“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA BASEBALL SCORES
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 6 EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 3
EVANSVILLE HARRISON 7 EVANSVILLE REITZ 6
VALPARAISO 7 LAKE CENTRAL 5
CROWN POINT 3 LAPORTE 2
CHESTERTON 11 MERRILLVILLE 0
HANOVER CENTRAL 5 HOBART 2
PORTAGE 15 MICHIGAN CITY 5
LAWLER 11 RENSSELAER CENTRAL 0
CASTLE 1 EVANSVILLE NORTH 0
TRI-COUNTY 9 DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 3
MUNSTER 15 HIGHLAND 2
CULVER ACADEMIES 8 MORGAN TWP. 5
GIBSON SOUTHERN 8 BOONVILLE 1
ANDREAN 13 KANKAKEE VALLEY 2
SHENANDOAH 10 RANDOLPH SOUTHERN 0
CENTERVILLE 15 TRI 0
MUNCIE BURRIS 20 SEASON CATHOLIC 4
SOUTH ADAMS 4 FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY 3
ADAMS CENTRAL 4 BELLMONT 2
MISHAWAKA MARIAN 9 NILES 3
NORWELL 13 MISSISSINEWA 1
SOUTH RIPLEY 4 OLDENBURG ACADEMY 3
HAMMOND NOLL 12 LAKE STATION 0
WAPAHANI 8 COWAN 1
PRINCETON 11 PIKE CENTRAL 1
WHEELER 15 GRIFFITH 1
NORTH NEWTON 5 FRONTIER 4
JAC CEN DEL 12 SHAW MEMORIAL 8
COVINGTON 19 ATTICA 2
HAGERSTOWN 4 CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 3
EASTBROOK 15 JAY COUNTY 5
BREMEN 21 LAVILLE 9
PAOLI 10 SHOALS 0
PLYMOUTH 20 ROCHESTER 15
WES DEL 12 BLUE RIVER 0
RIVER FOREST 5 WHITING 1
HAST 15 21ST CENTURY 0
SOUTH DECATUR 7 MILAN 0
WALDRON 11 CROUTHERSVILLE 1
NORTHWOOD 14 ELKHART 8
FORT WAYNE SNIDER 15 FORT WAYNE NORTH 1
EASTERN GREENE 21 S. KNOX 10
BLACKFORD 11 SOUTHWOOD 2
ALEXANDRIA MONROE 5 MADISON GRANT 3
WEST NOBLE 16 HAMILTON 6
FAIRFIELD 11 CHURUBUSCO 1
WESTERN 6 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 3
WAWASEE 3 WHITKO 1
BEN DAVIS 15 PIKE 5
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 5 JASPER 4
WINCHESTER 2 KNIGHTSTOWN 1
FORT WAYNE LUERS 10 FORT WAYNE SOUTH 0
SCECINA 8 MONROVIA 0
NORTH WHITE 22 FAITH CHRISTIAN 1
MCCUTCHEON 18 LOGANSPORT 9
TRI-WEST 20 SOUTHMONT 4
DELPHI 11 PIONEER 6
EASTERN HANCOCK 3 MONROE CENTRAL 1
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 14 INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE 0
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 6 CONCORD 4
SOUTH-CENTRAL 1 LANESVILLE 0
HARRISON 1 UNIVERSITY 1
BISHOP CHATARD 10 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 9
WABASH 16 CASTON 3
LAWRENCE NORTH 15 LAWRENCE CENTRAL 8
WEST VIGO 10 CLOVERDALE 7
SHERIDAN 12 BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 11
LAPEL 11 FRANKTON 5
BREBEUF 7 RONCALLI 3
DALEVILLE 7 NEW CASTLE 0
SALEM 4 PROVIDENCE 3
FORT WAYNE NORTHRUP 15 FORT WAYNE WAYNE 0
GREENSBURG 10 RUSHVILLE 2
CARROLL FLORA 8 MACONAQUAH 5
ANGOLA 6 EASTSIDE 5
CLAY CITY 18 N. CENTRAL 0
NORTHVIEW 13 GREENCASTLE 1
UNION COUNTY 13 N. DECATUR 10
INDY GENESIS 4 EDINBURGH 4
TRITON CENTRAL 8 RITTER 1
WEST CENTRAL 11 S. NEWTON 0
NORTHFIELD 6 TAYLOR 1
RICHMOND 20 MUNCIE CENTRAL 1
CRAWFORDSVILLE 3 DANVILLE 1
GOSHEN 8 JIMTOWN 2
TWIN LAKES 13 W. LAFAYETTE 1
TRITON 12 ELKHART CHRISTIAN 0
LAKELAND 8 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 2
BLOOMFIELD 8 VINCENNES RIVET 4
WESTFIELD 14 GARRETT 1
FORT WAYNE CRUSADERS 11 BETHANY CHRISTIAN 3
GUERIN CATHOLIC 5 COVENANT CHRISTIAN 0
KOUTS 2 GLENN 2
COLUMBUS EAST 6 JEFFERSONVILLE 4
FRANKLIN COUNTY 3 CONNERSVILLE 2
CENTER GROVE 12 AVON 1
CARMEL 10 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 3
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 7 BLOOMINGTON NORTH 0
PLAINFIELD 12 WHITELAND 1
BARR REEVE 2 SPRINGS VALLEY 1
SCOTTSBURG 15 HENRYVILLE 2
NEW PALESTINE 13 YORKTOWN 0
COLUMBUS NORTH 5 BATESVILLE 0
KOKOMO 7 LAFAYETTE JEFF 1
CORYDON CENTRAL 12 MITCHELL 7
SEYMOUR 9 S. DEARBORN 0
CATHEDRAL 10 ZIONSVILLE 2
NORTH HARRISON 7 ORLEANS 2
LEBANON 3 FRANKFORT 2
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 8 BENTON CENTRAL 7
WASHINGTON 10 MOUNT VERNON 1
NORTH MONTGOMERY 9 WESTERN BOONE 1
RONCALLI 6 BREBEUF 2
INDIANA SOFTBALL SCORES
LAKE CENTRAL 15 CHESTERTON 0
CROWN POINT 14 PORTAGE 3
VALPARAISO 13 MERRILLVILLE 2
LAPORTE 16 MICHIGAN CITY 2
KANKAKEE VALLEY 9 LOWELL 0
HOBART 5 HEBRON 4
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 19 CALUMET NEW TECH 0
MISHAWAKA MARIAN 14 CONCORD 4
PLYMOUTH 16 TRITON 2
CLINTON PRAIRIE 13 FAITH CHRISTIAN 2
HAMMOND NOLL 20 LAKE STATION 0
WHITING 13 RIVER FOREST 2
BOONE GROVE 4 N. NEWTON 2
WHEELER 2 GRIFFITH 0
CASTON 16 CULVER COMMUNITY 0
CHARLESTOWN 11 N. HARRISON 0
LANESVILLE 14 CRAWFORD COUNTY 2
LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN 12 NEW HAVEN 10
PRINCETON 9 LOOGOOTEE 4
NORTHEAST DUBOIS 11 SPRINGS VALLEY 1
LEWIS CASS 12 PIONEER 11
WEST LAFAYETTE 18 BENTON CENTRAL 4
COVINGTON 6 ATTICA 3
FLOYD CENTRAL 8 NEW ALBANY 0
KOKOMO 6 MACONAQUAH 4
GIBSON SOUTHERN 15 BOONVILLE 4
MILAN 15 SOUTH DECATUR 0
WALDRON 10 OLDENBURG ACADEMY 2
NORTH VERMILLION 28 SEEGER 2
ROCHESTER 3 WINAMAC 0
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 3 MISHAWAKA 2
SOUTH VERMILLION 18 FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 8
LAWRENCEBURG 17 S. DEARBORN 6
BARR REEVE 20 SHOALS 0
EVANSVILLE NORTH 3 EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 2
WAPAHANI 6 COWAN 3
LAKELAND 5 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 3
LAPEL 3 FRANKTON 0
ROSSVILLE 4 LAFAYETTE JEFF 2
HERITAGE 8 FORT WAYNE SNIDER 0
DANVILLE 15 CRAWFORDSVILLE 5
PARK TUDOR 13 SHORTRIDGE 0
FORT WAYNE CARROLL 7 HOMESTEAD 1
SOUTH KNOX 9 N. POSEY 8
COLUMBUS EAST 8 HAUSER 3
ALEXANDRIA MONROE 5 MADISON GRANT 1
PENDLETON HEIGHTS 10 ELWOOD 0
NORTH JUDSON 9 N. WHITE 5
MADISON 9 JEFFERSONVILLE 8
COLUMBIA CITY 7 WAWASEE 1
WEST NOBLE 13 HAMILTON 3
HARRISON 12 MCCUTCHEON 2
WESTERN BOONE 11 N. MONTGOMERY 0
NORTHEASTERN 11 DELTA 0
EAST NOBLE 23 WARSAW 6
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 19 RITTER 9
LEBANON 20 FRANKFORT 0
EASTSIDE 10 ANGOLA 0
CONNERSVILLE 7 RUSHVILLE 1
HUNTINGTON NORTH 14 FORT WAYNE NORTHRUP 3
CARMEL 12 LAWRENCE NORTH 10
CARROLL FLORA 7 LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 3
SHELBYVILLE 8 NEW CASTLE 0
JAY COUNTY 15 EASTBROOK 0
SOUTH BEND CLAY 3 BREMEN 2
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 8 SALEM 2
EASTERN HANCOCK 22 MONROE CENTRAL 2
UNION COUNTY 13 WINCHESTER 3
WEST VIGO 13 CLOVERDALE 2
FAIRFIELD 7 CHRUBUSCO 5
NORTHWOOD 4 SOUTH BEND ADAMS 1
NORTH CENTRAL 12 PARKE HERITAGE 6
NORTHVIEW 5 GREENCASTLE 1
FRANKLIN COUNTY 5 CENTERVILLE 2
GREENSBURG 13 BATESVILLE 1
CENTRAL NOBLE 5 FREMONT 2
OAK HILL 6 N. MIAMI 5
WEST CENTRAL 13 RENSSELAER CENTRAL 0
RED HILL 8 DUGGER UNION 7
SEYMOUR 2 COLUMBUS NORTH 1
MISSISSINEWA 8 WABASH 0
BELLMONT 3 ADAMS CENTRAL 2
NEW WASHINGTON 7 CLARKSVILLE 5
BEN DAVIS 19 PIKE 5
CORYDON CENTRAL 17 BORDEN 1
SHERIDAN 20 HERRON 1
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 5 EDGEWOOD 5
PENN 11 NORTHRIDGE 1
WESTERN 3 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 1
GARRETT 10 WESTVIEW 0
BLUFFTON 9 MANCHESTER 5
HAGERSTOWN 7 UNION CITY 0
PERU 12 TWIN LAKES 2
SOUTH-CENTRAL 2 JIMTOWN 0
NORTHWESTERN 2 EASTERN 1
SOUTH SPENCER 17 FOREST PARK 10
WASHINGTON 8 SHAKAMAK 6
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 11 LIVING WATER HOMESCHOOL 8
NEW PALESTINE 20 E. CENTRAL 0
BROWNSBURG 5 WESTFIELD 4
SOUTH BEND RILEY 10 GOSHEN 0
DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 19 FRONTIER 2
SILVER CREEK 11 EASTERN 1
TECUMSEH 22 PIKE CENTRAL 2
SULLIVAN 15 INDIAN CREEK 3
TRI-WEST 17 SOUTHMONT 0
DANVILLE 13 CRAWFORDSVILLE 2
WESTERN BOONE 15 N. MONTGOMERY 3
WESTERN 15 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 2
LEBANON 22 FRANKFORT 0
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL POLLS
4A
1 LAKE CENTRAL
2 CASTLE
3 PENN
4 RONCALLI
5 FLOYD CENTRAL
6 MOORESVILLE
7 CENTER GROVE
8 SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH
9 CATHEDRAL
10 AVON
3A
1 GIBSON SOUTHERN
2 NEW PRAIRIE
3 HANOVER CENTRAL
4 SILVER CREEK
5 LEO
6 MOUNT VERNON
7 SOUTH BEND RILEY
8 TRI-WEST
9 YORKTOWN
10 WESTERN
2A
1 ANDREAN
2 CASCADE
3 UNION COUNTY
4 EASTSIDE
5 NORTH POSEY
6 BREMEN
7 HAUSER
8 ILLIANA CHRISTIAN
9 HEBRON
10 BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL
1A
1 CLAY CITY
2 TECUMSEH
3 RIVERTON PARKE
4 ROSSVILLE
5 CASTON
6 BARR REEVE
7 WEST CENTRAL
8 INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN
9 RISING SUN
10 NORTH MIAMI
INDIANA GIRLS TENNIS POLL
1.CARMEL
2.SB ST. JOSEPH
3.NORTH CENTRAL
4.JASPER
5.FISHERS
6T.BREBEUF
6T.COLUMBUS NORTH
8.PARK TUDOR
9.NOBLESVILLE
10.FRANKLIN COMMUNITY
11.CATHEDRAL
12.MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE)
13.WESTFIELD
14.CENTER GROVE
15.ZIONSVILLE
16.CASTLE
17.LAWRENCE NORTH
18.LAFAYETTE HARRISON
19.PENN
20T.FW CARROLL
20T.DELTA
22T.SULLIVAN
22T.HOMESTEAD
24.FLOYD CENTRAL
25.NORTHWOOD
26.AVON
27.WARSAW
28.JEFFERSONVILLE
29.EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL
30.GREENCASTLE
NBA SCOREBOARD
PHILADELPHIA 120 DETROIT 102
INDIANA 140 TORONTO 123
DALLAS 130 CHARLOTTE 104
MILWAUKEE 104 BOSTON 91
MIAMI 117 ATLANTA 111 2OT
MINNESOTA 130 WASHINGTON 121
NEW YORK 128 CHICAGO 117
SAN ANTONIO 102 MEMPHIS 87
HOUSTON 118 ORLANDO 106
OKLAHOMA CITY 112 SACRAMENTO 105
DENVER 111 UTAH 95
NEW ORLEANS 110 PORTLAND 100
LA CLIPPERS 105 PHOENIX 92
GOLDEN STATE 134 LA LAKERS 120
STANDINGS:
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/standings
NHL SCOREBOARD
WASHINGTON 2 DETROIT 1
FLORIDA 2 OTTAWA 0
MONTRÉAL 9 PHILADELPHIA 3
TORONTO 5 NEW JERSEY 2
NY ISLANDERS 4 NY RANGERS 2
TAMPA BAY 5 COLUMBUS 2
CAROLINA 4 BOSTON 1
DALLAS 3 BUFFALO 2
WINNIPEG 4 NASHVILLE 3 OT
COLORADO 5 MINNESOTA 2
SEATTLE 5 ARIZONA 0
ANAHEIM 3 LOS ANGELES 1
CALGARY 3 SAN JOSE 2 OT
STANDINGS: https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/standings
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
DETROIT 5 PITTSBURGH 3
BALTIMORE 7 BOSTON 1
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 7 CLEVELAND 5
MILWAUKEE 9 CINCINNATI 5
NY YANKEES 3 MIAMI 2
TORONTO 5 SEATTLE 3
ATLANTA 6 NY METS 5
LA DODGERS 6 MINNESOTA 3
KANSAS CITY 4 HOUSTON 3 (10)
ST. LOUIS 3 PHILADELPHIA 0
OAKLAND 4 TEXAS 3
ARIZONA 3 COLORADO 2
TAMPA BAY 6 LA ANGELS 4
WASHINGTON 5 SAN FRANCISCO 3
CHICAGO CUBS 5 SAN DIEGO 1
STANDINGS: https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/standings
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
TOLDEO 6 INDIANAPOLIS 5
LAKE COUNTY 7 FT. WAYNE 5
WISCONSIN 3 SOUTH BEND 1
UFL SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
STANDINGS: https://www.foxsports.com/ufl/standings
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES
KANSAS 13 NEBRASKA 11
EVANSVILLE 15 BUTLER 5
GEORGETOWN 13 MARYLAND 12
WESTERN MICHIGAN 10 MICHIGAN 9
RUTGERS 8 SETON HALL 1
ILLINOIS CHICAGO 18 NORTHWESTERN 5
PENN STATE 12 FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 2
INDIANA STATE 9 PURDUE 3
OHIO STATE 6 BOWLING GREEN 4
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 10 MICHIGAN STATE 0
ILLINOIS 10 ILLINOIS STATE 6
MINNESOTA 11 NORTH DAKOTA STATE 3
BALL STATE AT INDIANA CANCELED
MIAMI OHIO 22 WRIGHT STATE 21
OAKLAND 20 EASTERN MICHIGAN 17
MILWAUKEE 7 VALPARAISO 3
TOLEDO 18 YOUNGSTOWN STATE 8
NORTHERN KENTUCKY 11 OHIO 8
DAYTON 12 AKRON 7
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 14 EASTERN ILLINOIS 12
KENT STATE 5 PITTSBURGH 4
NORTHERN KENTUCKY 11 OHIO 8
EVANSVILLE 15 BUTLER 5
ST. LOUIS 13 SOUTHERN INDIANA 5
COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES
NOTRE DAME 3 WESTERN MICHIGAN 2
PURDUE 8 INDIANA STATE 5
MICHIGAN 11 MICHIGAN STATE 5
NORTHWESTERN 8 ILLINOIS 0
IUPUI 6 NORTHERN KENTUCKY 4
CLEVELAND STATE 11 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 1
PITTSBURGH 10 AKRON 2
MIAMI OHIO 4 BUTLER 2
NOTRE DAME 3 WESTERN MICHIGAN 2
ILLINOIS CHICAGO 2 VALPARAISO 1
NATIONAL SPORTS RELEASES/HEADLINES
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
JOHN CALIPARI DEPARTS KENTUCKY AFTER 15 YEARS, SAYING THE PROGRAM ‘NEEDS TO HEAR ANOTHER VOICE’
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — John Calipari is stepping down as Kentucky’s men’s basketball coach after 15 years, saying Tuesday that the “program probably needs to hear another voice” amid reports that he’s closing in on a deal with Arkansas to take over that Southeastern Conference program.
Calipari posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he said that after talking with his wife, Ellen, he decided a change was needed. He added, “We’ve loved it here, but we think it’s time for us to step away and step away completely from the program.”
Calipari leaves a Wildcats program he guided to the 2012 NCAA championship among four Final Four appearances. He went 410-123 in 15 seasons. The past few seasons have been disappointing by Kentucky standards, with a 1-3 mark in its last three NCAA Tournament trips, including first-round losses to No. 14 seed Oakland last month and No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s two years ago, despite being a top-three seed both times.
The most recent loss set off immediate calls to fire Calipari before athletic director Mitch Barnhart stated that Calipari would return next season. Firing Calipari would’ve triggered a buyout of more than $33 million under the terms of a 10-year, so-called lifetime contract signed in 2019.
Barnhart said Kentucky would work diligently to hire “a proven, highly dedicated coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the state of Kentucky.”
The AD added: “We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky. We’re grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court.”
Calipari didn’t specifically mention the Arkansas opening he has been linked to since multiple reports surfaced Sunday night about negotiations with the school. The Hall of Famer simply said, “There have been opportunities that have been presented to us, so we’re discussing them as a family.”
