The lone base runner came on a two-run error … The effort marked just the fourth combined no-hitter in program history … The last combined no-hitter was thrown May 5, 2019, when Aeshia Miles (3.0) and Darcie Huber (2.0) combined for a 10-0 (5) win versus Oakland.

» THE MURPHY FACTOR: Bridie Murphy was nearly perfect in the circle over her two appearances versus the Bulls last weekend, retiring 15 of the 16 batters she faced, with an error being the only blemish … She finished the weekend with a 0.00 ERA over 5.0 innings and registered seven strikeouts … She was also credited with her first career save in Saturday’s 6-2 victory over the Bulls in which she retired all nine batters she faced.

» DOUBLING UP: The Cardinals rank second in the MAC and 21st nationally with a 1.55 doubles-per-game average … Senior catcher/infielder Jazmyne Armendariz is tied for second in the MAC with 11 doubles, while redshirt sophomore utility player McKenna Mulholland is tied for eighth with nine … BSU has 65 doubles on the year, with at least one double in 32 games, including a season-high six versus Sacred Heart (March 10).

NOTRE DAME BASEBALL

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are back in action at Frank Eck Stadium for a three-game series against No. 8 Virginia starting this Friday, April 21. The Irish are 8-10 in the ACC as they take host their first conference series since hosting North Carolina from Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2 at the Eck.

Notre Dame Hosts No. 8 Virginia

Virginia heads into the weekend leading the Coastal division with an ACC record of 12-6 and overall record of 32-6.

This will be the 21st matchup between the Irish and Cavaliers as the Irish trail the overall series 9-11.

The Irish are 1-5 at home, 5-4 at UVA, and 3-2 at neutral sites.

The last matchup between the two squads was in pool play of the ACC tournament last season on May 27, 2022 in Charlotte, NC.

The Irish head into the weekend with Carter Putz leading the way with a .279 batting average, followed by Zack Prajzner who is hitting at a clip of .275.

Prajzner has tallied a team best 38 hits, 28 runs, and nine doubles.

Putz is leading the Irish with 23 RBI, as he’s recorded 36 hits, eight doubles, and five home runs.

Jack Penney is leading the the with seven home runs this season, followed by Vinny Martinez with six home runs.

Valparaiso and Western Michigan Come to Frank Eck

The Irish defeated Valparaiso and Western Michigan in their home midweeks to advance to 8-4 at home.

Winning 7-3 over Valpo, the Irish were led by Vinny Martinez who finished the day with two home runs. He also recorded three hits, three runs, and two RBI.

The Irish defeated Western Michigan 2-1 on Wednesday at home as they were led by TJ Williams, who finished with two hits, including a double to left center field.

Irish Travel to Clemson

Notre Dame took game one of the three-game series at Clemson as the Irish offense was hot to start the series, recording 11 hits while winning 10-4 on Friday.

The 10-4 victory was sparked by a big third inning as Notre Dame picked up their eighth ACC win of the year.

Jack Penney and Brooks Coetzee each recorded three hits a piece in the win with Coetzee also recording three RBI and Penney recording two runs.

TJ Williams also tallied his fourth home run of the year in the fifth inning for a two-run home run that extended the lead 8-2.

The Irish fell 5-1 in game two on Saturday and 6-4 in game three on Sunday.

The Irish are now 8-10 in the ACC after dropping the Clemson series on the road.

Michigan State Matchup at Frank Eck

The Irish fell to Michigan State in their first extra-inning game of the season at Frank Eck Stadium on Tuesday, April 11.

TJ Williams went 3-4 on the day, recording four RBI and his third home run of the year. Zack Prajzner finished the day with two hits as he tallied homer number four of the season.

Falling 7-6 after a Spartan home run in the top of the 11th, the Irish were unable to get the offense rolling in the bottom frame and dropped their first midweek of the season.

Conference Play Resumes at Pitt

The Irish took the series at Pitt after winning games one and two on Thursday and Friday. After winning 10-8 in game one, the Irish took game two 11-2 after a big offensive frame in the ninth.

The Irish fell short of the sweep as they dropped Sunday’s game 9-5 against the Panthers.

A six-run first inning gave the Irish an early advantage in game one as Danny Neri capped off the scoring frenzy with his fourth home run of the year in the top of the first.

Jack Penney led off the second with his seventh home run of the season as he homered to right center to tack on another run for Notre Dame and make it a score of 7-2.

The Panthers were able to close the gap to 10-8 with just one out in the bottom of the ninth as Sammy Cooper would come in to close for the Irish.

Pitt chopped a ground ball to Penney at third who turned a double play to preserve the Irish lead. Cooper picked up his second save of the season as Notre Dame took home the 10-8 victory to open the series.

Jackson Dennies started on the mound in game two and finished the day pitching 4.2 innings, recording six strikeouts, and allowing no runs and just one hit.

Leading 4-1 heading into the top of the ninth, the Irish offense dominated in the final inning scoring seven runs off of six hits in the frame to go on and take the 11-2 win.

Irish Take on Northwestern

The Irish are now five-for-five in midweek matchups as they defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 12-0 on Tuesday, April 4 at Frank Eck.

Notre Dame is now 6-3 after their second shutout win of the season.

Jack Penney recorded his sixth homerun of the year in the bottom of the seventh and Joey Spence would record his first career home run in the bottom of the eight for a two-run homerun to extend the Irish lead 12-0 heading into the ninth.

The Irish will face the Wildcats again on the road on Tuesday, May 16.

UNC Heads to South Bend for Another ACC Series

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-11) dropped the three-game series at Frank Eck as they fell to No. 13 North Carolina (20-8) in games one and two of the series.

Looking for redemption after a tough loss to the Tar Heels on Friday night, the Irish fell 5-2 in the first game of day, but were able to take home the final game in a 9-1 victory on the home turf.

Jackson Dennies recorded a career-high seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings in the game three win. He also allowed just two hits, while giving up no runs and walking no batters.

Vinny Martinez had himself a weekend at the plate, recording five hits and five runs on the weekend, as well as three home runs and seven RBI.

Midweek Matchup at Frank Eck Against Butler

The Irish are 4-for-4 in their midweek matchups so far this season, with two neutral site wins over Saint Joseph’s in Holly Springs, a win over Valpo in the 2023 home opener, and a 4-0 win over Butler at Frank Eck.

Jackson Dennies started on the mound as he recorded a career-high six strikeouts across a career-high four innings pitched.

Irish Make History in Series Win Over No. 2 Louisville

The Notre Dame Fighting (12-9) Irish defeated the No. 2 Louisville Cardinals (19-4) in a historic fashion, taking the first game of the series on Friday, March 24 and the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday, March 26.

The 5-4 win on Sunday afternoon clinched the first-ever home series win over Louisville in program history. After falling 2-1 in the second game of the doubleheader, the Irish are now 4-5 in conference.

In game one, Notre Dame trailed 2-0 heading into the fifth.

The Irish held Louisville scoreless in the top of the inning, while the Irish offense really started to get hot in the bottom of the frame. The Irish led off with singles from DM Jefferson and TJ Williams, and a sac bunt from Jack Penney would put runners on second and third for Notre Dame.

Zack Prajzner scored both as he doubled down the left field line to add two Irish runs to the board and make it an even 2-2 ballgame. Zyska followed with a double of his own as he sent it to the wall in the left field gap to score Prajzner and take the lead 3-2.

The Cardinals would score another run in the top of the sixth to tie it up at 3-3.

The Irish immediately responded as Estevan Moreno ripped a home run to deep left, his second of the season, to put the Irish back on top at 4-3 and lead them to eventual 4-3 victory to take game one.

In Saturday’s doubleheader, the Cardinals would put their first run of the day on the board on the first pitch of the game as they opened up with a home run to right field to take an early 1-0 lead. And after leading off the top of the fifth with another home run, Louisville led 3-0.

Notre Dame wasn’t going anywhere, as the Irish bats started to get hot in the fifth. Notre Dame would score all five of their runs in the bottom of the inning. The Irish’s five runs would come off of just three three hits, all of which were home runs. Jack Penney would hit the first homer, followed by back-to-back home runs from Carter Putz and Brooks Coetzee.

The five-run inning lifted the Irish to a 5-4 win to clinch the series win over the Cardinals.

Notre Dame Opens up at Home Against Valparaiso

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took down the Beacons in the 106th matchup between Valpo and Notre Dame as the Irish lead the overall series 86-21 with the very first game taking place on May 14, 1918.

The Irish defeated Valpo in a 8-4 victory in their home opener on Tuesday, March 21 at Frank Eck.

Both graduate students, Zack Prajzner and Jack Zyska both recorded their first home runs of the season in Tuesday’s win. Prajzner’s homer to left field came in the bottom of the third and Zyska followed with his left field home run in the bottom of the fourth.

David Lally Jr. made his second career start on the mound, throwing 2.1 innings before he was relieved in the third inning by Carter Bosch.  Bosch recorded a season-high six strikeouts across 3.2 innings and gave up no runs while allowing only two hits. Sammy Cooper came in to close in the top of the seventh, taking home his second win of the season.

Irish Resume Conference Play at No. 4 Wake Forest

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished the series 2-1 at no. 4 Wake Forest last weekend after falling in both doubleheader games on Saturday, but taking home Sunday’s game in a 3-1 victory.

The Irish are now 9-8 on the year and 2-4 in the ACC after the road series.

Due to Friday’s game being postponed for inclement weather, the Irish and Demon Deacons played a doubleheader on Saturday, March 18.

Wake Forest took game one 4-1 and game two 12-3.

Jackson Dennies started on the mound for the Irish in game one, finishing the day with three strikeouts while allowing two runs and five hits across 3.2 innings pitched.

Aidan Tyrell came in relief with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, throwing 3.1 innings, recording four strikeouts, and giving up just one run and one hit.

Trailing 1-0 heading into the top of the third, Danny Neri led off for the Irish with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a sac bunt from TJ Williams. Estevan Moreno followed with his first hit of the day as he singled through the left side to score Neri for Notre Dame’s only run of the game

The Irish struggled to score in game two on Saturday. Trailing 12-1 heading into the top of the ninth, Connor Hincks singled to center field for his first career hit and was sent home on a two-run home run from Tony Lindwedel. Lindwedel’s first career home run would close the gap to 12-3 as Wake Forest took home the second game of the series.

Wake Forest was undefeated 14-0 at home so far this season until Notre Dame took game three with a score of 3-1.

The Irish offense sparked in the top of the second with a double to right center from Carter Putz, who scored after Jack Zyska hit a single to left field.

The Irish posted an early 1-0 lead, while Findlay continued to shut down the Demon Deacons from the mound as he closed the first two innings with three strikeouts.

DM Jefferson started the third with a lead-off single to center field and advanced to second on a passed ball with TJ Williams up to bat. Jefferson was able to score and tack on another run for the Irish as an RBI single from Brooks Coetzee brought Jefferson home for the 2-0 lead.

Coetzee led off the sixth with a double to right center field, which was followed by a walk from Putz. With runners on first and second and Jack Penney up to bat, Coetzee was able to steal third on a wild pitch. Penney reached on a fielder’s choice, recording an RBI as Coetzee ran home to give the Irish a 3-0 edge heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Findlay recorded his 10th strikeout of the day before he was relieved by Blake Hely with two outs in the sixth. Findlay absolutely dominated from the mound, throwing 10 strikes across 5.2 innings and allowing just two hits and no runs.

Midweek matchup in Holly Springs

The Irish took down the Hawks on Tuesday, March 14, and Wednesday, March 15, in their first midweek matchup of the year.

Notre Dame defeated Saint Joseph’s 6-3 on Tuesday and 10-9 on Wednesday at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs, NC..

Matt Bedford made his first start of the year in game one and freshman David Lally Jr. made his first career start on the mound in game two.

Carter Putz recorded his second home run of the year in game one with a 440’ rocket to right field in the game one win.

The Irish took game two in a close 10-9 win, finishing the game with a bases loaded walk-off HBP as Coetzee was hit by the pitch for the fourth time that game for the walk-off win.

Putz, Penney, and Neri each recorded their third home runs of the year in game two against Saint Joseph’s.

Conference Play Opens Up at Georgia Tech

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish start the 2023 conference season 1-2 in the ACC after falling in games one and two, but taking home game three against the Yellow Jackets on the road.

The Irish fell in a close one on Friday night (March 10) at Russ Chandler Stadium. While the Irish trailed 2-0 early, a strong fifth inning that included five singles allowed Notre Dame to put four runs on the board to take the lead 4-3. However, the bottom of the seventh inning would lift the Yellow Jackets to the 7-4 victory in game one.

Due to Sunday’s weather, a double header was played on Saturday where the Yellow Jackets took the first game of the day 15-2.

While the Irish struggled to find the strike zone, the Yellow Jackets were hot from the plate, bringing in nine runs in the first three innings.

The Fighting Irish scored their first run of the day in the top of the third after Estevan Moreno singled up the middle and was sent home from an RBI double down the right field line from Jack Penney.

The Yellow Jackets would tack on another two runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead 11-1 and wouldn’t score again until the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman Caden Spivey made his debut on the mound in the bottom of the fourth, striking out his very first batter faced. Spivey allowed only one hit and gave up no runs in his two innings pitched.

Norte Dame wasn’t going anywhere though, as they came out strong to start the second game of the day and went on to take the final game 17-4. The Irish finished with 16 hits, their best offensive outing of the season.

Zack Prajzner started the Irish offense with a double to left field, followed by a base hit from Brooks Coetzee. Nick Juaire reached first after being hit by a pitch and it was bases loaded for the Irish. Jack Zyska was walked in his first at bat of the game, which scored Prajzner and put Notre Dame on the board 1-0.

Jack Penney stepped up to the plate with bases loaded and two outs and crushed a ball down the right field line for a grand slam. Penney’s second home run of the season scored Coetzee, Juaire, and Zyska to give the Irish the 5-0 advantage after one.

Leading 5-2 heading into the third, Carter Putz led off and started the inning with his first home run of the season with a 418’ homer to deep center field. Juaire followed with a base hit to left field and scored on an RBI double from Penny, his fifth RBI of the game.

Jackson Dennies started on the mound for the Irish, pitching 2.2 innings, throwing three strikeouts, and giving up three runs.

Dennies would give up one run in the bottom of the third before he was relieved by Aidan Tyrell, who finished with a game-high five strikeouts. Tyrell allowed no runs and only gave two hits across four innings pitched.

Vinny Martinez kept the offense going with a 434’ rocket out to left field, his first home run of the season with the Irish in the top of the seventh. Notre Dame tacked on another five runs in the seventh to take home the 17-4 victory.

NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S TENNIS

CARY, N.C. – The University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team team dropped a 4-3 decision to the Wake Forest Demon Deacon Thursday morning in the opening round of the ACC Championship tournament. The Fighting Irish close the regular season with a 15-10 overall record. The team will now await their fate for the NCAA Tournament which will be announced later this month.

How It Happened – Wake Forest

The tournament started off on the right note for the Irish, taking the doubles point. The pairing of Yashna Yellayi and Rylie Hanford opened the scoring with a 6-1 victory. The 47th ranked doubles team of Carrie Beckman and Julia Andreach upset Anna Brylin and Brooke Killingsworth 6-3 to earn the point.

The Demon Deacons tied the game with a straight-set victory at the top flight before the Irish took the lead back with a 6-4. 6-3 victory by Nibi Ghosh at the fifth flight. Wake Forest went on to take the next four matches, earning straight set wins at flights six and three. The final match was won by Wake Forest in three sets to take the victory.

