INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATE FINALS FRIDAY/SATURDAY
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP | 5:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM CT
BARR-REEVE (27-6) VS. LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (27-6)
CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP | 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT
BREBEUF JESUIT (25-9) VS. NEW PRAIRIE (26-5)
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP | 4:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM CT
PROVIDENCE (21-7) VS. ILLIANA CHRISTIAN (21-9)
CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP | 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT
MOORESVILLE (32-3) VS. LAKE CENTRAL (24-9)
PREVIEW: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2023-24%20Baseball%20Preview.pdf
INDIANA BOYS GOLF STATE FINALS:
https://igf.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/igf24/event/igf24118/index.htm
NBA FINALS SCHEDULE
GAME 1: BOSTON 107 DALLAS 89
GAME 2: BOSTON 105 DALLAS 98
GAME 3: BOSTON 106 DALLAS 99
GAME 4: CELTICS VS. MAVERICKS, FRIDAY, JUNE 14 (8:30 ET)
GAME 5: MAVERICKS VS. CELTICS, MONDAY, JUNE 17 (8:30 ET)*
GAME 6: CELTICS VS. MAVERICKS, THURSDAY, JUNE 20 (8:30 ET)*
GAME 7: MAVERICKS VS. CELTICS, SUNDAY, JUNE 23 (8 ET)*
* = IF NECESSARY
WNBA SCORES
CONNECTICUT 83 CHICAGO 75
NHL PLAYOFFS
2024 STANLEY CUP FINAL
FLORIDA PANTHERS (1A) VS. EDMONTON OILERS (2P)
GAME 1: FLORIDA 3 EDMONTON 0
GAME 2: FLORIDA 1 EDMONTON 1
GAME 3: PANTHERS AT OILERS — JUNE 13, 8 P.M. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
GAME 4: PANTHERS AT OILERS — JUNE 15, 8 P.M. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+GAME 5: OILERS AT PANTHERS — JUNE 18, 8 P.M. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+GAME 6: PANTHERS AT OILERS — JUNE 21, 8 P.M. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+GAME 7: OILERS AT PANTHERS — JUNE 24, 8 P.M. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MINNESOTA 17 COLORADO 9
MILWAUKEE 5 TORONTO 4
SAN FRANCISCO 5 HOUSTON 3
SAN DIEGO 5 OAKLAND 4
BALTIMORE 4 ATLANTA 2
WASHINGTON 7 DETROIT 5
CHICAGO CUBS 4 TAMPA BAY 3
BOSTON 8 PHILADELPHIA 6
NY METS 10 MIAMI 4
CINCINNATI 4 CLEVELAND 2
ST. LOUIS 4 PITTSBURGH 2
NY YANKEES 11 KANSAS CITY 5
LA ANGELS 8 ARIZONA 3
SEATTLE 2 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1 (10)
TEXAS 3 LA DODGERS 2
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
JACKSONVILLE 3 INDIANAPOLIS 1
FORT WAYNE 3 LAKE COUNTY 1
PEORIA 6 SOUTH BEND 2
COLLEGE BASEBALL-NCAA TOURNAMENT WORLD SERIES
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
VIRGINIA VS. NORTH CAROLINA, 2 P.M. (ESPN)
FLORIDA STATE VS. TENNESSEE, 7 P.M. (ESPN)
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
NC STATE VS. KENTUCKY, 2 P.M. (ESPN)
FLORIDA VS. TEXAS A&M, 7 P.M. (ESPN)
MLS
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
UFL
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL SPORTS HEADLINES
NBA NEWS
JERRY WEST, A 3-TIME HALL OF FAME SELECTION AND THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NBA LOGO, DIES AT 86
Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive, and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.
He was 86.
West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits as a player, was an NBA champion who went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called West “one of the greatest executives in sports history.”
“He helped build eight championship teams during his tenure in the NBA — a legacy of achievement that mirrors his on-court excellence,” Silver said. “And he will be enshrined this October into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor. I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life.”
West was “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him,” the Clippers said in announcing his death. West’s wife, Karen, was by his side when he died, the Clippers said. West worked for the Clippers as a consultant for the last seven years.
He was an All-Star in all 14 of his NBA seasons, a 12-time All-NBA selection, part of the 1972 Lakers team that won a championship, an NBA Finals MVP when the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in 1969 — the first year that award was given out, and still the only time it went to a player on the losing team — and was selected as part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
West was general manager of championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping build the “Showtime” dynasty. He also worked in the front offices of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers. Among his many highlights as an executive with the Lakers: he drafted Magic Johnson and James Worthy, then brought in Kobe Bryant and eventually Shaquille O’Neal to play alongside Bryant.
His basketball life bridged generations: West played with Elgin Baylor, whom he called “the most supportive and the greatest player of that era,” and Wilt Chamberlain. As a coach and executive, he worked with a who’s-who of NBA stars from the last 40 years: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Worthy, O’Neal, Bryant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George among them.
“I marvel at them, at the joy they brought basketball fans all over the world,” West said in 2019.
Even in the final years of his life, West was considered basketball royalty. He routinely sat courtside at Summer League games in Las Vegas, often watching many games in a day while greeting long lines of players — LeBron James among them — who would approach to shake his hand.
“The game transcends many things,” West said while attending Summer League last year. “The players change, the style of play may change, but the respect that you learn in this game never changes.”
James, on social media, offered his condolences: “Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!” the NBA’s all-time scoring leader wrote Wednesday.
West is 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, and while the league has never confirmed that West was in fact the model for its logo — a player dribbling a ball, set against a red-and-blue background — the league has never said otherwise, either.
“While it’s never been officially declared that the logo is Jerry West,” Silver said in 2021, “it sure looks a lot like him.”
West is still the NBA Finals’ all-time leader in total points, along with field goals made and attempted as well as free throws made and attempted. He played in the title series nine times with the Lakers; his teams went 1-2 against the New York Knicks, and 0-6 against the Celtics.
“Those damn Celtics,” he often said.
West also hit one of the most famed shots in finals history, a 60-footer at the buzzer of Game 3 of the 1970 series between the Knicks and Lakers to force overtime.
Tributes from across the sports world quickly poured in Wednesday morning. The Los Angeles Dodgers released a statement calling West “an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years,” and the NBA was planning a pregame tribute to West before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
“Jerry West is one of my favorite people that I had the honor to get to know in the NBA,” Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison said Wednesday. “He welcomed me to the league, offered advice from the first day, and asked nothing in return. He will be missed.”
Michael Jordan said he considered West “a friend and mentor — like an older brother to me.”
“I valued his friendship and knowledge,” Jordan said. “I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate. I admired his basketball insights and he and I shared many similarities to how we approached the game.”
A native of Chelyan, West Virginia, West was known as a tenacious player who was rarely satisfied with his performance. He grew up shooting at a basket nailed to the side of a shed and often shot until his fingers bled. He became the first high school player in state history to score more than 900 points in a season, averaging 32.2 points in leading East Bank High to a state title.
Basketball, he would later reveal, was his therapy.
In his memoir, “West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life,” West chronicled a lifelong battle with depression. He wrote that his childhood was devoid of love and filled with anger as a result of an abusive father. He often felt worthless, and to combat that, he said he put his energy into playing the game.
West led West Virginia University — where he is still the all-time leader in scoring average — to the NCAA final in 1959, when the Mountaineers lost by one point to California.
A year after he won Olympic gold in Rome, West joined the Lakers, where he spent his entire pro playing career. He was honored as one of the league’s 50 greatest players in 1996 and when the league expanded the polling to 75 players to commemorate its 75th anniversary in 2021, West was selected again.
“You know, it never ceases to amaze me the places you can go in this world chasing a bouncing ball,” West said in 2019, when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor — by then-President Donald Trump. “My chase began in Chelyan, West Virginia, where I strung a wire basket with no net to the side of a bridge. If your shot didn’t go in, the ball rolled down a long bank and you would be chasing it forever. So, you better make it.
“I was a dreamer. My family didn’t have much, but we had a clear view of the Appalachian Mountains, and I’d sit alone on our front porch and wonder, ‘If I ever make it to the top of that mountain, what will I see on the other side?’ Well, I did make it to the other side, and my dreams have come true. I’ve been able to see the sides, thanks to that bouncing ball.”
REACTION TO THE DEATH OF JERRY WEST, ‘A BASKETBALL GENIUS’
The NBA and sports world reacted Wednesday to the death of basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West. He died Wednesday morning at age 86 with his wife, Karen, by his side, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Clippers. West had been working for the Clippers as a consultant.
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“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years. He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments. He was the league’s first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality, earning him the nickname ‘Mr. Clutch.’” — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!” — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on X.
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“I am so deeply saddened at the news of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a friend and mentor — like an older brother to me. I valued his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate. I admired his basketball insights and he and I shared many similarities to how we approached the game. He will be forever missed! My condolences to his wife, Karen, and his sons. RIP, Logo.” — Michael Jordan, former NBA great and current Charlotte Hornets minority owner.
“This is a hard day. I am honored to call Jerry a confidant, an advisor and a friend. Connie, my wife, called him my ‘basketball dad.’ He was absolutely my basketball sage: wise, loyal and so much fun. If you were in his presence, you felt his competitiveness and his drive. He cared about everything and everyone. From the first day I met Jerry seven years ago, he inspired me with his intellect, honesty and enthusiasm. He never stopped. I spent a lot of time with him, some of the best times of my life. He always lent an ear, and he always had a quip. He always left me laughing. I will miss him.” — Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
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“Jerry West was an incredible and unique individual, having accomplished immeasurable heights in the game of basketball. He reached the absolute pinnacle of the sport as both a player and executive, something few can claim in the profession. He did so much for the NBA, the game of basketball and each of the teams he was associated with during his unmatched career, including the Warriors. Jerry had a profound and immense impact on our franchise and was instrumental in our recent decade of success.” — Joe Lacob, Golden State Warriors co-executive chairman and CEO.
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“When you think of basketball, you think of Jerry West. From the coalfields of WV to the sport’s biggest stages, Jerry demonstrated his mastery of the sport with grace and humility. He was a world-class athlete, a proud West Virginian, and a great friend. Rest in peace, Jerry.” — Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., on X.
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“The passing of Jerry West was a shock. The LOGO impacted every aspect of our sport. As a player, evaluator of talent, a GM and as president of the Grizzlies. We spent time together there and I learned more of him then. Our long conversations over the years were basketball classes for me. We mourn his sudden passing and send prayers to his family.” — University of Arkansas coach John Calipari.
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“May my all-time first team shooting guard rest in peace knowing he paved the way for defining greatness on the hardwood, excellence in the front office and living life his way. Jerry is one of one and claims the right to be the logo forever. My condolences to his family.” — NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving.
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“All I can say is we lost an absolute superstar in every way. I’m telling you. This is a good man. A man that loved West Virginia beyond good sense. A man that told me so many times that the people of West Virginia, what makes us what we are, is we’re real. He absolutely loved all of us.”— West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who frequently was joined by West on hunting and fishing trips.
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“The Dodgers mourn the passing of NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Jerry West, an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years. We send our most sincere condolences to his family and friends.” — the Los Angeles Dodgers.
TATUM, BROWN HELP CELTICS HOLD OFF HUGE DALLAS RALLY FOR 106-99 WIN, 3-0 LEAD IN NBA FINALS
DALLAS (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 31, Jaylen Brown had 30 and the Boston Celtics held off a furious Dallas rally to reach the brink of a record 18th championship with a 106-99 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night for a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Brown finished with eight rebounds and eight assists as the Celtics extended their franchise record with a 10th consecutive playoff victory and moved to 7-0 on the road this postseason. They can win the series and break a tie with the Lakers for most NBA championships with a victory Friday in Dallas.
Boston also improved to 10-1 in these playoffs without Kristaps Porzingis after the 7-foot-2 Latvian was ruled out about two hours before the game because of a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg sustained in Game 2.
The status of Porzingis for the rest of the series appears in doubt, but it might not matter. None of the previous 156 teams to face a 3-0 deficit has rallied to win an NBA playoff series.
The Mavs almost pulled off a crazy comeback to avoid the big hole — 13 years after the only other rally to match it in the NBA Finals sparked Dallas’ run to its only title against Miami.
Boston led 91-70 at the end of a 20-5 run early in the fourth quarter before Dallas answered with a 22-2 spurt to get within a point with 3 1/2 minutes remaining.
