THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” MONDAY APRIL 15, 2024

“THE SCOREBOARD”

MASTERS LEADERBOARD

https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard

NBA SCOREBOARD

CHARLOTTE 120 CLEVELAND 110

PHILADELPHIA 107 BROOKLYN 86

INDIANA 157 ATLANTA 115

BOSTON 132 WASHINGTON 122

ORLANDO 113 MILWAUKEE 88

MIAMI 118 TORONTO 103

NEW YORK 120 CHICAGO 119 OT

LA LAKERS 124 NEW ORLEANS 108

DENVER 126 MEMPHIS 111

SACRAMENTO 121 PORTLAND 82

GOLDEN STATE 123 UTAH 116

SAN ANTONIO 123 DETROIT 95

PHOENIX 125 MINNESOTA 106

OKLAHOMA CITY 135 DALLAS 86

HOUSTON 116 LA CLIPPERS 105

NBA PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE 

NBA PLAYOFFS

1. BOSTON
2. NEW YORK
3. MILWAUKEE 
4. CLEVELAND
5. ORLANDO
6. INDIANA

SOFI NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT

• PHILADELPHIA
• MIAMI
• CHICAGO 
• ATLANTA

WESTERN CONFERENCE

NBA PLAYOFFS

1. OKLAHOMA CITY
2. DENVER
3. MINNESOTA
4. LA CLIPPERS
5. DALLAS
6. PHOENIX
   

SOFI NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT

• NEW ORLEANS 
• LOS ANGELES LAKERS
• SACRAMENTO
• GOLDEN STATE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NBA PLAYOFFS

(1) CELTICS VS. (8) PLAY-IN WINNER 

(2) KNICKS VS. (7) PLAY-IN WINNER 

(3) BUCKS VS. (6) PACERS 

(4) CAVALIERS VS. (5) MAGIC 

SOFI NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT

(7) 76ERS VS. (8) HEAT 

(9) BULLS VS. (10) HAWKS 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

NBA PLAYOFFS

(1) THUNDER VS. (8) PLAY-IN WINNER 

(2) NUGGETS VS. (7) PLAY-IN WINNER 

(3) TIMBERWOLVES VS. (6) SUNS 

(4) CLIPPERS VS. (5) MAVERICKS 

SOFI NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT

(7) PELICANS VS. (8) LAKERS 

(9) KINGS VS. (10) WARRIORS 

WNBA DRAFT-MONDAY 7:30

FIRST ROUND

1. INDIANA FEVER
2. LOS ANGELES SPARKS
3. CHICAGO SKY (FROM PHOENIX)
4. LOS ANGELES SPARKS (FROM SEATTLE)
5. DALLAS WINGS (FROM CHICAGO)
6. WASHINGTON MYSTICS
7. CHICAGO SKY
8. MINNESOTA LYNX
9. DALLAS WINGS
10. CONNECTICUT SUN
11. NEW YORK LIBERTY
12. ATLANTA DREAM (FROM LAS VEGAS, VIA L.A.)

SECOND ROUND

1. CHICAGO SKY (FROM PHOENIX)
2. SEATTLE STORM
3. INDIANA FEVER
4. LAS VEGAS ACES (FROM L.A.)
5. NEW YORK LIBERTY (FROM CHICAGO)
6. LAS VEGAS ACES (FROM WASHINGTON)
7. CONNECTICUT SUN (FROM MINNESOTA)
8. ATLANTA DREAM
9. WASHINGTON MYSTICS (FROM DALLAS)
10. CONNECTICUT SUN
11. NEW YORK LIBERTY
12. LAS VEGAS ACES

THIRD ROUND

1. PHOENIX MERCURY
2. SEATTLE STORM
3. INDIANA FEVER
4. LOS ANGELES SPARKS
5. PHOENIX MERCURY (FROM CHICAGO)
6. WASHINGTON MYSTICS
7. MINNESOTA LYNX
8. ATLANTA DREAM
9. DALLAS WINGS
10. CONNECTICUT SUN
11. NEW YORK LIBERTY
12. LAS VEGAS ACES

NHL SCOREBOARD

ST. LOUIS 4 SEATTLE 1

VEGAS 4 COLORADO 3 OT

CAROLINA 4 CHICAGO 2

CALGARY 6 ARIZONA 5

STANDINGS: https://www.nhl.com/standings/2024-04-14/wildcard

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

BOSTON 5 LA ANGELS 4

BALTIMORE 6 MILWAUKEE 4

PITTSBURGH 9 PHILADELPHIA 2

TORONTO 5 COLORADO 0

NY METS 2 KANSAS CITY 1

CLEVELAND 8 NY YANKEES 7 (10)

DETROIT 4 MINNESOTA 3

TAMPA BAY 9 SAN FRANCISCO 4

ATLANTA 9 MIAMI 7

HOUSTON 8 TEXAS 5

CINCINNATI 11 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 4

OAKLAND 7 WASHINGTON 6

CHICAGO CUBS 3 SEATTLE 2

ARIZONA 5 ST. LOUIS 0

SAN DIEGO 6 LA DODGERS 3

STANDINGS: https://www.mlb.com/standings/

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES

TOLEDO 16 INDIANAPOLIS 6

FT. WAYNE 8 LAKE COUNTY 7

WISCONSIN 9 SOUTH BEND 6

UFL SCORES

MICHIGAN 34 HOUSTON 20

ST. LOUIS 31 SAN ANTONIO 24

STANDINGS: https://www.theufl.com/standings

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

ATLANTA 2 PHILADELPHIA 2

ST. LOUIS 1 AUSTIN 1

STANDINGS: https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/2024/conference#season=2024&live=true

COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES

RUTGERS 6 NEBRASKA 4

NORTH CAROLINA 10 NOTRE DAME 3

GEORGETOWN 15 BUTLER 2

OHIO STATE 11 IOWA 1

PURDUE 21 MICHIGAN STATE 1

MICHIGAN 10 MINNESOTA 3

INDIANA 12 PENN STATE 3

MARYLAND AND 9 NORTHWESTERN 8 (10)

ILLINOIS 21 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 11

OAKLAND 8 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 5

BALL STATE 14 AKRON 9

INDIANA STATE 17 BRADLEY 6

EVANSVILLE 13 ILLINOIS STATE 1

BELMONT 15 VALPARAISO 8

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE 12 SOUTHERN INDIANA 2

COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES

NORTHWESTERN 2 MARYLAND 1

FLORIDA STATE 10 NOTRE DAME 2

GEORGETOWN 7 BUTLER 4

MICHIGAN 6 IOWA 5

INDIANA 5 MINNESOTA 4

NEBRASKA 7 RUTGERS 6

MICHIGAN STATE 6 PENN STATE 2

ILLINOIS 4 PURDUE 1

OHIO STATE 9 WISCONSIN 5

PURDUE FORT WAYNE 6 IUPUI 2

BALL STATE 11 BOWLING GREEN 3

ILLINOIS STATE 8 VALPARAISO 7

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 4 EVANSVILLE 1

ILLINOIS CHICAGO 6 INDIANA STATE 3

EASTERN ILLINOIS 2 SOUTHERN INDIANA 0

NATIONAL SPORTS RELEASES/HEADLINES

GOLF NEWS

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER MASTERS AUGUSTA FOR SECOND TIME

In professional golf, there’s Scottie Scheffler, and then there’s everybody else.

The No. 1 player in the world won his second Masters in three years on Sunday in Augusta, Ga., by firing a final-round 68 to finish the week at 11-under 271.

Six of Scheffler’s seven birdies came over his final 11 holes at Augusta National as he pulled away for a four-stroke win over Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who posted a 69. Collin Morikawa struggled to a 74, tying Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (69) and Max Homa (73) for third at 4 under.

It marks Scheffler’s second major victory and his 10th win on the PGA Tour in the past 26 months. He has won three tournaments in his last four starts

After a short birdie putt at No. 3, Scheffler suffered bogeys at Nos. 4 and 7 to drop to 6 under with Morikawa, whom he led by one after 54 holes. Aberg and Homa soon joined them for a four-way share of the lead, but Scheffler and Morikawa each birdied the par-5 eighth to sneak ahead to 7 under.

But after Scheffler’s approach at No. 9 spun back and narrowly missed the cup, setting up a birdie, each of his three competitors carded a double bogey to drop down the board. First was Morikawa, who failed to get out of a greenside bunker on his third shot at No. 9 before two-putting.

Aberg’s misstep came at the par-4 11th, where his approach landed well short of the green and hit the water. And Homa went backwards at the par-3 12th after his tee shot over the green bounced into bushes and forced him to take an unplayable lie.

Scheffler made it three birdies in a row at No. 10, absorbed a missed par putt at No. 11 and rebounded with consecutive birdies at Nos. 13 and 14. The latter was the final nail in the coffin, as his approach shot landed on the green’s back ridge and slowly rolled to 2 feet of the cup.

TIGER WOODS KEEPS POSITIVE OUTLOOK DESPITE DISAPPOINTING FINISH

Tiger Woods kept a positive outlook on his time spent at the Masters despite following up a 10-over-par 82 on Saturday with a 5-over 77 on Sunday.

All told, Woods finished 16-over 304 for the tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. His previous high at a tournament was 302 at the Memorial in 2015.

Sure, this one wasn’t one for the books, however the five-time Masters champion and 15-time major winner took a bigger-picture view of it all in Augusta, Ga.

“It was a good week. It was a good week all around,” said the 48-year-old Woods, who set the record for the most consecutive cuts made at Augusta National with 24 on Friday.

“I think that coming here not having played a full tournament in a very long time, it was a good fight on Thursday and Friday — unfortunately (Saturday) didn’t quite turn out the way that I wanted it to. Today, the way that Tom (Kim) is playing is what I thought I had in my system; unfortunately I didn’t produce it.”

Two years ago, Woods made his return to competitive golf at the Masters less than 14 months after a single-car accident nearly cost him his right leg. He made the cut at Augusta National before finishing 47th.

Now back to Sunday, which marked Woods’ 100th round at the Masters.

Woods’ 15-year-old son, Charlie, joined him on the practice area prior to his final round.

Wearing his traditional Sunday red, the elder Woods started off strong by recording a birdie on the par-5 second hole before giving back that stroke with a bogey on the third.

Woods then imploded on the par-4 fifth hole by sending a tee shot deep into the trees, forcing him to take an unplayable lie. Woods was allowed to use a cart to go back to the tee box as a means to maintain the pace of play. The end result was a triple-bogey on that hole, followed by a bogey on No. 6.

Woods seemed to get into a groove with eight straight pars before recording a bogey on the par-5 15th hole.

Woods returned to form with a par on the 16th hole. As he prepared to walk toward the next tee, Woods stopped to shake the hand of legendary broadcaster Verne Lundquist, who is working his 40th and final Masters this week for CBS.

NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: THUNDER ROUT MAVS, CLAIM NO. 1 SEED IN WEST

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in just 16 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder left no doubt, blowing out the visiting Dallas Mavericks 135-86 on Sunday.

The Thunder finished the regular season with a five-game winning streak to claim the top seed in the Western Conference for the first time since the 2012-13 season. They held both the tiebreaker with the Nuggets and the three-way tiebreaker; Denver winning sealed the Thunder’s playoff position.

Oklahoma City had seven players finish in double figures, with Aaron Wiggins scoring 14 off the bench and Ousmane Dieng contributing 13. Rookie Chet Holmgren scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting with nine rebounds in just 11:32.

With the Mavericks’ playoff position set, they sat all of their starters other than Tim Hardaway Jr. Brandon Williams led the Mavericks with 22 points and Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 15 as Dallas finished a season-low 33 percent from the field.

Suns 125, Timberwolves 106

Bradley Beal scored 36 points on 14-for-21 shooting, including 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, and Phoenix cruised past Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Devin Booker added 23 points and seven assists for the Suns, who moved past New Orleans for the sixth seed in the Western Conference, escaping the play-in tournament.

Rudy Gobert scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Minnesota. The Timberwolves entered the game in a three-way tie for the best record in the Western Conference, but they dropped to the No. 3 seed after losing on Sunday while the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets both won to secure the top two spots.

Knicks 120, Bulls 119 (OT)

Jalen Brunson recorded 40 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and New York landed the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference by holding off visiting Chicago in overtime.

A loss to the Orlando Magic by the Milwaukee Bucks aided the Knicks, who registered their second 50-win season in 24 seasons. Donte DiVincenzo added 25 points for the Knicks, who took the lead for good after DiVincenzo’s 3-pointer gave them a 114-112 lead with 3:13 remaining in overtime.

DeMar DeRozan paced the Bulls with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. Nikola Vucevic finished with a 29-point, 11-rebound double-double and Coby White had 26 points.

Celtics 132, Wizards 122

Payton Pritchard scored a career-high 38 points and added 12 assists and nine rebounds as Boston beat visiting Washington.

Pritchard made 15 of 21 field-goal attempts. Svi Mykhailiuk had 26 points for the Celtics, who received 19 points and nine rebounds from Neemias Queta.

Eugene Omoruyi led Washington with 26 points, and Jared Butler added 22. The Wizards ended their season on a six-game losing streak.

Pacers 157, Hawks 115

Myles Turner racked up 31 points and 12 rebounds as Indiana clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot with a lopsided victory over Atlanta in Indianapolis.

By matching their highest-scoring performance in franchise history, the Pacers earned the No. 6 seed in the East and will play the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs. Pascal Siakam added 28 points as seven Pacers scored in double figures. Indiana shot a stunning 65 percent overall (65 of 100) and went 19-for-36 from beyond the arc (52.8 percent).

Dejounte Murray scored 32 points to pace the Hawks, who are set to face the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the play-in tournament.

Warriors 123, Jazz 116

Klay Thompson scored 25 points, but Golden State couldn’t improve from 10th place in the Western Conference despite a victory over visiting Utah in the regular-season finale.

The Warriors will face the Sacramento Kings in an elimination game on Tuesday to tip off the Western play-in event. Golden State elected to rest Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on the eve of the playoffs, and limited Thompson to 20 minutes, during which he had enough time to shoot 6-for-12 on 3-pointers en route to his game-high point total. Gui Santos finished with 13 points and Lester Quinones 12 among Golden State’s game-ending group. Andrew Wiggins had 19 in a starting role, while Dario Saric chipped in with 12.

Keyonte George paced Utah with 21 points, while Omer Yurtseven put up a double-double with 11 points to complement a game-high 18 rebounds.

Nuggets 126, Grizzlies 111

Jamal Murray scored 21 points, Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 15 rebounds and visiting Denver beat Memphis to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Denver moved past Minnesota, which lost at home to Phoenix on Sunday, and will begin the first round of the playoffs against the winner of Tuesday night’s play-in game between the No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans and No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets bounced back from a disappointing loss at San Antonio on Friday night to tie the franchise record for wins set in the 2012-13 season and give head coach Michael Malone his 424th career win. Christian Braun had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Aaron Gordon had 15 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 12 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson and Peyton Watson scored 11 each.

GG Jackson scored a career-high 44 points, Jake LaRavia had 29 and Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 15 for the Grizzlies.

Magic 113, Bucks 88

Paolo Banchero had 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and Orlando clinched a playoff spot with a rout of visiting Milwaukee.

Franz Wagner added 25 points and three steals as the Magic earned their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season. Orlando is the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

The Bucks lost for the eighth time in the past 11 games. Milwaukee will be the 3 seed in the East and will face the Indiana Pacers in the first round.

Heat 118, Raptors 103

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro scored 17 points each as host Miami routed out-of-contention Toronto.

With the game virtually decided after three quarters, the Heat went to their bench, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished with 18 points. Reserve Thomas Bryant also had 18 points and added 10 rebounds. Despite the win, the Heat will have to settle for the play-in round as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will face the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers in the play-in round on Wednesday.

Toronto was led by Gary Trent Jr., who had 18 points. Toronto was missing several injured standouts, including starters Scottie Barnes (hand), RJ Barrett (knee) and Immanuel Quickley (adductor).

Hornets 120, Cavaliers 110

Nick Smith Jr. pumped in 24 points to lead a bunch of backups as Charlotte ended the season by beating playoff-bound host Cleveland.

The Hornets were sparked on a late 15-2 burst by Smith, Amari Bailey and JT Thor (20 points), surging to a 117-110 lead with less than two minutes to play. It was the final game for Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, who will move into a front-office role with the organization.

Max Strus recorded his first career triple-double with 14 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who finished fourth in the Eastern Conference for the playoffs beginning Saturday against the Orlando Magic. Cleveland also used a largely makeshift lineup and had reduced minutes for several who did play.

76ers 107, Nets 86

Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points as Philadelphia led virtually the entire way to beat visiting Brooklyn.

The Sixers ended the regular season with eight straight wins and survived another absence by Joel Embiid, who sat out after tweaking his surgically repaired left knee in the first half against the Orlando Magic on Friday. Embiid appeared in 39 games and the Sixers went 31-8 when he played.

Cam Thomas led the Nets with 18 points and rookie Noah Clowney added 16. Trendon Watford contributed 14 and Lonnie Walker IV finished with 12 as Brooklyn shot 38.6 percent and misfired on 25 of 34 3-point tries.

Spurs 123, Pistons 95

Sandro Mamukelashvili poured in 18 points to lead eight players in double figures as host San Antonio rolled over Detroit, both long since eliminated from the postseason.

The Spurs, despite being without six injured players who started games this season, finished strong, winning four of their final six games to end up in 14th place in the West, one spot out of the cellar.

James Wiseman racked up game highs of 21 points and 17 rebounds for Detroit. The Pistons dropped 15 of its last 17 games and finished as the worst team in the NBA after setting a team-low mark for wins in a season, supplanting the 16 wins produced by the 1979-80 squad.

Lakers 124, Pelicans 108

LeBron James had a triple-double, Anthony Davis had a double-double and visiting Los Angeles dominated New Orleans.

James finished with 28 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds and Davis had 30 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers clinched the No. 8 seed and set up a rematch with the seventh-seeded Pelicans in a play-in game Tuesday night in New Orleans.

CJ McCollum scored 25 points to lead New Orleans. Herbert Jones added 18, while Larry Nance Jr. and Brandon Ingram, returning from a 12-game absence due to a hyper-extended knee, scored 13 each.

Kings 121, Blazers 82
De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points in three quarters as host Sacramento cruised past Portland.

After finishing with the third seed in the Western Conference last season — when they made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 — the Kings will be the No. 9 seed this time. Sacramento will host the Warriors in a play-in game on Tuesday.

Dalano Banton led the Trail Blazers with 17 points before being ejected for a flagrant 2 foul late in the fourth quarter. He went 6-for-26 from the field and missed all 15 of his 3-point tries, becoming the first player in NBA history to go 0-for-15 from behind the arc. Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez and Justin Anderson shared the previous mark of futility by going 0-for-12 from 3-point range.

Rockets 116, Clippers 105

Cam Whitmore scored 21 points and Amen Thompson recorded his first career triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as Houston defeated host Los Angeles.

Jabari Smith Jr. had 15 points for Houston, which won for the third time in its last four games and avoided a fourth straight losing season.

Terance Mann led the Clippers with a season-high 24 points. Both teams relied on reserve players in a game that did not have postseason implications. The Clippers trailed 105-102 with 3:09 remaining before Houston went on a 14-0 run to put the game away.

WNBA NEWS

SKY TRADE WITH LYNX, ACQUIRE NO. 7 PICK IN 2024 DRAFT

The Chicago Sky acquired the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and center Nikolina Milic from the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

The Lynx, in turn, received the eighth overall pick in the draft, forward Sika Kone, Chicago’s second-round selection in the 2025 draft and the rights to swap the Sky’s first-round pick in 2026.

“We are excited to strengthen our draft position once again in a year with many top prospects,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “We thank Sika for her many contributions to the Chicago Sky and wish her success in her next role.”

The Sky now own the third overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft (from the Phoenix Mercury) in addition to Nos. 7 and 13 (from the Dallas Wings via the Indiana Fever).

“This trade in the WNBA Draft continues our focus on building a foundation for sustained success,” said Cheryl Reeve, Lynx head coach and president of basketball operations.

Minnesota has two selections in the 2024 draft: No. 8 and No. 31 (third round) overall.

Milic, who turned 30 on Friday, averaged 5.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 39 games (three starts) last season for the Lynx.

Kone, 21, contributed 3.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes in 20 games off the bench for the Sky.

CAITLIN CLARK FOLLOWED BY INTRIGUE AT STAR-DRIVEN WNBA DRAFT

Two decades have passed since a pro basketball draft attracted so much in the way of hoopla, headlines and hope.

It was 2003, and there was no doubt the Cleveland Cavaliers would use the No. 1 pick on LeBron James, a generational talent from nearby Akron, Ohio, who would arrive to help rebuild the franchise. The city reached a frenzy with James on board — especially when he took a team that was 17-65 the season before his arrival to the NBA Finals in his fourth season.

The scene is being repeated in Indianapolis, where excitement has reached, well, a fever pitch, as the Indiana Fever will — barring an unfathomable change of direction — select Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Monday night.

Clark, who in the recently completed season became the all-time leading scorer in college basketball Division I history, is another Midwesterner primed to help turn around a team. The Fever won the WNBA title in 2012 but haven’t reached .500 — or the playoffs — since 2016. She’s expected to step right into the lineup at point guard, complementing last year’s No. 1 pick, Rookie of the Year center Aliyah Boston, and forward NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 overall selection in 2022.

Ticket prices already are soaring for Fever games, and 36 of the team’s 40 games will be nationally televised.