Wake Forest Women’s Tennis 4, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2

Singles competition

#56 Casie Wooten (WF) def. #55 Page Freeman (ND-W) 6-4, 6-2

Julia Andreach (ND-W) vs. #64 Anna Brylin (WF) 7-5, 3-6, 4-4, unfinished

Brooke Killingsworth (WF) def. Yashna Yellayi (ND-W) 6-3, 7-6 (8-6)

Nevena Carton (WF) def. Carrie Beckman (ND-W) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Nibi Ghosh (ND-W) def. Maddie Lynch (WF) 6-4, 6-3

Whitley Pate (WF) def. Akari Matsuno (ND-W) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4

Doubles competition

#47 Carrie Beckman/Julia Andreach (ND-W) def. #18 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth (WF) 6-3

Page Freeman/Bojana Pozder (ND-W) vs. Mia Ahmad/Casie Wooten (WF) 4-4, unfinished

Yashna Yellayi/Rylie Hanford (ND-W) def. Nevena Carton/Whitley Pate (WF) 6-1

Match Notes:

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (1,5,6,3,4)

2023 ACC Women’s Tennis Championship: Match 3

Up Next

The Irish will participate in the NCAA Championship Tournament. Location and opponent will be announced at a later date.

INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball will welcome the Racers of Murray State to town for a three-game conference series set to begin on Friday at 2 p.m. ET at Price Field. 

Game two will be Saturday at 2 p.m. ET with the series finale being streamed on ESPN+ on Sunday at noon ET. Friday’s contest is Faculty & Staff Day as well as a mini bat giveaway. Saturday’s contest is Kids Day, with kids 12 and under receiving a signed ISU Softball team poster.

The Sycamores (22-21, 10-7 MVC) recently defeated Butler in a road contest, fighting back late in the game to defeat the Bulldogs 11-9. Indiana State had 11 hits in the game including a 3-for-4 game from Kennedy Shade who finished with five RBI. She launched her fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot to open up the scoring in the first inning. Isabella Henning hit her team-best fifth home run as well.

Murray State (28-15, 12-5 MVC) enters the weekend winners of seven of their last eight games. Most recently, the Racers won a weekend series against Evansville.

Indiana State and Murray State have only met one prior time back on February 25, 2012, which was an 11-3 Murray State victory at the Hilltopper Spring Classic in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Scouting Murray State

In her 11th season as head coach, Kara Amundson is the Racers’ all-time winningest coach. She has Murray State off to a 12-5 start in the program’s inaugural season in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Leading the offense in many categories, Gracie Osbron is batting .328 with 44 hits including 11 doubles and four home runs while driving in 27 runs. Osbron has also stolen a team-high 12 bases. Also batting over .306 is Lindsey Carroll who has 38 hits including nine doubles, a triple and a home run. Lily Fischer has a team-high 25 runs scored and has 35 hits on the season.

In the circle, the Murray State pitching staff has a 2.27 combined ERA which is led by Hannah James who is 12-5 with a 1.47 ERA in 133.1 innings pitched. James has recorded six complete games and has 175 strikeouts on the year. Jenna Veber has thrown 117.1 innings, tallying a 2.03 ERA with seven complete games and 75 punchouts. Bre Haislip has a 3.04 ERA in 20 appearances, recording 61 strikeouts.

Sycamores Stats & Notes

Isabella Henning leads ISU and ranks third in the Valley with a .405 batting average. Her 51 hits are tied for the most among all MVC hitters. Henning also leads the Sycamores with 12 doubles and five home runs. With her three RBIs against Butler, Henning moved into fifth all-time for career runs batted in at ISU with 90. She is also now tied for fourth all-time with 20 career home runs.

Kennedy Shade is batting .351 on the year and is second on the team with 39 hits which includes 12 for extra bases. Shade went 3-for-4 with 5 RBIs including a three-run home run on April 19 against Butler.

Annie Tokarek leads the Sycamores with 28 runs batted in, batting .287 with eight doubles and three home runs. She has 25 career home runs, sitting tied for second-most all time in program history.

Danielle Henning enters the weekend working on a 10-game hit streak, dating back to April 2 at Southern Illinois. She is batting .281 with 38 hits.

Olivia Patton is one of three Sycamores to have started every game, batting .272 with 37 hits and a team-high seven stolen bases.

Lexi Benko leads the Sycamore pitching staff with a 2.49 ERA and a 10-6 record. She’s recorded four complete games and struck out 70 batters.

Cassi Newbanks has a 3.07 ERA in 59.1 innings, throwing two complete games in eight starts while striking out 33 batters. Newbanks is 4-5 on the season.

Lauren Sackett has a 2.99 ERA on the season, making 23 appearances for 70.1 innings of work. She leads the ISU staff with five complete games, four saves and 92 strikeouts. Sackett picked up her fifth win of the season on April 19, throwing 2.1 scoreless relief innings at Butler.

Hailey Griffin is 3-2 on the season with a pair of saves, compiling a 3.85 ERA in 18 relief appearances.

INDIANA STATE TRACK

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State track and field continues its outdoor season with a pair of meets Friday and Saturday, as the Sycamores take part in the Crimson Tide Invitational and the Indiana Invitational.

Action from the Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, kicks off at 1 p.m. Friday, with Saturday’s first events beginning at noon. Indiana State’s first event at the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana, begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with the Sycamores’ first events Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

Who’s in the Crimson Tide Invitational Field?

Indiana State and host institution Alabama will be joined by Alabama A&M, Auburn, Hinds CC, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State, Meridian CC, North Alabama, Samford, Shorter, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Troy, UAB and West Alabama.

Who’s in the Indiana Invitational Field?

Indiana State and host institution Indiana will be joined by Austin Peay, Butler, Eastern Illinois, Evansville, Grace College, IUPUI, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Purdue, UIndy, Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky.

Ranked Teams in the Fields

Indiana State will face stiff competition over the weekend, with three men’s teams and one women’s team in the Sycamores’ meets ranked in the top 25.

Alabama leads the way with nationally-ranked men’s (No. 4) and women’s (No. 13) teams, while Louisville (No. 16) and Auburn (No. 24) both have men’s teams ranked in the top 25. Both junior college programs competing are also ranked in the NJCAA top 25 (Hinds – No. 18 men, No. 19 women; Meridian – No. 20 women, No. 22 men).

In addition to the nationally-ranked teams, a plethora of schools in this weekend’s fields are ranked in the top 10 of their respective regions. That includes Indiana State, as the Sycamores are fifth on the men’s side and ninth on the women’s side in the Great Lakes region.

Men’s teams in this weekend’s fields ranked in the top 10 of their respective regions include Indiana (No. 1 – Great Lakes), Alabama (No. 3 – South), Lousiville (No. 4 – Southeast), Indiana State (No. 5 – Great Lakes), Auburn (No. 6 – South), Michigan State (No. 7 – Great Lakes), Purdue (No. 8 – Great Lakes) and South Alabama (No. 9 – South).

Women’s teams in this weekend’s fields ranked in the top 10 of their respective regions include Notre Dame (No. 4 – Great Lakes), Indiana (No. 6 – Great Lakes), Alabama (No. 7 – South), Purdue (No. 7 – Great Lakes), Shorter (No. 7 – South, Division II), Auburn (No. 8 – South), Michigan State (No. 8 – Great Lakes), Indiana State (No. 9 – Great Lakes), UIndy (No. 9 – Midwest, Division II) and Vanderbilt (No. 10 – South).

Last Time Out

Indiana State track and field took advantage of ideal weather at the Gibson Invitational sponsored by the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, taking home the top spots on both the men’s and women’s side at the Gibson Track and Field Complex.

Competing in a field consisting of nearly 1,000 athletes, the largest meet ever hosted by Indiana State, the Sycamores finished with 140 points on the men’s side and 123 points on the women’s side. Indiana State’s men’s team finished 28.5 points ahead of second-place Southern Illinois, while the women’s team finished 17 points ahead of Illinois State.

Over the course of the three-day meet, Indiana State racked up six event wins, which came from the sprints, distance and jumps groups. Seven Sycamores set top-10 program marks over the weekend, with at least one athlete from every event group climbing the charts in program history.

Indiana State also recognized its 2023 senior class at the meet, with Cassidy Bagby, Kelsey Bowlds, Mitchell Cline, Faith Frye, Hannah Hendrick, Iyanla Hunter, Kevin Krutsch, Sierra Long, Emmanuel Odubanjo, Ayana Parchman, Brandon Peck, Claire Pittman, Riley Tuerff, Brittney Walker and Jhivon Wilson honored for their accomplishments in the Blue and White. Athletes who returned this season for a fifth year of eligibility – Daryl Black, JaVaughn Moore, Trevor Thompson, Wyatt Wyman and Frankie Young III – were previously recognized.

What to Watch For – Crimson Tide Invitational

Multiple events at the Crimson Tide Invitational will have star-studded fields. Among the notable events in Tuscaloosa are:

Men’s 100m and men’s 200 – Three of the top 50 in NCAA East region qualifying are in the men’s 100m field, and that doesn’t even include Indiana State’s JaVaughn Moore, who ran a wind-legal time of 10.13 last season. Moore and MTSU’s Alaba Akintola headline both short sprints fields, while Auburn’s Azeem Fahmi and Alabama’s Jekovan Rhetta add to an extremely deep 100m field.

Women’s 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles – Five of the top six marks from teams in the field will take part in the first heat of the 100m hurdles. Ryann Porter enters as the top time for the Sycamores after breaking the 14-second barrier for the first time in her career last week. The 400m hurdles field is deep, with each of the top three marks from teams in the field entering the weekend set to compete. Riley Tuerff ranks eighth in program history at 1:01.58.

Men’s 110m hurdles – Three top-40 NCAA East region qualifying marks are in the field, and all are in heat one. Luigi Rivas, who comes in at 78th in East qualifying, was an NCAA quarterfinalist last season. The field also includes one of the top five hurdlers in Division II in Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Ja’Qualon Scott.

Men’s and women’s pole vault – Indiana State’s William Staggs has the top mark among athletes in the field on the men’s side after clearing 5.21m/17-01.00 last week at the Gibson Invitational. Five athletes in the women’s field have cleared four meters this season, including the Sycamores’ Selene Weaver (4.02m/13-02.25).

Men’s and women’s triple jump – Ryann Porter has the top mark among athletes in the women’s triple jump field at 12.84m/42-01.50, which was set at last weekend’s Gibson Invitational. The men’s triple jump marks the outdoor season debut for Shomari Rogers-Walton, who was an NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifier in the long jump and triple jump last year.

Men’s discus and men’s hammer throw – Four of the top 20 marks in NCAA East region qualifying are in the discus field, including Indiana State’s Wyatt Puff. Puff ranks second in program history in the event at 56.53m/185-05. The Sycamores also have a pair of strong marks in the hammer field, with Noah Bolt (60.73m/199-03) and Elias Foor (60.55m/198-08) among the seven marks in the field over 60 meters.

What to Watch For – Indiana Invitational

The Indiana Invitational also has multiple events featuring NCAA regional qualifying marks. Among the notable events for the Sycamores are:

Men’s 100m – ISU’s Noah Malone (10.35) and IU’s Christopher Grant (10.28) have the top marks in the field, with both sitting in NCAA East regional qualifying spots. Malone will also take part in the 200m.

Women’s 5000m – A pair of NCAA regional marks are in the field in Indiana’s Sarah Schmitt (15:53.34) and Anni Christie of Miami (Ohio) (16:14.08). Michigan State also has a strong duo in the field, while Indiana State’s Erica Barker (16:48.33) ranks fourth in program history in the event.

Men’s 400m hurdles – Four times in the field are under 53 seconds, including Indiana State’s Quincy Armstrong. Armstrong has the top mark in the MVC in the event at 52.87 seconds.

Men’s 3000m steeplechase – Indiana State’s Logan Pietrzak (9:08.46) has the top time among entries in the field, just ahead of Purdue’s Caleb Williams (9:08.77). If the results end up being near those seed times, it’s a race that could come down to the last 100 meters.

Men’s and women’s high jump – The Sycamores have the top two marks in the men’s high jump field in Trevor Thompson (2.11m/6-11.00) and Kevin Krutsch (2.08m/6-09.75), though Indiana’s Grayson Rolen (2.06m/6-09.00) also occupies an NCAA East region qualifying spot. The Sycamores’ Kelsey Bowlds will compete in a loaded women’s high jump field consisting of two top-15 marks in region qualifying in IU’s Mahogany Jenkins (1.78m/5-10.00) and WKU’s Katie Isenbarger (1.77m/5-09.75).

Top-10 Trees

Indiana State continues to make noise in the Great Lakes region, as the Sycamores find themselves ranked in the top 10 in the region on both the men’s and women’s side for a fourth consecutive week to start the outdoor season.

The Sycamore men are ranked fifth in this week’s rankings, marking the ninth consecutive rankings index with the Sycamores in the top five in the region (indoor and outdoor). The nine consecutive top-five region rankings mark the longest streak in program history since regional rankings were first made available prior to the 2010 season.

Indiana State moved up one spot to ninth in the women’s rankings, marking the seventh time this season the Sycamore women are in the top 10 in the region. Included in those seven weeks in the top-10 are all four outdoor season polls.

Indiana State’s throws group also produced a pair top-10 national #EventSquad ranking, as the men’s discus group checked in at ninth in the nation and the men’s shot put group moved up to 10th this week.

Topping the Conference

Indiana State continues to hold firm in the USTFCCCA conference ratings index, with the Sycamores ranked first on the men’s side and second on the women’s side in the MVC.

Indiana State has eight marks that rank first in the MVC at the midway point of the 2023 outdoor season. Six of those marks come on the men’s side, while two are on the women’s side. Six of the Sycamores’ top marks in the conference come in field events, with track events accounting for two.

Indiana State’s depth is what keeps the Sycamores rooted to the top of the conference rankings. The Trees have 21 marks that rank in the top five of the MVC on the men’s side and 18 top-five conference marks on the women’s side.

Indiana State’s athletes with top marks in the conference are:

Quincy Armstrong – 400m hurdles (52.87)

JaVaughn Moore, Daunte Majors, Isiah Thomas, Noah Malone – 4x100m relay (39.98)

Trevor Thompson – high jump (2.11m/6-11.00)

William Staggs – pole vault (5.21m/17-01.00)

Selene Weaver – pole vault (4.02m/13-02.25)

Emmanuel Odubanjo – triple jump (14.38m/47-02.25)

Ryann Porter – triple jump (12.57mw/41-03.00)

Wyatt Puff – discus (56.53m/185-05)

In addition to the top conference marks, the men’s 4x100m relay team also ranks first in the Great Lakes region with the only time in the region under 40 seconds. Puff and Thompson also rank in the top three of the region in their respective events.

Up Next

Indiana State will split its squad for a second straight weekend, as the Sycamores take part in the Drake Relays while also playing host to the Sycamore Open.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE SOFTBALL

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne softball is set for a three-game series against Northern Kentucky this weekend. Friday’s game will be at 3 p.m. at Warrior Park. Saturday’s doubleheader will be at the Purdue Fort Wayne Softball Field at 1 p.m.

Game Day Information

Who: Northern Kentucky

When: Friday, April 21-Saturday, April 22 | Single game on Friday at 3 PM, Doubleheader on Saturday at 1 PM

Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Warrior Park (Friday) | Purdue Fort Wayne Softball Field (Saturday)

Live Stats: Link

Watch: None

Know Your Foe

Northern Kentucky is 14-27 and 9-7 in the Horizon League. The Norse have won five of their last six Horizon League games, including a sweep of Detroit Mercy. NKU is coming off a 9-0 loss to Kentucky earlier this week. Ella LeMonier has a team-best .328 batting average. In league play, Maddie Lacer is batting .353. Lauryn Hicks has a 2.99 ERA overall and 1.42 ERA in Horizon League play.

Series History

Northern Kentucky leads the all-time series 23-10 and has won the last four. The Mastodons’ last win was a 3-1 win in Highland Heights in 2021.

League-Only Batters

Seven Purdue Fort Wayne players are batting over .300 in Horizon League play: Sonia Solis (.435), Taryn Jenkins (.373), Grace Hollopeter (.340), Epiphany Hang (.340), Taylor Warne (.308), Tori Countryman (.308) and Bailey Manos (.306).

Safe!

Taryn Jenkins is currently on a 23-game streak with at least one base safely reached. This is the longest streak for a Mastodon since 2013 when Larissa Franklin had a streak of 37 games.

And She’s Fast Too!

