CENTRAL INDIANA BASEBALL SCORES
KNIGHTSTOWN 5 ALEXANDRIA MONROE 3
ADAMS CENTRAL 8 WINCHESTER 4
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 13 SETON CATHOLIC 2
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 8 S SCECINA 3
LOGANSPORT 11 KOKOMO 8
MUNCIE CENTRAL 11 INDIANAPOLIS TECH 1
NORTH CENTRAL 7 LAWRENCE NORTH 1
CONNERSVILLE 8 E. CENTRAL 7
IRVINGTON PREP 24 RIVERSIDE 1
WHITELAND 8 FRANKLIN 6
GREENWOOD 16 DECATUR CENTRAL 2
BEN DAVIS 21 LAWRENCE CENTRAL 0
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 12 TIPTON 6
WARREN CENTRAL 14 PIKE 3
SOUTH DEARBORN 8 GREENSBURG 5
RONCALLO 12 BISHOP CHATARD 6
SPEEDWAY 16 TRITON CENTRAL 5
LAPEL 5 EASTERN HANCOCK 1
DELTA 10 NEW CASTLE 0
MOORESVILLE 6 PERRY MERIDIAN 5
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 2 AVON 0
MOUNT VERNON 10 NEW PALESTINE 2
PENDLETON HEIGHTS 12 SHELBYVILLE 7
GUERIN CATHOLIC 4 BREBEUF 2
RICHMOND 13 ANDERSON 0
WAPAHANI 5 CENTERVILLE 1
MARTINSVILLE 12 PLAINFIELD 2
CATHEDRAL 7 CENTER GROVE 1
FISHERS 10 WESTFIELD 0
GREENFIELD CENTRAL 6 YORKTOWN 5
TRI-WEST 13 CRAWFORDSVILLE 8
PARK TUDOR 9 TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 1
NOBLESVILLE 5 FRANKLIN CENTRAL 3
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/BASEBALL/SCORES/?DATE=4/19/2023
CENTRAL INDIANA SOFTBALL SCORES
YORKTOWN 29 DELTA 0
RICHMOND 10 WINCHESTER 0
TRI 12 CHRISTEL HOUSE 0
FISHERS 11 LAWRENCE NORTH 4
CATHEDRAL 13 N. CENTRAL 2
GREENFIELD CENTRAL 4 ELWOOD 3
BISHOP CHATARD 20 GUERIN CATHOLIC 7
CASCADE 14 SCECINA 0
CONNERSVILLE 12 HAUSER 0
MCCUTCHEON 5 KOKOMO 4
WHITELAND 11 FRANKLIN 3
INDIANAPOLIS TECH 22 CRISPUS ATTUCKS 0
BREBEUF 10 PIKE 4
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 9 SPEEDWAY 2
INDIANA DEAF 31 TINDLEY 14
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 10 TIPTON 0
UNION COUNTY 8 NORTHEASTERN 0
TRITON CENTRAL 2 BEECH GROVE 1
PENDLETON HEIGHTS 15 CARMEL 1
MOORESVILLE 7 PERRY MERIDIAN 2
HARRISON 4 NOBLESVILLE 3
SOUTHPORT 11 LIVING WATER HOMESCHOOL 8
WARREN CENTRAL 12 COVENANT CHRISTIAN 10
DECATUR CENTRAL 11 GREENWOOD 1
PLAINFIELD 3 MARTINSVILLE 1
TRI-WEST 19 CRAWFORDSVILLE 0
CENTER GROVE 7 FRANKLIN CENTRAL 6
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/SOFTBALL/SCORES/?DATE=4/19/2023
NBA PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD
MEMPHIS 103 LA LAKERS 93
MILWAUKEE 138 MIAMI 122
DENVER 122 MINNESOTA 113
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NBA/SCOREBOARD.ASP
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
EASTERN CONFERENCE
***MILWAUKEE BUCKS (1) VS. MIAMI HEAT (8)
GAME 3: BUCKS VS. HEAT | SAT., APRIL 22 | 7:30 ET (ESPN)
GAME 4: BUCKS VS. HEAT | MON., APRIL 24 | TBD
*GAME 5: HEAT VS. BUCKS | WED., APRIL 26 | TBD
*GAME 6: BUCKS VS. HEAT | FRI, APRIL 28 | TBD
*GAME 7: HEAT VS. BUCKS | SUN., APRIL 20 | TBD
***BOSTON CELTICS (2) VS. ATLANTA HAWKS (7)
GAME 3: CELTICS VS. HAWKS | FRI., APRIL 21 | 7 ET (ESPN)
GAME 4: CELTICS VS. HAWKS | SUN, APRIL 23 | 7 ET (TNT)
*GAME 5: HAWKS VS. CELTICS | TUES., APRIL 25 | TBD
*GAME 6: CELTICS VS. HAWKS | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD
*GAME 7: HAWKS VS. CELTICS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD
***PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (3) VS. BROOKLYN NETS (6)
GAME 3: 76ERS VS. NETS | THURS., APRIL 20 | 7:30 ET (TNT)
GAME 4: 76ERS VS. NETS | SAT., APRIL 22 | 1 ET (TNT)
*GAME 5: NETS VS. 76ERS | MON., APRIL 24 | TBD
*GAME 6: 76ERS VS. NETS | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD
*GAME 7: NETS VS. 76ERS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD
***CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (4) VS. NEW YORK KNICKS (5)
GAME 3: CAVALIERS VS. KNICKS | FRI., APRIL 21 | 8:30 ET (ABC)
GAME 4: CAVALIERS VS. KNICKS | SUN., APRIL 23 | 1 ET (ABC)
*GAME 5: KNICKS VS. CAVALIERS | TBD
*GAME 6: CAVALIERS VS. KNICKS | TBD
*GAME 7: KNICKS VS. CAVALIERS | TBD
WESTERN CONFERENCE
***DENVER NUGGETS (1) VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (8)
GAME 3: NUGGETS VS. TIMBERWOLVES | FRI., APRIL 21 | 9:30 ET (ESPN)
GAME 4: NUGGETS VS. TIMBERWOLVES | SUN., APRIL 23 | 9:30 ET (TNT)
*GAME 5: TIMBERWOLVES VS. NUGGETS | TUES., APRIL 25 | TBD
*GAME 6: NUGGETS VS. TIMBERWOLVES | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD
*GAME 7: TIMBERWOLVES VS. NUGGETS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD
***MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (2) VS. L.A. LAKERS (7)
GAME 3: GRIZZLIES VS. LAKERS | SAT., APRIL 22 | 10 ET (ESPN)
GAME 4: GRIZZLIES VS. LAKERS | MON. APRIL 24 | TBD
*GAME 5: LAKERS VS. GRIZZLIES | WED., APRIL 26 | TBD
*GAME 6: GRIZZLIES VS. LAKERS | FRI., APRIL 28 | TBD
*GAME 7: LAKERS VS. GRIZZLIES | SUN., APRIL 30 | TBD
***SACRAMENTO KINGS (3) VS. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (6)
GAME 3: KINGS VS. WARRIORS | THURS., APRIL 20 | 10 ET (TNT)
GAME 4: KINGS VS. WARRIORS | SUN., APRIL 23 | 3.30 ET (ABC)
*GAME 5: WARRIORS VS. KINGS | WED., APRIL 26 | TBD
*GAME 6: KINGS VS. WARRIORS | FRI., APRIL 28 | TBD
*GAME 7: WARRIORS VS. KINGS | SUN., APRIL 30 | TBD
***PHOENIX SUNS (4) VS. LA CLIPPERS (5)
GAME 3: SUNS VS. CLIPPERS | THURS., APRIL 20 | 10:30 ET (NBA TV)
GAME 4: SUNS VS. CLIPPERS | SAT., APRIL 22 | 3:30 ET (TNT)
*GAME 5: CLIPPERS VS. SUNS | TUES., APRIL 25 | TBD
*GAME 6: SUNS VS. CLIPPERS | THURS., APRIL 27 | TBD
*GAME 7: CLIPPERS VS. SUNS | SAT., APRIL 29 | TBD (TNT)
* IF NECESSARY
NHL PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD
CAROLINA 4 NY ISLANDERS 3
FLORIDA 6 BOSTON 3
DALLAS 7 MINNESOTA 3
EDMONTON 4 LOS ANGELES 2
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NHL/SCOREBOARD.ASP
NHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
EASTERN CONFERENCE
***BOSTON BRUINS (A1) VS. FLORIDA PANTHERS (WC2)
FRI., APRIL 21: BRUINS AT PANTHERS, 7:30 P.M. ET, TNT, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS
SUN., APRIL 23: BRUINS AT PANTHERS, 3:30 P.M. ET, TNT, SN1, TVAS
WED., APRIL 26: PANTHERS AT BRUINS, TBA
FRI., APRIL 28: BRUINS AT PANTHERS, TBA
SUN., APRIL 30: PANTHERS AT BRUINS, TBA
***TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (A2) VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (A3)
THU., APRIL 20: LIGHTNING AT MAPLE LEAFS, 7 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN
SAT., APRIL 22: MAPLE LEAFS AT LIGHTNING, 7 P.M. ET, TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS
MON., APRIL 24: MAPLE LEAFS AT LIGHTNING, 7:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC
THUR., APRIL 27: LIGHTNING AT MAPLE LEAFS, TBA
SAT., APRIL 29: MAPLE LEAFS AT LIGHTNING, TBA
MON., MAY 1: LIGHTNING AT MAPLE LEAFS, TBA
***CAROLINA HURRICANES (M1) VS. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (WC1)
FRI., APRIL 21: HURRICANES AT ISLANDERS, 7 P.M. ET, TBS, SN1, TVAS
SUN., APRIL 23: HURRICANES AT ISLANDERS, 1 P.M. ET, TNT, SN360, TVAS
TUE., APRIL 25: ISLANDERS AT HURRICANES, TBA
FRI., APRIL 28: HURRICANES AT ISLANDERS, TBA
SUN., APRIL 30: ISLANDERS AT HURRICANES, TBA
***NEW JERSEY DEVILS (M2) VS. NEW YORK RANGERS (M3)
THU., APRIL 20: RANGERS AT DEVILS, 7:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SN360, TVAS
SAT., APRIL 22: DEVILS AT RANGERS, 8 P.M. ET, ABC, ESPN+, SN1, CITY, TVAS
MON., APRIL 24: DEVILS AT RANGERS, 7 P.M. ET, ESPN, SN360, TVAS
THUR., APRIL 27: RANGERS AT DEVILS, TBA
SAT., APRIL 29: DEVILS AT RANGERS, TBA
MON., MAY 1: RANGERS AT DEVILS, TBA
WESTERN CONFERENCE
***COLORADO AVALANCHE (C1) VS. SEATTLE KRAKEN (WC1)
THU., APRIL 20: KRAKEN AT AVALANCHE, 9:30 P.M. ET, ESPN, SN360, FX, TVAS
SAT., APRIL 22: AVALANCHE AT KRAKEN. 10 P.M. ET, TBS, SN360, TVAS
MON., APRIL 24: AVALANCHE AT KRAKEN, 10 P.M. ET, TBS, SN360, TVAS
WED., APRIL 26: KRAKEN AT AVALANCHE, TBA
FRI., APRIL 28: AVALANCHE AT KRAKEN, TBA
SUN., APRIL 30: KRAKEN AT AVALANCHE, TBA
***DALLAS STARS (C2) VS. MINNESOTA WILD (C3)
FRI., APRIL 21: STARS AT WILD, 9:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SN1, TVAS
SUN., APRIL 23: STARS AT WILD, 6:30 P.M. ET, TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS
TUE., APRIL 25: WILD AT STARS, TBA
FRI., APRIL 28: STARS AT WILD, TBA
SUN., APRIL 30: WILD AT STARS, TBA
***VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (P1) VS. WINNIPEG JETS (WC2)
THU., APRIL 20 JETS AT GOLDEN KNIGHTS, 10 P.M. ET, TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS
SAT., APRIL 22: GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT JETS, 4 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS
MON., APRIL 24: GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT JETS, 9:30 P.M. ET, SNW, TVAS, ESPN
THU., APRIL 27: JETS AT GOLDEN KNIGHTS, TBA
SAT., APRIL 29: GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT JETS, TBA
MON., MAY 1: JETS AT GOLDEN KNIGHTS, TBA
***EDMONTON OILERS (P2) VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS (P3)
FRI., APRIL 21: OILERS AT KINGS, 10 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT
SUN., APRIL 23: OILERS AT KINGS, 9 P.M. ET, SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS
TUE., APRIL 25: KINGS AT OILERS, TBA
SAT., APRIL 29: OILERS AT KINGS, TBA
MON., MAY 1: KINGS AT OILERS, TBA
* IF NECESSARY
TBD – TO BE DETERMINED
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
TAMPA BAY 8 CINCINNATI 0
PHILADELPHIA 5 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2
CHICAGO CUBS 12 OAKLAND 2
MILWAUKEE 5 SEATTLE 3
BALTIMORE 4 WASHINGTON 0
CLEVELAND 3 DETROIT 2
TEXAS 12 KANSAS CITY 3
NY YANKEES 3 LA ANGELS 2
MINNESOTA 10 BOSTON 4
HOUSTON 8 TORONTO 1
SAN FRANCISCO 5 MIAMI 2
ST. LOUIS 14 ARIZONA 5
NY METS 5 LA DODGERS 3
PITTSBURGH 14 COLORADO 3
SAN DIEGO 1 ATLANTA 0
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/SCOREBOARD.ASP
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
MEMPHIS 12 INDIANAPOLIS 7
PEORIA 6 FORT WAYNE 3
SOUTH BEND 4 GREAT LAKES 3
COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES
INDIANA 11 CINCINNATI 9
PURDUE 16 BUTLER 9
PURDUE FORT WAYNE 3 MICHIGAN STATE 2
NOTRE DAME 2 WESTERN MICHIGAN 1
SOUTHERN INDIANA 15 OAKLAND CITY 6
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTPS://D1BASEBALL.COM/SCORES/?DATE=20230419
TOP NATIONAL NEWS
NBA PLAYOFFS
BUCKS MAKE 25 3S, BEAT HEAT 138-122 WITHOUT ANTETOKOUNMPO
MILWAUKEE (AP) For at least one night, the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t miss Giannis Antetokounmpo at all.
Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday added 24 and the hot-shooting Bucks withstood Antetokounmpo’s absence while trouncing the Miami Heat 138-122 on Wednesday, tying their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
Milwaukee shot 25 of 49 from 3-point range to match an NBA record for 3-pointers in a game as the Bucks showcased their depth by thriving without their two-time MVP. Pat Connaughton, who hadn’t even played in Game 1, scored a playoff career-high 22 points and shot 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.
“Everyone’s ready,” Lopez said. “Everyone has the right mentality coming into the game – the mentality it takes to be a Milwaukee Buck. There’s no one above anyone else. We’re just out there trying to win.”
Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Game 1 loss early in the second quarter with a bruised lower back. He suffered the injury on a hard fall after getting fouled late in the first period during a drive to the basket.
“We’ll continue to monitor him and expect for him to improve and still continue to be optimistic that soon he’ll be ready to play,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game.
The Bucks’ ability to succeed without their superstar assured this series would be tied as it heads to Miami for Game 3 on Saturday.
“I would like to be up 2-0, but that’s in the past now,” said Jimmy Butler, who led the Heat with 25 points. “So we’re taking it to the crib, and we’ve got to handle business on our home floor.”
Milwaukee now shares the NBA record for 3-pointers in a playoff game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made 25 in a 123-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of the 2016 East semifinals.
It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that shot 11 of 45 from beyond the arc in its Game 1 loss.
“There was a stretch there where it seemed like everything was going in,” said Grayson Allen, who was 4 of 8 from beyond the arc and scored 16 points.