However, Calipari’s announcement certainly clears the way for him to go the SEC rival with which he got very familiar while coaching the Wildcats. The 65-year-old would replace Eric Musselman, who left over the weekend after four seasons to become coach at Southern California.
There was no immediate word on whether Arkansas was close to hiring Calipari. A school spokesman told The Associated Press that the Board of Trustees was not scheduled to meet on Tuesday.
Calipari established a legacy in Lexington upon arriving in 2009 with an impressive parade of stellar freshmen who came to be known as “one and done” for playing one season before entering the NBA draft.
Kentucky thrived with Calipari’s approach in the first half of his tenure as the Wildcats regained their blueblood status and he developed the newcomers into NBA draft picks. The first-round total is 35 alone among 47 overall selections, with No. 1 overall choices in John Wall (2010), Anthony Davis (2012) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015). Opening-day NBA rosters featured 26 Kentucky players, including two-way and inactive.
Pro teams’ interest in Kentucky players spawned preseason combines – sometimes televised – featuring scouts from all 32 NBA clubs. While the youth movement helped Kentucky win games and fill 20,500-seat Rupp Arena fans and media believe he became too focused on sending players to the next level instead of winning championships.
DAN HURLEY, NATE OATS SAY THEY WON’T BE LURED BY KENTUCKY
Final Four coaches Dan Hurley and Nate Oats said they have no interest in replacing John Calipari at Kentucky, despite chatter linking each to the open job.
Calipari’s departure for Arkansas is expected to be announced officially on Tuesday, leaving a vacancy with one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs.
Still, after winning his second straight national championship with UConn on Monday night, Hurley said his only professional goal at the moment is to build a dynasty with the Huskies. And in a social media post, Oats said he wants to lead Alabama to its first title.
Hurley joked that his wife, Andrea, who like him is a New Jersey native, wouldn’t move that far from her home state. But in a serious moment, he said his focus is reloading for a shot at a third straight title after defeating Purdue 75-60.
“On the flight home (Tuesday) we’ll start talking about what the roster is going to look like,” Hurley, 51, said. “Obviously, we graduate some players. We’re going to lose a couple potentially to the NBA early entry. We’re going to dive in and put together a roster that can play a comparable level of basketball to the one that you guys have witnessed the last two years. That’s I know what our mindset will be.”
Oats’ Crimson Tide lost 86-72 to UConn in the national semifinal on Saturday.
The 49-year-old Oats just finished his fifth season with Alabama, where he has posted a 117-54 record and taken the team to four NCAA Tournaments.
“I am fully committed to this team and to this University,” Oats said in a statement addressed to “Bama Nation.”
“We have already accomplished some great things here, and there is nothing I want more than for The University of Alabama to win its first national championship in men’s basketball. Despite any rumors to the contrary, rest assured that I will continue that pursuit as your head coach.”
Last month, Alabama signed Oats to a contract extension through March 14, 2030. While the school didn’t release financial terms, ESPN reported he would become one of the five highest-paid coaches in the country, according to ESPN.
As for Hurley, USA Today reported Tuesday that UConn will pay him at least $1.8 million in bonuses for this championship season.
DUKE STARTER MARK MITCHELL ENTERS PORTAL AS LOADED CLASS LOOMS
Duke starting forward Mark Mitchell announced Tuesday he is entering the NCAA transfer portal.
The 20-year-old Mitchell has appeared in 68 games (67 starts) for the Blue Devils over his two seasons in Durham, N.C. He has career averages of 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Duke University and all those who supported me over the past few years,” he posted to Instagram. “I am deeply appreciative of the impact this community has had on my life, and it will forever remain dear to my heart.
“Having said that, I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal.”
After Monday night’s national title game, won by UConn, oddsmakers named Duke as the favorite to cut down the nets in 2025. They potentially stand to lose Mitchell, Ryan Young (eligibility) and Kyle Filipowski, who could enter the 2024 NBA Draft, but are adding the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class.
Coach Jon Scheyer is adding a trio of five-star forwards to the roster: Cooper Flagg, ranked by the 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the 2024 class, Isaiah Evans (No. 12 nationally) and Kon Knueppel (No. 17).
Four-star center Patrick Ngongba II (No. 18) and four-star forward Darren Harris (No. 51), teammates at Paul VI Catholic in Fairfax, Va., also have signed letters of intent.
Committed to Duke but yet to sign is five-star prospect Khaman Maluach of South Africa, ranked as the top center and No. 3 overall player in the class, per 247Sports.
Duke finished the 2023-24 season with a 27-9 record (15-5 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Blue Devils advanced to the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament, losing to tourney Cinderella North Carolina State, 76-64.
REPORTS: ARIZONA G KYLAN BOSWELL ENTERING TRANSFER PORTAL
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell has entered the transfer portal, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
Boswell averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists in 36 games (35 starts) as a sophomore in 2023-24. The former five-star recruit shot 39.6 percent from the field and made 66 3-point baskets. He averaged 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
In two seasons at Arizona, Boswell has averages of 7.2 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 71 games (35 starts). He knocked down 96 treys.
Boswell is the third Arizona player in two days to enter the portal. Star center Oumar Ballo and reserve big man Dylan Anderson entered on Monday.
The Wildcats (27-9) also lost forward Paulius Murauskas and guard Filip Borovicanin to the portal since their season ended with a loss to Clemson in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
STANFORD’S TARA VANDERVEER RETIRES AS NCAA’S ALL-TIME WINS LEADER
After 45 seasons and an NCAA-record 1,216 wins, Tara VanDerveer is calling it a career as a college basketball coach, Stanford announced Tuesday night.
The legendary VanDerveer, 70, coached Stanford for the past 38 seasons, guiding the Cardinal to 14 Final Four appearances and three national championships (1990, 1992, 2021). VanDerveer began her coaching career at Idaho (1978-80) and also coached at Ohio State (1980-85).
Kate Paye, who played for VanDerveer and is Stanford’s associate head coach, is currently in talks with Stanford and is set to become the program’s next head coach.
“Basketball is the greatest group project there is and I am so incredibly thankful for every person who has supported me and our teams throughout my coaching career,” VanDerveer said in a statement. “I’ve been spoiled to coach the best and brightest at one of the world’s foremost institutions for nearly four decades. Coupled with my time at Ohio State and Idaho, and as head coach of the United States National Team, it has been an unforgettable ride.
“The joy for me was in the journey of each season, seeing a group of young women work hard for each other and form an unbreakable bond. Winning was a byproduct. I’ve loved the game of basketball since I was a little girl, and it has given me so much throughout my life. I hope I’ve been able to give at least a little bit back.”
VanDerveer will remain with the Cardinal in an advisory role in their athletic department, the school said.
“Tara’s name is synonymous with the sport and women’s basketball would not be what it is today without her pioneering work,” Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said in a statement. “She has been devoted to this campus for 40 years and a servant to all the student-athletes who have come through her program.
“Tara built one of the sport’s iconic program’s almost immediately upon her arrival at Stanford, and then maintained that standard for nearly four decades.”
NBA NEWS
2-TIME ALL-STAR JA MORANT DEFENDED HIMSELF DURING PICKUP GAME FIGHT, JUDGE SAYS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant acted in self-defense when a teenager accused the two-time NBA All-Star of punching him during a pickup game at the home of the Memphis Grizzlies guard’s parents in 2022, a judge has ruled.
Shelby County Court Circuit Judge Carol Chumney cited Tennessee law on when the issue of self-defense can be raised, and she wrote in a ruling issued Monday that Morant “enjoys a presumption of civil immunity.”
The lawsuit filed by Joshua Holloway accuses Morant of assaulting him during a pickup game on July 26, 2022. Then 17, Holloway had been invited to play at the private court of the Morant family. Holloway, now 18, plays basketball for Samford University.
Morant claimed he was defending himself after Holloway aggressively threw the basketball at him with a one-handed, baseball-style pass and hit him in the face during a check-ball situation. A “check” is a common practice in pickup games in which two opposing players pass the ball to each other and check to see if their teammates are ready, often before starting a game or after a foul.
The judge wrote that “a provocateur generally cannot invoke self-defense; if you start a fight, then you should be ready to finish it.” The judge also noted that Holloway was the only “provocateur,” with everyone else just wanting to play basketball.
NBA ROUNDUP: ANTHONY EDWARDS (51) LEADS WOLVES OVER WIZARDS
Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 51 points on 17-for-29 shooting from the field, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 130-121 win over the visiting Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 23 off the bench for Minnesota, which has won four of its past five games. Rudy Gobert collected 19 points and 16 rebounds and Mike Conley scored 15 points.
The Timberwolves share lead the Western Conference lead with the Denver Nuggets.
Corey Kispert put up 25 points and Jordan Poole had 24 but the Wizards fell for a fourth straight time.
Bucks 104, Celtics 91
Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists before he left the game with a leg injury, but Milwaukee still ended a four-game losing streak by defeating visiting Boston.
Antetokounmpo fell to the floor and grabbed his left calf with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter. He walked to the locker room and did not return to the game. The Bucks called the injury a soleus strain, and the big man was headed for medical tests.
Patrick Beverley led the Bucks with 20 points, and he grabbed 10 rebounds. Boston’s Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 22 points.
76ers 120, Pistons 102
Joel Embiid had 37 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as host Philadelphia beat Detroit for its sixth win in a row.
Buddy Hield scored 18 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 17 and Tobias Harris added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who still sit one game behind the Pacers for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey sat out due to hip tightness.
Jaden Ivey scored 25 points as the Pistons lost for a fifth straight time. Evan Fournier scored 21, and Jalen Duren added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Mavericks 130, Hornets 104
Luka Doncic outscored Charlotte in the first quarter, putting up 21 of his 39 points as visiting Dallas won for the 15th time in 17 games.
Doncic also provided 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Daniel Gafford racked up 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting. Kyrie Irving added 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Dallas.
Miles Bridges scored 22 points and rookie Brandon Miller added 21 in the final home game for Hornets coach Steve Clifford, who will step down at the end of the season.
Pacers 140, Raptors 123
Tyrese Haliburton scored 30 points and visiting Indiana defeated Toronto to solidify its spot in sixth place of the Eastern Conference standings.
Obi Toppin added 23 points off the bench and former Raptor standout Pascal Siakam contributed 16 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who have won three in a row and five of six.
RJ Barrett scored 23 points for Toronto in the team’s final home game of the season. Kelly Olynyk added 22 points and Javon Freeman-Liberty had a season-best 20 points for the Raptors, who had won their two previous games after a 15-game losing streak.
Thunder 112, Kings 105
Chet Holmgren broke a tie with a free throw with 1:27 remaining, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a 40-point performance with the game’s final six points Oklahoma City rallied from a 20-point deficit to overtake visiting Sacramento.
Luguentz Dort backed Gilgeous-Alexander with 18 points while Holmgren finished with 15 and a team-high nine rebounds for the Thunder, who formally clinched no worse than the third seed in the Western Conference.
De’Aaron Fox had a team-high 33 points and Keon Ellis supplied a career-best 26 for the Kings.
Pelicans 110, Trail Blazers 100
Trey Murphy III registered 31 points and eight rebounds and CJ McCollum added 29 points as New Orleans notched a pivotal victory over host Portland.
Zion Williamson had 22 points and seven rebounds as New Orleans moved into sixth place in the Western Conference. Murphy and McCollum — the latter a former Portland standout — each made five 3-pointers as the Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers for the sixth straight time.
Deandre Ayton recorded 30 points and 13 rebounds and rookie Scoot Henderson added 19 points and a career-high 15 assists for Portland, which lost for the 12th time in the past 14 games. Henderson’s assist output was the most by a rookie in Trail Blazers history.
Heat 117, Hawks 111 (2OT)
Tyler Herro scored 33 points and Jimmy Butler registered 25 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals as Miami notched a double-overtime victory at Atlanta.
Nikola Jovic added 23 points and eight rebounds for the Heat, who remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind Philadelphia and 1 1/2 games behind Indiana.
Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray recorded 29 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists and four steals for his 19th career triple-double. De’Andre Hunter added 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, who lost Jalen Johnson to a sprained right ankle.
Rockets 118, Magic 106
Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 37 points while Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 23 points as Houston completed the home portion of its schedule with a victory over Orlando.
The Rockets snapped a season-worst five-game skid while dealing the Magic a damaging loss relative to their playoff positioning. VanVleet made six 3-pointers and added eight rebounds and six assists to his ledger.
Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs scored 21 points apiece for the Magic, who were without Franz Wagner (ankle). Orlando fell two games behind Milwaukee for the second seed in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining.
Knicks 128, Bulls 117
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, OG Anunoby added 24 and Josh Hart had a double-double to lift visiting New York to a win against Chicago.
New York took sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind Milwaukee, with three regular-season games remaining.
Chicago maintained a one-game lead on Atlanta for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament game between the Nos. 9 and 10 seeds. The Bulls also hold the tiebreaker. DeMar DeRozan paced Chicago with 34 points.
Nuggets 111, Jazz 95
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic each scored 28 points as Denver kept pace in its pursuit for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a win over Utah in Salt Lake City.
Denver remained deadlocked with Minnesota for the West’s top record. Denver and Minnesota also maintained a one-game advantage over Oklahoma City.
Talen Horton-Tucker came off the bench to lead the Jazz with 24 points, shooting 4-for-8 from beyond the 3-point arc. Utah took its 13th straight loss.
Warriors 134, Lakers 120
Klay Thompson scored 27 points and Stephen Curry added 23 as sharp-shooting Golden State inched closer to host Los Angeles in the battle for play-in tournament seeding with a victory.
Curry was 6-for-6 from long distance and Draymond Green went 5-for-7 as the Warriors hit a season-high 26 3-pointers on 41 attempts. Golden State notched the best 3-point shooting percentage in a game in NBA history (63.4 percent) with a minimum of 40 long-range attempts, per ESPN Stats & Info.
LeBron James scored 33 points and dished out 11 assists and Austin Reaves had 22 points for the Lakers. Golden State is now just a half-game back of Los Angeles for the ninth spot in the Western Conference.
Clippers 105, Suns 92
Russell Westbrook recorded his first triple-double of the season with 16 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds, and Los Angeles rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat host Phoenix.
The Clippers’ Paul George finished with a game-high 23 points. With its fourth win in a row, Los Angeles remained two games ahead of Dallas for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
The loss for Phoenix, coupled with New Orleans’ win over Portland, dropped the Suns to seventh place in the West and out of the last guaranteed playoff spot. Kevin Durant scored 21 points and Bradley Beal finished with 19 points for Phoenix.
Spurs 102, Grizzlies 87
Victor Wembanyama scored 18 points and blocked seven shots to lead a balanced San Antonio attack as the visiting Spurs rolled to a win over short-handed Memphis.
The Spurs snapped a 13-game skid against Memphis that began in the 2020-21 season. Julian Champagnie added 17 points for San Antonio.
It was the third straight game in which the injury-shackled Grizzlies competed with just eight active players, the NBA minimum, and that took its toll. Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke and Trey Jemison led Memphis with 14 points apiece.
BASEBALL NEWS
JULIO TEHERAN DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT 1 DAY AFTER POOR RESULTS IN DEBUT WITH METS
ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets right-hander Julio Teheran was designated for assignment on Tuesday, one day after he lasted only 2 2/3 innings in his debut with the team.
The Mets selected the contract of right-hander Dedniel Núñez from Triple-A Syracuse before Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves.
Teheran, 33, gave up four runs in Monday night’s 8-7 win over the Braves. Teheran signed with New York on Friday. He began his career with Atlanta in 2011 and was an All-Star with the Braves in 2014 and 2016.
Teheran earns $2.5 million while in the majors and $150,000 while in the minors in his contract with the Mets. The deal also includes the possibility of $400,000 in performance bonuses.
Teheran spent spring training with the Baltimore Orioles but opted out of his minor league deal in late March when he didn’t make their opening-day roster. He was 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 11 starts and three relief appearances last year for NL Central champion Milwaukee.
Núñez, 27, pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief for Syracuse this season. He has not pitched in the majors.
RED SOX SS TREVOR STORY TO HAVE SEASON-ENDING SURGERY
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday.
Story initially was diagnosed with a dislocated left shoulder in an 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday after he dove to make a play.
Story was seen Monday by Dr. Evan O’Donnell, a shoulder specialist, in Boston, and manager Alex Cora said Tuesday before his team’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles that the news wasn’t positive. He said there was “concern with the bone structure.”
Breslow told reporters Story had been diagnosed with a fractured glenoid in his left shoulder and would need surgery, with a recovery time of six months.
Also Tuesday, the Red Sox placed right-hander Nick Pivetta (right elbow flexor strain) on the 15-day injured list.
The Red Sox signed Story to a six-year, $140 million contract in March 2022 after his six seasons, including two All-Star campaigns, with the Colorado Rockies.
In eight games this season, Story is hitting .226 with no homers and four RBIs.
Story, 31, has missed considerable time with the Red Sox due to a wrist fracture in 2022 and right elbow surgery in 2023. With the Red Sox, he has appeared in 145 games, batting .227 with 19 homers and 84 RBIs.
In 745 games with the Rockies, he hit .272 with 158 home runs, 450 RBIs and 100 stolen bases.
Pivetta’s placement on the injured list was retroactive to Saturday. He most recently pitched Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, throwing five scoreless innings and getting the win. Pivetta, 31, is 1-1 with a 0.82 ERA.
In his career with the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-20) and Red Sox, Pivetta is 51-60 with a 4.81 ERA in 198 games (154 starts).
The Red Sox recalled left-hander Brennan Bernardino from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.
Bernardino, 32, is 2-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 57 major league games (six starts) with the Seattle Mariners (2022) and Red Sox (2023).
MLB ROUNDUP: SHEA LANGELIERS’ 3-HR GAME BOOSTS A’S
Shea Langeliers hit three home runs, including a two-run blast in the top of the ninth inning that gave the Oakland A’s their third consecutive victory, 4-3 over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
It was the first three-homer game of Langeliers’ career and the first by an Oakland player since Jordan Diaz hit three at Yankee Stadium on May 9, 2023.
Michael Kelly (1-0) picked up the win with a hitless inning of relief. Mason Miller earned his first career save with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out Evan Carter with a 101 mph fastball to end the game.
Carter and Jonah Heim both homered, Marcus Semien doubled and had two hits and Josh Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Texas, which suffered its third straight loss. Jose Leclerc (0-2) was charged with the defeat.
Royals 4, Astros 3 (10 innings)
Salvador Perez slashed a game-ending single in the bottom of the 10th inning as Kansas City rallied past visiting Houston to claim a fifth straight win.
Bobby Witt Jr. drove in a run and scored one for the Royals. Perez had two hits. Cole Ragans allowed three runs on a career-high 10 hits over five innings.
Yordan Alvarez went 4-for-5 with two RBIs for Houston, and Jeremy Pena had two hits. Cristian Javier gave up two earned runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Cubs 5, Padres 1
Christopher Morel cracked a grand slam in a five-run fifth inning as visiting Chicago bounced back from a bullpen breakdown on Monday, beating San Diego.
After blowing an 8-0, sixth-inning lead in the series opener and losing 9-8, Chicago buttoned things down on the back end. Following 4 2/3 shutout innings from rookie Ben Brown in his first major league start, four Cubs relievers allowed a total of one hit — a pinch-hit homer by Eguy Rosario in the sixth.
Drew Smyly (2-1) was credited with the win, though he allowed San Diego’s only run in his 1 1/3-inning outing. Chicago captured its seventh victory in the past nine games.