Taryn Jenkins is the Horizon League leader with 20 stolen bases this season. That is a top-50 mark in the country.

And a Slugger!

Taryn Jenkins is just outside the top-100 in the country with 0.28 doubles per game, which is fourth in the Horizon League. Her .593 slugging percentage is in the top-250 in the country and is second-best in the HL.

Leading the League

Purdue Fort Wayne is leading the Horizon League with 1.68 stolen bases per game and a 2.17 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

oK Queen!

Alanah Jones is leading the Horizon League with 136 strikeouts this season. This mark is also top-40 nationally. Her 7.4 strikeouts per seven innings is just outside the top-100 nationally.

Last Time Out

Eastern Illinois took a pair of contests from Purdue Fort Wayne.

Next Time Up

The Mastodons will host Green Bay next weekend at the Purdue Fort Wayne Softball Field (April 28-29).

PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Wright State and Purdue Fort Wayne will play a Horizon League this season.

Game Day Information

Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (10-28, 6-9 Horizon League) vs. Wright State (20-17, 10-5 Horizon League)

When:

Friday, April 21 | 3 p.m. | at Mastodon Field in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Saturday, April 22 | 2 p.m. | at Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Ind.

Sunday, April 23 | 1 p.m. | at Mastodon Field in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Weather: 55, rain | 51, cloudy | 46, cloudy

Live Stats:Link

Series History: Wright State leads 10-6. The Raiders took two-of-three from the ‘Dons in Dayton earlier this season.

Probable Starters:

Purdue Fort Wayne: RHP Mac Ayres (2-1), RHP Brody Fine (1-3), TBD

Wright State: LHP Sebastian Gongora (5-1), RHP Jake Shirk (2-4), RHP Luke Stofel (1-3)

Scouting the Raiders: Wright State fell to city-rival Dayton in a mid-week game, but last week swept a Horizon League series at Youngstown State. Andrew Patrick leads the team in hitting at .336 with a 1.105 OPS. He ranks second in both marks in the Horizon League. The speedster also has 16 stolen bases, second best in the league. On the mound, Sebastian Gongora leads the league in ERA at 2.79. He gave up a season-high four runs last week against Youngstown State.

Down Goes Sparty: The Mastodons defeated Michigan State on Wednesday 3-2. It is the Mastodons’ second straight season with a win over a Big 10 opponent. Last season the ‘Dons defeated eventual league champion Michigan.

Return of the SAC:Dylan Stewart is tied for the league lead with seven sacrifice bunts.

Grant is Fly: In league play only, Grant Thoroman leads the Horizon League in sacrifice flies with four.

Back in Black:Braedon Blackford owns a Horizon League-best 11 home runs. He is fourth in slugging (.601), fourth in runs (33) and third in RBIs (38).

Double-Digits:Braedon Blackford’s 11 home runs has him tied for fifth in program history for home runs in a season. The all-time single season record is Shaun VanDriessche’s 18 in 2010.

Cade Gets on Base:Cade Nelis is ninth in the league with a team-best .439 on-base percentage. He is fourth in the league in walks with 26. He enters the week with a current 19-game on-base streak.

Strong Up The Middle:Cade Nelis has only four errors on the season, for a .975 fielding percentage. The starting second baseman has turned 17 double plays.

Last Week…:Caileb Johnson had three multi-hit games last week. He had two against Milwaukee and a three-hit game at Dayton.

Masto-Slams:  The ‘Dons hit grand slams in back-to-back games against Northern Kentucky. On March 24 Ben Higgins hit a grand slam and then in game one on March 26 Jarrett Bickel hit a game-tying grand slam in the seventh inning of a 9-5 win.

Record Within Striking Distance:  The 2023 season is Justin Miller’s fifth as a Mastodon. Miller owns 206 career strikeouts, the second most in program history for a career. He will look to pass Jason Horvath (2001-04) for the most in program history this season. Horvath recorded 210 strikeouts.

Save X4: Four different Mastodons have recorded a save this season. Brody Fine, Mac Ayres, JD Deany and Justin Miller own saves for the ‘Dons.

Closing Time: Justin Miller owns eight career saves, fourth most in Mastodon history for career saves.

‘Dons Dig The Long Ball: Nine different Mastodons have hit a home run this season.

Turn It!: The Mastodons are 42nd in the nation in double plays turned with 30 this season.

Multi-verse: 14 different Mastodons have had a multi-hit game this season.

Hey Batter Batter (of the Week): Braedon Blackford hit .429 and slugged 1.357 with four home runs in 14 at bats over four games played in Winston-Salem, N.C. (March 3-5). He also recorded one double, seven RBIs, five runs scored, two walks and 19 total bases to earn the Horizon League Batter of the Week honor.

Hey Batter Batter (of the Week) X2: Ben Higgins was named the Horizon League Batter of the Week on April 4 for his play the prior weekend. His play was highlighted by his thee home run performance at Youngstown State on March 31). Higgins was the first Mastodon to hit three big flys in a game since 2016.

D1Baseball Top 30:Braedon Blackford was named a Top 30 Hitter of the day for his two-run home run game vs. Cornell. He was ranked No. 11. He also earned the No. 12 spot on the list after his five-hit, six-RBI doubleheader against Milwaukee (April 15). JD Deany was selected as a Top 30 pitcher for his five shutout innings vs. Cornell. Ben Higgins was named the No. 3 hitter of the day by DIBaseball.com for his three dinger day against Youngstown State.

Up Next: The ‘Dons host Dayton on Wednesday (April 26) in non-league play.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE TRACK

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne men’s and women’s track and field teams are heading to both the Jesse Owens Invite (hosted by OSU), and Indiana Little State Championships (hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University). It is the final tune-up before the league championships.

Jesse Owens Classic Information

When: Friday-Saturday, April 21-22

Where: Columbus, Ohio | Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium

Start Times: Friday (Field Events 1:00 PM, Running Events 4:30 PM) | Saturday (Field Events 11:00 AM, Running Events 1:00 PM)

Meet Information: Link

Schedule: Link

Live Results: Link

Heat Sheets: Link

Competing for the ‘Dons at OSU

Men:

Charles Thiam, Colten Gasson, Nicholas Mills, Draven Thompson, Andrew Whitinger, Joe Cartwright, John Jackman, Braxton Trittipo, Austin Hall, JT Hodges, Jarred Neff, Harrison Niswander, Brent Donaldson, Nicolas Blair, Troy Golden, Aaron Martin, Brevin Miller, Asher Walden, Cody Loshe, Lane Hawkins, Cain Hohne and Luke Beehler.

Women:

Sophia Buck, Marissa Van De Weg, Ava Genovese, Brooke Neal, Katie Clark, Jesseca Hudson-Turpin, Dylan Kirkwood, Jai Reed, Lydia Carrell, Riley Tate, Jordan Yanders, Kathy Potter, Megan Sinnott, Miranda Haney, Alaina Diaz and Louiza Kruiswijk.

Indiana Little State Championships

When: Thursday-Friday, April 20-21

Where: Marion, Ind. | IWU Outdoor Track and Field Complex

Start Times: Thursday (Field Events 2:00 PM, Running Events 6:30 PM) | Friday (Field Events 2:15 PM, Running Events 3:00 PM)

Meet Information: Link

Live Results: Link

Competing for the ‘Dons at IWU

Men:Aaron Martin, Carter Lewis, Jack Mills, Kehinde Oladapo, Cory Waldron, Weston Miser, Kobe Milledge.

Women:Francesca Carlo, Mercedes Sarver, Brayden Langdon.

Highlights From the Gibson Invitational

– Sophia Buck was 11th in the heptathlon with a personal-best 4318 points on Friday (April 14). She was fourth in the 100 hurdles (14.73) and fifth in the 800 meters (2:27.92).

– Asher Walden took seventh in the hammer (55.54 meters) on Friday (April 14), breaking the school record he set last week.

– The Mastodons broke the school record in the 4×100 relay to earn third place on Saturday (April 15). Jesseca Hudson-Turpin, Katie Clark, Jordan Yanders and Jai Reed combined for a time of 46.67 for the mark. They broke a record which stood since 2018.

– Hudson-Turpin set two individual school records on Saturday (April 15). Hudson-Turpin was third in the 400 hurdles (1:02.19) for a new school record. She broke Kaylin Taylor’s record that has stood since 2014. Hudson-Turpin earned second in the 100 hurdles (13.67) to break her own school record.

– Reed earned seventh in the 100 meters (12.04), breaking her own school record.

– The 4×100 relay squad of Braxton Trittipo, Brent Donaldson, John Jackman and Luke Beehler set a school record with a time of 42.11 on Saturday (April 15).

– Luke Beehler broke his own school record in the long jump with a mark of 6.98 meters.

Athlete of The Week

– Jesseca Hudson-Turpin was named Horizon League Runner of the Week on Tuesday (April 18).

– Purdue Fort Wayne athletes that have received the Horizon League Field Outdoor Athlete of the Week this season includes Brooke Neal (April 4), Brevin Miller (March 28), Lia Rivers (March 21) and Zyler Johnson (March 21).

EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A busy offseason for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team and head coach David Ragland continued on Thursday as the program announced the addition of Ben Humrichous.

Humrichous, a 6-foot-8 guard/forward, joins the Purple Aces program from Huntington University.  As a junior in 2022-23, he averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

“I am excited to announce another huge addition to our UE family. Our goal during this offseason has been to add skill, shooting and size to our current roster,” Ragland stated.  “We have found all three in Ben Humrichous. He has the ability to shoot the 3-ball with range, put the ball on the deck to create for himself and his teammates, as well as post up against smaller defenders.”

“Ben, similar to the addition of Cameron Haffner, brings us much desired collegiate experience to our roster,” Ragland added.  “Ben is also another high character young man who has achieved in the classroom, his communities and on the court.  Aces fans will enjoy getting to know Ben as a person and cheering for him on the court.”

Last season, Humrichous shot 46.6% from the field and 35.8% from long range.  His durability was evident as he played over 32 minutes per game.  His numbers as a sophomore in 2021-22 checked in at 11.9 points and 5.9 caroms per contest.

The native of Tipton, Ind. earned Indiana All-State Honorable Mention accolades in 2020 with Tipton High School.

EVANSVILLE TRACK

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville track and field team will return to action this weekend, as the Purple Aces will travel to Bloomington, Indiana to take part in the Indiana Invitational at IU’s Robert C. Haugh Track Complex.  The two-day meet will begin on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. central time and will conclude on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. central time.

For Evansville, this weekend’s meet will be UE’s first since competing at the Pacesetter Sports Invitational in Terre Haute on April 1 and 2.  In that meet, graduate student Antonia Lamond (Nutley, N.J./Paramus Catholic) broke her own school records in the women’s hammer throw and shot put events to pace the UE women’s team, while senior sprinter Giovanni Purser (Port Maria, Jamaica), sophomore Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn./Central), and senior thrower Zach Dove (Princeton, Ind./Princeton Community) all posted top-five individual finishes for the UE men.

This weekend, Evansville will face stiff competition from a loaded field of 14 Division I schools.  Scheduled to compete this weekend are student-athletes from Austin Peay, Butler, Eastern Illinois, Indiana, Indiana State, IUPUI, Louisville, Miami of Ohio, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Purdue, Vanderbilt, WKU and Evansville.

Below is a list of when each Evansville competitor will compete in the two-day meet (all times central):

Friday, April 21

3 PM                     Women’s Hammer Throw:  Allison Enchelmayer, Gwen Darrah, Antonia Lamond

                                Men’s Hammer Throw:  Zach Dove

4:30 PM               Women’s 200 Meters:  Destynie Sheridan, Mallory Russell, Magdalena Borisova

4:50 PM               Men’s 200 Meters:  Jose Ocampo, Ellis Amos, Giovanni Purser

5 PM                     Men’s Long Jump:  Cameron Gehlhausen

5:10 PM               Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles:  Hannah Bryan

6:15 PM               Women’s Shot Put:  Melanie Helder, Mariah Schaefer, Antonia Lamond

                                Men’s Shot Put:  Jaden Hayes, Zach Dove

6:45 PM               Women’s 1,500 Meters:  Claire Griffy, Hannah Bryan

7:05 PM               Men’s 1,500 Meters:  Adam Oulgout, Justin Nichols, Carson Kline

Saturday, April 22

11:30 AM            Women’s Discus:  Kate Howard, Celine Dupont, Antonia Lamond

                                Men’s Discus:  Jaden Hayes, Zach Dove

11:40 AM            Women’s 4×100 Meters:  Sydney Ulrich, Kate Walke, Carly Frazier, Destynie Sheridan

12 PM                   Men’s Triple Jump:  Denzel Lasam

12:10 PM             Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles:  Kate Walke

12:40 PM             Men’s 100 Meters:  Steven Burkhart, Kyler West, Giovanni Purser

1:10 PM               Men’s 400 Meters:  Jose Ocampo, Jude Nguyen

1:30 PM               Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles:  Preston Riggs

2:25 PM               Men’s 800 Meters:  Carson Kline, Joey Taylor, Adam Oulgout

2:30 PM               Women’s Javelin:  Georgia Katsonouri, Kaitlyn Sansone

                                Men’s Javelin:  Will McDonner, Jaden Hayes, Preston Riggs

EVANSVILLE BASEBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team will travel to Murray, Kentucky this weekend for an important Missouri Valley Conference series against conference newcomer Murray State at Johnny Reagan Field.

Due to heavy rain in the forecast for Friday, the series’ schedule has changed, and the series will now begin Saturday at 2 p.m. with a single game.  The two teams will then battle in a Sunday doubleheader set for 12 p.m.  All three games of the series can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield.

Evansville will enter this weekend’s series at 21-15 overall and 6-6 in the MVC after Tuesday night’s 10-8 win over Western Kentucky.  The Purple Aces are currently a game back of Murray State in the MVC standings, sitting in fifth place overall.  This weekend could have huge implications for the upcoming MVC Tournament in May, as only the top eight teams will advance, with the top four teams earning a first-day bye in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament.

On Tuesday night, senior outfielder Mark Shallenberger hit his third home run in four games since returning from injury last weekend at Southern Illinois.  Despite not seeing live pitching since February 21, Shallenberger has hit .267 over the last four games with a double, three home runs and eight RBI.  He has slugged .933 and posted a .421 on-base percentage, while not striking out in 19 trips to the plate.

Graduate outfielder Eric Roberts has been one of UE’s hottest hitters of late, as he will ride a 10-game hitting streak into Saturday’s series opener.  Roberts enters this weekend’s action leading the MVC in both home runs (14) and RBI (42), and on Tuesday night, he was called upon to close out the game on the mound, tossing a scoreless ninth inning to record his first save of the season.  Overall, Roberts is hitting .303 this season, to rank second on the team in hitting behind fifth-year first baseman Chase Hug and his .360 team-leading batting average.

Murray State will bring a 20-18 overall record and 7-5 conference mark into this weekend’s series after splitting a pair of mid-week games this week against Alabama A&M (Won, 10-0) and UT Martin (Lost, 7-6).  The Racers currently lead the MVC in scoring, with 271 runs scored this year.  Junior catcher Ethan Krizen currently leads Murray State with a .355 average, while sophomore outfielder Dustin Mercer is not far behind with a .350 mark.  Mercer also leads the Racers in doubles (10), home runs (nine) and runs scored (46).

This weekend’s series will mark the first meetings between UE and Murray State as MVC foes on the diamond.  The two schools have a long history of meeting in mid-week action, as Evansville leads the all-time series, 41-21, dating back to the 1948 season.  Murray State took the only meeting over UE last year, 3-2, in Evansville, as the Racers scored three runs in the fourth inning to pick up the road victory.

Evansville is expected to send junior RHP Nick Smith (3-3, 4.53 ERA) to the mound in Saturday’s series opener.

EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the regular season entering its final weeks, another Missouri Valley Conference road series is on the slate with the University of Evansville softball team traveling to UIC.  Action runs from Friday through Sunday with ESPN3 and ESPN+ having coverage of the three games.