Allen was one of six Bucks with at least 16 points as Milwaukee relied on a team effort to make up for Antetokounmpo’s absence. Joe Ingles had 17 points while shooting 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. Khris Middleton had 16.
“It takes the whole team,” Middleton said. “I think you saw that tonight. It wasn’t just one guy that carried us. A lot of people expect me or Jrue to take on all the load that Giannis does, but what he does, we can’t match. So we have to do it by committee.”
The Bucks also were missing guard Wesley Matthews, who had strained his right calf in Game 1. The Heat didn’t have Tyler Herro, who broke his right hand in Game 1 and likely won’t return this season unless Miami reaches the NBA Finals.
The Bucks initially thrived by relying on the same formula they used the last time they played a home postseason game without Antetokounmpo. They gave the ball to Lopez early and often.
Lopez, who scored just 10 points in Game 1, had 14 by the end of the first quarter Wednesday. During Milwaukee’s 2021 title run, Lopez had scored a playoff career-high 34 points to help the Bucks beat the Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 of the East finals while Antetokounmpo was out with a hyperextended left knee.
The success of Lopez inside opened things up for everyone on the perimeter.
Connaughton sank a 3-pointer that capped an 11-0 run to put Milwaukee ahead 62-41 with 5:29 left in the second quarter. Butler ended that spurt by making two free throws, but the Bucks scored the next 13 points – including seven from Ingles – to grab a 32-point lead.
“They had some good, clean, easy looks in the beginning,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said., “And then once they got on a roll, they were hitting some tough step-backs, stuff at the end of the shot clock. Any time there was kind of a momentum shift, they seemed to knock down a big one.”
The Bucks led by as many as 36 in the third quarter. The Heat outscored the Bucks 37-20 in the fourth quarter to make the final score somewhat respectable. TIP-INS
Heat: Duncan Robinson replaced Herro in the starting lineup and had 14 points. … After not playing at all in Game 1, Victor Oladipo had seven points by halftime Wednesday. He finished with 15.
Bucks: Milwaukee had gone 11-8 in regular-season games that Antetokounmpo missed. … Lopez received the NBA Cares Community Assist award for the month of March because of his support of youth literacy. The NBA will donate $10,000 to the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation.
NO JA MORANT, NO PROBLEM AS GRIZZLIES TIE UP LAKERS AT 1-1
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies learned about an hour before tipoff they wouldn’t have their two-time All-Star point guard, with Ja Morant’s bruised right hand aching too much to take the court.
They gave their teammate more time to heal.
Xavier Tillman scored a career-high 22 points and had 13 rebounds, and the Grizzlies tied their first-round Western Conference series at 1-1 Wednesday night by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 103-93.
“Obviously, this is a big win for us,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “You know, great performance from him (Tillman), other guys as well.”
No. 2 seed Memphis sat Morant after he tested the right hand originally hurt April 7 in a win at Milwaukee and aggravated driving to the basket in the opening loss to the Lakers. He had more exams on the hand before being declared inactive and watched from the bench with his hand bandaged.
Jenkins called the move a “collective decision” as the Grizzlies hope Morant continues the improvement he’s shown the past couple days and will be back sooner than later. Jenkins wouldn’t guarantee when that will be. Game 3 is Saturday in Los Angeles.
“Hopefully over the next couple of days, there’s more significant improvement,” Jenkins said.
Morant’s teammates made sure Memphis didn’t miss him.
The Grizzlies led by as much as 20 and had fans waving their towels chanting “Whoop That Trick” with 30 seconds left with this series guaranteed a return to Memphis for Game 5. The Grizzlies were able to dribble out the final seconds for the win.
Jones credited Tillman, a third-year player from Michigan State, with bringing a needed dynamic when he plays as he did. The Grizzlies don’t have center Steven Adams nor key reserve Brandon Clarke this series because of injuries.
“He was big time for us tonight and a big reason why we got the win,” guard Tyus Jones said.
Jaren Jackson Jr., the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, scored 18 points for Memphis. Desmond Bane had 17, while Jones had 10 points and eight assists after having an hour’s notice he would start for Morant.
But LeBron James noted that Jones has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for five straight seasons, the longest such streak in NBA history. Memphis gave him starter money last summer to stick around for his seventh season.
“They’re just as dangerous a team when Tyus is starting,” James said. “They don’t miss a beat, and we knew that. No matter if Ja’s in the game. If Ja’s starting, dangerous. If Tyus is starting, dangerous. It didn’t change our approach.”
James led the Lakers with 28 points and 12 rebounds, his 103rd career playoff game with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He tied Tim Duncan for fourth-most all-time. Only Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stand ahead of him.
Reserve Rui Hachimura had another strong performance with 20 points. Anthony Davis struggled mightily after posting a double-double in the opener, going 4 of 14 and finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers, winners of 11 of their previous 13, had a four-game winning streak snapped. Now they head home after never leading by more than three, and that came on the first points of the game.
Los Angeles had five of their 10 turnovers in the first quarter, and Memphis turned those into 10 points to take control with a 22-8 run. That included back to-back 3s in the span of 10 seconds from rookie David Roddy, then Kennard, who also drew a foul for a four-point play.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said their on-ball individual defense has to be better against a physical defensive team.
“That throws everyone’s rhythm off,” Ham said of the turnovers.
With Bane scoring 10 points, Memphis led 30-19 after the first. Jackson made his first 3 with 58 seconds left, and the Grizzlies went into the half up 59-44 after outscoring the Lakers 29-25 in the second.
Hachimura scored 11 in the third and helped the Lakers trim a Memphis lead that reached 66-46 to 73-67. The Grizzlies finished the quarter on a 10-4 run to push the lead to 83-71 going into the fourth.
The Lakers never got closer than 94-88 in the final quarter on a James’ layup with 3:10 remaining. Memphis scored five straight to push it back to double digits.
TIP-INS
Lakers: They wound up outrebounded 49-47, though they matched Memphis’ scoring in the paint at 50 apiece despite being outscored there 38-20 in the first half. … Austin Reaves had 12 points after having 23 in the opener. He was 5 of 12 in this game. … D’Angelo Russell had five points, shooting 5 of 11 after having 19 in Game 1.
Grizzlies: Jackson was presented his trophy as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year before tipoff. … Injuries now have kept Morant out of four of the Grizzlies’ last five playoff games, dating back to last year’s conference semifinals.
X FACTOR
Tillman had more points in the first quarter than he managed in all of the opening loss. He made his first six shots before missing his seventh, a 3 trying to beat the buzzer that hit off the right rim. He finished with a season high in rebounds.
Reserve John Konchar had his moment too, going way up to block all ball on a shot by Davis in the second quarter.
MURRAY HAS 40 POINTS, NUGGETS BEAT TIMBERWOLVES FOR 2-0 LEAD
DENVER (AP) Jamal Murray scored 40 points and Michael Porter Jr. had 13 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, powering the Denver Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-113 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in the NBA playoff series.
Murray hadn’t ever produced even a 30-point playoff game at Ball Arena – his two 50-point postseason performances came in the NBA bubble in Florida in 2020.
“It’s nice,” Murray said. “It’s nice having a crowd. They got me going. That fires us up and gives us a lot of life even when we’re not playing our best.”
Murray got a hug from coach Michael Malone as he went out with 11 seconds left to a rousing ovation.
“I was exhausted,” Murray said.
Nikola Jokic added 27 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who blew an early 21-point lead and trailed 89-87 heading into the fourth quarter.
Anthony Edwards had 41 points for the Wolves, who shot a sizzling 81% in the third quarter to erase a 64-59 halftime deficit.
Minnesota had shot just 39% in the first half, just slightly better than it did in a 29-point loss in the series opener Sunday night.
“We knew at some point we’d see the aggressive, attacking Timberwolves,” Malone said. “In that third quarter we saw it and they played great and we didn’t defend in the third quarter, but I was proud of how we responded in that fourth quarter.”
The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday night
The Nuggets recovered during a thrilling fourth quarter that began with Porter scoring eight straight points – on a four-point play, a reverse layup and two free throws – but the Nuggets couldn’t shake the energized Wolves, who clawed back and went ahead 99-98 on an Edwards’ jumper.
Porter replied with a 3-pointer that restored Denver’s lead for good.
Rudy Gobert scored 19 points but was whistled for a technical foul while arguing his fifth foul, a shove in Jokic’s back. It was teammate Kyle Anderson – whom Gobert punched in the Timberwolves’ final regular-season game – who calmed down Gobert.
Murray led the counterpunch to Minnesota’s big third-quarter run, something he couldn’t do the last two postseasons as he recovered from a torn left ACL.
“That was tough,” Murray said, “just sitting down watching.”
And only dreaming of nights like this.
RARIFIED AIR
This is the first time the Nuggets have taken a 2-0 lead in a series under Malone.
“What we have to do is not be satisfied,” Malone said. “If you’re going to be a great team, you’ve got to be selfish. Be selfish … man. Let’s go up and get Game 3. Let’s not be complacent.
“That was my biggest concern coming into tonight and it will be an even bigger concern going into Game 3. We know it’s going to be a crazy environment there. Their fans have been asking for Denver. Well, here we come.”
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns scored 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting. In the series, he has scored 21 points on 8-for-27 shooting. Edwards made 6 of 10 3-pointers, same as Murray.
Nuggets: Denver outscored Minnesota 19-3 on fast breaks in the first half but finished with just a 19-16 advantage. … Murray scored a quick 14 points as the Nuggets hit 10 of their first 15 shots in the first quarter.
NHL PLAYOFFS
FAST’S GOAL LIFTS HURRICANES PAST ISLANDERS IN OVERTIME
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes had gone from leading by two goals to trailing midway through the final period, suddenly facing the prospect of losing their home-ice advantage against the New York Islanders.
Jaccob Slavin, Jesper Fast and the rest of the Hurricanes turned in a steady response befitting a team in the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
Fast took a cross-ice pass from Jordan Staal and buried it past Ilya Sorokin at 5:03 of overtime to lift the Hurricanes past the Islanders 4-3 on Wednesday night, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
“Certainly in spurts we were OK,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We probably played our best hockey when we got down.”
Staal’s pass came from the left side near the boards and found Fast loose on the right for the finish over Sorokin’s pad. And that opportunity came only because Slavin managed a game-tying score midway through the third period despite a tough angle from the goal line on the left side.
“We know how we have to play and we’ve been a team all year that will battle hard until that last buzzer goes,” Slavin said.
Paul Stastny and Stefan Noesen also scored for the Hurricanes, while Antti Raanta had 23 saves. But Carolina lost top-line forward Teuvo Teravainein to what coach Rod Brind’Amour said afterward was a broken hand on an uncalled slash late in the third period.
Kyle Palmieri, Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson scored for the Islanders, and Sorokin finished with 32 saves. New York coach Lane Lambert was also irked by a late no-call when defenseman Scott Mayfield took an inadvertent high stick from Carolina’s Jordan Martinook shortly before Fast’s winning goal.
That capped a night in which the Islanders had no power plays compared to the Hurricanes’ six, including two double-minors for high-sticking.
“Right now we just have to worry about the next game,” Lambert said.
The Hurricanes took the series opener Monday night, scoring twice with the man advantage – their first multi-goal game on the power play since early March – before the teams shared a scoreless 37-minute grind to the horn in Carolina’s 2-1 win.
This time, Carolina grabbed an early lead on Stastny’s deflection from the top of the crease then pushed ahead 2-0 on a bouncing own-goal off the stick of the Islanders’ Sebastian Aho, coming off Noesen’s dump-in on a power play that somehow instead slipped by Sorokin.
Yet the Islanders responded with three straight goals, including Barzal – who missed the last 23 regular-season games with a lower-body injury – converting a bad open-ice turnover from Brady Skjei by turning around Brett Pesce and whipping the puck past Raanta in the final minute of the second.
Nelson made it 3-2 when he took a pass ahead from Palmieri, got past Martin Necas and beat Raanta from the left side at 9:18 of the third. Slavin answered from a steep left-corner angle roughly three minutes later, bouncing the puck off the right side of Sorokin’s helmet and inside the far post to ultimately send it to overtime.
“It’s not easy being down two on the road in a building like this, to claw back, get it (3-2),” said defenseman Noah Dobson, who had two assists. “It’s unfortunate. I thought overall we were pretty solid tonight. It’s disappointing we didn’t get the result.”
GLITCH
The clocks in PNC Arena had a second-period hiccup by freezing with 8:16 left in the period. That forced the public-address announcer to provide updates for every 30 seconds elapsed through continuous play until the clock was restored to working order during a stoppage with 4:24 left.
SIREN SOUNDERS
Former Hurricanes forward Bates Battaglia sounded the pregame “storm warning” siren for the team to take the ice from the locker room.
The list included North Carolina men’s basketball player R.J. Davis for the second intermission. That continued the representation of area Atlantic Coast Conference college programs that began with North Carolina State men’s basketball player D.J. Burns Jr. and Duke football coach Mike Elko for Game 1.
UP NEXT
The series shifts to New York for two games, starting with Game 3 on Friday.
PANTHERS COOL OFF BRUINS 6-3, RETURN TO FLORIDA TIED 1-1
BOSTON (AP) The Panthers managed a split in Boston, and they did it with a performance few teams have mustered on the Bruins’ home ice this season.
Florida scored four straight third-period goals – two of them by Brandon Montour – and beat the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins 6-3 on Wednesday night to send Boston to its first loss in 10 games and tie the first-round playoff series.
“In a perfect world, it would have been great to steal two,, but after Game 1 this was all that was on our mind,” said Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, who had two assists. “We’re going back to Florida even. We’ll take the split and run.”
The league’s top regular-season team last year, Florida didn’t qualify for the playoffs until the final days of this season. Their reward: a first-round matchup with the team that set records for the most wins and points in NHL history.
After losing 3-1 in the opener, the Panthers twice took a lead but found themselves tied 2-2 heading into the third period. Montour scored 22 seconds in and later added an insurance goal as Florida opened a 6-2 lead before Taylor Hall cut the deficit to three in the final minute.
Boston had only lost one other game by more than one goal at home all year. They also won their last eight regular-season games and 15 of their last 16.
“The No. 1 lesson you learn is how hard it is to win in the playoffs,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “For a team that’s been really good in the third period for a long time, it’s an opportunity for us to learn from that.”
Games 3 and 4 are in Sunrise, Florida, on Friday and Sunday. The victory flips the home-ice advantage to the Panthers, and assures the series of a Game 5 back in Boston on Wednesday.
“You can’t get too far behind anybody. Certainly not a team like the Boston Bruins, the season they’ve had,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “We’d be more than happy to play seven of them, grind it out. Play as long as we can for as hard as we can.”
Montour’s first goal broke a 2-2 tie, Carter Verhaeghe added an insurance goal, then Montour scored again for Florida and Eetu Luostarinen added an empty netter with 2:25 to play to make it 6-2.
Alex Lyon stopped 34 shots, and Sam Bennett and Eric Staal also scored for the Panthers, who seemed overmatched by the NHL-best Bruins in a 3-1 series-opening loss.
Brad Marchand scored a short-handed goal, and Tyler Bertuzzi also scored for the Bruins, who set NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points. Linus Ullmark made 24 saves.
Bennett, who had been out since March 20 with an undisclosed injury, took advantage of a turnover by Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo in the Boston zone. Tkachuk kept it in, and slid it ahead to Bennett, who reached out to corral it and then extended to poke it between Ullmark’s pads.
But the Panthers had an even worse turnover with a man advantage, when Anthony Duclair gave it right to Marchand for the short-handed goal that made it 1-1. Two minutes later, the Panthers were back in the lead when Staal beat Ullmark, but Boston made it 2-2 just as a power play was expiring on Dmitry Orlov’s shot that went in off Bertuzzi’s skate.
O CAPTAIN!
Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron missed his second straight playoff game. After sitting out Game 1 with what was called an illness, the team conceded that he had an unspecified upper body injury.
The French Canadian Bergeron left after the first period of their final regular-season game – in Montreal. The game meant nothing to Boston except a chance to extend its record for the most wins and points in NHL history.
MY CAPTAIN!
Former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, who finished the Boston Marathon on Monday in 3 hours, 38 minutes, 23 seconds, was a fan banner captain during the pregame ceremony.
The 6-foot-9 defenseman was the last Bruins captain to skate around the ice with the Stanley Cup.
UP NEXT:
The series shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday.
HINTZ HAT TRICK AS STARS GET EVEN WITH 7-3 WIN OVER WILD
DALLAS (AP) Roope Hintz had a goal in each period, getting his first career hat trick by scoring three different ways, as the Dallas Stars stepped up without Joe Pavelski to get even in their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild.
Hintz scored short-handed on Dallas’ first shot in Game 2, added a even-strength goal in the second period and then finished with a power-play goal in the third period of the Stars’ 7-3 win over the Wild on Wednesday night.
“He’s elite and he’s capable of taking over games like that. And we needed him,” Dallas coach Pete DeBoer said. “Our team, with what happened with Pavelski the other night, a little bit rattled, we needed our our best players to step up tonight and make a statement. And they did. Every one of them, not just Roope.”
Evgenii Dadonov scored twice for the Stars, while captain Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin both had power-play goals. Miro Heiskanen, their high-scoring defenseman, had four assists, while 100-point scorer Jason Robertson had two. Hintz also had an assist.
The Dallas scoring onslaught came against three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie Marc-André Fleury, who got the start even after 24-year-old Filip Gustavsson made his playoff debut with a franchise-record 51 saves in the series opener the Wild won 3-2 in double overtime.
“It’s what we do, right? We’ve done it all year,” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said of the goalies who have split games most of the season. “Nothing was on Fleury tonight, it was all on us. … They had a short-handed breakaway and two power-play goals. What would you like Fleury to do?”
Game 3 is Friday night in Minnesota.
The Stars never trailed after Hintz’s breakaway short-hander just 4 1/2 minutes into the game, after Joel Kiviranta’s takeaway in the defensive end. Dallas led 2-0 midway through the first period when Seguin, in front of Fleury, redirected a long one-timer by Robertson during an extended power play.
“When you lose a player like Joe, it’s a great opportunity for other guys to step up, and I thought we did that as a group here from top to bottom,” Benn said.
Seguin started on the top line alongside Robertson and Hintz with Pavelski in concussion protocol after banging his head on the ice following a crushing blow from Matt Dumba in the second period of the series opener. Dumba was booed just about every time he touched the puck Wednesday.
Dadonov and Hintz each scored their second goals of the game in a 48-second span late in the second period for a 6-3 lead. That was the last of three pairs of quick-scoring goals in that middle period – two by the Stars that sandwiched an even-quicker scoring duo by the Wild.
Benn had his goal and an assist on Dadonov’s first score in an 87-second span that put the Stars up 4-1 and ignite the six-goal middle period.
Minnesota’s two goals in quick succession were Marcus Johansson’s short backhander on a power play, 11 seconds before Frederick Gaudreau had a similar shot past Jake Oettinger to get the Wild within one.
Oettinger, the 24-year-old who wears No. 29 after growing up a fan of Fleury, stopped 23 shots.
The 38-year-old Fleury had 24 saves in his 168th career playoff game. He had been 8-3-1 over his final 12 starts of the regular season.
“Embarrassing on my part, you know. Giving up seven goals like that in the playoffs,” Fleury said. “I want to come in and give a chance to my team in the game and win, and that’s not what I did. … Bottom line, I didn’t make any key saves in the game.”
DOUBLE TIME
Seguin’s power-play goal came 3 1/2 minutes after Jake Middleton got a double minor for a high stick against Max Domi, who got up with blood on his nose. Fleury withstood being peppered by four shots in the first two minutes of that power play, with Hintz getting two of those.
ALL DIFFERENT WAYS
Hintz, who has four goals in this series, is the first player with a short-handed, power-play and even-strength goal in a playoff game since Tyler Johnson did it for Tampa Bay against the New York Rangers in 2015.
EARLY EXITS
There were six 10-minute misconduct penalties issues in the game’s last 5 1/2 minutes. Domi and Kaprizov got sent off first after their fight. Marcus Foligno, Brandon Duhaime and Ryan Reaves later left the ice early for the Wild, and Benn got a misconduct penalty in the final minute.
“That’s playoff hockey, a lot of emotions,” Evason said.
UP NEXT
After Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday in Minnesota, the series will return to Dallas for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
OILERS BEAT KINGS 4-2 IN GAME 2 TO TIE FIRST-ROUND SERIES
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Klim Kostin broke a tie at 2:20 of the third period and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Wednesday night in Game 2 to tie the first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists to help Edmonton rebound from a 4-3 overtime loss in the opener. Derek Ryan and Evander Kane – into an empty net – also scored for the Oilers.
NHL scoring champion Connor McDavid had an assist and Stuart Skinner made 23 saves in his first NHL playoff victory.
Joonas Korpisalo stopped 33 shots for Los Angeles. Gabriel Vilardi and Philip Danault scored for the Kings. Vilardi returned after missing the last nine games of the regular season and first game of the series because of a lower-body injury.
Game 3 is Friday night in Los Angeles.
On the go-ahead goal, Draisaitl’s neutral-zone check on Arthur Kaliyev along the boards forced a turnover for Kostin to skate the puck into the zone and wire a shot to the far side on Korpisalo.
Edmonton took a 2-0 lead in first period and Los Angeles struck twice in the second.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: PADRES’ SHUTOUT ENDS BRAVES’ WIN STREAK
Juan Soto smacked a 431-foot homer and starter Nick Martinez and three relievers combined to throw a four-hit shutout to lift the San Diego Padres to a 1-0 victory over the visiting Braves on Wednesday, snapping Atlanta’s eight-game winning streak.
Soto, who entered the game hitting only .175, led off the fourth by lining a 1-1 sinker from Braves starter Charlie Morton (2-2) into the seats in right center to provide the game’s only run.
Martinez (1-1) allowed three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven innings to get the win. Josh Hader picked up his fifth save of the season as the Padres snapped a three-game losing streak.
Morton gave up the one run on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings.
Rays 8, Reds 0
Yandy Diaz’s leadoff home run ignited a six-run first inning and Drew Rasmussen tossed five shutout innings to lead visiting Tampa Bay to its second straight shutout win over Cincinnati.
Randy Arozarena had three hits and Rasmussen (3-1) limited the Reds to three hits while striking out seven to earn the win. After winning the series opener, 8-1, the Reds were outscored 18-0 in the final two games.
Tampa Bay pitching has tossed shutouts in six of its major league-leading 16 wins. The Rays made Levi Stoudt’s major league debut a nightmare, scoring six runs on seven hits in the opening inning off the Cincinnati right-hander.
Yankees 3, Angels 2 (10 innings)
Gleyber Torres hit a game-ending sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and New York beat visiting Los Angeles.
Aaron Judge robbed Shohei Ohtani of a homer in the top of the first before hitting a two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning, but the Yankees never added on and lost the lead in the eighth before getting the win in extras against Matt Moore (1-1).
Ian Hamilton (1-1) pitched a 1-2-3 10th to set it up for Torres. New York rookie starter Jhony Brito allowed one run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Griffin Canning allowed two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings for the Angels. He walked three and struck out four.
Cardinals 14, Diamondbacks 5
Tommy Edman drove in a career-high five runs and Nolan Gorman hit his first career grand slam to power St. Louis past visiting Arizona.
Edman went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and a two-run double as the Cardinals avoided a three-game sweep. Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Woodford (1-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings.
Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (0-3) allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. Alek Thomas hit a two-run homer and Pavin Smith hit a solo shot for Arizona.
Brewers 5, Mariners 3
Rookie Brice Turang’s two-run single in the seventh inning helped Milwaukee rally past host Seattle to complete a three-game interleague series sweep.
The Mariners scored all five runs in the seventh, with pinch hitter Rowdy Tellez following Turang’s hit with a two-run single off reliever Matt Brash (1-2). Milwaukee’s Eric Lauer (3-1) allowed two runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings to earn the victory. The left-hander walked one and struck out four.
With the Brewers up 5-3 and the bases loaded with one out in the ninth, Milwaukee called on Matt Bush, who got Tommy La Stella to fly out to shallow right and Jose Caballero to pop out to third to earn his first save of the season.
Guardians 3, Tigers 2
Jose Ramirez hit a three-run homer and visiting Cleveland snapped Detroit’s five-game winning streak.
Cal Quantrill (1-1) tossed six scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out four batters. Emmanuel Clase survived a ninth-inning jam to collect his sixth save.
Spencer Torkelson and Zach McKinstry each hit solo home runs for the Tigers. Starter Spencer Turnbull (1-3) gave up three runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Giants 5, Marlins 2 (11 innings)
Michael Conforto slugged a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the 11th inning, leading San Francisco past host Miami to snap a five-game losing streak.
Mike Yastrzemski added another two-run homer later in the 11th inning, also off reliever Devin Smeltzer (0-1), as the Giants avoided what would’ve been a three-game sweep.
Prior to Conforto’s homer, Miami’s bullpen had held the Giants scoreless for 15 innings in this series. Entering Wednesday and since April 11, the Marlins had ranked first in the majors in bullpen ERA (0.72).
Phillies 5, White Sox 2
Trea Turner went 3-for-5 and Taijuan Walker was strong through 6 1/3 innings to lift Philadelphia over host Chicago in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Turner had two RBIs and two runs while finishing a triple shy of the cycle for the Phillies, who have won four of their last six games. Walker (2-1) surrendered two runs on five hits while walking two and fanning three to record his second straight quality start.
Andrew Vaughn hit his first home run of the season and finished with two hits for Chicago, which lost for the sixth time in its last eight games. Luis Robert Jr. provided the White Sox’s only other extra-base hit, a double in the first.
Mets 5, Dodgers 3
Brandon Nimmo went 5-for-5 including a two-run homer, and New York overcame the ejection of starter Max Scherzer to beat host Los Angeles.
Scherzer was ejected before the bottom of the fourth inning by crew chief Phil Cuzzi after a second examination of his glove. The veteran already was ordered to change gloves after an examination before the bottom of the third inning.
Former Met Noah Syndergaard (0-3) went six innings for the Dodgers, giving up two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. It was his first start against the Mets after pitching six seasons with the club.
Pirates 14, Rockies 3
Andrew McCutchen and Rodolfo Castro homered and finished with two hits each, and Pittsburgh routed host Colorado in Denver.
Jason Delay and Connor Joe each had three hits, and Carlos Santana, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Mark Mathias had two hits apiece for Pittsburgh, which swept the three-game series. Johan Oviedo (2-1) allowed a run on three hits and struck out six in six innings for the win.
Ryan McMahon had three hits for Colorado, which has lost eight straight and five in a row at home.
Rangers 12, Royals 3
Marcus Semien went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs, and Ezequiel Duran hit a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning that blew the game open for Texas to beat Kansas City and complete a road sweep.
Semien drove Leody Taveras in on a single in the fourth, and the resulting 5-1 lead gave Rangers left-handed starter Martin Perez all the run support he needed to pick up the win. Perez (3-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and allowed only one run through his first five innings of work on a Bobby Witt Jr. home run. Perez finished with three runs and eight hits allowed.
With Nathaniel Lowe on from a walk and Adolis Garcia aboard, Jonah Heim’s single loaded the bases to set the scene for Duran’s game-altering double and 9-3 advantage. Brady Singer (1-2) took the loss for Kansas City, which has dropped 9 of 10, including six straight.
Cubs 12, Athletics 2
Patrick Wisdom capped a big West Coast trip with a two-run triple, Eric Hosmer hit his first home run of the season and Chicago spoiled the major league debut Oakland pitching prospect Mason Miller with a sweep-completing victory.
Left-hander Justin Steele (3-0) remained unbeaten with six strong innings, helping the Cubs complete a 5-1 California swing, with the only loss being a walk-off defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.
Miller touched 100 mph 15 times against the Cubs while working 4 1/3 innings, during which he allowed two runs and four hits. He walked one and struck out five, including Cody Bellinger, Edwin Rios and Wisdom in succession in the second inning.
Orioles 4, Nationals 0
Kyle Bradish pitched six shutout innings in his return to action and Adam Frazier smacked a two-run homer shortly after entering the game as a reserve to propel visiting Baltimore to a victory over Washington.
The Orioles, who were held to four hits, won both games in the two-game set as the Nationals failed to score a run on back-to-back nights. Tuesday’s score was 1-0. Bradish (1-0), whose only other appearance this year came when he left with an injury in the second inning April 3 at Texas, gave up five hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (2-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in six innings with seven strikeouts. He walked four. Keibert Ruiz went 3-for-4 for Washington as the game’s only player with more than one hit.
Twins 10, Red Sox 4
Outfielder/first baseman Joey Gallo hit a three-run home run hours after being activated from the injured list to lead visiting Minnesota to a victory over Boston in the second game of a three-game series.
After missing 10 games with a right intercostal strain, Gallo hit his team-high fourth home run of the season to give the Twins a 7-0 lead in the third inning. Left fielder Trevor Larnach also hit a three-run home run for Minnesota, while second baseman Edouard Julien hit a two-run shot. Julien collected three hits in the victory, and Larnach had four RBIs.
Enrique Hernandez hit his third home run of the season for Boston. Hernandez had two hits in the game, and also scored on a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Boston starter Corey Kluber (0-4) surrendered seven runs in five innings. He gave up six hits, walked two and struck out four. Joe Ryan (4-0) got the win.
Astros 8, Blue Jays 1
Luis Garcia threw seven shutout innings, Jake Meyers had a two-run double and Bryan Abreu pulled a magic act in relief as Houston beat visiting Toronto.
Garcia (1-2) labored over his first three starts of the season, surrendering 12 earned runs in 14 innings. He was sharp from the onset against the Blue Jays, recording his first six outs via strikeout to lead the Astros to a win in the series rubber match and their second series victory.
Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios (1-3) gave up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in seven innings.
MEN’S GOLF
TIGER WOODS HAS ANKLE SURGERY, REST OF MAJORS IN DOUBT
(AP) — Tiger Woods had fusion surgery on his right ankle Wednesday morning to alleviate arthritis from a broken bone, putting in doubt whether he plays any more majors this year.
Woods disclosed the surgery on Twitter and said it was a subtalar fusion procedure to address post-traumatic arthritis from when he broke his talus bone in February 2021.
“He’s resting now and will start the recovery process,” Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports, said in a telephone interview.
The surgery took place in New York, and Steinberg said Woods has returned to his home near Jupiter, Florida, to begin rehabilitating.
As for when Woods could return to playing golf, Steinberg said there was “no timetable on this.”
“The first goal is to recover and lead a much more enjoyable day-to-day life,” he said.
Woods shattered multiple bones in his right leg and ankle in February 2021 when the SUV he was driving crashed off a suburban coastal Los Angeles road at about 85 mph and tumbled down the side of a hill. The injuries were so severe, Woods said, that doctors contemplated amputation.
Woods has had multiple surgeries on his leg as a result of the car crash. The ankle has been causing most of the problems of late, including a noticeable limp when he played four of the last five majors, most recently the Masters two weeks ago.
The talus is the second-largest of a group of bones known as the tarsus, which forms the lower part of the ankle joint and transmits the weight of the body from the lower leg to the foot. The subtalar joint allows for side-to-side movement needed for walking, especially on uneven surfaces.
Most estimates put recovery from subtalar fusion at eight to 12 weeks. That would all but rule out the PGA Championship next month – Woods was doubtful, anyway, given it will be at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York, with likely cold temperatures.