White Sox 7, Guardians 5
Dominic Fletcher delivered a two-run, tiebreaking double in the eighth inning and Chicago ended a five-game losing streak by winning in Cleveland.
Steven Wilson (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning and Michael Kopech retired the final six batters for his second save as Chicago won for the second time in 11 games. Korey Lee and Andrew Vaughn each had two hits with an RBI for the White Sox.
The Guardians’ five-game winning streak ended as starter Logan Allen was tagged for five first-inning runs and lasted four innings. Josh Naylor clubbed a two-run homer and Jose Ramirez had three hits with an RBI for Cleveland.
Tigers 5, Pirates 3
Kerry Carpenter delivered the go-ahead, pinch-hit single in the ninth inning as visiting Detroit scored four runs in the frame to rally past Pittsburgh.
The uprising came against Pirates closer David Bednar (1-1), who recorded just one out. Shelby Miller (3-0) pitched one scoreless inning for the win, and Jason Foley worked into and out of a ninth-inning jam for the save.
Gio Urshela and Matt Vierling each had two hits for the Tigers. Pittsburgh’s Edward Olivares hit two solo homers.
Orioles 7, Red Sox 1
Corbin Burnes allowed one run and two hits in seven innings as Baltimore spoiled Boston’s home opener.
Burnes (2-0) struck out six, walked two and lowered his ERA to 1.93. He did not give up a hit after the first inning. Colton Cowser hit two doubles and drove in four runs for the Orioles.
Tyler O’Neill hit a solo home run for the Red Sox, his sixth in 10 games. Boston’s only other hit was a Triston Casas single in the first inning.
Yankees 3, Marlins 2
Carlos Rodon pitched six-plus stellar innings as host New York matched the best 12-game start in team history with a victory over Miami.
Alex Verdugo hit his first Yankee Stadium homer for New York, Giancarlo Stanton added an RBI double and Juan Soto chipped in a run-scoring single as the Yankees improved to 10-2. New York equaled the 12-game starts by the team in 2003, 1949 and 1922.
Rodon (1-0) allowed two unearned runs, four hits, struck out six and walked two. Miami’s A.J. Puk (0-3) yielded two runs, one earned, in 4 2/3 innings.
Cardinals 3, Phillies 0
Sonny Gray and four St. Louis relievers combined to record 13 strikeouts and blank visiting Philadelphia.
Gray (1-0) made his Cardinals debut after recovering from a hamstring muscle tear during spring training. Working with a 65-pitch limit, he allowed five hits in five innings. Matthew Liberatore, Andrew Kittredge, JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley combined to finish the shutout. Helsley earned his fourth save.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler (0-2) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings. Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto exited the game in the seventh inning after a wild pitch hit him in the neck/jaw area underneath his mask.
Dodgers 6, Twins 3
Tyler Glasnow struck out 14 batters in seven scoreless innings, and Los Angeles held on for a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
James Outman and Will Smith each hit a three-run home run for Los Angeles, which earned its 10th win in 14 games to start the season. Glasnow (3-0) scattered three hits, walked none and threw 65 of 88 pitches for strikes.
Ryan Jeffers, Carlos Correa and Alex Kirilloff each hit a solo home run for Minnesota, which dropped to 0-4 at home. Austin Martin went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Twins right-hander Louie Varland (0-2) gave up six runs on seven hits in five innings.
Brewers 9, Reds 5
Joe Ross scattered five hits and three runs, two earned, over 6 1/3 innings while leading Milwaukee to a win at Cincinnati.
Ross (1-0) struck out seven and walked one. Milwaukee’s Blake Perkins had his first career three-hit game, adding three RBIs and two runs. Sal Frelick also had three hits and scored twice for the Brewers.
The Reds made a charge late in the game, cutting a 9-1 deficit down to four with two runs apiece in the seventh and eighth. Frankie Montas (2-1) took his first loss in a Cincinnati uniform, as he gave up six hits and five runs, three earned, over five innings.
Blue Jays 5, Mariners 3
Chris Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Bo Bichette hit his first home run of the season as Toronto defeated visiting Seattle.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 3-for-4 with a double as the Blue Jays won their second in a row at the renovated Rogers Centre following a 10-game road trip to open the season. Bassitt (1-2) allowed only one run despite giving up five hits and four walks.
Dominic Canzone and Mitch Haniger homered for the Mariners, who tried unsuccessfully to rally from a five-run deficit. Seattle’s George Kirby (1-2) gave up five runs on eight hits in four innings.
Braves 6, Mets 5
Reynaldo Lopez tossed six scoreless innings and Ronald Acuna Jr. had two hits, three runs and three stolen bases as Atlanta held on for a win over visiting New York.
The Mets trailed 6-0 before Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning against Tyler Matzek. New York added two runs in the ninth against Raisel Iglesias and had a runner at first before Iglesias struck out Alonso for his second save.
Lopez (1-0) allowed three hits while walking three and fanning six. Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley each had two hits and two RBIs for the Braves.
Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 2
Randal Grichuk and Corbin Carroll hit their first home runs of the season, Gabriel Moreno had four hits and Arizona beat Colorado in Denver.
Christian Walker had two hits and Merrill Kelly pitched six strong innings to help Arizona end a five-game skid and give manager Torey Lovullo his 500th career win. Kevin Ginkel pitched the ninth to earn his first save.
Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle and Elias Diaz had two hits apiece for Colorado.
Rays 6, Angels 4
Jose Caballero led the Tampa Bay offense with three hits and the bullpen had an unusually effective performance in a victory over Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.
Caballero had two singles, a double, two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base, but it was the performance of the Rays’ relievers that was notable, considering Tampa Bay entered the game with the worst bullpen ERA (7.36) in the majors.
Phil Maton (sixth inning), Colin Poche (seventh), Jason Adam (eighth) and Pete Fairbanks (ninth) combined to limit the Angels to one run and three hits over the final four frames. Mike Trout homered for the Angels, his sixth of the season, tied for the major league lead.
Nationals 5, Giants 3
CJ Abrams homered and drove in three runs, Trey Lipscomb broke a seventh-inning tie with a sacrifice fly and visiting Washington made it two straight wins over San Francisco.
Jordan Weems (1-0) yielded two runs, one earned, in one inning but earned the win. Kyle Finnegan got four outs and survived a scare in the bottom of the ninth for his fourth save.
Mike Yastrzemski singled twice and scored a run for the Giants, who didn’t have an extra-base hit and went a fifth straight game without a home run. Ryan Walker (1-1) allowed one run in his lone inning.
COLLEGE BASEBALL NEWS
HCAC 2024 BASEBALL NOTEBOOK
Athletes of the Week:
Hitter of the Week:
Peter Rogers (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Third Base/Outfield | Sophomore – Rogers was lights out all weekend long to help lead Rose-Hulman to a three-game sweep of Bluffton. The shortstop finished 9-15 hitting with 7 runs scored and 11 RBIs. He also added four extra-base hits including two doubles and two home runs. In the opening game of the series, Rogers became just the fifth player in Rose-Hulman history to tally seven RBIs in a single game.
Pitching Athlete of the Week:
Kyle Jeffries (Gilbert, Ariz.) Earlham College | Pitcher | First Year – Kyle Jeffries pitched a complete game win over Manchester with nine innings and no earned runs. The freshman allowed just three hits and two walks, while scoring four strikeouts.
Notable Performances:
Hitting Athletes:
- Charlie Jones (Portage, Ind.) Anderson University | MIF | Junior – Charlie Jones went 6-for-12 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 4 walks and 6 runs. He put together a weekly slashline of .500/.625/.833.
- Justin Maurer (Springfield, Ohio) Bluffton University | First Base | Junior – Maurer went 5-of-10 with 4 RBI, a double and run scored at Rose-Hulman over the weekend. He slugged .600 with a .615 on-base percentage.
- Gunner Gregg (Graytown, Ohio) Defiance College | Infield | Junior – Gunner Gregg combined to go 4-for-8 during DC’s only action of the week on Sunday at Mount St. Joseph. Among his four hits included his second homer of the season, a double, and two RBIs. He also connected on three hits during DC’s first conference win of the year in the second game of Sunday’s twinbill.
- Max Fries (Cleves, Ohio) Earlham College | Outfield/Utility | Graduate – Max Fries led the Quakers at the plate this week with a .286 batting average, including four hits, three doubles, three runs scored and four RBI. The graduate student led off the eighth inning in game two against the Spartans, reaching base and scoring the first of eight runs for the Quakers in the frame.
- Matthew McCoy (Charlestown, Ind.) Hanover College | Outfield | Junior – McCoy led Hanover at the dish as they swept the three game series with Franklin. The junior posted an impressive .889 slugging percentage charting five RBI with a home run and two doubles. He also drew four walks and finished the week with a OB% of 571.
- Joel Kennedy (Mooreland, Ind.) Manchester University | First Base | Sophomore – Joel Kennedy went 5-12 at the plate (.417), including a double and a run scored in a three-game series at Earlham over the weekend. The sophomore is currently hitting .373 on the season with a .667 slugging percentage, including 12 doubles.
- Peter Rogers (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Third Base/Outfield | Sophomore – Rogers was lights out all weekend long to help lead Rose-Hulman to a three-game sweep of Bluffton. The shortstop finished 9-15 hitting with 7 runs scored and 11 RBIs. He also added four extra-base hits including two doubles and two home runs. In the opening game of the series, Rogers became just the fifth player in Rose-Hulman history to tally seven RBIs in a single game.
- Henry Mitcham (Lexington, Ky.) Transylvania University | Second Base | Junior – Mitcham was 7-17 with 5 RBI’s as Transy went 3-1 on the week
Pitching Athletes:
- Walker Stull (Pendleton, Ind.) Anderson University | Pitcher | Senior – Walker Stull threw two scoreless innings of relief and struck out 4 batters. In two innings, Stull allowed 0 hits and issued 1 walk.
- Blake Bowman (Toledo, Ohio) Defiance College | Pitcher | Seophomore – Blake Bowman earned the first winning decision of his career in Sunday’s victory at Mount St. Joseph. The sophomore left-hander blanked the Lions over the first seven innings of the contest and was charged with just one run after he departed in the eighth. He surrendered just three hits and walked two while striking out four in the longest outing of his college career.
- Marcus Goodpaster (Indianapolis, Ind.) Hanover College | Pitcher | Senior – Marcus started the weekend off with an 11-2 victory over Franklin as Hanover went on to complete the three game sweep of the Grizzlies. The senior pitched six complete innings claiming his fourth victory of the season. He charted five strikeouts allowing just one run while scattering five hits. Marcus posted an impressive 1.50 ERA.
- Jared Holley (Wabash, Ind.) Manchester University | Pitcher/Outfield | Senior – Jared Holley earned his second win of the season on the mound for the Spartans during Manchester’s 7-2 triumph over Earlham on Saturday. The senior threw 8.2 innings, striking out 10 batters while giving up 8 hits and holding the Quakers to 2 runs.
- Ian Kline (frederick, Md.) Rose-Hulman Insitute of Technology | Pitcher | Senior – Kline pitched an eight-inning shutout against Bluffton on Saturday to help Rose-Hulman hold on to a 6-0 victory and a three-game sweep of the Beavers. Kline struck out five batters while only allowing eight hits and two walks in the win.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL NEWS
HCAC SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK
Athletes of the Week:
Hitting Athlete of the Week:
Molly Wallace (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Franklin College | Infield | Junior – Wallace went 5-for-7 for a run driven in, two doubles and three runs scored as Franklin claimed a double-header sweep of Anderson on Saturday.
Pitching Athlete of the Week:
Sophie Moshos (Brazil, Ind.) Transylvania University | Pitcher | Sophomore – Moshos went 3-0 on the week and pitched 17 innings, striking out 25 and allowing no runs and only 5 hits. In the win against Centre, she struckout a school record 16 batters and started the game off with 12 straight strikeouts.
Notable Performances:
Hitting Athletes:
- Bo Shelton (Anderson, Ind.) Earlham College | Infield | First Year – Bo Shelton slashed .500/.571/.667 in a doubleheader with Transylvania on Saturday. The freshman scored three hits with a double and one walk.
- Carson Kruse (Fort Branch, Ind.) Hanover College | First Base | Junior – Kiefner led Hanover at Manchester as the freshman went 2-for-5 with two RBI. She added a triple and posted a .800 slugging percentage.
- Lexi Goodman (Poplar, Ill.) Manchester University | Outfield | Sophomore – Lexi Goodman went 5-7 at the plate as the Spartans split a non-conference doubleheader at Asbury on Sunday. The sophomore outfielder finished the weekend with 4 RBI, a sac fly, and a sac bunt. Goodman is currently hitting .440 on the season with a .540 on base percentage.
- Aubrey Smith (Lebanon, Ohio) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Third Base/Pitcher | First Year – Aubrey Smith finished 4-6 in the doubleheader split with Defiance on Sunday afternoon with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. She finished with a double and three singles on the day.
Pitching Athletes:
- Anika Craft (Radnor, Ohio) Defiance College | Pitcher | Junior – Anika Craft picked up two wins for the Yellow Jackets during a 3-1 weekend for softball’s first weekend of conference games. Craft fanned 13 at Bluffton on Saturday and went the distance while surrendering a pair of unearned runs. Facing Rose-Hulman on Sunday, Craft locked in after a first inning run passed home and pitched all seven innings before a walk-off hit handed Craft her fourth win of the campaign.
- Morgan Cooksey (Williamsport, Ind.) Earlham College | Pitcher | First Year – Morgan Cooksey pitched a complete game with two earned runs and three strikeouts against the conference-leading Pioneers on Saturday. Cooksey allowed six hits and no walks.
- Lauren Duncan (Peru, Ind.) Franklin College | Pitcher | First Year – Duncan worked a two-hit shutout of Anderson on Saturday afternoon, walking two and striking out two in a five-inning blanking of the Ravens.
- Kaitlyn Carr (Valparaiso, Ind.) Manchester University | Pitcher/Infield | Junior – Kaitlyn Carr helped lead the Spartans to a 10-2 victory over Asbury in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader. Carr struck out 5 batters while giving up just 7 hits and 1 walk. Carr also went 3-7 at the plate in both games, finishing with 2 RBI.
- Aubrey Smith (Lebanon, Ohio) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Pitcher | First Year – Smith pitched 10.0 innings of 1-run softball on Sunday afternoon as she struck out eight batters while only allowing six total hits. She pitched a complete game shutout in the first game to lead Rose-Hulman to a 9-0 victory.
NHL NEWS
OILERS’ CONNOR MCDAVID DAY-TO-DAY WITH LOWER-BODY INJURY
Edmonton Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid did not participate in practice for the second straight day on Tuesday and is considered day-to-day due to a lower-body injury.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged McDavid felt discomfort during the final five minutes of Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. He also told reporters that McDavid could sit out the team’s game versus visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
Edmonton (47-24-5, 99 points), which has secured a postseason berth, resides five points behind the first-place Vancouver Canucks in the Pacific Division.
McDavid, 27, has recorded 31 goals to go along with career-best 99 assists in 74 games this season.
A three-time (and reigning) Hart Trophy winner, McDavid has totaled 980 points (334 goals, 646 assists) in 643 career games since being selected by the Oilers with the top overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.
NHL ROUNDUP: ALEX OVECHKIN SETS NHL RECORD IN CAPS’ VICTORY
Alex Ovechkin set an NHL record by reaching 30 goals for an 18th season as the visiting Washington Capitals topped the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Dylan Strome reached the 300-point mark by scoring the Capitals’ opening goal. Ovechkin broke the mark previously held by Mike Gartner, who had 17 career 30-goal seasons.
Charlie Lindgren made 42 saves and came up two seconds short of recording his sixth shutout as the Capitals snapped a six-game winless streak (0-4-2). Their last victory also came at the Red Wings’ expense on March 26.
Patrick Kane scored the only goal for Detroit. Alex Lyon stopped 21 shots, but the Red Wings absorbed a damaging loss in their drive for a wild-card berth.
Islanders 4, Rangers 2
Mike Reilly, Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri scored in the first period as the host Islanders maintained their grip on third place in the Metropolitan Division with a win over the Rangers.
Anders Lee added an empty-netter with 5.8 seconds left for the Islanders, who won their fifth straight despite being outshot 23-12 in the final two periods and 13-4 in the third. Semyon Varlamov made 32 saves for the Islanders, who are two points ahead of the Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan and three points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Chris Kreider and Adam Fox scored in the second for the Rangers, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Igor Shesterkin recorded 25 saves.
Panthers 2, Senators 0
Backup goalie Anthony Stolarz won his 15th game of the season and picked up his fourth career assist, leading host Florida over Ottawa.
Stolarz, who made 25 saves, improved to 15-7-2, including two shutouts. The Panthers also got one goal each by Anton Lundell and Nick Cousins. Florida passed the 2015-16 team for the second-most points in history (104).
Joonas Korpisalo had 28 saves for the Senators, who finished the season series with an 0-3-1 record, including three shutout losses.
Flames 3, Sharks 2 (OT)
Andrei Kuzmenko capped a two-point game by scoring the overtime winner to give visiting Calgary a comeback victory over San Jose.
Nazem Kadri collected one goal and one assist, while Rasmus Andersson also scored for the Flames, who ended a three-game skid. Dustin Wolf, who is from nearby Gilroy, Calif., made 20 saves. Kuzmenko is on a six-game point streak in which he has collected five goals and six assists.
William Eklund and Jacob MacDonald scored for the Sharks, who have only two wins in their last 15 games and sit at the bottom of the league standings. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 38 shots in a strong performance, but it was not enough to hold the lead.
Hurricanes 4, Bruins 1
Carolina netted two goals in the second period and two more in the third en route to a win over host Boston in a battle of Eastern Conference playoff contenders.
Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and an assist to pace Carolina, which used its third straight win to move into a tie for second in the East with Boston. Teuvo Teravainen, Jake Guentzel and Seth Jarvis also scored and Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 22 shots.
Charlie McAvoy scored the lone goal and Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves for the Bruins, who lead the Atlantic Division by three points over the Florida Panthers.
Canadiens 9, Flyers 3
Juraj Slafkovsky recorded his first career hat trick and Christian Dvorak and Brendan Gallagher each scored two goals, lifting host Montreal to victory over free-falling Philadelphia.
Josh Anderson and Joel Armia also scored a goal apiece and Sam Montembeault made 33 saves as the Canadiens emphatically snapped their three-game skid.
Erik Johnson had a goal and an assist and Ryan Poehling and Joel Farabee each scored for the Flyers, who saw their faint playoff aspirations take another hit following their eighth straight loss (0-6-2).
Jets 4, Predators 3 (OT)
Nashville lost an overtime decision to Winnipeg yet celebrated anyway by earning a spot in the playoffs.
Nashville only needed a point to land a playoff spot and got it with a two-goal rally in the third period to force a tie in regulation. Spencer Stastney and Ryan O’Reilly each scored key third-period goals for the Predators, while Tommy Novak also scored a goal. Keifer Sherwood and Roman Josi each chipped in two assists. Juuse Saros had 18 saves for the Predators.
Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists for Winnipeg. Gabriel Vilardi, Dylan DeMelo and Kyle Connor also tallied, with Connor scoring the game winner at 1:52 of overtime. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 45 saves.
Maple Leafs 5, Devils 2
Auston Matthews scored in his sixth consecutive game and Toronto beat New Jersey in Newark, N.J.