Looking at the Match-up

– For the first time as fellow members of the MVC, the Purple Aces and Flames will meet up on the diamond

– It will mark the first meeting between the program since March 9, 2018 when UIC finished with a 1-0 victory in eight innings to open the Racer Classic in Murray, Ky.

– A scheduled meeting between the squads earlier in 2018 at the Louisiana Classic was canceled due to weather

Last Time Out

– SIU Edwardsville took a 6-3 victory over UE on Tuesday evening inside Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium

– The Cougars scored three runs in both the first and fourth innings to take a 6-0 lead before the Aces scored a run in the fourth

– In the bottom of the 7th, Evansville rallied as Syndey Kalonihea hit a 2-run home run, the first of her collegiate career, to make it a 6-3 final

Grand Slam

– Last Friday’s game at Murray State saw Alexa Davis hit a grand slam while setting her career mark with six runs batted in

– On April 11 at Indiana State, Davis hit the game-winning 2-RBI double in a 2-0 shutout victory

– Davis continues to rank in the top five in the MVC in triples (T-3rd), stolen bases (3rd) and walks (T-3rd)

– Over the last 17 games, Davis has seen her average dip from .347 to .273 after going 8-for-49 at the plate

On a Roll

– Over the last five games, Marah Wood has started to find her swing as she is batting .500 (8-for-16)

– She has accumulated three multi-hit performances in the last five contests

– Wood is hitting .254 on the season with three homers, 18 RBI and 16 runs

– In the April 1 opener against Belmont, she went 3-4 with two RBI and two doubles while adding a walk, run and steal

– She followed that up with her second home run of the season and two more RBI in the second game of the series

First Home Run

– Freshman Sydney Kalonihea recorded the first home run of her collegiate career on April 18 versus SIU Edwardsville

– Her 2-run shot in the 7th inning cut into what was a 5-run deficit against the Cougars

– Over the last three games, Kalonihea has gone 3-for-10 at the plate, which put a halt to a 1-of-37 stretch that went from Feb. 19 through April 14.

SOUTHERN INDIANA SOFTBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball returns to action on the road this weekend, traveling to Nashville, Tennessee to take on the Tennessee State University Tigers in a three-game series in Ohio Valley Conference play. The three-game set begins Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and concludes Sunday in the series finale at 1 p.m.

Southern Indiana heads into the series with a 16-19 overall record and a 9-8 conference, which is good for fourth in the OVC standings. Tennessee State is 15-21-1 this season and 6-8 in the OVC, as the Tigers sit in fifth place and will try to draw closer to the Screaming Eagles in the league table.

The Screaming Eagles are coming off a close series loss at home last weekend to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. USI came from behind to win the series opener in walk-off fashion, 4-3, as senior Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana) hit a game-tying home run in the sixth inning before sophomore outfielder Kennedy Nalley (Huntingburg, Indiana) had the walk-off hit in the seventh inning. The win also marked the first time this season that Southern Indiana won a game while being outhit by its opponent. USI dropped the last two games, 5-3 and 4-3, respectively, including the series finale in 10 innings. The Cougars outscored USI by a narrow 12-10 margin in the series. The back-to-back home losses to SIUE marked the first time that USI dropped two consecutive home games since near the end of the 2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference season.

Senior infielder Jordan Rager (Fishers, Indiana) led USI in batting average at the plate against SIUE, hitting .500 with an RBI, a run, and a double. Senior infielder Rachel Martinez (Chicago, Illinois) and junior outfielder Mackenzie Bedrick (Brownsburg, Indiana) each hit .300 with an RBI in the series. Goodin batted .273 but accounted for four RBIs with a home run and a double. In the pitching circle, sophomore pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) went 1-1 with two complete games, striking out 10 in 17 innings pitched.

Overall, Goodin leads the Screaming Eagles with a .413 batting average, 14 doubles, and 29 RBIs. Her numbers rank among the top-3 in the OVC, and her batting average and doubles total are top-50 and top-20, respectively, in the nation. Junior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenwood, Indiana) leads the team with four home runs and is second in RBIs with 21. Bedrick is hitting .327, leading the team with 26 runs scored. Newman leads the rotation in the pitching circle with a 13-8 record, 2.31 ERA, 128 strikeouts, and 14 complete games.

Tennessee State has fallen in three straight games and is 2-8 in the last ten games. The Tigers fell 11-2 against Middle Tennessee State University on Wednesday, as MTSU had a quick start at the plate and increased the early advantage. Tennessee State returns to OVC competition after a bye last weekend. Last time out in OVC play, TSU dropped two of three games against SIUE back on April 7-8. The Tigers won the series opener before falling the last two games.

As a team, TSU is batting .240 with 78 extra-base hits, which includes 10 triples and 17 home runs. The Tigers also have 23 stolen bases. Freshman Onnika Spencer paces the Tigers with a .311 batting average, eight home runs, and 24 runs batted in. The pitching staff has a 4.38 ERA with 113 strikeouts, and opposing hitters are batting .297 against Tennessee State pitching. Sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Manus leads the pitching rotation with an 11-12 record and a 3.90 ERA with 73 strikeouts. She has 12 complete games and has tossed 131.2 innings.

The weekend series will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs.

All three games can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. Additional coverage links are on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.

SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball continues a five-game homestand this weekend when it hosts Eastern Illinois University for an Ohio Valley Conference three-game series at the USI Baseball Field. First pitch Friday and West Side Nut Club Night is slated for 6 p.m.; continues Saturday at 2 p.m.; and concludes Sunday at noon.

Links to follow all of the action during the homestand can be found on the Eagles’ baseball schedule at USIScreamingEagles.com. The final game of the five-game homestand is April 25 when USI hosts a non-conference match-up with McKendree University at 6 p.m.  

Weekend Schedule Note: With the forecast of rains around the USI-area this weekend, fans can track any weather-related schedule changes on Twitter (@USIAthletics), Facebook (USI Athletics), and USIScreamingEagles.com.

USI Baseball Notes:

Eagles cruise through Mighty Oaks: The USI Screaming Eagles built an early 13-0 lead before cruising to a 15-6 win over Oakland City to open this week’s action. Junior right-hander Trent Robinson picked up his first win of the season, throwing four scoreless innings and striking out five. Senior utility player Lucas McNew led the Eagles at the plate by going four-for-five with three runs scored and two RBIs.

Eagles win two in a row: The Eagles have won their last two games, marking the first time the squad has won two in a row since March 14 when USI had won the last game of the Oakland University series and defeat Saint Louis University on the road. USI is looking to win three-straight for the first time this season on Friday.

Power lift versus OCU: Junior first baseman/designated hitter Tucker Ebest and junior first baseman/outfielder Jack Ellis provided the power versus OCU with a home run each. Ebest had a third inning two-run blast, while Ellis had a three-run shot in the fourth.

Stoh heating up: Junior catcher Parker Stroh has heated up at the plate over the last five games (making two starts), hitting .500 (3-6) with two runs scored and four RBIs.

Ebest is the best over the last 10: Junior designated hitter/first baseman Tucker Ebest has been the best at the plate over the last 10 games, hitting .433 with three home runs and six RBIs. Junior outfielder Gavin McLarty is close behind with a .391 mark and eight RBIs.   

Leading hitters: Sophomore outfielder Drew Taylor leads USI this season with a .346 batting average (18-52). Junior first baseman Tucker Ebest follows with a .304 average (35-115) and has a team-best 31 RBIs and seven home runs.

McNew climbing the USI All-Time charts: Senior catcher/infielder Lucas McNew is tied for fifth all-time at USI in home runs (22); tied for fifth in RBIs (151) and tied for seventh in doubles (47).

USI vs. EIU: The series between USI and EIU tilts toward the Panthers, who hold an 18-5 series margin. EIU has won the last four meetings, taking the last meeting in 2002, 7-3, at USI. The last time the Eagles were victorious over the Panthers was in 1986 when USI won the first half of a doubleheader, 3-1.

EIU this spring: EIU is 21-13 overall in the 2023, 3-6 in the OVC, and has won four-straight games after posting a 5-0 win over St. Xavier University Wednesday at home.

VALPO BASEBALL

UIC (15-17, 3-9 MVC)

at Valparaiso (14-14, 5-7 MVC)

Emory G. Bauer Field (500) | Valparaiso, Ind.

Friday, April 21, 3 p.m. – RHP Griffin McCluskey

Saturday, April 22, 1 p.m. – RHP Nathan Chasey

Sunday, April 23, 1 p.m. – RHP Bobby Nowak

Next Up in Valpo Baseball: The Valparaiso University baseball team will look to sustain the success it enjoyed with last week’s road sweep of Bradley as another foe based in the Land of Lincoln provides the opposition this weekend. First-year Missouri Valley Conference member UIC will make its way to Emory G. Bauer Field for a three-game set that commences on Friday afternoon.

Last Time Out: Valpo swept this past weekend’s series at Bradley, winning 4-3 in 10 innings in the series opener on Friday before prevailing 12-8 and 10-0 in a doubleheader on Saturday. Jake Skrine batted .636 with three home runs and nine RBIs in the series. Bobby Nowak threw a three-hit shutout in the series finale. Valpo dropped a midweek matchup at Notre Dame 7-3 on Tuesday.

Following the Beacons: There will be no Valley on ESPN streaming for baseball this weekend due to Valpo’s home softball series being carried on the digital platform. WVUR, Valpo’s student-run radio station, will have a live broadcast of Friday’s game. UIC radio will broadcast throughout the weekend. For links to live audio and stats, visit ValpoAthletics.com. For all the latest on Valpo Baseball, follow @ValpoBaseball on Instagram and Twitter.

Head Coach Brian Schmack: Brian Schmack (182-282) is in his 10th season in charge of the program. He ranks third in program history in seasons coached and games coached as he enters 2023 having skippered 435 Valpo games. He enters the season with 168 victories, one of four coaches in program history with over 150. The former big-league pitcher led Valpo to 25 wins in his inaugural campaign in 2014, a school record for victories by a first-year skipper. Schmack, a member of the 2003 Detroit Tigers, served as pitching coach/associate head coach at Valpo for seven seasons prior to his promotion.

Series Notes: Valpo went to UIC and won two of three in a nonconference series last season, bouncing back from a 9-7 loss in the series opener to win the remaining games 8-3 and 5-2. That marked the first time Valpo had won a series against the Flames since 2012 as the Beacons had dropped eight straight head-to-head series prior to last year. UIC is Valpo’s second-most common all-time opponent as the two schools have faced off 139 times on the baseball diamond. The series is slanted 76-63 in the Flames’ favor. UIC will visit Emory G. Bauer Field for the first time since May 14, 2017, a doubleheader split in Horizon League play.

In the Other Dugout – UIC

Coming off a 14-3 victory over Big Ten foe Iowa on Tuesday.

Were swept by SIU and Missouri State this season and dropped two of three to Indiana State but did garner a series win over Murray State.

Hold a 4-0 record against Big Ten teams with two wins over Northwestern and one each over Purdue and Iowa.

Under the direction of head coach Sean McDermott.

Picked eighth in the MVC preseason poll, two spots higher than Valpo.

Notes Wrapping Up April 18: Notre Dame 7, Valpo 3

Kyle Schmack had two hits, his 13th multi-hit game of the season.

Schmack launched a home run, the 15th of his career and his sixth this season.

After the Schmack solo shot in the top of the first, the remainder of the Valpo scoring came on a two-run double by Alex Ryan in the second.

Redshirt freshman Patrick Ilitch made his collegiate debut as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.

Valpo had its four-game winning streak come to an end while Notre Dame’s head-to-head winning streak extended to 15. This was the eighth time in the last nine matchups that a game between the two instate foes has been decided by four runs or fewer.

Weekly Awards Sweep

Valpo earned its first sweep of the Missouri Valley Conference weekly awards since joining the league when Jake Skrine was named MVC Player of the Week and Bobby Nowak was tabbed MVC Pitcher of the Week on Monday, April 17.

The last time Valpo swept the weekly awards in any conference was May 16, 2016, when Jake Hanson was named Horizon League Batter of the Week and Ellis Foreman achieved Horizon League Pitcher of the Week status.

Skrine became the fourth member of the program to win MVC Player of the Week honors since joining the league and the first this season. He joined Sam Shaikin, Kaleb Hannahs and Nolan Tucker.

Nowak became the third Beacon to earn MVC Pitcher of the Week this season, joining Jacob Rosenkranz and Connor Lockwood. Prior to this year, Valpo had won MVC Pitcher of the Week accolades on four occasions since joining the league – Jake Miller, Colin Fields (twice) and Easton Rhodehouse.

Skrine Doing Fine

Jake Skrine’s MVC Player of the Week nod on April 17 came after he batted .636 (7-for-11) with five runs scored, three home runs and nine RBIs in a three-game road sweep of Bradley. He hit a long home run in each of the three games in the series on his way to racking up 16 total bases, slugging 1.455 and reaching base at a .643 clip.

In the second game of the series, Skrine had the first five-RBI game by a Valpo player since Riley Dent batted in six on May 1, 2021 at Illinois State. He also went 4-for-4 in that game and scored a pair of runs. He drove in a run in each of his five plate appearances.

In the Saturday doubleheader at Bradley, Skrine went 6-for-7 with two home runs, four runs scored and seven RBIs. He was named the National Player of the Day by D1Baseball.

Skrine’s huge weekend came in his return to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to an injury. With starting catcher Kade Reinertson sidelined, he got the nod behind the plate and had a strong defensive series as well, posting a perfect fielding percentage to go along with no passed balls while cutting down a pair of would-be base stealers.

Bobby’s Brilliance on the Bump

Bobby Nowak improved his record to 4-0 and his ERA to a sparkling 2.10 after throwing a three-hit shutout in the second game of a doubleheader on April 15 at Bradley. He walked three and struck out six in a game that Valpo won 10-0 in seven innings on 10-run rule.

Nowak pitched Valpo’s first shutout since March 12, 2021, a no-hitter by Colin Fields. He threw the team’s first three-hitter since Dalton Lundeen on May 1, 2015 vs. Milwaukee. Since that time, Fields was the only Valpo pitcher to allow three hits or fewer while going the distance.

Nowak’s effort was Valpo’s first complete game since Trent Turzenski on Feb. 25, 2022 at Alabama A&M.

Nowak’s last three outings have been the only three starts of his time with the Brown & Gold as he previously had been used exclusively in relief.

Nowak has allowed just 5.10 hits per nine innings this season, the best rate in the Missouri Valley Conference and seventh-best nationally.

His conference-leading ERA of 2.10 ranks 18th in the country.

Nowak also leads the MVC in strikeouts per nine innings (12.60, 34th nationally) and WHIP (1.00, 35th nationally).

Turning Two

In the doubleheader sweep of Bradley on April 15, Valpo turned six double plays – three in each game.

The Beacons have turned 29 double plays in 29 games this season, an average of exactly one double play per game.

That ranks eighth nationally but only third in the Missouri Valley Conference as three of the nine teams in the nation that average a double play or more per game are MVC members. SIU leads the nation at 1.14 DPs per contest.

Beacon Brooms + Blanking the Braves

The three-game road sweep at Bradley April 14-15 marked the program’s first road sweep of a league series since joining the Missouri Valley Conference. Valpo’s last sweep of a road conference series of three games or more was March 18-20, 2016 at Northern Kentucky.

It was the first time Valpo swept a conference series in any location since taking all three from Southern Illinois on May 10-12, 2019 at Emory G. Bauer Field.

The exclamation mark on the series was a 10-0 win in the finale, Valpo’s first shutout of the season and first since March 25, 2022 vs. St. Bonaventure, a game decided by the identical score of 10-0.

The 10-0 triumph marked Valpo’s most lopsided league victory since joining the Missouri Valley Conference. The seven-inning win marked the first time Valpo implemented the 10-run rule since joining the league prior to the 2018 season.

That was also Valpo’s first shutout in a league game since joining The Valley. The team’s last shutout win in conference play was April 23, 2017 vs. Wright State.

Banged Up Beacons

The 4-0 week with a midweek win over Purdue Fort Wayne plus the series sweep at Bradley came with Valpo playing shorthanded.