The U.S. Open is June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club, and the British Open is in three months (July 20-23) at Royal Liverpool in England.
Woods made an improbable return 14 months after the car crash to play in the Masters and walked 72 holes. Remarkably, he has missed only one cut – the British Open at St. Andrews last summer – although he withdrew after three rounds of the PGA Championship last year and he withdrew this year in the middle of the third round of the rain-delayed Masters.
Woods cited plantar fasciitis for his withdrawal from the Masters, where he tied the record by making his 23rd cut. Plantar fasciitis also was cited when he had to withdraw from his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December, which he said was caused by working too much to get ready to play.
Jason Day said at the Masters that Woods told him the reason for his withdrawal from the PGA Championship last year “was a screw went through the skin.”
Woods previously had five surgeries on his back. That included fusion surgery on his lower spine that allowed him to return to play. He won the Tour Championship in 2018, the Masters in 2019 for his 15th major championship and the Zozo Championship in Japan in the fall of 2019 for his 82nd career PGA Tour title, tying the career record of Sam Snead.
He has said in numerous interviews that hitting shots is not the problem, it’s walking to the next one. Woods also has said his schedule would be limited to the majors and maybe a few others, such as the 36-hole PNC Championship with his son in which he can ride in a cart.
TOP INDIANA RELEASES
PENN GUARD MARKUS BURTON WINS 2023 INDIANA MR. BASKETBALL
Markus Burton, a 6-1 Notre Dame recruit, has been named the 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball. Burton averaged 30.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.3 steals per game this season. Burton scored 2,273 career points to rank No. 20 on the state’s all-time scoring list. He shot 56.7% from the field and 42.4% from the 3-point line. He totaled 171 votes to easily outdistance runner-up Xavier Booker of Cathedral, who had 20 votes.
In the voting Burton and Michigan State recruit and McDonald’s All American Xavier Booker in the vote were Ben Davis’ Zane Doughty (Ball State) and Linton-Stockton’s Joey Hart (Central Florida), each with six votes to tie for third. Heritage Christian’s Myles Colvin, a Purdue signee, had five votes and Valparaiso’s Mason Jones (Ball State) had three.
INDIANS DROP HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR AGAINST MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Indianapolis Indians attempted a comeback with six runs in the third inning but could not overcome an early lead by the Memphis Redbirds as they were defeated on Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park, 12-7.
Memphis (12-5) opened the game with an early lead in the first inning courtesty of a Tres Barrera grand slam off Indians (7-10) starter Kent Emanuel (L, 0-1). The Redbirds added five runs in the second frame, highlighted by a three-run jack by Luken Baker.
Down 9-0 in the top of the third, the Indians fought back with a single-inning season-high six runs of their own on six hits while batting around the order. With the bases loaded and no outs, Malcom Nuñez began the scoring with a two-run single down the right-field line. Cal Mitchell then followed with an RBI double and, with one out, Tyler Heineman roped two-run triple to put the Indians within three, 9-6.
After allowing a two-run homer to Justin Toerner in the bottom of the third, J.C. Flowers settled in and finished his outing by striking out five consecutive Redbirds. Hunter Stratton picked up where he left off and struck out the side in the sixth. Daniel Zamora struck out the first batter of the seventh to make it nine consecutive Redbirds retired via strikeout before Paul De Jong doubled to snap the streak.
Both teams brought across a run in the seventh inning to wrap up the scoring. Nuñez blasted his second home run of the season for the Indians onto the center field berm, and Barrera tacked on an insurance run for the Redbirds on an RBI single.
Andrew Suárez (W, 3-0) tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in relief of Memphis starter Dakota Hudson to pick up his third win of the season.
Josh Bissonette led the Indians offense with a career-high tying three hits for the first time since April 24, 2022 vs. Columbus. Indianapolis outhit the Redbirds, 13-11.
The Indians and Redbirds will continue their six-game set on Thursday at 7:45 PM ET at AutoZone Park. Southpaw Connor Thomas (1-1, 8.16) will take the mound for the Redbirds. The Indians have yet to name a starter.
HOOSIERS FIND A WAY TO WIN AT CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI – It got a little tense in the ninth inning, but a flyball to center field ended an 11-9 victory for the Indiana baseball program at Cincinnati on Wednesday (April 19) evening at UC Baseball Stadium.
Indiana (27-11) scored in each of the first three innings to build a 7-0 lead, thanks in large part to a five-run second inning. Cincinnati (15-23) got four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but IU got those runs back with four runs in the top of the seventh. The Bearcats put up five runs in the ninth inning to cut into the final deficit.
Senior Phillip Glasser set the top at the top of the lineup with two hits, one walk, one hit-by-pitch and four runs scored in the contest. His first inning baes hit moved his reached base streak to 37 games. Freshman Tyler Cerny had two extra base hits – including a home run – and drove in three RBIs. With three RBIs in a return to his hometown, freshman Devin Taylor now has 11 multi-RBI games on the season, and he hit his ninth home run of the season to move his reached base streak to 27 games.
Freshman Brayden Risedorph (2-0) picked up the win with four scoreless innings of work in the start. He allowed just two hits and struck out a career-high seven batters. Four Indiana relief pitchers allowed nine runs on nine hits with five walks and nine strikeouts.
Kerrington Cross drove in five RBIs in the contest on a 3-for-5 night at the plate and Kameron Guidry drove in two RBIs. Cole Harting and Lauden Brooks each scored two runs, with Brooks posting a two-hit night. Starting pitcher Tommy O’Connor (0-1) took the loss with six runs allowed on three hits over 1 1/3 innings of work.
Scoring Recap
Top First
Phillip Glasser singled, stole second base and moved to third on a groundout. Brock Tibbitts’ infield single scored the first run of the game.
Indiana 1, at Cincinnati 0
Top Second
Tyler Cerny homered after a leadoff walk to Hunter Jessee to start the scoring in the inning. Indiana loaded the bases with one out thanks to three walks and Tibbitts added his second RBI with a sacrifice fly. Carter Mathison singled to push one across and Josh Pyne’s base hit plated the fifth run of the inning.
Indiana 6, at Cincinnati 0
Top Third
With two outs, Glasser singled and Bobby Whalen doubled to right-center field to score the run.
Indiana 7, at Cincinnati 0
Bottom Fifth
Three Indiana pitchers allowed four runs with two walks and a strikeout starting the inning. Lauden Brooks drove in the first run of the inning with a base hit before a strikeout accounted for the second out. Another walk loaded the bases and Kerrington Cross doubled to clear the bases.
Indiana 7, at Cincinnati 4
Top Seventh
Jessee singled to start the inning and came around to score on a Cerny double. After pinch hitter Evan Goforth walked and Glasser was hit-by-pitch, Cincinnati got a strikeout and a pickoff. Devin Taylor capped the scoring with a three-run home run to right-center field.
Indiana 11, at Cincinnati 4
Bottom Ninth
A pair of singled booked a strikeout to start the inning, before CJ Dean brought the first run of the inning home with an RBI single. A walk loaded the bases, and after a pitching change, Cross singled to plate two more runs and put runners on second and third. After a groundout and a walk, Kameron Guidry delivered a two-RBI single to left field. With two runners on base, Luke Hayden got a flyout to center field to wrap up the victory.
Indiana 11, at Cincinnati 4
Up Next
A three-game series with Ohio University kicks off on Friday, April 21 with a 6 p.m. first pitch. All three games can be found on B1G+ and can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network
KERN NAMED USA SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana softball freshman Taryn Kern is named a Top-25 finalist for 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Kern leads the nation in home runs (18) and is at the top of the leaderboard for most home runs in a single season after defeating IU Hall of Famer and Gold Medalist Michelle Venturella’s record. She is also chasing Venturella’s RBI record of 65 in a single season and needs only three RBI to move into the second slot.
The San Jose, Calif., native leads the team with a .417 batting average with 48 hits. She is the front runner in the Big Ten in seven categories: slugging percentage (1.000), OBS (.597), OPS (1.597), RBI (50), home runs (18), walks (32) and hit by pitch (14). The rookie also ranks is second in conference in batting average (.430) and runs scored (46).
Kern is one of two freshmen named to the list. The Top-25 will be narrowed down to the Top 10 on May 3 with the Top 3 finalist being announced on May 17.
TOP-25 PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Jordy Bahl Oklahoma P/OF Sophomore
Kayla Beaver Central Arkansas P Redshirt Junior
Rachel Becker Oklahoma State IF Graduate Maya
Brady UCLA UTL Redshirt Junior
Valerie Cagle Clemson P/UTL Redshirt Junior
NiJaree Canady Stanford P Freshman
Erin Coffel Kentucky IF Junior
Jayda Coleman Oklahoma OF Junior
Megan Faraimo UCLA P Redshirt Senior
Montana Fouts Alabama P Graduate
Alex Honnold Missouri OF Junior
Tiare Jennings Oklahoma IF Junior
Taryn Kern Indiana University IF Freshman
Baylee Klingler Washington IF 5th Year
Kayla Kowalik Kentucky C Graduate
Kelly Maxwell Oklahoma State P Redshirt Senior
Nicole May Oklahoma P Junior
Sydney McKinney Wichita State IF Senior
Kiki Milloy Tennessee OF Senior
Maddie Penta Auburn P Junior
Ashley Rogers Tennessee P Graduate
Kathryn Sandercock Florida State P Senior
Alex Storako Oklahoma P Redshirt Senior
Alana Vawter Stanford P Senior
Skylar Wallace Florida IF Redshirt Junior
UP NEXT
The Hoosiers will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with a three-game series in Piscataway. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET on Friday.
SEASON HIGH 7 XBH, 11 WALKS PROPEL PURDUE TO VICTORY
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Paul Toetz drove in four runs as part of a three-hit night and Mike Bolton Jr. scored four times as Purdue baseball rolled to a 16-9 win vs. Butler on Wednesday in the finale of a six-game homestand at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (18-18) won their fourth straight game, getting back to the .500 mark on the season for the first time since being 10-10 after winning their Big Ten opener on March 24.
Purdue connected for seven extra-base hits, including six doubles. Both totals represented season highs. The Boilermakers also racked up a season-high 11 walks, including six over the first three innings. Purdue’s 16 runs were its most without hitting a home run since scoring 19 on 17 singles and three doubles at Western Kentucky in what proved to be the final game of abbreviated 2020 campaign.
Couper Cornblum doubled twice. Cam Thompson and Jo Stevens connected for consecutive RBI doubles down the right field line that were carbon copies of each other in a seven-run third inning.
Toetz had two hits in the bottom of the third. He led off with a single and connected for an opposite-field, three-run double in his second trip to the plate. Purdue scored seven-plus runs in an inning for the sixth time this season.
Bolton reached base safely five times (single, three walks, HBP) to raise his on-base percentage to a team-best .455. The leadoff man stole a career-high three bases and now has 67 steals for his career, three shy of the program record that has stood since 1991. Wednesday, Bolton became the first Boilermaker with 20 steals in consecutive seasons since Chris Walker in 1998 and 1999.
The game’s first 19 runs were scored exclusively in the odd-numbered innings until Purdue blew it open with three two-out runs in the bottom of the sixth. Ty Gill tripled and Lukas Cook doubled, both to center field, over Purdue’s final two frames at the plate to round out the seven extra-base hits.
Zeros were tough to come by with the wind blowing out on another warm spring evening in Greater Lafayette. Carter Doorn and Cal Lambert both managed to post a pair of zeros for Purdue. Lambert retired the first seven batters he faced over his three innings of relief. Avery Cook struck out a pair while closing out the win with a scoreless ninth inning. The Boilermakers issued just two free passes Wednesday.
Toetz hit safely in all six games of the homestand, finishing the eight-day stretch 9-for-22. He’s riding a seven-game hit streak at Alexander Field and eight-game on-base streak in all games. Jake Parr walked twice, including a bases-loaded free pass, and saw his nine-game hit streak become a 10-game on-base streak.
Purdue returns to action Friday for the opener of a Big Ten series at Maryland. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET. After the UMD series, the Boilermakers are scheduled to play each of their final four weekend series in the state of Indiana.
JONES TO JOIN BOILERMAKER SQUAD FOR 2023-24 SEASON
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue men’s basketball head coach Matt Painter has announced that Lance Jones has joined the program and will be eligible to compete immediately for the Boilermakers during the 2023-24 season.
Jones will take advantage of the extra CoVid year granted by the NCAA after spending his last four years at Southern Illinois University.
“We are excited for Lance to join our program. He brings a wealth of experience having played almost 120 games at Southern Illinois, and is an outstanding two-way player that can really use his speed and quickness as a strength on both ends of the floor,” Painter said.
“I am looking forward to joining the Purdue Basketball program and am looking forward to helping the team win another Big Ten championship and compete for a National Championship,” Jones said. “I would like to thank my coaches and teammates at Southern Illinois for four great years with them and I am ready to compete in the best conference in America.”
Jones, a 6-foot, 1-inch guard from Evanston, Illinois, was a two-time member of the Missouri Valley Conference’s All-Defense Team, while earning third-team All-MVC honors as a senior in 2022-23 as well during his sophomore year in 2020-21. As a senior, he averaged 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, while grabbing 54 steals and making 70, 3-pointers. He helped the Salukis to a 23-10 overall record while posting 24-double-digit scoring game and three games of 20 or more points, including 28 points in a win over Northern Iowa in late February. He made at least three 3-pointers 14 times during the 2022-23 season and had at least two steals in 18 contests.
For his career, Jones has scored 1,514 points with 372 rebounds, 286 assists and 176 steals in 119 games. He has made 205 career 3-pointers and Jones ended the 2022-23 season as one of just seven active players with 1,500 points, 350 rebounds, 275 assists and 175 steals. He earned a pair of MVC Player of the Week honors during his career, including the last one awarded during the 2022-23 season (23.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG).
The Boilermakers are ranked in the top 5 of every “way-too-early” Top-25 polls, returning (including Edey) six of their top-seven scorers from last year’s team that went 29-6, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and won both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.
PURDUE PICKS UP 16-9 HOME WIN VS. BUTLER
WEST LAFAYETTE – Joey Urban and Scott Jones homered at Alexander Field on Wednesday night, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Purdue Boilermakers came up with a 16-9 win to even their season record at 18-18. With the setback, Butler moves to 7-29.
Urban hit a two-run home run for Butler in the top of the first inning to give BU a quick lead, but the Boilers would punch back with four runs in the first and seven more in the third to take a 11-4 advantage.
BU plated three more runs in the fifth on a Scott Jones home run and Jake DeFries would come up with a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield in the eighth to take us to the final score of 16-9.
Jones had a multi-hit game for the Bulldogs along with Kollyn All and Xavier Carter. Paul Toetz and Couper Cornblum led the charge for PU combining for five hits, seven RBI and three runs.
Luke Zmolik was hit with the loss on the mound while Carter Doorn took the win. Doorn allowed seven earned runs over five full innings and struck out three. The Bulldogs walked 11 batters on Wednesday night. Lukas Galdoni threw the eighth and recorded two of the team’s three strikeouts.
Butler will move past the midweek matchup and shift their focus to the weekend. The Bulldogs will face the Seton Hall Pirates in South Orange N.J. this weekend. Game one is set for Friday at 4 PM.
INDIANA STATE WINS BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR WITH @BUTLERSOFTBALL
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team came back twice to overtake Indiana State but ultimately lost, 11-9, in a game that saw 23 total hits. The Bulldogs (15-29) led, 6-4, after three innings and, 9-8, after five, but could not hold back the Sycamores (22-21) who put up three in the top of the seventh and held on for the win.
How It Happened
Indiana State hit a three-run home run in the top of the first. In the bottom half, Butler got one back when Cate Lehner (2-4, 2 R) reached on a single and Paige Dorsett (2-3, 2 RBI, 2 2B) connected on a double to right center, knocking Lehner home.