Problem was, Luka Doncic picked up his sixth foul with 4:12 remaining when a challenge was unsuccessful before Kyrie Irving, who scored 35 points, hit a jumper to get Dallas within one.
Tatum and Brown saved the Celtics from there, with some help from Derrick White, who scored 16. Those three combined for the remaining 13 Boston points.
REPORT: NBA INVITES 12 PLAYERS TO DRAFT GREEN ROOM
The NBA invited 12 players to attend the first round of the June 26 draft in Brooklyn, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Another 11 or 12 invitations to the green room will be sent out starting next week, according to the report.
The first wave of invitees includes Matas Buzelis, Devin Carter, Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Ron Holland, Dalton Knecht, Zaccharie Risacher, Tidjane Salaun, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Ja’Kobe Walter and Cody Williams.
All 12 of those players are projected lottery picks, according to ESPN’s most recent mock draft.
The 2024 NBA Draft is being held over two days, with the first round taking place at Barclays Center and the second round on June 27 at ESPN’s Manhattan studio.
WNBA NEWS
SUN FEND OFF SKY, RUN RECORD TO 11-1
Alyssa Thomas scored 20 points and Brionna Jones netted 18 as the visiting Connecticut Sun held off the pesky Chicago Sky 83-75 on Wednesday night.
Thomas also added seven rebounds, six steals and four assists for the Sun (11-1), who are 2-0 since falling at home to New York on Saturday. DeWanna Bonner added 16 points and Tyasha Harris 13 as Connecticut forced the Sky into 17 turnovers.
Chicago (4-7) battled back from a 13-point hole in the fourth quarter to get within four on Diamond DeShields’ 3-pointer with 28.2 seconds remaining.
However, the Sky, who got a season-high 20 points to go with 10 boards from rookie Angel Reese, couldn’t get closer. Kamilla Cardoso, Marina Mabrey and Chennedy Carter each scored 10 for the Sky, who shot 48.3 percent but fell to 1-5 at home.
The Sun led 60-55 at the end of the third quarter, and then scored the first eight points of the fourth. Four different players scored during that surge, highlighted by easy buckets from Bonner and Thomas.
Connecticut, 4-0 on the road, led 40-38 at the half, then scored seven of the first nine points to open the third quarter.
Later in the period, a 3-pointer from DiJonai Carrington put the Sun ahead 54-59. However, back-to-back buckets from Carter and Reese made it a one-point contest.
Harris then knocked down a trey of her own to give the Sun some breathing room.
A 12-2 first-quarter surge, paced by four points apiece by the newly-named Olympian Thomas and Jones, helped the Sun erase a 4-0 hole. A bucket by Bonner gave Connecticut a 16-8 lead with 5:17 left in the first quarter.
However, six straight points from Carter highlighted a 14-2 run that put Chicago ahead by four before. The Sky led by two after the first 10 minutes.
After Reese’s layup off a Sun turnover tied it at 34-34 with roughly three minutes to play in the first half, Jones scored the game’s next four points.
Connecticut shot 40.6 percent, committed 10 turnovers and allowed Chicago to make 46.7 percent of its shots in the first half, but held a 6-2 advantage on the offensive glass to lead by a pair at the break.
BASEBALL NEWS
MLB ROUNDUP: CARLOS CORREA, TWINS TROUNCE ROCKIES
Carlos Correa had a career-high five hits and Carlos Santana ripped a bases-clearing double, powering the Minnesota Twins to a 17-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Royce Lewis and Willi Castro each homered to highlight their three-hit performances for Minnesota, which banged out a season-high 24 hits.
Jose Miranda and Christian Vazquez each belted a two-run double in the Twins’ seven-run eighth inning. Every member of Minnesota’s starting lineup notched at least one hit and one RBI.
Twins starter Pablo Lopez (6-6) allowed two runs on five hits in five innings. Rockies starter Austin Gomber (1-4) was shredded for eight runs on 11 hits in three-plus innings. Colorado’s Jacob Stallings and Brenton Doyle each had two hits and two RBIs.
Rangers 3, Dodgers 2
Corey Seager hit a three-run home run in his return to Dodger Stadium as Texas edged host Los Angeles. Seager, who left the Dodgers via free agency after the 2021 season, had missed the Rangers’ previous four games because of a left hamstring strain.
Texas’ Kirby Yates put two runners on in the ninth and the Dodgers’ Jason Heyward hit a line drive toward the gap in right-center. Will Smith scored, but Andy Pages was thrown out at home for the final out. Shohei Ohtani hit a first-inning homer for Los Angeles’ other run.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler (1-4) gave up three runs (two earned) over five innings. Buehler has just one win in seven starts since returning from a nearly two-year absence after his second Tommy John surgery.
Brewers 5, Blue Jays 4
Milwaukee surged ahead with a five-run sixth inning, then squashed a three-run ninth-inning rally by visiting Toronto to capture the three-game series.
Trailing 5-4, the Blue Jays threatened with two runners on base and no outs, forcing the Brewers to turn to closer Trevor Megill. Blue Jays pinch hitter Vladmir Guerrero Jr. flied out to center for the final out, giving Megill his 11th save of the season.
Milwaukee’s Tobias Myers (3-2) threw six innings of one-run ball. Toronto reliever Zach Pop (0-1) took the loss after surrendering three runs in two-thirds of an inning.
Giants 5, Astros 3
Austin Slater had three hits and drove in two runs out of the leadoff spot, Logan Webb outpitched Framber Valdez, and host San Francisco wrapped up a three-game series win over Houston.
After two low-scoring affairs that resulted in a split, the Giants got their bats going against Valdez (5-4). They roughed him up for five runs in just four innings, taking a 5-1 lead they massaged to the finish.
Webb (6-5) gave up three runs in six innings. Camilo Doval threw a perfect ninth inning for his 12th save.
Padres 5, Athletics 4
Jackson Merrill’s second homer of the game came with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning and lifted San Diego over visiting Oakland.
Merrill cracked a first-pitch slider from Mason Miller (1-1) into the seats in right field. Robert Suarez (4-0) pitched a scoreless top of the ninth for his second victory in less than 24 hours as the Padres swept a series for the first time in six attempts this year.
Donovan Solano also belted two homers for San Diego, wiping out the Athletics’ 4-2 lead in the eighth with a two-run shot off Lucas Erceg. Shea Langeliers and Zack Gelof each had two hits and an RBI for the A’s.
Orioles 4, Braves 2
Colton Cowser hit a two-run home run to break an eighth-inning tie as host Baltimore beat slumping Atlanta.
Cowser’s eighth home run of the season, and his first since May 26, matched a two-run homer by Atlanta’s Matt Olson in the top of the inning as the Orioles pushed their winning streak to six games.
Olson and Marcell Ozuna each had two hits, but Atlanta took its fifth loss in a row.
Nationals 7, Tigers 5
CJ Abrams homered and drove in two runs and Washington extended its winning streak to a season-high five games with a victory in Detroit.
Washington’s Jesse Winker reached base four times, scoring a run and driving in another. Nationals starter Jake Irvin (5-5) gave up one run on six hits in six innings. Kyle Finnegan yielded a run in the ninth inning but earned his 19th save.
Gio Urshela had a two-run double for the Tigers, while Matt Vierling and Riley Greene hit solo homers. Detroit starter Reese Olson (1-8) gave up five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Reds 4, Guardians 2
Jeimer Candelario homered twice and drove in all four runs while starter Nick Lodolo was supported by a pair of key defensive plays to help Cincinnati beat visiting Cleveland, earning a split of the two-game set.
Candelario finished 3-for-4 in front of 42,427 fans, the most to ever attend a Monday through Thursday regular-season game at Great American Ball Park.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the third inning, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz backhanded an Andres Gimenez grounder in the hole and threw out Gimenez by a half-step for the final out of the inning to preserve a 1-1 tie. An inning later, Cincinnati left fielder Jacob Hurtubise threw out Bryan Rocchio at the plate for the second out of the frame.
Cubs 4, Rays 3
Cody Bellinger stroked a go-ahead three-run homer as Chicago evened its three-game series with Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Bellinger, who finished 2-for-5, bashed Cleavinger’s pitch 407 feet to right-center for a 4-2 advantage that stood up as the Cubs moved to 2-4 on their seven-game road trip.
The Rays’ Jose Siri went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and double. Isaac Paredes doubled in a run.
Mets 10, Marlins 4
Harrison Bader, Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor homered for host New York, which never trailed in a win over Miami.
Tyrone Taylor tied a career high with four hits while Bader, Marte and Francisco Alvarez each finished with two RBIs for the Mets, who have won seven of the past 11 games.
Dane Myers, Emmanuel Rivera, Bryan De La Cruz and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each had an RBI for the Marlins, who lost for the seventh time in nine games.
Red Sox 8, Phillies 6
Enmanuel Valdez and David Hamilton each drove in two runs as Boston stormed back to defeat visiting Philadelphia.
The Red Sox totaled 13 hits and climbed out from a 4-0 deficit by scoring in each of the three middle innings, highlighted by a five-run fifth. Jarren Duran went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while Rafael Devers (triple), Hamilton (home run) and Ceddanne Rafaela each added two hits.
Philadelphia managed only three hits against five Boston relievers, including winner Cam Booser (1-2), who earned his first major league win. The Phillies’ Nick Castellanos doubled, tripled and scored two runs.
Cardinals 4, Pirates 2
Nolan Arenado went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI and host St. Louis held on to beat Pittsburgh to even the teams’ three-game series at one win apiece.
Henry Davis hit a solo homer for Pittsburgh. Michael A. Taylor drove in the Pirates’ other run.
Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (8-4) held the Pirates to one run on four hits in seven innings. Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter (3-4) allowed three runs on eight hits in four innings.
Yankees 11, Royals 5
Jose Trevino, Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres each homered as visiting New York beat Kansas City for its fourth straight win.
The Yankees have won 12 of 14 and have outscored the Royals 25-8 while winning the first three of the four-game series.
Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits and is batting .414 during his 13-game hitting streak, tied for his career best.
Mariners 2, White Sox 1 (10 innings)
Pinch hitter Mitch Haniger singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning as host Seattle defeated Chicago.
Haniger’s hit to right field off Steven Wilson (1-3) scored Luke Raley, the automatic runner. Raley homered in the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie for the Mariners. Trent Thornton (3-1) got the win.
White Sox pinch hitter Luis Robert Jr. lined the first pitch from Mariners reliever Mike Baumann in the ninth inning just over the left field wall to tie the score at 1-1.
Angels 8, Diamondbacks 3
Jose Soriano pitched eight-plus solid innings and Zach Neto and Jo Adell each homered as Los Angeles rolled over Arizona in Phoenix.
Soriano (4-5) induced the Diamondbacks to hit into four double plays in the longest outing of his major league career. He lost his shutout attempt in the eighth inning when Christian Walker hit a solo homer. Soriano gave up two runs and five hits.
Matt Moore allowed a two-run homer to Ketel Marte before finishing the ninth for Los Angeles. Walker and Marte had two hits apiece for the Diamondbacks. Adell hit a three-run shot, Neto had three hits, two RBIs and two runs and Nolan Schanuel also had three hits for the Angels.
REPORTS: DODGERS ACQUIRE INF CAVAN BIGGIO FROM JAYS
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired infielder Cavan Biggio from the Toronto Blue Jays, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
ESPN reported that the Blue Jays will receive right-handed prospect Braydon Fisher in exchange.
Toronto designated Biggio for assignment on Friday. Biggio, 29, has struggled this season, batting just .200 with two homers and nine RBIs in 44 games.
The son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio showed promise as a rookie with 16 homers, 48 RBIs and 14 steals in 100 games in 2019. He finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year balloting.
But he’s never reached double digits in homers or even had as many as 70 hits in a season since. Biggio started 34 games this season, 23 at second base.
Biggio has a .227 career average with 48 homers and 176 RBIs in 490 games with the Blue Jays.
He joins a Dodgers roster that is currently missing third baseman Max Muncy, who is on the injured list with a strained oblique.
Fisher, 23, was a fourth-round pick in 2018 and has yet to make his major league debut. He is 2-1 with a 5.68 ERA in 15 relief appearances this season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
NHL NEWS
EDMONTON AND ITS ROSTER CHOCK FULL OF CANADIANS IS EAGER TO END CANADA’S STANLEY CUP DROUGHT
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid on the ice is an electrifying, must-watch sensation fit for the big screen. Off the ice, he does not think there is much “Hollywood” to him.