Pitcher Connor Lockwood, pitcher Jacob Rosenkranz, third baseman Kaleb Hannahs, DH/RF Matt Olive and catcher Kade Reinertson are all currently on the shelf.

The resilient Beacons have achieved their second winning streak of four or more games this season after rapping off five straight from Feb. 24-March 4.

Other Notes Wrapping Up Bradley (April 14-15)

Valpo won the series opener 4-3 in extra innings, improving to 3-0 in extra-inning games and 4-2 in one-run games this season. The Beacons trailed that game 3-0 through six innings.

Grant Jablonski picked up the win in relief in the series opener, the first victory of his collegiate career. He went four scoreless innings while allowing three hits and two walks to go along with three strikeouts.

Alex Ryan had two hits and drove in three in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader. His home run was the third of his career and his second this season.

Josh Cottrill allowed two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out one in three innings in Game 2 of the series. He garnered the save due to the three-inning save rule, the first of his collegiate career.

Valpo produced 12 runs in the middle game of the series, its second-highest run total of the season and highest since 17 on Feb. 26 at UT Martin.

In the series finale, Jake Skrine increased his season home run total to five by going yard for a third straight game, while Ryan Maka delivered his fourth home run of the season and the ninth of his collegiate career.

Renfro Reaching Regularly

Brady Renfro has reached base in 29 consecutive games. He has boarded the bases in every game this season.

He became the first Valpo player to reach in 20 straight since Kaleb Hannahs did so in the final 20 games of the 2021 season.

On April 9 at Evansville, Renfro surpassed Sam Shaikin’s 23 gamer from 2017.

Renfro now owns Valpo’s longest on-base streak since Nolan Lodden reached safely in 34 straight in 2016.

Notes Wrapping Up April 11 – Valpo 9, Purdue Fort Wayne 3

Josh Cottrill logged 4 2/3 innings of shutout, one-hit relief.

Kaleb Krier got the start on the mound and earned the win thanks to 2 1/3 innings of one-run, four-hit ball. This was his first start of the season – and first in a Valpo uniform – after he was sidelined earlier in the year due to an injury.

Valpo batters worked a season-high 13 walks and notched 15 free passes including two hit batsmen. The walk total was Valpo’s highest since taking 14 on March 25 of last season vs. St. Bonaventure.

The win came while playing shorthanded as Valpo faced a rash of injuries on Sunday at Evansville, when four starting position players all went down.

Spencer Warfield and Brady Renfro paced the team with three hits apiece. Five Valpo batters enjoyed multi-hit outputs, while three different players worked three walks each.

Kyle Schmack had a two-run triple, his first three-base hit of the season and the third of his collegiate career.

Brady Renfro had his fourth home run of the season and the 15th of his career.

Strong Start

Valpo stood at 7-6 through 13 games this season. That marked the program’s best record at this juncture of the season since Paul Twenge’s group won eight of its first 13 in 1997.

Through nine games, the Valpo baseball program was off to its best start since Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and way before Nirvana as the team’s 6-3 record was its best at this point in the season since 1985. Head coach Rick Ferchen’s team began 1985 with a 7-2 mark through nine games.

The highlight of the sizzling start was a five-game winning streak that was snapped in Sunday’s series finale at Little Rock. That marked the team’s longest winning streak since recording six straight from May 15-25, 2016. That stretch featured wins over Oakland, Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky.

Top-25 Triumph

Valpo was recognized by D1Baseball as one of three “Upsets of the Night” on March 10 after beating No. 22 Southern Miss 6-1 in the series opener.

The victory snapped the team’s skid of 15 straight losses against nationally-ranked opponents and marked the team’s first victory over a top-25 foe since beating No. 25 Illinois on April 17, 2018.

At No. 22, Southern Miss was the highest ranked team that Valpo has defeated since a win over No. 9 Arizona State on April 21, 2013.

Southern Miss entered the game ranked No. 22 by Baseball America, the NCBWA and D1Baseball, while ranking No. 24 in the coaches’ poll and No. 30 according to Collegiate Baseball.

The Golden Eagles were the preseason favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference and won an NCAA Regional last season before falling to Ole Miss in the Super Regional. They own a streak of six straight 40-win seasons, the longest such streak in Division-I Baseball.

Southern Miss swept former Missouri Valley Conference member (and powerhouse) Dallas Baptist the weekend prior to dropping the game to the Beacons.

Outdueling An All-American

In the 6-1 victory at No. 22 Southern Miss on March 10, Valpo handed 2022 consensus All-American starting pitcher Tanner Hall the loss. He went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out five.

Hall was outdueled by Valpo starting pitcher Jacob Rosenkranz, who yielded one run on just two hits in six innings to pick up the win. He walked only one and notched three strikeouts, needing only 60 pitches to get through six frames.

The win marked the second of Rosenkranz’s career, with both coming this season. His prior victory occurred on Feb. 26 at UT Martin.

Rosenkranz was making the second start of his collegiate career and his first of the season. This one had a far different result than his first collegiate start, which came way back on March 14, 2021 at Middle Tennessee. In that outing, he did not record an out and was charged with three runs on one hit while walking two.

After Rosenkranz was lifted, Ryan Mintz did the rest, working in and out of trouble over three scoreless innings to nail down his first career save.

Thanks to his standout showing on the mound in the win over the Eagles, Rosenkranz was named MVC Pitcher of the Week on March 13. He became the second Valpo pitcher to earn an MVC weekly award this season, joining Connor Lockwood. They join Jake Miller, Colin Fields (twice) and Easton Rhodehouse as the only Valpo hurlers to achieve MVC Pitcher of the Week status since the program joined the league.

Comeback Kings

Valpo has featured a flair for the dramatic this season, twice coming from behind to win with ninth-inning rallies.

The first such comeback came on Feb. 25 at UT Martin, when Valpo was down to its final out in the top of the ninth when Nolan Tucker singled to tie the game at four. A bases-loaded hit by pitch helped Valpo produce the go-ahead run in the 10th, a game the Beacons won 5-4.

The March 4 win in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Little Rock was equally as improbable, as the Beacons were down 6-3 going to the ninth before plating four to win 7-6. A two-run single by Brady Renfro tied the game and an RBI double by Jake Skrine gave Valpo the lead.

Valpo had lost 66 straight games when trailing after eight innings before winning back-to-back games under those circumstances. Prior to the UT Martin rally, the last time Valpo trailed through eight and prevailed was May 10, 2019 vs. Southern Illinois, a 5-4, 14-inning win.

Prior to this season, Valpo had not won multiple games when trailing through eight innings in the same season since 2012, when they won three such games. This year, Valpo produced multiple ninth-inning rallies in the first seven games of the year.

Inside the Schedule

The 2023 nonconference schedule will see Valpo take on opponents from nine different conferences including four of the power five – the Big 12, ACC, Big Ten and SEC as well as the Ohio Valley Conference, Sun Belt, Summit League, Horizon League and Mid-American Conference.

Valpo will make a trip to preseason top-25 Southern Miss (March 10-12) to match up with a team that won Conference USA last season as part of a 47-19 record, hosting and winning an NCAA Regional before making an NCAA Super Regional appearance.

Valpo will play twice at Notre Dame (March 21, April 18), a team that reached the College World Series as part of a 41-7 season last year.

valPROS

Valpo’s program produced a pair of pitchers who went on to continue their careers in professional organizations following the 2022 spring.

Left-hander Jake Miller was selected with the 237th overall pick in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Detroit Tigers. He became Valpo’s first draft choice since Scott Kapers was selected in the 17th round of the 2018 draft by the Texas Rangers.

Miller was Valpo’s highest draft choice since 2010, when Kyle Gaedele went to the San Diego Padres in the sixth round. The New York native was the highest Missouri Valley Conference pitcher taken in the 2022 draft.

Miller made his professional debut by pitching in five games in 2022 for the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Class-A Florida State League.

Right-hander Colin Fields was signed by the Tigers as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 draft.

Miller and Fields are part of a long list of Tiger ties within Valpo’s program. Valpo legend Lloyd McClendon was on the Tigers big league coaching staff from 2006-2013 and 2017-2020 including a stint as interim manager, former Valpo players Bo McClendon and Dalton Lundeen were also drafted by the Tigers, Valpo head coach Brian Schmack played in the big leagues with the Tigers in 2003 and current Valpo player Patrick Ilitch is the grandson of longtime Tigers owner Michael Ilitch (1992-2017) and the nephew of current owner Christopher Ilitch (2017-present).

Who’s Back, Who’s Gone, Who’s New?

The Valpo offense is loaded with returning talent in 2023 as 82.7 percent of the team’s hits from last season came from players who are back for the 2023 campaign. The top six Beacons in terms of batting average return and 11 of the 15 position players who saw action a year ago are back with the program.

Relievers Nathan Chasey and Bobby Nowak are back after posting the club’s top two ERAs a year ago, but the top two arms in the weekend rotation – Jake Miller and Colin Fields – were snatched up by the Detroit Tigers.

Valpo’s newcomers include five freshmen (Kyle Tyler, Will Radich, Adam Guazzo, Cole Syversen and Thomas Cooper), two junior college transfers (Josh Spencer and Kaleb Krier) and one four-year transfer (Jake Skrine, Indiana).

Pitching Profiles

#38 RHP Griffin McCluskey, Jr. (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community) – As a freshman, got the starting nod on May 11, 2021 vs. No. 8 Notre Dame and pitched a gem at Emory G. Bauer Field, holding the guests to no runs on one hit – a seeing-eye single through the left side – while walking just one and striking out four in six innings. He left in position for the win after becoming just the third pitcher to hold Notre Dame scoreless while pitching six or more innings all season, joining Duke’s Jack Carey and Boston College’s Emmett Sheehan… Posted the highest fielding percentage by a starting shortstop in program history in high school… Finished in the top 10 in his high school’s history in career 3-point field goals in basketball… Enjoys playing the guitar… Earned his first collegiate victory in his hometown of Normal on April 17, 2022, pitching Valpo to a 2-1 win over Illinois State on Easter Sunday. He allowed just one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over six strong innings… Was Valpo’s 2023 opening day starter vs. Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas… Picked up his first win of the season with five innings of one-run, four-hit ball while striking out four on Feb. 24 at UT Martin… Logged four innings and allowed three runs on four hits with three of the four hits leaving the yard on March 4 in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Little Rock. This was the first outing of his career where he logged two innings or more and did not issue a walk… Started and worked two scoreless innings at 2021 national champion and SEC foe Mississippi State on March 7… Final line featured 7 1/3 innings of one-run, four-hit ball while striking out six on April 7 at Evansville. He achieved his second win of the season and the fourth of his collegiate career…. Allowed three runs on five hits in six innings on April 14 at Bradley.

#11 RHP Connor Lockwood, So. (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville): Named conference co-player of the year as a high school senior in 2021 and received all-state accolades… Interested in a career in elementary education… Favorite food is deep dish pizza… Finished his freshman season with an 0-5 record and 7.30 ERA in 2022, but did his best work late in the year, posting a 1.80 ERA over his last three regular-season starts… Pitched three scoreless innings of one-hit ball on May 7 vs. DBU before working 2 2/3 shutout frames while allowing one hit on May 13 vs. Bradley… Started his 2023 season with a gem, earning the win thanks to a career-long seven innings and a career-high six strikeouts while allowing no runs on two hits and walking none in an 11-3 victory over Big 12 foe Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas on Feb. 18… Logged 6 1/3 innings of two-run, four-hit ball while striking out six on Feb. 25 at UT Martin… Pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking one to earn the victory in Game 2 of a doubleheader on March 4 at Little Rock.

#39 RHP Ryan Mintz (Jr*., Lombard, Ill. / Willowbrook) – Set his high school’s record for wins by a pitcher in the program’s 60-year history… Computer engineering major… Hobbies include snowboarding and other extreme sports… Started eight games over his first two seasons but all 12 appearances in 2022 came in relief… Worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings on March 19, 2022 at Murray State… Tossed three shutout frames on April 15, 2022 at Illinois State… Earned his first career save by working in and out of trouble over three scoreless innings to close out the team’s upset of No. 22 Southern Miss… Kept Valpo in the game with five innings of four-run ball while issuing no walks on March 28 vs. Milwaukee… Did not yield a run over his two frames of relief while working around three walks and one hit on April 9 at Evansville.

#10 LHP Christian Hack, So. (Oak Forest, Ill. / Tinley Park) – Helped his team to conference and regional championships in 2019… Also competed in high school basketball… Says he can “do a decent Chewbacca noise”… Favorite TV Show is The Office… Appeared in six games out of the Valpo bullpen and logged 6 2/3 innings as a freshman in 2022… Finished out the Feb. 26 win at UT Martin with 1 2/3 innings of shutout ball while yielding one hit.

#12 RHP Jacob Rosenkranz, Jr*. (Lincolnshire, Ill. / Stevenson) – Lived in Texas for 13 years… Favorite TV show is Breaking Bad… Made five appearances in 2020 (COVID shortened), 13 in 2021 (one start) and 12 in 2022… Finished the 2022 season with a 5.79 ERA, but if you take out two bad outings (March 13 at SEMO and April 10 vs. Indiana State), he had a 1.84 ERA over his other 10 games… Earned his first career win with 3 1/3 innings of one-run, two-hit ball on Feb. 26 at UT Martin… Picked up the win in an upset of No. 22 Southern Miss in his second career start and first in two years on March 10, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three. He needed just 60 pitches to get through six innings.

#16 RHP Josh Cottrill, R-So. (Pewaukee, Wis. / Pewaukee) – Redshirted in 2021 during his first season on campus, then logged 8 2/3 innings in seven games out of the bullpen in 2022… Best outing of 2022 came on April 1 at UIC, when he did not allow a hit or walk over 2 2/3 shutout innings while striking out three… Two-time all-conference performer in high school… Set his school’s record for highest batting average by a freshman at .531 in 2017… Hobbies include Guitar Hero… Can juggle… Loves to travel… Pitched a shutout inning on Feb. 24 at UT Martin… Twirled two scoreless innings out of the bullpen on April 2 vs. Murray State, the only one of the seven pitchers who took the mound in the doubleheader to work shutout ball… Had 4 2/3 innings of shutout, one-hit relief to help Valpo beat Purdue Fort Wayne on April 11…. Earned his first career save by working the final three innings of the April 15 game at Bradley and allowing two runs on four hits.

#32 RHP Bobby Nowak, Sr. (Cedar Lake, Ind. / Hanover Central) – Hobbies include hunting and fishing… Favorite movie is Indiana Jones… Touted as a pitcher with strength who can spin it well… Received 2022 All-MVC Honorable Mention… Nailed down eight saves in 2022, one shy of cracking the program’s single-season top five… Had Valpo’s highest single-season save total since 2014… Finished his first season at Valpo already ranked ninth in program history in career saves… Ranked second on the team in ERA at 5.09 while appearing in 17 games out of the bullpen in 2022… Earned his first career win while striking out six in 2 1/3 innings on Feb. 25 at UT Martin… Nailed down the ninth save of his career to help Valpo beat Little Rock 7-6 on March 4 in Game 1 of a doubleheader, moving into a tie for eighth in program history in career saves… Struck out a career-high seven and earned the win thanks to 3 1/3 shutout innings of relief on March 28 vs. Milwaukee… Picked up the win with six innings of two-run, four-hit ball in his first Valpo start on April 3 vs. Murray State. He racked up a career-high nine strikeouts… Started on April 9 at Evansville and received no decision while allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over six innings while fanning six… Named MVC Pitcher of the Week after tossing a three-hit shutout to help the team beat Bradley 10-0 on April 15.

#34 RHP Grant Jablonski, Jr*. (Mishawaka, Ind. / Mishawaka) – Appeared in four games in 2021 and two in 2020 before appearing in nine games in 2022… 2019 Indiana All-Star while earning all-state honors… Favorite TV show is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia… Worked 3 1/3 shutout innings of hitless ball while striking out four and walking one in his Feb. 19 season debut vs. Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas. That marked his career high in terms of both innings pitched and strikeouts. He faced the minimum as the only player who reached base against him was erased on a double play… Worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit and walked one while striking out four to close out the April 7 triumph at Evansville. The save was the first of his collegiate career… Earned the win with four shutout innings of three-hit relief on April 14 at Bradley.