In the second, Kieli Ryan (2-4, 2B, 2 R) hit a double to left, and Olivia Moxley (2-4, SB) reached on a single. Sydney Carter then put the ball in play, allowing Ryan to cross home. After two complete innings, the Sycamores held a 3-2 lead.
Indiana State scored on a solo home run in the top of the third, taking a 4-2 lead, but Butler answered with four runs in a wild bottom half. First, Monique Hoosen hit a two-run homer that tied the game at four. Then, with runners on second and third, Kayley Gross stole home and gave the Bulldogs a one-run lead. Two batters later, with runners on first and third, Ellie Boyer singled and pushed Moxley across as the Bulldogs took a 6-4 lead into the fourth.
In the fourth, Butler walked two Sycamore batters with the bases loaded, tying the score at six. A single then pushed two more across, giving Indiana State an 8-6 lead. The Bulldogs got one back in the bottom half when a Carter single sent Ryan home. Indiana State held and 8-7 lead after four complete.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the fifth. Lehner singled and a Dorsett double sent her across to tie the game at eight. Then, a Teagan O’Rilley single, just over the first baseman, allowed Dorsett to score and gave Butler a 9-8 lead that held through six.
In the top of the seventh, the Sycamores drew two walks, and then a double and single score three runs that provided a two-run, 11-9, victory.
Butler used four pitchers in the contest. Rylyn Dyer (4-6) was the pitcher of record and took the loss. She pitched the fifth, sixth, and part of the seventh inning. In 2.1 total innings, she allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. Mackenzie Griman (3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 BB, K) started the game, was replaced by Syney Cammon (1.0 IP, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K) in the third, and then re-entered in the fourth. Kayla Noerr finished the game, retiring the final two batters.
Bulldog Bits
Monique Hoosen’s home run was her 12th of the season and the 25th of her career. She now ranks second on Butler’s all-time single season list and is tied for second on the career list.
Paige Dorsett’s two doubles were her ninth and tenth of the season. She has four doubles in the past three games, and 12 for her career.
Kieli Ryan’s double was her ninth of the season.
With two stolen bases, Kaylee Gross now has 14 this season and 16 for her career.
Olivia Moxley’s stolen base was her third of the season.
This was the third game this season that Butler has produced 12 hits. The Bulldogs had a season-high 16 hits vs. DePaul on March 12.
Up Next
Butler will take an eight-day break before a BIG EAST series with Georgetown the weekend of Apr. 28-30.
LUCI SELANDER EARNS CAREER-HIGH EIGHT POINTS IN LOSS TO MARQUETTE
In a high-scoring affair, the Butler women’s lacrosse team was defeated 22-16 by the Marquette Golden Eagles on Wednesday afternoon. Butler falls to 5-8 overall and 1-3 in the BIG EAST, while Marquette improves to 14-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
How it happened
Marquette opened the game hot on offense by scoring the game’s first five goals. Elise Latham scored the first goal of the day for the Bulldogs off an assist from Kaley Attaway. Butler scored three more goals and allowed four goals to trail 9-4 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Butler went on a run of their own. Luci Selander led the charge, scoring three of Butler’s five consecutive goals. Attaway and Kate Kaptrosky also got on the board with goals of their own to tie things up at 10 a piece with 6:26 left in the half. The Golden Eagles answered the run with four straight goals, but Butler finished the second quarter with three consecutive goals from Kaptrosky, Ella Squibb, and Leah Rubino to cut the deficit to one goal at halftime.
Following a high-scoring battle in the first half, the second half began with a defensive battle. Only three goals were scored in the quarter. Marquette scored two of them and Lauren Dunne scored one. The rest of the quarter was full of defensive stops with Lauren Buckley leading the way for Butler. Buckley had seven of her career-high 12 saves in the third, keeping Butler in the game down just 16-14.
Marquette was able to put it away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Butler 6-2.
Notable Stats
Luci Selander logged a career-high eight points. The contest was also the second time this season she has scored five goals or more in a single game.
Lauren Buckley made a career-high 12 saves.
Butler scored nine goals in the second quarter, the most in a quarter this season. They also scored 13 goals in the first half, the most in any half this season.
22 of Butler’s 25 shots were on goal.
Eight different players scored a goal in the game.
Ella Squibb and Ella Bolin scored their first goals of the season.
Marquette’s Mary Schumar led the game in points (11) and assists (9)
Marquette’s Ellie Henry earned 15 of the Golden Eagles’ 26 draw controls.
Up Next
Butler hosts UConn for Senior Day on Saturday. First draw is set for 11 a.m.
JAGUARS DROP MIDWEEK DOUBLEHEADER TO DAYTON
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team dropped two games on Wednesday against Dayton. The Flyers took game one, 11-6 and closed out the doubleheader sweep with an 8-3 game two victory.
In game one, the Jags knocked 11 hits but fell to the Flyers, 11-6. Dayton took the lead first with two runs in the top of the first inning then extended their lead in the third inning with two more runs, 4-0 and one run in the fourth, 5-0.
The Jags got on the board and tied it up in the bottom of the fourth inning with five runs on seven hits. Maicey Bedrick drove in the first run for the Jags with a sac fly to left field scoring Kinsey Pfeiffer. Kasie Keyes scored on a wild pitch then Kennedy Cowan singled to right field for score Jaida Speth, 5-3. Kendal Calvert tripled to left center to score Cowan and Rachael Gregory doubled to center field to score Calvert, 5-5.
The Flyers retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning with four runs on three hits, 9-5. The Jags scored one more run in the bottom of the fifth when Speth singled to center field to score Keyes, 9-6. Dayton added two more insurance runs in the sixth, 11-6.
Carly Metcalf took the loss in the circle for the Jags giving up 11 runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts. Cowan and Keyes each recorded two hits in the loss.
In game two, errors proved costly as the Jags committed seven errors falling 8-3. Dayton took the lead first again with two runs in the top of the first. Jordan Jenkins hit a sac fly in the second inning scoring Kelli Riordan, 2-1.
The Flyers extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning with five runs on four hits and four Jaguar errors, 7-1. Dayton added one more run in the fifth inning, 8-1.
IUPUI chipped away at the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, 8-3. Abbey Haas doubled to right center to score Kennedy Warbritton and Cowan singled up the middle to score Haas. The two runs weren’t enough as Dayton took the win, 8-3.
Isabelle Waggner took the loss in the circle giving up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Cowan went 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI while Haas and Pfeiffer also hit doubles in the loss.
IUPUI will next host Robert Morris this weekend for a three-game series to close out the final games at home.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS LEWIS; HOSTS OHIO STATE IN MIVA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH SATURDAY
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s volleyball team was on a mission tonight as the top-seeded Cardinals defeated No. 4 seed Lewis 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-18) in the semifinals of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association tournament Wednesday night inside Worthen Arena.
The win also marked Ball State’s second-straight 20-win season under the direction of second-year head coach Donan Cruz. The last time the Cardinals had back-to-back 20-win seasons was 2014 and 2015.
The Cardinals (20-8) had split their two-match MIVA regular season series with the Flyers (17-13) prior to tonight’s competition. The match opened with a tight first set, but Ball State had the upper hand throughout eventually building a 19-15 advantage after kills from Felix Egharevba and Tinaishe Ndavazocheva. The Cardinals took advantage of their momentum and remained atop of Lewis the remainder of the frame to take the first set, 25-21.
The momentum continued for Ball State in set two although the score was close, the Cardinals began to pull away with some nice offensive plays at the net from veteran Kaleb Jenness. Jenness threw down a kill that would push the Cardinals cushion to 19-15 over the Flyers. Lewis would continue to play close, but Ball State went up 22-19 off an Egharevba kill that eventually allowed the Cardinals to take set two, 25-21.
The third set was the closest of them all with six ties and two lead changes. With the scored knotted at 12-12, Ball State quickly put an end to Lewis’ comeback with back-to-back kills from Egharevba and Ndavaocheva. Those kills allowed BSU to regain control of the third set.
From that point forward the Cardinals never looked back and would take set three, 25-18. The Cardinals would hit .520 from the floor in the third set off 25 attacks.
All-MIVA First Team selections Ndavazocheva and Jenness led the Cardinals offensively with 15 and 11 kills, respectively while All-MIVA Second Team honoree Egharevba finished the night with 10. Defensively, Vanis Buckholz and Egharevba each had five total blocks apiece.
The Ball State men’s volleyball team will advance to the championship match for the second-straight season Saturday, April 22 when it hosts the third-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in Worthen Arena at 7 p.m. ET.
IRISH HEAD TO BOSTON COLLEGE FOR THREE GAME SERIES
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball program heads to Massachusetts for a matchup with the Boston College Eagles this weekend. The series begins Friday night at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network, followed by a 1 p.m. matchup Saturday, closing out the series Sunday at noon.
The Fighting Irish enter the weekend at 27-12-1 on the year, and are currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings with a 9-8-1 record. Fresh off taking a series against #17/21 Virginia Tech, the Irish look to build on winning eight of their last 10 games, taking conference series over Louisville and Virginia Tech, and run-ruling an Indiana team that was receiving national attention.
Junior catcher Carlli Kloss leads the Irish offense with a .384 average and 20 extra base hits. Her 14 doubles and 38 runs scored also leads the team. Karina Gaskins and Lexi Orozco have provided the power in the middle of the order. Gaskins leads the team with 14 home runs this season, driving in 37 and scoring 34 times. Orozco has 12 homers of her own, with a team-best 38 RBI and 30 run scored. Joley Mitchell adds 35 RBI and a .381 average. She’s hit eight home runs, seven doubles, scored 34 runs and leads the team with 13 stolen bases.
In the circle, graduate student Payton Tidd leads the way after throwing three complete games last week. This season, she’s thrown in 24 games, making 19 starts and throwing eight complete games. She’s logged 122.0 innings worked, allowing 50 earned runs, good for a 2.87 ERA. Freshman Micaela Kastor leads the team with a 2.14 ERA. She’s appeared in 22 games, making nine starts. She’s worked 65.1 innings, picking up three saves and holds opponents to a .219 average against. Shannon Becker adds 24 appearances and 12 starts. The sophomore has thrown 69.2 innings, striking out 55 hitters and picking up seven wins.
The Eagles enter the weekend at 20-23, fresh off of a 6-0 shutout victory over the Providence Friars Wednesday night. In league action this season, BC is 2-13, picking up wins over North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Last weekend, the Eagles lost all three matchups to #13 Duke, with all games within three runs.
The BC offense hits for a .241 average, led by Nicole Giery. Geiry owns a .309 average, hitting 10 doubles, four home runs and 16 RBI. Hannah Silke leads the power numbers with six homers this season, and scoring a team-high 21 runs. Abigail Knight has driven in a team-best 26 runs, with six doubles, two triples and four homers. BC has stolen 45 bases in 55 attempts, led by Kali Case, Abigail Knight and Erika Andall who each have eight bags.
The pitching staff owns a 4.23 ERA. Abby Dunning leads the team with a 3.53 ERA, appearing in 25 games, making 15 starts and throwing 11 complete games. She’s logged 120.0 innings, picking up 121 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .211 average against. Susannah Anderson adds the bulk of the starts at 19, while appearing in 24 games. She’s thrown in 110.0 innings, striking out 82 hitters and opponents are hitting .231 against. Sofia Earle and Halie Pappion have made 14 and 11 appearances, respectively.
IRISH TAKE DOWN THE BRONCOS AT HOME
SOUTH BEND, IND. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take home their second midweek win of the week as they defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 2-1 on Wednesday, April 19 at Frank Eck Stadium. The Irish advance to 20-15 on the year as they head back into conference play this weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Western Michigan posted an early lead as they took the 1-0 advantage after the first two innings. After drawing four walks and two HBPs in innings one and two, the Irish recorded their first hits of the day in the third. Both Jack Penney and Vinny Martinez tallied base hits in the bottom of the third for the Irish. Danny Neri followed with a HBP to make bases loaded. Penney was able to score on a wild pitch to make it an even 1-1 after three.
TJ Williams and Zack Prazjner both recorded singles in the fourth, but it would stay at a 1-1 ballgame. Williams recorded his second hit of the day in the sixth as he sent it in the left center gap for a double. He would lead the Irish with two of their five hits on the day. The Irish scored their second run of the day on a sac fly from Brady Gumpf, who sent Brooks Coetzee home to give the Irish the 2-1 lead and eventual win.
David Lally Jr. started on the mound, pitching 3.0 innings, striking out four batters, and giving up one run on five hits. He was relieved by Justin Moore, who threw 2.0 innings and recorded three strikeouts, allowing no hits and no runs. Ricky Reeth closed for the Irish and took home his first win of the season. He struck out five batters across 4.0 innings and gave up zero hits and zero runs.
UP NEXT
The Irish are back at home this weekend as they resume ACC play with No. 8 Virginia at Frank Eck. The three-game series starts on Friday, April 21 as Notre Dame Baseball alum and Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet will throw out the first pitch.
GAME 16 PREVIEW: LOUISVILLE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team closes out their regular season slate Thursday night when they host Louisville under the lights at Arlotta. The 7 p.m. first draw will be preceded by a recognition ceremony of the Fighting Irish graduating class, including Kasey Choma, Madison Ahern, Jane McAvoy, Hannah Dorney, Jackie Wolak, Alexa Piekarski, Kayleigh Wolff, Emma Schettig and Olivia Derrico.
GAME 16 DETAILS
Location: South Bend, Ind. | Arlotta Stadium
Schedule: April 20 — 7 p.m. ET
TV: ACCNX
Live Stats: UND.com
Twitter Updates: @NDWomensLax
Game Day Landing Page
For a more in-depth look at the matchup – Game Notes: Notre Dame
FOR STARTERS
- Over the course of their last three games, the Irish have outscored their opponents 64-15, including a program best road performance of 26 goals at Butler April 10 where they defeated the Bulldogs 26-3.
- In their most recent outing, the women beat RMU in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, 21-6, behind goals from 11 individuals. Four Irish women boasted multiple goals, including career bests for MK Doherty (four) Kristen Shanahan (three).
- With three goals and two assists each, Shanahan and Madison Ahern tied for a team-high five points against RMU.
- With her second goal of the day against the Colonials Sunday, Kasey Choma recorded her 200th career point. She went on to post four goals in the contest.
- Adding an assist on Choma’s 200th point mark, Jackie Wolak tied her classmate with her 200th point for the Irish as well.
- Fourteen individuals highlighted the box score at Butler, including Fran Frieri and Jaclyn Marszal who both registered their first career goals in the victory. Seventeen women have now notched at least one goal this season with Ava Kristynik also picking up her first of 2023 in the win.
- Notre Dame’s 37 points in the win at Butler matched a program record, previously set earlier this season against Central Michigan.
- Their 26 goals against Butler was a season-high for the Irish, topping that previously set of 24 in February.
- The 23-goal victory was also the largest margin of victory for the Irish this year and their three goals against was second fewest in 2023.
- The Irish head into the final week of the regular season ranked seventh nationally, their highest ranking of the season.
- Live stats will be available for the contest as well as a the game being aired on the ACCNX.
- The attacking trio of Choma, Ahern, and Wolak have combined for 202 of the 351 Irish points.
- Choma now has a team-high 11 hat tricks on the season. Ahern is close behind with nine while also registering her second sock trick of the year with six goals at Pitt.
THE NOTRE DAME – LOUISVILLE SERIES
- Notre Dame and Louisville have met 15 times previously with the Irish holding the 13-2 edge over the Cardinals. At home, the Irish boast a 6-1 record all-time over the visiting Cardinals.
- In their most recent meeting, the Irish defeated the Cardinals 15-14 on the road with a late goal assisted by current senior Madison Ahern.