“Just a Canadian kid,” McDavid said.
A Canadian kid who has led the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final, four wins away from bringing hockey’s hallowed trophy back to the birthplace of the sport for the first time since 1993 — four years before he was born. While fans in Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver might not be rooting for a hated rival to win it all, the Oilers have as good a case as anyone in recent NHL history to get this close to ending the drought and truly call themselves Canada’s team.
The Edmonton roster has the highest makeup of Canadians of any Cup finalist over the past two decades. The lineup that takes the ice Thursday night for Game 3 in front of a raucous crowd starved for a championship could include as many as 16 of the 20 natives on the team.
“It gives you extra motivation, extra passion to do it for your country,” said defenseman Brett Kulak, who along with goaltender Stuart Skinner is from Edmonton itself. “Very few guys on the team who aren’t Canadian. We all kind of can get behind that.”
Longtime NHL forward Ray Ferraro, a native of Trail, British Columbia, who now lives in Vancouver, argued before the series that Canada as a country is not getting behind the Oilers. He likened it to the New York Yankees reaching the World Series and not counting on much support from American League fans elsewhere.
“There’s nobody in Vancouver cheering for the Oilers just because we all live in Canada,” said Ferraro, who’s broadcasting the final for ESPN. “Edmonton is Edmonton’s team. And it is a source of pride. We’d like to get, I’m sure, in this country a Stanley Cup champion again, but it is city by city.”
Kulak, who also played for Calgary and Montreal, nonetheless hopes the rest of Canada is pulling for the Oilers. Jason Demers, who played briefly for Edmonton last year before retiring, is a bit biased based on his personal connections but would like to see the run of 29 consecutive U.S.-based Cup winners come to an end.
“We haven’t had a Cup in 30 years,” said Demers, who is working the series for NHL Network. “Why wouldn’t we be cheering for them as a country? Because the U.S. has all but dominated it. Obviously, there’s Canadian players (who have won), but having a team, an organization and everything, I think it’s really good for us.”
The 1993 Montreal Canadiens remain the last team from Canada to hoist the Cup. That capped an 10-year run with eight Canadian champions, including the Oilers winning it five times from 1984-90.
As recently as 2004-07, one of the NHL’s seven Canadian teams made the final three straight times, but it’s been rare ever since. Vancouver lost to Boston in seven games in 2011, Montreal in five to Tampa Bay in 2021 — and that’s it.
Hall of Famer Mark Messier captained the final title team of the Oilers dynasty after Wayne Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles, a move that set the stage for U.S. Sun Belt expansion and made it possible for teams such as the Florida Panthers to thrive in so-called nontraditional markets. The native of St. Albert, just outside Edmonton, marvels at how far hockey has reached beyond Canada but is still glad there are so many homegrown players in this final.
“The stories are rich with great Canadian players who’ve played the game,” said Messier, who is providing analysis for ESPN during the final. “Being a Canadian on a Canadian team in the finals (looking for the first championship) since 1993, it’s incredibly exciting. We as Canadians have always had a lot of pride at the international level.”
At the international level, Canada has thrived, including back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2010 and ’14 when NHL players participated. Edmonton’s Corey Perry played an important role on each of those teams; now he is the only Canadian on the roster old enough to remember Patrick Roy and the Habs beating Gretzky and the Kings in ’93.
Even though the Oilers have one of the oldest teams in the league, a vast majority were not alive for the Canadiens’ record 24th Cup celebration. Since then, there have been plenty of near misses: Calgary lost to Tampa Bay in seven games in 2004, Edmonton to Carolina in seven in ’06, Ottawa to Anaheim in five in ’07 before the Vancouver and Montreal trips to the final. The latter came when an all-Canadian North Division guaranteed one team from the country a spot in the semifinals.
That was also during the pandemic, and restrictions in Canada at the time limited attendance to 3,500 at Bell Centre. Rogers Place will be packed to the brim for Game 3, with Oilers fans fired up to see if their team can rally down 0-2 to the Panthers.
“I can only expect pandemonium and the most crazy party you could see because it’s high time that it came back,” Demers said. “The city just is cuckoo for hockey, so they’re going to absolutely love it.”
Players can feel that energy, including journeyman American Derek Ryan, German star Leon Draisaitl and a trio of Swedes, Mattias Ekholm, Mattias Janmark and Philip Broberg. But that’s it for foreigners because everyone else on the Oilers, plus coach Kris Knoblauch from tiny Imperial, Saskatchewan, is Canadian. Their journey has been even more special as a result.
“Obviously being a Canadian kid myself, you know how much hockey means in Canada, and I think a lot of the guys who grew up in Canada know that, as well,” Alberta native winger Dylan Holloway said. “That’s pretty cool to think about and, yeah, to bring a Cup back to Canada would mean a lot to a lot of people.”
OILERS UNFAZED DOWN 2-0, LOOK FOR OFFENSIVE SPARK VS. PANTHERS
If the pressure is on the Edmonton Oilers, they are doing everything possible to alleviate those feelings in anticipation of Thursday’s Stanley Cup Final home clash with the Florida Panthers.
Down 2-0 to the Panthers in the best-of-seven series, the Oilers are well aware Game 3 will swing their fortunes greatly in either direction. Even so, the plan of attack is to simply remain calm and hit the ice.
“There’s nothing to be tight about,” Edmonton forward Zach Hyman said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’re in a great series here. I thought we played one really good game and they played a good game. We’re down two, but we haven’t lost on home ice. That’s the key; go out and take care of business at home. Win one game, that’s it.”
The Oilers have shown plenty of mettle since starting the regular season with only two wins in their first dozen games, but lately the high-octane squad has been stymied. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky delivered a brilliant shutout performance in the opener and followed that with a 4-1 victory in Game 2.
Edmonton desperately needs a spark to ignite its attack, which has even been blanked on seven power-play opportunities.
“We usually solve penalty kills, and I would expect us to figure this one out, too,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said.
On the injury front, Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said defenseman Darnell Nurse, who had only three shifts in the final 50-plus minutes last game after being on the receiving end of a hard check, is expected to play. The Oilers intend to return veteran forward Corey Perry to the lineup, with the likely candidate to come out being Evander Kane, who has been hampered by an undisclosed ailment.
Speaking of injuries, the Panthers appear to have avoided a serious issue, with captain Aleksander Barkov well enough to practice on Wednesday. Barkov, who is not only a scoring star but considered the league’s best defensive center, missed the final half of the third period last game after being hit in the head by Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl.
“Felt better today,” coach Paul Maurice said. “Got through skate today as far as I know. He’ll get checked after. Get him on a plane, get him off a plane, get him on the ice, and we’ll see where he’s at tomorrow. He looked good today.”
Fellow forward Vladimir Tarasenko did not practice due to “a minor thing” Maurice said, nor did defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Eetu Luostarinen, but all are expected to play.
Therefore, it appears the Panthers will have all hands on deck as they attempt to take a stranglehold on the series. In finals history, 49 of the 54 teams to previously win the first two games of the series have gone on to win the Stanley Cup.
“We’re feeling confident in our game,” Luostarinen said. “Up 2-0 is a good spot, but we know there’s still a lot of work to do. It’s going to be hard to play there. Their home crowd is going to be loud, too.”
In Edmonton’s favor is that 11 of the last 14 teams to face a 2-0 deficit in the finals have won Game 3, including the Panthers last year, although they eventually dropped the series to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
The Panthers, who have surrendered two or fewer goals in all five games of their current winning streak and in 12 of their last 13 outings, boast a 6-2 road record during the playoffs.
FOOTBALL NEWS
SOUTHERN MISS FOOTBALL PLAYER KILLED IN SHOOTING
Southern Miss defensive back MJ Daniels died in a shooting Tuesday night in Hattiesburg, Miss. He was 21.
Officials said the shooting occurred at an off-campus apartment complex. No other details were immediately available.
Daniels played for Southern Miss in 2023 after transferring from Ole Miss. He intercepted three passes, forced two fumbles and recorded 28 tackles in 12 games last season.
“His smile was infectious and lit up the room,” Golden Eagles head coach Will Hall posted Wednesday on X. “Please keep MJ’s loved ones and our Southern Miss family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Daniels was a native of Lucedale, Miss. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior moved from cornerback to safety for the upcoming 2024 season and was expected to be a starter.
Southern Miss released a statement.
“The University of Southern Mississippi and the Department of Athletics mourn the loss of M.J. Daniels whose life was lost Tuesday evening during an incident that occurred off campus. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
TENNESSEE LANDS 4-STAR EDGE RUSHER JAYDEN LOFTIN
Four-star defensive end Jayden Loftin committed to Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound prospect from Somerville, N.J., is ranked as the No. 27 edge rusher in the nation by the 247 Sports composite.
Loftin took an official visit to Knoxville last weekend and told Rivals.com that the “family aspect of everything is what really stood out” for him with coach Josh Heupel’s program.
Loftin took an official visit to Wisconsin last month and had visits scheduled for Syracuse and Penn State. He also received offers from Nebraska, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Michigan State, Minnesota, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina and others, per Yahoo Sports.
PATS RETIRE TOM BRADY’S NUMBER, ANNOUNCE STATUE PLANS
The New England Patriots, while inducting Tom Brady into their Hall of Fame on Wednesday, delivered a few surprises for the legendary quarterback.
Team owner Robert Kraft revealed that the Patriots are retiring Brady’s uniform No. 12 and are commissioning a 12-foot-tall bronze Brady statue that will be installed during the 2024 season.
“(The statue) will stand alone in the plaza outside of the Hall of Fame to symbolize his position, not as the greatest in franchise history, but as the greatest in all of NFL history,” Kraft said.
The ceremony drew a crowd of 60,000 to the Patriots’ home stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The three-hour festivities included appearances by scores of Brady’s former teammates and ex-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. It was the first time Belichick returned to Foxborough since he resigned at the end of last season.
Brady gave thanks to all, saying, “I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot.”
He added of Belichick, “It wasn’t me. It wasn’t you. It was us. … Let me make this crystal clear: There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”
Brady, playing under Belichick, spent 20 years with the Patriots, leading the team to six Super Bowl championships. He later added another title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Belichick, greeted with huge cheers from Patriots fans, said to Brady, “Thank you for all that you’ve done for us. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. And thank you for the example and motto you’ve been for all of us on a daily basis for 20 years. Congratulations.”
One of Brady’s top rivals, Peyton Manning, also attended, chatting with Brady alongside ceremony host Mike Tirico.
Manning said, “You knew when you were playing against a Tom Brady team, you better be at your best, cause if you weren’t, Tom Brady was going to beat you every time.”
Brady added, “I think that I could never have been the type of player that I was without having someone like Peyton that I had to aspire to be like. And I looked at him as the gold standard for quarterback play, and I still do. There’s nobody like Peyton Manning out there right now.”
Brady, 46, was a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player who holds the league records for completions (7,753), pass attempts (12,050), passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649).
BRONCOS’ SEAN PAYTON, PLEASED WITH QBS, ENDS MINICAMP EARLY
The Denver Broncos are entering a new era under center, and so far, coach Sean Payton likes what he sees.
Denver moved on from veteran Russell Wilson in March, releasing him and watching as he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal. Now the Broncos find themselves with a young quarterback room consisting of Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and rookie Bo Nix.
Stidham is headed into his fifth NFL season, including last season with Denver, while Wilson enters his fourth pro campaign. Nix was the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft.
“We gave all three of these guys (a lot of reps) and of course Jarrett is a year further along relative to understanding it,” Payton said on Wednesday following the Broncos’ second practice of mandatory minicamp. “The two younger guys — and I say the two younger guys, but the two new players — both Zach and Bo had a lot of install in a short period of time.
“Realistically in the season, you spend a week on one plan. Here, we are moving. Overall, though, it’s what we saw and what we evaluated and that is encouraging.”
Still, Payton has yet to officially name a starter. He also noted that there wasn’t anything that happened during minicamp that changed his perception of Stidham, Wilson or Nix.
“It went how I wanted it to go,” Payton said of the offseason program. “Again, I’ve said this not only at that position but the inside linebacker position, the cornerback position and the safety position, we will have a plan when we start camp and then we begin to make some decisions relative to reps and all of that.