#42 RHP Nathan Chasey, Sr.* (Ames, Iowa / Gilbert [Indian Hills CC]) – Joined the program for the 2021 season after two years of JUCO baseball… NJCAA Region 11 Honorable Mention in 2019… Enjoys fishing… Favorite MLB team is the Atlanta Braves and player is Chipper Jones… Did not surrender a tally in any of his first six Valpo outings in 2021, a streak spanning 6 1/3 innings… Heaved a scoreless ninth and picked up his first save of the season as Valpo edged Illinois State 6-5 on May 27, 2021 in an MVC Tournament elimination game… Posted a 4.76 ERA in 14 relief appearances in 2022… Allowed one run on four hits in four innings in the Feb. 17 season opener vs. Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas… Allowed one run on two hits over three innings on Feb. 24 at UT Martin… Earned his second career save by pitching the final three innings of a 9-3 victory in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Little Rock on March 4. Seven of the nine outs he recorded were strikeouts… Heaved three scoreless innings out of the bullpen on March 12 in the series finale at No. 22 Southern Miss… Allowed one run on two hits and no walks in three innings in his first career start in his 41st appearance with the Brown & Gold on March 21 at Notre Dame… Worked three scoreless innings of two-hit ball in the March 26 series finale at Indiana State… Flipped three scoreless innings to earn the save in the 5-2 win over Murray State on April 3. He allowed just one hit in those innings… Made the second start of his Valpo career and his first weekend start on April 8 at Evansville, allowing four runs on six hits in five innings while walking three and striking out two… Garnered the victory with six innings of six-run ball while striking out eight on April 15 at Bradley.

Position Player Profiles – Projected Lineup (Based on Recent Games)

#1 Nolan Tucker, 2B, R-So*. (Cedar Lake, Ind. / Hanover Central) – Earned all-conference honors in three high school seasons in baseball and was a two-time conference champion in wrestling… Was the 2019-20 President of Brandt Hall (dorm)… Hobbies include kayaking… Can juggle and walk on his hands… Can drink a bottle of water in 1.5 seconds… Was a three-year class president in high school… Played in the Collegiate Summer Baseball Invitational on June 4, 2020 on ESPN2 in the first live baseball event since the pandemic…. Appeared in four games in 2021 before incurring a season-ending injury… Missed the beginning of the 2022 season with a hamstring injury… Lashed out four hits and was a homer away from the natural cycle after recording a single, double and triple in that order in his first three plate appearances on April 30, 2022 at SIU… Hit .667 (8-for-12) over a three-game series at SIU (April 30-May 1, 2022)… Named the MVC Player of the Week on May 2, 2022… 2022 All-MVC First Team, MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-American (qualified due to medical redshirt year and COVID year despite being in his third season on campus)… Led the team in hitting and finished with Valpo’s highest single-season batting average since 2010 at .365… Had his first home run of the season and the third of his career on Feb. 19 vs. Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas… Hit .533 and launched two home runs in the series sweep at UT Martin… Had the first triple by a Beacon this season and the second of his career on March 10 in the win at No. 22 Southern Miss… Had three hits on March 21 at Notre Dame… Registered three of the team’s eight hits on April 9 at Evansville, his ninth multi-hit game of the year and his fifth game with three hits or more… Was part of back-to-back jacks in the April 7 game at Evansville along with Kyle Schmack.

#27 Kyle Schmack, LF, Jr*. (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) – After graduating from nearby South Central High School in 2019, Kyle joined his father Brian’s program at Valpo… Is the first Valpo student-athlete to play for his or her parent as a head coach since Bryce Drew in 1998… Was the MVP of the Indiana North/South All-Star Game in June 2019 following his senior year of high school… Also played football during his prep days… Appeared in 20 games and made nine starts during the shortened 2020 season… Appeared in all 51 games and made 50 starts in 2021, posting a .264 average that ranked fourth on the team while tying for second on the club with 24 RBIs and ranking second on the squad with nine doubles… Ripped his third home run of the season and fifth of his career in Game 2 of a doubleheader on March 19, 2022 at Murray State, his 21st birthday… Reached base 10 times in the April 1, 2022 doubleheader at UIC and made an impressive catch while crashing into the left-field fence in the eighth inning, a play that checked in at No. 9 on D1Baseball’s Top 10 Plays of the Week… Posted his first career two-homer game on April 16 at Illinois State, launching a pair of long balls in Valpo’s 10-2 victory over the Redbirds. He scored four runs in the game, becoming the first Valpo player to score four times in a game since May 8, 2018 vs. Western Michigan (both Chad Jacob and Blake Billinger)… Hit for a .292 average that ranked third on the team in 2022 while also tying for the club lead in both home runs (seven) and RBIs (27)… Hit his first home run of the 2023 season on Feb. 19 vs. Kansas… Had a key two-out hit to drive in two in the April 3 win over Murray State… … Was part of back-to-back jacks in the April 7 game at Evansville along with Kyle Schmack… Started in center field on April 8 at Evansville, his first time playing somewhere other than left field this season… Had three hits on April 8 at Evansville… Had a two-run triple that turned into a “little league home run” on April 11 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne… Hit his sixth home run of the season and the 15th of his career on April 18 at Notre Dame.

#30 Brady Renfro, 1B, Jr. (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) – Exercise science major… Is an only child… Hobbies include hunting and fishing… Favorite MLB player is Clayton Kershaw and team is the Milwaukee Brewers… Played with STiKS Baseball Academy and the Chicago Scouts Association… Posted a 21-game on-base streak that was snapped on May 2, 2021 vs. Illinois State, Valpo’s longest on-base streak since 2017… Named All-MVC Honorable Mention… Was one of two players to start all 48 games for Valpo in 2022… Tied for the team lead in both home runs (seven) and RBIs (27) while also posting a .275 batting average during the 2022 campaign… Hit .319 in MVC play in 2022, ranking second on the team in league-only batting average while driving in a team-high 11 runs in Valley action… Drilled a solo homer in the Feb. 17, 2023 season opener vs. Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas… Had three hits and reached base four times in a 7-6 win at Little Rock on March 4… Drilled the first grand slam by a Valpo player since 2019 on March 10, the big blow of the team’s upset win at No. 22 Southern Miss… Extended his on-base streak to 18 while launching his third home run of the season on March 28 vs. Milwaukee… Pushed his on-base streak to 21 by reaching in all three games vs. Murray State (April 2-3)… Had three hits on April 8 at Evansville… Reached base in all three games at Evansville (April 7-9) to extend his on-base streak to 24… Had his fourth home run of the season as part of a three-hit day on April 11, extending his on-base streak to 25… Extended his on-base streak to 28 by reaching in all three games at Bradley (April 14-15).

#5 Jake Skrine, DH, Sr. – Joined the program prior to the 2023 season as a Big 10 transfer from Indiana University… Pursuing a public health certificate… Lived in Puerto Rico for two years… Favorite MLB player is Hank Aaron… Spanked his first collegiate home run – a solo shot – in an 11-3 win over Kansas on Feb. 18 in Corpus Christi, Texas… Wasted no time in notching his second home run of the season the very next day in the Feb. 19 series finale vs. Kansas… Drove in four runs in a 9-3 win at Little Rock on March 4… Hit a long home run in each game of the series at Bradley, batting .636 (7-for-11) with five runs scored and nine RBIs to earn MVC Player of the Week accolades. He was named D1Baseball National Player of the Day on April 15 after going 6-for-7 with two home runs, four RBIs and seven runs scored in a doubleheader.

#22 Ryan Maka, RF, So. (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) – Also competed in golf in high school… Other hobbies include investing and going to the gym… Favorite TV Show is Stranger Things… Delivered his first collegiate home run on March 29, 2022 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne… Became the first Valpo player since 2018 and second since 2008 to notch a three-homer game on May 13, 2022 vs. Bradley. Had four home runs in that series and five extra-base hits en route to earning Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Week recognition… Ranked third on the team in MVC-only batting average at .286 and tied for the team lead with four home runs in Valley play in 2022… Hit .571 in the series sweep at UT Martin… Drilled a three-run homer as part of a go-ahead five-run seventh inning in a 9-3 win at Little Rock on March 4… Drilled a grand slam on April 2 vs. Murray State… Hit his first triple of the season on April 9 at Evansville… Had his fourth home run of the season in the finale of the Bradley series on April 15.

#4 Spencer Warfield, DH, So. (Fullerton, Calif. / Servite) – School treasurer and member of principal’s high honor roll with distinction in high school (above 4.0 GPA with straight A’s)… Favorite food is a cheeseburger… Appeared in 18 games and made 13 starts during his freshman season in 2022… Part of back-to-back jacks on April 2 vs. Murray State… Had three hits on April 11 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne.

#6 Alex Thurston, SS, Jr. (Fowler, Ind. / Benton Central) – Finished as the Valedictorian of his high school senior class… Won the 2019 Nanoline Automation National Championship with three classmates after creating an automated paint brush cleaner… Three-year all-conference honoree on the diamond while also playing four years of tennis and one year of basketball in high school… Appeared in 40 games and made 39 starts in 2021… Posted five hits on April 29, 2022 at Southern Illinois, becoming the first Valpo player with a five-hit game since Scott Kapers on May 8, 2018 at Western Michigan… After hitting .158 in 2021, made a significant jump with a team-high .301 batting average in 2022 while playing in 47 games, all starts… Hit his second career home run and first of the season on March 5 at Little Rock.

#17 Alex Ryan, CF, Jr. (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) – Played in 10 games and made one start as a freshman in 2021… Three-time all-conference pick in high school… Milwaukee Brewers fans… Has a twin sister, Olivia… Hobbies include hiking and playing card games… Played in 46 games (44 starts) in 2022… Tied for second in the league in triples and also tied for second in the MVC with five sacrifice bunts in 2022… Hit his first home run of the season and the second of his career on March 5 at Little Rock… Had his second home run of the season in the first game of a doubleheader on April 15 at Bradley.

#20 Brady Nowicki, 3B, Sr. (Big Bend, Wis. / Mukwonago [Indiana Hills CC]) – Interested in public relations and marketing… Joined the program for the 2022 season as a junior college transfer… Played JUCO baseball with teammates from eight different countries… Favorite food is Buffalo Wild Wings and favorite TV Show is Survivor… Battled an injury early in the season but made his season debut as part of the starting lineup on April 3 vs. Murray State.

Who’s Next?

It’s never too early to glance ahead to 2024, as the program has announced four signees for next season, all pitchers.

Lucas Foley (Deer Park, Ill. / Lake Zurich), Bennett Musser (Round Lake, Ill. / Mundelein), Jake Jakubowski (Lake in the Hills, Ill. / Huntley [Heartland]) and Jack Thompson (Rosemount, Minn. / Rosemount) have signed to join the program for the 2023-2024 academic and athletic year.

Thoughts from Head Coach Brian Schmack on the Incoming Class: “The goal going into recruiting for the 2023 class was identifying strike throwers who can fit into our pitching philosophy. We think we found four guys who will be able to come in and compete in the zone immediately. We also look at each of the guys and think there is some runway for them physically to be able to gain strength and velocity as they mature and get into our lifting program.”

Inside the Assistants: Top assistant Kory Winter returns to head coach Brian Schmack’s staff this season, while assistant coaches Jeff Mayes and Trey Matthews have joined the fold.   

After spending three seasons as a volunteer assistant, Kory Winter was hired as Schmack’s top assistant and hitting coach beginning with the 2019 campaign. Winter played collegiately at Wittenberg and has completed coaching stints at Muskingum University and Shippensburg University. He is also Valpo’s outfield instructor.

Jeff Mayes is in his first season on the Valpo coaching staff, serving as the team’s infield coach. He spent the previous three seasons on staff at his alma mater Aurora University, a Division-III institution in Illinois, where the program amassed an 83-21 record during his tenure. Prior to that, he enjoyed a standout playing career for the Spartans.

Trey Matthews joined the staff prior to the 2023 campaign. He serves as the team’s catching coach. Matthews grew up in Florida and played at Plant City High School before continuing his playing career at Southern Western University. He transferred to Warner University, where he graduated in 2020 before beginning his coaching career with stints at a Florida high school and at Warner prior to his current role.

U OF I MEN’S TENNIS

INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Indianapolis Greyhounds are back at it in the tournament world, taking on the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament starting on Friday. The No. 5-ranked Greyhounds enter this year’s bracket as the top overall seed and will face the No. 4-seed in the west in William Jewell.

The Hounds enter this weekend’s event with a staggering 16-2 record with their only two losses on the year coming to No. 1 Saint Leo, both in close fought battles. Conference-wise, the Hounds have been exceptional, cruising to a 5-0 record, all sweeps.

The GLVC Tennis Championship Tournament will once again be streamed live and free on all GLVC Sports Network platforms, including GLVCSN.com, iOS/Android mobile apps, and Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV OTT apps.

U OF I WOMEN’S TENNIS

INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 9-ranked University of Indianapolis women’s tennis team is beginning their journey to a fourth-straight Great Lakes Valley Conference women’s tennis championship title this Friday. The Greyhounds are going to be more than comfortable with the playing surface for this year’s tournament, with UIndy acting as the host institution on both sides of this years tournament.

The Greyhounds will kick off their run with a battle against No. 4-seed Quincy.

The Hounds enter the contest with a six-game win streak, alongside a perfect 5-0 mark in conference, earning them the No. 1-seed in the east division. Outside of the conference, the Hounds played their way to a 13-5 mark overall. The appearance for the Hounds marks their 40th appearance in the end-of-year tournament, having hoisted the trophy 13 times prior.

Last season, the Hounds were dominant in the tournament, waltzing to 4-0 sweeps of Rockhurst, Drury and Southwest Baptist on route to their third-straight conference crown.

The Hounds are led by a trio of Hounds in Anna Novikova, Lea Cakarevic and Maria Fiacan who all have tallied over 10 wins in the season with Fiacan having an impressive 12-6 mark in dual play.

The GLVC Tennis Championship Tournament will once again be streamed live and free on all GLVC Sports Network platforms, including GLVCSN.com, iOS/Android mobile apps, and Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV OTT apps.

U OF I WOMEN’S GOLF

SMITHVILLE, Mo.—The University of Indianapolis women’s golf team begins postseason play this weekend, making the 500-mile trek to Smithville, Mo., for the 2023 GLVC Championships. The 11-team tournament will take place Friday through Sunday, April 21-23 at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex.
 
Led by head coach Brent Nicoson, UIndy will put its unprecedented streak of GLVC championships on the line this weekend. The Greyhounds have won each of the last 10 conference crowns, part of a league-high 15 GLVC titles overall. Last season, UIndy captured the conference crown in dramatic fashion. Four Greyhounds—all returning this year—finished in the top 10, including reigning GLVC medalist Catharina Graf.
 
Action will start with 54 holes of stroke play which will determine the individual medalist as well as awarding All-GLVC accolades to each of the top five. The team title, however, will still be up for grabs, as the top four teams will move on to the medal/match play semifinals. Stroke play will take place Friday (36 holes) and Saturday (18 holes), followed by the match play semifinals and finals on Sunday.
 
Friday’s tee times will be posted here when available. Video and live results links are available here and will be posted on Twiiter Friday morning via @UIndyAthletics.

MARIAN WOMEN’S LAX

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Marian women’s lacrosse team never game up, but were unable to withstand a pesky Aquinas team Thursday night. Marian’s season comes to a close in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament Semifinals against the Saints 16-10, closing the year 13-4.

The two teams battled it out in the opening minutes, going back and forth as neither team could find the back of the cage. After a ground ball pickup from Ella Grace Giedd, the Knights had their first good look as Madeline Dumke’s shot hit the crossbar to keep it scoreless. The Saints were the first to strike with a free position goal at the 8:54 mark, before taking the 2-0 lead after scoring again 54 seconds later.