“One of the things that’s kind of special about it is that she’s staying in the Midwest, going to Indiana,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo, who played six seasons in the WNBA, said in a virtual news conference. “It’s such a perfect fit in terms of that. Would she have done great no matter where she goes? Of course, but the fit in Indiana … it just seems kind of perfect. The hero of the heartland is going to be staying there and leading this team. In terms of attention, we’ve never ever, ever seen anything like this.”

Once Clark’s name is called from the draft stage in Brooklyn on Monday, attention will turn to the rest of a talented draft class, with the Los Angeles Sparks on the clock. The Sparks (17-23 last season) have missed the playoffs the past three seasons and have the second and fourth picks, giving them a chance to build a young foundation.

General manager Raegan Pebley told the Los Angeles Times the picks are “an incredible opportunity for our organization.

“We definitely want to see two players that not only have the skill set to make an impact early but also a long runway ahead of them. Opportunities to develop, opportunities to not only be excellent in what they do but how they impact the other pieces around them as we continue to build this team.”

Many mock drafts agree that the Sparks will take 6-foot-4 Cameron Brink, who won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Brink averaged 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game at Stanford.

The next two players off the board could be 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso, who won the national championship last week with South Carolina, and Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson.

Cardoso averaged 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds for the Gamecocks, while the 6-2 Jackson led the Volunteers in scoring (20.2 points) and rebounds (8.2).

Other players who could be taken in the first round of the three-round draft (12 per round) include forwards Aaliyah Edwards of UConn, Alissa Pili of Utah and Angel Reese of LSU, as well as guards Jacy Sheldon from Ohio State, Charisma Osborne of UCLA, Nika Muhl from UConn and Dyaisha Fair of Syracuse.

Jessika Carter, a post player from Mississippi State, also could be taken in the first round.

Like the Sparks, the Chicago Sky (Nos. 3 and 8) and Dallas Wings Nos. 5 and 9, each have a pair of picks.

The Seattle Storm and Vegas Aces won’t have their first pick until the second round, while the Phoenix Mercury’s only draft selection is in the third.

Coverage of the draft begins at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN.

NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: VEGAS OVERCOMES 3-GOAL HOLE TO WIN IN OT

Tomas Hertl scored on a deflection 1:23 into overtime as the Vegas Golden Knights, behind a pair of goals by William Karlsson, rallied from a three-goal, third-period deficit to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

Hertl, stationed in front of the crease, redirected Jack Eichel’s shot from the left point inside the right post for the game-winner. Hertl’s goal came on a power play after Colorado defenseman Josh Manson picked up a high-sticking penalty on Eichel with 11.2 seconds left in regulation.

Karlsson scored his 29th and 30th goals of the season, the second with 3:37 left in regulation to tie it 3-3. Ivan Barbashev also scored and Adin Hill finished with 21 saves for Vegas, which moved within one point of third-place Los Angeles in the Pacific Division with two games remaining for both teams. Vegas also holds the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Cale Makar had a goal and an assist and Ross Colton and Mikko Rantanen also scored for Colorado, which is one point behind the second-place Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division. Colorado has one game remaining, while Winnipeg has two.

Hurricanes 4, Blackhawks 2

Seth Jarvis scored two power play goals in the third period and Carolina defeated host Chicago, keeping alive the possibility of finishing with the best record in the NHL.

Jarvis had the tying and go-ahead tallies before Sebastian Aho notched an empty-net goal in the team’s fifth consecutive victory.

Carolina has 111 points, tied with the Dallas Stars and one behind the NHL-leading New York Rangers. All three teams have one game left in the regular season.

Blues 4, Kraken 1

Nathan Walker had a goal and an assist and Joel Hofer made 19 saves as St. Louis handled visiting Seattle after surrendering the game’s first goal.

Jordan Kyrou, Kasperi Kapanen and Brayden Schenn also scored for the Blues, who won for the third time in their last four games.

Jared McCann scored and Joey Daccord made 24 saves for the Kraken.

Flames 6, Coyotes 5

Nazem Kadri scored twice in the third period amid his second consecutive three-point game and Andrei Kuzmenko scored once with an assist to lead host Calgary to a comeback victory over Arizona.

Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Yegor Sharangovich also scored for the Flames, who have won two consecutive games and three of four.

Dylan Guenther recorded his first career multi-goal game with a pair of tallies while Alex Kerfoot, Matias Maccelli and Josh Doan also scored for the Coyotes.

BASEBALL NEWS

MLB ROUNDUP: DOWN TO FINAL STRIKE, BRAVES STUN MARLINS

MLB roundup: Sunday

With the Atlanta Braves down to their final strike, Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run home run to give his club a stunning 9-7 win over the host Miami Marlins on Sunday.

Ozuna finished 3-for-5 and drove in four runs, the final three coming off Marlins closer Tanner Scott (0-3) for his seventh homer of the year. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias then retired all three Miami batters in the bottom of the ninth to pick up his third save of the year.

A.J. Minter (2-1) earned the win after striking out three batters in a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning.

After Ronald Acuna led off the ninth with a single, Scott retired the next two batters. But he walked Matt Olson on four pitches then gave up Ozuna’s game-winning homer an 0-2 count. Olson also recorded three hits.

Orioles 6, Brewers 4

Jackson Holliday picked up his first major league hit as part of a two-run seventh inning and Baltimore rallied past visiting Milwaukee.

Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn and Colton Cowser homered for the Orioles, who salvaged the finale and have not been swept in 96 series dating back to May 2022. Blake Perkins had three hits, including a homer, and William Contreras also homered for the Brewers.

Baltimore’s Jordan Westburg singled leading off the seventh against Abner Uribe (1-1). Holliday snapped an 0-for-13 stretch to begin his career, getting a single to right that sent Westburg to third. Gunnar Henderson singled, scoring Westburg to tie it 4-4 and Holliday scored the go-ahead run on Adley Rutschman’s double-play grounder.

Guardians 8, Yankees 7 (10 innings)

Andres Gimenez’s walk-off sacrifice fly capped a three-run 10th inning and sent Cleveland past visiting New York, allowing the Guardians to avoid a three-game sweep.

After Anthony Rizzo put New York up 7-5 with a two-run single in the top of the inning off Tyler Beede (1-0), the Yankees’ Caleb Ferguson (0-2) couldn’t hold the lead in the bottom of the frame.

Cleveland placement runner Bo Naylor scored on a fielder’s choice and brother Josh came home with the tying run when second baseman Gleyber Torres bobbled a grounder and threw late to the plate. Then with runners on first and third, Gimenez lined a fly ball to right field that was plenty long to score David Fry.

Diamondbacks 5, Cardinals 0

Zac Gallen improved to 3-0 and Christian Walker went 3 for 4 with a run as Arizona blanked St. Louis in Phoenix.

Corbin Carroll had a two-RBI single in the Diamondbacks’ five-run fifth inning en route to winning two of the three games in the series. The hit came just after Andre Pallante relieved Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas (1-2), who was charged with five runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks.

Gallen allowed four hits in six innings while striking out seven and walking two. Joe Mantiply relieved Gallen to start the seventh inning and did not allow a hit in 1 1/3 innings. He had a strikeout and a walk. Bryce Jarvis pitched a hitless 1 2/3 innings to close the game for the Diamondbacks.

Red Sox 5, Angels 4

Tyler O’Neill, Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida all homered and Boston held on to beat visiting Los Angeles.

O’Neill and Connor Wong each had two hits while Yoshida drove in a pair of runs as the Red Sox managed their second straight win. Boston closer Kenley Jansen got into and out of trouble in the ninth to clinch the win for Brayan Bello (2-1), who struck out eight and allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury each had two hits and an RBI for the Angels.

Pirates 9, Phillies 2

Jack Suwinski hit a go-ahead grand slam and Andrew McCutchen belted his 300th career home run to power visiting Pittsburgh past Philadelphia.

McCutchen clubbed his milestone homer in the top of the ninth, a two-run shot that closed the scoring. McCutchen finished with two hits and also stole home. Pirates starter Mitch Keller (2-1) went seven innings, giving up two runs on eight hits and striking out four without walking a batter.

Trea Turner led the Phillies with three hits, including his first home run of the season. Zack Wheeler (0-3) pitched five-plus innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits. He walked three and tied his season high with 10 strikeouts.

Mets 2, Royals 1

Harrison Bader snapped a scoreless tie with an eighth-inning RBI single and four pitchers combined on a three-hitter for host New York, which beat Kansas City in the rubber game of a three-game interleague series.

Neither starter factored into the decision despite tossing six scoreless innings apiece. Mets rookie right-hander Jose Butto gave up two hits and walked one while striking out nine. Royals left-hander Cole Ragans allowed five hits and walked one with eight strikeouts, but Chris Stratton (1-1) gave up two runs on a hit and four walks in the eighth.

Brooks Raley (1-0) threw a 1-2-3 eighth for the Mets before Edwin Diaz notched his third save despite giving up a two-out homer to Vinnie Pasquantino.

Blue Jays 5, Rockies 0

Right-hander Jose Berrios continued his stellar start to the season as Toronto defeated visiting Colorado.

In his fourth start of the season, Berrios (3-0, 1.05 ERA) allowed only two hits, struck out seven, walked two and hit two batters in seven innings for the Blue Jays.

Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (0-3) allowed four runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings.

Tigers 4, Twins 3

Spencer Torkelson’s go-ahead single capped a four-run eighth as host Detroit rallied past Minnesota to split the four-game series.

Javier Baez hit his first homer of the season and Mark Canha supplied a two-run double earlier in the inning for the Tigers. Will Vest (1-0) picked up the win in relief, and Jason Foley survived a pair of two-out walks to close out the ninth for his fourth save.

Twins starter Bailey Ober tossed six scoreless innings. Griffin Jax (1-1), Minnesota’s third reliever, was charged with the final run and took the loss. Christian Vazquez homered and Ryan Jeffers drove in the other two runs for the Twins.

Rays 9, Giants 4

Amed Rosario and Rene Pinto swatted home runs off San Francisco starter Blake Snell to spoil his return to central Florida, leading Tampa Bay to a win in St. Petersburg, Fla.

A five-year member of the Rays which included his 2018 American League Cy Young-winning campaign, Snell (0-2) was battered for seven runs on six hits in four innings as his ERA rose to 12.86. He fanned four and walked two.

Tyler Alexander (1-0) tossed six innings of two-run ball behind opener Shawn Armstrong to win for the first time in his third outing with the Rays.

Reds 11, White Sox 4

Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Nick Martini belted two-run homers as Cincinnati completed a three-game sweep of host Chicago.

Jake Fraley reached base four times on two hits and two walks and scored three runs for the Reds, who outscored the White Sox 27-5 in their first-ever sweep of the White Sox in interleague play. Graham Ashcraft (2-1) allowed five hits and two runs — one earned — over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

The White Sox fell to 2-13 on the season, the worst 15-game start in their 124-year history. Chicago starter Michael Soroka (0-2) struggled with his control all day, issuing a career-high six walks. He gave up five runs on five hits with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Cubs 3, Mariners 2

Michael Busch homered for a fourth consecutive game and Javier Assad pitched 5 2/3 solid innings as Chicago defeated host Seattle.

Assad (2-0) gave up two runs on four hits, with one walk and six strikeouts. Seiya Suzuki went 2-for-4 with a double as the Cubs took two of three games in the interleague series.

Mariners ace Luis Castillo (0-4) put together his first quality start of the season, but it wasn’t quite enough. The right-hander went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, with no walks and nine strikeouts. Jorge Polanco slugged a two-run homer for the Mariners.

Astros 8, Rangers 5

Jose Altuve smacked two home runs as part of a three-hit game as host Houston topped Texas in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Altuve drilled a pair of solo shots off Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi (1-1) for his 11th career multi-homer game. Altuve, who had his fourth three-hit game of the season, added a leadoff single in the seventh inning that kickstarted a three-run frame for the Astros. Altuve went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and clubbed his fourth and fifth homers in the first and third innings, respectively.

Marcus Semien belted a three-run home run with two outs in the ninth for the Rangers.

Athletics 7, Nationals 6

Abraham Toro had a two-run single to cap a six-run sixth inning to help host Oakland overcome a five-run deficit and win its series against Washington.

Oakland’s Lawrence Butler had an RBI single and joined JJ Bleday with three hits as the A’s won for the sixth time in eight games after losing seven of their first eight to start the season.

Washington’s Lane Thomas belted a solo homer and had two RBI singles. He was 1-for-17 with five strikeouts in his previous four games.

NFL NEWS

HIGGINS EXPECTS TO STAY WITH BENGALS DESPITE REPORTED TRADE REQUEST

Star receiver Tee Higgins said Sunday he expects to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals for the 2024 campaign despite reportedly requesting a trade earlier in the offseason.

“We’ll see. I do anticipate it,” said Higgins when asked about staying in Cincinnati, according to Charlie Clifford of WLWT. “I’ve grown a love for Cincy that I didn’t think I would, but (I’m) looking forward to it.”

The franchise-tagged wideout was reportedly disappointed that the Bengals haven’t engaged in extension talks since March 2023.

If Higgins remains with the Bengals but doesn’t get a new deal, he’ll play next season on the $21.8-million tag.

Nine players received the franchise tag this offseason, and the 25-year-old Higgins is one of the last two yet to get a long-term extension, alongside Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

Higgins had back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021 and 2022 but finished with 656 yards last season after being limited to just 12 games.

RACING NEWS

CHASE ELLIOTT PREVAILS AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOR FIRST WIN SINCE 2022

Chase Elliott broke a 42-race winless streak by holding off Ross Chastain in the second overtime on Sunday to win the NASCAR Cup Series’ caution-filled AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.

Elliott and Denny Hamlin restarted on the front row twice in the final laps of regulation, but Hamlin brought out the 14th caution in Turn 4 while outside of Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet.

After Harrison Burton’s wreck caused the final caution, Elliott won a drag race with Chastain — who also wrecked and finished 32nd — to earn the victory in the 276-lap race, the season’s ninth event.

The victory was the 19th of Elliott’s career and first since he won at Talladega on Oct. 2, 2022.

Brad Keselowski came in second, with William Byron, Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez rounding out the top five.

In the NASCAR Cup Series’ lone stop at the 1.5-mile track, Kyle Larson started from the point and set out to prove that he was as good as his hot lap in Saturday’s qualifying session.

Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet dominated most of Stage 1, only giving up the lead briefly to teammate Elliott after pitting. He then got back to the front to win the 80-lap segment over Christopher Bell and Hamlin.

The only incident occurred when seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who wrecked during Saturday’s practice, looped his car while working his way through Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 50.

Ryan Blaney, Austin Hill, Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher decided not to stop and led the restart for the 85-lap Stage 2.

However, as dominant as Larson seemingly was, he could not escape mechanical failure, as his right rear wheel came off on the frontstretch under caution. NASCAR held the Chevrolet on pit road for a two-lap penalty.

Larson got one lap back when Michael McDowell wrecked hard in Turn 4 after racing side-by-side with Chastain with 23 laps left in Stage 2.

Chastain went on to win the segment’s bonus point in his first stage win of 2024.

Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota soon worked its way around Burton’s No. 21 Ford with 88 circuits remaining.

INDIANA SPORTS RELEASES/NEWS

INDIANA PACERS

PACERS ROUT HAWKS TO LOCK UP PLAYOFF BERTH

Myles Turner racked up 31 points and 12 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 157-115 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday in Indianapolis.

By matching its highest-scoring performance in franchise history, Indiana (47-35) guaranteed itself of at least the No. 6 seed in the East, and the Pacers can grab the fifth spot in the conference if the Orlando Magic lose to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Pascal Siakam added 28 points as one of seven Pacers scorers in double figures. T.J. McConnell supplied 17 points, Doug McDermott netted 15 and Tyrese Haliburton finished with 12 to go along with 13 assists.

Indiana shot a stunning 65 percent overall (65 of 100) and went 19-for-36 from beyond the arc (52.8 percent).

Dejounte Murray paced Atlanta (36-46) with 32 points. Mouhamed Gueye had 19 points and nine rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 18 points for the Hawks, who are set to face the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the play-in tournament.

It didn’t take long for the Pacers to turn the game into a rout once the second half rolled around, with Turner’s layup making it 98-76 with 9:29 remaining in the third quarter.

Atlanta trailed by at least 16 the rest of the way.

Indiana came roaring out of the gates, making 20 of 27 shots from the field (74.1 percent) in the first quarter to build a 49-34 lead.

After McConnell knocked down a triple with 8:36 left in the second quarter to lift the Pacers to a 59-45 advantage, Atlanta came to life.

The Hawks proceeded to score 17 of the next 20 points, drawing even at 62-all when Murray sank a free throw with 4:50 to go.

Atlanta never managed to pull in front, though, and, with the help of a 14-0 run, Indiana took an 86-72 lead into the break.

Inside the Numbers

Indiana made 19 3-pointers to Atlanta’s 12.

Tyrese Haliburton recorded his 44th double-double of the season and Myles Turner logged his 17th.

12 different players recorded a basket for the Pacers.

The Pacers led the Hawks in fast-break points (26-11) and second-chance points (20-12).

Indiana had 14 turnovers and the Hawks finished with 14 giveaways.

There were two total ties in the game.

You Can Quote Me On That

“We’re very, very pleased to be back in. This is a new beginning. … We’ve worked hard. We’ve played extremely hard to get ourselves in this position and look forward to the next step.” – Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on the playoffs

“Our offense is always going to be better when we’re getting stops. When we’re giving up 43 points in a half, our production is going to be even more efficient than when we’re giving up 73.” – Carlisle on the offensive production

“I loved Myles’ approach from a physical standpoint, and the fact that he had 12 rebounds.That’s the most important thing.” – Carlisle on Turner’s performance

“This team, this organization, has been to the conference finals eight times, the NBA Finals one time, and won three championships in the ABA. This is not an organization that is just happy to be in the playoffs.” – Carlisle on the postseason

“I’m proud of this group. This goes way back to Nashville at the beginning of the season … what we talked about, where we wanted to be at this time of the year. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty, but we got where we needed to go. All we asked for was an opportunity, and now it’s our turn to make some noise.” –Turner on making the playoffs

“This is when it matters. This is when it counts the most.This is when legends are made and so on and so forth. I’m just excited for this group.” – Turner on the playoffs

“Possessions. I think the biggest thing is that it’s a possession game. Every single possession matters.” – Turner on the advice to his teammates about the postseason

“We have an offense that’s built for this time of year. In the playoffs, we all know each other’s plays. What makes us dangerous is that we don’t really run a lot of plays.” – Turner on the postseason

“It will be fun. It’s a really good team. I’m excited to play against them, and that’s home for me. I’m excited to be playing there. It’s kind of a storybook for me to be playing at the crib. It’s my first playoff series so I’m excited for that.” – Haliburton to be playing Milwaukee in the first round

“Every time we play them he has big games just because of the way they guard the pick and roll. … We knew that the pick and roll was something we really wanted to attack coming into today. He just made the right reads and was attacking the rim aggrievedly from the jump, and making shots from outside as well.” – Haliburton on Turner’s performance against Atlanta

“I think in a moment like today, where there’s so much on the line and we’re really playing for something, it’s easy to get caught up or rattled in that moment. .. I think we did a good job of calming each other down and just understanding that we built that lead for a reason by playing the right way. We  just went back to really playing the right way.” – Haliburton breaking the 64-64 tie in the second quarter

“Just being here, it was a point of emphasis with me coming in. I’ve seen the team, the guys, they’re hungry for it. Everyone wanted to be a part of it. And just a good response for us to do what we needed today and get an opportunity to make the postseason.” -Siakam on what it means to make the playoffs

“We have a lot of young pieces, we’ve got a lot of people that for them it’s probably really the first time they’ve been in the playoffs. It’s exciting. And I think at the end of the day, especially when it’s your first time, it’s almost like what do you have to lose? Go out there, give it everything you have, and have an opportunity to get that experience under your belt.” -Siakam on entering the postseason with a young roster

“Just being level-headed, at the end of the day, that’s what the playoffs are about. You’ve got to forget about the regular season…It’s going to be a different game. Everything is under the microscope and it feels like you can’t do anything that the other team hasn’t seen…It’s not like you’re going to come in and surprise people. It’s just about coming out having energy, being together, and just continuing to get better.” -Siakam on the mentality needed for playoff success

“I think we’ve grown. I think we’ve gotten better. The guys are just learning every single day and we continue to improve…We don’t get ourselves down. At the end of the day, there’s games where we feel like, ‘Oh we could have won this’ or ‘We could have done that.’ It hasn’t stopped us. We just come in, put the work in, and the guys are just focused on that…For me coming in, that’s something that I wanted to bring, that confidence into what we do and knowing that we can’t panic when things aren’t going the way we want them to go.” -Siakam on how the team has grown over his three months in Indiana

“We both knew how important this game was. Our game plan was just to get to the paint. He’s someone that can do that, I can do that, so we just tried to do that as much as we can. It didn’t feel like he was missing anything. He just made everything, had some big plays for us, momentum plays that were very important. He was blocking shots. That’s what we’re going to need from him every single night.” -Siakam on combining with Turner for 59 points

Stat of the Night

The Pacers matched a franchise record 157 points in their win against the Hawks. The Pacers scored at least 150 points in four games this season, tied with the 1971-72 Lakers and 1978-79 Spurs for the most 150-point games in a single season.