“Now it kind of went like we expected. A lot of good things and a lot of good stuff to coach off of and things to correct.”
Payton was so satisfied that he ended up deeming Wednesday the final day of the offseason program. Denver will not practice on Thursday.
“I felt that we had a really good offseason program,” Payton said. “The key for all of these guys is during the 5 1/2 weeks that they are away is maintaining their conditioning level. There will be a few guys who will stay here rehabbing injuries. Overall, I think it went well.”
VIKINGS COACH: SAM DARNOLD FAVORITE TO ENTER CAMP AS QB1
Veteran Sam Darnold likely will be the No. 1 quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings when training camp opens next month, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Wednesday.
“We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that, but I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to,” O’Connell said.
However, Darnold shouldn’t start snapping up tickets to give to family and friends for the season opener on Sept. 8 against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. Rookie J.J. McCarthy, selected No. 10 overall in April’s NFL draft, could have something to say about that.
O’Connell also addressed the quarterback hierarchy in two interviews this week. On Tuesday, he told “Mad Dog Sports Radio” that there will be a QB competition.
“At the quarterback position, look, we’re really excited about Sam,” O’Connell said. “Really kept a close eye on his quarterback journey and not all quarterback journeys are the same. Although the position tends to catch a lot of eyes and a lot of different coverage from a standpoint of what a guy is and isn’t — wins and losses and all those things — but … circumstances and environment that those guys are in play a lot to do with it and play a lot into it.”
The New York Jets selected Darnold No. 3 overall in the 2018 draft and gave up on him after three seasons, sending him to the Carolina Panthers in a trade before the 2021 season for three draft picks, the highest a second-rounder. After two seasons in Carolina, he signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers and backed up Brock Purdy in 2023.
He has played under five different head coaches in six seasons.
“Sam’s had a heck of a quarterback journey. I think he’s learned a lot along the way and I’m really excited about the time in his career in which we’re getting him in our building,” O’Connell said on “Mad Dog Sports Radio.”
“I feel strongly about his ability to continue his, even at this point in his career, continue his development and what can he become within playing quarterback in our offense with the type of players we have around him, all well knowing that we’re going to have a competitive environment with J.J. McCarthy, with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.”
Darnold, who turned 27 last week, has a 21-35 record as a starter, completing 59.7 percent of his passes for 12,064 yards with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.
McCarthy, 21, led Michigan to a national championship in January, but NFL scouts reportedly thought he could benefit from at least one season on the bench, learning and watching.
Speaking Monday on “The Rich Eisen Show,” O’Connell implied McCarthy is going to have to wow the coaching staff to overtake Darnold for the Week 1 start.
“We do have a plan for J.J. — a long-term plan. We see him as our quarterback of the future, and when that ultimately starts, with him taking game reps under center, will really be about that process of getting there and demonstrating that he’s got total comfort in the system,” O’Connell said.
“So then, the natural learning environment that is playing quarterback in the NFL … we want to make sure it’s the right time and J.J. feels 100 percent confident that he can not only go in and have success but then also, when adversity does hit, is he attacking it the right way from a foundation that hopefully we’ve built up over a long time.”
AUTO RACING
AUTO RACING: NASCAR DEBUTS CUP SERIES IN IOWA WITH LARSON COMING OFF SONOMA WIN; F1, INDYCAR IDLE
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
Site: Newton, Iowa.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 5:35 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 1:05 p.m.; Sunday, race, 7 p.m. (USA).
Track: Iowa Speedway.
Race distance: 350 laps, 306.25 miles.
Last year: Inaugural race.
Last race: Kyle Larson received a waiver from NASCAR that allows him to compete in the playoffs and then grabbed his third victory this season on Sonoma’s road course that vaulted him atop the Cup standings. He leads Chase Elliott by 14 points and Denny Hamlin by 26. … Michael McDowell earned his first career second-place finish on the California circuit. Chris Beuscher was third. … Brad Keselowski finished 13th and jumped two spots to seventh in the standings, 95 points behind Larson. … Chevy claimed four of the top six spots at Sonoma.
Fast facts: NASCAR returns to Iowa Speedway for the first time since 2019 with its Cup Series debut. The 7/8-mile oval has hosted races in the Xfinity, Truck and IndyCar series.
Next race: June 23, Loudon, New Hampshire.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Hy-Vee Perks 250
Site: Newton, Iowa.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 4:35 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 12:05 p.m., and race, 3:30 p.m. (USA).
Track: Iowa Speedway.
Race distance: 250 laps, 218.75 miles.
Last year: The Xfinity Series returns to Iowa Speedway for the first time since Christopher Bell won there in 2019.
Last race: Shane van Gisbergen followed up his first career pole with his second consecutive Xfinity victory, winning the road race at Sonoma by 1.323 seconds over Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sheldon Creed. The New Zealand native led a race-high 32 laps in his Chevy just a week after winning at Portland.
Fast facts: Cole Custer leads Austin Hill and Chandler Smith in the standings by 12 points each with Justin Allgaier 24 back in fourth. … Van Gisbergen improved four spots to 10th, 147 points back. … Sam Mayer was third at Sonoma and stands 11th in points. … NASCAR fined Hill’s crew chief, Andy Street (No. 21 Richard Childress Racing) and Matt Noyce, the crew chief for Ryan Sieg’s No. 39, each $5,000 for unsecured lug nut violations at Sonoma.
Next race: June 22, Loudon, New Hampshire.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR TRUCK SERIES
Last race: Corey Heim gained the lead on lap 134 at Madison, Illinois, beat pole-winner Ty Majeski on a restart on lap 138 and won for the fourth time this season, all in the last eight races.
Next race: June 28, Nashville, Tennessee.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA ONE
Last race: Max Verstappen won his third consecutive Canadian Grand Prix, beating McLaren’s Lando Norris by 3.879 seconds for his sixth victory in nine races this season.
Fast facts: Verstappen has won 50 of the past 75 F1 races and ranks third in career wins behind Hamilton (103) and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher (91). He increased his advantage over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to 56 points.
Next race: June 23, Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Last race: Will Power won at Road America at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin to end a 34-race drought stretching just over two years and move atop the IndyCar points standings.
Fast facts: Power leads Alex Palou by five points and Scott Dixon by 11 as he seeks his third championship and second in three years. His 42nd win tied Michael Andretti for fourth on the all-time list. … Josef Newgarden was second and Scott McLaughlin third to give Team Penske a sweep of the podium, its first since 2017.
Next race: June 23, Monterey, California.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Last event: Tony Schumacher won in Top Fuel and Austin Prock won in Funny Car at Bristol, Tennessee.
Next event: June 21-23, Richmond, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Last events: Giovanni Scelzi won last weekend at Grand Forks, North Dakota; Sheldon Haudenschild won last weekend at Ogilvie, Minnesota.
Next events: Friday and Saturday, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars
MEN’S GOLF
124TH U.S. OPEN: PREVIEW, PROPS, BEST BETS
The third major of the year gets under way on Thursday with the first round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.
Our golf experts preview the event and provide their favorite prop picks along with best bets to win this week.
124th U.S. OPEN
Location: Village of Pinehurst, N.C., June 13-16
Course: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Course No. 2 (Par 70, 7,548 Yards)
Purse: TBD
Defending Champion: Wyndham Clark
FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday: 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET (USA), 5-8 p.m. (Peacock); Friday: 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Peacock), 1-7 p.m. (NBC), 7-8 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday: 10 a.m.-noon (USA), noon- 8 p.m. (NBC); Sunday: 9 a.m.-Noon (USA), Noon-7 p.m. (NBC)
Streaming: Various times with featured holes and groups at USOpen.com.
X: @USOpenGolf
PROP PICKS
–Tiger Woods to Make Cut (+220 at DraftKings): It’s no fun to root against Tiger, and the -330 odds that he misses the weekend is a terrible payout anyway. So we dive into the potential that the 15-time major champion makes the cut in his first U.S. Open since 2020. It’s a tall order, with Woods’ only made cut in three starts this year coming against a much smaller field at the Masters. He has competed in two previous U.S. Opens at Pinehurst, finishing second in 2005 and tied for third in 1999. Woods reaching the weekend has been the second most popular play at the book in terms of money behind only Jordan Spieth, while he has also drawn the third-most money to miss the cut behind Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
–DeChambeau Top 20 (+100 at BetRivers): The LIV Golf star has shown up well at the majors this year, tying for sixth at the Masters before a solo second at the PGA Championship. DeChambeau also won the 2020 U.S. Open, and his game is suited to bombing it on long tracks and using the height on his short irons to rack up birdie looks.
–Collin Morikawa to Beat Rory McIlroy (+105 at DraftKings): Morikawa is playing as well as anyone not named Scottie Scheffler. He has finished T4 or better in three consecutive starts and has four top-10s in his past five events. McIlroy has been playing solidly in his own right, including a win at the Wells Fargo followed by a T12, T4 and T15 in his past three starts. He also finished second to Clark last year, but that quest to claim his first major since 2014 always seems to weigh on McIlroy at some point during a major.
2024 Prop Picks Record: 32-34-1
BEST BETS
–Scheffler (+300 at BetRivers) is the first player to win five times on tour before the U.S. Open since Tom Watson in 1980. His five wins include a major, The Players and three signature events. Despite his extremely short odds as the heavy favorite, Scheffler has been backed by more than twice as much money (34.2 percent) and total bets (23.4 percent) to win this week than any other player in the field.
–Xander Schauffele (+900) followed up his first major title with a T8 at the Memorial, and has finished in the top 15 in each of his previous seven U.S. Open starts. He is fourth at the book with 6.9 percent of the money backing Schauffele to claim a second consecutive major.
–McIlroy (+1200) is seeking his first major title since 2014. The 2011 U.S. Open champion finished second last year and has five consecutive top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open.
–Morikawa (+1600) has three consecutive top-5 finishes, including a second at the Memorial. He’s second to Scheffler with 14.3 percent of the money and 7.2 percent of the bets backing him at BetRivers. Morikawa is the book’s biggest liability this week.
–DeChambeau (+2000) tied for sixth at the Masters and finished solo second at the PGA Championship. He’s third at the book with 6.0 percent of the total bets supporting DeChambeau to win his second U.S. Open.
–Brooks Koepka (+2200) is a two-time U.S. Open champion, but has seen modest support from the public with only 2.9 percent of the money backing him to win.
NOTES
–The field includes each of the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings and 49 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking after Jon Rahm withdrew due to a foot injury.
–Schauffele leads the PGA Tour with 48 consecutive cuts made, followed by Scheffler with 38. Hideki Matsuyama holds the longest active streak of cuts made in major championships at 16.
–Pinehurst No. 2 is playing host to its fourth U.S. Open, with the three previous champions being Payne Stewart (1999), Michael Campbell (2005) and Martin Kaymer (2014). It is also scheduled to host the U.S. Open in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.
–Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson will each compete in their fourth U.S. Open events at Pinehurst.
–Adam Scott will compete in his 93rd career major championship and 92nd consecutive.
–Four players ranked in the top 10 are seeking their first major titles: Viktor Hovland (No. 5), Ludvig Aberg (No. 6), Patrick Cantlay (No. 9) and Max Homa (No. 10).
–The U.S. Open marks the final qualification week for the Olympic Golf competition in Paris. The top four Americans who would currently qualify are Scheffler, Schauffele, Clark and Morikawa.
TOP INDIANA SPORTS RELEASES
INDIANA FEVER
CAITLIN CLARK, FEVER HOPE TO REBOUND VS. VISITING DREAM
Rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever look to get back on track Thursday night when they host the Atlanta Dream at Indianapolis.
Clark scored all 10 of her points in the first half of Indiana’s 89-72 setback to the Connecticut Sun on Monday. She was whistled for her fourth foul with 4:41 remaining in the third quarter and sat out the fourth.
In all, Clark finished with a career-low 22 minutes as the Fever (3-10) fell to the Sun for the third time this season.
“I don’t think we had it from the jump, and obviously that’s a little disappointing,” said Clark, who boasts team-leading averages in points (16.3), assists (6.0) and steals (1.5).
“… Effort is not something (members of the staff) can coach. They can coach X’s and O’s, but they can’t coach that.”
Indiana’s coaching staff presumably had little issue with the effort of Aliyah Boston. The top overall pick of the 2023 WNBA Draft collected 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists on Monday.