Aquinas blitzed Marian in the remainder of the first quarter, rattling off three more goals in the final six and half minutes. The host’s defense was on full display in the opening quarter, holding the Knights to only two shots.

Giedd ended the silene for Marian after executing on the free position shot, but it was the Saints responding right back with the free position goal of their own. At the 11:18 mark, Emily Blackburn netted her first score on the free position, but once again the Saints would answer the goal with three of their own in the next few minutes to take the 9-2 lead. Marian had the last say as they scored two goals in the final five minutes behind Ashlynn Gray and Ruby Mason.

Marian scored in the opening 11 seconds behind a Grace Martin score to get within three to start the third quarter.  Aquinas answered with four goals in the quarter while putting on a defensive display, holding the Knights to only one goal.

Trailing 13-5 going into the fourth quarter, Marian found some offensive groove again as Madison Ash scored with 11:42 left to play. The Saints had an answer, but the Knights pounced on an opportunity with Martin connecting with Mason to find the back of the cage. Giedd, Mason, and Ashlynn Gray would score the next three goals of the game as the visitors found themselves trailing by only four.

The Saints offense hushed Marian with a quick score 24 seconds later to go back up 15-10. With 5:34 to go, the Knights tried to keep digging at the Aquinas lead, but another goal from the hosts with 1:47 left ended the comeback for Marian, as they would fall 16-10.

Six players scored for Marian, with Mason leading the team with the hat trick in the game. Ashlynn Gray and Giedd each added two goals, while Blackburn, Ash, and Martin scored one. Dumke led Marian with five groundballs and five caused turnovers, and Mason added four groundballs.

Marian’s season comes to an end after the WHAC Tournament Semifinal loss, finishing 13-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play.

TAYLOR ATHLETICS | SOMMERS POSTS PROGRAM-RECORD LONG JUMP AT INDIANA LITTLE STATES

MARION, Ind. – The Taylor men’s track & field team competed at day one of the 118th-annual Indiana Little State Championships on Thursday evening, when senior, Sammy Sommers, stole the show by setting a new TU program record in the long jump.

The Sweetser, Indiana, native jumped a remarkable 7.82 meters in his sixth and final attempt to win the event, a mark that converts to a distance of 25’ 7.9”. The previous TU program record was established by Scott Gill in 2009 when he jumped 24’ 11.0”, meaning that Sommers surpassed the previous program-best by nearly nine whole inches.

With his program-record-breaking jump, Sommers has established the NAIA’s highest mark in 2023 and has now met the NAIA A-Standard in two-consecutive weeks after hitting the mark at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, last weekend.

While Sommers won the event, junior, Jake Thompson, hit the NAIA A-Standard for himself as he placed second among 26 participants in the long jump with a mark of 7.27 meters.

Thompson also placed within the top-three in the high jump, posting a mark of 1.90 meters to finish third of seven total competitors.

Meanwhile, the TU 4×100-meter relay team posted its best time of the season on Thursday evening, a team consisted of Sommers, Aidan Guckenberger, Bradley Braxton, and Braden Bixler. The Trojan quartet posted a mark of 42.18 to comfortably beat TU’s previous season-best time of 43.30 and finish third of six total teams.

The Taylor men’s track & field team is slated to return to action tomorrow, Friday, April 21, for day two of the 118th-annual Indiana Little State Championships, hosted by Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Indiana. Competition is set to unfold beginning at 3:00 pm on Friday.

TAYLOR ATHLETICS | FRICKEL’S WALK-OFF WINNER OFFERS BRIGHT SPOT IN SPLIT WITH MARIAN

UPLAND, Ind. – After a disappointing loss in game one, No. 21 Taylor whipped up some late-night magic to topple Marian in game two in walk-off fashion by a final score of 9-8. Five-straight hits with two outs in the bottom of the seventh did the trick for the Trojans, stealing a much-needed win after losing miserably in game one by a score of 16-6.

Freshman infielder, Brennan Frickel, offered the game-winning hit in front of a rowdy Winterholter Field crowd, driving home pinch runner, Drew Loy, on a sharp line drive to left center. Frickel’s knock was just the climax of a fivefold flurry of hits, first sparked by a double from cleanup man, Kade Vander Molen, while down three runs with just one out remaining.

Mason David then brought Vander Molen and leadoff man, Camden Knepp, around to score with a knock of his own, before freshman, Sam Gladd, tied the score with his third RBI of the game.

Catcher, Ben Kalbaugh, then took his stand at the plate and placed a seeing-eye single up the middle, which planted Gladd just 90 feet away from victory. With the stage finally set, Frickel entered the game as a pinch hitter and wasted no time before ending the game on the first pitch he had seen all day.

Gabel Pentecost (6-4) picked up the win for Taylor in game two, even while fighting through a tough-luck top of the seventh in which he allowed three runs, though just one was earned.

Matt Dutkowski did much of the work on the mound, however, traversing five innings of three-run baseball. His day ended with the game even at three, after having scattered six hits alongside six strikeouts.

Given the day’s preceding events, however, the particularly significant number in Dutkowski’s stat line was zero walks. As a counter narrative from game one, four Trojan pitchers combined for eight walks and two hit-by-pitches, ten free bases on which the Marian lineup capitalized with six home runs in its run-rule victory.

Along the way, Marian outhit Taylor 13-7 with TJ Bass being the lone Trojan to record multiple hits, one of which serving as his 13th home run of the season. Vander Molen struck a home run himself in game one, his 12th of the season, which placed him alongside Bass among the league’s top-five home run hitters.

Even so, the Knights totaled six long balls on their side, consistently punishing the Trojans for surrendering free bases. Along with the 10 freebies in the form of walks and hit-by-pitches, the TU defense coughed up two errors as well, adding insult to injury with four unearned runs.

The game-one loss marked the first time in 2023 that Taylor has lost via the run rule, which made the game-two walk-off winner all the more significant.

While TU and Marian duked it out in Upland, Indiana Wesleyan (27-16-1, 22-8) and Huntington (29-12, 21-7 CL) commenced a four-game series in Huntington. IWU and HU finished their day-one doubleheader with a split, holding the Trojan lead of first place at three games.

No. 21 Taylor (32-12, 25-5 CL) will look to carry its momentum from Thursday’s walk-off winner to this Saturday, April 22, when the Trojans and Knights (16-24, 10-18 CL) close their series in Upland with first pitch set for 1:00 pm.

TRAILBLAZERS SIGN HBCA ALL-STAR MVP LOGAN WEBB

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazer basketball team picked up another big signing Thursday morning with the addition of six-foot two Linton product Logan Webb.

“We’re just happy to have him,” VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “He’s a good young man. He’s a local guy, Indiana guy. We always love to get those guys. They have to be guys that can come in and help the program. We watched him during the season, watched him practice and had him over here on a visit.”

“I think he brings the type of attitude and work ethic that we want and like,” Franklin added. “He’s the kind of guy off the court and in the classroom that we like and he brings a weapon of being able to shoot the ball. He’s a guy that is used to winning and he has a little bit of size and strength to him, which is important to making that transition to college basketball. At the end of the day, those are the things that led us to him. I think he was attracted to what we do and the opportunity it provided to him to show and develop and work better and show the world that he can play at the next level.”

Webb comes to VU after leading the Linton-Stockton Miners to the IHSAA Class 2A State Championship game this past season under Head Coach and VU’s own Joey Hart.

Webb helped the Miners reach the State Championship game after an impressive 28-point performance, including five made threes against Brownstown Central in the Semi-State Finals in March.

Webb averaged 16.7 points, four rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game for Linton this past season, including 67 three-point makes as a senior as the Miners finished the season with a very impressive 29-2 record overall, setting a new school record for wins in a season.

Webb recently played in the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game at North Daviess High School, in which he led his team with 26 points, all in the second half, including eight made threes and being named the Most Valuable Player of the game.

Webb was also a member of the Linton Miners football team which won the school’s first Sectional and Regional Championships since moving up to Class 2A this past fall.

“We can look at all of the traits that you want, but we really don’t know about a guy until he comes in,” Franklin said. “Does he fit, is he a guy that can make it here, does he want what we do. We are kind of unique in how we go about our work. We’re pretty clear on that. So, not everybody fits that and we think he does those things but where it ends up playing, who knows. You get 15 quality players in here and they go to work every day and you see who improves and who fits in and that process never ends.”

“We’ll throw him into the mix with all of these guys,” Franklin added. “He’s been around here a little bit. He’s met our guys and I think he’d fit in. So we’ll see how quickly he can adapt. Guarding guys at this level is a whole different thing. Getting your shot off at this level is a whole different thing and you never know how fast guys adapt to that until they are in here and going at it every day.”

“We didn’t know if Colton Sandage, when he came in here, was going to play his freshman year,” Franklin said. “As late as mid-October his freshman year we were still thinking about redshirting him. But by the end, he was a key component on a National Championship team. You just don’t know. You throw them in there and you put good people in there and you go to work every day and see what happens and Logan is one of those guys.”

Webb joins Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball Damarien Yates and Henderson County point guard Gerard Thomas in the 2023 VU Men’s Basketball recruiting class to go along with seven returning players from last year’s squad.

The Trailblazers are coming off a big bounce back season where VU finished with a record of 30-6, VU’s 19th 30-win season in program history and reached the Quarterfinals of the NJCAA National Championship tournament.

“We’ve just got to get guys that fit us,” Franklin said. “We want to get the best players possible that fit us. We don’t want anybody that doesn’t fit us, so we are being really picky with that. If we end up with two or three older guys that have been through some things and fit, that would be great. If they are not, if it ends up being just younger guys, great.”

“Positionally, we are always looking to get better and better players at each spot but right now we’ve got some guys at every position,” Franklin added. “We probably need another five at some point, but we’ve got guys that can play inside and get things done already. But if you are looking at it, we probably need another five or another guard that’s older that has some pop, but who knows. We are going to get guys that can play that fit us and we’ve got five more spots left to fill with guys like that. As long as we stay true to who we are, I think we’ll be fine.”

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to welcome Logan Webb to the 2023 recruiting class and wishes him well as he finishes his senior year of high school.

SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

MLB STANDINGS

American League
East
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	East	Central	West	Last 10	Streak
Tampa Bay	16	3	.842	–	10 – 0	6 – 3	5 – 2	3 – 0	3 – 0	7 – 3	W 2
NY Yankees	12	7	.632	4	8 – 5	4 – 2	2 – 1	4 – 3	2 – 1	6 – 4	W 2
Baltimore	11	7	.611	4.5	4 – 3	7 – 4	2 – 4	2 – 1	5 – 2	7 – 3	W 3
Toronto	11	8	.579	5	4 – 2	7 – 6	2 – 1	5 – 2	3 – 3	6 – 4	L 1
Boston	10	10	.500	6.5	7 – 6	3 – 4	2 – 5	5 – 1	3 – 1	5 – 5	W 1
Central
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	East	Central	West	Last 10	Streak
Minnesota	11	8	.579	–	4 – 2	7 – 6	3 – 4	5 – 1	2 – 1	5 – 5	L 1
Cleveland	10	9	.526	1	2 – 4	8 – 5	1 – 2	1 – 2	6 – 4	5 – 5	W 1
Detroit	7	10	.412	3	4 – 4	3 – 6	1 – 8	2 – 1	2 – 1	5 – 5	L 1
Chi White Sox	7	12	.368	4	3 – 6	4 – 6	1 – 2	1 – 2	2 – 2	3 – 7	L 1
Kansas City	4	15	.211	7	1 – 12	3 – 3	1 – 3	0 – 3	1 – 5	1 – 9	L 6
West
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	East	Central	West	Last 10	Streak
Texas	12	6	.667	–	6 – 3	6 – 3	1 – 2	5 – 1	2 – 1	8 – 2	W 4
Houston	9	10	.474	3.5	6 – 7	3 – 3	2 – 1	4 – 6	1 – 2	6 – 4	W 1
LA Angels	9	10	.474	3.5	3 – 3	6 – 7	3 – 7	0 – 0	4 – 2	4 – 6	L 2
Seattle	8	11	.421	4.5	5 – 8	3 – 3	0 – 0	3 – 4	1 – 2	4 – 6	L 3
Oakland	3	16	.158	9.5	2 – 10	1 – 6	1 – 6	1 – 2	1 – 2	1 – 9	L 7

National League
East
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	East	Central	West	Last 10	Streak
Atlanta	14	5	.737	–	4 – 3	10 – 2	2 – 1	6 – 0	3 – 4	8 – 2	L 1
NY Mets	13	7	.650	1.5	4 – 2	9 – 5	5 – 2	0 – 3	5 – 2	8 – 2	W 2
Miami	10	9	.526	4	7 – 6	3 – 3	4 – 6	0 – 0	4 – 2	7 – 3	L 1
Philadelphia	8	12	.400	6.5	3 – 4	5 – 8	1 – 2	4 – 3	0 – 1	4 – 6	L 1
Washington	5	13	.278	8.5	2 – 9	3 – 4	1 – 2	0 – 0	2 – 2	3 – 7	L 2
Central
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	East	Central	West	Last 10	Streak
Milwaukee	14	5	.737	–	5 – 1	9 – 4	3 – 0	4 – 2	4 – 3	7 – 3	W 4
Pittsburgh	13	7	.650	1.5	4 – 3	9 – 4	0 – 0	4 – 4	3 – 0	7 – 3	W 4
Chi Cubs	11	7	.611	2.5	5 – 5	6 – 2	0 – 0	2 – 3	2 – 2	7 – 3	L 1
St. Louis	8	11	.421	6	5 – 8	3 – 3	0 – 3	3 – 4	3 – 3	5 – 5	W 1
Cincinnati	7	12	.368	7	6 – 6	1 – 6	3 – 7	3 – 3	0 – 0	3 – 7	L 3
West
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	East	Central	West	Last 10	Streak
Arizona	11	9	.550	–	5 – 3	6 – 6	1 – 2	4 – 2	6 – 5	5 – 5	L 2
LA Dodgers	10	10	.500	1	6 – 6	4 – 4	1 – 2	2 – 2	7 – 6	5 – 5	W 1
San Diego	10	11	.476	1.5	5 – 8	5 – 3	5 – 5	1 – 3	4 – 3	4 – 6	W 2
San Francisco	6	12	.333	4	2 – 5	4 – 7	1 – 3	0 – 0	1 – 2	3 – 7	L 1
Colorado	6	14	.300	5	3 – 7	3 – 7	3 – 2	1 – 5	2 – 4	2 – 8	W 1

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1898      In a game against the Giants, Philadelphia Nationals’ pitcher Bill Duggelby blasts a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. More than a century will pass before Jeremy Hermida accomplishes the feat again when the Marlin rookie pinch-hitter goes yard with the bases full facing the Cardinals’ Al Reyes Dolphins Stadium in 2005. (Ed Note: Bobby Bonds hits a grand slam in his first game but his third at-bat. – LP)

1900      At Schorling’s Park on Chicago’s south side, the White Sox, as a minor league team, play their first game in franchise history, losing to Milwaukee, 5-4. The small wooden ballpark located at 39th and Princeton, also known as Southside Park, will continue to be the Windy City home for the team when they join the American League next season.

1910      In front of 19,867 of the Tribe’s faithful, Detroit right-hander Ed Willett spoils the team’s debut in League Park, blanking Cleveland, 5-0. The ballpark, located at E. 66th and Lexington Avenue, will serve as the franchise’s full-time home until the club moves during the 1932 season to Municipal Stadium.

1925      The National League cancels all games due to the funeral of Dodger owner Charles Ebbets, who died three days ago of a heart attack. Edward McKeever, who assumed the presidency of the Brooklyn club, catches a cold at the owner’s funeral and will die of influenza in eight days.

1944      After hitting just one home run in his last 297 games, Mike Kreevich hits two round-trippers in the Browns’ 5-3 victory over Chicago at Sportsman’s Park. The 35-year-old right fielder will finish the season with five homers for the eventual American League champs.

1946      Frank Hayes establishes a major league record for catchers when he plays in the last of his 312 consecutive games behind the plate. The 31-year-old Indian backstop’s streak began on October 2, 1943, when he started for the Browns on the final day of the season at Yankee Stadium.