Noteworthy

• The 2023-2024 Pacers are the first team in NBA history to record at least 10,000 points and 2,500 assists.
• Tyrese Haliburton finished as the NBA leader in assists with 10.9 per game.
• The Pacers scored at least 150 points against the Hawks three times this season en route to sweeping Atlanta 4-0. Indiana scored at least 150 four times this season total, which ties the 1972 Los Angeles Lakers and 1979 San Antonio Spurs for most all-time.
• Indiana finished its regular season with its best record since the 2019-20 season (45-28).
• Suiting up on Sunday, Obi Toppin played in his 82nd game of the season for the Blue & Gold. He is the only player on the Pacers this season to reach the mark and the first since Cory Joseph during the 2018-19 season. Justin Holiday played all 72 games in the 2020-21 season that was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS BASEBALL

SECOND-INNING DAMAGE SPOILS SERIES FINALE, INDIANS DROP FOURTH IN A ROW, 16-6

TOLEDO, Ohio – An eight-run second inning and five-run sixth from the Toledo Mud Hens was too much for the Indians to overcome on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Field, as Indianapolis dropped the series finale, 16-6.

The Mud Hens (9-6) ambushed Indians left-hander Michael Plassmeyer (L, 1-2) for five consecutive hits to open the bottom of the second inning, plating four runs before an out was recorded. Toledo pushed across eight runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run triple from Akil Baddoo, RBI doubles from Jace Jung and former Indian Ryan Vilade, and a two-run home run from Keston Hiura.

Toledo added a three-spot in the bottom of the third and tacked on five more runs in the sixth, thanks in large part to a pair of home runs from Jung and Baddoo. With 16 Mud Hens runs on Sunday on the heels of a 13-4 Indians loss in game two of a Saturday doubleheader, Indianapolis allowed 10 or more runs in back-to-back games for the first time since July 1-2, 2022, in Nashville.

The Indians (6-9) started a comeback bid with a three-run third thanks to an RBI double from Liover Peguero and runs driven in from Malcom Nuñez and Canaan-Smith Njigba. Gilberto Celestino later added an RBI double, and solo homers from Nuñez and pinch hitter Eli Wilson accounted for the rest of the Indians’ run production. For Wilson, it was his first Triple-A home run.

Mud Hens left-hander Adam Wolf (W, 1-0) threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, making him one of just three pitchers to log a scoreless outing in the game. Eleven total pitchers were used between Indianapolis and Toledo.

The Indians return home for an off day on Monday before starting a six-game series with the Minnesota Twins-affiliated St. Paul Saints on Tuesday at 6:05 PM at Victory Field. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher for the series opener.

INDIANA WOMEN’S TENNIS

IUWT FACES LOSS AGAINST NO. 37 NORTHWESTERN, 4-0

EVANSTON, Ill. – The Indiana women’s tennis (6-18, 0-10 B1G) falls to No. 37 Northwestern (17-5, 8-1 B1G) at the Combe Tennis Center.

KEY MOMENTS

• Northwestern took an early 1-0 lead after taking No. 1 (6-1) and No. 2 (6-2) doubles matches.

• The Wildcats won No. 1 and No. 3 singles in straight sets. Freshman Elisabeth Dunac fought in the No. 2 singles match against ranked Justine Leong but would fall in a tiebreaker (7-5) before clinching the match.

INDIANA 0, NORTHWESTERN 4

SINGLES

1. Maria Shusharina (NU) def. Nicole Teodosescu (IND), 6-1, 6-3

2. #116 Justine Leong (NU) def. Elisabeth Dunac (IND), 6-1, 7-6 (7-5)

3. Christina Hand (NU) def. Li Hsin Lin (IND), 6-2, 6-2

4. Lene Mari Hovda (IND) vs. Sydney Pratt (NU), 3-6, 4-5 unfinished

5. Magdalena Swierczynska (IND) vs. Kiley Rabjohns (NU), 7-5, 0-6, 1-1 unfinished

6. Sarah L’allier (IU) vs. Britany Lau (NU), 4-6, 6-2, 2-1 unfinished

DOUBLES

1. #57 Christina Hand/Justice Leong (NU) def. Saby Nihalani/Li Hsin Lin (IND), 6-1

2. Britany Lau/MAria Shusharina (NU) def. Lene Mari Hovda/Sarah L’allier (IND), 6-2

3. Elisabeth Dunac/Nicole Teodosescu (IND) vs. Sydney Pratt/Van Meeteren (NU), 3-5 (unfinished)

ORDER OF FINISH

Singles: 1, 3, 2

Doubles: 1, 2

UP NEXT

The Hoosiers will celebrate the seniors in their final home match of the season on April 19th against Purdue. 

INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS

INDIANA DEFEATS WISCONSIN ON SENIOR DAY, 5-2

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Senior Day was a success for Indiana as they took down Wisconsin, 5-2, at the IU Outdoor Courts on Sunday.

Indiana would enter doubles play with an advantage, as Wisconsin would forfeit on No. 3 doubles. Sam Landau and Carson Haskins would capitalize on the advantage, winning at No. 2 doubles, 6-2, to secure the lead heading into singles play.

Indiana would once again come into singles play with an advantage, as Wisconsin forfeit No. 6 singles. Wins from Facundo Yunis and Sam Landau at No. 1 and 2 singles would secure the match win for the Hoosiers.

Senior Jagger Saylor would also earn himself a win at No. 3 singles, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8.

With the win, Indiana moves to 15-9 on the season and 3-4 in conference play.

The Hoosiers will be back on the road next Friday for a 6 p.m. match against Northwestern.

Final Results

INDIANA 5, WISCONSIN 2

Singles competition

1. Facundo Yunis (IU) def. Michael Minasyan (UW), 6-0, 6-1.

2. Sam Landau (IU) def. Gabriel Huber (UW), 6-1, 6-3.

3. Jagger Saylor (IU) def. Matthew Fullerton (UW) 4-6, 6-4, 10-8.

4. Tomas Zlatohlavek (UW) def. Ilya Tiraspolsky (IU), 6-4, 6-2.

5. Colin Beduhn (UW) def. Luc Boulier (IU), 4-6, 6-1, 10-3

6. Indiana wins via forefeit.

Doubles competition

1. Jagger Saylor/Ilya Tiraspolsky (IU) vs. Gabriel Huber/Michael Minasyan (UW), 4-3, unfinished.

2. Sam Landau/Carson Haskins (IU) def. Matthew Fullerton/Tomas Zlatohlavek (UW), 6-2

3. Facoundo Yunis/Luc Boulier (IU) win by default

Order of finish

Singles: 1, 4, 2, 5, 3

Doubles: 2, unfinished.

INDIANA WOMEN’S GOLF

HOOSIERS FINISH FOURTH AT THERESE HESSION BUCKEYE INVITATIONAL

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Indiana Hoosiers women’s golf team placed fourth at the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational played OSU Scarlet Course from April 13-14. The Hoosiers shot an 889 (301-292-296; +25).

The Hoosiers, who ranked 75th in the latest Scoreboard Rankings powered by clippd, finished ahead of Minnesota (57), Illinois (64), Kent State (66), Nebraska (69), and Wisconsin (70) in the team standings.

Indiana have now finished inside the top-5 of the team rankings in three tournaments this season, including a third-place effort at The Ally Invitational (Oct. 23-25) and a t-fourth finish at the FAU Paradise Invitational (Feb. 5-6).

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational • Columbus, Ohio

OSU Scarlet Course

Par 72 • 6,319 yards

Live Results: GolfStat.com

Team Standings: 4th/12 – 889 (301-292-296; +25)

Top Indiana Players: Caroline Craig – 219 (77-69-77; +3)

CHIP-INS

• Fifth-year senior Caroline Craig paced the Hoosier lineup with a three-round scorecard of 219 (77-69-77; +3) to tie for ninth place. Her 54 holes consisted of six birdies (four in the second round) and just six bogeys. She finished second in the field with 42 par conversions.

• Senior Dominika Burdová tied for 14th overall with a final tally of 223 (76-73-74; +7). Three of her six birdies for the weekend came during the final round.

• Sophomore Faith Johnson earned a top-25 finish and turned in a scorecard reading of 225 (75-76-74; +9). She was credited with four birdie conversions.

• Redshirt junior Caroline Smith tied for 29th at 228 (73-76-79; +12). She knocked down six birdie tries with three coming in both the first and second round.

• Redshirt sophomore Maddie May shot a 239 (80-74-75; +13) to tie for 36th. She posted six birdie makes, including three in the second round.

• Freshman Nicole Kolbas posted a team-best seven birdies, tied for the 15th most in the field. She tied for 55th overall and shot a 234 (78-77-79; +18).

HOOSIERS IN THE STANDINGS

t-9. Caroline Craig – 219 (77-69-77; +3)

t-14. Dominika Burdová – 223 (76-73-74; +7)

t-23. Faith Johnson – 225 (75-76-74; +9)

t-29. Caroline Smith – 228 (73-76-79; +12)

t-36. Maddie May – 239 (80-74-75; +13)

t-55. Nicole Kolbas – 234 (78-77-79; +18)

UP NEXT

Postseason golf will begin with the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Golf Championship from April 19-21 at the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre De Grace, Md.

INDIANA TRACK

BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL: INDIANA DISTANCE GROUP WRAPS WEEKEND IN CALIFORNIA

AZUSA, Calif. – The distance group wrapped up the weekend at the Bryan Clay Invitational with the 1500m event on Saturday night.

Mariah Wehrle led the women with 26th place finish and a time of 4:28.41 in her first race in the event this season.

Martin Segurola was the top-finisher for the men’s side with a time of 3:48.20.

Up next, the distance runners will head to Wake Forest for an Invitational on April 19-20.

Bryan Clay: April 12

Time      Event: Athletes

1500 Meter Open (W)     26. Mariah Wehrle: 4:28.41 |

61. Katelyn Winton: 4:35.91 | Personal Best

67. Lily Myers: 4:41.00

1500 Meter Open (M)     43. Martin Segurola: 3:48.20

106. Aidan Lord: 3:51.06 | Personal Best

171. Andrew Mangum: 3:55.68

INDIANA BASEBALL

BRENCZEWSKI PROVIDES CAREER DAY, SERIES VICTORY

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After taking back the momentum of the series on Saturday, the Indiana Baseball team (20-16, 5-4 B1G) rode the big bat of redshirt freshman Joey Brenczewski to a 12-3 win on Sunday (April 14) afternoon and a weekend victory at Bart Kaufman Field.

The Fishers, Ind. came into the game without a home run in his first season of college baseball but left with two long balls including a massive, second-inning grand slam to hand the Hoosiers an early lead. He finished the game with seven RBIs, joint most by an IU player in the last 20 years. He went 4-5 on the day, the second four-hit game in the past six games for the young infielder.

IU’s 12-3 victory was the 200th win in the history of Bart Kaufman Field (opened in 2013) and gave IU the 20th win of a season filled with twists and turns. The Hoosiers finished the weekend in fifth place in the conference. Illinois leads the way at 7-2 with Nebraska behind at 6-3. Purdue and Michigan, who have yet to take their non-conference weekend, are 8-4 with three more games played. IU has a big chance to get into the title race with series at Minnesota and vs. Rutgers to close the month of April.

The Hoosiers received a brilliant effort from graduate student Ty Rybarczyk and sophomore Aydan Decker-Petty on the mound. The pair combined for 8.1 innings of work, allowing just five hits and three runs while tallying 11 strikeouts. Decker-Petty’s outing was the longest of his career while his six punchies were also a career best.

Since the top of the second inning of Saturday’s game (IU down 8-0), the Hoosiers outscored Penn State a combined 22-4 while using just six pitchers in that period. Today’s 12-run effort was the 15th time this year that IU has scored 10+ runs in a game.

Over the Hoosiers’ past 10 games (7-3 record), they’ve put up 114 runs (11.4 per game) with 18 home runs and 116 hits. Sophomore shortstop Tyler Cerny is hitting .413 (19-46) in his past 10 games with three home runs, 15 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

Scoring Recap

Top First

For the second time this weekend, Joe Jaconski led off the game with a solo home run.

Penn State 1, Indiana 0

Bottom Second

The Hoosiers wouldn’t trail for very long. The first three hitters of the inning all reached on free passes (one hit-by-pitch and two walks), setting the scene for Joey Brenczewski. After a mound visit, the redshirt freshman crushed the first pitch he saw to dead center for his first career home run and grand slam. Carter Mathison extended the lead, hitting a solo home run as IU hung five in the inning.

Indiana 5, Penn State 1

Top Fourth

Adam Cecere caught the right part of the jet stream, sending a solo home run over the wall in left field.

Indiana 5, Penn State 2

Bottom Fourth

Brenczewski led off the fourth and took the first pitch he saw over the wall for a solo home run.

Indiana 6, Penn State 2

Bottom Fifth

Brenczewski’s big day continued with some insurance runs in the fifth inning. Batting from the right side, he singled through the right side to score Nick Mitchell. Jake Stadler followed that with an RBI-single of his own after a nine-pitch at-bat.

Indiana 8, Penn State 2

Bottom Sixth

The Hoosiers kept taking what was given to them on Sunday. Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins added RBI-singles to extend the lead to eight in the sixth inning.

Indiana 10, Penn State 2

Top Eighth

Grant Norris was able to grab a run back with a single up the middle to score J.T. Marr.

Indiana 10, Penn State 3

Bottom Eighth

Brenczewski added his seventh RBI of the day with a single through the left side to score Tyler Cerny. Stadler added another RBI with a shot through the left side to bring home Wiggins.

Indiana 12, Penn State 3

Top Hoosier Performers

#23 Brenczewski, Joey

4-5, 3 R, 7 RBI, 2 HR

#44 Stadler, Jake

2-5, 2 RBI

#55 Decker-Petty, Aydan

4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 6 K, SV

Notes to Know

• Tonight’s game was the 15th time this year that IU has scored 10+ runs in a game. IU’s 14-1 this year when scoring 10+ runs, losing only a 15-11 contest against Troy in March.

• Joey Brenczewski became the third Hoosier in the past 20 years (Matt Lloyd – 2019, Matthew Ellis – 2022) with a seven-RBI day at the plate. He’s the first freshman in that time period to drive in seven runs in a game. Brenczewski is the first player with seven-plus RBIs in a contest between two Big Ten teams this year.

• Over the final full 16 innings of game action, IU outscored Penn State 22-4. During that time, IU’s pitchers had 21 strikeouts and conceded just 11 hits. Sophomore Aydan Decker-Petty and graduate students Ty Rybarczyk and Drew Buhr combined for 12.2 of those innings on the mound.

• In the past 10 games, IU has a 7-3 record. The Hoosiers’ offense is averaging 11.4 runs per game in that period with seven games of 10+ runs. In that same time frame, IU’s pitching staff has allowed just 55 earned runs (5.5 per game) while striking out 109 opposing batters (10.9 per game).

• Carter Mathison moves into a tie for seventh in program history (Matt Lloyd, Logan Sowers and Mickey Morandini) with his 37th home run on Sunday.

Up Next

The next scheduled contest is a visit from Evansville on Tuesday. Next weekend will take IU to Minneapolis with a chance to make ground in the Big Ten race. The games will all be streamed on BTN+ or can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.

PURDUE SOFTBALL

PURDUE DROPS 1-4 DECISION AT ILLINOIS

URBANA, Ill. – Purdue’s longest program win streak in Big Ten play came to an end at seven straight games as the Boilermakers fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini, 4-1 in the series finale. Purdue (20-19, 7-5 Big Ten) and Illinois (16-24, 3-9 Big Ten) were tied until the sixth inning when the Illini posted three runs.

Despite the result, Purdue won the series, 2-1, following a 3-0 shutout on Friday and an 11-4 victory yesterday.

Purdue scored a run in the first inning, thanks to an RBI single by Sage Scarmardo, which scored Khloe Banks. The Boilermakers were called out at home in the sixth inning and left seven runners stranded.

Meanwhile, Purdue’s defense shined in the second inning, when Moriah Polar registered a fly ball catch in left field and made the long throw to catcher Ryen Ross for the tag out at home to end the inning.

In total, Purdue and Illinois were even with seven hits apiece. Each team committed two errors.

Starting pitcher Emma Bailey registered a career-high two strikeouts, both of which came in the opening frame to secure the performance-best before Julia Gossett entered in relief. Gossett (8-7) went on to close the final 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out three batters.

Five games are on the docket for Purdue this week, beginning with a Wednesday doubleheader at Indiana. The games, set for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET. Then, Purdue will host Northwestern for a three-game series running Friday through Sunday.

PURDUE WOMEN’S GOLF

UNDER-PAR FINAL ROUND SECURES THIRD PLACE FOR PURDUE

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Behind 70s (-2) from Momo Sugiyama and Ashley Kozlowski, Purdue Women’s Golf fired a 1-under 287 in the final round of the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational to move two spots up the leaderboard into sole possession of third place. The Boilermakers became the only team aside from host Ohio State to record an under-par round on OSU Golf Club’s Scarlet Course throughout the weekend.

Purdue earned its fifth Top 3 finish of the season, defeating eight other Big Ten teams to grab some momentum heading into next week’s conference championships. Ohio State (-7) protected its home course to win the tournament, while the Boilermakers (+17) nearly caught runner-up Michigan State (+13) after by shaving 14 strokes off the Spartans’ cushion during the final round. Purdue ranked second in the field in birdies (38) and par-4 scoring (+34) over 54 holes.

With their 2-under 70s, Sugiyama and Kozlowski both placed in the Top 10 of the individual leaderboard for the fourth time this year. Sugiyama matched her best finish as a Boilermaker, tying for fourth. She ended the tournament 1-over (72-75-70—217) with the help of playing the par 4s 3-under to rank second in the field in par-4 scoring. Sugiyama began the final round with a birdie on the par-5 fifth, while playing the back nine bogey free and adding two more birdies along the way.

Kozlowski tied for seventh at 2-over (74-74-70—218). Like Sugiyama, she started her day with a birdie, taking advantage of the par-5 sixth. The Littleton, Colorado, native played her final 12 holes 2-under without making a bogey to end the round in red figures and match Sugiyama for Purdue’s best round of the tournament.

Jasmine Kahler cracked the Top 20 in her debut in the Purdue lineup, tying for 19th after a final round 72 (E). It was an up-and-down round for the freshman Boilermaker, as she made a team-high five birdies to go along with five bogeys and 10 pars. Kahler finished strong, going 2-under through her final seven holes to get back to level par for the day. She made nine birdies over her three rounds, a team best alongside Sugiyama.

Tying Kahler in 19th at 8-over for the tournament was Natasha Kiel. The junior found only one birdie on Sunday but remained consistent with rounds of 75-74-75 to contribute to the team’s score each time. She secured her third Top 20 finish of the season.

The Boilermakers now set their sights on the Big Ten Championships, traveling to Havre de Grace, Maryland next week (April 19-21). The battle for the conference crown, contested in the state of Maryland for the first time in Big Ten history, takes place over three rounds at Bulle Rock Golf Course.

BOILERMAKERS

T4. Momo Sugiyama: 72-75-70—217 (+1)

T7. Ashley Kozlowski: 74-74-70—218 (+2)

T19. Natasha Kiel: 75-74-75—224 (+8)

T19. Jasmine Kahler: 78-74-72—224 (+8)

T40. Jocelyn Bruch: 78-75-77—230 (+14)

69. Jade Gu: 76-79-86—241 (+25)

TEAM LEADERBOARD

1. Ohio State: 291-283-283—857 (-7)

2. Michigan State: 291-291-295—877 (+13)

3. Purdue: 297-297-287—881 (+17)

4. Indiana: 301-292-296—889 (+25)

5. Wisconsin: 298-296-299—893 (+29)

6. Kent State: 295-297-303—895 (+31)

7. Minnesota: 309-295-297—901 (+37)

8. Illinois: 302-305-299—906 (+42)

9. Rutgers: 298-306-306—910 (+46)

10. Nebraska: 305-298-308—911 (+47)

11. Penn State: 303-308-302—913 (+49)

12. Iowa: 317-295-305—917 (+53)

PURDUE BASEBALL

BASEBALL CALLS BLACKJACK, COMPLETES SERIES SWEEP OF SPARTANS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – An early seven-run lead, a seven-run inning and seven straight zeros from the pitching staff added up to a Boilermaker Blackjack as Purdue Baseball blasted Michigan State 21-1 Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep at Alexander Field.

The Boilermakers (23-13, 8-4 Big Ten) have won seven consecutive games in Big Ten play, sweeping back-to-back conference weekends for the first time since 2018. Purdue has moved into a second-place tie in the standings with Michigan. Both teams are just a half-game behind Illinois (7-2 Big Ten). The Boilermakers play at Michigan and host Illinois for the final two weekends of the regular season in May.

Purdue outscored MSU 42-3 in the series, enjoying its most decisive series sweep in Big Ten play since the league went to three-game weekends in 2009. The 42 runs scored, three runs against and plus-39 scoring margin were all program bests in the three-game Big Ten series format. Previously, the Boilermakers surrendered just four runs in three-game sweeps in 2012 (vs. Illinois), 2017 (vs. Illinois) and 2018 (vs. Rutgers).

This weekend marked the first sweep (minimum three games) in the Purdue-MSU series since the Boilermakers brought out the brooms in East Lansing in March 2001. Purdue’s 21 runs were its most in a Big Ten game since racking up 25 in a blowout win at Indiana in April 2006.

BEFORE SUNDAY, THE LAST TIME PURDUE…

• Swept a three-game Big Ten series at home: May 2018 vs. Northwestern

• Swept a three-game series without trailing at any point: April 2018 vs. Rutgers

• Won seven straight games in Big Ten play: April-May 2018 (9 in a row)

• Scored 20 runs: March 2023 vs. Akron (23) in Holly Springs, N.C.

• Scored 20 runs in a Big Ten game: April 2021 at Illinois (20)

• Scored 20 runs at home: May 2018 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (27)

• Pounded out 20 hits: April 2022 vs. Michigan

• Recorded 20 RBI: March 2023 vs. Akron (22) in Holly Springs, N.C.