IN THE POLLS
- Notre Dame is ranked No. 7 in this week’s ILWomen/IWLCA poll.
- Five other ACC programs are currently ranked in the top-25 according to the IL Women/IWLCA Preseason Poll, including #1 Syracuse, #5 Boston College, #6 North Carolina, #12 Virginia, and #17 Clemson.
NEARING THE MARK
- With her first save against BC, Lilly Callahan eclipsed the 100 career save mark. She now boasts 131 stops in 29 games played, with a .512 save percentage.
- Hannah Dorney, a recent ACC co-Defensive Player of the Week, hit 100 career ground balls when the Irish hosted BC last weekend. She now has 107 career pick ups.
- Ahern’s five goals against UNC brought her career tally to 140. She followed it up with four points against the Eagles, including a hat trick which gave her 202 career points. After consecutive sock and hat tricks on the road to Pennsylvania last weekend, Ahern now has 154 goals, 66 assists and 220 career points in her four years at ND.
BALANCED ATTACK
- The Irish returned 3 of the 4 top scorers from the 2022 season in Kasey Choma, Madison Ahern, Jackie Wolak.
- The top scorers were assisted by Kelly Denes who won 100 draw controls and tallied 14 goals of her own. This season Denes boasts 93 draw controls and currently sits at 197 career draws.
- Choma, Ahern, and Wolak lead the Irish in points combining for 202 points.
- Ahern and Choma currently tie for fifth in the ACC for goals per game (3.27) and 20th nationally.
- Wolak is ranked in the top five in the ACC for points per game (4.93) and assists per game (2.40). Her assists per game is also 14th-best nationally while her points per game average ranks ninth.
- Denes is ranked fourth in the ACC for draw controls per game tallying 6.20 and is 20th in the country.
- Seventeen different players have scored at least one goal this season with 16 having found the back of the net multiple times.
THREE-HEADED MONSTER
- The attacking trio of Choma, Ahern, and Wolak are combining for 202 points.
- Ahern and Choma lead the Irish with 49 goals apiece, while Wolak has 38 goals and 36 assists for a team-best 74 points.
- Choma now has tallied a team-high 11 hat tricks in the 2023 season and Wolak has tallied nine.
- Wolak’s game against Virginia saw her set career-high performances in goals (six) and points (eight).
- Choma, Ahern, and Wolak have all been named to the 2023 Tewaaraton Watchlist.
- Choma, Ahern and Wolak combined for 17 points in the win over Brown (03/27/23).
- They combined for 11 of the team’s 21 goals against the Bears.
- The trio combined for 12 of the team’s 17 total points at Virginia to close out March’s conference slate.
- Wolak ranks in the top five in the ACC and top-15 nationally for assists per game (2.40).
- Choma tallied a new career high in goals (8) and tied her career high in points (8) in the Virginia Tech game.
SMOTHERING DEFENSE
- The Irish held the nation’s top scoring offense to just nine goals, which is more than 12 below Clemson’s season average when they played the Tigers in February.
- Notre Dame is the first team this season to hold the Tiger attack under a double-digit goal total in a game.
- Mary Kelly Doherty ranks in the top-10 among ACC foes in caused turnovers per game.
- The Irish have held 10 of their 15 opponents to single digits.
- In early April, Hannah Dorney was named ACC co-Defensive Player of the Week for her transition play against UNC and Brown.
- Emma Schettig won ACC Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Notre Dame defense hold Duke to just six goals.
- Notre Dame has caused havoc on defense, averaging 9.33 caused turnovers per game, a mark that ranks 23rd in the nation and second in the ACC.
- The Irish defense held Virginia Tech to its lowest goal total of the season and tied for its lowest in program history.
CALLAHAN IN THE CREASE
- Callahan made her first double-digit save performance of her career, finishing with 15 saves against Northwestern. This also established a new career high in saves for her.
- She ranks in the top five in the country in goals-against average (7.96) and top-12 in save percentage (.495). Her GAA is fifth nationally and leads all ACC goalkeepers.
- Callahan earned her first career win in her first career start while holding the San Diego State attack to just two goals .
- The two goals Callahan allowed marked the lowest scoring output in SDSU program history, which dates back to the 2012 season.
- In 45 minutes played Monday against Butler last week, Callahan held the opposition scoreless, stopping all seven shots faced.
DOMINATING THE DRAW
- The Irish have won the draw control battle in 12 of their 15 games this season.
- Notre Dame currently ranks No. 2 in the country in draw control percentage (.630) and in the top five for draw controls per game 17.60 while leading the ACC in both categories.
- Kelley Denes leads the Irish in draws per game (6.20) and is the primary player used at the draw for the Irish. She ranks in the top-20 nationally for draw controls per game and fourth in the conference.
- The Irish draw control unit held the nations leader on the draw circle to only four draw controls in their matchup against Duke.
- The Irish currently have won the draw control battle on the season by a margin of 264-155.
THANK YOU SENIORS
- Thursday’s game will serve as recognition of the Class of 2023. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and help the team celebrate the nine members of its graduating class.
- Prior to first draw the Irish will honor seniors Kasey Choma, Madison Ahern, Jane McAvoy, Jackie Wolak, Kayleigh Wolff, Emma Schettig and Olivia Derrico, along with graduate students Lexi Piekarski and Hannah Dorney.
LEADERSHIP GROUP
- On Dec. 20, the Irish named three team captains for the 2023 campaign: Hannah Dorney, Kasey Choma, and Madison Ahern. Dorney is serving as a team captain for the second consecutive season.
ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS
- Two Irish were named Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans including Kasey Choma (First Team), Madison Ahern (HM).
- Ahern and Choma were also named Preseason All-Americans on February 3. Choma was named to the second team and Ahern to the third team.
- Kasey Choma was named to the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American squad, and was also ranked among the top 20 lacrosse players recognized as the game’s biggest difference makers checking in at #19.
- Choma and Ahern claimed silver for the USA Super Sixes team at the 2022 World Games.
TEWAARATON WATCHLIST
- Kasey Choma and Madison Ahern were each named to the initial watch list for the 2023 Tewaaraton Award, the Tewaaraton Foundation announced on February 10.
- Choma has been named to the watch list for the third consecutive season and this is Ahern’s second consecutive watchlist.
ALL STAR STAFF
- Head Coach Christine Halfpenny announced the addition of Associate Head Coaches Adam Sear and Lauren Benner.
- Sear comes to Notre Dame from the University of Michigan. He spent five seasons with the Wolverines. He will assist in coordinating the offensive effort for the Irish.
- Benner joins the Irish after spending a season with Loyola. She will serve as the defensive coordinator and work extensively with the goalie unit.
- The Irish also welcome back Bridget Deehan as a volunteer assistant. Deehan graduated from Notre Dame as a two-time All-American goalkeeper.
NEWCOMERS
- The Irish welcome a 7-member freshman class as part of the 35-player roster, which includes two attackers, three midfielders, two goaltenders .
- Emma Murphy was named No. 5 in the IL Women Top 100 Freshman Power Rankings and Jaclyn Marszal was tabbed No. 42 in the IL Women Top 100 Freshman Power Rankings.
LATE RALLY PUSHES SYCAMORES PAST BUTLER
Indianapolis, Ind. – Indiana State softball defeated Butler, 11-9, on Wednesday afternoon, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to earn a comeback win over the Bulldogs.
The Sycamores (22-21, 10-7 MVC) finished with 11 hits in the contest while Butler (15-29, 9-6 BIG EAST) had 12 on the afternoon. The Sycamores have now won three-straight games over the Bulldogs.
The Action
Indiana State jumped out to an early lead in the opening frame, putting three runs on the board. Isabella Henning worked a walk followed by a Annie Tokarek single to put two runners on for Kennedy Shade who sent 2-0 pitch over the wall in right field for a three-run home run. Butler would get a run back in the bottom of the first on a RBI double, making it a 3-1 game.
After a leadoff double and a single in the bottom of the second, Butler would get another run across on a fielder’s choice to make it 3-2 after two innings of play.
The Sycamores wasted little time getting that run back as Isabella Henning led off the third inning with a solo shot to right field, her team-high fifth of the season. Henning’s blast made it a 4-2 contest. The Bulldogs batted around in the bottom half of the fourth, plating four runs including a two-run home run to left. The four-run frame gave Butler a 6-4 lead.
In the top of the fourth, the Sycamores would respond with a four-run inning of their own. Abi Chipps and Olivia Patton walked with one out and would move to third as Danielle Henning reached on a fielder’s choice when the third basemen tried to make a play at third initially, making her throw to first late. With the bases loaded, Isabella Henning and Annie Tokarek drew back-to-back walks which tied the game at six apiece. Kennedy Shade followed that with a single up the middle, scoring both Henning sisters. Those were RBIs number four and five on the day for Shade to put ISU up 8-6. Butler made it 8-7 in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of singles to trim the Sycamore lead.
Butler would retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring a pair of runs on four hits in the inning to go up 9-8.
Indiana State would load the bases in the top of the sixth with singles from Danielle Henning, Annie Tokarek and Kennedy Shade, but the Bulldogs were able to escape with a 9-8 lead still intact.
Lauren Sackett worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth, bringing up the Sycamores in the seventh needing a rally.
Kaylee Barrett and Abi Chipps began the inning with walks and would both come around to score on a double to left center by Danielle Henning, putting the Sycamores up 10-9. Isabella Henning then singled to right field, scoring Danielle to increase the lead to 11-9.
Back out in the circle for the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs made Sackett work for it, loading the bases with one out. She was able to get a pop up and a groundout to clinch the win and earn her fifth victory of the season.
The game saw eight different pitchers with Indiana State throwing Sackett, Cassi Newbanks, Lyndsi Adamson and Hailey Griffin.
At the plate, the Sycamores got multi-hit efforts from Danielle Henning (2-for-5), Isabella Henning (2-for-3), Annie Tokarek (2-for-4) and Kennedy Shade (3-for-4). Olivia Patton and TeAnn Bringle each had one hit.
Up Next
The Sycamores will host Murray State for a three-game MVC series beginning on Friday, April 21 at 3 p.m. ET at Price Field.
‘DONS TAKE DOWN MICHIGAN STATE 3-2
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Purdue Fort Wayne baseball team defeated Michigan State 3-2 on Wednesday (April 19) for the Mastodons’ second win over a Big Ten team in as many seasons. The ‘Dons defeated Michigan last year.
Braedon Blackford had three hits in Wednesday’s win. Grant Thoroman and Cade Fitzpatrick each hit a home run.
Blackford doubled in Jacob Walker in the first to put the ‘Dons up 1-0. Thoroman hit a home run in the fourth and Fitzpatrick hit a solo shot in the fifth to account for the Mastodons’ three runs.
The Spartans had four hits in the first inning but didn’t get their next hit until the sixth inning. Brendan Reid started and went 4.0 innings. He allowed just the first inning run and got the win. He is 2-2.
The ‘Dons brought in Brody Fine in the sixth with two outs and runners on first and third. After earning two strikes on their batter the Spartans opted to send the runner on first to try to sneak the runner from third home. It didn’t work as the runner at third was tagged out to end the inning.
Michigan State scored one in the eighth to get it tighter but Justin Miller earned the final four outs of the game. It wasn’t without some drama. Michigan State loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth and the Big Ten’s batting average leader Brock Vradenburg came to the plate. He entered the game hitting .426, but grounded out to first base on a 1-0 pitch to end the game. The ‘Dons limited him to a 1-5 day including a strikeout in the eighth at the hands of Jacob Myer.
Miller now owns four saves on the season.
Michigan State falls to 23-11. The ‘Dons move to 10-28 and welcome Wright State in Horizon League action this weekend.
EASTERN ILLINOIS TAKES TWO FROM MASTODON SOFTBALL
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Eastern Illinois softball team won both games in a doubleheader against Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday (April 19) 2-1 and 11-1.
GAME 1: Eastern Illinois 2, Purdue Fort Wayne 1
Purdue Fort Wayne held Eastern Illinois to just four hits in the first game of the afternoon, outhitting the Panthers 6-4.
Alanah Jones was relatively effective, pitching the full contest. She struck out six batters in the loss. Olivia Price (11-3) went the full 7.0 innings as well without giving up an earned run.
The Panthers got on the board first, scoring their only two runs of game in the second inning on a pair of singles.
The Mastodons got at least one baserunner on in the first, third and fourth before scoring one in the fifth. Tori Countryman snuck around a tag by the first baseman, then Brooke Lickey took advantage of a throwing error by the same player just seconds later. The ‘Dons left their go-ahead runners at second and third after a pair of ground outs. The ‘Dons only had one baserunner the rest of the way after an error in the sixth.
Sonia Solis had two of the Mastodons’ six hits.
GAME 2: Eastern Illinois 11, Purdue Fort Wayne 1
From the second inning of the first game and the fourth of the second, the Mastodons held the Panthers scoreless, totaling eight consecutive innings. Eastern Illinois got the bats going late in the second game, putting up 11 runs in three innings, including a pair of home runs in the sixth.
Taryn Jenkins hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Panthers were able to strand a pair of Mastodons on base to end the game early.
Gracie Brinkerhoff (6-6), Alyson Quinlan and Jones split the pitching duties. Brayden Lickey made her collegiate debut at catcher. Rachel Kaufman (7-4) got the win for EIU.
The first four batters in the Mastodon lineup combined for the five hits. Jenkins had two.
Eastern Illinois improves to 26-15. Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 16-24. The Mastodons will return to Horizon League action on Friday (April 21) with a game at 3 p.m. against Northern Kentucky. That game will be played at Warrior Park.
SCHERRY NAMED TO THE BROOKS WALLACE AWARD WATCH LIST
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville junior shortstop Simon Scherry (Santa Claus, Ind./Heritage Hills) has been named to the prestigious Brooks Wallace Award Watch List by the College Baseball Foundation. The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation’s top shortstop in collegiate baseball.
A group of 101 of the most talented shortstops in Division I college baseball were named to the initial 2023 Brooks Wallace Award watch list late Tuesday night. The award honors the nation’s top shortstop and is named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace, who played from the Red Raiders from 1977 to 1980, before passing away from leukemia at the age of 27.
Scherry is one of four Missouri Valley Conference shortstops to make the initial watch list, joining Randal Diaz of Indiana State, Nick Rodriguez of Missouri State, and Southern Illinois’ Kaeber Rog. Scherry currently has the best fielding percentage among starting shortstops in the Missouri Valley Conference with a .981 mark. He has committed the fewest errors of any starting shortstop who has started 30 games or more this year, having committed just three errors. He also ranks second in the Valley in defensive assists with 114, and has posted the highest single-game assist total in Division I baseball this year with 11 assists against Belmont on April 2.
Offensively, Scherry is batting .291 with seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 18 RBI for Evansville. He has also posted a .408 on-base percentage this year, as he ranks among the nation’s top 130 players with 27 walks so far this season. Scherry is also a perfect seven-for-seven in the stolen base department.
Evansville will return to the diamond this weekend, as the Purple Aces will travel to Murray, Kentucky to take on the Murray State Racers in a key Missouri Valley Conference series. UE will bring a 21-15 overall record into this weekend’s series after posting a 10-8 win over Western Kentucky on Tuesday night. This weekend’s series is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Friday night, and all three games of the series can be heard live in Evansville on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield. Friday night’s series-opener is also available on ESPN+.
EAGLES FLY THROUGH OAKS, 15-6
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball banged out 18 hits in flying through Oakland City University, 15-6, Wednesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 11-25 overall, while OCU goes to 24-18 this spring.
USI led from the opening frame, posting a tally in the first, before exploding for 12 runs between the third and sixth innings to lead 13-0. The Eagles took command with six in the third and sealed the victory with five in fourth and one more in the fifth.