1948      Returning after serving his one-year suspension from baseball, Dodger manager Leo Durocher uses 24 players in a 9-5 loss to the Giants. The controversial ‘Lip’ had been suspended last April by commissioner Happy Chandler for an assortment of actions deemed detrimental to baseball.

1951      At Griffith Stadium, Gil Coan hits two triples in the Senators’ seven-run sixth inning in an 8-7 loss to New York. The Washington left fielder will be the last major leaguer to accomplish the feat until Rockies’ leadoff hitter Cory Sullivan collects a pair of three-baggers in one frame in 2006.

Amazon 1951 Gil Coan Autographed Baseball Card (Bowman #18 – 1986 CCC Reprint Series )

1955      The Dodgers win their 10th consecutive game from the start of the season when they beat the Phillies, 14-4. The Ebbets Field’s victory establishes a major league record that lasts until 1981, when the A’s chalk up 11 straight wins, beginning on Opening Day.

1959      At Wrigley Field, Stan Musial breaks up Glen Hobbie’s no-hitter with a two-out seventh-inning double. The 23-year-old right-hander settles for a one-hitter, going the distance in the Cubs’ 1-0 victory over the Cardinals.

1961      In front of 24,606 fans at Metropolitan Stadium, the Twins, formerly known as the Washington Senators before moving to Minnesota, play their first home game, losing to the ‘new’ expansion Washington Senators, 5-3. The club’s move to the North Star State will attract 1,256,723 fans, third-best in the American League and far better than their last season in the nation’s capital, where the team drew only 743,404 fans, the worst gate in the league.

1966      The Phillies obtain Larry Jackson and Bob Buhl from the Cubs in exchange for future Hall of Fame hurler Ferguson Jenkins, outfielder Adolfo Phillips, and first baseman/outfielder John Herrnstein. The pair of right-handers will collectively post a 47-53 record for Philadelphia as Chicago’s new moundsman will win twenty or more games for six consecutive seasons starting in 1967.

1967      Rain postpones a game for the first time since the Dodgers opened its stadium in Chavez Ravine in 1962. The postponement of their scheduled game against St. Louis ends a streak of 737 consecutive contests at Dodger Stadium without a washout.

1967      After ending the Red Sox’s rookie no-hit bid last week, Elston Howard again spoils Billy Rohr’s effort to get into the record book when his eighth-inning two-run single breaks up the southpaw’s shutout. The 21-year-old goes the distance, earning his second complete-game victory over the Bronx Bombers in seven days, but fails to become the eighth freshman to start his career with back-to-back scoreless games.

1972      In the first American League game ever played in Texas, the transplanted Washington franchise, now known as the Rangers, beat California, 7-3. The club, managed by Ted Williams, will play its home schedule at Arlington Stadium, located between Fort Worth and Dallas, formerly known as Turnpike Stadium.

1989      After helping to arrange a syndicate to purchase the controlling interest in the Rangers for $89 million, George W. Bush, who also bought into the deal with a small stake of $500,000, convinces the investor group to make him the managing general partner. The future president of the United States will become the team’s public face, with co-general partner Edward W ‘Rusty’ Rose handling the club’s financial matters.

1990      The Reds beat the Braves at Riverfront Stadium, 8-1, for their ninth consecutive victory since Opening Day. The eventual World Champions’ winning streak is the best start in club history.

1994      At the Metrodome, switch-hitting DH Eddie Murray knocks a home run from both sides of the plate in the Indians’ 10-6 win over the Twins. ‘Steady Eddie’ has gone deep batting left-handed and right-handed in the same game eleven times, breaking the previous record that Yankee legend Mickey Mantle established in 1964.

1996      En route to hitting 50 home runs this season, Oriole outfielder Brady Anderson leads off his fourth consecutive game with a round-tripper when he goes deep off Darren Oliver in the team’s 9-6 loss to the Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington. Baltimore goes 0-4 in those games despite their leadoff man’s heroics.

1997      The Devil Rays sign Rolando Arrojo, the former ace of the Cuban National Team. The 28-year-old right-hander, who defected from his homeland just before the 1996 Summer Olympics, will set a record for wins by an expansion pitcher with 14 victories.

2000      Due to the umpires’ equipment going to New York instead of Cincinnati, the Reds’ game against the Dodgers starts 27 minutes later. A downtown store supplies the replacement gear, but due to heavy traffic, the goods arrive at Cinergy Field with the assistance of a police escort.

2002      Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal ties a major league record, which was last previously done by White Sox outfielder Lance Johnson in 1995 by hitting three triples in a game. The previous Braves player to hit three three-baggers in one contest was Danny O’Connell, who accomplished the feat at County Stadium in 1956 when the team played in Milwaukee.

2006      Kansas City names the Kauffman Stadium Press Box after Hall of Fame writer and former Royals board member Joe McGuff. The 1984 J.G. Taylor Spink Award Winner died in February at 79 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

2012      Phillip Humber’s first major league complete game is baseball’s twenty-first perfect game when he retires all 27 Mariners he faces in the White Sox’ 4-0 victory at Safeco Field. The 29-year-old right-hander, who had Tommy John surgery in 2005, is the third Pale Hose pitcher to accomplish perfection, joining Mark Buehrle (2009 vs. Tampa Bay) and Charles Robertson (1932 vs. Detroit).

2014      Although he breaks his bat on the swing, Ike Davis becomes the first major leaguer to hit a grand slam for two different teams in April when he homers off Mike Leake, helping the Pirates defeat the Reds, 6-5, at PNC Park. Before being traded by the Mets to Pittsburgh earlier in the month, the 27-year-old first baseman went deep against another Cincinnati hurler, J.J. Hoover, for a walk-off slam in the bottom of the ninth at Citi Field.

2015      Celebrating the 150th anniversary year of their first meeting, Wesleyan and Yale, the Connecticut schools believed to have played the first college baseball contest using the rules which resemble today’s game, meet at New Haven’s Yale Field. The Bulldogs, unlike their 39-13 rout in 1865, only beat their Middletown rivals, 7-3, improving their record in the intercollegiate series to 62-18-2.

2016      Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta tosses a no-hitter in the Cubs’ 16-0 rout over the Reds at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park. The Chicago ace becomes the second pitcher, joining Johnny Vander Meer, who threw consecutive no-hitters in 1938, to go unbeaten between no-no’s, having not lost in his last 17 regular-season starts since his gem against the Dodgers last season.

2018      A’s southpaw Sean Manaea tosses the twelfth no-hitter in franchise history and the first since southpaw Dallas Braden’s perfect game in 2010, when he keeps the opponents hitless in the team’s 3-0 victory over the 17-2 Red Sox at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The 26-year-old’s performance ends Boston’s run of 3,987 games without being no-hit, a streak dating back to Mariners’ Chris Bosio’s no-no against the club at the Kingdome on April 22, 1993.

TV FRIDAY

COLLEGE BASEBALL	TIME ET	TV
Vanderbilt vs Tennessee	6:00pm	SECN
Bayolr vs Texas Tech	7:30pm	ESPNU
Virginia Tech vs Florida State	8:00pm	ACCN
COLLEGE SOFTBALL	TIME ET	TV
Oklahoma State vs Texas	5:30pm	LHN
Auburn vs Alabama	9:00pm	SECN
Arizona vs Oregon	10:30pm	ESPNU
GOLF	TIME ET	TV
LPGA Tour: Chevron Championship	11:00am	GOLF
PGA Tour: Zurich Classic	3:00pm	GOLF
MLB REGULAR SEASON GAMES	TIME ET	TV
LA Dodgers at Chi. Cubs	2:20pm	MLBN Spectrum MARQ
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh	6:35pm	Bally Sports ATTSN-PIT
Chi. White Sox at Tampa Bay	6:40pm	Bally Sports NBCS-CHI
Toronto at NY Yankees	7:05pm	Sportsnet YES
Detroit at Baltimore	7:05pm	Bally Sports MASN/2
Colorado at Philadelphia	7:05pm	NBCS-PHI ATTSN-RM
Miami at Cleveland	7:10pm	Bally Sports
Houston at Atlanta	7:20pm	ATTSN-SW Bally Sports
Oakland at Texas	8:05pm	NBCS-CA Bally Sports
Boston at Milwaukee	8:10pm	NESN Bally Sports
Washington at Minnesota	8:10pm	MASN/2 Bally Sports
Kansas City at LA Angels	9:38pm	Bally Sports
San Diego at Arizona	9:40pm	MLBN Bally Sports
St. Louis at Seattle	10:10pm	MLBN Bally Sports Root Sports
NY Mets at San Francisco	10:15pm	SNY NBCS-BAY
NBA PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
East Quarterfinals Game 3: Boston at Atlanta	7:00pm	ESPN
East Quarterfinals Game 3: Cleveland at New York	8:30pm	ABC
West Quarterfinals Game 3: Denver at Minnesota	9:30pm	ESPN
NHL PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
Game 3: Carolina at NY Islanders	7:00pm	TBS
Game 3: Boston at Florida	7:30pm	TNT
Game 3: Dallas at Minnesota	9:30pm	TBS
Game 3: Edmonton at Los Angeles	10:00pm	TNT
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
Bundesliga: Augsburg vs Stuttgart	2:30pm	ESPN+
Serie A: Hellas Verona vs Bologna	2:45pm	Paramount+
English Premier League: Arsenal vs Southampton	3:00pm	USA
La Liga: Espanyol vs Cádiz	3:00pm	ESPN+
Ligue 1: Angers SCO vs PSG	3:00pm	beIN Sports
Argentina Primera División: Colón vs Vélez Sarsfield	7:30pm	Paramount+
Liga MX: Necaxa vs Atlas	9:05pm	TUDN
Liga MX: Tijuana vs León	11:05pm	TUDN

TV SATURDAY

COLLEGE BASEBALL	TIME ET	TV
Vanderbilt at Tennessee	12:00pm	ESPN2
Bayolr vs Texas Tech	7:30pm	ESPNU
LSU at Mississippi	3:00pm	ESPN2
COLLEGE SOFTBALL	TIME ET	TV
Florida at Tennessee	4:00pm	ESPNU
Arkansas at Kentucky	6:00pm	ESPN2
Michigan St. at Illinois	6:00pm	ESPNU
Mississippi St. at LSU	8:00pm	ESPN2
Arizona St. at UCLA	11:00pm	ESPN2
GOLF	TIME ET	TV
LIV Golf League	1:00pm	CW
PGA Tour: Zurich Classic	1:00pm	GOLF
LPGA Tour: Chevron Championship	3:00pm	GOLF
PGA Tour: Zurich Classic	3:00pm	CBS
LPGA Tour: Chevron Championship	4:00pm	NBC
MLB REGULAR SEASON GAMES	TIME ET	TV
Toronto at NY Yankees	1:05pm	MLBN Sportsnet YES
Washington at Minnesota	2:10pm	MASN/2 Bally Sports
LA Dodgers at Chi. Cubs	2:20pm	Spectrum MARQ
Chi. White Sox at Tampa Bay	4:05pm	FOX Bally Sports NBCS-CHI
NY Mets at San Francisco	4:05pm	FOX SNY NBCS-BAY
Colorado at Philadelphia	4:05pm	NBCS-PHI ATTSN-RM
Miami at Cleveland	6:10pm	Bally Sports
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh	6:35pm	Bally Sports ATTSN-PIT
Detroit at Baltimore	7:05pm	FS1 Bally Sports MASN/2
Oakland at Texas	7:05pm	NBCS-CA Bally Sports
Boston at Milwaukee	7:10pm	NESN Bally Sports
Houston at Atlanta	7:20pm	ATTSN-SW Bally Sports
San Diego at Arizona	8:10pm	Bally Sports
Kansas City at LA Angels	9:07pm	MLBN Bally Sports
St. Louis at Seattle	9:40pm	MLBN Bally Sports Root Sports
MMA	TIME ET	TV
Raufeon Stots vs. Patchy Mix	11:00pm	SHOWTIME
MOTORSPORTS	TIME ET	TV
ARCA Menards Series Racing: General Tire 200	12:30pm	FS1
Xfinity: Ag-Pro 300	4:00pm	FS1
NBA PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
East Quarterfinals Game 4: Philadelphia at Brooklyn	1:00pm	TNT
West Quarterfinals Game 4: Phoenix at LA Clippers	3:30pm	TNT
East Quarterfinals Game 3: Milwaukee at Miami	7:30pm	ESPN
West Quarterfinals Game 3: Memphis at LA Lakers	10:00pm	ESPN
NHL PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
Game 3: Vegas at Winnipeg	4:00pm	TBS
Game 3: Toronto at Tampa Bay	7:00pm	TBS
Game 3: New Jersey at NY Rangers	8:00pm	ABC
Game 3: Colorado at Seattle	10:00pm	TBS
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
English Premier League: Fulham vs Leeds United	7:30am	USA
La Liga: Osasuna vs Real Betis	8:00am	ESPN+
Serie A: Salernitana vs Sassuolo	9:00am	Paramount+
Bundesliga: Mainz 05 vs Bayern München	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Köln	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Bochum vs Wolfsburg	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Hertha BSC vs Werder Bremen	9:30am	ESPN+
English Premier League: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest	10:00am	USA
English Premier League: Leicester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers	10:00am	Peacock
English Premier League: Crystal Palace vs Everton	10:00am	Peacock
English Premier League: Brentford vs Aston Villa	10:00am	Peacock
La Liga: Almería vs Athletic Club	10:15am	ESPN+
Ligue 1: Auxerre vs Lille	11:00am	beIN Sports
FA Cup: Manchester City vs Sheffield United	11:45am	ESPN+
Serie A: Lazio vs Torino	12:00pm	Paramount+
Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt	12:30pm	ESPN+
La Liga: Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano	12:30pm	ESPN+
La Liga: Real Valladolid vs Girona	12:30pm	ESPN+
Argentina Primera División: Lanús vs Sarmiento	2:30pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: Arsenal vs Unión Santa Fe	2:30pm	Paramount+
Serie A: Sampdoria vs Spezia	2:45pm	Paramount+
La Liga: Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo	3:00pm	ESPN+
Ligue 1: Lens vs Monaco	3:00pm	beIN Sports
Brasileirão: Fluminense vs Athletico-PR	3:00pm	Paramount+
NWSL: OL Reign vs Chicago Red Stars	3:30pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: San Lorenzo vs Platense	5:00pm	Paramount+
Brasileirão: São Paulo vs América Mineiro	5:30pm	Paramount+
Brasileirão: Cuiabá vs RB Bragantino	5:30pm	Paramount+
Liga MX: Pachuca vs Atlético San Luis	7:00pm	TUDN
NWSL: Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash	7:00pm	Paramount+
MLS: Cincinnati vs Portland Timbers	7:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: CF Montréal vs New York RB	7:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Charlotte vs Columbus Crew	7:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: New England vs Sporting KC	7:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: New York City vs Dallas	7:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC	7:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Orlando City SC vs DC United	7:30pm	MLS Pass
NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs North Carolina Courage	7:30pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: Belgrano vs Newell’s Old Boys	7:30pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: Central Córdoba SdE vs Godoy Cruz	7:30pm	Paramount+
Brasileirão: Cruzeiro vs Grêmio	8:00pm	Paramount+
MLS: Nashville SC vs Los Angeles FC	8:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Houston Dynamo vs Inter Miami	8:30pm	MLS Pass
Liga MX: Guadalajara vs Cruz Azul	9:05pm	Peacock
MLS: Real Salt Lake vs SJ EarthquakesFC	9:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Colorado Rapids vs St. Louis City	9:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Real Salt Lake vs SJ EarthquakesFC	10:30pm	MLS Pass
MLS: Seattle Sounders FC vs Minnesota United	10:30pm	MLS Pass
NWSL: Portland Thorns vs Racing Louisville FC	10:30pm	Paramount+
Liga MX: América vs Pumas UNAM	11:10pm	Univision
XFL	TIME ET	TV
Orlando at St. Louis	12:00pm	ESPN
D.C. at San Antonio	3:00pm	ABC