Even with all the offensive fireworks in the series, the Boilermakers also excelled on the mound and defensively. Seven different pitchers teamed up for a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings from the seventh inning Friday through the seventh inning Sunday. The staff posted 24 zeros total. Purdue turned three double plays Sunday and five in the series – all of the ground ball variety. The Boilers are expected to enter the new week as the national leader with 42 twin killings turned this year.

Luke Gaffney, Jo Stevens and Breck Nowik all homered Sunday. Stevens hit his second homer of the series and finished the weekend with a team-high eight RBI. He’s riding a career-best 11-game hit streak. Gaffney was 3-for-5 with his second five-RBI game of the season, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. He had seven hits and seven RBI in the series. Nowik connected for his first long ball as a Boilermaker.

Thomas Green went 4-for-4 Sunday, joining Gaffney as Boilermakers with a four-hit game this season. Keenan Taylor was 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBI.

Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely in all seven of his plate appearances, singling three times and getting hit by a pitch on four occasions. He also registered three RBI and scored four times. Coincidentally, Bolton was the last Boilermaker to reach base safely at least six times in a game, achieving the feat in February 2018 vs. South Dakota State. He was plunked seven times in the series with MSU (14-19, 3-6 Big Ten), finishing the weekend with a .786 on-base percentage after reaching base safely in 11 of his 14 plate appearances. With 32 career HBPs in Big Ten play, Bolton has eclipsed Harry Shipley’s program record.

STREAKS EXTENDED

• Carter Doorn – 18 consecutive scoreless innings at home; 15 consecutive scoreless innings in Big Ten play; 12 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in all games

• Jo Stevens – 22-game on-base streak; 11-game hit streak; 15-game on-base streak in Big Ten play (since 5/18/23); 15-game on-base streak at home

• Mike Bolton Jr. – 15-game on-base streak; 7-game hit streak; 18-game on-base streak in Big Ten play (since 4/29/23)

• Luke Gaffney – 14-game on-base streak; 6-game hit streak; 12-game on-base streak in Big Ten play

• Connor Caskenette – 12-game on-base streak; 10-game on-base streak in Big Ten play

• Keenan Spence – 9-game on-base streak; 8-game hit streak in Big Ten play

• Couper Cornblum – 9-game on-base streak in Big Ten play; 89 consecutive games started (since start of 2023)

Jonathan Blackwell retired eight of the 10 batters he faced over three scoreless innings. But he experienced some soreness in the bottom of the third. With Purdue already up 7-0 and the bullpen having only worked 3 1/3 innings over the first two games of the series, the coaching staff opted to replace Blackwell as a precaution.

Carter Doorn (3-0) continued to shine by striking out four over four shutout innings of relief, giving Purdue at least eight outs in a scoreless appearance for the fourth straight weekend.

The Boilermakers truly blew the game open with seven- and six-run innings late against a beleaguered MSU bullpen. They’ve scored six-plus runs in an inning eight times this year. Chase Brown connected for an RBI double off the bench, his second pinch-hit RBI double in as many days.

Purdue continues its nine-game homestand Tuesday with a $3 midweek matchup vs. Ball State. The Boilermakers and Cardinals are both 23-13 on the season.

NOTRE DAME MEN’S LACROSSE

RAMSEY’S HEROICS FIRE #1 IRISH PAST #10/8 CORNELL, 18-17

BROOKVILLE, N.Y.. – The No. 1 Fighting Irish outlasted No. 10/8 Cornell in an instant classic on Long Island, as Ben Ramsey scored the game-winning goal with 6.4 seconds left to give Notre Dame the 18-17 win.

The win improves the Blue and Gold’s record to 8-1 on the season and gives the Irish four wins over top-10 teams on the season.

Eleven Notre Dame players scored a goal in the victory. The attack was led by Eric Dobson and Jake Taylor, each recording a hat trick with three goals. Both Pat and Chris Kavanagh recorded a team-high four points, as Pat had two goals and two assists while Chris finished with a goal and three assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Big Red scored the opener before Pat Kavanagh leveled the score at 1-1 in the opening stages with his 100th career goal. The Irish then scored five of the next six goals to take a 6-2 lead before Cornell found the back of the net for the final goal of the first frame to make the score 6-3 after the opening 15 minutes of play. Dobson scored twice in the quarter, once with each hand.

The two sides traded punches on offense in the second quarter but the Irish outscored Cornell 5-4 to take an 11-7 lead into the halftime intermission. Notre Dame’s five goals came from five different players as Jordan Faison, Max Busenkell, Reilly Gray, Jake Taylor and Will Donovan each scored.

Cornell came out firing out of the break, scoring six of the first seven goals of the second half to take a 13-12 lead with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. The Irish responded with a beautiful behind-the-back goal from Taylor followed by a goal from Pat Kavanagh with 21 seconds left to retake the lead at 14-13 heading into the final frame.

Both teams scored a goal in the first two minutes of the fourth, with Dobson completing his hat trick with his third of the day. Cornell then scored two to go back on top at 16-15 with five minutes left in the contest before Taylor leveled the score at 16-16 with 4:01 on the clock.

After a Big Red goal gave them the lead at 17-16 with three minutes left, Chris Kavanagh scored just 16 seconds later off a feed from Faison to knot the game up at 17-17.

In the final minute of play it looked like Cornell would be able to hold for the final shot in regulation but Faison made the defensive play of the game, causing a turnover off a wrap check at midfield to give the Irish the chance to win in regulation.

With less than 10 seconds left in the game, Chris Kavanagh scooped up a ground ball and fed Ben Ramsey, who ripped a shot from 15-yards out past the Cornell goalie with 6.4 seconds left to win the game by a score of 18-17.

NOTRE DAME NOTES

Notre Dame is now 4-0 against top-10 ranked teams this season and are 5-1 against ranked opposition.

The Irish attack has finished in double-figures for goals in every game this season.

The 18 goals are the most Notre Dame has scored against a top-10 team since scoring 22 against Syracuse on May 1, 2022.

Entenmann became the program’s all-time saves leader on Sunday, passing Joey Kemp (633) for the top spot with 644 saves.

Taylor registered his fifth hat trick of the season and 13th of his career.

With three goals Dobson now has 13 career hat tricks.

Pat Kavanagh reached the 100-career goal mark and is just the third player in program history to record 100 goals and 100 assists in his career.

Pat Kavanagh is the ninth player in program history to join the 100-goal club.

With three assists, Chris Kavanagh has reached 20 assists in a season for the first time in his career.

UP NEXT

The Irish return home for its final regular-season game at Arlotta Stadium this season, welcoming UNC for an 11:30 a.m. matchup on Saturday, April 20 in South Bend. Admission to the game is free and it will air on ACCN.

NOTRE DAME TRACK

IRISH COMPETE IN GARY WIENEKE MEMORIAL

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish traveled west as they competed in the Gary Wieneke Memorial hosted by Illinois on Saturday, April 13.

The Irish tabbed 14 top-5 finishes, with seven athletes recording personal bests in their events.

Notre Dame had several top-10 ACC performances. Michael Shoaf’s throw of 19.63m in shot put was a season best that now leads the ACC and is ranked eighth in the NCAA.

Cole Targgart recorded a PR in discus and is sixth in the conference. Blake Kusky finished with a PR in hammer throw and ranks sixth in the ACC, as well.

Another PR set was by Sarah David, who sits at seventh in the ACC in javelin.

Jack Ahart’s PR time of 47.34 gave him a second place finish in the men’s 400m and puts him at eighth in the conference.

Madison Schmidt and Nolan Blachowski also cracked the top-10 list as they sit at tenth in high jump and pole vault, respectively.

For full results, click here.

Men’s 100m

AJ Jones – 10.81

Men’s 200m

Matthew Cornelius – 22.53

Men’s 400m

Jack Ahart – 47.34 (PR)

Joseph Dobrydney – 48.39

John Oleksak – 48.91

Men’s 400m Hurdles

Jacob Ranker – 52.45

Men’s Discus Throw

Cole Targgart – 52.78m (PR)

Henry Boudreau – 50.32m

Men’s Hammer Throw

Blake Kusky – 62.60m (PR)

Matthew Teague – 57.92m (PR)

Michael Shoaf – 56.20m

Men’s Pole Vault

Nolan Blachowski – 4.85m

Men’s Shot Put

Michael Shoaf – 19.63m

Henry Boudreau – 15.50m

– – – – – – – – – –

Women’s 100m

Michelle Quinn – 11.77

6. Shae Douglas – 11.98

Women’s 200m Hurdles

Bridget Lalonde – 24.54 (PR)

Shae Douglas – 24.59

Remy Finn – 25.08

Women’s 400m

Jordyn Borsch – 55.11

Katrina Kamarute – 57.23 (PR)

Eve Balseiro – 57. 36

Women’s 400m Hurdles

Reese Sanders – 1:02.85

Molly Bennett – 1:03.49

Women’s Hammer Throw

Emma Albano – 56.15m

Shiloh Corrales-Nelson – 51.30m

Women’s High Jump

Madison Schmidt – 1.70m

Women’s Javelin Throw

Sarah David – 41.65m (PR)

Women’s Long Jump

Ellis Weekley – 5.57m

Women’s Pole Vault

Olivia Fabry – 3.62

Women’s Shot Put

Shiloh Corrales-Nelson – 14.35m

Ore Olusi – 13.87m

Jadin O’Brien – 13.86m

Women’s 4x400m Relay

Reese Sanders, Jordyn Borsch, Bridget LaLonde, Eve Balseiro

NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL

IRISH DROP FINALE AT #18/18 FLORIDA STATE

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Notre Dame softball team dropped the final game of its three-game series with the Florida State Seminoles Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Irish fall to 23-17 overall and 7-11 in Atlantic Coast Conference action. The 18th-ranked Seminoles are now 31-10 and 12-3 in the league.

Shannon Becker started in the circle. The junior threw 2.0 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs and suffered the loss. Micaela Kastor was on in relief, throwing 3.1 innings, giving up eight hits and six earned runs to go with a strikeout.

The Irish offense had eight hits, led by a 2-for-2 effort from shortstop Anna Holloway. Cassidy Grimm, Carlli Kloss, Addison Amaral, Karina Gaskins, Rachel Allen and Jane Kronenberger each added a hit in the contest. Grimm and Allen drove in runs, with Tenley sweet and Emily Tran crossing home plate.

How It Happened

The Seminoles scored first in the bottom of the first inning. A two-out single and a home run put FSU up 2-0 early.

Florida State tacked on two more in the second as back-to-back singles put two on. The Seminole catcher drove a double to left to score a pair and extend the lead.

After a scoreless third inning, Florida State kept the pressure on. The Seminoles added three more in the bottom of the fourth, two coming in on a home run to put the lead at 7-0.

The Irish got on the board in the fifth. Back-to-back two out walks put runners on as Allen singled to right to bring in the runner and cut the deficit to 7-1.

The sixth inning saw the Irish push one more home. Tran reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second as Grimm drove a single to left center to bring in the run.

Florida State responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game early.

Up Next

The Irish are back in action Tuesday in Bloomington as they take on the Indiana Hoosiers at 6 p.m.

NOTRE DAME BASEBALL

IRISH DROP SERIES FINALE TO NO. 13 NORTH CAROLINA, 10-3

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Notre Dame (15-18, 2-16 ACC) and No. 13 North Carolina (29-7, 14-4 ACC) met for the final of the three-game series, but saw the Irish fall 10-3 to the Tar Heels. UNC finished the weekend remaining a perfect 23-0 at home.

INF Jack Penney led the scoring, recording a two-run homer. INF Estevan Moreno and OF Brady Gumpf each went 2-for-4 at the plate with both of Moreno’s hits being doubles and Gumpf also recording a double of his own.

Moreno’s two doubles on the day matches his career-high for doubles in a game (April 5, 2024 vs. Clemson and May 26, 2023 vs. Wake Forest) and brings his 2024 season total to 14. He entered the day with 12 doubles, T-10th in the ACC.

INF Connor Hincks added two more fielding double plays to bring his season total to 28. He entered the day tied for second in the ACC with 26.

On the mound, the Irish used an array of arms to lead their defensive effort, recording a combined six strikeouts. Starting RHP Rory Fox moved to a 1-1 record, shouldering the loss. The bullpen held strong over the latter four innings, only allowing one hit and not allowing any extra-base hits or home runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a quiet first inning offensively for the Irish. After a strikeout, OF David Glancy singled on a 3-2 count, but a flyout and a strikeout left him on base. UNC opened scoring in the bottom of the first by hitting a two-run home run to right field, making it a 2-0 game. Fox struck out the ensuing batter, and while the Tar Heels added a single, the Irish defense locked in to force two groundouts to end the inning.

It was three up, three down for the Irish bats in the top of the second inning. A UNC double, then an RBI single brought the score to 3-0. The Irish defense responded with a double play from Hincks to Penney and back to secure the second out. An ensuing groundout to second base got the Irish out of the inning.

In the top of the third inning, Moreno hit his first of two doubles on the day. OF TJ Williams was able to reach base on a walk, but a consecutive flyout and groundout sent the game into the next half of the third inning before either runner could advance. After two outs, an Irish fielding error and a walk allowed two Tar Heels to reach base. The next batter singled to center field, bringing in a run to bring the score to 4-0.

The fourth inning was brief for the Irish offense with all three batters grounding out in order. The bottom of the fourth was led off by a double to left field for the Heels. After forcing a groundout, UNC managed to score on a sacrifice fly, extending their lead to 5-0. After a single and a walk, RHP Tobey McDonough took the mound. Another walk loaded the bases. A wild pitch scored one, and a fielding error let in two more runs. A single led to a fifth run allowed, putting the Irish at a 9-0 deficit. McDonough delivered a six-pitch strikeout to escape the inning.

While the fifth inning was scoreless for both teams, Moreno hit his second double of the game and his 14th of the season. RHP Nate Hardman came into the game for McDonough, striking out two of the four batters faced in the fifth, allowing only one hit.

The Irish got rolling at the plate in the sixth inning. INF Simon Baumgardt reached base on a fielding error by the Tar Heels’ third baseman. OF Tito Flores singled to the pitcher, advancing Baumgardt to second with two outs. Gumpf then hit a single through the left side scoring Baumgardt, bringing the score to 9-1. Moving to the bottom half of the sixth, the Irish defense put on another impressive performance. After the Irish allowed a walk on a 3-2 count, Hincks pulled off an unassisted double play, his second of the season. A groundout following the double play quickly ended the inning. 

Leading off in the seventh, Williams walked on a full count to get on base. Glancy sent a fly ball to right field just shy of the wall to record the first out of the inning. On the next at-bat, Penney launched one into left field – a two-run home run shot, improving to a 9-3 score. A groundout and lineout on successive plays sent the game to the bottom of the seventh, where the Irish defense continued to hold strong, retiring the side in order and keeping the Tar Heels scoreless in a third-consecutive inning.

Flores lined out to third to record the first out of the eighth inning. After a Gumpf double to left field, the Irish were unable to bring him home, stamping two outs on a strikeout and another lineout. The Irish would give up one more unearned run in the bottom of the eighth, due to a walk followed by a failed pickoff attempt and a wild pitch, bringing the score to 10-3.

With two runners on base in the ninth due to a hit-by-pitch and a walk, the Irish were unable to post any runs in a last-inning effort to close the deficit.

UP NEXT

The Irish return home to face Valparaiso on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by a home matchup with Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Notre Dame will then host Boston College for a three-game weekend series at home. The games will be broadcast on ACCNX.

BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

IOWA TRANSFER PATRICK MCCAFFERY HEADS TO BUTLER

Iowa grad transfer Patrick McCaffery announced his decision to transfer to Butler. He started all 32 games this past  and averaged 10.5 points per game.

McCaffery’s commitment gives Butler six scholarship players on the roster including Pierre Brooks II, Andre Screen, Boden Kapke, Augusto Cassia and Landon Moore. Forward Jahmyl Telfort and Guard Posh Alexander have declared for the draft while maintaining their eligibility.

All-State Brebeuf Jesuit guard Evan Haywood is still the only incoming freshman signed for Butler’s 2024 class.

BUTLER WOMEN’S GOLF

STILLSON TIES FOR THIRD AS IUPUI LADY JAGUAR INVITATIONAL CONCLUDES

Butler’s Cybil Stillson climbed into a tie for third as the IUPUI Lady Jaguar Invitational wrapped up Sunday afternoon. Stillson’s Sunday performance helped the Bulldogs hold onto a share of second place in the team standings.

The event, hosted by IUPUI, was played at Plum Creek Golf Club in Carmel.

Stillson posted the Bulldogs’ best Sunday round at three-over 75 on the 6,157-yard course. She started the day tied for sixth after a first-round 74. Scores across the board were harder to come by on Sunday as no player in the field shot better than a 74.

The Bulldogs followed up their opening-round 298 (+10) with a Sunday 309 (+21) to finish at 607 (+31). That tied for second with Ohio and was just a single shot behind champion Ball State (606; +30). There were a total of 11 teams in the field.

The best round of the tournament for the Bulldogs came from freshman Ashley Freitas Saturday, who used five birdies to card an even-par 72 Saturday. Coupled with her Sunday 82, she finished in a tie for 17th at 10-over 154. She was one shot behind teammate Kelli Scheck, who was part of a group that tied for 15th at 153 (+9).

THE BULLDOGS:

T3) Cybil Stillson, 74-75–149 (+5)

T15) Kelli Scheck, 75-78–153 (+9)

T17) Ashley Freitas, 72-82–154 (+10)

T21) Sophie McGinnis, 77-78–155 (+11)

T21) Lily Celentano (playing as an individual), 79-76–155 (+11)

T28) Katie Steinman, 79-78–157 (+13)

T28) Alaina Bowie (playing as an individual), 76-81–157 (+13)

T56) Madalin Small (playing as an individual), 81-83–164 (+20)

73) Jolie Guyette (playing as an individual), 85-86–171 (+27)

77) Gianna Medica (playing as an individual), 82-93–175 (+31)

IUPUI’s Annaliese Fox took medalist honors at two-over 146. Her two-over 74 on Sunday tied for the low round of the day. She was one shot better than Ball State’s Sabrina Langerak, who held the 18-hole lead and finished at 147 (+3).

The event served as the final tune-up for the Bulldogs heading into the 2024 BIG EAST Championships, which are slated to begin Saturday in Callawassie Island, S.C.

BUTLER TRACK

BUTLER XCTF COMPLETES WEEKEND AT THE BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL

Azusa, Cali. — The Butler track and field team wrapped up the final day of the Bryan Clay Invitational on Saturday.

Top Bulldog performances included:

Wiktoria Klebowska posted the 9th fastest time for the women’s 5,000 meters in school history. Her mark of 16:26.25 was 18th in the Invite 4.

Jesse Hamlin earned 25th in the men’s 1.500 meters invite 3:40.87

Zac Stanley posted a time of 48.77 in the men’s 400 meters to place 49th

Gavin Cougle was just two hundredths of a second away from breaking his personal best after recording a time of 21.67.

Earlier this week, William Cuthbertson broke the men’s 800-meter program record with a run of 1:48.27. Cuthbertson placed 18th in the competition after defeating 99 other athletes. Additionally, he beat this season’s record set by Jesse Hamlin by a tenth of a second.

Jesse Hamlin and Florian Le Pallec both ran sub-13:30 in the men’s 5,000 meters. Hamlin crossed the line in 10th with a mark of 13:27.26 and was less than a second away from beating Barry Keane’s school record. Le Pallec followed in 13:29.78 earning 14th, respectively, in an elite heat won by Brian Musau of Oklahoma State in 13:13.29.

The Bulldogs will head back to Indiana to compete at the Gibson Invitational hosted by Indiana State on Apr. 19.

BUTLER SOFTBALL

BUTLER SOFTBALL DROPS GAME THREE OF SERIES WITH GEORGETOWN

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Butler softball team finished a three-game series with Georgetown, winning two games to one, after dropping the third game on Sunday by the score of 7-4. The Hoyas (11-25, 2-13 BIG EAST) led from the second inning on, though the Bulldogs (19-22, 8-10 BIG EAST) cut the gap to one run with a four-run fourth inning.

Game 3: Georgetown 7, Butler 4 (7 innings)

In the bottom of the second inning, Georgetown scored two runs, one on a passed ball, and the second on a sacrifice fly. One inning later, the Hoyas put three more on the board, sparked by a Davanara Campos two-run home run. Georgetown led, 5-0, after three complete.

In the top of the fourth, Butler drew consecutive walks. Monique Hoosen then hit a three-run home run the pulled the Bulldogs to within two runs, forcing the Hoyas to make a pitching change. The Dawgs weren’t finished. With runners on second and third, Cate Lehner hit an infield single that pushed Teagan O’Rilley across. Butler trailed, 5-4, with two innings to play.

In the fifth, Georgetown padded its lead. With the bases loaded, a double to left field sent two runners home. The Hoyas were now up, 7-4.

Butler advanced runners to second and third with two outs in the top of the seventh, but a final strikeout ended the game.

Kayla Noerr started in the circle and pitched into the third inning. Recording 2.1 innings, she allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits with one strikeout and took the loss. Sydney Cammon (2.1IP, 3R, 6H, BB, K) pitched from the third into the fifth, and Katie Petran (1.1IP, K) finished the game.

Bulldog Bits

Monique Hoosen’s home run was her tenth of the season and 37th of her career.

Ella White’s double was her 12th of the season and 32nd of the season. Her stolen base was her third of the season and the sixth of her career.

Sydney Carter’s double was her sixth of the season and 13th of her career.