The Dream (5-5) sustained their third loss in four outings on Tuesday night with an 87-68 setback to the previously winless Washington Mystics. Atlanta has followed a win with a loss on four occasions this season.
“It’s not short-term memory because this is a problem that’s plaguing us,” Dream coach Tanisha Wright said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We can’t have short-term memory. We have to look at it and see it and try to fix it because it’s a problem in terms of being inconsistent.”
Rhyne Howard scored 16 points and Aerial Powers had 13 points off the bench. Tina Charles added 12 to go along with nine rebounds.
Perhaps a road trip will cure what ails the Dream, who are 3-1 away from the Peach State this season. Indiana, conversely, has just one win in five tries at home in 2024.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
GORSKI’S HOMER ONE OF THREE INDIANS HITS IN LOSS TO JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Matt Gorski’s 12th home run of the season alone could not lift the Indianapolis Indians from an early deficit as they suffered a 3-1 loss to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Wednesday night at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Following a leadoff single by Andrés Alvarez to begin the game, the Indians offense was held hitless as Jacksonville (30-35) took a three-run lead against Domingo Germán (L, 0-4). Two runs came in the second inning, with Victor Mesa Jr. tacking on insurance with a solo home run in the fifth.
The Indians (26-37) got back in the hit column in the seventh courtesy of a leadoff home run by Gorski. A two-out rally attempt continued from there, with Gilberto Celestino reaching safely on an error and Alvarez’s second hit of the night setting up runners at the corners. Joshua Palacios, playing in his second game back from the injured list, struck out to end the threat.
Yonny Chirinos (W, 6-4), who defeated Indianapolis in Game 2 of the Governors’ Cup semifinals with Durham in 2017, tossed 5.0 one-hit, shutout innings to kick off the game for Jacksonville. Luarbert Arias (S, 3) closed out the comeback attempt in the seventh and dominated the game from there, striking out five of his seven batters faced.
Indianapolis has been held to a season-low three hits twice in its last three games, the first coming on Sunday vs. Columbus.
The Indians and Jumbo Shrimp continue their six-game set at 121 Financial Ballpark at 7:05 PM ET on Thursday night. RHP Braxton Ashcraft – Pittsburgh’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline – is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut against RHP Valente Bellozo (0-1, 7.71).
INDY ELEVEN WOMEN
MITCHELL SCORES MATCH WINNER; PHILLIPS CREDITED WITH THE SHUTOUT
WESTFIELD, Ind. (Wednesday, June 12, 2024) – Indy Eleven picked up a 1-0 midweek win over Kings Hammer FC at the Grand Park Events Center in its final regular season home match of 2024. With the victory, Indy moves to 6-0-1 with 19 points to stay atop the USL W League Valley Division standings, while Kings Hammer falls to 3-2-1.Indy struck first in the 31st minute as a through ball from Emma Pelkowski found her Virginia Tech teammate Natalie Mitchell inside the 18. Mitchell eluded the Kings Hammer goalkeeper and slotted the ball in from the left side for what proved to be the match winner. The tally was the fifth goal of the season for Mitchell, tying her for a team lead, while the assist was the second for Pelkowski.
Mitchell led the attack with four shots, while Maisie Whitsett added three and Katie Soderstrom a pair.
In her first action for Indy Eleven, Kate Phillips was forced to make six saves to secure Indy’s fourth shutout of the season.
The Girls in Blue extend their unbeaten streak to 14 matches dating back to June 18, 2023.The match marked the end of the regular season home schedule for the Girls in Blue, who will start a three-match road swing beginning at Lexington on Tuesday to close out the season. Kick is slated for 7 p.m. ET
USL W League Regular Season
Indy Eleven 1:0 Kings Hammer FC
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 – 7 p.m. ET
Grand Park Sports Complex | Westfield, Ind.
2024 USL W League Records
Indy Eleven: 6-0-1, 19 pts (+27)
Kings Hammer FC: 3-2-1, 10 pts (+3)
Scoring Summary
IND – Natalie Mitchell (Emma Pelkowski) 31’
Discipline Summary
IND – Norah Jacomen (caution) 74’
Indy Eleven line-up: Kathleen Phillips, Amelie Darey (Ella Rogers 64’), Emma Pelkowski (Abby Unkraut 77’), Grace Bahr, Addie Chester, Alia Martin (captain), Jenna Chatterton, Brooke Otto (Hadley Snyder 71’), Maisie Whitsett (Norah Jacomen 64’), Natalie Mitchell (Karsyn Cherry 77’), Katie Soderstrom (Brianna Buels 77’)
Indy subs: Maryn Weiger
WESTFIELD, GRAND PARK SELECTED AS FIFA WORLD CUP TEAM BASE CAMP SITE
ZURICH, Switzerland (Wednesday, June 12, 2024) – FIFA has released its initial list of Team Base Camp sites for the FIFA World Cup 26™, with the City of Westfield and Grand Park Sports Campus selected as one of 24 potential team locations.
As part of the 2026 tournament, the 48 participating teams will select a hub that will support the organization with lodging, training facilities and further resources throughout the group stage.
The established relationship between Grand Park Sports Campus and Indiana’s Team includes the location serving as Indy Eleven’s Official Training Center, as well as gameday home for Indy Eleven’s National Champion USL W League team. The relationship between the city and Indy Eleven has grown into Grand Park Sports & Entertainment, a transformative, long-term collaboration with multiple partners including the City of Westfield, Keystone Group, Indy Eleven and Bullpen Ventures.
Indy Eleven has worked closely with FIFA to lead the process, and to get a Team Base Camp site established and worthy of selection in Indiana.
“We are thrilled that the City of Westfield has been chosen by FIFA as one of its initial Team Base Camp locations,” said Greg Stremlaw, President & CEO of Indy Eleven. “As part of the Grand Park Sports & Entertainment partnership, we strive to offer an exceptional experience at the Grand Park Sports Campus for soccer players of all ages. With our Indy Eleven Academy, Pro Academy, W League and professional First Team taking advantage of the exceptional facilities, we are excited to have the opportunity to show a broader audience what Indy Eleven, in partnership with the City of Westfield, has to offer the World’s Game on the biggest stage.”
Westfield is one of nine cities chosen in addition to the Host Cities, and join Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Irvine, Louisville, St. Louis, Salt Lake City and San Antonio as candidates.
“Westfield and Grand Park are excited about this opportunity to potentially host FIFA World Cup members and provide a world-class training facility for FIFA teams,” says Westfield Mayor Scott Willis. “Today’s announcement further validates Grand Park’s world-renowned reputation as one of the most visited sports venues in the country, hosting Indy Eleven, NFL training camps or youth sports tournaments. It is clear our community is being noticed and recognized around the world, which is a huge economic driver for the city. What an exciting time to be a Westfield resident.”
In a release from FIFA, Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer World Cup, said: “Even if a city is not staging matches, a participating team coming to stay creates a strong personal bond with the competition for people locally. It will see them adopt their guests as a second team during the tournament, thereby connecting even more people to the FIFA World Cup.”
Teams will select their ultimate location following the Final Draw for the event in late 2025, which reveals geographic zones for group matches.
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
2024 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE UNVEILED
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Aligning with the release of the Big Ten Volleyball schedule, head coach Steve Aird announced the program’s 2024 slate on Wednesday (June 12) afternoon. This will be the first season that the conference fields 18 schools after the addition of four west coast programs.
“Our program is excited about the 2024 season as we enter a new era of Big Ten competition,” Aird said. “We have built a very difficult pre-conference schedule and fully understand the challenge this season presents. I am grateful that IU continues to support our program at the highest level. The support from the administration and our fans has been incredible. The team is training hard, recruiting is exceptional and we are all very proud of where Indiana Volleyball is headed.”
The Hoosiers’ volleyball schedule will feature 30 total games, 15 home matches, 10 matches against teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year and three contests against Final Four teams. IU’s marquee non-conference weekend will see the team head to Austin, Texas for a match against the two-time defending national champions, Texas, and a rematch against Miami (Fla.).
A revamped Big Ten Conference will see each team play three permanent opponents twice while taking on the remaining 14 teams just one time (seven home, seven away). IU’s double play contests in Big Ten action will be against Purdue, Ohio State and Illinois.
The league will maintain the traditional 20-game conference schedule which begins the week of Sept. 23. IU opens Big Ten play on the west coast for a rematch against Washington (Sept. 27) and the program’s first-ever meeting with Oregon.
“I think it is fantastic to add the four west coast programs,” Aird said. “They are excellent teams with great staffs and a lot of history across the board. All four institutions care deeply about women’s volleyball and I am sure it will lead to fantastic matches this season and beyond.”
Wilkinson Hall will host 15 matches in 2024, beginning with the home opener on Labor Day (Sept. 2) against UC-Davis. Ball State, Southern Indiana and Chicago State come to Bloomington for the Indiana Invitational (Sept. 13-14). The Hoosiers will open their home conference slate with matches against Michigan State (Oct. 4) and Ohio State (Oct. 6) on the first weekend of October.
In addition to a weekend in Austin and the four early home matches, IU will head to Kennesaw State to play the host, Owls, and Wichita State, the winners of the 2023 NIVC Tournament. The preseason slate closes with a home-and-home series against Notre Dame on Sept. 20 (A) and Sept. 22 (H).
“This is a very difficult non-conference schedule that will certainly prepare us for the grind of the Big Ten slate,” Aird said. “There are no off nights in the conference and we feel that this early-season schedule will help prepare us for elite competition.”
The rest of IU’s conference schedule includes contests against Purdue on Oct. 19 (A) and Nov. 8 (H). Wisconsin, a national semifinalist in 2023, comes to town on Oct. 24. USC and UCLA make their first trips to Bloomington for volleyball in program history in November. The Hoosiers will spend Thanksgiving at home with contests against Michigan (Nov. 27) and Illinois (Nov. 29) sandwiched around the Thursday holiday.
A familiar core of athletes will feature for IU this season including All-American setter Camryn Haworth and All-Big Ten libero Ramsey Gary. Veterans Morgan Geddes, Mady Saris, Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Avry Tatum all come into the season as upperclassmen. Single game and season ticket information will be available at a later date.
2024 Indiana Volleyball Schedule:
Aug. 23 – Cream and Crimson Scrimmage (Exh.)
Aug. 30 – at Kennesaw State
Aug. 31 – vs. Wichita State (Kennesaw, Ga.)
Sept. 2 – vs. UC Davis
Sept. 5 – at Texas
Sept. 6 – vs. Miami (FL) (Austin, Texas)
Sept. 13 – Southern Indiana (Indiana Invitational)
Sept. 13 – Chicago State (Indiana Invitational)
Sept. 14 – Ball State (Indiana Invitational)
Sept. 20 – at Notre Dame
Sept. 22 – vs. Notre Dame
Big Ten Conference Play
Sept. 27 – at Washington
Sept. 28 – at Oregon
Oct. 4 – vs. Michigan State
Oct. 6 – vs. Ohio State
Oct. 11 – at Minnesota
Oct. 13 – vs. Penn State
Oct. 16 – at Illinois
Oct. 19 – at Purdue
Oct. 24 – vs. Wisconsin
Oct. 27 – vs. Northwestern
Nov. 1 – at Rutgers
Nov. 2 – at Maryland
Nov. 8 – vs. Purdue
Nov. 9 – vs. USC
Nov. 14 – at Iowa
Nov. 16 – at Nebraska
Nov. 22 – vs. UCLA
Nov. 24 – at Ohio State
Nov. 27 – vs. Michigan
Nov. 29 – vs. Illinois
INDIANA WRESTLING
INDIANA WRESTLING 2024 SIGNING CLASS RANKED NO. 14 NATIONALLY
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– InterMat announced its recruiting class rankings for the 2024 cycle with Indiana’s incoming class ranked at No. 14 overall.
This is Indiana’s highest ranked recruiting class in the Angel Escobedo era as head coach.
Indiana’s recruiting class ranked ahead of Oklahoma State (16), Cornell (18), Nebraska (19) and Arizona State (23), among others. It was also slotted just one spot behind Iowa who was at No. 13.
The Hoosiers are set to bring in nine incoming freshmen this fall which includes Chris Crawford, Ryan Garvick, Sam Goin, Tyler Guerra, Matt Hart, Chase Leech, Caleb Marzolino, Nick Pavlechko and Lucas Peters.