Matthews, who has seven goals in his past six games, now has 66 on the season as he attempts to become the first player to score at least 70 markers in a single season since the 1992-93 campaign. Tyler Bertuzzi had two goals and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won three straight and six of their past seven. Joseph Woll made 18 saves. Matthews added an assist and now has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) during a 12-game point steak.
Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer each had a goal and an assist for the Devils, who have lost five of their past six. Jake Allen made 32 saves.
Lightning 5, Blue Jackets 2
Steven Stamkos delivered his 13th career hat trick in a four-point night and Tampa Bay earned a victory over visiting Columbus.
After Anthony Cirelli’s tiebreaking 20th goal put Tampa Bay up 3-2 at 5:40 of the third period, Stamkos notched his second goal 16 seconds later for the Lightning. He added an empty-net tally for his 39th goal to go along with an earlier assist.
For Columbus, Kirill Marchenko scored twice to set a career-high in goals with 23, while Johnny Gaudreau’s second-period assist gave him 500 for his career. In his sixth outing, goalie Jet Greaves stopped 28 shots.
Stars 3, Sabres 2
Dallas scored twice in the second period to rally for a win against visiting Buffalo.
Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston and Joe Pavelski scored for the Stars, who inched closer to clinching the Central Division title. Jake Oettinger made 19 saves.
Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin scored, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 22 saves for the Sabres, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Avalanche 5, Wild 2
Nathan MacKinnon’s seventh career hat trick led Colorado to a victory over visiting Minnesota.
Cale Makar scored a goal and added two assists, and Artturi Lehkonen had the other goal for Colorado, which leapfrogged the Winnipeg Jets into second place in the Central Division. Jonathan Drouin had three assists and Alexandar Georgiev made 20 saves.
Matt Boldy scored a goal and added an assist, and Kirill Kaprizov had the other goal for Minnesota. Mats Zuccarello had two assists and Filip Gustavsson stopped 27 shots for the Wild, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Ducks 3, Kings 1
Lukas Dostal made 36 saves and Ryan Strome had two assists as Anaheim recorded a win over visiting Los Angeles.
The Ducks won for just the third time in their past 17 games (3-12-2). Frank Vatrano, Alex Killorn, and Trevor Zegras scored three unanswered goals after Akil Thomas gave the Kings a first-period lead.
Cam Talbot stopped 24 of 27 shots for the Kings, who had won three in a row entering the matchup and would have clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a win.
Kraken 5, Coyotes 0
Shane Wright scored for the fourth time in as many games since being recalled from the minor leagues and Philipp Grubauer made a season-high 39 saves as Seattle defeated visiting Arizona.
Justin Schultz had a goal and an assist; Andre Burakovsky, Brandon Tanev and Will Borgen also tallied; and Matty Beniers and Oliver Bjorkstrand each had two helpers for the Kraken, who won their second in a row and fifth in seven games.
Karel Vejmelka had 20 saves for the Coyotes, who had a two-game win streak snapped. Clayton Keller’s 11-game point streak (eight goals, 10 assists) came to an end.
NFL NEWS
2-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION LOGAN RYAN RETIRES
Defensive back Logan Ryan announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after 11 seasons.
Ryan, 33, won Super Bowls XLIX and LI with the New England Patriots during his first four seasons in the league.
He later signed with Tennessee and memorably intercepted Tom Brady to clinch a 20-13 win in an AFC wild-card game for the Titans on Jan. 4, 2020. The pass was the last thrown by Brady in his career with the Patriots.
“I am officially retiring from the NFL,” Ryan said in a video posted to social media. “What a great career. What a ride it was. Beautiful journey of highs and lows, like they always are.”
Ryan collected 13 tackles in five games (two starts) last season with the San Francisco 49ers.
He played cornerback with the Patriots (2013-16) and Tennessee Titans (2017-19) before moving to safety with the New York Giants (2020-21), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022) and 49ers (2023).
Ryan recorded 755 tackles, 19 interceptions — including one for a touchdown — and 13 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 154 career games in the regular season. He was selected by New England in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Rutgers.
NFL DRAFT PROFILES
LADD MCCONKEY
GEORGIA · WR · JUNIOR (RS)
McConkey is a slightly undersized receiver with excellent speed, quickness and polish. He lines up both outside and in the slot. He is quick off the line, and he understands how to attack the leverage of his man. He changes speed throughout the route and is efficient getting into and out of breaks. He will utilize head nods to sell routes and create separation. He has an excellent feel to settle in space versus zone coverage. He has strong hands to pluck balls thrown away from his frame, and he is quick to transition up the field. After the catch, he relies on his quickness to make defenders miss. Overall, McConkey isn’t quite as physical as former Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin, but I see a lot of similarities in their route running and instincts. I could see McConkey having a similar career.
ZACH FRAZIER
WEST VIRGINIA · IOL · SENIOR
Frazier is a very physical center with average size and length. In the pass game, he is quick out of his stance, plays with a wide, firm base and immediately anchors. He has the lateral quickness to redirect and mirror while playing with excellent eyes/awareness. He will occasionally get overaggressive, duck his head and put himself in a tough spot, but he’s athletic enough to recover. In the run game, he locks on with strong hands, rolls his hips and uproots defenders. He is quick to the second level and adjusts well in space. He is a bulldog, collecting one knockdown after another to finish plays. Frazier was a four-time state wrestling champion in high school and he carries that tenacity over to the football field. He will be a Day 1 starter and tempo setter for the team that drafts him.
KAMARI LASSITER
GEORGIA · CB · JUNIOR
Lassiter is a lean, athletic cornerback with inside/outside positional flexibility. In press man, he isn’t very physical, but he is patient and avoids putting himself in a bad position. He’s a fluid athlete and rarely gets out of phase at any level of the route. He has enough speed to carry go routes down the field. He can turn, find the ball and make a play on it down the field. He is very competitive as a tackler, especially from the nickel position. He stays square and wraps up cleanly. Overall, Lassiter has a lot of value because of his ability to line up at multiple spots and compete against the pass and run.
BRADEN FISKE
FLORIDA STATE · DT · SENIOR
Fiske is an explosive, versatile defensive lineman. He aligns up and down the defensive front and he’s very disruptive in every game I’ve studied. As a pass rusher, he has a quick first step and he jolts blockers with his powerful hands. He doesn’t have long arms, but he still keeps blockers away from his chest. He flashes the ability to bull rush, but most of his wins come by working through the edges of opponents and not through their chest. In the run game, he has the balance/strength to hold up against double teams and the quickness to shoot gaps for negative plays. I love his effort/tenacity. Overall, Fiske is a competitive, athletic and impactful defensive lineman capable of starting right away.
DARIUS ROBINSON
MISSOURI · EDGE · SENIOR
Robinson is a big, long and versatile defensive lineman. He lined up all over the Tigers’ defensive front. As a pass rusher, he wins on the edge primarily with a violent push/pull move. He will flash some other means to get home, including a club/rip maneuver or a pop/separate/close move. He doesn’t have a dynamic first step, but his raw power showed up in every game I studied. As an inside rusher, he loves to use a swooping arm-over move, but he needs to improve his pad level. He plays too high at times and gets stuck. Against the run, he dominates. He sets a physical edge and can shed blockers to get in on tackles. His evaluation is similar to Arik Armstead’s coming out of college. He can do a lot of things well, and teams will have different visions for how to best use his abilities.
RICKY PEARSALL
FLORIDA · WR · SENIOR
Pearsall is a loose, smooth wideout with outstanding hands and toughness. He is quick in his release and he understands how to change gears as a route runner. He is fluid getting into and out of breaks. He has outstanding hands. He attacks the ball at the highest point and makes some circus catches (SEE: one-handed gem vs. Charlotte). After the catch, he is quick to transition up the field and has the elusiveness to make defenders miss in space. He has a lean frame, but he plays with excellent toughness and competitiveness. Pearsall followed up an excellent 2023 season with a solid week at the Senior Bowl and should have a starting role from Day 1 for his drafting team.
MEN’S GOLF
MASTERS TEE TIMES: SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, RORY MCILROY PLAYING TOGETHER
The top two players in the world will play together Thursday and Friday to highlight the featured groups at the Masters.
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are part of a threesome with Xander Schauffele that is scheduled to tee off at 10:42 a.m. ET in the first round and 1:48 p.m. ET in the second round this week at Augusta National Golf Club.
Scheffler won the green jacket in 2022 and already has two wins this season, including The Players Championship. McIlroy, the four-time major champion from Northern Ireland, is facing a nearly 10-year major drought and needs only the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. Schauffele, ranked No. 5 in the world, is among the best players in the sport without a major title.
Playing one group in front of that trio will be defending champion Jon Rahm of Spain, former U.S. Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick of England and Nick Dunlap, who won The American Express as an amateur in January and turned pro.
Tiger Woods is scheduled to tee off at 1:24 p.m. on Thursday and 10:18 a.m. on Friday as the five-time Masters champion attempts to make the cut for a record-breaking 24th straight time. Woods will play with Max Homa and Australia’s Jason Day.
The 13 members of LIV Golf in the field are all paired with two PGA Tour players.
Other notable groupings include the following (all times ET):
–Phil Mickelson, Sepp Straka, Tony Finau: Thursday at 9:36 a.m.; Friday at 12:48 p.m.
–Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, Rickie Fowler: Thursday at 10:06 a.m.; Friday at 1:12 p.m.
–Hideki Matsuyama, Will Zalatoris, Justin Thomas: Thursday at 10:18 a.m.; Friday at 1:24 p.m.
–Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Smith: Thursday at 10:54 a.m.; Friday at 2 p.m.
–Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Tom Kim: Thursday at 1:36 p.m.; Friday at 10:30 a.m.
–Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Sahith Theegala: Thursday at 1:48 p.m.; Friday at 10:42 a.m.
–Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood: Thursday at 2 p.m.; Friday at 10:54 a.m.
PGA-PIF MERGER UNCERTAINTY STILL A TOPIC AT MASTERS
Defending Masters champion Jon Rahm said he “still love(s) the PGA Tour” and wants the ability to compete there again someday despite departing for LIV Golf this winter.
Whether a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV’s Saudi financiers will open an avenue for that return is still unknown.
The two-time major winner from Spain had his pre-Masters press conference Tuesday morning — one day after BBC published an interview in which Rahm said he hoped LIV would consider moving from 54-hole events to traditional 72-hole events as a way to bring the sport closer to “unification.”
The former No. 1-ranked golfer in the world was asked Tuesday whether part of his motivation for joining LIV was to “try to bring the game together” again.
“I understood my position, yes. And I understood that it could be, what I hoped, a step towards some kind of agreement, yes,” Rahm said. “Or more of an agreement or expedited agreement.
“But, unfortunately, it’s not up to me. But I would hope it would be something that would help expedite that process. But at the end of the day, I still did what I thought was best for myself.”
That doesn’t mean Rahm’s decision to leave was easy. He reiterated Tuesday that he misses “competing against certain people” on the PGA Tour as well as a number of historic venues. Rahm’s defection meant he was not able to defend 2023 titles at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui, The American Express in the California desert or the Genesis Invitational, the Tiger Woods-hosted signature event in Los Angeles.
“Not being at Palm Springs, Torrey (Pines), Phoenix and L.A. wasn’t the easiest. And I’ll keep saying that because those are venues that I absolutely love,” Rahm said.
Rahm still lives in his adopted home of Arizona and said driving past TPC Scottsdale, famed for its par-3 16th stadium hole, is “quite hard” for him.
“I still love the PGA Tour, and I still hope everything the best, and I still hope that at some point I can compete there again,” Rahm said.
Rahm also claimed the major championships need to find a new way to ensure the best players in the world qualify for their fields — a reference to LIV Golf players not earning points in the Official World Golf Ranking — but he declined to say for what he’d advocate in particular.
“They’ll need to figure out a way to evaluate how the LIV players are doing and how they can earn their way,” Rahm said. “And I understand there’s less players and you can’t give, right, 10 people or 15 people a start, but there’s got to be a way for some players to earn their way in. That’s the best way I can say it. I just don’t really know what that looks like.”
Rahm is one of 13 LIV players in this week’s field, including seven LIV members who previously have won a green jacket. Augusta National also extended an invitation to Joaquin Niemann of Chile, who did not have the world ranking necessary to get in but won the Australian Open in December.
The U.S. Open and Open Championship feature open qualifying at locations around the world.
It is unclear whether a merger of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is any closer. They announced their surprise “framework agreement” June 6, 2023, with a self-imposed Dec. 31 deadline for a final deal that came and went.
Until such a merger were to happen, the four majors are the only times the best players from LIV Golf will join the best of the PGA and DP World tours.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland, one of the PGA Tour’s rising stars, was asked what it was like for him to see Rahm, Brooks Koepka and other LIV players he hadn’t seen in a while.
“They’re certainly a couple of the guys out there that I miss and I think it’s good that we get to meet and get to play against each other again,” Hovland said. “Hopefully, everyone at home will enjoy seeing everyone kind of play against each other.”
INDIANA SPORTS RELEASES/NEWS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS FOOTBALL
S JULIAN BLACKMON ON RE-SIGNING WITH COLTS: ‘THIS WAS HOME’
The Indianapolis Colts re-signed safety Julian Blackmon to a one-year contract on Tuesday.
Financial terms of the deal were not reported by the Colts, but multiple media outlets previously reported it was worth up to $7.7 million, with $3.2 million guaranteed.
“This was home, man. This is the place where it started, and this is the place where I want to finish, if I can,” Blackmon said, per The Athletic. “Everybody knows how free agency went this year for safeties, and so we just wanted to be patient with the whole process.
“This is the place that made the most sense for the next step because, like you said, it’s a one-year deal, and for me, I feel like my value is worth more than one year, but unfortunately we all saw how the (safety) market went.”
Blackmon, 25, was a free agent after his rookie contract expired. In four years with the Colts, he has compiled 214 tackles, seven interceptions, 17 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one sack.
In 2023, Blackmon set career highs in tackles (88), picks (four), pass breakups (eight) and starts (15).
INDIANA PACERS
GAME REWIND: PACERS 140, RAPTORS 123
With the Eastern Conference standings shifting nightly, the Indiana Pacers are taking their final stretch of regular season contests one game at a time.
And that mentality has worked wonders for the Blue & Gold thus far.
On Tuesday night in Canada, the Pacers (46-34) posted a third straight win by beating the Toronto Raptors (25-54) 140-123 at Scotiabank Arena.
With the win, the Pacers now trail the Cleveland Cavaliers (46-33) by just a half-game for fifth place in the East. Indiana plays at Cleveland on Thursday before wrapping up the regular season Sunday at home against the Atlanta Hawks (36-43).
Indiana has won five of their last six games and can guarantee a playoff berth by winning their final two games. If the Pacers beat the Cavs and Hawks, the worst seed they can clinch in the playoffs is fifth.
In a topsy-turvy first half, Toronto led 35-25 at the end of the first quarter before the Blue & Gold dropped 40 points in the second quarter to take a 65-64 intermission lead. The Pacers then scored 41 points in the third quarter to go up by 15 points, and never looked back in the final frame.
Overall, the Pacers outshot the Raptors 54.5 to 49.5 percent, including making 16 3-pointers to the Raptors’ five treys. Indiana’s bench outscored Toronto’s reserves 62-40.
All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton led six double-digit scorers for the Blue & Gold with 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting, while Obi Toppin supplied 23 points off the bench, T.J. McConnell scored 17 points, and Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner each dropped 16 for Indiana.
RJ Barrett topped the Raptors with 23 points, Kelly Olynyk had 22, and rookie Javon Freeman-Liberty recorded a career-best 20 points.
Toronto opened the game on a 15-4 scoring spree, and the Raptors led 35-25 by the end of the opening frame. Indiana struggled to handle the ball in the first 12 minutes, giving up six turnovers in the first quarter.
Following the tip, Freeman-Liberty came out on fire, notching 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting (2-for-3 3-point) for the Raptors in the first quarter.
In the first 90 seconds of action, the Raptors made their first four shots – with Freeman-Liberty going 3-for-3 for seven points – to lead 9-2. Out of a timeout, the streak extended to 15-2 after buckets by Kelly Olynyk and Barrett fell before a floater by Turner stopped the Blue & Gold bleeding.
Indiana made four straight 3-pointers midway through the first quarter to narrow the deficit, with Haliburton draining two and McConnell and Doug McDermott nailing one each to cut it to 24-21, but an 11-4 Toronto run in the final 3:15 kept the Raptors ahead by 10.
McConnell scored a trio of buckets early in the second quarter, Toppin threw down a dunk and made a 3-pointer, and Aaron Nesmith completed an and-one to help narrow the score to 49-44 with six minutes left in the half.
The Pacers then constructed a 12-4 scoring spree to make it a one-point game before a bucket by Siakam and free throws by Haliburton tied the game at 60 with 1:27 on the clock.
In the final ticks, Turner nailed a 3-pointer, and Haliburton hit a deep two to give the Pacers the one-point lead.
At the break, Freeman-Liberty had 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting to lead all scorers while Haliburton topped the visitors with 15 points.
In the third quarter, Turner recorded 10 points as the Pacers outscored the Raptors 41-27 to go up 106-91. Indiana shot 56.7 percent in the third, including 6-for-14 from 3-point range.
Out of the break, the Pacers used a 16-6 run – highlighted by 3-pointers from Andrew Nembhard and Turner and punctuated by an emphatic dunk by Haliburton and a coast-to-coast layup by Siakam – to go up 83-71 with 7:30 left in the third quarter.
The Blue & Gold lead then swelled to 99-82, and in the final 1:41 of the third period the Pacers constructed a 7-2 run, thanks to five points by Sheppard, to lead by 15 points.
In the final frame, the Raptors never made it a single-digit game, as the Pacers scored 34 points. Toppin scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Inside the Numbers
The Pacers are 9-1 when recording 140 or more points in a game this season.
Obi Toppin has scored at least 10 points in five straight games off the bench for Indiana. He has also scored at least 20 points seven times this season.
Tyrese Haliburton has scored 30 or more points nine times this season.
Toronto outscored Indiana 76-66 in the paint.
At the free throw line, the Pacers made 16-of-23 attempts while the Raptors went 24-for-33.
The Pacers dished out 33 assists.
Indiana outrebounded Toronto 44-40.
INDY FUEL HOCKEY
INDY FUEL PIT STOP: WEEK 25
INDY FUEL WEEK TWENTY-FIVE RESULTS 1-1-1-0
INDY FUEL OVERALL RECORD 37-25-6-2 (2nd in Central Division) *CLINCHED PLAYOFFS
GAME 68 – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 VS WHEELING – 6-5 OTW
The Fuel hosted the Wheeling Nailers in an important divisional matchup on Wednesday night. After a late goal to tie the game, Andrew Bellant became the savior in overtime to give the Fuel a 6-5 win.
GAME 69 – SATURDAY, APRIL 6 AT FORT WAYNE – 2-1 OTL
The Fuel went up to Fort Wayne for a Saturday night contest against the Komets. It was another overtime battle, this time with the Komets coming out on top 2-1.
GAME 70 – SUNDAY, APRIL 7 AT WHEELING – 5-3 L
The Fuel headed to Wheeling on Sunday to finish their weekend against the Nailers. While a win or overtime/shootout loss would clinch the Fuel a playoff berth, they clinched before the game even ended as Kalamazoo fell to Fort Wayne earlier in the day. Still, the Fuel tried for a win but could not mount a third period comeback and fell 5-3 to the Nailers.