Makena Alexander’s double was her second in as many games and her second of the season.

Cate Lehner’s stolen base was her 20th of the season and 37th of her career.

Olivia Roberts’ stolen base was a career first.

Up Next

Butler travels to Indiana State for a midweek game on Wednesday, Apr. 17. Next weekend, the Bulldogs host Creighton for its final home BIG EAST series of the season, from Apr. 19-21.

BUTLER BASEBALL

GEORGETOWN TOPS BUTLER 15-2

INDIANAPOLIS — The Georgetown Hoyas swept the Butler Bulldogs on Sunday after recording a 15-2 win at Bulldog Park. The Hoyas move to 8-1 in BIG EAST action while the ‘Dawgs drop to 1-5.

Nine runs in the top of the first inning pushed Georgetown into the win column. The nine runs came off nine hits and GU ace Everett Catlett would limit BU to to just two runs off four hits to earn his fifth win of the season. The loss went to BU starter Nate Rosser. Rosser and Brett Sherrard took care of the first inning and the longest outing would follow as Cooper Robinson tossed a pair.

Catlett exited the game after six full innings. He struck out eight and walked two. Each of Butler’s runs were unearned. Billy Wurch and AJ Solomon were responsible for breaking up the shutout. BU hits went to Wurch, Ryan Drumm, Joey Urban and Kade Lewis.

Butler will be back in action Tuesday with a road game at Eastern Michigan. First pitch is set for 4 PM.

IUPUI TRACK

PETERSEN, SHAPPELL LEAD JAGUARS IN CALIFORNIA

AZUSA, Calif. – Five members of the IUPUI men’s track team trekked to California for the week to participate in the Bryan Clay Invitational, chasing fast times as the outdoor regular season draws to a close. Senior Eric Petersen paced the team’s four entries in the 5,000m event on Friday (Apr. 12) while freshman Luke Shappell just missed his own school record in the 800m that evening.

On Saturday (Apr. 13), Shappell led IUPUI’s three entries in the 1,500m event.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: https://static.iupuijags.com/custompages/M-Track_Field/Stats/2023_2024/Bryan-Clay-Saturday.pdf

IUPUI WOMEN’S GOLF

FOX CLINCHES TITLE IN FINAL REGULAR SEASON TOURNAMENT AT LADY JAGUAR INVITATIONAL

CARMEL, Ind. – After a final 18 holes on Sunday (Apr. 14), the IUPUI women’s golf team remained in fourth place at the Lady Jaguar Invitational held at Plum Creek. Windy conditions caused higher scores for all players and the team finished with a 313 after shooting 303 in round one. Senior Annaliese Fox clinched her second career victory after carding a 2-over 74—matching the low round of day two. Sydni Zebrauskas ranked first among individual entries by three strokes after rounds of 78 and 74 (8-over) to record her first career top 10 placement.

The Jaguars began their final round on the back nine, where Fox and Yanah Rolston each bogeyed the opening hole. Rolston would go onto bogey her second hole—the par 3 eleventh—before quickly bouncing back with a birdie at the next. On the other hand, Shelby Busker, Nerea Lancho and Madeline Pape were steady from the start. Busker began with five straight pars, Lancho was 1-under through her first five, while Pape rattled off six straight pars to begin her round.

All five players dropped shots at the par-3 sixteenth that caused problems for the entire field. The bogey was the only set back for Pape while Fox also finished with a 1-over 37 on the back after recording back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18, which propelled the Fountaintown native into the lead.

As the wind picked up later in the day so too did the scores. However, birdies on holes one and two by Fox put the Jags in the lead and extended her advantage on the individual leaderboard. Fox, along with her teammates, battled the difficult conditions on the way into the clubhouse, going a combined 18-over through the final six holes to drop to fourth place.

Despite bogeying the penultimate hole, Fox registered an impressive par the last to hold onto a tie for first with Ball State’s Sabrina Langerak, who still was to play the eighteenth. Langerak would go onto bogey the last to secure the victory for Fox.

“It feels really good (to get the win), especially with it being my last year,” expressed Fox after the round. “I was struggling but then I had those four birdies in a row which made my momentum come back and made me feel like I would be able to go out and win.”

Busker, who shot a 6-over 42 on her final nine, did enough on Saturday to claim a second top 10 placement of the season and tenth of her career.

Zebrauskas followed up her impressive 78 on day one with an outstanding 74 on Sunday that tied the low round of the day. The freshman matched Fox with four birdies which was the most among the field in the final round. The round propelled Zebrauskas into a top 10 finish—the first of her young career.

The team will now prepare for the Horizon League Championships in Howey-in-the-hills, Florida. Play begins Saturday (Apr. 20) where teams will play 18 holes three consecutive days before crowning a champion on Monday (Apr. 22).

IUPUI SOFTBALL

JAGUARS FALL IN SERIES FINALE AT PURDUE FORT WAYNE

FORT WAYNE – The IUPUI softball team fell in the series finale to Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon, 6-2. The Jags totaled nine hits in the loss.

IUPUI got on the board first in the top of the first inning with one run. With the bases loaded, Paige McPhearson walked scoring Kendal Calvert to give the Jags the early edge, 1-0.

The Mastodons responded in the bottom of the opening frame with three runs to take the 3-1 lead. Purdue Fort Wayne added one run in the bottom of the second inning to extend their lead, 4-1.

The Jags cut the deficit to just two runs with a run in the top of the fifth inning. Kennedy Cowan singled through the left side to score Calvert, 4-2. Once again the Mastodons answered quickly with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the final score at 6-2.

Alexa Holman took the loss in the circle giving up six runs (four earned) on nine hits with two strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Calvert led the Jags at the plate going 3-for-4 with two runs while Cowan added two hits. Morgan Gilbert, Jordan Barnes, McPhearson and Victoria Sivert all added one hit each.

IUPUI will now travel to Rochester, Michigan to face the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. The Jags and Golden Grizzlies will play a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 17. The first pitch of game one is set for 1:00 PM.

BALL STATE BASEBALL

BASEBALL COMPLETES SWEEP OVER AKRON

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State baseball team trailed 3-0 early but exploded for six runs in the fourth inning on its way to a 14-9 win over Akron on Sunday afternoon at Ball Diamond.

The Cardinals (23-13, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) got a two-run homer by Nick Gregory followed by a grand slam from Hunter Dobbins for the big inning, and the Ball State offense stayed hot to clinch the sweep of the Zips (6-28, 1-14 MAC).

Ball State pushed across single tallies in the second on a Nick Husovsky RBI single and the third on a Michael Hallquist solo home run to right field to cut Akron’s advantage to 3-2 at the conclusion of three innings. The Zips plated three runs in the fifth after the Cardinals gained an 8-3 lead with the six-run outburst, but Ball State scored twice in the bottom half of the fifth on a Hallquist RBI double and sac fly from Dobbins before Gregory hit a sac fly of his own in the sixth to put Ball State ahead 11-6.

The visitors plated three runs in the seventh to cut their deficit down to 11-9, but Gregory (sac fly), Decker Scheffler (sac fly) and Hallquist (sac fly) combined to drive in three runs in the eighth for the final scoring of the day.

Dobbins went 3-for-3 at the dish with a walk, five RBI and two runs scored on his way to a four-homer, 10-RBI weekend. Gregory notched four RBI on the day, and Hallquist batted 2-for-3 with two walks, three RBI and two runs scored.

The four sacrifice flies from the Cardinals’ offense established a program single-game high.

Sam Kelin tossed 4.2 relief innings of three-run ball while striking out four for his first win of the year. Nate Blain struck out one and threw 2.0 scoreless innings for save No. 3 for the junior. Akron starter

Akron starter Dawson Tourney fell to 1-6 after giving up five runs in 3.0 innings pitched.

Ball State’s next scheduled contest is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night at Purdue in West Lafayette.

BALL STATE SOFTBALL

SOFTBALL COMPLETES SERIES SWEEP OF BOWLING GREEN WITH 11-3 (6) SUNDAY WIN

MUNCIE, Ind. – – The Ball State softball team countered a two-run first inning by Bowling Green with eight runs of its own in the bottom of the frame, on its way to an 11-3 (6) victory to complete a three-game series sweep Sunday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

For the first time in the series, it was the Falcons (5-25; 2-12 Mid-American Conference) which jumped out to an early start, capitalizing on a leadoff single and back-to-back walks to jump out to a 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals 20-21 (7-8 MAC) would not be deterred, however, as sophomore center fielder Ashlee Lovett opened the bottom half of the inning with a single to left, sparking an eight-run barrage by the home squad. Lovett would add a two-run double to cap the scoring in the frame, while finishing a solid overall weekend with a .700 (7-for-10) average, along with four RBI and four runs scored.

In all, Ball State sent 12 batters to the plate in the opening inning, marking the third straight game the team has batted around in the opening frame.

For the day, eight different Cardinals combined for a total of 13 hits, led by three from redshirt sophomore shortstop McKenna Mulholland. Graduate first baseman Samantha-Jo Mata led the BSU offense with three RBI in the game, while redshirt sophomore right fielder Hayley Urban picked up a pair of RBIs, including a second-inning RBI double to right center for her second hit of the season.

In the circle, sophomore Bridie Murphy recovered from her slow start to limit the Falcons to five hits and three runs on her way to her seventh win of the season. She also struck out a season-high seven batters over her 6.0 innings of work.

SCORING SUMMARY – Ball State 11 – BGSU 3 (6)

T1 | Cameron Kaufman give BGSU its first lead of the series with a sac fly to center field (1-0)

T1 | Reagan Williamson follows with an RBI single through the right side (2-0)

B1 | Mulholland drives in the first run with a bases loaded RBI infield single (2-1)

B1 | A muffed throw on a fielder’s choice by the catcher allows redshirt junior catcher McKayla Timmons to score, tying the game (2-2)

B1 | Urban follows with an RBI walk (2-3)

B1 | Mata drives in her first two runs of the game with a single up the middle (2-5)

B1 | Senior left fielder Kaitlyn Mathews adds an RBI single through the right side (2-6)

B1 | In her second at bat of the frame, Lovett doubles to drive in two more (2-8)

B2 | Urban picks up her second RBI with her double to right center (2-9)

B2 | Mata follows with her third on an RBI single to right (2-10)

T5 | Kaufman extends the game with a one-out RBI single through the left side (3-10)

B6 | Redshirt sophomore designated player Jessica Hoffman follows a single from graduate second baseman Jazmyne Armendariz and a double from Mulholland with a game-ending sacrifice fly to left (3-11)

UP NEXT:

The Ball State softball team returns to the road Tuesday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Miami. With wet weather once again in the forecast for early in the week, stay tuned for possible schedule changes.

BALL STATE WOMEN’S GOLF

WOMEN’S GOLF CAPTURES LADY JAGUAR INVITATIONAL TITLE

CARMEL, Ind. – – The Ball State women’s golf team closed its 2023-24 regular season in style Sunday afternoon, earning a one-stroke win over both Butler and league rival Ohio to take the championship trophy at the 2024 Lady Jaguar Invitational hosted by IUPUI.

“I am very proud of the way we battled coming down the stretch today,” head coach Cameron Andry exclaimed. “It wasn’t always pretty, and we certainly made our fair share of errors, but we never let go of the rope.”

The Cardinals finished the 36-hole event at the Plum Creek Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, with a score of +30 (606). After the Bulldogs and Bobcats, the host Jaguars took fourth among the 11-team field at +40 (616).

While junior Sabrina Langerak turned in another solid round and finished as the tournament runner-up at +3 (147), it was a clutch late birdie from sophomore  Sarah Gallagher on the 17th that helped lock up the team win for the Cardinals.

With just a few groups remaining on the course and Ball State and Butler deadlocked for the top team spot, Gallagher carded her second birdie of the back nine on the par-5, 489-yard 17th to give the BSU the one-stroke edge.

“Sarah really battled after faltering in the middle of the round,” Andry said. “The way she finished lifted us to the title.”

The birdie, followed by a par on 18, capped a round of +6 (78) which allowed Gallagher to climb 10 spots on the final leaderboard into a tie for 26th. She was Ball State’s biggest mover in the final round and tied her opening-round score for a tournament total of +12 (156).

Back to the top of the leaderboard, Langerak was able to battle back from a double bogey on her opening hole and shoot +2 the rest of the round, including a birdie of her own on the par-4, 365-yard 13th.

“Sabrina got off to a shaky start today, but she settled in, stuck to her process, and battled until the last putt dropped,” Andry said. “She’s got a great competitive spirit and it’s fun to watch her compete!”

On a day when red numbers were tough to find, Langerak would also play 13 holes at par Sunday, while tying for the overall tournament lead with seven total birdies over the two days.

The Cardinals’ Sunday team effort also counted rounds of +6 (78) by both senior Kiah Parrott and sophomore Jasmine Driscoll. Following her opening-round +2 (74), Parrott would tie for 9th overall at +8 (152). Driscoll tied for 21 overall, at +11 (155), along with sophomore teammate Madelin Boyd.

Overall, Ball State’s top five led the field with 23 total birdies and paced all 11 teams with an average par 3 score of 3.23 (+9). The next closest squad on the par 3s was Butler at 3.35 (+14). Ball State was also second on the team par 5 leaderboard at 5.03 (+1) and third on par 4s at 4.35 (+35).

On the individual side, freshman Madelyn Young tied for third among the field’s 22 individual golfers at +13 (157). The effort also tied for 28th among the 77-player field.

Up next for the Ball State women’s golf team is the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Ohio at the Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City, Ohio.

After a practice round Saturday, the three-day tournament kicks off Sunday (April 21) and runs through Tuesday (April 23).

Ball State Team Results

2nd – Sabrina Langerak – +3 (147): 71-76

T9th – Kiah Parrott – +8 (152): 74-78

T21st – Jasmine Driscoll – +11 (155): 77-78

T21st – Madelin Boyd – +11 (155): 74-81

T26th – Sarah Gallagher – +12 (156): 78-78

Ball State Individual Results

T28th – Madelyn Young (I) – +13 (157): 76-81

T51st – Payton Bennett (I) – +19 (163): 79-84

T66th – Jenna Estravillo (I) – +24 (168): 83-85

Team Rankings

1st – Ball State – +30 (606): 296-310

2nd – Butler – +31 (607): 298-309

           Ohio – +31 (607): 300-307

4th – IUPUI – +40 (616): 303-313

5th – Marian – +41 (617): 309-308

6th – Green Bay – +48 (624): 312-312

7th – Akron – +53 (629): 313-316

8th – Northern Kentucky – +56 (632): 313-319

9th – Cleveland State – +59 (635): 316-319

10th – Detroit – +62 (638): 307-331

11th – DePauw – +76 (652): 326-326

INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL

INDIANA STATE FALLS TO UIC IN GAMES TWO AND THREE OF MVC SERIES

CHICAGO, ILL.- Indiana State softball dropped games two and three against UIC. The Flames won the three-game series 2-1 over the Sycamores.

Game Two: UIC 4, Indiana State 1

UIC took the lead 1-0 in the first inning with an RBI single by Villa to score Rios and put the first run on the board.

Indiana State tied up the game 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning when Abby Robakowski recorded her fourth home run of the 2024 season. Robakowski led the Sycamores in batting, where she went 3-3.

The Flames racked up five hits and scored the final three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead 4-1 over Indiana State on Saturday afternoon.

Cassi Newbanks (2-8) took the loss in the circle for Indiana State in 5.2 innings of work, where she allowed seven hits, four runs scored, while striking out three batters. Megan Asher took over the ball in the sixth inning, where she allowed two hits in the 4-1 loss.

Game Three: UIC 6, Indiana State 3

The Sycamores took the lead in the first inning, where they scored all three of their runs in the 6-3 loss against the Flames. Abi Chipps led off with a single and Kennedy Shade drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single. The second run was scored when bases were loaded, and Kenzie Cornwell was walked, which scored Robakowski. Bri Marx knocked in the final run when she connected on an RBI single to score Isabella Henning and give the Sycamores a 3-0 lead.

The Flames tied up the game 3-3 in the third inning where they recorded three hits and drove in three runs and they took the lead in the fourth inning 4-3 when Rios recorded an RBI single.

UIC added to their lead in the sixth inning where they scored their final two runs to advance their lead to 6-3 over Indiana State with a 2 RBI double by Cowing.

Bri Marx led the Sycamores offensively where she went 3-3 with one RBI.

Hailey Griffin started in the circle for the Sycamores where she went the first 2.1 innings, where she allowed two hits and three runs scored, while striking out two. Lauren Sackett (7-10) took the loss in the circle for Indiana State, and in 4.2 innings of work, Sackett allowed four hits, three runs scored, and recorded two strikeouts.

Up Next:

Indiana State will host Butler at Price Field, on Wednesday, April 17, to compete in a non-conference midweek matchup at 4 p.m ET.

INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S GOLF

HOBBS, LEMAIRE TOP 15; ISU 8TH OF 12 THROUGH DAY ONE OF MVC TOURNAMENT

WATERLOO, Ill. – Indiana State golf stands eighth of 12 teams at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships at the Annbriar Golf Club. Briana LeMaire and Kristen Hobbs led the way for ISU, both sitting inside the top 15.

The Sycamores finish the day in tight battle. ISU, Missouri State, Murray State, and Southern Illinois are all within four strokes of each other.

Round One

After round one, Indiana State was tied for sixth with a team score of 307. LeMaire led the Sycamores with a 74. Starting on the 16th hole, LeMaire parred the first four holes then birdied the next three of four. LeMaire finished with one-under on the front nine. She was followed by Chelsea Morrow who finished with a 75. Morrow powered through the first 18 with five-straight pars from holes 1-5 and another five-straight from 10-14.

Hobbs was the next lowest Sycamore with a 78 and was even through her first 10 holes. Yang Tai finished round one with an 80, and Molly Lee with 83.

Round Two

The Sycamores finished four strokes off its first-round total with 311, as Hobbs recorded the lowest round-two score for ISU with a 73. The senior knocked off five strokes from her first round, using a front nine one-under to finish one over par in the second round of the day – it landed her tied for 15th place through day one with a 151. LeMaire is the top finisher for the day for Indiana State, recording the second-best round two score for the Sycamores with a 76. She is tied for 13th overall.

Morrow scored an 83 in the second round to finish tied for 37th after the first 36 with a score of 158. Tai shot stroke one better in round two with a 79, and Lee finished the day with a 173.

Up Next

Indiana State finishes the MVC Championships tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. CT with a shotgun start.

INDIANA STATE BASEBALL

SYCAMORES HOMER FIVE TIMES, HIT TWO GRAND SLAMS IN 17-6 SUNDAY WIN OVER BRADLEY

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State power bats came to play in the series finale against Bradley as Adam Pottinger (twice), Luis Hernandez, Mike Sears, and Joe Kido, all homered on Sunday afternoon as the Sycamores completed the sweep of the Braves with the 17-6 win at Bob Warn Field.

Pottinger, Sears, and Kido went back-to-back-to-back in the bottom of the first inning to stake Indiana State (27-7, 10-2) to the early 5-0 lead. Pottinger’s three-run shot went off the scoreboard in right, while Sears followed six pitches later with a solo shot to right. Kido went deep for the first time in his collegiate career in the next at-bat off Bradley (10-22, 4-8) starter Brayden Marks (1-3) putting the ball into the trees in right field to stake the Sycamores to the early lead.

ISU added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning on Josue Urdaneta’s two-RBI single scoring Sears and Kido to provide the early run support for Sycamore starter Luke Hayden (4-1). Hayden went 5.2 innings allowing two hits while striking out three to pick up his fourth win of the season.

Bradley’s bats started to wake up in the top of the seventh inning as Beau Durbin connected on a grand slam off ISU reliever Zach Davidson and Timmy O’Brien followed with a solo shot off Simon Gregersen to cut the Sycamore lead down to 7-5.

Tyrese Johnson made it a one-run game in the top of the eighth with a leadoff solo home run to center. The Braves put the go-ahead run on the bases with two outs in the eighth before Jacob Pruitt (S, 1) entered and recorded the final out of the frame to keep the Sycamore lead intact.

The Indiana State bats took over from there as the Sycamores loaded the bases on a Randal Diaz double, Hernandez intentional walk, and Parker Stinson hit-by-pitch, before Pottinger connected on his second home run of the game, this one a grand slam over the wall in center to put ISU ahead 11-6. The Sycamores re-loaded the bases with Sears scoring on a passed ball and Dom Listi working a bases-loaded walk scoring Kido, before Hernandez connected on the walk-off grand slam to center field to secure the 17-6 win.

Sears paced the Sycamore offense with a three-hit game as Indiana State connected on 12 hits as a team in the contest. Diaz doubled twice in the contest, while Grant Magill added two hits in the win. Pottinger had a career-high seven RBIs in the victory.

Durbin, Logan Delgao, and Johnson all finished with multi-hit contests for the Braves as Bradley connected on eight hits overall in the series finale.

How They Scored

Indiana State connected on back-to-back-to-back home runs with two outs in the bottom of the first inning as Adam Pottinger (3-Run), Mike Sears (Solo), and Joe Kido (Solo) all went deep to give the Sycamores an early 5-0 lead.

The Sycamores added to their lead in the bottom of the third as Josue Urdaneta connected on a two-run single to center scoring Sears and Kido to make it a 7-0 ISU lead.

Beau Durbin connected on a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning and Timmy O’Brien followed with a solo shot over the left field wall as Bradley cut the Sycamores lead down to 7-5.

The Braves continued to chip away in the top of the eighth on Tyrese Johnson’s leadoff solo shot to center field to cut the deficit down to 7-6.