Eight of Indiana’s nine incoming freshmen were ranked in the MatScouts’ Senior Big Board which charts the top 250 recruits in the country. The mark of eight incoming Big Board recruits is tied for the second most of any team in the country.
The class includes two in-state Hoosiers in Goin and Leech as well as wrestlers from five other states (Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, New York and Wisconsin).
INDIANA BASEBALL
ABCA HONORS TAYLOR AS FIRST TEAM MIDWEST ALL-REGION SELECTION
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor, one of the nation’s most prolific players, was named a First Team ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) All-Midwest Region selection on Monday (June 11) afternoon. Voted on by the league’s coaches, Taylor was one of three first team outfielders from a collection of 38 possible schools.
Taylor, a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, tore up his sophomore campaign. He hit .357 with 86 hits and 54 RBIs. He led the conference with 20 home runs and 67 runs scored. He became the first IU player to hit 20 home runs in the BBCOR era (since 2011) after hitting a pair of long balls in the NCAA Regional.
The Cincinnati, Ohio native hit six home runs in his final 10 games and finished with 11 total home runs in 24 regular season conference games. After leading the Hoosiers with a .455 average (5-11) in the NCAA Tournament, he was named to the Knoxville All-Regional Team.
On the season, Taylor had 30 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI games. Since being inserted into the leadoff role ahead of the Rutgers series at the end of April, the sophomore finished the season hitting .373 with 12 home runs. IU made a run to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and then earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
He is the first IU player to earn ABCA First Team All-Region honors since Andrew Saalfrank and Matt Lloyd in 2019. This is his second-straight year earning All-Region honors after being selected to the second team in 2023 among a quartet of Hoosiers. He’s the first IU outfielder to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors and ABCA First Team All-Region honors in the same season since Matt Gorski (2018).
Taylor, as result of being a first team selection, will be eligible for All-American consideration from the organization. The ABCA All-America teams will be released later this week before the start of the Men’s College World Series. Gold Glove award winners will also be honored this week.
NCAA Div. I Midwest All-Region First Team
Pos. Player Cl. School State
C Camden Janik Jr. Illinois IL
1B Roman Kuntz Sr. Morehead State KY
2B Emilien Pitre Jr. Kentucky KY
3B Mike Sears Sr. Indiana State IN
SS Lucas Loos Sr. Eastern Illinois IL
OF Mark Shallenberger Gr. Evansville IN
OF Kendal Ewell Gr. Illinois-Chicago IL
OF Devin Taylor So. Indiana IN
DH Kip Fougerousse Sr. Evansville IN
P Merritt Beeker Jr. Ball State IN
P Brody Brecht Jr. Iowa IA
P Connor Wietgrefe Jr. Minnesota MN
RP Mason Burns Sr. Western Kentucky KY
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
IRISH SET TO HOST TEXAS IN SEC/ACC CHALLENGE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For just the third time in program history, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Texas Longhorns are set to face off this fall.
On Wednesday, ESPN/ACC announced that Notre Dame will host Texas in the 2024 SEC/ACC Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 5 in South Bend. The game time and broadcast designation will be released at a later date.
This will be the first matchup between the two Power 5 schools in 27 years as they last faced each other on March 17, 1997 in the NCAA Championship Second Round, where Notre Dame won 86-83. With the overall series split at 1-1, the Irish have played both previous games in Austin, Texas and will host the Longhorns for the very first time this fall.
The Big 12 Tournament Champs, coached by Vic Schaefer, finished 33-5 last year as the Longhorns’ season came to a close in the Elite Eight after falling to NC State.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL
IRISH VS. BULLDOGS FOR THE 2024-25 SEC/ACC CHALLENGE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – ESPN announced its 2024-25 SEC/ACC matchups for the 2024-25 men’s basketball season. Glenn & Stacey Murphy Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry and his Notre Dame Fighting Irish will hit the road for the second consecutive year, traveling to Athens on Tuesday, December 3, to challenge the Georgia Bulldogs. It’ll mark Notre Dame’s first appearance inside Stegeman Coliseum.
Notre Dame and Georgia have squared off four times, with the series tied at 2-2. All four matchups have gone down on neutral floors. The two last squared off on Dec. 18, 2022, in Atlanta, with the Bulldogs taking that one 77-62. The full series with results is listed below.
Feb. 6, 1994 Atlanta, GA The Omni W 88-85
Nov. 25, 2010 Bay Lake, FL HP Fieldhouse W 2OT 89-83
Nov. 22, 2011 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center L 57-61
Dec. 18, 2022 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena L 62-77
In addition to trying to garner a lead in the overall series with Georgia, the Irish will look to achieve its first SEC/ACC Challenge victory after coming up short against the South Carolina Gamecocks a season ago.
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL
SHONDELL UNVEILS 2024 SCHEDULE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Art and Connie Euler women’s volleyball head coach Dave Shondell revealed the 2024 non-conference and Big Ten schedule, featuring six non-conference matchups vs. 2023 NCAA tournament teams before league action begins with a home midweek versus Penn State.
A total of 12 matches between Big Ten and non-conference play will come against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the 2023 AVCA final poll, including up to seven versus top-15 opponents, depending on non-conference tournament results.
Purdue will host K-State, UMBC and UC Davis in the opening weekend on Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1 in the annual Stacey Clark Classic, coinciding with Purdue football’s season-opener vs. Indiana State. Meanwhile, Big Ten action will begin Wednesday, September 25 at home versus Penn State.
The challenging non-conference schedule features five consecutive matches against opponents ranked in the top-28 in last year’s final RPI ranking, including at No. 17 Utah State (9/7), vs. No. 28 Houston (9/13), at No. 24 SMU or vs. No. 7 Kentucky (9/14), at No. 14 Kansas (9/19) and vs. No. 9 Creighton (9/20).
Among the newest members of the Big Ten conference, Purdue will host UCLA on October 17 before closing the regular season with three straight matches against west coast teams, hosting USC at home (11/23) then traveling to Oregon (11/27) and Washington (11/29).
“This will be a season in which Boilermaker fans will want to experience Purdue Volleyball,” Shondell remarked. “The 2024 pre-conference schedule is brutal with our last eight matches on the road against excellent competition, which will prepare us well for the strongest Big Ten schedule in conference history. I always prefer playing more than one non-conference weekend at home, but we made the decision to go where the strongest competition would be to test and prepare us for the matches ahead.”
After hosting K-State, a team which swept the 2023 National Champions Texas during the regular season, UMBC and UC Davis in Week 1, Purdue will travel to Utah for a Thursday-Friday tournament in Week 2 featuring matches vs. Cal (9/5) and at Utah (9/6). Then, the Boilermakers will head north to Utah State for a one-off at the Aggies on Saturday, September 7.
The Boilermakers will spend Week 3 in Dallas, Texas, for a Friday match vs. Houston (9/13) and a Saturday match vs. either host SMU or Kentucky (9/14).
Finally, the non-conference schedule closes out in Lawrence, Kansas, marking the second straight year Purdue has played at the Jayhawks. The Boilermakers will take on host Kansas (9/19), Creighton (9/20) and Tulsa (9/21).
Additionally, a rigorous end to the regular season will see three of the last four matches vs. top-25 teams with at No. 12 Penn State (11/21), vs. No. 24 USC (11/23) and at No. 7 Oregon (11/27).
The 2024 season will mark the most road matches in non-conference action since 2008.
Purdue returns three AVCA All-America honorees in Second Team All-American Eva Hudson, Third Team All-American Chloe Chicoine and Honorable Mention Raven Colvin. The Boilermakers produced a 23-8 record last season, including a 15-5 record in Big Ten play, taking down Penn State twice, Minnesota twice and Wisconsin on their way to a third-place finish in the Big Ten standings and an NCAA Regional Final appearance. In addition to selling out the entire home slate, Purdue went 11-5 versus teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest poll with one of the youngest and most talented teams in program history.
Television selections and times will be released at a later date.
BIG TEN OPPONENT BREAKDOWN
HOME ONLY: Michigan State (10/6), UCLA (10/17), Ohio State (10/23), Wisconsin (10/26), Michigan (11/10), Illinois (11/17), USC (11/23)
AWAY ONLY: Minnesota (9/28), Northwestern (10/4), Nebraska (10/11), Iowa (10/12), Maryland (11/1), Oregon (11/27), Washington (11/29)
HOME & AWAY: vs. Penn State (9/25), vs. Indiana (10/19), at Rutgers (11/2), at Indiana (11/8), vs. Rutgers (11/15), at Penn State (11/21).
IU-INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
FORMER JAGUAR SIGNS PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL CONTRACT IN SWITZERLAND
INDIANAPOLIS – Former women’s basketball star, Jazmyn Turner will continue her playing career as she signs a professional contract with Team Helios vs Baseket in Vetroz, Switzerland. Turner will be competing in the SBL League.
“I’m looking forward to being able to experience being overseas and learn more about what it’s like,” said Turner. “Also, being able to compete at the next level and continue to learn and grow my game. I’m super excited to be playing at the next level, I’ve always dreamed of playing professionally and I’m glad my dream is coming true!”
The 6-2 forward from Marian, Indiana played in 52 games, making 41 starts for the Jaguars over two seasons. She totaled 705 points with an average of 13.6 points per game and 317 total rebounds for an average of 6.1. Turner totaled five double-doubles and 35 double-digit point games. She was also voted Second Team All-Horizon League following her senior season.
“I am incredibly proud of Jazmyn and excited for her to continue playing the game she loves at the professional level,” said IU Indy women’s basketball head coach Kate Bruce. “The most rewarding part of being a coach is the opportunity to mentor young women and help them pursue their passion and chase their dreams on and off the court. I’ve had the privilege to watch Jazmyn work hard to receive her bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and now live out her dream of playing professional basketball. I look forward to supporting her and watching her continued success.”
Turner graduated from IUPUI with her master’s degree following the 2023-24 season and now begins her professional career this upcoming season in the SBL League with the Helios vs Baseket in Vetroz, Switzerland.
INDIANA STATE ATHLETICS
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY APPOINTS NATHAN CHRISTENSEN AS NEW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State University President Mike Godard has selected Nathan Christensen as the Sycamores’ new Director of Athletics. Christensen will join Indiana State after serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, SD, since 2021. He will start on July 1, 2024.
Christensen will be officially introduced at a later date during a public event, which will also be streamed through Indiana State Athletics. Details about the program will be announced soon.
“I knew when accepting the presidency that naming an athletic director would be a priority. In addition to Nathan’s extensive professional experience in intercollegiate athletics, I was impressed by his values and mission-based approach to support our student-athletes,” President Godard said. “His emphasis on community engagement aligns well with Indiana State’s mission. I am confident Nathan will help usher in a new era of Sycamore Athletics, engaging our students, alumni, community, fans, and donors.”
As Indiana State’s director of athletics, Christensen will lead Indiana State’s athletic staff and act as a member of the President’s cabinet, being a partner on campus for athletics and academics. He will oversee athletic programs competing in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), and the NCAA. He will also work with community members, donors, and alumni to continue building the “Crossroad of Champions” program, empowering student-athletes in their name, image, and likeness (NIL) exposure and opportunities.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as the next Director of Athletics at Indiana State University. I am grateful to President Godard and the search committee for entrusting me with this opportunity to lead Sycamore Athletics,” Christensen said. “I look forward to working in alignment with university leadership, campus partners, and my colleagues as we strive for excellence across the board to create an incredible experience for our student-athletes! My family and I are thrilled to build meaningful relationships with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and the entire community to elevate Indiana State University and Sycamore Athletics. We are looking forward to relocating to Terre Haute and deepening our connections in Vigo County and beyond.”
Christensen joined SDSU in August of 2021. He oversaw multiple administrative units and sports, including the annual fund, capital projects, endowed scholarships, special events, and the ticket office. He was also the sports administrator for women’s soccer and the track and field & cross-country programs. Notably, he secured the first-ever endowed Head Coach position at the university – a track and field coach – one of only eleven such positions nationwide. In 2021, SDSU reached a fundraising record, raising over $42 million from more than 4,100 donors.
South Dakota State University Director of Athletics Justin Sell shared, “Nathan is a rising star in our profession who brings a positive approach and high energy every day. He is a tremendous revenue generator and the people who support Indiana State are going to enjoy getting to know him. He will build a culture of investing in others and creating pride in being part of something bigger than oneself. I’m excited to see what lies ahead!”