ROSTER MOVES
Mitchell Weeks reassigned to Indy (04/02)
Cam Gray signed PTO to Rockford (04/02)
OIL DROPS
Andrew Bellant had two goals on Wednesday’s game against Wheeling, he scored the game-winning goal in overtime. This is Bellant’s second two-goal game of the season.
Kyle Maksimovich also scored twice in Wednesday’s contest. He is the leading scorer for the Fuel with 26 goals. He is tied for fifth among ECHL rookies in scoring with 58 points.
Mitchell Weeks still ranked 11th in the league among goaltenders with a save percentage of 0.897.
TEAM NOTES
The Fuel scored two power play goals on Wednesday. The Fuel’s power play percentage of 20.7% is ranked ninth overall in the league.
Their penalty kill percentage of 78.4% is ranked fifteenth.
When scoring first, the Fuel are 30-6-4-1 this season.
With low penalty minutes this weekend, the Fuel dropped to fifth in the league with 1,033 total PIM this season. The team averages 14.76 minutes per game.
With Kalamazoo losing to Fort Wayne on Sunday, the Fuel officially clinched the 2024 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, however their position in the standings is still uncertain.
INDY FUEL WEEK 26 SCHEDULE
GAME 71 – FRIDAY, APRIL 12 AT FORT WAYNE
GAME 72 – SATURDAY, APRIL 13 VS. KALAMAZOO
INDY ELEVEN SOCCER
BLAKE EARNS THIRD USLC TEAM OF THE WEEK NOD
TAMPA/INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, April 9, 2024) – Jack Blake earned his third USL Championship Team of the Week honor of the 2024 season following a two-goal performance against Louisville City FC, league officials announced Tuesday.
Blake leads Indy Eleven with four goals in five matches after scoring a pair in Saturday’s match, already besting his season total (3) from 2023. The midfielder had five shots in the match, won three of four tackles and seven of 10 duels and added seven recoveries.
Blake also earned back-to-back team of the week accolades following his performances in weeks one and two.
Coach – Dennis Sanchez, Las Vegas Lights FC
Bench: Eric Dick (PIT), Triston Hodge (HFD), Lee Desmond (SAC), Adrien Perez (LOU), Marco Micaletto (NM), Remi Cabral (PHX), Deshane Beckford (HFD)
INDIANA SOFTBALL
INDIANA SOFTBALL TO HOST PURDUE FOR WEDNESDAY DOUBLEHEADER
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana will be back at Andy Mohr Field on Wednesday to host Purdue for a rescheduled doubleheader.
The Hoosiers and Boilermakers will play the first game at 5 p.m. and the second at approximately 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The original date of the games was supposed to be April 3, but it was postponed due to inclement weather.
QUICK HITTERS:
Junior Sarah Stone earned herself Big Ten Player of the Week honors for her stellar play at Michigan State last weekend. Stone went 6-for-10 (.600) from the plate in the series with two home runs and five RBI.
In Indiana’s 6-2 win in eight innings on Friday, Stone was crucial to the Hoosiers’ success. She went 4-for-4 from the plate with two home runs and four RBI. Her second home run came in the top of the eighth inning. With the game tied at 1-1, Stone hit a go-ahead three-run home run to put Indiana up 4-1.
Five different Hoosiers in the lineup have posted 20-plus RBI on the season, including Taylor Minnick (38), Sarah Stone (31), Avery Parker (26), Brianna Copeland (24) and Cora Bassett (22).
Indiana leads the Big Ten in home runs (44) and stolen bases (87).
Three Hoosiers are hitting .350 or better from the plate: Aly VanBrandt (.363), Taylor Minnick (.362) and Brianna Copeland (.350).
LAST TIME OUT:
Last weekend, Indiana went to East Lansing, Mich. and earned a three-game sweep over Michigan State. No game was decided by less than four runs.
In addition to Sarah Stone’s big-time performance in the Friday win, junior Brianna Copeland also had an impressive series against the Spartans, particularly in the 7-2 win on Sunday.
Copeland did a little bit of everything on Sunday, including hitting a lead-off home run in the top of the first inning to start the game and then turned in one of her best pitching performances of her career. Copeland had a career-high 12 strikeouts while only allowing four hits and two runs. She threw a complete game, as well.
Taylor Minnick hit .385 for the Michigan State series with three doubles and two RBI. Two of her three doubles came in the Sunday win, and both were nearly home runs.
In her return to her home state, freshman Aly VanBrandt hit .300 on the weekend with two RBI.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
Purdue enters the midweek doubleheader with a 17-18 record and a 5-4 record in the Big Ten. The overall record will change though after Tuesday as the Boilermakers host Indiana State.
Purdue has won five in a row after starting 0-4 in Big Ten play. They began the conference slate getting swept at Michigan, then dropped the first game of their series versus Rutgers and have won five in a row since, including a home sweep of Iowa.
Purdue uses a number of arms in the circle with six pitchers being regularly used. Kendall Klochack and Julia Gossett have gotten the most work. Klochack has a 4-3 record with a 3.27 ERA in 20 appearances with Gossett posting a 3.93 ERA, a 6-6 record and 48 strikeouts with 18 appearances.
The Boilers’ top bat is Khloe Banks who is hitting .363 with 33 hits, 14 RBI and one home run. Five Purdue hitters have a .300 or better batting average.
SERIES NOTES:
Indiana leads the all-time series against Purdue, 42-41.
The Hoosiers have won the last six meetings over the Boilermakers dating back to the 2021 season.
PURDUE SOFTBALL
BOILERMAKERS WIN 6TH STRAIGHT GAME
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A back-and-forth game which saw a tie ballgame after the top of the sixth inning, ended with a 8-5 Purdue victory. Three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning clinched the win on a two RBI double by Hailey Hayes.
With the result, the Boilermakers secured its sixth straight victory with a three-run sixth inning vs. improving to a 18-18 (5-4 Big Ten) record while the Indiana State Sycamores fall to 15-20 (4-7 Missouri Valley).
Seven Boilermakers scored runs in the outing, including two by Sage Scarmardo. Meanwhile, Tyrina Jones led the day with two RBI. The game-winner came on a double by Hayes, scoring Scarmardo and Campbell, who advanced to third and second base, respectively on a passed ball on the previous at-bat.
Meanwhile, Alivia Meeks registered back-to-back doubles, recording one in each of her first two at-bats. Additionally, Moriah Polar registered a triple, her fourth of the season.
As a team, Purdue out-hit Indiana State, 10-9 and remained errorless while the Sycamores committed one error.
Madi Elish earned the victory in the circle, improving to 4-5 on the season. The junior struck out two batters and pitched the final 2.2 innings. Kendall Klochack began the game, striking out four batters and allowing three runs and five hits on 4.1 innings of work.
Purdue returns to action tomorrow for a doubleheader at Indiana. The games are set for 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET in Bloomington and will be streamed on B1G+.
PURDUE BASEBALL
INDIANA STATE SCORES 7 OVER FINAL 2 FRAMES TO BREAK OPEN REMATCH
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana State scored seven times over the final two innings to break a 2-2 stalemate, defeating Purdue Baseball 9-3 in a midweek rematch Tuesday at Alexander Field.
The Sycamores (24-7) loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the eighth and Mike Sears delivered the big hit, a two-run double to the wall in center field. A sacrifice fly followed. The Boilermakers (20-13) used four pitchers in the inning and eight total on the night.
Held without an extra-base hit for the second time in the last four games after it did not happen in the team’s first 29 games, Purdue manufactured each of its first two runs and found itself tied with ISU in the eighth inning for the second time this season.
Keenan Taylor and Jo Stevens teamed up for an exquisitely executed hit and run in the second inning, with Taylor going first to third and Stevens chopped a slow roller through the vacated right side of the infield. After a strikeout, Thomas Green successfully executed a squeeze bunt on the first pitch of his at-bat.
Mike Bolton Jr.’s leadoff single led to the game-tying run in the bottom of the fifth. Luke Gaffney drew a walk and Connor Caskenette was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Taylor hit a fly ball to center field to plate Bolton without a throw.
Gaffney capped a three-hit night with a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning. It was his team-leading sixth game of the season with a least three hits, raising his team-leading batting average to .395. He also matched Caskenette with a team-high 39 RBI.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Jo Stevens – 19-game on-base streak; 8-game hit streak; 12-game on-base streak at home
• Mike Bolton Jr. – 12-game on-base streak; 5-game hit streak
• Luke Gaffney – 11-game on-base streak
• Connor Caskenette – 9-game on-base streak
• Keenan Spence – 6-game on-base streak
• Jackson Dannelley – 15 consecutive inherited runners stranded (since 5/20/23)
Cole Van Assen was effective (3 2/3 IP, 0 ER, BB, 4 K) again in his fourth midweek start of the season, but it was the freshman’s throwing error while trying to cut down the lead runner at second base in the fourth inning that led to ISU’s only runs until the visitors broke it open late. The throw sailed into center field, giving the Sycamores runners on the corners with no outs. An RBI ground out and two-out double from the 9-hole hitter scored the runs.
Avery Cook recorded six outs on just 12 pitches while working consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh. But he conceded a leadoff single and plunked the next batter in the top of the eighth to set the stage for ISU’s go-ahead rally.
Carter Doorn gave Purdue another effective relief outing, retiring four of five batters faced without surrendering a hit. He has retired 28 of 32 batters faced over his last three appearances dating back to March 31.
Stevens made the top defensive play of the night, a diving catch in foul territory behind the third base bag to help Doorn strand an inherited runner at second base in the fourth inning.
Van Assen has not been charged with an earned run in four of his seven appearances this season, all being at least 2 2/3 innings. He gave up just one earned run over a combined seven innings in his two starts against ISU this season.
The Boilermakers’ nine-game homestand continues with Friday’s series opener vs. Michigan State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S TENNIS
GIRALDEZ AND THOMPSON NAMED ACC DOUBLES TEAM OF THE WEEK
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After an undefeated weekend in conference play, the #2 doubles team of Nil Giraldez and Chase Thompson have been named ACC Doubles Team of the Week. The pair kicked off the weekend with a 7-5 win over Clemson Friday before routing Georgia Tech Sunday by a 6-1 score. The graduate student/freshman combo are now 7-5 on the year with all matches coming since conference play began and all at the #2 spot in the lineup. Their other wins have been against Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Northwestern and Cleveland State.
This is the first weekly ACC award for Giraldez while Thompson was named ACC Freshman of the Week in the opening week of the season back in January. Sebastian Dominko and Jean-Marc Malkowski were also named ACC Doubles Team of the Week on March 5th this season.
The men’s team has their final two regular season matches this week. On Wednesday, the Irish will host #46 Louisville at home before heading to Boston to take on Boston College on Friday.
NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL
HOLLOWAY WALKS IT OFF AS THE IRISH DEFEAT WESTERN MICHIGAN, 3-2
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior shortstop Anna Holloway hit her first home run of the season to give the Fighting Irish the 3-2 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday evening at Melissa Cook Stadium. With the win, University of Notre Dame improves to 23-14, and Western Michigan falls to 17-16.
Alexis Laudenslager got the start in the circle. The graduate student worked 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs and striking out four in a no-decision. Micaela Kastor was on in relief, tossing 3.1 innings of one-hit ball. She struck out five hitters as she earned her eighth victory of the season.
Holloway had the loudest of Notre Dame’s hits as she finished 1-for-3. Cassidy Grimm added a 2-for-3 performance, scoring a run. Addison Amaral, Rachel Allen and Mickey Winchell each finished with a hit. Allen and Winchell added an RBI each.
How It Happened
Notre Dame drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning. Gaskins drew a lead-off walk and moved up when Allen laid down a sacrifice bunt. Winchell delivered the run with a single back up the middle to put the Irish up 1-0.
Western Michigan took the narrowest of leads in the top of the fourth, plating a pair of runs. A single, a walk and a single loaded the bases and turned the lineup over to the Bronco lead-off hitter. Payton Kelly singled back up the middle where it where a diving attempt by the Irish shortstop corralled the ground ball momentarily, before trickling out of her glove, allowing a second run to score as the Broncos took a 2-1 lead.
The Irish tied it up in the bottom of the sixth. Grimm got the rally started with a single up the middle and went first to third when Amaral’s ground ball rolled into right center. A wild pitch put two in scoring position for Allen. The junior delivered a single to the left side of the infield to bring in Grimm and tie the game at two each.
After Kastor worked through some two-out hiccups in the seventh, Holloway put the game away. On the first pitch of her at bat, she drove a home run over the monogram in straight away center field to give the Irish the victory.
Up Next
Notre Dame hits the road this weekend as it heads to Tallahassee for a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series with the 18th ranked Florida State Seminoles. Games will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, with the finale slated for Sunday at 4 p.m. Friday’s game will be on the ACC Network Extra, with Saturday and Sunday being broadcasted on the ACC Network.
BUTLER WOMEN’S LAX
BUTLERWLACROSSE MATCHES UP AGAINST DENVER ON WEDNESDAY
The Butler women’s lacrosse program will take on Denver on Wednesday, April 10 at Varsity Field in Indianapolis, Ind. The first draw is set for 12 p.m.
GameDay
Butler vs. Denver
12PM
Wednesday, April 10
Indianapolis, Ind.
Bulldog Bits:
Maggie Zentgraf in her second season as head coach for the Bulldogs. Zentgraf is a former member of the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team. Zentgraf previously coached at Division III Lake Forest, going 11-4 in the program’s first-ever season.
The Bulldogs fall to 2-10 for the 2024 season and are now 1-3 in the BIG EAST after falling to Georgetown on Saturday at Varsity Field.
Senior midfielder Leah Rubino continues to lead to the program with the most goals, 36. Rubino ranks third in the conference for the most goals per game and fourth for most total goals.
Sophomore attack Luci Selander leads the team in assists and total points. Selander has recorded 15 assists and 42 points thus far in the 2024 season. Selander is ranked third in the conference for assists per game.
Goalie Caroline Smith has accounted for 137 saves so far this season. Smith continues to lead the conference in saves and saves per game.
Scouting Denver:
The Denver women’s lacrosse team is led by Liza Kelly. Kelly is in her 18th season leading the Pioneers.
The Pioneers are currently 9-3 for the 2024 season and obtain a 3-0 record in the BIG EAST conference.
Attack Julia Gilbert currently leads the team in scoring with 36 goals. Gilbert ranks fourth with the most goals per game, right behind Butler’s Rubino at third overall.
Attack Olivia Penoyer leads the program with 27 assists and 47 points. Penoyer is ranked first in the conference for the most assists and assists per game.
Up Next
The Butler women’s lacrosse program will back in action on Saturday, April 13 to take on Lindenwood at Varsity Field in Indianapolis, Ind. The first draw is set for 12 p.m.
Follow Along
For updates follow the Butler women’s lacrosse team on X and Instagram @ButlerWLacrosse. Live scoring will be available on ButlerSports.com
BUTLER SOFTBALL
BUTLERSOFTBALL STIFLES MIAMI’S NATIONALLY-RANKED OFFENSE BUT FAILS TO PRODUCE LATE-INNING WIN
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team held a lead through four innings, and then threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but ultimately lost, 4-2, to (RV) Miami (OH). The Bulldogs (17-21, 6-9 BIG EAST) scored single runs in the first and fifth, but a big top half of the fifth was all the Redhawks (29-6, 11-0 MAC) needed from their nationally-ranked offense.
In the bottom of the first inning, Butler used a single, an error, and a walk to load the bases. Makena Alexander connected with a shot up the middle, and the Bulldogs were up, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, Miami paired a double with a single to tie the game at one run each. A subsequent single plated one more, giving the Redhawks a 2-1 lead. After a walk and an error, the bases were loaded. A two-run single put Miami up, 4-1.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Butler got one back. Kaylee Gross walked, stole second, and reached third on a throwing error. Alexander created a run-down between first and second, and Gross crossed the plate before the third-out tag was made. Miami’s lead was now 4-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, with rain drops falling, Monique Hoosen hit a double down the left field line, putting the tying run at the plate with only one out. Madilyn Reeves, who pitched a complete game for the visiting Redhawks, was able to retire the next two Butler batters to end the game.
Katie Petran started in the circle for Butler and yielded only one hit and one walk in 3.0 innings. Sydney Cammon entered at the top of the fourth. In 1.1 innings, she allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. Kayla Noerr (2.2IP, H, 3BB) provided relief in the top of the fifth, coming in with two runners on and one out. Noerr finished the game, though Cammon was dealt the loss.
Bulldog Bits
Monique Hoosen’s double was her second of the season and 17th of her career.
Kaylee Gross stole two bases. She now has five this season and 23 for her career.
Miami ranks fourth in the nation for team batting average (.362) and leads the nation in scoring (9.32 runs/game) and home runs per game (2.94). Butler joins Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio as the only four teams to prevent the Redhawks from at least one home run in a game.
Up Next
Butler travels to Georgetown for a three-game weekend series from April 12-14. Single games are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
BUTLER BASEBALL
ACES WIN AT BULLDOG PARK 15-5
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler took a 15-5 loss to Evansville on Tuesday afternoon to move their overall record to 13-17. The Purple Aces scored seven runs in the seventh inning to seal the victory.
Rain began to fall midway through the contest, but the two teams continued to battle it out under wet conditions. Carter Dorighi highlighted the game for BU with three hits. He was responsible for one of Butler’ two RBIs in the game and also scored two of their five runs. Keegan Connors also had an RBI with a sac fly in the first that gave BU a 2-0 lead.
Evansville responded with three runs in the top of the second to get back on top. They took control of the game with two more runs in the third followed by two in the fourth.
Dorighi kept Butler within striking distance by scoring a run in the fourth to make the game 7-5. The difference was a three-run home run in the seventh. Fougeroussed homered to left in the sixth and Harrison Taubert hammered a ball to left center the following frame to make the game 11-5.
Taubert went 2-for-5 vs. BU with four RBI and a run scored. Kip Fougerousse was 4-for-5 with four runs scored and Simon Scherry was 2-for-4 with three RBI.
The Purple Aces came up with 13 hits to score their 15 runs. Butler was limited to just five allowing them to score five.
Jace Kressin was credited with the win after throwing two innings for Evansville. Kressin, Max Hansmann and Jakob Meyer combined for 10 strikeouts on the day and just one walk.
The loss went to Christian Finnigan, his first of the season. Butler’s top arm on Tuesday was Simon Linde. He struck out six over three full innings.
Butler will return to action tomorrow with a 6:30 first pitch at Notre Dame.
IUPUI SOFTBALL
MCPHEARSON EARNS #HLSB PLAYER OF THE WEEK
INDIANAPOLIS – After leading the Jags in their series sweep over Detroit Mercy, Paige McPhearson earns Horizon League Softball Player of the Week. The freshman holds a .353 batting average on the season.
McPhearson, a freshman from Indianapolis, Indiana, recorded a .500 batting average going 4-for-8 in IUPUI’s series against the Titans. She added a team-high four RBI on the weekend while also totaling one run, one double and a stolen base.
She is currently second on the team and eighth in the conference in overall batting average hitting .353, totaling 36 hits. She ranks third in the Horizon League in RBI with 25.
This marks the first Horizon League award for the freshman. McPhearson and the rest of the IUPUI softball team will next host Northern Kentucky for a three-game series on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10. The Jags and Norse are set for a 3:00 PM first pitch for a doubleheader on Tuesday.