Adam Pottinger and Luis Hernandez connected on a pair of grand slams in a 10-run bottom of the eighth inning with Hernandez’s drive over the left field wall the walk-off winner as the Sycamores closed out the contest on Sunday afternoon.

News & Notes

Indiana State connected on back-to-back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning marking the first time the Sycamores achieved the feat since the 2017 season. Dane Tofteland, Dane Giesler, and Tony Rosselli hit three consecutive solo shots back on April 28, 2017, against Bradley at Bob Warn Field in the bottom of the fourth inning in ISU’s 5-4 win.

It marked the second consecutive game Adam Pottinger and Mike Sears went back-to-back in the first inning with Pottinger connecting on a three-run shot off the scoreboard in right, while Sears put one out over the left field wall.

It was the third time ISU has hit back-to-back homers this season with the first coming back on March 19 against Indiana when Luis Hernandez and Parker Stinson went deep in the third inning in the Sycamores’ 15-7 win.

Indiana State connected on five home runs on Sunday afternoon marking the 15th game of the 2024 season with multiple homers on the year and eighth game with three or more this season.

ISU connected on a three-run home run in the first inning in all three games against Bradley this weekend with Luis Hernandez (Friday) and Adam Pottinger (Saturday & Sunday) achieving the feat.

Adam Pottinger became the third Sycamore to post two home runs in the same game joining Mike Sears (twice) and Luis Hernandez who have also achieved the feat this season.

Pottinger and Hernandez’s grand slams in the eighth inning marked ISU’s fourth and fifth grand slams of the 2024 season.

Josue Urdaneta ran his on-base streak to 23 consecutive games on Sunday afternoon as the second baseman connected on a third-inning two-run single. He finished 1-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and two RBIs.

Sunday featured Indiana State’s fifth walk-off win of the 2024 season, third in Missouri Valley play, and second of the weekend. ISU walked off the Braves on Friday night with Randal Diaz’s three-run home run in the eighth inning of the 14-2 win.

Indiana State secured 14th MVC series winning streak yesterday afternoon and completed their ninth sweep over the same time frame following Sunday’s win over Bradley. The Sycamores have gone a perfect 13-0-1 in the third game of MVC series play dating back to the end of the 2022 season.

Since the start of the final series of the 2022 season, Indiana State has posted a 36-5-1 record in MVC play.

ISU recorded its first run-rule sweep in Valley play in the Mitch Hannahs era following Sunday’s game as the Sycamores topped the Braves 14-2 (8), 11-1 (7), and 17-6 (8) over the series.

Up Next

Indiana State hits the road next weekend as the Sycamores travel to Normal, Ill. and Duffy Bass Field for a three-game series against Illinois State running from April 19-21. First pitch in Friday’s opener is set for 6 p.m. ET with all three games of the series to be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE SOFTBALL

SOFTBALL TAKES SERIES FROM IUPUI WITH 6-2 WIN

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne softball team picked up a series victory over IUPUI on Sunday (April 14), topping the Jaguars 6-3 in the final game of the weekend.

It was a big first inning that set the Mastodons up for the win. The ‘Dons plated three after IUPUI went up 1-0 and never trailed again. The ‘Dons loaded the bases with a walk and a pair of singles, then Tori Countryman brought Bailey Manos home to tie the game. From there, McKenna Minton singled to score one and Brooke Lickey hit a sacrifice fly to score another. The game was never closer than the 3-1 margin after the opening frame.

An inning later, Grace Hollopeter hit a solo shot over the left field wall to extend the Mastodon lead. IUPUI answered with a run in the fifth thanks to three singles in a row, but Aglaia Rudd slammed the door shut on a potential comeback. In the bottom of the fifth, Manos singled to left field, then Rudd smacked a long ball over the left field fence to make it a 6-2 lead. Rudd was the Mastodons’ best player this week, as she hit .550 and slugged .800 with six RBIs in the six Horizon League games.

Alanah Jones tossed all seven innings after throwing just under 200 pitches the day before. She totaled 336 pitches in two wins this weekend. She improved to 5-12. Alexa Holman fell to 6-14 after giving up all six runs in 5.0 innings.

Purdue Fort Wayne improves to 9-28 and 4-11 in the Horizon League after the series win. IUPUI falls to 10-30, 6-9. The Mastodons will step out of league play for a quick visit to Akron on Tuesday (April 16).

PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL

KEVIN FEE SETS PROGRAM RECORD FOR PITCHING APPEARANCES

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Senior Kevin Fee threw the final three innings on Sunday (April 14) to set the Purdue Fort Wayne program record for career pitching appearances at 79. While the Mastodons got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, the ‘Dons fell to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 8-5 in the rubber game of the series.

Fee allowed just one run in the final three innings for a no-decision. Owen Willard started and is 0-5 after throwing the first four innings. Brandon Decker (4-3) got the win for Oakland with six innings of one-run ball. Aaron Evers received the save for the Golden Grizzlies.

Trailing 3-0, the Mastodons first got on the board in the fifth inning. Purdue Fort Wayne earned an RBI single from Brooks Sailors, scoring Cade Fitzpatrick from third base to make the score 3-1. A pair of runs in the fifth and sixth for Oakland opened their lead to 7-1.

Jacob Walker finished the game 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, 2 RBI and a run. Nate Simpson also had multiple hits, recording two singles and a walk with a run.

Fee moved ahead of Adam Feris (2002-05) on the pitching appearance leader board. Feris finished his career with 78 visits to the mound.

Oakland was led offensively by Lucas Day, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

The ‘Dons are 13-22 (7-8 Horizon League). Oakland improves to 18-17 (9-6 Horizon League). Purdue Fort Wayne is at Notre Dame on Wednesday.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE TRACK

MULTIPLE SCHOOL RECORDS SET ON SUNDAY AT BUCKNELL

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Jai Reed and Ava Genovese set school records for the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s track and field team on Sunday (April 14) at the Bison Outdoor Classic.

Reed lowered her own school record in the 100 to 11.96 as she took sixth in the race. Aniya Young earned 19th in the same event (12.31).

Genovese ran the mile in 5:08.02 for a new record. Her time also won the event. Lydia Carrell wasn’t far behind. She took fourth (5:20.45). Mercedes Sarver was 12th (5:25.56).

In the 100 hurdles, Jesseca Hudson-Turpin took second (13.87) and Dylan Kirkwood finished seventh (14.51).

The 200 hurdles saw Reed finish fifth (24.62). The ‘Dons took fifth in the 4×100 relay with a time of 47.10 by Young, Kassie Jordan, Hudson-Turpin and Reed. Ella Jenkins had a time of 1:05.19 in the 400 hurdles to take 20th. Haylee Hile had a time of 10:41.49 to take ninth.

EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL

SALUKIS EDGE ACES IN WEEKEND FINALE

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Freshman Brooke Voss gave the University of Evansville softball team a first-inning lead, but Southern Illinois would post the final four runs of the game to take a 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Charlotte West Stadium.

Just as they did on Saturday, the Purple Aces took the early lead.  Alexa Davis was hit by a pitch to open the game and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches.  Brooke Voss brought her home with a sacrifice fly.  With two outs, Jenna Nink picked up UE’s first base hit of the afternoon.

SIU tied the score in the bottom of the second and looked to add more, but Lacy Smith found Marah Wood, who threw out a baserunner at home to end the inning.  One frame later, Southern Illinois took its first lead before adding a pair of insurance scores in the sixth.

Nink and Taylor Howe picked up Evansville’s hits in the contest.  Sydney Weatherford went the full six innings and allowed seven hits.  Maddia Groff entered the game for SIU with two outs in the first and struck out 15 batters on the way to her 21st win of the year.  Katherine Johnson paced the Salukis with two RBI.

Next weekend, the Aces are home for a 3-game series versus Murray State.

EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S GOLF

TWO ROUNDS COMPLETE AT MVC WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

WATERLOO, Ill. – With inclement weather in the forecast for Tuesday, the first day of the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Golf Championship featured two rounds at Annbriar Golf Course. 

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Opening Day Results

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Kate Petrova led the University of Evansville and is tied for third entering the final round.  After opening Sunday with an even 72, Petrova carded a 3-over 75 to complete the day with a 147.  She is four strokes off the lead.
 
Ranking in a tie for 21^st was Allison Enchelmayer.  Identical rounds of 77, both at five over, gave her a 154.  Third for the Purple Aces was Jane Grankina.  Her low round was a 77 before an 82 in the second 18 holes put her in a tie for 40^th with a 159.
 
Trinity Dubbs and Destynie Sheridan rounded out the UE squad.  Dubbs completed her rounds with scores of 80 and 83 while Sheridan checked in with an 82 and 84.
 
Evansville is in 11^th place with a 623.  They are just three strokes behind a 9^th-place tie between Murray State and Southern Illinois.  Illinois State holds the lead in the team standings with a 594.  UIC is in second with a 601 while Drake has a 607 to stand in third place.  Jinyoung Yun of ISU is the individual leader with a 143.
 
On Monday, the teams will play the third and final round of the event.

EVANSVILLE BASEBALL

BASEBALL SWEEPS ILLINOIS STATE BEHIND 13-1 WIN

EVANSVILLE, Ind. –  The University of Evansville baseball team launched four home runs on Sunday, and produced a pair of five-run innings, as the Purple Aces completed a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series sweep of the visiting Illinois State Redbirds with a 13-1 run-rule victory at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

“What a game! What a weekend!  What a series for our ballclub!” said UE head coach Wes Carroll.  “It is really difficult to sweep in this conference, and I think that it really started on the mound today for us.  What Shane Harris, Jace Kressin and Max Hansmann did today was pretty impressive, as they shut down a really good offense.

“Offensively, I thought that, top to bottom in our order, our guys were able to produce some great at-bats today.  Harrison Taubert had the huge double to get us started in the third inning, and then obviously, his three-run home run was big, as it broke things open for us.  But, I thought almost every player in the lineup today had a great approach, and hopefully, we can keep that rolling down the stretch.”

Harris cruised through the first three innings for UE on the mound, allowing just a lone single while retiring nine of the 10 men he faced with three strikeouts.  Evansville would then give Harris (3-4) all of the run support he would need on the afternoon in the bottom of the third inning with two runs.

After a lead-off walk by senior shortstop Simon Scherry, junior outfielder Harrison Taubert roped a double to left field to put two men in scoring position with no one out.  Graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger delivered a sacrifice fly to deep right field to plate the game’s first run, before senior outfielder Kip Fougerousse had an RBI single to left-center field to give UE a 2-0 lead.

Taubert would break things open for UE in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he ignited a five-run frame with a three-run home run to right-center field to grow the lead to 5-0.  Then, after a Shallenberger double and a ground out, graduate first baseman Chase Hug crushed a two-run home run to right field to take a 7-0 lead.

Fougerousse added an RBI single in the fifth inning to push the lead to 8-0.  The Redbirds would scratch across a run in the top of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly, before UE exploded for five more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to enact the mercy rule.  Graduate third baseman Brent Widder and freshman second baseman Brodie Peart hit back-to-back home runs in the frame, while Fougerousse added another RBI single to help UE post its eighth victory in the last nine contests.

Fougerousse went a team-best 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Taubert, Peart, and Scherry all had two-hit games.  All nine members of the UE starting lineup had hits in the contest.  Harris earned the victory on the mound by tossing 5.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out four.

With the victory, Evansville moves into a tie for second place in the MVC standings with an 18-17 overall record and 7-5 MVC mark.  Illinois State, meanwhile, falls to 18-15 overall and 7-5 in the Valley with the loss.  Evansville will now hit the road for the next five games, beginning on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. central time as the Purple Aces will travel north to Bloomington, Indiana to take on the Indiana Hoosiers.  Tuesday’s game can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS.

SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL

EAGLES OVERPOWERED BY REDHAWKS, 12-2

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball overpowered by Southeast Missouri State University, 12-2, Sunday afternoon in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. USI is 15-21 overall and 5-7 in the OVC, while SEMO goes to 18-18, 8-4 OVC.

The Screaming Eagles had the early lead, 1-0, with a tally in the first inning. USI senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) pushed senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) across the plate with a RBI-single to center with one out.

The Redhawks took the momentum and command in the second inning with a pair of runs and began a streak of scoring in three-straight innings to lead, 8-1. SEMO had three home runs in the dash through the three innings.

USI tried to get the offense jump stared in the seventh with back-to-back doubles by sophomore shortstop Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) and Ebest, who finished the day two-for-two with two RBIs, to close the gap to 8-2.  SEMO, however, would end the game in the bottom half of the inning with four runs to conclude the 12-2 final.

On the bump, USI junior right-hander Gavin Morris (Brazil, Indiana) took the loss, going 1.1 innings before leaving game with an injury. Morris allowed two runs on three hits.

Up Next for the Eagles:

The Eagles return to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field for a five-game homestand. The homestand starts Tuesday at 6 p.m. with a non-conference visit from Western Kentucky University; follows April 19-20 with a three-game OVC series versus the University of Tennessee at Martin; and concludes April 23 with a non-conference contest with Belmont University.

The Hilltoppers are 25-12 after winning a three-game series at Sam Houston State University. WKU is 8-2 in the last 10 games.

WKU leads the all-time series with USI, 9-2, after defeating the Eagles in March, 5-3. Senior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) led the USI hitters with two hits, while sophomore shortstop Caleb Niehaus had two of the three USI RBIs.

SOUTHERN INDIANA SOFTBALL

USI HONORS LATE SCHOOLCRAFT, COMES UP SHORT AGAINST EIU ON SUNDAY

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On a day of celebration and remembrance at USI Softball Field, University of Southern Indiana Softball opened its series against Eastern Illinois University with a narrow 2-0 loss on Sunday afternoon, as the two sides began a big series between the top two schools in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The day started with a heartfelt recognition and a moment of silence for the late USI Softball alumna and former catcher Courtney Schoolcraft, who passed away on April 3 after a fight with cancer. Schoolcraft graduated in 2022 but battled clear cell sarcoma since 2019 when she played for the Screaming Eagles. USI wore the color yellow to honor Schoolcraft and help raise cancer awareness. Plus, Schoolcraft’s number 8 and yellow ribbons were painted in the grass behind home plate in her honor. Following the moment of silence, yellow balloons were released into the blue skies with the help of USI Softball alumni in attendance on Sunday.

Once the game began, a much-anticipated pitcher’s duel between two of the top pitchers in the OVC in USI junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) and Eastern Illinois freshman pitcher Mackenzie Oslanzi took place. Each pitcher surrendered a hit in the first inning but allowed no runs to score. The game remained knotted at zero through three innings.

In the fourth inning, the Panthers led off with back-to-back singles. Later in the frame, the runner at second base came around to score an unearned run on a defensive misplay by USI to put EIU ahead, 1-0. During the top of the fourth inning, Newman recorded her 500th career strikeout, achieving a milestone that only four other pitchers have reached in USI Softball history.

After two empty innings for both teams in the fifth and sixth innings, Eastern Illinois doubled its lead to 2-0 in the top of the seventh inning on a bases-loaded sac fly.

In the home half of the seventh, USI tried to rally. Senior catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenfield, Indiana), who backed up and learned under Schoolcraft as an underclassman in 2020-22, led off with a walk. A few batters later, sophomore Olivia Money (Fort Branch, Indiana) made it first and second for USI with a pinch-hit single. However, with the potential game-winning run at the plate, the Panthers’ Oslanzi halted the Screaming Eagles’ late charge and finished the shutout win for Eastern Illinois.

On the day, Southern Indiana had four hits and Eastern Illinois totaled seven hits toward its two runs.

In the pitching circle, Newman suffered the hard-luck loss following her OVC-leading 20th complete game. Newman moved to 14-6 this season. The junior allowed two runs – one earned – with six strikeouts. Newman ended the day in a tie for fourth in USI history with 502 career strikeouts. Newman also added to her OVC lead in strikeouts (172) and innings pitched (140.0) this season, which would also rank top five in the nation if USI was officially eligible for NCAA statistical rankings.

EIU’s Oslanzi picked up an OVC-best 17th win on Sunday after hurling a full seven innings with four strikeouts. Oslanzi is 17-3 on the campaign.

Following Sunday’s game, Southern Indiana moved to 16-15 overall and 10-6 in conference play, dropping to two games back of first-place Eastern Illinois, who improved to 26-12 overall and 12-4 in the OVC.

The series between the Screaming Eagles and Panthers wraps up Monday with a doubleheader starting at Noon. Both games can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. The Spin 95.7 will have radio coverage of game 2 of the doubleheader. Additional coverage links can be found on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.

SOUTHERN INDIANA TRACK

USI T&F COMPLETE THE ULTRA-COMPETITIVE BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL

AZUSA, Ca.- University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Track and Field brought six competitors to the ultra-competitive Bryan Clay Invitational in beautiful Azusa, California. The invite brought in teams from around the country.

USI competed in the 1500-meter and 5000-meter competitions on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Women

Freshman Zoe Seward (Rochester, Indiana) competed in the 5000-meter run finishing with a time of 17:22.03. Sophomore Emily Rempe (Owensboro, Kentucky) took on the 1500 meter run with a time of 4:46.63.

Men

Junior Brady Terry (Philpot, Kentucky) improved his season best 5000-meter time placing 21st out of 90 competitors with a time of 14:37.80. This was a 14 second improvement from his time at the Wash U Distance Carnival. Junior Dylan Bland (Holland, Indiana) was right behind Terry at 14:43.11 crushing his season best by 21 seconds. Terry earned another respectable time in the 1500 meter at 3:58.87.

What’s Next

The USI Men’s squad travels to Indiana State University next weekend for the Gibson Invitational on April 19-20. The women take a few weeks off to train before heading to Louisville University for the Clark Wood Invitational on April 26-27.

VALPO SOFTBALL

BEACONS SUFFER WALK-OFF DEFEAT IN ILLINOIS STATE SERIES FINALE

The bats were alive for the Valpo softball team for a second straight day and the Beacons led Illinois State Sunday afternoon by a pair of runs with two innings to play, but the host Redbirds scored three runs over the final two frames to walk off 8-7 victors.

How It Happened

After both teams threatened but didn’t score in the first, Valpo opened the scoring in the top of the second. Sophomore Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) led off the inning with a single and came around to score on a slap the other way from senior Kayla Skapyak (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) which sprayed chalk when it hit the left-field line and spun further into foul territory for an RBI double.

Senior Alexis Johnson (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) followed by drilling a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left-center for a two-run homer, giving Valpo a 3-0 lead after an inning and a half.

The lead flipped to the Redbirds in the bottom of the second, as they put five runs on the board.

Valpo regained the advantage in the top of the fourth. Johnson drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI groundout, scoring freshman Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame), who had singled to open the frame.

Two batters later, senior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) lined a single to left-center, scoring Skapyak to tie the game at 5-5.

The inning’s big blow came from sophomore Lexi Szostak (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) with the bases loaded and two outs. Szostak laced a 2-1 pitch off the wall in left-center, scoring two more runs to give Valpo a 7-5 edge.

Valpo held the Redbirds off the board the next two innings to maintain the two-run lead. Madi Bylak led off the bottom of the sixth with a pinch-hit homer to make it a 7-6 game, but freshman Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) came out of the bullpen and got three straight fly outs to keep the Beacons in the lead heading to the seventh.

Heartbreak awaited Valpo in the bottom of the seventh, as three hits and a sacrifice fly resulted in a pair of ISU runs scoring, giving the hosts the walk-off win.

Inside the Game

The walk-off loss was the second defeat in such fashion for Valpo in MVC play this year, as the Beacons also fell in the bottom of the seventh in the series finale at Evansville.

Valpo reached double figures in the hits department for the second straight day, finishing Sunday’s game with 10 hits after racking up 11 base knocks on Saturday. It is the first time the Beacons have posted at least 10 hits in consecutive games since doing so in the 2022 regular season finale versus Evansville and the subsequent MVC Tournament game against Indiana State.

Unlike Saturday’s game, which saw only five Beacons register base hits, Sunday’s hits were spread throughout the lineup, as eight of nine starts tallied at least one hit.

Hecker and Szostak each finished the afternoon 2-for-4, with the former scoring a run and driving one in, while the latter picked up a pair of RBIs. For Hecker, it was her second straight multi-hit game and her team-best 10th of the season.

Meanwhile, Szostak — who entered this week with two career multi-hit games — doubled that total this week, as Sunday’s effort joined a 2-for-3 performance in the Wednesday game versus UIC.

Szostak also drove in multiple runs in a game for the first time in her career.

Johnson’s fourth inning homer was her second of the season. The senior finished the game with three RBIs, matching a career high — notably, originally set against Illinois State last season.

Krug, Rodas, Skapyak and sophomore Kam Utendorf (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove [Black Hawk College]) all reached base twice apiece as well with a hit and a walk.

Skapyak’s RBI double came in the 150th game of her Valpo career and was the first career extra-base hit for the slapper. It also marked just the fifth RBI of her career as well.

Skapyak scored a pair of runs as well, her seventh career multi-run game.

Valpo finished the afternoon 6-for-10 at the plate with runners in scoring position, the best batting average in such situations (minimum 10 at-bats) since going 7-for-11 against Western Illinois March 5, 2022. The six hits with runners in scoring position also tied for the team’s second-highest total in a single game this season.

Freshman Anna Wilming (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) started in the circle and threw the first 1.2 innings. Senior Caitlyn Kowalski (Temperance, Mich./Notre Dame Academy) had a strong relief performance, giving up just one run in 3.1 innings of work, while McDermott was tagged with the relief loss.