Before his appointment at SDSU, Christensen served at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) as Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs from May 2018 to August 2021 and as Assistant Athletics Director for Development and Director of the Panther Scholarship Club from December 2016 to May 2018. At UNI, he raised over $10.2 million for athletics scholarships. From 2008 to 2016, Christensen worked at Minnesota State University, Mankato, acting as Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations and Director of Marketing and Sales for Athletics.
David Harris, Director of Athletics at Tulane University, who hired Christensen at UNI, shared, “Nathan has been a rising star in our industry for quite some time. I hired him back in 2016 to oversee the annual fund at the University of Northern Iowa. From the beginning, Nathan impressed me with his work ethic, leadership, and ability to build relationships. We set a record in annual fund dollars raised during his tenure. We then promoted him to run our entire external operation, and his work was phenomenal. This is a well-deserved opportunity for him to be an athletics director and to show his full skill set as an administrator, problem solver, leader, and visionary. I’m very proud of Nathan, and I know he will do a great job. He, his wife Kalli, and his kids Eleanor and Kelby will be a great first family for ISU Athletics. “
Christina Roybal, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Northern Kentucky University and a former colleague of Christensen, shared, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Nathan, and I am excited for him and Indiana State. Nathan is driven, and he’ll work to bring new fans and donors to the program and unite them with existing supporters to assist coaches and staff in providing student-athletes with the best collegiate athletics experience possible. Congratulations, Nathan.”
Christensen is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a Master’s in Sports Management and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management.
Christensen and his wife, Kalli, are the parents of two children, Eleanor and Kelby, and will be relocating to Terre Haute.
President Godard also expressed his appreciation to Angie Lansing, interim director of athletics. “Angie is a tried-and-true Sycamore, and I appreciate her willingness to step in and act as Interim Director of Athletics for a second time. Her commitment to our student-athletes and dedication to Indiana State make her an invaluable asset during this transition.”
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SYCAMORE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNS GUARD DENYHA JACOBS
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State head women’s basketball coach Marc Mitchell announced the addition of Denyha Jacobs to the program Wednesday morning.
Jacobs, a 5-8 guard from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, joins the Sycamores as a freshman with four years of eligibility
“Denyha will be the only freshman on the roster,” Mitchell said. “All I can say is this young lady is electric! Denyha is a guard who can do it all offensively. She scores on all three levels. Denyha is best attacking the rim and finishing tough plays. If you stop her drives, her court vision is tremendous. She will find her open teammates. Denyha is not afraid of the big moment. I’m excited to see her propel the ISU program for the next few years. #ASONE”
Jacobs joins the Sycamores after a strong senior season at Warren Central (Ind.) HS, where she averaged nearly 21 points per game to go along with six rebounds, four steals and 2.5 assists per game. She connected on 43 percent of her attempts from the field and 33 percent of her 3-point attempts. Jacobs ranked in the top 20 in the state in scoring as a senior, finishing with nearly 500 points for the season while scoring in double-figures in 22 games. Included in that total were 13 games with 20-plus points, including a season-high 34 against Hamilton Southeastern. She also had three games with five or more assists and one with double-digit rebounds.
As a junior, Jacobs averaged 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range. She was a consistent double-digit scorer for Warren Central, finishing the season with 20 games in double-figure scoring. Included in that total were five games with 20-plus points, including a season-high 26 against Pike. In addition, she also had three games with double-digit rebounds and three games with five or more assists.
Jacobs is the first signee in Indiana State’s 2024 class and the lone freshman on the roster for the 2024-25 season.
INDIANA STATE TRACK
YORK PLACES NINTH IN STEEPLECHASE AT USATF U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS
EUGENE, Ore. – Indiana State freshman Ryan York closed his debut season in the Blue and White Wednesday evening, finishing ninth in the 3000m steeplechase at the USATF U20 Championships at Hayward Field.
York ran a time of 9:27.53, with most of his splits coming in the 70-75 second range. He became the first Sycamore distance runner to compete at a USATF Championship in Brad Butler’s tenure overseeing the distance crew.
Wednesday’s performance capped a season which saw York quickly break into Indiana State’s scoring crop on the distance side. He was among Indiana State’s top seven at the NCAA Cross Country Great Lakes Regional in the fall and followed that with a spring season which saw him place ninth in the steeplechase at the MVC Outdoor Championships.
York was one of two Sycamore athletes scheduled to compete at the USATF U20 Championships. Rachel Mehringer will compete in the 100m hurdles Thursday evening, with prelims scheduled for 7:50 p.m. ET and finals set for 9:21 p.m. ET.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MOLLY DAVIS NAMED WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GRADUATE ASSISTANT
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After back-to-back appearances in the NCAA National Championship game as a student-athlete at the University of Iowa, Molly Davis has joined Robyn Scherr-Wells’ University of Evansville women’s basketball staff as a graduate assistant.
“I have had the pleasure of watching Molly play basketball since she was a freshman in high school. The thing that has always stood out to me about Molly is the joy that she plays with. Molly loves the game,” Scherr-Wells exclaimed. “When her coaches at Iowa reached out to me about Molly’s interest in our graduate assistant position, I knew right away she would be a great fit. She has a high basketball IQ and is a hard worker.”
“Molly is a winner and has been a part of many successful teams. She will be a tremendous asset to our players in helping them understand all of the things that go into building a championship program. She has a bright future in coaching and I am excited for the opportunity to mentor her in her first coaching role!”
Davis brings a winning pedigree to the Purple Aces from her time at Iowa and Central Michigan. Both of her seasons with the Hawkeyes saw the program advance to the National Championship game. The guard started 27 games over the course of her final season at Iowa and posted solid numbers, averaging 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 53.9% from the field, 40.7% from outside and 85.7% from the line.
She scored in double figures on eight occasions with her top effort being an 18-point performance in a home win over 14th-ranked Indiana. She added 17 in wins over Illinois and at Maryland. In non-conference action, Davis recorded 13 points against #16 Kansas State in the Gulf Coast Showcase on her way to being named to the All-Tournament Team. In her first season with the Hawkeyes, Davis played in all 38 games while making two starts. Highlighting her inaugural year at Iowa was a 17-point game in a home win over Rutgers.
Prior to her time in the Big Ten, Davis spent her first three seasons at Central Michigan where she put up some of the top numbers in program history. In her time with the Chippewas, Davis posted 17.7 points per game, setting the program scoring average record. She made her mark across the CMU record book, ranking in the top 11 in four other statistics. Davis was sixth in career free throw percentage (.794), seventh in assists (346), eighth in career 3-point makes (187) and 11th in career points (1,434).
As a junior in the 2021-22 campaign, Davis recorded 18.6 PPPG on her way to All-Mid-American Conference Second Team accolades. She matched her career scoring mark with 32 points at Northeastern and versus Northern Illinois. Davis completed the season fifth in the MAC in scoring, free throw percentage and minutes per game.
Davis enjoyed her best season with the Chippewas in 2020-21, finishing 23rd in the nation with a scoring average of 20.8 PPG. The First Team All-MAC honoree led the MAC and was 13th nationally with 76 3-point makes. Davis earned a spot on the MAC All-Tournament Team in a season that included her posting a career-best 32 points at Akron. In her first season at CMU, Davis registered 14.3 PPG on her way to earning All-MAC Freshman accolades.
In the classroom, Davis put forth an equally impressive effort. Majoring in Health Studies at Iowa, she recorded a 3.95 GPA and was named to the Dean’s List in each of her semesters at the university. At Central Michigan, she majored in Exercise Science and finished with a 3.92 GPA along with Dean’s List recognition in each semester.
UINDY BASEBALL
BASEBALL SLIDES IN AT #9 IN FINAL NCBWA RANKINGS
WINGATE, N.C. – After their second consecutive NCAA DII Championship appearance, the University of Indianapolis baseball team has landed at No. 9 in the final NCBWA rankings.
The Greyhounds earn the distinction after capturing their second-straight NCAA Midwest Super Regional title, marking their fourth in program history and second under Greyhounds’ skipper Al Ready. The Hounds battled both eventual-champion Tampa and Catawba at the “World Series.”
The Hounds historic season ended with 41-21 record, the highest win total for Ready during his tenure. Three players finished with OPS marks above 1.000 with Easton Good, Caleb Vaughn and Cole Hampton filling that total. The mark that set the Hounds apart, however, was a team .438 on base percentage, a number that placed the Greyhounds 15th in all of Division II by the time the season was over.
E.J. White was an honoree in the NCBWA All-Midwest Region First Team for his efforts as the Greyhounds closer. He finished the season with 13 saves, which was good enough for third in all of DII.
UINDY MEN’S GOLF
NICOSON STEPS DOWN AS UINDY GOLF HEAD COACH
INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Indianapolis announced this week the departure of men’s and women’s golf head coach Brent Nicoson, effective immediately. The longtime head man and UIndy alum accepted the women’s golf coach position at Division I Grand Canyon.
“I am so thankful for my time at University of Indianapolis,” shared Nicoson. “With my family history and it being my alma mater, it is obviously a special place to me and it will continue to be.”
Nicoson departs UIndy as one of the most decorated coaches in school history. As the coach of both the Greyhound men’s and women’s golf programs, Nicoson won a combined 15 GLVC Coach of the Year honors, 16 conference titles, 10 regional crowns and three national championships. He recently guided the women’s team to a dramatic win at the 2024 NCAA DII Championships, earning the program’s third national title in the last nine years.
“We wish Brent the very best as he enters the next chapter of his career,” said UIndy Interim Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. D. Scott Gines. “He has enjoyed unprecedented coaching success as a Greyhound. Brent and his family will always occupy a very special place in UIndy history – a legacy that grew during Brent’s tenure.”
UIndy’s 2015 women’s squad became the first non-Florida-based school to capture the DII crown, while the 2018 team earned a dominating 38-stroke win at Nationals, tying the tournament record for lowest team score (+5). Led by Division II Player of the Year Pilar Echeverria and DII individual national champion Katharina Keilich, all five members of the latter Greyhound lineup were named All-Americans, while Nicoson was voted the 2018 WGCA DII National Coach of the Year by his peers.
“My goal as the coach at UIndy was to simply add to its storied athletic history in a positive way,” Nicoson reflected. “Winning three national championships with the women’s team is obviously what gets talked about most, but I’m more proud of the type of players we had in both programs and how they competed at a high level, were great students, and represented the university in an exceptional way.”
Also the UIndy men’s golf coach starting in 2006-07, Nicoson guided the Greyhound men to 17 NCAA Regional appearances, six conference titles, two regional championships and seven top-15 finishes at the NCAA DII Championships. The Greyhounds advanced to the national semifinal in 2021, led by the program’s first individual national champion, Keegan Bronnenberg. Additionally, Nicoson guided UIndy to both conference and regional crowns in 2018 before advancing to match play at Nationals for the first time since the format was adopted in 2011.
All told, Nicoson tutored a combined 20 GLVC Players of the Year, 14 GLVC Freshmen of the Year and 42 All-Americans as the coach of both UIndy squads.
“We accomplished a lot of great things in both programs,” Nicoson concluded, “and that is because of the special players who played for me over the years. It’s a tribute to them, I was just fortunate enough to be along for the ride and have a front row seat to watch their success.
“Thank you, UIndy, for allowing me to be the leader of Greyhound golf for the last 18 years. I am thankful for all of the relationships built with my colleagues, competitors, and especially our players and their families. GO HOUNDS!”
A former UIndy student-athlete himself, Nicoson was a three-year varsity golfer at Indianapolis, playing from 1992-94 under UIndy coaching legend Ken Partridge. Nicoson was the team captain of the 1994 squad. The Hounds won GLVC titles in 1992 and 1993, the last of six straight league crowns.
Nicoson’s grandfather, the late Angus Nicoson, was the athletic director and basketball coach at UIndy for 30 years. The 4,000-capacity gym on campus was renamed “Nicoson Hall” in his honor. Dan Nicoson, Brent’s father, is a former football student-athlete and assistant coach at Indiana Central.