JAGS EARN #HLSB WIN OVER NORTHERN KENTUCKY, 6-4
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team defeated Northern Kentucky on Tuesday afternoon, 6-4 in the first game of the doubleheader. Due to rain, game two was postponed. The Jags and Norse will pick up in the top of the second inning tomorrow at 11:00 AM.
The Jags earned the big Horizon League victory over the Norse with six runs on seven hits. IUPUI took the lead first in the bottom of the first inning. Rachael Gregory drew the leadoff walk followed by a single from Kendal Calvert to put runners on first and second. Kennedy Cowan knocked a double to left center to score Gregory, 1-0.
After a scoreless second inning, the Norse tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the third with a stolen base. IUPUI answered quickly in the bottom of the third frame. Cowan came up big for the Jags once again, hitting her first home run of the season scoring two runs, 3-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, IUPUI added to their lead with an RBI double from Calvert, 4-1. The Jags added two more insurance runs in the fifth inning. Paige McPhearson stole home while Alexa Holman doubled to left center to score Cowan, 6-1.
Northern Kentucky tried to make a comeback in the top of the seventh inning with three runs on two hits. With a runner on second, Holman forced back-to-back flyouts to earn the win for the Jags.
Holman threw the complete game giving up four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. Cowan led the Jags at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, homerun and three RBI. Calvert also added three hits with a run. Holman added a double.
In game two, the Jags were down 2-0 in the top of the second inning when the game was paused due to lightning. After a brief delay, the game was postponed until tomorrow, April 10 at 11:00 AM.
INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA STATE LOSES FOUR STARTERS TO TRANSFER PORTAL
Ryan Conwell, Isaiah Swope, Jayson Kent and Julian Larry, four of the five starters from Indiana State’s team that made a run to the NIT championship game, all entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.
Their moves come in the wake of coach Josh Schertz leaving the Sycamores for Saint Louis on Saturday. The lone starter left is star big man Robbie Avila, but WTHI in Terre Haute, Ind., reported that Avila is expected to enter the portal in the “coming days.”
Kent posted a message to social media thanking Indiana State and saying he is on track to graduate in May before entering the portal as a grad transfer.
“Thank you Terre Haute for everything you have done for me,” Kent wrote in part. “You will forever be a second home. I love and appreciate the fans and the community so much.”
Avila was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team, Kent and Conwell were named to the second team and Larry was a third-team selection.
A 6-foot-10, 240-pound center, Avila starred for the Sycamores (32-7) in averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game over 37 starts.
Conwell was the No. 2 offensive threat, shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range in 2023-24 while averaging 16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 38 games.
Swope averaged 15.9 ppg, while Kent was the team’s leading rebounder (8.1 per game) and fourth-leading scorer (13.5 ppg). Larry filled the point guard role and put up 11.0 points, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per contest.
The Sycamores missed the NCAA Tournament after losing to Drake in the Missouri Valley championship game, but they received a No. 1 seed in the NIT. They won four games before falling 79-77 to Seton Hall in the title game.
AVILA, SWOPE NAMED LOU HENSON MID-MAJOR ALL-AMERICANS
PHOENIX – Indiana State men’s basketball sophomore Robbie Avila and junior Isaiah Swope have been named to the 2024 Lou Henson All-America Team for mid-major basketball.
Avila wrapped up his sophomore campaign averaging 17.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, and 4.1 assists per game. The 6-10 center shot 53.6% from the floor, including 39.4% from beyond the arc. Avila saw improvements in nearly every category between his freshman season to sophomore season. Avila moved into ninth place in single-season scoring with 644 points. The Oak Forest native also crossed the 1,000-point mark, becoming the 42nd Sycamore to reach the feat. He notched his career high of 35 points at Evansville to help the ISU clinch a share of the MVC regular season title. He recorded six double-doubles and 14 games with 20+ points.
Swope during most of the season was ranked nationally in various three-point categories. He finished the season with the fourth-most three-pointers in the nation with 113, placing him second in the single-season total three-pointers made at Indiana State (Jordan Barnes, 117). He finished 43.3% from the field with a 36.2% clip from deep. Swope scored 587 points this season, finishing his third season of collegiate hoops with 1,315 points in his career. The Newburgh, Ind. native recorded the first 30-point game of the season for the Sycamores at UIC, scoring 30 points with six triples. Earlier in the season, Swope recorded his lone double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds in nonconference action at Northern Illinois.
Indiana State wrapped up the 2023-24 season as the NIT runners-up with a 32-7 overall record, 17-3 in conference play, MVC regular season champions, and recorded the second-best season in program history behind the 33-win 1978-79 season.
INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL
SYCAMORES FALL TO PURDUE WITH A SCORE OF 8-5 ON TUESDAY EVENING
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.- Indiana State Softball fell to Purdue on Tuesday evening with a score of 8-5.
The Sycamores struck early and took the 1-0 lead in the first inning when Isabella Henning was walked, and stole second, before Kennedy Shade connected on an RBI double to drive in a run from Henning.
Indiana State held the lead 1-0 until the fourth inning when the Boilermakers recorded five hits and drove in four runs to take the lead 4-1 over the Sycamores.
The Sycamores rallied in the fifth inning and cut the lead to 4-3 when they connected on three hits by Bri Marx, Abi Chipps, and Danielle Henning which drove in two runs for Indiana State to cause a pitching change for Purdue.
Purdue added another run in the sixth inning when Scarmardo scored on a passed ball to advance the Boilermakers lead to 5-3.
Indiana State tied up the game with a score of 5-5 in the sixth inning when Kenzie Cornwell led off with a single, before Bri Marx connected on her first collegiate home run and drove in two runs to tie up the ballgame.
Purdue responded in the final frame, and took back the lead when they scored three runs off of three hits, advancing their lead to 8-5, as Indiana State fell short to the Boilermakers in West Lafayette on Tuesday evening.
Lauren Sackett started in the circle for the Sycamores where she went the first 3.0 innings, allowing five hits, and three runs scored, while striking out two. Hailey Griffin took over the ball in the bottom of the fourth inning, where she allowed two hits, and one run scored in the loss against Purdue. Cassi Newbanks (2-7) took the loss in the circle for Indiana State when she took over the ball in the fifth inning, allowing three hits, and four runs scored.
Up Next:
Indiana State will travel to the University of Illinois Chicago, this weekend on April 12-14 to compete in a three-game MVC series against UIC. Game times are listed below.
Friday at 6 p.m ET
Saturday at 3 p.m ET
Sunday at 1 p.m ET
INDIANA STATE BASEBLL
SYCAMORES RALLY LATE TO SECURE SEASON SWEEP OVER PURDUE WITH 9-3 TUESDAY NIGHT WIN
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana State rallied late scoring seven runs over the final two innings to secure the season sweep over Purdue on Tuesday night with the Sycamores’ 9-3 win at Alexander Field.
ISU (24-7) and Purdue (20-13) were knotted up at 2-2 after the fifth inning with bullpens trading zeroes on the scoreboard until the Sycamores broke the game open in the eighth.
Luis Hernandez started the rally with a leadoff single against Purdue’s Avery Cook (0-1) and Parker Stinson was hit by a pitch to put two on base with none out. Reliever Cal Lambert entered the game and overthrew first base in a failed pickoff attempt allowing both Indiana State runners to advance into scoring position. Adam Pottinger coaxed a walk to load the bases and setting the stage for Mike Sears at the plate.
The Sycamore third baseman connected on the first pitch he saw from reliever Aaron Suval driving the offering to the center field wall for a two-run double scoring Hernandez and Stinson to give Indiana State the 4-2 lead. Joe Kido followed with a sacrifice fly to right scoring Pottinger to give ISU the 5-2 lead.
Zach Davidson entered in relief of Cameron Holycross (2-1) in the bottom of the eighth inning and the ISU left-hander set the Boilermakers down in order. The Sycamore bats took over again in the ninth with Pottinger singling home Dominic Listi, while Kido connected on a two-run single and Josue Urdaneta scored on a wild pitch to give ISU the 9-2 lead.
Purdue scored a late run in the ninth before Simon Gregersen closed out the contest to secure ISU’s ninth consecutive win in West Lafayette dating back to the 2013 season.
The Sycamores scored early on Carter Murphy (RBI groundout) and Grant Magill (RBI double)’s at-bats in the top of the fourth inning, while Purdue’s Keenan Taylor scored a run in the second and drove in a run in the fifth to keep the game tied.
Listi posted a three-hit game including a double in the ninth inning to highlight Indiana State’s 10-hit game on Tuesday afternoon. Pottinger added two hits and was on base in four of his five plate appearances while scoring three runs in the win. Stinson drew a walk and was hit by two pitches in scoring two runs, while Sears also scored twice on the night. Kido finished with three RBIs in the contest.
Jacob Pruitt took the mound first on Tuesday night as Indiana State utilized six pitchers overall in the contest. The sophomore right-hander allowed one hit and one run while striking out four in his first appearance since March 1 against Southern Miss.
Cole Gilley, Cam Edmonson, Holycross, Davidson, and Gregersen combined to go the final 7.0 innings on the mound as the Sycamore staff limited Purdue to just five hits and two earned runs while striking out 10.
Luke Gaffney posted three of Purdue’s five hits in the loss, while Jo Stevens and Mike Bolton Jr. also singled for the Boilermakers.
Cole Van Assen went the first 3.2 innings allowing five hits and two unearned runs while striking out four batters to pace eight Purdue pitchers on the mound in the game.
How They Scored
Purdue took the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Keenan Taylor scored on Thomas Green’s squeeze bunt down the first base line to give the Boilermakers the early edge.
The Sycamores took the lead in the top of the fourth inning as Carter Murphy brought home Adam Pottinger with an RBI groundout, while Grant Magill doubled down the left field line scoring Mike Sears to give ISU the 2-1 advantage.
Purdue evened the game back up in the bottom of the fifth as Taylor’s sacrifice fly to center scored Mike Bolton Jr. to make it a 2-2 ballgame.
The Sycamores brook the game open with three runs in the top of the eighth inning highlighted by Mike Sears’ bases-loaded, two-run double to the wall in center field, while Joe Kido singled home Pottinger to make it a 5-2 Indiana State lead.
ISU added four insurance runs in the top of the ninth with Pottinger singling home Dominic Listi, Kido bringing home both Pottinger and Parker Stinson on a base hit up the middle, while Sears capped the scoring crossing the plate on a wild pitch to give the Sycamores the 9-2 lead.
Purdue pushed across the final run of the game in the bottom of the ninth as Corbin Malott scored on Luke Gaffney’s RBI single to close out the 9-3 game.
News & Notes
Josue Urdaneta became the third Indiana State player to post a 20-game on-base streak in the 2024 season as the redshirt senior drew a walk in the ninth inning. He joined Listi (28 games) and Hernandez (26 games) and marked the second consecutive season the Sycamores have had three players post 20-plus game on-base streaks.
The Sycamores picked up their ninth consecutive win over Purdue in West Lafayette dating back to the 2013 season following Tuesday’s victory.
Indiana State improved to 5-1 against the Big Ten on the year with the win.
Jacob Pruitt made hit return to the mound with Tuesday night’s start, marking his first appearance after exiting the game against Southern Miss on March 1. Pruitt struck out the first batter he faced and finished with four over 2.0 innings giving him 35 strikeouts through 19.0 frames on the year.
The Sycamore pitching staff posted its ninth game in the 2024 season allowing five or fewer hits on the year, and third in a row after limiting Murray State to four and five hits over the final two games of the weekend series.
It marks the longest streak by the ISU pitching staff allowing five or fewer hits in consecutive games since the Sycamores went six consecutive games in the 2021 season from April 16-24 over series against Valparaiso (four games) and Dallas Baptist (two games).
Up Next
Indiana State returns to Bob Warn Field this weekend as the Sycamores host Bradley in Missouri Valley play for a three-game series in Terre Haute over April 12-14. First pitch in Friday’s opener is set for 6:30 p.m. ET with all three games set to be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Friday’s promotional giveaway includes set No. 3 of the ISU Baseball Trading Card Giveaway (Sponsored by Refreshment Services Pepsi) to the first 100 fans.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL
‘DONS AND FALCONS SET FOR MIDWEEK BATTLE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Purdue Fort Wayne travels to Bowling Green on Wednesday for their first midweek game since March 19.
Game Day Information
When: Wednesday, April 10 | 3 p.m. ET
Where: Steller Field | Bowling Green, Ohio
Live Stats:Link
Series History: The ‘Dons are 5-14 against the Falcons with Bowling Green winning 9-of-10 meetings against Purdue Fort Wayne in Bowling Green.
Weather: High of 67/low of 53, 25% chance of rain
Scouting the Falcons: Bowling Green is 3-0 at home after sweeping Northern Illinois in conference play last weekend. Overall, the Falcons are 15-10 and 12-0 in the MAC. A strong hitting team, they are one of five teams in the nation in the top 30 for both home runs per game (1.76) and triples per game (0.36).
Rain Rain Go Away: The Mastodons have had their last two midweek contests rained out. Scheduled matchups with Western Michigan were postponed on Mar. 26 and Apr. 2. Additionally, last Friday’s game against Northern Kentucky was pushed back a day due to rain. The ‘Dons last midweek game was played on Mar. 19 against Michigan State, which was also moved up a day due to probable weather.
‘Dons & Ends:
– Justin Osterhouse leads the team with 13 multi hit games while Jacob Walker, Grant Thoroman, and Nick Sutherlin each have 12.
– Justin Osterhouse (.649), Jacob Walker (.517), and Grant Thoroman (.575) each own a slugging percentage above .500.
– The ‘Dons are 42-of-49 in stolen base attempts this season.
– Five Mastodons have thrown 20 or more innings this season.
– Thanks to Saturday’s 10-inning win over NKU, on Nick Sutherlin’s walk-off home run, the ‘Dons are 1-0 in extra inning games this season.
– Ben Higgins (LF), Grant Thoroman (CF) and Nick Sutherlin (3B) have started all 31 games at the same position.
Fee Time: Kevin Fee owns 77 pitching appearances in his Mastodon career, second in program history. Adam Feris (2002-05) has the record with 78 trips to the mound for the ‘Dons.
Stable Sabol:Carter Sabol was named Horizon League pitcher of the Week after tossing a gem in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader sweep of Northern Kentucky. He allowed just one hit with nine strikeouts over six scoreless innings to get the win. In Horizon League games, Sabol holds a 1.99 ERA with three wins and 29 strikeouts.
Justin Time: Justin Osterhouse leads the team in batting average (.377), slugging percentage (.649), and on base percentage (.445). He ranks in the top 10 of the Horizon League in each of those categories as well and is one of only four hitters in the league hitting over .375. The freshman is also a threat on the bases as one of only seven players with double-digit steals.
Last Time Out: Purdue Fort Wayne won their weekend series over Horizon League leaders Northern Kentucky 2-1 last weekend. The ‘Dons won both games of Saturday’s doubleheader including a walk-off win in game one via a home run in extra innings by Nick Sutherlin.
Up Next: The ‘Dons hits the road for a weekend series with Oakland.
CARTER SABOL NAMED #HLBASE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
INDIANAPOLIS – Purdue Fort Wayne’s Carter Sabol (Nokomis, Ill. / Nokomis HS / Ohio) has been named the Horizon League Baseball Pitcher of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday (April 9).
Sabol allowed one hit with nine strikeouts in six innings against Northern Kentucky on Saturday. Sabol’s six scoreless innings helped the ‘Dons defeat the first-place Norse 4-1 to complete the doubleheader sweep.
In league play, Sabol owns a league-best 1.99 ERA and 29 strikeouts with a .195 opposing batting average. For all games he owns a 3.86 ERA over 42.0 innings.
Sabol is the second Mastodon to earn Horizon League Pitcher of the Week this season. Reliever Kevin Fee also picked up the honor.
The ‘Dons return to play on Wednesday (April 10) at Bowling Green in non-league play.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE SOFTBALL
‘DONS DROP GAME ONE AT CLEVELAND STATE
CLEVELAND – The Purdue Fort Wayne softball team fell 11-1 on Tuesday (April 9) to Cleveland State in the series opener.
Cleveland State’s Melissa Holzopfel set down 18 of the 20 batters she faced and went 3-for-4 at the plate.
The ‘Dons pushed their run across in the third inning. Brayden Lickey stole second and while the Vikings tried to throw her out, McKenna Minton took home and scored a run for the ‘Dons.
The Vikings scored two runs in the first inning, one in the second, added three in the fifth, and scored five in the sixth.
Alanah Jones threw 4.1 innings and got the loss. Holzopfel pitched six innings and got the win in the no-hitter performance.
Cleveland State improves to 10-16 while Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 7-25. The Mastodons will play two more against CSU on Wednesday (April 10) starting at noon.
EVANSVILLE BASEBALL
BASEBALL RUN-RULES BUTLER, 15-5
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – After a slow start, the University of Evansville baseball team caught fire on Tuesday afternoon en route to a 15-5 run-rule victory over the homestanding Butler Bulldogs at Bulldog Park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Today wasn’t the prettiest performance we have had all year, especially early, but the guys found a way to grind out a nice road victory today,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “Obviously, Kip Fougerousse had a monster day today in the middle of the order, and when he is going well, our offense can put up runs in a hurry. But, we had a lot of guys step up with multi-hit games today, which was great to see.
“I also thought that we got some great outings on the mound from guys like Jace Kressin, Max Hansmann, and Jakob Meyer, which was huge. We need those guys to pitch like they did today down the stretch, because if they can, we can really get rolling.”
Butler jumped out early with two runs in the first inning, before UE took advantage of some wildness from the Bulldogs to plate three runs in the top of the second inning on only one hit to grab a 3-2 lead.
The lead would be short-lived, as the first five Butler hitters in the second inning reached base, plating two runs and loading the bases with no one out to grab a 4-3 lead. At that point, Kressin came out of the UE bullpen and recorded three-straight outs against the three, four and five-hole hitters in the Butler lineup to turn the tide and give Evansville the momentum.
The Purple Aces quickly retook the lead at 5-4 in the third inning on an RBI double by senior shortstop Simon Scherry and an RBI single by junior outfielder Harrison Taubert. Evansville then added two more runs on a Scherry RBI single and a double-steal in which Scherry stole second, and freshman second baseman Brodie Peart stole home to move the lead to 7-4.
Butler would scratch across a run against Kressin in the fourth inning on a balk, but then sophomore reliever Max Hansmann came on with two men on and no one out, and got a strikeout and two infield ground outs to end the threat and keep UE in the lead at 7-5.
Fougerousse then added a solo home run in the sixth inning, before the Purple Aces erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to enact the mercy rule. Taubert launched a three-run home run in the frame for UE, while Peart and graduate catcher Brendan Hord added RBI singles, and Scherry and graduate third baseman Brent Widder drove in runs on RBI ground outs.
Fougerousse led UE offensively by going 4-for-5 with a home run and four runs scored. Taubert went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI, while Scherry added two hits, three runs scored and three RBI. Peart and Hord also had two-hit days for UE.
Kressin (1-0) earned the victory, the first in his Purple Aces’ career, by scattering a run on a hit in 2.0-plus innings of work, while striking out three. Both Hansmann and Meyer each tossed 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings on the mound, while combining to strike out seven men out of the UE bullpen.