Next Up

Valpo (8-27, 2-12 MVC) is slated to step away from Valley play on Wednesday afternoon with a home doubleheader against Eastern Illinois, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

VALPO WOMEN’S TENNIS

BEACONS DROP ANOTHER 4-3 CLIFFHANGER

It’s been a year of down-to-the-wire matches for the Valparaiso University tennis team, which dropped Sunday’s showdown with Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. by a 4-3 score. The teams split the six singles matches after the Bears had picked up a doubles point that proved crucial in the match’s outcome.

How It Happened

Valpo reworked its doubles pairings as Sydney Stone (Brisbane, Australia / Tyler JC) joined Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) at No. 1 and the tweak paid dividends at the top spot, as that combo did not drop a game in a 6-0 victory over Christina Flaquer and Nicole Ross.

However, the Bears prevailed on the remaining doubles courts to take an important doubles point, winning 6-2 at No. 2 and 6-0 at No. 3.

At No. 4 Singles, Stone nearly recorded a double bagel, dropping just one game on her way to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Juliette Robinson. That was the first match to finish and evened the team score at 1-1.

Valpo took the lead in the team portion of the match when Czerwonka finalized a 6-3, 6-2 win over Mary Houston at No. 2 Singles.

The Beacons extended the lead to 3-1 and needed one more victory to take the team match after Elizabeth Sobieski (Muskego, Wis. / Muskego) was the third singles player off the court, sweeping Ross 6-4, 6-1 at No. 5.

Missouri State then completed straight-set wins at No. 6 and No. 1 to get back to even at 3-3. The last match in action was No. 3, but Tuana Gunal of Missouri State closed out the 6-2, 6-2 win to secure the team triumph for the hosts.

Inside the Match

Czerwonka captured her 24th singles win this season, moving into sole possession of second place in program history. Kate Kollarova owns the single-season record with 29 singles wins in 2000-01.

Czerwonka’s career singles win total reached 87, moving her into sole possession of third in school history (men’s and women’s) as she surpassed Charlie Emhardt (2013-2017). She owns the women’s program record.

Czerwonka picked up her 16th doubles win of the season and now owns a program-record 78 career doubles wins.

Stone snagged her 14th singles win of the year, while Sobieski picked up her 16th.

This was the team’s ninth 4-3 match of the season.

Up Next

The Beacons (10-11, 1-5 MVC) will host Senior Day against Murray State this coming Saturday, April 20. The time and location will depend upon the weather forecast as the match will either begin at 2 p.m. indoors at The Courts of Northwest Indiana or 10 a.m. outdoors at the Valpo Tennis Complex.

VALPO MEN’S GOLF

VANARRAGON RALLIES FOR MEDALIST HONORS AT RUTHERFORD INTERCOLLEGIATE

After finishing the first round tied for 13th and the second round tied for seventh, Valparaiso University men’s golf fifth-year senior Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) continued his climb on the leaderboard during Sunday’s third and final round of the Rutherford Intercollegiate, hosted by Penn State at the par-71, 7171-yard Penn State Blue Course in State College, Pa. In fact, VanArragon climbed all the way into the top spot in the 78-player field, earning medalist honors to pace the Beacons.

How It Happened

VanArragon carded a 66 (-5), vaulting over six competitors and into sole possession of the tournament trophy with a 54-hole accumulation of 210 (-3). He edged Penn State’s Patrick Sheehan and UConn’s Jimmy Dallahan by one stroke to win the event.

VanArragon was joined in the top five by junior Anthony Delisanti (Sanborn, N.Y. / Niagara Wheatfield), whose 75 on Sunday brought his 54-hole total to 215 (+2), tied for fifth.

The third best score by a Beacon – both in Sunday’s round and for the tournament overall – came from Sam Booth (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel). He stroked a 76 to finish his weekend at 223 (+10), tied for 30th.

As a team, Valpo’s Round-3 score of 299 (+15) put the Beacons at 885 (+33) during their final tune-up for the league championship. They finished tied for fourth of 14. The host Nittany Lions won the event at 858 (+6).

Inside the Rounds

VanArragon’s 66 in Round 3 tied his season-low round that he reached on three prior occasions.

VanArragon picked up his 36th career top-10 finish, his 25th career top-5 finish and his 17th career top-2 finish.

VanArragon won medalist honors for the fourth time this season and the sixth of his collegiate career.

Delisanti enjoyed his fifth top-10 finish this season and the 18th of his career.

Delisanti eagled the par-4 sixth hole in Round 3.

VanArragon led the field in par-4 scoring average at 3.91.

VanArragon tied for the tournament lead with 13 birdies, while Delisanti was also in double figures with 10.

Up Next

The Beacons will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship hosted by Missouri State at The Club at Porto Cima beginning on Sunday, April 21 in Sunrise Beach, Mo. A link to live scoring via GolfStat will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.

VALPO BASEBALL

BELMONT TAKES RUBBER MATCH OF WEEKEND SERIES

The Valparaiso University baseball team dropped Sunday’s rubber match to Belmont 15-8 on a sunny and warm Sunday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) and Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) slugged ninth-inning home runs, but it was too little too late in a game where Belmont built up a 10-run lead by the fifth inning.

How It Happened

Belmont scored a pair in the opening inning, but Valpo got those right back in the bottom of the frame as Schmack scored on a wild pitch and Liam Patton (Barrington, Ill. / Warsaw [Wabash]) singled through the right side to tie the game at two.

The Bruins posted their second crooked number in as many innings in the second, taking the lead with a three spot.

Belmont tacked on one in the fourth and poured on six in the fifth to open up a 12-2 lead.

Valpo dodged the 10-run rule by scoring two unearned runs in the sixth and picked up another unearned tally thanks to a bases-loaded walk in the seventh.

A sac fly and a solo homer allowed Belmont to extend the lead to 14-5 through eight. A solo shot in the top of the ninth widened the gap back to 10 at 15-5. 

Schmack and Husmann had the aforementioned home runs in the ninth with Husmann’s coming with a runner aboard.

Inside the Game

Valpo produced 11 hits and nine walks but gave up 17 hits and seven walks.

Junior Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) had three hits to pace the team, while Schmack, Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran), Alex Thurston (Fowler, Ind. / Benton Central) had two apiece. Schmack was on base five times with two hits, two walks and a hit by pitch.

Schmack’s home run was his 11th of the season and the 29th of his collegiate career. He is one away from tying Jake Skrine’s home run total from last season for the most by a Valpo player in a single season since 2002. Schmack also notched his 43rd career double, lifted his walk total to 96 and upped his career hit total to 203.

Husmann’s homer was his fourth of the season and the 24th of his collegiate career combined between his time at Bradley and Valpo.

Up Next

Valpo (11-22, 3-9 MVC) will visit Notre Dame on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on ACC Network Extra with links to live video and stats available on ValpoAthletics.com.

UINDY WOMEN’S LAX

BLADON, GREYHOUNDS GROUND GRIFFONS IN FINAL ROAD GAME OF REGULAR SEASON

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The No. 14 UIndy women’s lacrosse team dominated the second half on Sunday, earning a 14-5 victory at league adversary Missouri Western. The Greyhounds improve to 5-0 against the Griffons in the all-time series.

Olivia Bladon led all players with five goals, becoming the first Hound to reach 50 for the season. In net, Ava Graham made eight saves and scooped up two ground balls.

INS & OUTS

The Greyhounds erupted after halftime, scoring 23 seconds into the third quarter and then four more times in the final 10 minutes. Ella Fornek netted a pair during the stretch, while Joey Fowler capped the run with her first goal of the afternoon as 17 ticks left on the scoreboard.

Missouri Western barely sniffed the net in the fourth frame, failing to put a shot on goal after Graham’s eighth and final save with 14:30 remaining. The Griffons turned possession over six times in the final quarter, accounting for half of their turnovers. The Hounds caused four of those turnovers, including one from Olivia Grogan.

Mackenzie Winn also finished with five points for the 10th time this season, dishing out four assists in the win.

It was an entertaining, and lower scoring, first half as UIndy led 5-3 at the break. Graham made six of her stops in the first 30 minutes, while Megan Dunn and Malaena Michielin joining Bladon in the scoring column.

INSIDE THE BOX

– UIndy successfully cleared all 14 attempts in the win, going perfect in the category for the second straight game and fifth time this spring.

– The Greyhounds blanked the Griffons once on Sunday, marking the 15th time this season they have held their opponent scoreless for a quarter.

– Bladon secured a game-high eight draw controls, all while converting on all five of her shots on goal.

– Sage Da Silva contributed despite being held off the scoreboard, recording one caused turnover and one ground ball.

UP NEXT

The Greyhounds return to Key Stadium next weekend to wrap up the regular season with a pair of GLVC contests. UIndy hosts McKendree on Friday at 1 p.m. for an afternoon showdown.

UINDY TRACK

TRACK & FIELD FINDS SUCCESS IN CALIFORNIA AND INDIANA

LOS ANGELES – The UIndy men’s and women’s track and field teams faced competition in California and Indiana on a jam-packed weekend. A group of seven Greyhounds made the trip west to compete in the Cal State LA Twilight and Azusa Pacific’s Bryan Clay Invitational. The remainder of the team stuck close by and went to Ball State’s, “We Fly” Challenge.

CAL STATE LA TWILIGHT

The Greyhounds opened their time in California at Cal State LA where three Greyhounds finished in first place. Sonderman won the 400m with a time of 56.85. Tom Saint-Juvin won in the 800m, clocking a time of 1:56.59. Finally, Felix Rivet was the sole participant in the 3000m steeplechase. The sophomore finished in 9:28.09, a new personal best for the French transplant.

In the field, Alex Meyer also grabbed a first-place finish. Meyer competed in the long jump alongside Samuel Sommers. Meyer reached 7.48m while Sommers had a mark of 6.85m placing fifth. Meyer also took place in the high jump where he reached 1.87m and placed second.

BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL

The trip’s highlight was Ellie Lengerich breaking the school record in the heptathlon at Azusa Pacific’s Bryan Clay Invitational. Lengerich, who broke the pentathlon record during the indoor season, accumulated 4861 points and finished fourth in her group. The junior passed the previous record made by Elizabeth Hall in 2007 by 470 points. Lengerich also participated in the 400m hurdles. Finishing 22nd overall, she finished 1:01.92. Lengerich reach a DII provisional in both events.

Emily Sonderman ran in the same 400m finishing 39th out of 87 competitors. In this race, Sonderman had a new personal best of 56.07. Also, on the track Hadley Fisher took on the 10000m, finishing 11th. Fisher clocked a time of 35:52.58 and passed the DII provisional.

WE FLY CHALLENGE

In the pole vault, both UIndy men and women had a successful day. Sabrina Robison and Mackenzie VanBibber finished first and second respectively. Robison claimed the top spot after clearing 4.00m while VanBibber tied for second with 3.65m. On the men’s side Treyton Arnold took fifth (4.85m) and Keywuan Taylor rounded out the vaulters in seventh (4.10m).

In the throws, Zoe Pentecost finished first in the hammer throw. Pentecost, who continues to lead the nation in the event, reached 59.52m. The senior also competed in the shot put where she placed 11th with 12.62m. On the men’s side three Greyhounds finished inside the top 10 in the shot put. Bryson Adams took fifth (15.06m), Dylan Mayhew in seventh (14.97m), and Cameron Smith rounded out in 10th (14.50m).

On the track, Ndubisi Eze took on the 110m hurdles finishing in third place. Eze completed the race in 14.46, the fastest in his career. Ailliyah Reese competed in both the 100m hurdles and 100m dash. In the hurdles, Rees clocked 15.34 and took fifth while in the dash she finished 11th with a time of 12.14.

Brandon Ellis and Jaycee Wilburn were the top finishers for the UIndy distance squad. Both finished second in their event, Ellis in the 3000m steeplechase (10:11.70) and Wilburn in the 800m (1:56.57). Devon Whitaker was not far behind his teammate in the 800m. Whitaker clocked 1:47.17 and took fourth.

OTHER TOP FINISHES

6. Amarion Conyers, high jump, 1.85m

6. Cameron Smith, hammer, 51.79m

7. Tyje Elias, triple jump 12.85m

7. Dryaden Gates, 400m hurdles, 56.97

8. Owen Butler, javelin, 43.48m

10. Jalen Larkey, 400m, 50.32

10. Brandon Wheat, 100m, 10.77

11. Emily Bonser, discus, 41.90m

11. Amanda Noel, javelin, 30.10m

12. Mariah Judy, 1500m, 4:51.88

13. Cloey Simon, 400m hurdles, 1:08.73

14. Hallie Montgomery, 100m, 12.23

UINDY BASEBALL

BASEBALL CLAIMS SERIES WITH HAWKS AFTER DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP

INDIANAPOLIS – After a rough game two of the set, the University of Indianapolis baseball team fired on all cylinders in the Sunday finale doubleheader with the Quincy Hawks. The Hounds took the phrase “early and often” unbelievably literal, scoring in both first innings as well as plating runs in nine of their 12 innings of offense.

The longball favored the Hounds today at Greyhound Park as they blasted four of the park with two of them coming off the bat of Will Spear, the latter of which coming with the bases juiced.

Logan Peterson was key in game one, limiting the potent offense of the Hawks to three runs across 5 & 2/3 innings.

GAME 1 | UIndy 7, Quincy 4

The Hounds bats worked quick with Easton Good hammering a double to left field, eventually being brought home on a Zack Williams single to grant an early lead for the Hounds. That lead was built upon by Drew Donaldson in the third with his fifth bomb of the season.

Spear and Cole Hampton made it back-to-back-to-back homer innings for the Hounds with them poking ones out in the fourth and the fifth.

The Hawks attempted a comeback in the sixth and seventh, dropping four runs on the Hounds but the efforts of Austin Bestul kept the run at bay.

GAME 2 | UIndy 16, Quincy 11

After a rough first inning by Jackson Kirkpatrick where the Hawks plated two, the Hounds offense picked him up and more. It all started with Caleb Vaughn’s RBI single with the bases loaded. That began a baton passing parade as Dakota Sill laid down a beauty of a bunt to score Donaldson from third. The big blow eventually came as Spear, already a bomb on the day, made it a double-dinger day with a grand slam.

Two more runs came across as the Hounds batted around, the finale coming with William’s hammering a ball down the left field line, scoring the final two runs of the inning.

UIndy continued to toss up numbers on the board with three in the second and one in the third. Quincy, as is common in the GLVC, refused to quit. The Hawks used a big 2 RBI homer by Jake Vitale to kick off a seven-run frame that brought the Greyhound lead down to just four.

Another in the fifth force the hand of the Hounds as they brought in E.J. White. Already the GLVC save leader, White earned his eighth save of the year, going 2 & 1/3, giving up two hits and one run.

UP NEXT

It is the biggest series of the GLVC baseball season as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the GLVC square off in Indianapolis this coming weekend. Facing the Maryville Saints in a four-game set, it will more than likely be crucial to GLVC tournament seeding which is only three weeks away.

MARIAN WOMEN’S GOLF

MARIAN PLACES FIFTH AT IUPUI LADY JAGUAR INVITATIONAL

Carmel, Ind. – The Marian women’s golf team completed their regular season on Sunday afternoon, as they wrapped play at the IUPUI Lady Jaguar Invitational. In the field comprised of nine NCAA DI opponents, the Knights scored a fifth place finish overall in the 11 team field. The finish matches their 2023 placing, while three Knights finished in the top-10.

Battling soggy course conditions on Saturday and windy terrain on Sunday, the Knights fired a team score of 617, shooting a 309 in round one and 308 in round two. Ball State won the tournament at +30 with a 606 final score, while Butler and Ohio University both shot a 607. IUPUI finished one stroke ahead of the Knights, firing a 616 as a team score. Marian defeated NCAA DI competitors Green Bay, Akron, Northern Kentucky, Cleveland State, and Detroit Mercy, along with NCAA DIII member DePauw.

Leading Marian individually was Emma Weiler, as the freshman sat seven-over for the two days with a 75 and 76, putting a final of 151 on the board for her two rounds. Weiler tied for sixth, sitting one stroke off of an all-tournament team finish. Senior Sidney Parmer and sophomore Keara Eder both tied for ninth, shooting a score of 152 overall. Parmer gained 15 spots on the leaderboard in the final round as she shot a 77 and 75, while Eder shot a 74 and 78 for her two rounds.

Hailey Kirkland rounded out Marian’s team score with her 162 total, firing an 83 on Saturday and 79 on Sunday. Mackendzie Dresbaugh would finish tied for 86th overall, carding an 86 and 83 to total 169.

The freshmen Weiler and Kirkland both finished with even scoring averages on the par-three holes, and Parmer and Eder made the second-most pars in the tournament with 25 each. Parmer was Marian’s top-golfer for the weekend on par-five holes with a -1 score on such holes, while Eder led Marian in par-four scoring with a +3 on the scorecard.

Marian will look to keep their strong season going on April 29 and 30, when the Knights compete at the Crossroads League Championship. The 2024 tournament will be held at Otter Creek GC in Columbus, Ind.

MARIAN SOFTBALL

DRAMATIC COMEBACK IN GAME TWO CAPS SOFTBALL’S WEEKEND SWEEP OF GOSHEN

Goshen, Ind. – The Marian softball team finished off their weekend with a full sweep over the Goshen Maple Leafs on the road, as the Knights won game one with a score of 11-1 and won game two with a score of 7-6. The Knights are now 31-7 overall and 19-5 in the conference.

Game 1 | Marian 11-1 Goshen | 5 Innings

The Knights got the bats rolling early in game one with Abby Hofmann doubling into left field to allow for Sierra Norman and Abbey Madere to score the first two runs of the game. Lily Wendt followed up with a three-run home run deep into left field to allow for Hofmann and Grace Meyer to score as well claiming the 5-0 lead for the visitors.

After three quick outs for the Maple Leafs, Madere hit a sacrifice fly into left field to allow Norman to score another run for the Knights to increase the lead 6-0. Similarly to the double header prior the Knights and Maple Leafs traded three scoreless innings to bring up the Knights offense in the top of the fourth. Marian tallied two home runs in the inning to increase their lead 11-0. Norman hit the first home run of the inning into right center field to allow Madere to score aswell. Hayley Greene tallied the second home run, hitting it deep down the left field line to allow Wendt and Hofmann to score.

In hopes of rallying the team the Maple Leafs had a back-to-back double and triple down the right field line to allow for the soul run to be scored for Goshen. The Knights got out of the inning without giving up any more runs with a foul out in left field, a looking strikeout, and a pop up to second to claim the 11-1 victory in game one.

Meyer and Hofmann lead the team in game one both going 3-3 at the plate, with Madere going 2-2 from the plate and Norman going 1-1. Greene and Wendt lead the team in RBI’s with three each with Hoffman and Norman not far behind with two each. Olivia Stunkel took the win with five strikeouts and only one hit given up. Katie Lackman came in to close out the game giving up two hits and striking out one batter.

Game 2 | Marian 7-6 Goshen

After a scoreless inning from the Knights in game two the Maple Leafs claimed their first lead of the weekend with a consecutive single and three-run home run to bring the score 4-0 in favor of the home team.

The Knights quickly answered back with Anna Pritchett grounding out to third base to allow Abby Hofmann to score the Knights first run of the game. Shortly after, Savannah Harweger took advantage of a fielding error by first base to allow Caroline Roop to score another run for Marian to bring the score 4-2 in favor of Goshen. The Maple Leafs continued to extend their lead with another home run to increase the score 5-2 at the end of the second inning.

After a scoreless third inning for both sides the Knights bounced back to decrease the home team’s lead. Brooke Knox doubled down the left field line to allow for Harweger and Pritchett to score two more runs for Marian. At the next at bat Madere doubled into left center to allow for Knox to score the tying run of the game. The Maple Leafs quickly took back their lead with a single into right field to bring the score 6-5 in favor of Goshen at the end of the fourth inning.

After two consecutive scoreless innings for both sides the Knights rallied in the top of the seventh inning with Madere singling into center field to allow for Harweger and Roop to score, bringing the lead into Marian’s hands. With bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh the Maple Leafs struck out swinging to allow the Knights to claim the 7-6 win and the weekend sweep.

Knox and Madere lead the team in hits with three each, with Pritchett claiming two and Harweger, Hofmann, Roop, and Mackenzie Dalton all claiming one each. Madere led the team in RBI’s with three with Knox not far behind with two and Pritchett claiming one. Lauren Mayer started the game pitching half an inning with Macy Coan coming in as relief pitching the rest of the game taking the win and striking out three batters.

The Knights will be back in action Tuesday, April 16th on the road at Bethel with first pitch set for 3:00 pm.

SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS

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/

HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

“SPORTS EXTRA”

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

3 – 42 – 17 – 10 – 24 – 15

April 15, 1911 – 4 Ks in one inning? We all know that a side is retired in baseball once the team in the field has registered three outs. That is what makes this story all the more amazing. Washington Senators legendary pitcher, Walter Johnson threw a record tying 4 strike outs in one inning! How can a person fan 4 batters in one inning you might ask? The Baseball Almanac has the answer:

“A batter with two strikes on him takes a swing at strike three; however, the catcher does not field the ball cleanly, and instead of tagging the runner out, the runner reaches. The strikeout is recorded, but not the out.”

April 15, 1927 – Babe Ruth, Number 3 cracks his first of a record setting 60 Home Runs on the 1927 season off of a pitch by Philadelphia A’s  pitcher Howard Ehmke in 1st inning.  New York used the HR to poer to a 6-3 win over Philadelphia.

April 15, 1947 – Jackie Robinson, Number 42 of the Brooklyn Dodgers takes live action and became the fisrt African-american to play in a Major League Ball game.

The website of NBA.com offers these nuggets of history for the day.