Oakland City, however, was not ready for game to end early, cutting the margin to seven runs with six unanswered tallies between the sixth and eighth frames. The Mighty Oaks posted one in the sixth, three in the seventh, and two in the eighth to close to within 13-7.
USI responded with two more runs in the eighth to close out the scoring in the 15-6 victory.
At the plate, senior second baseman/rightfielder Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) led the offensive explosion by going four-for-five with three runs scored and two RBIs. Junior first baseman Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) was one-for-one with a home run, a three-run blast in the fourth, and four RBIs overall, while junior designated hitter Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) was two-for-four with two runs scored and a two-run home run in the third.
USI junior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) led seven Eagle hurlers and picked up his first win of the season. Robinson (1-1), who struck out a season-high five batters, blanked the Mighty Oaks through the first four frames on one hit and three walks.
Up Next for the Eagles:
USI, which is 3-9 in conference action, continues the five-game homestand this weekend when it hosts a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series with Eastern Illinois University April 21-23. The first pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m., continues Saturday at 2 p.m., and concludes Sunday at noon.
The series between USI and EIU tilts toward the Panthers, who hold an 18-5 series margin. EIU has won the last four meetings, taking the last meeting in 2002, 7-3, at USI. The last time the Eagles were victorious over the Panthers was in 1986 when USI won the first half of a doubleheader, 3-1.
EIU is 21-13 overall in the 2023, 3-6 in the OVC, and has won four-straight games after posting a 5-0 win St. Xavier University Wednesday.
BEACONS BLANK UIC; CLINCH SEASON SERIES
The location changed on Wednesday, but the result stayed the same — another shutout from the Valpo softball pitching staff as the Beacons earned a 4-0 win at the Valpo Softball Complex over UIC. The shutout, Valpo’s fourth in the last six games, clinched the season series in the Beacons’ favor over their travel partners.
How It Happened
A leadoff double off the base of the wall in straightaway center field from freshman Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) to lead off the bottom of the second turned into the game’s first run, as later in the frame, an infield grounder by sophomore Kaiah Fenters (Speedway, Ind./Speedway) brought Rodas home.
Valpo doubled its lead in its turn at the plate in the third inning. Fifth-year Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) lined a one-out double to the left-center gap, and two batters later, junior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) knocked the first pitch she saw through the right side of the infield for an RBI single, pushing the advantage to 2-0.
Coming off a week where she threw a pair of one-hitters, senior Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) got the ball on Wednesday and was strong early on. While she tallied only one 1-2-3 inning on the day (the second inning), Seib allowed just one runner into scoring position through the first four frames.
The Flames threatened to tie the game, or at least cut into Valpo’s edge, in the top of the fifth, getting runners to second and third with one out. But Seib was up to the challenge, registering a huge strikeout looking on a 3-2 pitch before getting a grounder back to the circle to keep UIC off the board.
UIC put two on in the sixth as well courtesy of back-to-back two-out singles, but Seib came back and got an innocuous popup on the infield to keep the shutout alive.
The Beacons added some insurance to their ledger in the bottom of the sixth. Hecker beat out an infield single to lead off the frame and came all the way around to score on a well-timed hit and run, as Rodas lined a double to the gap in right-center to make it 3-0. Two batters later, Fenters made it a 4-0 lead, knocking a single back through the box to score Rodas.
Junior Caitlin Kowalski (Temperance, Mich./Notre Dame Academy) entered the circle in relief of Seib for the seventh inning and closed out the shutout, pitching around a two-out double.
Inside the Game
Valpo has now won its last three matchups against UIC, the most common opponent in program history. The two squads met on the diamond for the 88th time on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s 4-0 result was the program’s largest shutout win ever over UIC. It was just Valpo’s third shutout of the Flames since 1990, with the other two coming in Horizon League Tournament play — a 3-0 win in 2012, and a 1-0 win in 2016.
For the second time in five days, the Beacons clinched an MVC series win, pairing Wednesday’s victory with a 2-1 win at UIC on April 4. The teams will close the season series at UIC on April 25.
The Beacons have posted shutouts in four of their last six games, their first time doing so since Feb. 24-March 5, 2019. Valpo blanked Princeton, Wagner, Charlotte and North Carolina State in that stretch.
Three of Valpo’s last four MVC games have been shutout wins, the program’s first time posting a stretch like that since April 5-6, 2014, when Valpo shut out Detroit in three straight contests.
Seib tossed the first six innings of Wednesday’s victory, improving to 6-14 with the win. She scattered six hits and did not walk a single batter while striking out a pair in throwing an efficient 78 pitches. Kowalski picked up a strikeout in her seventh-inning appearance.
Both matchups against UIC this year have featured no walks by the Valpo pitching staff.
Seib has now walked one batter or fewer in each of her last eight appearances.
It was the program’s first combined shutout since Kowalski and Seib combined to blank Bradley on March 20, 2021.
Offensively, Valpo picked up seven hits, led by 2-for-3 efforts from both Hecker and Rodas. Hecker tallied multiple hits for the sixth time this year, while Rodas did so for the fourth time.
Both of Rodas’ hits were doubles, her first career two-double game. She also scored a pair of runs for her first career multi-run game.
Fenters doubled her career RBI total on Wednesday, as she entered the game with two career RBIs before posting the first multi-RBI game of her career.
Herschbach’s third-inning double extended her on-base streak to seven consecutive games, a season best. She is one game away from matching her career best on-base streak.
The Valpo defense played error-free softball in the field for a fourth straight game, handling 21 putouts and seven assists without any miscues. It is the program’s first streak of four straight games without an error since April 14-21, 2013, when the defense was perfect for one game against UIC and three games against Detroit.
Next Up
Valpo (8-30, 4-13 MVC) moved up another spot in the Valley standings with Wednesday’s win and will face the team its tied with in the standings this weekend, as the Beacons welcome Drake to the Valpo Softball Complex for a three-game series. The series opens Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., live on ESPN+.
BASEBALL BOUNCES BACK WITH 6-3 WIN OVER PRIDE
HAMMOND, Ind. – The University of Indianapolis baseball team battled the Purdue Northwest Pride (9-25) in their second mid-week contest of the week, this time coming out on the victorious side, winning 6-3.
Offensively the bottom half of the lineup was incredibly productive for the Greyhounds with Jared Bujdos grabbing two RBIs and Easton Good going 3-5. Defense wise, the pitchers rebounded extremely well from a tough first inning, throwing eight scoreless innings with the Hounds only giving up one hit in the last three frames.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Frankie Klemm got the start on the bump, and after the bottom of the first it looked like the Klemm wasn’t going to be going for long. After snagging two quick outs, Klemm was dinked around by multiple opposite filed singles scoring one, a double down the right-field line was the capstone of the three-run inning by the Pride.
Jared Bujdos saw the three-spot by the Pride and answered big, pulling a ball over the left field wall for his sixth bang of the year. That run opened the floodgates for the Greyhound offense as Zack Williams played some small ball with a sacrifice bunt in the third, scoring Drew Donaldson from third.
Caleb Vaughn and Nick Lukac kept the party rolling into the fifth with a pair of RBI singles giving the Hounds a 4-3 lead. The sixth is where Klemm’s day ended, giving up another soft single and a walk. Klemm has a very quality outing, going 5 and a third, with three earned runs and a strikeout. He played well to his defense, eliciting weak contact all game.
The offense made on final push in the seventh, with Bujdos grabbing another RBI, with a screamer into centerfield, sending home Williams. Finally, a well-placed bunt by Good on a suicide squeeze scored Bujdos from third and had the speedy shortstop safe at first.
UP NEXT
The Hounds have a brief break before they’re right back at it, this time making a lengthy road trip to Southwest Baptist on Friday to kick off a four-game GLVC series. First pitch of Friday’s contest is set for 4 p.m.
GREYHOUNDS SECURE POSITION IN INITIAL REGIONAL RANKINGS
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy men’s lacrosse team appeared in the first set of NCAA DII Regional Rankings for the 2023 season, released Wednesday.
This year, the first regional rankings included teams in alphabetical order only, with actual rankings set to be included in next week’s release. The complete 12-team field will be announced on NCAA.com on Sunday, May 7. The top six teams in each the North and South Regions will earn a berth in this year’s dance, with the No. 1-2 seeds receiving a bye to the national quarterfinals. The DII National Championship is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, in Philadelphia.
The Greyhounds are currently 10-1, including a perfect 8-0 record against fellow South Region programs. UIndy has already earned a share of the GLVC regular-season title with a 4-0 league mark, most recently defeating Rockhurst. The Hounds also have a pair of non-region victories, including Mercyhurst and Seton Hill.
The Crimson and Grey have a key in-region bout at Wingate this Saturday at 12 p.m.
UIndy has advanced to each of the past three NCAA tournaments, including a run to the national semifinal in 2019 in just its fourth season as a program.
SOUTH REGION CONTENDERS
| Team | In-Region | Overall |
| Colorado Mesa | 10-2 | 11-2 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne | 12-2 | 12-2 |
| Limestone | 10-4 | 10-4 |
| Newberry | 10-4 | 10-4 |
| Rollins | 11-1 | 11-1 |
| Tampa | 11-1 | 12-2 |
| UIndy | 8-0 | 10-1 |
| Wingate | 11-1 | 11-1 |
WOMEN’S LACROSSE UNDER CONSIDERATION IN FIRST REGIONAL POLL
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy women’s lacrosse team is under consideration in the first edition of the NCAA’s Division II regional rankings, officials at the national office announced on Wednesday.
The Hounds (13-2, 4-0 GLVC) sit alongside five other teams in the Midwest region. The GLVC features both UIndy and Maryville in the rankings.
UIndy is set to host its annual One Love Game on Friday against Quincy at Key Stadium. Action is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Midwest Region
| Team | Overall DII Record | In-Region Record |
| Colorado Mesa | 7-5 | 7-2 |
| Grand Valley St. | 11-4 | 9-3 |
| Maryville (MO) | 15-1 | 15-1 |
| Regis (CO) | 12-0 | 11-0 |
| UIndy | 13-2 | 12-1 |
| Walsh | 11-3 | 10-3 |
HOUNDS APPEAR IN INITIAL SOFTBALL REGIONAL RANKINGS
INDIANAPOLIS—The season’s first set of NCAA Division II Regional Rankings dropped on Wednesday, with the UIndy softball team listed among those receiving postseason consideration. The Greyhounds were one of 10 Midwest Region teams on the initial list.
This year, the first regional rankings included teams in alphabetical order only, with actual rankings set to be included in next week’s release. The complete 64-team field will be announcement on NCAA.com on Monday, May 8 at 10 a.m. ET. The top eight teams from each of the eight regions will earn a berth, with the top two from each hosting a four-team, double-elimination bracket.
The Greyhounds have qualified for each of the previous 14 NCAA Regionals, good for the longest active streak in the Midwest.
MIDWEST REGION CONTENDERS
| TEAM | vs. DII | IN-REGION |
| Grand Valley St. | 30-3 | 26-3 |
| Ill. Springfield | 27-16 | 24-12 |
| Lewis | 24-15 | 18-12 |
| Maryville | 25-15 | 25-14 |
| McKendree | 22-11 | 22-10 |
| Northwood | 26-17 | 23-14 |
| Ohio Dominican | 23-16 | 22-16 |
| Saginaw Valley | 27-10 | 23-10 |
| Trevecca Nazarene | 29-11 | 25-11 |
| Uindy | 41-4 | 34-2 |
MARIAN SPLITS WITH MT. VERNON NAZARENE IN FIRST MEETING
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – The No. 10 Marian softball team got out to an early lead against No. 25 Mount Vernon Nazarene to win game one, before falling in game two to a hot hitting Cougars’ team. After the split, Marian moves to 36-4 overall and 25-3 in Crossroads League play.
Game 1 | Marian 8-4 Mt. Vernon Nazarene
Marian had no issues getting the bats going early as they started off the game with three singles before Hayley Greene scored two with her single. A double by Grace Meyer allowed two more to score, giving the Knights the 4-0 lead after inning one, while Abby Madere hit the RBI single in the bottom half of the second inning to add one more run to their lead.
Olivia Stunkel saw four batters in the bottom half of the second inning, striking out the last three. Stunkel continued her work in the third inning as her and the Marian defense went three up three down to help the Knights hold the lead.
After a silent fourth inning, the Cougars made a dent into their deficit by scoring three runs. Marian had an answer in the top of the seventh inning after Meyer’s single scored Sierra Norman. Abbi Wirey reached home a few plays later, while Savannah Harweger had the sacrifice fly to score Mackenzie Dalton to give the Knights’ a few insurance runs going into the final half of the inning.
MVNU tired to make a last effort attempt as they cut their deficit in half after an RBI single, but the Marian defense behind Stunkel proved to be too much as the took game on with the 8-4 victory.
Marian was explosive with 13 hits with Meyer leading the way with three hits and a double, while Harweger, Madere, and Greene each added two. Four different Knights each recorded a hit, while Meyer and Greene had three and two RBI, respectively. Stunkel was the winning pitcher as she dished out seven strikeouts in her seven innings pitched.
Game 2 | Marian 7-10 Mt. Vernon Nazarene
In a flip of scrip, the Cougars jumped out to the early 1-0 lead. However, Marian had a response with Dalton hitting the RBI single and Harweger doubling to score Dalton and Savannah Baker to go ahead 3-1.
Mt. Vernon took back the lead after an offensive fury, registering four hits to add four runs to the scoreboard. The Cougars went one-two-three with Marian’s batters before taking the 10-3 lead after packing on five runs in fourth inning.
Norman’s three-run homer got Marian back within four and would hold the Cougars scoreless into the top of the seventh inning, giving the Knights a chance to tie or take the lead. Marian scored after a walk and got bases loaded, but the Knights were unable to produce enough runs to take the game to extra innings.
In Marian’s nine hits, Harweger, Norman, and Dalton led the charge with two hits. Norman and Harweger led in the RBI category as well with three and two, while Norman added a homerun and Harweger hit a double. Sydney Wilson fell in Marian’s loss, pitching 3.1 innings and striking out one, while Abigail McPherson came in to pitch the final 2.2 innings, giving up one hit and no runs.
The Knights take a one-day break before traveling to Spring Arbor on Friday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
KNIGHTS GARNER NUMEROUS WHAC HONORS
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Marian women’s lacrosse team was well represented on the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) 2023 list of award winners with the release of the regular season honors following the WHAC Tournament.
Marian earned six WHAC All-Conference honorees in 2023, headlined by Ella Grace Giedd’s Newcomer of the Year honor, as well as making First Team All-Conference. Grace Martin, Ashlynn Gray, Katelynn Gray, Mallory Miranda, and Anna Moore were all named to the second team.
Ella Grace Giedd represented the Knights on the All-Conference First Team Attack and was named the WHAC Newcomer of the Year after putting together an impressive freshman campaign as one of the best offensive attackers in the conference. Giedd led the team in goals by scoring 47 goals. The freshman attacker has put together nine performances scoring three or more goals, including a season-high five goals against Madonna. In addition to her scoring prowess, Giedd was a facilitator for the Knights as she dished out 28 assists. Giedd was named the NAIA IWLCA Offensive Player of the Week, earning Marian’s first of the season and second overall.
Grace Martin was named to the WHAC All-Conference Second Team Attack for the Knights, as she ranks third on the team in goals with 32, while also totaling 45 points. The senior attacker has scored in every game, and has registered a hat trick or more five different times. Martin also dished out 13 assists throughout the season. In addition, Martin was named to the WHAC Champions of Character Team.
Ashlynn Gray earned WHAC All-Conference Second Team Midfield, claiming her second career All-Conference honor. Gray was second on the team in goals with 38, adding 10 assists to her totals, while scoring her 100th career goal during the season. Gray was second on the team in total points with 48, while also picking 34 ground balls and forcing 21 turnovers during the 2023 season.