A national search for Nicoson’s replacement is underway.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB 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/
HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 5 – 9
June 13, 1905 – Future Hall of Fame inductee and New York Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson threw a second career no-hitter, beating the Chicago Cubs, 1-0 at West Side Grounds, Chicago
June 13, 1921 – The New York Yankees had a pretty talented guy on the mound when they faced the Detroit Tigers. The pitcher was none other than Babe Ruth who hit 2 Home Runs to help his own cause in the victory over the Tigers 11-8. Ruth took the hill in relief with revenge in his heart. Oh and did we mention that Ruth also struck out rival hitter Ty Cobb in the contest after Cobb in an earlier game in the series humiliated the Yankee’s star with discouraging remarks about the Bambino’s nose and waist-line?
June 13, 1937 – Joe DiMaggio, Number 5 of the New York Yankees hit 3 consecutive Home Runs against the St Louis Browns. 16-9 was the final score as the Yanks flexed their offensive muscles a bit behind their star player.
June 13, 1957 – Ted Williams, Number 9 became the first player in the American League to have hit two, games in a season where he launched 3 Home Runs. Williams helped power the Boston Red Sox bats to a win over Cleveland’s Indians, 9-3.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
June 13, 1903 – Red Grange is a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of Fame. He was a multiple offensive position early star of the NFL. Known as the “Gallopping Ghost” and the “Wheaton Iceman” Grange became the face of the early NFL. His professional career was predominantly with the Chicago Bears, although he did spend a season with an ill fated New York Yankees Football team in 1927, which was an endeavor by Grange and his agent C.C. Pyle when they tried forming a rival league, the American Football League. The AFL only lasted one season and then Red Grange returned to Chicago to play out the remainder of his career. Red’s prolific college career at the University of Illinois made him legendary and the signing with George Halas’ Chicago Bears gave legitimacy to the new league. He was a 3 time consensus All American selection and in 1924 was the only All American running back selected that was not a member of the Famous Notre Dame Four Horseman backfield. In 2008 ESPN named Grange to be the best college football player in history.
June 13, 1909 – Chicago. Illinois – Jack Riley the fine Northwestern tackle from 1929 to 1931 was born. According to the NFF, Riley was one of four brothers to play football for Northwestern University. He was a key man in the school’s glory years when Northwestern had a 20-5-1 record and won two Big Ten championships in his time there. After his stellar play during the 1931 season he was named to the All-America team. Jack was also a great crew member on the rowing team and a fantastic wrestler as he was the national collegiate heavyweight champion in 1931 and 1932. He also won a silver medal in wrestling in the 1932 Olympics. In 1988, Jack Riley’s accomplishments on the collegiate gridiron were memoralized in the College Football Hall of Fame. After college Riley played pro football two years with the Boston Redskins then went into pro wrestling.
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
June 13
1905 — Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants pitched his second no-hit game, beating the Chicago Cubs and Mordecai Brown 1-0. Mathewson and Brown matched no-hitters for eight innings. The Giants got two hits in the ninth for the win.
1912 — Christy Mathewson recorded his 300th career victory with a 3-2 triumph over the Chicago Cubs.
1921 — Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees pitched the first five innings and hit two home runs in an 11-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
1937 — New York’s Joe DiMaggio hit three consecutive home runs to give the Yankees an 8-8, 11-inning tie against the St. Louis Browns in the second game of a doubleheader.
1947 — In the first night game played at Fenway Park, the Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3.
1948 — Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium drew 49,641 fans who saw Ruth’s No. 3 retired and the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 5-3.
1957 — Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox hit three home runs and drove in five runs in a 9-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians as Williams became the first AL player to have two three-homer games in a season.
1973 — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ infield of Steve Garvey (first base), Davey Lopes (second base), Ron Cey (third base) and Bill Russell (shortstop) played together for the first time in a 16-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The quartet would set a major league record for longevity by playing 8 1/2 years in the same infield.
1980 — Pete Rose of the Philadelphia Phillies goes 4 for 5 to move past Honus Wagner into fifth place on the all-time hit list with 3,431.
1998 — For the fourth time in major league history, teammates hit back-to-back homers in consecutive innings. Atlanta’s Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones each homered in the second and third inning of the Braves’ 9-7 win over Montreal at Turner Field.
2003 — Roger Clemens reached 300 wins and became the third pitcher with 4,000 strikeouts, leading the New York Yankees over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2. Clemens, the 21st pitcher to make it to 300, allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings and struck out 10, raising his total to 4,006. Clemens joined Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Steve Carlton (4,136) in the 4,000-strikeout club.
2008 — Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell hit consecutive home runs in the first inning of Philadelphia’s 20-2 rout of St. Louis.
2012 — Matt Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for San Francisco, striking out a career-high 14 batters and getting help from two running catches to beat the Houston Astros 10-0. Cain’s 125-pitch masterpiece featured a pair of great plays by his corner outfielders. Left fielder Melky Cabrera chased down Chris Snyder’s one-out flyball in the sixth, scurrying back to make a leaping catch on the warning track. Right fielder Gregor Blanco ran into right-center to make a diving catch on the warning track and rob Jordan Schafer for the first out of the seventh.
2015 — Alex Rodriguez collects his 2,000th career RBI with a two-run home run in the New York Yankee’s 9-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Rodriguez is the fourth player to reach the milestone joining Cap Anson, Babe Ruth and leader Hank Aaron.
2019 — Shohei Otani becomes the first Japanese player to hit for the cycle in Major League Baseball.
2021 — The Blue Jays set a record for a visiting team at Fenway Park by blasting 8 homers in an 18 – 4 win over the Red Sox. Seven different players go deep, with Teoscar Hernandez doing so twice, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits his major league-leading 21st.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
June 13
1908 — Canadian champion Tommy Burns KOs Bill Squires of Australia in 8th round at Neuilly Bowling Palace, Paris to retain world heavyweight boxing title.
1913 — James Rowe, who had won back-to-back Belmont Stake races in 1872-73 as a jockey, sets the record for the most number of Belmont Stakes wins by a trainer, eight, when he sends Prince Eugene to victory.
1935 — Jim Braddock scores a 15-round unanimous decision over Max Baer in New York to win the world heavyweight title.
1953 — Ben Hogan wins the U.S. Open for the fourth time, with a six-stroke victory over Sam Snead.
1956 — 1st European Cup Final, Paris: Héctor Rial scores twice as Real Madrid beats Stade de Reims, 4-3 to claim inaugural title.
1959 — Billy Casper wins the U.S. Open golf tournament over Bob Rosburg.
1971 — Kathy Whitworth wins the LPGA championship by four strokes over Kathy Ahern.
1982 — Jan Stephenson wins the LPGA championship with a two-stroke triumph over Joanne Carner.
1989 — 43rd NBA Championship: Detroit Pistons sweeps LA Lakers in 4 games.
1991 — The National, the nation’s first all-sports daily newspaper, ceases publication.
1992 — Sergei Bubka of Ukraine breaks his own world outdoor record in the pole vault by soaring 20 feet, one-half inch. The jump is the 30th time that Bubka has set the record indoors or outdoors, surpassing the 29 world records by distance runner Paavo Nurmi of Finland in the 1920s.
1993 — Patty Sheehan wins the LPGA Championship for a third time, with a 2-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Lauri Merten.
1997 — Chicago wins its fifth NBA championship in the last seven years, as Steve Kerr’s last-second shot gives the Bulls a 90-86 Game 6 victory over the Utah Jazz.
2002 — Stanley Cup Final, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI: Detroit Red Wings beat Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1 for a 4-1 series win; Red Wings’ 10th title; coach Scotty Bowman retires with record 9th title.
2010 — Zenyatta wins her 17th consecutive race, giving her the longest winning streak by a modern-day thoroughbred in unrestricted races. The 6-year-old mare, ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, wins the $200,000 Vanity Handicap by a half-length over St Trinians at Hollywood Park. With the victory, Zenyatta surpasses the 16-race winning streaks of Cigar, 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, and Mister Frisky.
2011 — Boston scores four times in a 4:14 span of the first period and beats the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden, evening the best-of-7 series. Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic, Andrew Ference and Michael Ryder give Boston a 4-0 lead before the midway point of the first period.
2012 — Matt Cain pitches the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for San Francisco, striking out a career-high 14 batters and getting help from two running catches by outfielders Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco to beat the Houston Astros 10-0.
2014 — The Netherlands thrashes Spain 5-1 in the World Cup’s first shocker, toying with an aging team that dominated global football for the past six years and avenging a loss in the 2010 final.
2014 — The Los Angeles Kings wins the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years with a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 5.
2016 — LeBron James has 41 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, Kyrie Irving also scores 41 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers capitalize on the Warriors playing without suspended star Draymond Green, staving off NBA Finals elimination with a 112-97 victory in Game 5. James and Irving are the first teammates to score 40 points in an NBA Finals game as the Cavaliers pulled within 3-2 and sent their best-of-seven series back to Ohio.
2017 — The Golden State Warriors win their second NBA title in three years with a win over the Cavaliers 129-120.
2019 — The Toronto Raptors beat defending champion Golden State Warriors, 114-110 to win the franchise’s first Championship.
2021 — French Open Men’s Tennis: Novak Đoković wins his 19th Grand Slam singles title; beats Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
2023 — Stanley Cup Final, T-Mobile Arena, LV: Vegas Golden Knights rout Florida Panthers 9-3 to clinch 4-1 series win; franchise’s first title in only 6th year in the NHL; MVP: Jonathan Marchessault (VGK forward).
TV SPORTS THURSDAY
| MLB REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| ATLANTA AT BALTIMORE | 1:05PM | BALLY SPORTS SOUTH MASN MLB.TV FUBO |
| WASHINGTON AT DETROIT | 1:10PM | MLBN MASN2 BALLY SPORTS DETROIT MLB.TV FUBO |
| NY YANKEES AT KANSAS CITY | 2:10PM | MLBN YES BALLY SPORTS KANSAS CITY MLB.TV FUBO |
| PITTSBURGH AT ST. LOUIS | 2:15PM | ATTSN-PITTSBURGH BALLY SPORTS MIDWEST MLB.TV FUBO |
| CHI. CUBS AT TAMPA BAY | 6:50PM | MLBN MARQ BALLY SPORTS SUN MLB.TV FUBO |
| MIAMI AT NY METS | 7:10PM | BALLY SPORTS FLORIDA SNY MLB.TV FUBO |
| PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON | 7:10PM | MLBN NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA NESN MLB.TV FUBO |
| OAKLAND AT MINNESOTA | 7:40PM | NBC SPORTS CALIFORNIA BALLY SPORTS NORTH MLB.TV FUBO |
| LA ANGELS AT ARIZONA | 9:40PM | FS1 BALLY SPORTS WEST YURVIEW MLB.TV FUBO |
| CHI. WHITE SOX AT SEATTLE | 9:40PM | NBC SPORTS CHICAGO ROOT SPORTS MLB.TV FUBO |
| TEXAS AT LA DODGERS | 10:10PM | BALLY SPORTS SOUTHWEST SNLA MLB.TV FUBO |
| NHL PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME 3: FLORIDA AT EDMONTON | 8:00PM | ABC |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| PGA: US OPEN | 6:30AM | USA |
| LPGA TOUR: MEIJER LPGA CLASSIC | 3:00PM | GOLF |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| ARGENTINA PRIMERA DIVISIÓN: DEPORTIVO RIESTRA VS RIVER PLATE | 2:30PM | PARAMOUNT+ FUBO |
| ARGENTINA PRIMERA DIVISIÓN: SARMIENTO VS ESTUDIANTES | 6:00PM | PARAMOUNT+ FUBO |
| ARGENTINA PRIMERA DIVISIÓN: TIGRE VS BELGRANO | 6:00PM | PARAMOUNT+ FUBO |
| ARGENTINA PRIMERA DIVISIÓN: LANÚS VS RACING CLUB | 8:15PM | PARAMOUNT+ FUBO |
| ARGENTINA PRIMERA DIVISIÓN: NEWELL’S OLD BOYS VS INSTITUTO | 8:15PM | PARAMOUNT+ FUBO |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| ATLANTA VS INDIANA | 7:00PM | ESPN3 PEACHTREETV |
| SEATTLE VS DALLAS | 7:00PM | ESPN |
| LAS VEGAS VS PHOENIX | 10:00PM | PRIME AFSN SSSEN |
| TENNIS | TIME ET | TV |
| STUTTGART-ATP & NOTTINGHAM-WTA | 5:00AM | TENNIS |
| STUTTGART-ATP & NOTTINGHAM-WTA | 1:00PM | TENNIS |