April 15, 1965 – The legendary Number 17, John Havlicek’s steal might be the most famous play in NBA history. It came with five seconds left and the Boston Celtics clinging to a precarious 110-109 lead over the 76ers in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals. As Philadelphia’s Number 15, Hal Greer got set to inbound the ball from the baseline under his own basket, Havlicek peeked over his shoulder. Anticipating a lob pass, Havlicek tipped the ball to teammate Number 24, Sam Jones, who dribbled out the clock as the fans at Boston Garden — and Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most — went into a frenzy. “Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! It’s all over!” bellowed Most as the Celtics won en route to their seventh of eight consecutive NBA titles.

Here are a couple of items from the Vintage Hockey Jerseys website

April 15, 1952 – the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 with Number 10, Metro Prystai scoring twice and adding an assist to earn first star honors.

FOOTBALL HISTORY

Football History Headlines for April 15

April 15, 1963 – Sonny Werblin leads group that purchases New York Titans from original owner Harry Wismer per the JetsInsider.com. Team changes name to the Jets on April 15.

April 15, 1965 – NFL changed its official’s penalty flag from white to bright gold. There were a few reasons that this change occurred. The first was that the majority of the officials wore white hats back then and these hats were used as a tool to mark spots of fumbles, out of bounds etc… With the advent of television broadcasts of games becoming more and more common and spotters in the stands would have an easier time discerning between a marker of a spot and that of a foul. A recent article on ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com tells us that a second reason was that sometimes littered paper from the stands, mostly white in color, were often confused with penalty flags. I would imagine that games played on a snowy day would be an impairment using the color white as well.  The American Football Database shares that the idea for the penalty flag came from Youngstown State coach Dwight Beede and  was first used in a game against Oklahoma City University on October 17, 1941. Prior to the use of flags, officials used horns and whistles to signal a penalty. Official adoption of the use of the flag occurred at the 1948 American Football Coaches rules session. The National Football League first used flags on September 17, 1948 when the Green Bay Packers played the Boston Yanks. The college game used red colored flags until the 1970’s and the striped rules enforcers in Canada carry an orange flag. As for the hat being used for spots… this practice has lessened in the past four decades with the use of bean bags that vary in color from white, to black and most commonly blue.

April 15, 2000 – NFL Draft: Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown was the first pick by Cleveland Browns. Brown was a consensus All-American in his senior season with the Nittany Lions. Courtney along with Penn State teammate Lavar Arrington were the most popular choices by draft gurus everywhere labeling them as sure fire picks. The Cleveland franchise believed in the hype too and Brown appeared to be the right choice during his rookie season as he recorded 69 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks according to the Brownsnation.com website. An injury plagued second season though derailed the trajectory of the young player and his stock value fell sharply. The Brown’s kept Courtney on their roster for a total of five seasons and then he played one final year in Denver before his playing career came to an end according to the Pro Football Reference website. The New York Jets set a record when they wheeled and dealed their way into four first round draft picks.

Hall of Fame Birthdays for April 15

April 15, 1938 – Glassport, Pennsylvania – The 1957 to 1959 Penn State Nittany Lion quarterback Richie Lucas was born. “Riverboat Richie” was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes.

April 15, 1947 – McKees Rock, Pennsylvania -The talented tight end of Penn State from 1966 to 1968, Ted Kwalick arrived into life. Ted arrived at State College at the perfect time with his 6’-4” 225 pound athletic frame. The tight end position was just starting to come into vogue in football and Kwalick was a powerful blocker and a gifted receiver to boot.  The Football Foundation quotes assistant coach, Bob Phillips: “He had very big hands and great hand strength. Could catch the ball one-handed or two-handed. I don’t remember that he ever dropped a pass.” Ted’s head coach, Joe Paterno, who was hired the same year Kwalick arrived at the school stated, “He’s what God had in mind when he made a football player.” Kwalick was voted as an All-American in 1967 by a few sources but in 1968 he was a unanimous selection. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Ted Kwalick into their legendary museum in 1989. Ted ended up playing nine years in the NFL with San Francisco and Oakland.

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

April 15

1909 — Leon Ames of the New York Giants pitched a no-hitter for 9 1-3 innings on opening day, but lost 3-0 to Brooklyn in 13 innings.

1915 — Rube Marquard of the New York Giants no-hit the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning 2-0.

1947 — Jackie Robinson played his first major league game for the Dodgers. He went 0-for-3, but scored the deciding run in a 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves in Brooklyn. He was the first black to appear in the majors since 1884.

1957 — President Eisenhower officially opened the 1956 season by tossing out the first ball at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. The ball was the 10 millionth Spalding baseball to be used in major league play.

1958 — Major league baseball came to California as the transplanted Giants and Dodgers played the first game on the Pacific Coast. Playing in Seals Stadium in San Francisco, Ruben Gomez blanked Los Angeles 8-0.

1968 — Houston and the New York Mets played 24 innings in a night game in the Astrodome before the Astros won 1-0. The game lasted more than six hours.

1976 — New York opened the refurbished Yankee Stadium with an 11-4 rout of the Minnesota Twins.

1977 — Hank Aaron becomes the first player to have his uniform number retired by two teams. The Atlanta Braves retire his No. 44 during a pre-game ceremony. The Milwaukee Brewers had previously retired Aaron’s number.

1987 — Juan Nieves threw the first no-hitter in Brewers history as Milwaukee beat Baltimore 7-0.

1993 — Sparky Anderson earned his 2,000th victory as a manager as the Detroit Tigers rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics 3-2.

1993 — Andre Dawson became the 25th player to hit 400 home runs as the Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3.

1997 — The 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking the color barrier in major league baseball is celebrated before 54,047 at Shea Stadium during a game between the NY Mets and the LA Dodgers.

1998 — The first-ever AL-NL doubleheader is held in New York’s Shea Stadium as the New York Yankees beat the Anaheim Angels 6-3 and the New York Mets edge the Chicago Cubs 2-1. The Yankees draw a crowd of 40,743, a dramatic contrast to the gathering of 16,012 who show up for the Mets game at night.

2000 — Cal Ripken became the 24th player to reach 3,000 hits when he lined a clean single to center off Twins reliever Hector Carrasco. He reached the milestone with his third hit in a 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins and became the seventh player in major league history to get 3,000 hits and 400 home runs.

2004 — Fifty-seven years after the historic event, major league baseball begins the tradition of Jackie Robinson Day, an annual celebration marking the day the color line was broken.

2006 — Eric Chavez, Frank Thomas, and Milton Bradley all homered on consecutive pitches in Oakland’s 5-4 victory over Texas.

2008 — Jose Lopez became the 12th player in major league history to hit three sacrifice flies in a game, and the Seattle Mariners tied the team record for five sac flies in an 11-6 victory over Kansas City.

2009 — Every player in Major League Baseball wears number 42 today on Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color line.

2009 — Ian Kinsler of Texas became the fourth player in team history to hit for the cycle, and was 6-for-6 in Texas’ 19-6 win over Baltimore.

2010 — Florida’s Jorge Cantu extended his major league season-opening record to 10 games with a hit in a 10-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

2011 — Texas tied an AL record by turning six double plays and the Rangers picked up where they left off last October, beating the New York Yankees 5-3. This was the 15th time an AL team made six DPs in a game. The major league mark for double plays in a game is seven by San Francisco in 1969.

2011 — Brennan Boesch hit a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded in the 10th inning and Detroit rallied to beat Oakland 8-4 for manager Jim Leyland’s 1,500th career win. Leyland became the 19th major league manager to reach 1,500 wins, doing so on his first attempt.

2012 — Vin Scully is back in the broadcast booth for a record 63rd season after missing a week with a bad cold.

2022 — Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated across North America on the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in Major League Baseball.

BASEBALL YEAR IN REVIEW: 1975 (BASEBALL ALMANAC)..

Off the field…

Two assassination attempts were made on the life of U.S. President Gerald Ford, both in September. Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a twenty-seven year-old disciple of Charles Manson, attempted to shoot the president in Sacramento on September 5, with a .45 caliber hand gun. Fortunately, an alert secret-serviceman wrestled the weapon from her before she could fire a shot. On September 22, Sara Jane Moore, forty-five, a civil rights activist, fired a .38 caliber revolver at Ford, but a bystander diverted the shot at the last second. Both women are currently in prison serving life sentences.

Jimmy Hoffa, the powerful and controversial leader of the Teamsters Union from 1957 to 1971, disappeared from a restaurant parking lot in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Often alleged to have ties to organized crime, Hoffa had been convicted of fraud and jury tampering in 1964 and served four years in prison before his sentence was commuted by President Nixon. At the time of his mysterious abduction, he was trying to regain power in the union. Many felt that he had been killed by the Mafia and in 1983 he was declared legally dead.

On December 29^th, a bomb at New York’s LaGuardia Airport exploded killing eleven people and injuring seventy-five. To date, no one has ever been convicted, indicted, or even arrested for suspicion of having taken part in the act.

In the American League…

Fred Lynn, who would finish the season as the American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, knocked in ten runs himself during a 15-1 romping of the Detroit Tigers on June 18^th. The Red Sox’s rookie outfielder connected for a two-run home run in the first, a three-run blast in the second, a two-run triple and an infield single tying an American League record with sixteen total bases.

On September 22^nd, a near impossible statistical oddity occurred when both brothers Gaylord Perry of the Texas Rangers and Jim Perry of the Oakland Athletics matched identical career win-loss records of 215-174.

October 21^st witnessed one of the most dramatic homeruns in the history of the World Series. After a four day rain-delay, the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds resumed play at Fenway Park for an epic twelve-inning nail-biter. Carlton Fisk came up huge with a game-winning homer that deflected off of the left field foul pole (thanks to a little body language) tying the Series at three apiece and forcing a Game 7.

In the National League…

Pittsburgh Pirate second baseman Rennis Stennett became the first modern player to tally seven hits in a single nine-inning game. Stennett collected a triple, two doubles; four singles and scored five times during the 22-0 massacre over the Chicago Cubs while raising his average from .278 to .287. The last player with such a cramped scorecard was Baltimore’s Wilbert Robinson in 1892.

Joe Torre of the New York Mets, tied a Major League record by hitting into four consecutive double plays during a 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros. The future Yankees manager was recorded in the company of “Goose” Goslin, who had originated the feat in 1934 and Mike Kreevich who matched him in 1939.

New York Met Tom Seaver became the first pitcher in Major League history to record two-hundred plus strikeouts for eight consecutive years after he fanned the Pittsburgh Pirates Manny Sanguillen for a 3-0 victory and his twentieth win of the season.

Around the League…

Charles Finley’s experimental position known as “the designated runner” came to an end after the Oakland Athletics owner released the prototype Herb Washington. The world-class sprinter had appeared in one-hundred five games while never batting and scored thirty-three runs plus thirty-one stolen bases in forty-eight attempts.

On April 8^th, baseball’s first black player/manager, Frank Robinson, made his debut as the skipper of the Cleveland Indians. Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson, threw out the first ball as the Tribe took on the visiting New York Yankees. Robinson sweetened the moment with a first-inning home run, the 575^th of his career, and his team followed suite on the way to a 5-3 victory.

A pre-game ceremony honoring the United States Army’s 200^th birthday “backfires” at Shea Stadium after two 75^mm artillery batteries from Fort Hamilton fire a twenty-one gun salute. After the smoke cleared there was a large hole in the center field fence and broken windows throughout the box seat areas. Following a quick clean up and repairs, the New York Yankees went on to defeat Nolan Ryan and the California Angels 6-4.

Baseball’s winningest manager, Casey Stengel died on September 29^th of cancer at the age of eighty-five. Stengel had managed the New York Yankees second dynasty for twelve years while winning ten American League pennants and seven World Series Championships. After leaving the Bronx Bombers, he went on to manage the Mets before being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.

BASEBALL’S GREAT PITCHERS

LEFTY GROVE (1925-1941)

Killer Stat: Nine-Time American League ERA Leader

Like Sale, Robert “Lefty” Grove was a dominant left-handed pitcher who spent some years racking up wins with the Boston Red Sox. Grove led the AL in ERA a record nine times, which is more than half of the total seasons he played, and twice earned the Triple Crown. Grove finished his career with an ERA of 3.06 and a WAR of 107.0, which is the sixth best in history for pitchers. Grove’s win-loss percentage of .680 also puts him in the top 10.

TODAY IN NBA HISTORY

April 15, 1965

John Havlicek’s steal might be the most famous play in NBA history. It came with five seconds left and the Boston Celtics clinging to a precarious 110-109 lead over the 76ers in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals. As Philadelphia’s Hal Greer got set to inbound the ball from the baseline under his own basket, Havlicek peeked over his shoulder. Anticipating a lob pass, Havlicek tipped the ball to teammate Sam Jones, who dribbled out the clock as the fans at Boston Garden — and Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most — went into a frenzy. “Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! It’s all over!” bellowed Most as the Celtics won en route to their seventh of eight consecutive NBA titles.

April 15, 1980

A playoff-record crowd of 40,172 turned out at the Kingdome in Seattle only to see the Sonics lose to Milwaukee 108-97 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The attendance record would last eight years, before being surpassed by Detroit at the Pontiac Silverdome on June 16, 1988, when 41,732 fans turned out to watch the Pistons defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-94 in Game 5 of the Finals.

April 15, 1984

John Lucas of San Antonio handed out 14 assists in the second quarter, an NBA record for one period, as the Spurs defeated Denver 157-154. Lucas finished with 24 assists for the game. His mark was matched by Steve Blake of Trail Blazers in Portland’s 116-87 win on Feb. 22, 2009 against the LA Clippers.

April 15, 1989

Phoenix retired the No. 44 jersey of Paul Westphal, who averaged 20.6 ppg in six seasons with the Suns. He was named the team’s head coach for the 1992-93 season, leading them into the NBA Finals against Chicago.

April 15, 1991

By dropping a 112-94 decision to Minnesota at the Target Center, the Sacramento Kings set an NBA record for most consecutive road losses with 35. Losses at Utah and Portland extended the streak to 37 at the conclusion of the 1990-91 season, and the Kings lost six more road games at the start of the 1991-92, season, before the streak ended at 43 games.

April 15, 1991

Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers handed out 19 assists in a 112-106 win over Dallas at the Great Western Forum, allowing him to move into the top spot on the NBA’s all-time assist list — ahead of Oscar Robertson — with 9,898. John Stockton of Utah eventually surpassed both men to become the NBA’s all-time assists leader.

April 15, 1992

Atlanta’s Maurice Cheeks collected four steals in the Hawks’ 95-94 win over New York at the Omni, and those four thefts moved him past Julius Erving as the all-time leader (ABA/NBA combined) in steals with 2,274. John Stockton of the Utah Jazz eventually surpassed Cheeks to become the NBA’s all-time steals leader.

April 15, 1995

Miami’s Glen Rice made 20-of-27 field goal attempts, including seven 33-pointers and finished the game with a then franchise-record 56 points, leading the Heat to a 123-117 home win over Orlando. His mark was surpassed by LeBron James on March 3, 2014, when he scored a career-best 61 points in a 124-107 win.

April 15, 1995

Tom Chambers of Utah scored 15 points in the Jazz’s 105-83 victory over the visiting LA Clippers, becoming the 20th player in NBA history to surpass 20,000 career points. With teammate Karl Malone having reached the 20,000-point plateau against Cleveland on January 20, 1995, Utah became the first team in NBA history to have two players reach 20,000 career points during the same season.

April 15, 2001

Eddie Gill of the New Jersey Nets scored the eight millionth point in NBA history when he converted a layup with 10:37 remaining in a 95-88 loss to Boston at the FleetCenter.

April 15, 2001

Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz played his 1,271st career game, all in a Jazz uniform, to pass John Havlicek and move into second place for the most games played with one team. Malone trailed only teammate John Stockton, who passed Havlicek’s long-standing record earlier in the 2000-01 season.

April 15, 2007

During a game between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks referee Joey Crawford infamously throws Spurs star Tim Duncan out of the game while Duncan was sitting on the bench. Crawford would be suspended from the league only a few days later for improper conduct.

April 15, 2008

The Boston Celtics beat New Jersey 105-94 to complete their regular season with a 66-16 record. Boston, with 42 more wins than the previous season capping one of the best single-season turnarounds in NBA history.

April 15, 2010

At 21 years old, Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant becomes the youngest NBA player in history to win the regular season scoring title.

April 15, 2022

The New Orleans Pelicans defeat the LA Clippers, 105-101, in the Play-In Tournament to secure the No. 8 seed. With the win, the Pelicans clinched their first playoff berth since 2015-16 and did so after a 1-12 start to the 2021-22 season.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

April 15

1901 — Boston Marathon won for second straight year by Canadian Jim Caffrey.

1907 — Boston Marathon won by Canadian Tom Longboat.

1927 — Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hits MLB record 60 HRs is a season.

1937 — The Detroit Red Wings beat the New York Rangers 3-0 to take the Stanley Cup in the fifth and final game.

1947 — Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in US major league baseball.

1952 — The Detroit Red Wings beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 to capture the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings holds the Canadiens to two goals in the four-game sweep.

1958 — 1st baseball game in California, SF Giants beat LA Dodgers, 8-0.

1979 — 43rd US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Fuzzy Zoeller wins his only Masters with a birdie on the 2nd hole of a playoff with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson.

1984 — Ben Crenshaw wins the Masters by two strokes over Tom Watson.

1985 — Marvin Hagler retains his world middleweight title by stopping Tommas Hearns in the third round at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Both slug it out with reckless abandon for eight minutes, which many consider the most electrifying three rounds in boxing history.

1990 — PGA Seniors’ Championship Men’s Golf, PGA National GC: South African Gary Player wins his third event title by 2 strokes.

1991 — Magic Johnson sets an NBA record for career assists in a 112-106 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson, who needed nine assists to break Oscar Robertson’s record of 9,887, gets 19.

1993 — Sparky Anderson earns his 2,000th victory as a manager as the Detroit Tigers rally to beat the Oakland Athletics 3-2.

1993 — Andre Dawson becomes the 25th player to hit 400 home runs as the Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3.

1997 — Baseball honors Jackie Robinson by retiring #42 for all teams.

1998 — The first-ever AL-NL doubleheader is held in New York’s Shea Stadium. The New York Yankees beat the Anaheim Angels 6-3 and the New York Mets edge the Chicago Cubs 2-1.

2000 — Cal Ripken becomes the 24th player to reach 3,000 hits when he lines a clean single to center off Twins reliever Hector Carrasco. He reaches the milestone with his third hit in a 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins and becomes the seventh player in major league history to get 3,000 hits and 400 home runs.

2000 — NFL Draft: Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown first pick by Cleveland Browns.

2005 — Top-ranked Roger Federer’s 25-match winning streak ends when French teenager Richard Gasquet saves three match points before capturing a third-set tiebreaker at the Monte Carlo Masters. Federer’s 35-1 record this year is the best start on the men’s tour since John McEnroe was 39-0 in 1984.

2005 — Two-time Olympic champion Steven Lopez of the United States wins his third world taekwondo title, capturing the welterweight gold medal with a 3-2 victory over Ali Tajik of Iran.

2018 — Victor Oladipo scores 32 points and the Indiana Pacers hold off Cleveland’s second-half rally for a stunning 98-80 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series, handing LeBron James and the Cavaliers’ their first loss in the opening round in eight years.

2019 — LA Clippers overcome an NBA record 31-point deficit to score an improbable 135-131 Game 2 playoff victory over the Golden State Warriors.

TV SPORTS MONDAY

BOWLING

7 p.m.

FS1 — PBA: The WSOB PBA Cheetah Championship, Allen Park, Mich.

COLLEGE GOLF

7 p.m.

GOLF — The Western Intercollegiate: First Round, Pasatiempo Golf Club, Santa Cruz, Calif.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

7 p.m.

SECN — Texas A&M at Alabama

FUTSAL (MEN’S)

11:55 a.m.

FS2 — CONCACAF Championship Group Stage: Trinidad and Tobago vs. Dominican Republic, Group C

1:55 p.m.

FS2 — CONCACAF Championship Group Stage: Guatemala vs. U.S., Group C

6 p.m.

FS2 — CONCACAF Championship Group Stage: Costa Rica vs. Mexico, Group A

MARATHON

8:30 a.m.

ESPN2 — The 2024 Boston Marathon: From Boston

MLB BASEBALL

11 a.m.

MLBN — Cleveland at Boston

8 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Atlanta at Houston OR San Diego at Milwaukee (7:40 p.m.)

11 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Washington at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m.) OR Chicago Cubs at Arizona (9:40 p.m.)

NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL

10 p.m.

ESPNU — G-League Finals: Oklahoma City at Maine, Game 3

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.

NHLN — Boston at Washington

9:30 p.m.

ESPN — Minnesota at Los Angeles

SOCCER (MEN’S)

3 p.m.

USA — Premier League: Everton at Chelsea

TENNIS

5 a.m.

TENNIS — Barcelona-ATP, Munich-ATP, Bucharest-ATP, Stuttgart-WTA, Rouen-WTA Early Rounds

5 a.m.

TENNIS — Barcelona-ATP, Munich-ATP, Bucharest-ATP, Stuttgart-WTA, Rouen-WTA Early Rounds

5 a.m. (Tuesday)

TENNIS — Barcelona-ATP, Munich-ATP, Bucharest-ATP, Stuttgart-WTA, Rouen-WTA Early Rounds

6 a.m. (Tuesday)

TENNIS — Barcelona-ATP, Munich-ATP, Bucharest-ATP, Stuttgart-WTA, Rouen-WTA Early Rounds

WNBA BASKETBALL

7:30 p.m.ESPN — 2024 WNBA Draft: From New York