With the victory, Evansville improves to 15-17 overall, as the Purple Aces have now won five out of the last six contests. Butler, meanwhile, drops to 13-17 overall with the loss. Evansville will now return home to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium to host red-hot Illinois State (17-11, 7-2 MVC) in a key Missouri Valley Conference series. All three games can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS and seen live on ESPN+. Tickets are also available by calling the UE ticket office by phone at 812-488-2623.
SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL
EAGLES LOSE FIRST GAME OF FOUR ON THE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost the first game of a four-game road swing, falling at Saint Louis University, 13-8, Tuesday afternoon in St. Louis, Missouri. USI is 14-19 overall, SLU goes to 22-8.
The Screaming Eagles trailed 1-0 after two innings, but made their first comeback to tie the score, 1-1, on a RBI-double by senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) in the top of third. The tie was short lived as the Billikens scored a run in the bottom of the third to regain the lead and extended the margin to 5-1 with a three-run fourth.
USI climbed back into the game with a four-run sixth inning to tie the contest, 5-5. Junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela) singled in the second run of the game for USI, while junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) tied the score for a second time with a three-run blast to left center. The home run was Crowden’s second of the season.
SLU took the momentum back in the bottom of the sixth, retaking the lead, 7-5, with a pair of tallies. The Billikens would extend the margin to 8-5 with another run in the bottom of the seven.
The eighth inning would seal the Eagles’ fate as the Billikens posted five runs for the final on a 13-5 decision.
USI junior right-hander Adam Weihe (Louisville, Kentucky) took the loss in relief for the Eagles. Weihe (0-2) allowed two runs on two hits and a hit batter in a third of an inning.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles resume OVC action and the road trip April 12-14 at Southeast Missouri State University for a three-game set. Game times are 6 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. Sunday.
SEMO, which is 15-17 overall and 6-3 in the OVC, plays at Southern Illinois University tonight. The Redhawks have lost four of the last six entering tonight’s action at SIU.
USI leads the all-time series with SEMO, 27-25, but lost of two of three with the Redhawks last year at the USI Baseball Field.
VALPO SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL EDGED IN EXTRAS BY UIC
Valpo softball pitcher Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) had yet another strong outing in the circle in an MVC contest, carrying a shutout through the regulation seven innings, but the Beacon were unable to get to UIC in that time either and eventually fell 2-1 to the Flames in nine innings.
How It Happened
Scoring chances were at a premium all day, as through the first five frames, neither team got a runner to third base or had a runner on second with fewer than two outs.
UIC was the first to get a runner 60 feet away from scoring, turning a leadoff single into a runner on third with two outs in the sixth, but McDermott induced a foul pop-up to get out of the inning.
McDermott set down the Flames in order in the top of the seventh to give Valpo a shot at a walk-off in the bottom of the frame. A leadoff error eventually resulted in a runner on second with two away, before a groundout pushed the game into extra innings.
UIC broke the seal on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth, as a leadoff single moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt before an RBI single gave the Flames a 1-0 lead.
Valpo declined to go quietly, as after being held hitless through the first seven innings, senior Emily Crompton (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran) dropped a leadoff pinch-hit single into left field.
Two batters later, senior Alexis Johnson (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) hit a slow grounder which turned into an infield single. Junior Lauren Sena (McHenry, Ill./McHenry), who had re-entered to run after Crompton’s base hit, alertly saw UIC’s shortstop misplay it as she charged it and took third base on the play with only one out.
After Johnson stole second, sophomore Kam Utendorf (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove [Black Hawk College]) hit a grounder to third. Sena initially held at third, but took off for home as soon as the throw went to first and slid in ahead of the return throw to tie the game at 1-1. Johnson was 60 feet away as the potential winning run, but a groundout pushed the game to the ninth inning.
A leadoff single eventually became a run for UIC in the top of the ninth to again put the Flames in front, this time by a 2-1 score. Singles from senior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) and freshman Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) gave the Beacons two runners on base with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Valpo was unable to push a runner past second base.
Inside the Game
The game played out almost eerily similar to Valpo’s doubleheader opener against Bradley 10 days earlier. Both instances saw McDermott throw seven shutout innings in regulation, but having to toss extra innings because the Beacons’ offense not only had not scored, but had been held hitless. In both cases, Crompton led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a base hit for Valpo’s first knock.
McDermott threw just two 1-2-3 innings on Tuesday, but scattered 11 hits effectively, helped out by the fact that she did not walk a single Flame. Of McDermott’s 125 pitches, 86 were strikes, as she went to three-ball counts just three times.
Valpo ended the day with four hits, all of which came in the final two innings. Johnson’s infield single in the eighth extended her hitting streak to five straight games, while her stolen base was her team-best 13th of the season.
The matchup with UIC was the 90th all-time between the two programs. The Flames are Valpo’s most frequent opponent in program history.
Tuesday is the first time, in games where the international tiebreak is not used, that Valpo and its opponent have both scored the same number of runs in an extra inning to extend the game since May 4, 2013. That day, Youngstown State and Valpo each scored one run in the 12th inning to keep playing softball before Valpo eventually walked it off in the bottom of the 14th, 6-5.
Next Up
Valpo (8-23, 2-8 MVC) continues its series against UIC with a single game tomorrow at the Valpo Softball Complex, beginning at 3 p.m.
VALPO BASEBALL
RENFRO, RYAN HOMER IN HOME STATE ON TUESDAY
The Valparaiso University baseball team jumped out to an early 3-0 lead thanks in part to home runs by Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) and Brady Renfro (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) in their return to their home state, but host Milwaukee scored seven unanswered to win 7-3 at Franklin Field in Franklin, Wis. on Tuesday. Valpo outhit Milwaukee 11-7 and six of the team’s 11 hits went for extra bases.
How It Happened
Valpo grabbed an early lead in the opening inning thanks to two extra-base hits. After a Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) double, Renfro yanked one over the right-field wall in his first plate appearance back in his home state, making it 2-0 Beacons.
Valpo starter Trent Turzenski (Burlington, Wis. / Burlington) retired the side in order in the bottom of the first with help from Ryan, who made a sprawling catch in right center on the first pitch of the frame to take an extra-base hit away from the Panthers.
Wisconsin natives continued to shine in their home state when Ryan ripped a solo shot to left to lead off the second inning, extending the Valpo lead to 3-0. Valpo had the bases loaded with a chance for more in that inning – which included a triple by Alex Thurston (Fowler, Ind. / Benton Central) – but the Beacons did no further damage.
Turzenski retired all six batters over the first two innings and had two outs with only one on in the third after both outs came via the strikeout. However, the top of the Panther lineup put together a two-out rally the second time through the order, highlighted by a go-ahead three-run homer by Carson Hansen that made it 5-3 and polished off a five-run frame.
The first two Beacons reached base in the fourth, but after a pitching change, three straight were retired to end the inning with Milwaukee still in front
Valpo went to the bullpen for the bottom of the fourth, and Grant Jablonski (Mishawaka, Ind. / Mishawaka) worked a 1-2-3 capped by a strikeout to keep the deficit at two.
The Panthers added two runs in the sixth but Jake Jakubowski (Lake in the Hills, Ill. / Huntley [Heartland]) entered the game and limited the damage. He induced an inning-ending double play to keep the deficit at four as Milwaukee led 7-3 through six.
Valpo inserted Joe Seiber (Homer Glen, Ill. / Lockport [College of DuPage]) to pitch the bottom of the seventh and he worked a scoreless frame to keep it 7-3. Valpo threatened in the top of the eighth, but stranded two in scoring position, and eventually the 7-3 score stood as the game’s final. Seiber did not allow a run in his two frames.
Inside the Game
Renfro’s home run was his second of the season and the 17th of his collegiate career.
Ryan’s home run was his fourth this season and the seventh of his career.
Turzenski made his first start in over two years as he started on the bump for the first time since April 1, 2022. His first seven appearances this year came in relief after he missed over a calendar year due to Tommy John surgery.
When Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) drew a walk in the second inning, he increased his career total to 91, moving into a tie for sixth in program history in career walks. He also swiped second after walking, improving to 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts this season and lifting his career stolen base total to 30.
Thurston’s triple was his first of the season and just the third by the team. It marked Valpo’s first triple since March 8 at The Citadel. Thurston now has seven triples in his four-year career with the Beacons including at least one in each season.
Schmack’s single was his 199th collegiate hit, one away from reaching the 200-hit milestone for his career.
Valpo dropped to 7-3 this season when outhitting the opponent as the Beacons held an 11-7 edge in the hit column but came out on the wrong end of the column that counts. Six of Valpo’s 11 hits went for extra bases.
Ryan and Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) had two hits apiece.
Up Next
Valpo (10-20) will host Belmont to start a three-game weekend series on Friday at 3 p.m. at Emory G. Bauer Field. The game will air on ESPN+ with links to live video and stats available on ValpoAthletics.com.
UINDY SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL CONTINUES TO BE RANKED FIFTH IN DII
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The UIndy softball team continues to be ranked fifth in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s (NFCA) poll for the third week in a row. This is the ninth consecutive week that the Greyhounds are ranked in the top 10.
The Hounds are 34-3 overall and 13-1 in GLVC play. With the team sweeping Lewis on Saturday, UIndy holds sole possession over first place in the GLVC. Both teams had the same conference record going into the Saturday doubleheader, but the Greyhounds showed their skills and swept the Flyers.
On Monday, star pitcher Kenzee Smith was named the GLVC Pitcher of the Week for the fourth time this season. Smith collected a win and a save while facing Lewis.
The Hounds will continue to play at Baumgarner Field with matchups against Missouri S&T and Maryville on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
National Fastpitch Coaches Association DII Poll, Week 9
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Previous |
| 1 | West Texas A&M (16) | 35-4 | 400 | 1 |
| 2 | North Georgia | 38-5 | 384 | 2 |
| 3 | Tampa | 32-6 | 366 | 3 |
| 4 | Rogers State | 33-5 | 351 | 4 |
| 5 | Indianapolis | 34-3 | 339 | 5 |
| 6 | UT Tyler | 34-7 | 320 | 6 |
| 7 | Colorado Christian | 37-4 | 303 | 7 |
| 8 | Central Oklahoma | 33-7 | 280 | 8 |
| 9 | Pittsburg State | 38-4 | 264 | 10 |
| 10 | Wingate | 37-6 | 254 | 11 |
| 11 | Western Washington | 30-4 | 244 | 12 |
| 12 | Mississippi College | 31-6 | 215 | 13 |
| 13 | Charleston | 29-2 | 205 | 14 |
| 14 | Grand Valley State | 22-9 | 201 | 9 |
| 15 | East Stroudsburg | 29-7 | 179 | 15 |
| 16 | Concordia | 31-7 | 161 | 16 |
| 17 | Auburn Montgomery | 29-9 | 143 | 17 |
| 18 | Northwest Nazarene | 30-7 | 118 | 19 |
| 19 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 34-10 | 104 | 18 |
| 20 | Rollins | 30-10 | 87 | 20 |
| 21 | Angelo State | 32-11 | 78 | 21 |
| 22 | Wilmington | 23-10 | 66 | 22 |
| 23 | Washburn | 34-10 | 46 | 24 |
| 24 | Cal State San Marcos | 23-14 | 26 | 23 |
| 25 | Nova Southeastern | 25-10 | 25 | 25 |
Others Receiving Votes: Francis Marion (22), Ohio Dominican (6), Oklahoma Baptist (6), UAH (5), Missouri Southern (2).
UINDY BASEBALL
HOUNDS STRUGGLE IN TUESDAY BOUTS WITH PRIDE
HAMMOND, Ind. – Playing on short rest, the University of Indianapolis baseball team took a trip northwest to Hammond, Ind. to battle the Purdue Northwest Pride in a bout of the last remaining NCAA Division II schools in the Hoosier State. Despite the Hounds coming in hot after taking an important series in Springfield, it did not transfer as the Pride swept the doubleheader.
The bats were quiet, with the Hounds accumulating just seven hits in game one and three in game two. Despite that, Drew Donaldson was back to his old ways, leading the Hounds with a 3-for-6 performance on the day which included two doubles and two RBIs. Cole Hampton launched yet another blast as well in game one of the day, making it his fourth of the season.
GAME 1 | PNW 7, UIndy 6
It looked to be a long day for the Pride early in Hammond as Donaldson, after Easton Good was gifted third base through an error and passed ball by the Pride, ripped a ball into right to nab the Hounds their first run of the day. Zack Williams added to that total with a groundout later that frame.
The Hounds and Pride traded runs in the second with Luis Vergara grabbing an RBI. The Hounds could not pull away as the Pride mounted a big four-run fifth to take the lead for the first time in the contest. That lead held as despite the efforts of Donaldson in the sixth, the Hounds couldn’t muster anymore offense.
GAME 2 | PNW 4, UIndy 0
Caden Wilburn manned the bump for the Hounds in the second game of the set and it was a struggle early as with just one out he issued a free pass that gifted the home team their first run. The Hounds pitchers’ control continued to falter in the second as well, giving the Pride two more runs via the base on balls.
Bennett Rogers, making his fourth appearance of the season, forced a popup to end the second and the continued to work strong from there giving the Hounds 2 & 1/3 innings of valuable work with a depleted bullpen. He ended his day only giving up one hit and an earned up. Jacob Flaherty, the Findlay transfer, was called on next out of the bullpen as the Hounds continued to face zeros in the runs column. In his fifth game of action and second against the Pride, he looked solid with two innings of one hit ball.
Despite the small hits number, the Hounds did not struggle to get runners on base, working eight walks in the second game.
UP NEXT
The Hounds will look to forget their trip to Hammond, Ind. as they welcome in the Quincy Hawks to – potentially –
Greyhound Park for their next GLVC-baseball series. They are set to begin on Friday at 3 p.m., however, rough weather in the forecast may force a shift in the Hounds current schedule. Stay tuned to @UIndyBaseball on X for more information.
MARIAN BASEBALL
ENFIELD SHINES IN RETURN AS MARIAN SPLITS SERIES FINALE AT MOUNT VERNON
Mount Vernon, Ohio – Backed by a strong pitching performance from Davis Enfield and a quartet of home runs, the Marian baseball team earned a game one win on Tuesday against Mt. Vernon Nazarene, before suffering a one-run setback in game two. Marian’s split against the Cougars gives them an overall record of 18-17 and a 13-11 mark against the Crossroads League.
Game 1 | Marian 9-5 Mt. Vernon Nazarene
Marian wasted little time finding their offense in game one of the mid-week doubleheader, putting up five runs in the opening inning of the game. Rylan Huntley and Kameron Salazar opened the game with base hits, and after Bryce Davenport walked, Josh Lamb dented the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly. Johnny Roeder and Dawson Estep followed with the damaging blows, going back to back with home runs, as Roeder cleared the yard with a three-run shot, while Estep’s solo home run capped the 5-0 start.
Davis Enfield made the start on the hill in his return from injury, and settled into the game smoothly as he made his first appearance in six weeks. A solo home run would spoil a strong start for Enfield in the first inning, but the pitcher closed the frame with a groundout. Mount Vernon would manage a pair of doubles in their second trip to the plate, but Enfield capped the damage at one run with a flyout ending the frame. Marian gave their pitcher support in the top of the third, as Bryce Davenport and Josh Lamb tattooed back to back solo home runs, pushing the lead back to five runs.
Enfield took over the game after the pair of home runs, pitching four consecutive scoreless innings, starting with a strong third in which he stranded a pair of runners. The right-handed pitcher fired back with flawless fourth and fifth innings, and in the sixth inning scattered a walk to hold the 7-2 lead. Marian manufactured a run in the top of the seventh with Kameron Salazar blasting an RBI single, which played critical support in the late stages, as Enfield would surrender three runs in the home half of the inning.
Leading 8-5, Enfield pitched one final inning, allowing two men to reach base in the eighth, but standing tall on the mound as he prevented either man from scoring. Marian tacked on one more in the top of the ninth with Salazar driving home Rylan Huntley for the second time in three innings, capping the scoring in the win. Deacon Spencer closed the contest on the mound, facing the minimum in the ninth as his defense turned a double play for two of the final three outs, sealing the 9-5 victory.
Enfield showed some signs of rust in his return to the mound, but in all commanded on the hill, pitching 8.0 innings in the win. The righty allowed eight hits and five runs, pitching five strikeouts in the outing. Spencer allowed a single in relief, but a double play aided the second-year Knight as he threw just nine pitches. Offensively, Huntley and Salazar each had four hits, going 4-5 each. Hutley scored three runs, matching Roeder’s RBI total in the game. Estep had two hits including his home run, and Lamb and Davenport’s lone hits were home runs.
Game 2 | Marian 7-8 Mt. Vernon Nazarene
The second act of the twin bill went back and forth, as the Knights and Cougars traded runs in bunches when the scoring started. Jace Stoops started the second game as Marian tapped into the bullpen for their sixth game in four days, and the fourth-year opened well with a scoreless first inning. His offense provided the fireworks in the second, as Pierson Barnes drove in three runs with a home run, taking Marian on top 3-0. One Cougar hitter would reach base against Stoops in his fifth career start, but no damage took place as he stranded a runner.
The Knights missed an opportunity in the third as they loaded the bases but came away empty-handed, biting the team in the home half as Stoops gave up three hits, which resulted in four runs scoring. Jayson Cottrell picked up the final two outs of the inning, with one inherited run scoring as Mt. Vernon executed a safety squeeze.
The lead would be short-lived, as Marian tied the game in the next half inning, as Dawson Estep scored on a wild pitch to level the score 4-4. Cottrell tossed a scoreless fourth inning, and in the fifth reclaimed the lead as Rylan Huntley posted a two-RBI double that scored Caden Mason and Nathan Pinarski. In the home half of the fifth, Cottrell walked the lead-off man calling on the bullpen once more, as Garrett West appeared. Josh Lamb immediately caught the inherited runner stealing to get the southpaw off the hook, but West had struggles, giving up three two-out hits to allow the Cougars to reclaim a one-run lead.
Now trailing 7-6, Barnes delivered for his team in the sixth, driving home Pinarski with an RBI single, evening the game once more. West battled on the hill for the first two outs of the sixth as he looked to keep the score tied entering seventh, but came one batter short of execution, as a solo home run with two outs would prove to be the game-winning run. Marian grounded out three times in the seventh inning, coming up short as they fell 8-7.
The Knights had 10 hits in the loss, with Lamb going 3-4 at the plate. Barnes and Kameron Salazar each had two hits in the game, while Rylan Huntley, Parker Watts, and Bryce Davenport had one each. West suffered the loss on the mound, giving up four runs and five hits in two innings pitched. Stoops was responsible for four runs in his 2.1 innings, giving up four hits. Cottrell allowed two hits and one inherited run to score, recording five outs. Each pitcher had one strikeout.
Marian opens a four-game series with Bethel this Friday, taking on the Pilots with game one of the weekend set at 1:00 p.m. Marian and Bethel will play Friday’s doubleheader on the ISC Sports Network.
MARIAN MEN’S GOLF
HEFFNER LEADS MARIAN AS KNIGHTS WIN MIDWAY EAGLE INVITE
Lexington, Ky. – The Marian men’s golf team claimed their fourth tournament win of the 2023-24 season and second of the spring on Tuesday afternoon, as Marian completed the 36-hole Midway Eagle Invitational. The Knights win was highlighted by Brandon Heffner’s individual victory.