Katelynn Gray put together another strong season, being named to the WHAC All-Conference Second Team Midfield. Gray was a force to be reckoned with in the midfield as she led the team in groundballs with 49, and had a team-high 35 caused turnovers. Along with her defensive efforts, the senior midfielder recorded four hat tricks during the year and notched a four-goal game against Thomas More earlier in the season. Additionally, Gray recorded her 100th career point and was named the WHAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Anna Moore and Mallory Miranda rounded out the list of honorees for the Knights as both were named to the WHAC All-Conference Second Team Defense. Moore played a crucial role in Marian’s backline, picking up 27 ground balls and causing 17 turnovers. The sophomore defender also scored three goals during the season. Miranda added 14 groundballs throughout the course of the season, while also causing 13 turnovers, and scoring one goal.
Marian had nine players named to the WHAC All-Academic Team, with Aliyah Evans, Ashlynn Gray, Katelynn Gray, Emily Blackburn, Grace Martin, Hayli Irvin, Madeline Dumke, Mallory Miranda, and Sarah Travis earning the award.
Head coach Allie Storke-Sneed was also recognized by the conference as she was named the WHAC Champions of Character Coach.
MARIAN FOOTBALL SPRING GAME SET FOR SATURDAY APRIL 22 AT 12 PM
INDIANAPOLIS – On Saturday April 22, the Marian football team will conclude their spring football season in head coach Ted Karras Jr’s second tenure with the Knights, as they play the annual Blue/White Spring Football Game. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. for Saturday’s game.
The Blue/White game will kick at 12 p.m., with warmups and pre-practice beginning at 11 a.m. Fans are welcome to enter the St. Vincent Field gates beginning at 11 a.m., and admission for the event is free. On Tuesday April 18 the Knights captains drafted teams and coaches for the game, dividing the roster into equal teams. Captains of the Blue Team are Zach Bundalo, Clay Campbell, Jayshawn Underwood, and Drew Byerly, while the captains on the white team are Baron Huebler, Nate Frey, Zach Sibila, and Deon Pettiford.
The game itself will be a complete four-quarter game, with a 15-minute running clock each quarter. The clock will stop in the final two minutes of each half on incompletions, out of bounds, and first downs. Halftime will be five minutes, and each team will have one timeout per half.
After the game, a celebration of the spring season will be held in the Marian Amphitheater, with head coach Ted Karras Jr. and his son, Teddy Karras, hosting a bar-b-que for all fans and students. The festivities will begin at 2 p.m. following the game.
We look forward to seeing Knights football fans back at St. Vincent Field on Saturday afternoon!
TAYLOR ATHLETICS | FOURTH-QUARTER FLURRY LIFTS TU TO ROAD WIN
DEARBORN, Mich. – Taylor scored the final nine goals of Wednesday evening’s Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference clash at Michigan-Dearborn and came home with an 11-5 win over the Wolverines.
Quick goals by Caleb Williams and Aidan Craig boosted Taylor to a 2-0 lead, but UMD (4-10, 0-7 WHAC) netted the next five to grab a short-lived edge over the Trojans.
Back-to-back unassisted goals by Alex Blum drew TU to within a goal by the half and a Carter Prieditis strike in the first minute of the third proved to be the equalizer.
It was all Taylor over the final 15 minutes, as Williams struck for three more goals to fuel a 6-0 scoring edge in the fourth quarter from Taylor, helping the Trojans pull away for the 11-5 win.
Williams ended the night with a team-leading four goals, with Blum scoring three and Craig netting two. Prieditis finished with one goal and two assists to round out the top offensive performers.
On the defensive side, Cale Shepherd and Lucas Pacer combined for 11 ground balls, Casey Bane had three caused turnover and Trace Muylle turned in another gem in net, registering 15 saves and keeping the hosts scoreless over the final 36:52 of game action.
Taylor (4-8, 2-5 WHAC) will close its 2023 regular season against No. 4 Concordia (13-1, 7-0 WHAC) on Saturday, April 22 with a 1:00 pm start on Wheeler Field. The Trojans will celebrate their six seniors prior to the start of the contest.
LITTLE GIANTS DROP TWIN BILL AT WITTENBERG
Wabash traveled to Springfield, Ohio, for a Wednesday afternoon North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader at Wittenberg University. The Little Giants dropped both games of the twin bill, falling 12-2 in seven innings in game one before suffering an 11-10 defeat in game two.
Camden Scheidt collected four hits over the two games. Brayden Lentz added three hits, including his first home run of the season in the second game to put Wabash (19-12, 4-4 NCAC) up 8-7. AJ Reid added two RBI in game two for the Little Giants.
GAME 1 | Wittenberg 12, Wabash 2
The Little Giants had a tough showing on Wednesday, falling to the Wittenberg Tigers by final score of 12-2.
Scheidt led the way offensively for the Little Giants, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and a walk. Liam Patton put together a standout effort at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. Lentz added a 2-for-3 effort for Wabash in the loss.
Henry Birk (0-2) started and took the loss on the mound for Wabash.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Little Giants got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Wabash got an RBI single from Patton, scoring Scheidt from third base.
Wittenberg (22-6, 8-0 NCAC) scored three runs and take a 3-1 lead before the Little Giants got back on the board in the third. Kamden Earley came across to score the lone run of the inning for Wabash to cut the Tigers’ lead to 3-2. The Little Giants were unable to get any closer, as Wittenberg added nine runs to their tally on the way to a 12-2 final.
GAME NOTES
» Wabash’s highest-scoring inning was the third, when it pushed one run across.
» Wabash pitchers faced 43 Wittenberg hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out one.
» Scheidt led the Little Giants at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.
GAME 2 | Wittenberg 11, Wabash 10
An explosive offensive output was not enough for Wabash in Wednesday’s second game. The Little Giants tallied 10 runs, but could not hold the Wittenberg Tigers at bay, and were bested 11-10.
Lentz led the way offensively for the Little Giants, going 1-for-5 in the ballgame with a home run and three RBI. Earley furnished a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and two RBI. Scheidt went 2-for-5 for Wabash with a double, a walk, and an RBI.
AJ Reid (0-2) started and took the loss on the mound for Wabash. Jacob Bishop was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning while allowing one hit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Little Giants got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Wabash plated two runs off of Wittenberg pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Earley.
The Tigers then tied the ballgame at two before the Little Giants came back to reclaim their advantage in the second inning. Wabash scored three times, picking up one on an RBI base knock off the bat of Patton, pushing the lead to 5-2 in favor of the Little Giants.
Wabash’s lead turned into an 8-5 Wittenberg advantage after the Tigers scored four runs in the second and a run in the third and four innings. The Little Giants tied up the game at 8-8 on a three-run homer off the bat of Lentz that scored Earley and Will Phillips.
The Tigers broke the tie and took the lead heading into the seventh inning before Wabash got back on the board. The Little Giants added two runs off Wittenberg pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double off the bat of Scheidt to take a 10-9 lead. Wittenberg scored twice with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to grab the 11-10 win.
GAME NOTES
» Wabash’s highest-scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Wabash went 7-for-12 (.583) with runners in scoring position.
» Wabash pitchers faced 41 Wittenberg hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out four.
» The Little Giants drew eight walks from Wittenberg pitching.
» Lentz led the Little Giants at the plate, going 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI.
TRAILBLAZER BASEBALL PITCHER GAVIN CRAGGS SIGNS WITH U. OF FORT LAUDERDALE
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball program is proud to announce the signing of VU sophomore lefty pitcher Gavin Craggs (Taylorville, Ill.) to the University of Fort Lauderdale Wednesday afternoon.
Craggs joins an Eagles squad that is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) under head coach Billy Glessner.
“I signed with Fort Lauderdale because it has been my dream to play baseball on the coast,” Craggs said. “As well as the success the team has had in their division.”
Craggs joined the Trailblazers this past summer after spending the previous season at Spoon River Community College.
This season Craggs has pitched 32 innings in 10 appearances and has 35 strikeouts on the season.
Craggs pitched a complete game earlier this season against Schoolcraft College, in which he allowed one run over five innings and struck out five in route to a VU 11-1 victory.
Craggs is currently tied for the team lead in strikeouts this season and has an average of 9.84 strikeouts per nine innings.
“My favorite memory at VU this season has been when our team went on a two series sweep on back-to-back weekends,” Craggs added.
“Vincennes University has helped me prepare both academically and athletically by having coaches and a great team that keeps you on track and compete with your best ability at all times on and off the field,” Craggs said.
Craggs is a member of a VU squad that is currently 17-23 on the season and earlier this season had an eight-game winning streak.
Craggs and his teammates will continue their Mid-West Athletic Conference schedule this weekend when VU heads to Springfield, Ill. to face-off against Lincoln Land Community College Saturday, April 22 and Sunday April 23. First pitch both days is set for 1 p.m. eastern.
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Gavin Craggs on his signing with the University of Fort Lauderdale and wishes him good luck as he continues his baseball career next season.
VU DISTANCE RUNNER HOPE LAUGHLIN SIGNS WITH NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Track and Field distance runner, sophomore Hope Laughlin (Olney, Ill.) signed to continue her athletic and academic careers at NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Wednesday afternoon.
Laughlin is joining a Sharks program led by Head Coach Bryan Hagopian, who has coached 42 Individual Conference Champions and 12 NCAA All-Americans in his 12 year career at Nova Southeastern.
“Nova has a very good athletic and academic program,” Laughlin said. “They also have a lot of internships and opportunities that will help me build my resume and experience for my masters degree and future career as an occupational therapist. Also the warm weather and the beach definitely played an important factor in my choice.”
Laughlin has been a member of the Trailblazers Cross Country and Track and Field programs the last two seasons, competing in the 800, 1000, 1500, mile, 3000 and 5000 meter races for the VU Track program.
Laughlin recently set a new PR in the Mile at the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic in Allendale, Mich., posting a time of 5:47.78.
Laughlin also closed out her VU Cross Country career in style, setting a new PR at the 2022 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships with a time of 21:42.5.
Laughlin also has collegiate PRs of 2:42.69 in the 800, 3:34.69 in the 1000, 5:22.67 in the 1500, 11:42.20 in the 3000 and 21:25.66 in the 5000 in her VU track career.
Laughlin also competed as a member of the Vincennes Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Her team finished with a time of 13:48.54 and placed 14th overall.
Laughlin has helped guide the VU women’s Track team to a No. 24-ranking in the USTFCCCA polls and the VU women’s Cross Country program to a No. 16-ranking this past fall.
“My favorite memories at VU were spending time with my teammates at Track and Cross Country meets,” Laughlin added. “Especially the exhilarating feelings of experiencing all of my teammates and myself succeed and celebrating our races and successes.”
“My coaches and teachers have always believed in me and supported me with my busy schedule balancing sports, school and work all at the same time,” Laughlin said. “They have always had high expectations for me that has pushed me to continue to work hard every day and to push through any hard tasks such as hard practices, races, or busy weeks of schoolwork and it has helped me learn about balance and growth as a person.”
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Hope Laughlin on her signing with Nova Southeastern University and wishes her good luck as she continues her running career next fall.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
MLB STANDINGS
| American League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Tampa Bay | 16 | 3 | .842 | – | 10 – 0 | 6 – 3 | 5 – 2 | 3 – 0 | 3 – 0 | 7 – 3 | W 2 |
| Baltimore | 11 | 7 | .611 | 4.5 | 4 – 3 | 7 – 4 | 2 – 4 | 2 – 1 | 5 – 2 | 7 – 3 | W 3 |
| NY Yankees | 11 | 7 | .611 | 4.5 | 7 – 5 | 4 – 2 | 2 – 1 | 4 – 3 | 1 – 1 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Toronto | 11 | 8 | .579 | 5 | 4 – 2 | 7 – 6 | 2 – 1 | 5 – 2 | 3 – 3 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| Boston | 9 | 10 | .474 | 7 | 6 – 6 | 3 – 4 | 2 – 5 | 4 – 1 | 3 – 1 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Minnesota | 11 | 7 | .611 | – | 4 – 2 | 7 – 5 | 3 – 3 | 5 – 1 | 2 – 1 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Cleveland | 10 | 9 | .526 | 1.5 | 2 – 4 | 8 – 5 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 2 | 6 – 4 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Detroit | 7 | 10 | .412 | 3.5 | 4 – 4 | 3 – 6 | 1 – 8 | 2 – 1 | 2 – 1 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Chi White Sox | 7 | 12 | .368 | 4.5 | 3 – 6 | 4 – 6 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 2 | 2 – 2 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
| Kansas City | 4 | 15 | .211 | 7.5 | 1 – 12 | 3 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 0 – 3 | 1 – 5 | 1 – 9 | L 6 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Texas | 12 | 6 | .667 | – | 6 – 3 | 6 – 3 | 1 – 2 | 5 – 1 | 2 – 1 | 8 – 2 | W 4 |
| LA Angels | 9 | 9 | .500 | 3 | 3 – 3 | 6 – 6 | 3 – 6 | 0 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Houston | 9 | 10 | .474 | 3.5 | 6 – 7 | 3 – 3 | 2 – 1 | 4 – 6 | 1 – 2 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Seattle | 8 | 11 | .421 | 4.5 | 5 – 8 | 3 – 3 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 4 | 1 – 2 | 4 – 6 | L 3 |
| Oakland | 3 | 16 | .158 | 9.5 | 2 – 10 | 1 – 6 | 1 – 6 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 9 | L 7 |
| National League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Atlanta | 14 | 5 | .737 | – | 4 – 3 | 10 – 2 | 2 – 1 | 6 – 0 | 3 – 4 | 8 – 2 | L 1 |
| NY Mets | 12 | 7 | .632 | 2 | 4 – 2 | 8 – 5 | 5 – 2 | 0 – 3 | 4 – 2 | 7 – 3 | W 1 |
| Miami | 10 | 9 | .526 | 4 | 7 – 6 | 3 – 3 | 4 – 6 | 0 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 7 – 3 | L 1 |
| Philadelphia | 8 | 11 | .421 | 6 | 3 – 3 | 5 – 8 | 1 – 2 | 4 – 3 | 0 – 0 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Washington | 5 | 13 | .278 | 8.5 | 2 – 9 | 3 – 4 | 1 – 2 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 2 | 3 – 7 | L 2 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Milwaukee | 14 | 5 | .737 | – | 5 – 1 | 9 – 4 | 3 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 4 – 3 | 7 – 3 | W 4 |
| Chi Cubs | 11 | 6 | .647 | 2 | 5 – 4 | 6 – 2 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 2 – 1 | 7 – 3 | W 4 |
| Pittsburgh | 12 | 7 | .632 | 2 | 3 – 3 | 9 – 4 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 4 | 3 – 0 | 6 – 4 | W 3 |
| St. Louis | 8 | 11 | .421 | 6 | 5 – 8 | 3 – 3 | 0 – 3 | 3 – 4 | 3 – 3 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Cincinnati | 7 | 11 | .389 | 6.5 | 6 – 6 | 1 – 5 | 3 – 7 | 3 – 2 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 7 | L 2 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Arizona | 11 | 8 | .579 | – | 5 – 2 | 6 – 6 | 1 – 2 | 4 – 2 | 6 – 4 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| LA Dodgers | 9 | 10 | .474 | 2 | 6 – 6 | 3 – 4 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 2 | 7 – 6 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| San Diego | 9 | 11 | .450 | 2.5 | 5 – 8 | 4 – 3 | 5 – 5 | 1 – 3 | 3 – 3 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| San Francisco | 6 | 11 | .353 | 4 | 2 – 4 | 4 – 7 | 1 – 2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| Colorado | 5 | 14 | .263 | 6 | 3 – 7 | 2 – 7 | 2 – 2 | 1 – 5 | 2 – 4 | 2 – 8 | L 8 |