The Knights were the top team in the field, dominating the even hosted by Midway University, as they shot a 574 for the two rounds to win by a whopping 23 strokes. The Knights fired the best score in each round, taking a 286 on Monday and 288 on Tuesday. Marian’s win came over Milligan and Tennessee Wesleyan, who both shot a 597 as a team. Cumberlands finished fourth and Taylor finished fifth overall. The Knights were one of four Crossroads League schools in the field.
Brandon Heffner earned the win with a stellar performance, firing a pair of 71’s to end with a 142 score. Heffner’s win came by one stroke, as he edged out Micah Stangebye for the win. The Knights’ finished with four golfers in total on the all-tournament team, with Nolan Potter finishing fourth as he carded a 71+74=145, and Weston Ogden and Lane Zedrick both tied for fifth with 146 scores. Ogden carded a 69 in his second round.
Augie Mann finished ninth overall, firing a 147 score for the two rounds. Luke Beetz competed in the tournament as an indvidual, finishing 21st overall with a 150 score.
Marian led the event in pars made with 115, while sinking 22 birdies as a team. The Knights averaged an even five on par-5 holes.
Marian will next play on April 15, making the trip to West Lafayette to play 36 holes in the Ackerman-Allen Shootout. The annual trip to Purdue’s home course is hosted by Taylor University.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
42 – 4 – 21 – 2 – 12
April 10, 1947 – This moment is even bigger! Jackie Robinson, Number 42 famously put his name in ink in front of Branch Rickey the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers to officially and bravely break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Of course there was a minor transaction of the Dodgers buying out the contract of Mr Robinson from the Montreal Royals that occurred as well.
April 10, 1956 – At the Stanley Cup Finals played at the Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec. Star Center, Jean Beliveau, Number 4 netted a goal and 2 assists asthe Montreal Canadiens beat the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2 for a 4-1 series win
The website of NBA.com offers these nuggets of history for the day.
April 10, 1986 – In a game against the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks stalwart Number 21, Dominique Wilkins made 21 field goals, scoring a total of 57 points in the Hawks’ 126-117 victory. Wilkins won the NBA scoring title during that 1985-86 season, finishing with a 30.3 ppg average, edging out the Utah Jazz star Number 4, Adrian Dantley, and Denver Nuggets Number 2, Alex English.
April 10, 1991 – Dallas Mavericks guard Number 12, Derek Harper scored a game-high 34 points in the Mavericks’ 97-91 loss to the Jazz at the Salt Palace, becoming the first player in NBA history to improve his scoring average in each of his first eight seasons in the league, as he averaged 19.7 points per game.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
Football History Headline for April 10
April 10, 1945 – NFL’s Boston Yanks & Brooklyn Tigers merge. According to an article on the American Football Fandom pages the merger occurred because of a shortage of players caused by World War II, the Yanks were merged with the Brooklyn Tigers for the 1945 season, and styled as the Boston Yanks. The merged team played four home games in Boston and one in New York. But fans from neither city cared as they finished with a 3-6-1 record. The Boston Yanks were a NFL team based in Boston, Massachusetts that played from 1944 to 1948 playing their home games at Fenway Park and when the Red Sox baseball team needed the field they went over to the Manning Bowl in nearby Lynn, Mass.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for April 10
April 10, 1909 – Toronto, Ohio – The stud fullback of 1929 to 1931 from Bucknell University and later the Green Bay Packers, Clarke Hinkle arrived into this life. In 1964 Clarke Hinkle was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
April 10, 1918 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Jim Daniell the great Ohio State tackle from 1939 to 1941 was born. Big Jim had one of his most memorable plays on October 19, 1941 in a game against Purdue. The mudfest led to a scoreless tie early on in the game with the Boilermakers set up to punt. The NFF says that Daniell exploded across the scrimmage line, evaded blockers and leapt with out-stretched arms. The punted ball was swatted back-beyond the goal line, then beyond the end line. Safety! Ohio State led, 2-0. These were important points too as the Buckeyes escaped with a 16-14 victory! The National Football Foundation selected Jim Daniell for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Jim after school served his country and was awarded the a Presidential Citation, as well as a Bronze and a Silver Star. Daniell played pro football with the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns, serving as Cleveland’s captain in 1946 in the AAFC.
April 10, 1936 – Hall of Famer John Madden was born per the NFL.com. Madden was 103-32-7 in 10 seasons from 1969 through the 1978 season as the Oakland Raiders head coach. John Madden was chosen to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his contributions of being a coach and I am sure the things he brought to televeision braodcasts are not overlooked.
April 10, 1938 – Mount Vernon, Texas – Don Meredith the fun loving Southern Methodist University Quarterback from 1957 to 1959 was born. He was known by many as “Dandy Don” as he was a fun loving guy! The NFF tells how Don got his shot in college football by earning it. Meredith started his sophomore year in 1957 as the third string quarterback, and completed only four of six passes in the first four games. Then, against favored Texas, he carried the ball 10 times for 72 yards, and, throwing short but straight, completed six of nine pass attempts including two scoring strikes for an unexpected 19-12 victory. All the young QB did the rest of the year was to have had completed 71 of 102 attempts for 912 yards, seven touchdowns and a .696 completion average. Opening the 1958 season against top-ranked Ohio State, Meredith completed 20 throws out of 27 attempts for 204 yards, but the Mustangs fell by three to the Buckeyes. Don went on to become an All-American in both 1958 and 1959. Don Meredith was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. Dandy Don had a great NFL career as he played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys 1960-68 and then became a sports announcer with ABC-TV most notably on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford.
April 10, 1948 – Pittsburgh Steelers legendary cornerback,Mel Blount was born. Blount was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
April 10
1913 — President Wilson threw out the first ball as the Senators edged the New York Yankees 2-1 in Washington’s home opener. Walter Johnson allowed an unearned run in the first inning. He did not yield another run for 56 consecutive innings.
1947 — Jackie Robinson became the first black player of the 20th century to sign a major league contract. Robinson agreed a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1959 — Chicago’s Nellie Fox, who went 5-for-7, hit a 14th-inning opening day home run off Don Mossi to beat Detroit, 9-7. The White Sox second baseman did not homer in 623 at-bats the previous season.
1962 — The Houston Colt .45s, in the first major league game played in Texas, beat the Chicago Cubs 11-2 before 25,000. Roman Mejias led Houston’s offense with two three-run homers.
1969 — Tommy Agee of the New York Mets hit a home run into the upper deck in Shea Stadium’s left field. It was the longest home run to reach the seats in the history of the stadium.
1971 — The Phillies opened their new $49.5 million Veterans Stadium by beating Montreal 4-1. Philadelphia’s Don Money hit the first home run.
1973 — The first game at Royals Stadium is played. John Mayberry hit a home run in Kansas City’s 12-1 rout of Texas. A crowd of 39,476 attended the game at the state-of-the-art ballpark, which features water fountains beyond the outfield fence.
1976 — Don Money had a ninth-inning grand slam taken away. Money’s slam gave the Milwaukee Brewers an apparent 10-9 win over the New York Yankees. The umpires, however, rule that New York first baseman Chris Chambliss had called time out before the pitch. Money returned to the plate and flied out to right and the Brewers suffered a 9-7 loss.
1981 — In his first game for the Chicago White Sox, Carlton Fisk belts a three-run home run.
1982 — Under icy conditions, the Cleveland Indians opened the season at Municipal Stadium with an 8-3 loss to the Texas Rangers before 62,443 fans. Five hundred tons of snow had to be removed from the field; the game-time temperature was 38 degrees, with a wind chill of 17.
1989 — Toronto’s Dave Stieb threw a one-hitter for an 8-0 win against the New York Yankees. It was the third one-hitter in Stieb’s last four starts. Stieb, who closed last year with consecutive one-hitters, struck out five, walked four, and gave up a solid single to Jamie Quirk with one out in the fifth inning.
1989 — Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his first major league home run at the Kingdome in Seattle’s 6-5 win over the White Sox. Griffey’s father, Ken Sr., is an outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds, making the two the first father-son duo to play in the major leagues at the same time.
1990 — Boston’s Wade Boggs tied a major league record for a nine-inning game by drawing three intentional walks.
1994 — Former NBA star Michael Jordan singles twice, collecting his first hits in his professional baseball career while playing for the Birmingham Barons of the Class-AA Southern League.
2000 — Cincinnati’s Ken Griffey Jr. became the youngest player to hit 400 career home runs when he connected in the Reds’ 7-5 loss to Colorado. At 30 years, 141 days, Griffey beat the previous mark set by Jimmie Foxx, who was 30 years, 248 days old.
2006 — David Ortiz agrees to a four-year contract extension with the Boston Red Sox.
2012 — The Miami Marlins announce that they are suspending manager Ozzie Guillen for five games for making remarks supportive of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
2013 — The Boston Red Sox’s record streak of sell-outs at Fenway Park ends after 820 games as the attendance for today’s game against the Orioles is 30,862
2015 — Mark Buehrle wins the 200th game of his career.
2016 — Rookie Trevor Story capped his amazing first week in the majors by hitting his seventh home run, helping the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 6-3. Story’s homer was one of five solo shots by the Rockies and has driven in 12 runs through six games.
2017 — Wil Myers hit a leadoff triple in the eighth inning to complete the first cycle of his career and send San Diego past Colorado 5-3.
2020 — With no baseball being played because of the coronavirus pandemic, MLB sets up a virtual league, with one player from each of the 30 teams playing a three-inning game on the video game platform MLB: The Show.
BASEBALL YEAR IN REVIEW: 1970 (BASEBALL ALMANAC).
Off the field…
After large numbers of North Vietnamese troops entered Cambodia in 1969. Premier Lon Nol assumed control of the government, while Prince Sihanouk was in Peking, and pledged to force the removal of the occupying military. Initially, the invaders agreed to withdraw, but then announced their support for Sihanouk, who had promised to fight the new government. President Nixon announced that U.S. troops would join with South Vietnamese troops to invade the border areas of Cambodia and eliminate all Communist sanctuaries.
Four students were killed at Kent State University after Ohio National Guardsmen clashed with anti-war protesters. The students were engaged in a rally condemning President Nixon’s approval for a massive incursion into Cambodia. While appearing on television on April 30th, Nixon announced that the invasion was for a limited period, and was to save American lives, and claimed that American forces would not advance more than twenty-one miles into the country.
Monday Night Football debuted on ABC, with Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson, and Don Meredith all giving play-by-play. The on-camera camaraderie in the booth as well as the groundbreaking approach to covering the game resulted in the development of several multi-camera and play-by-play technologies that are still being used today. As a result, Monday Night Football has become the most successful and longest-running primetime sports series in television history.
In the American League…
Baltimore’s Frank Robinson hit two successive grand slams during a 12-2 Orioles triumph over the Washington Senators becoming just the seventh major leaguer to ever accomplish the feat. The back-to-back historic blasts were the only grand slams Robinson ever hit as a “Blackbird”.
The Kansas City Royals set an unwanted Major League mark on August 3rd after falling 10-8 to the Baltimore Orioles for the twenty-third time in two seasons.
Tommy Harper of the Milwaukee Brewers matched thirty stolen bases with his thirtieth home run of the year to become the fifth major leaguer to go 30-30 in the same season. Incidentally, the stats added up as the resulting 4-2 win over the Anaheim Angels marked the Brewers “60th” of the year.
In the National League…
On July 8th, San Francisco Giant Jim Ray Hart tied a modern Major League record with six runs batted in during one inning with all coming in the fifth. The “bay area brawler” slammed a three run home run and three run triple and eventually hit for the cycle en route to a 13-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
The New York Mets’ Tom Seaver set a Major League record after striking out nineteen Padres, including the last ten in succession, during an April 22nd, 2-1 victory over San Diego. The feat topped every pitcher ever to take the mound in the 20th Century and no one had ever struck out ten in a row to date.
Atlanta Braves icon “Hammerin'” Hank Aaron collected his three-thousandth hit with an infield single as well as his five-hundred seventieth home run off of Wayne Granger during a 7-6, 15-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds on May 17th.
Around the League…
St. Louis Cardinals’ Golden Glove outfielder Curt Flood filed a civil lawsuit against Major League Baseball in an effort to challenge their contract reserve clause. Flood refused to report to the Philadelphia Phillies after being traded and contended that the rule violated federal antitrust laws. Flood eventually lost his $4.1 million suit later in the year after Federal Judge Irving Ben Cooper upheld the legality of the clause. However, Cooper did recommend changes in the reserve system, to be achieved through negotiation between both players and owners.
“X-5” baseballs, a new experimental brand claiming to travel faster and farther than traditional balls was field tested during all Major League Spring Training games in both Arizona and Florida. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordered a halt to their use after a three week trial period, which had ended with inconclusive results.
All-Star Game voting was finally returned to the fans as punch-card ballots debuted in major league ballparks across the nation. It was the first time since 1958 that the exhibition’s squads were not entirely selected by managers, coaches and players.
Both players and management agreed to end their labor dispute on June 8th by settling on a new standard contract. Among the compromises that benefited the players was a raise in the minimum league salary from $10,000 to $12,000 per season.
BASEBALL’S GREAT PITCHERS
JOHN CLARKSON
More than a few contemporary baseball insiders viewed John Clarkson as the finest pitcher of the 19th century. He won 30 or more games in a season six times, including two of the top four all-time totals, 53 in 1885 and 49 in ’89. In the 10-year period between August 1884 and July 1894, he amassed 327 victories in the National League, and then retired at the age of 33. Clarkson was recognized as half of the “$20,000 Battery,” so called for the price Boston paid for the pitcher and King Kelly. Perhaps more recognize his name because he spent much of the last four years of his life in mental hospitals. Some even claim that the crazed former ballplayer mutilated his wife. Seemingly the Hall of Fame forgot his name entirely, overlooking his contributions until 1963.
READ MORE: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/john-clarkson/
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
April 10
1934 — The Chicago Black Hawks edge the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 in overtime to win the Stanley Cup in 4 of the best-of-5 series. Charlie Gardiner gets the shutout and Mush March scores the winning goal at 30:05 of overtime. It’s the final NHL game for Gardiner, who dies of a brain hemorrhage two months later.
1947 — Jackie Robinson becomes first black player of the 20th century to sign an MLB contract.
1949 — Sam Snead wins the Masters, beating Lloyd Mangrum and Johnny Bulla by three strokes.
1953 — NBA Championship Finals, Minneapolis Auditorium, Minnesota, MN: Minneapolis Lakers beat NY Knicks, 91-84 for a 4-1 series victory; Lakers’ 5th title in 6 years.
1955 — Cary Middlecoff beats Ben Hogan by seven strokes to win the Masters.
1955 — 9th NBA Championship: Syracuse Nats beat Fort Wayne Pistons, 4 games to 3.
1956 — The Montreal Canadiens beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup in five games.
1960 — 24th U.S. Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: 1958 champion Arnold Palmer birdies the final 2 holes to win by 1 stroke over runner-up Ken Venturi.
1961 — South Africa’s Gary Player becomes the first foreign player to win the Masters, edging Arnold Palmer and Charley Coe by one stroke.
1977 — Tom Watson pulls away in the final four holes to beat Jack Nicklaus by two strokes in the Masters.
1983 — Baltimore’s Eddie Murray hits his 1,000 career hit.
1988 — Scotland’s Sandy Lyle sinks a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a one-shot victory in the Masters, becoming the first British player to win the tournament.
1990 — Dave Taylor, Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato score three goals apiece as the Los Angeles Kings pound the Calgary Flames 12-4, marking the first time in NHL playoff history that three hat tricks are recorded in one game.
1991 — LA King Wayne Gretzky scores NHL record 93rd playoff goal.
1993 — Manon Rheaume, pro hockey’s only female goaltender, allows six goals in her first International Hockey League start for the Atlanta Knights, an 8-6 loss to Cincinnati.
1994 — Jose Maria Olazabal wins the Masters by two strokes over Tom Lehman. It’s the sixth time in seven years a non-American has prevailed.
1996 — Norm Duke sets a Professional Bowlers Association record with three consecutive 300s. Duke, who finished the first round with consecutive 300s, opens the second round with his third perfect game of the day.
2005 — Tiger Woods wins the Masters with a spectacular finish of birdies and bogeys. Woods turns back a surprising challenge Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket.
2010 — The Boston Bruins clinch a playoff berth after scoring three short-handed goals in 64 seconds on the same penalty during a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s the first time in NHL history that a team accomplishes the feat as Daniel Paille, Blake Wheeler and Steve Begin score the goals in the second period to make it 3-0.
2011 — 75th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Charl Schwartzel of South Africa birdies the final 4 holes to win his first major title, 2 strokes ahead of Australian pair Adam Scott and Jason Day.
2016 — Danny Willett wins the Masters after a stunning collapse by Jordan Spieth. Willett shoots a closing 67 for a 5-under 283 is assured his first major title when Spieth bogies the 17th hole. Spieth, nine holes away from another wire-to-wire victory, throws it away with a collapse around Amen Corner that is shocking even by Augusta National standards. Spieth was five shots ahead on the 10th tee and three shots behind when he walked to the 13th tee.
2016 — Chicago’s Patrick Kane wins the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer. He is the first American-born player in NHL history to capture the Ross since it has been awarded, dating back to 1947-48. Kane wins the scoring title with 106 points, which includes 46 goals and 60 assists, both of which were career highs.
2022 — 86th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: World #1 golfer Scottie Scheffler wins first career major title; beats Irishman Rory McIlroy by 3 strokes.
TV SPORTS WEDNESDAY
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE HOCKEY
7 p.m.
NHLN — Belleville at Toronto
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL
5:30 a.m. (Thursday)
FS2 — AFL: Brisbane at Melbourne
COLLEGE LACROSSE (MEN’S)
8 p.m.
ESPNU — Siena At Marist
COLLEGE LACROSSE (WOMEN’S)
6 p.m.
ESPNU — Maryland at Johns Hopkins
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
4 p.m.
BTN — Rutgers at Maryland
6:30 p.m.
BTN — Rutgers at Maryland
7 p.m.
ACCN — Kentucky at Louisville
PAC-12N — Fresno St. at Stanford
GOLF
3 p.m.
ESPN — 2024 Masters Par 3 Contest: From Augusta National Golf Course, Augusta, Ga.
MLB BASEBALL
1 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: LA Dodgers at Minnesota OR Philadelphia at St. Louis
4 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Tampa Bay at LA Angels OR Washington at San Francisco (3:45 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Baltimore at Boston OR Miami at NY Yankees
10 p.m.
MLBN — Oakland at Texas (8:05 p.m.)
NBA BASKETBALL
7:40 p.m.
ESPN — Dallas at Miami
ESPN2 — Dallas at Miami
10:05 p.m.
ESPN — Minnesota at Denver
NHL HOCKEY
8:30 p.m.
TNT — Vegas at Edmonton
SOCCER (MEN’S)
3 p.m.
CBS — UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona at Paris Saint-Germain, Quarterfinal – Leg 1
8 p.m.
FS1 — CONCACAF Champions Cup: CS Herediano at Pachuca, Quarterfinal – Leg 2
10:30 p.m.
FS1 — CONCACAF Champions Cup: Inter Miami CF at Monterrey, Quarterfinal – Leg 2
TENNIS
5 a.m.
TENNIS — Monte Carlo-ATP Early Rounds
6 a.m.
TENNIS — Monte Carlo-ATP Early Rounds
5 a.m. (Thursday)
TENNIS — Monte Carlo-ATP Early Rounds
6 a.m. (Thursday)TENNIS — Monte Carlo-ATP Early Rounds