“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA BOYS STATE FINALS
SESSION 1
PUBLIC GATES OPEN AT 9:30 AM ET
10:30 AM ET | CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
CLINTON PRAIRIE (26-2) VS. ORLEANS (24-4)
APPROX. 12:45 PM ET | CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
MANCHESTER (25-2) VS. UNIVERSITY (20-9)
FIELDHOUSE CLEARED
SESSION 2
PUBLIC GATES OPEN AT 5 PM ET
6 PM ET | CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
SOUTH BEND SAINT JOSEPH (26-3) VS. INDIANAPOLIS CRISPUS ATTUCKS (22-6)
APPROX. 8:15 PM ET | CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
FISHERS (30-0) VS. JEFFERSONVILLE (23-5)
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TV SCHEDULE/RESULTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 27 (SWEET 16)
(2) ALABAMA VS. (6) BYU, 7:09 P.M. | CBS
(1) FLORIDA VS. (4) MARYLAND, 7:39 P.M. | TBS
(1) DUKE VS. (4) ARIZONA, 9:39 P.M. | CBS
(3) TEXAS TECH VS. (10) ARKANSAS, 10:09 P.M. | TBS
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 (SWEET 16)
(2) MICHIGAN STATE VS. (6) OLE MISS, 7:09 P.M. | CBS
(2) TENNESSEE VS. (3) KENTUCKY, 7:39 P.M. | TBS
(1) AUBURN VS. (5) MICHIGAN, 9:39 P.M. | CBS
(1) HOUSTON VS. (4) PURDUE, 10:09 P.M. | TBS
NIT SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
WOMEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT TV SCHEDULE
MONDAY
NORTH CAROLINA STATE 83 MICHIGAN STATE 49
TEXAS 65 ILLINOIS 48
OKLAHOMA 96 IOWA 62
MARYLAND 111 ALABAMA 108 2OT
LSU 101 FLORIDA STATE 71
NORTH CAROLINA 58 WEST VIRGINIA 47
CONNECTICUT 91 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 57
USC 96 MISSISSIPPI STATE 59
SWEET 16 SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 (SWEET 16)
(2) DUKE VS. (3) NORTH CAROLINA | 2:30 P.M. ON ESPN
(1) SOUTH CAROLINA VS. (4) MARYLAND | 5 P.M. ON ESPN
(2) NC STATE VS. (3) LSU | 7:30 P.M. ON ESPN
(1) UCLA VS. (5) OLE MISS | 10 P.M. ON ESPN
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 (SWEET 16)
(2) TCU VS. (3) NOTRE DAME | 1 P.M. ON ABC
(1) TEXAS VS. (5) TENNESSEE | 3:30 P.M. ON ABC
(2) UCONN VS. (3) OKLAHOMA | 5:30 P.M. ON ESPN
(1) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VS. (5) KANSAS STATE | 8 P.M. ON ESPN
WNIT
NORTH TEXAS 78 TEXAS ARLINGTON 67
CHARLESTOWN 76 HOWARD 56
TROY 85 CHATTANOOGA 72
ABILENE CHRISTIAN 75 CENTRAL ARKANSAS 53
LOUISIANA TECH 71 TEXAS SOUTHERN 64
NORTH DAKOTA STATE 68 NEW MEXICO STATE 65
WASHINGTON STATE 57 UTAH VALLEY 54
INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
COLLEGE BASEBALL D1 BASEBALL TOP 25
- TENNESSEE
- ARKANSAS
- GEORGIA
- FLORIDA STATE
- OREGON STATE
- CLEMSON
- TEXAS
- LSU
- OKLAHOMA
- OREGON
- AUBURN
- ALABAMA
- SOUTHERN MISS
- VANDERBILT
- OLE MISS
- WAKE FOREST
- DALLAS BAPTIST
- LOUISVILLE
- UC IRVINE
- STANFORD
- NORTH CAROLINA
- TROY
- ARIZONA
- UCLA
- GEORGIA TECH
USA TODAY BASEBALL COACHES POLL
THE USA TODAY SPORTS TOP 25 BASEBALL POLL, WITH TEAM’S RECORDS THROUGH SUNDAY IN PARENTHESES, TOTAL POINTS BASED ON 25 FOR FIRST PLACE THROUGH ONE POINT FOR 25TH, RANKING IN LAST WEEK’S POLL AND FIRST-PLACE VOTES RECEIVED.
| RANK | SCHOOL (RECORD) | POINTS | LAST YEAR’S RANKINGS | FIRST-PLACE VOTES |
| 1 | TENNESSEE (22-2) | 734 | 1 | 23 |
| 2 | ARKANSAS (23-2) | 715 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | GEORGIA (24-2) | 676 | 5 | 1 |
| 4 | FLORIDA STATE (20-3) | 616 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | CLEMSON (23-3) | 615 | 6 | 0 |
| 6 | LSU (22-3) | 610 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | TEXAS (19-3) | 584 | 7 | 0 |
| 8 | OREGON STATE (18-4) | 536 | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | OKLAHOMA (20-3) | 503 | 9 | 0 |
| 10 | OREGON (19-5) | 465 | 9 | 0 |
| 11 | ALABAMA (22-3) | 432 | 12 | 0 |
| 12 | AUBURN (19-5) | 376 | 16 | 0 |
| 13 | VANDERBILT (19-5) | 373 | 19 | 0 |
| 14 | WAKE FOREST (19-6) | 290 | 13 | 0 |
| 15 | MISSISSIPPI (18-5) | 284 | 18 | 0 |
| 16 | SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (18-6) | 271 | 23 | 0 |
| 17 | DALLAS BAPTIST (16-7) | 220 | 17 | 0 |
| 18 | NORTH CAROLINA (18-6) | 210 | 15 | 0 |
| 19 | LOUISVILLE (18-5) | 170 | 20 | 0 |
| 20 | ARIZONA (18-5) | 157 | NR | 0 |
| 21 | UC IRVINE (17-5) | 153 | NR | 0 |
| 22 | STANFORD (15-6) | 150 | 14 | 0 |
| 23 | FLORIDA (18-8) | 133 | 11 | 0 |
| 24 | TROY (18-6) | 117 | NR | 0 |
| 25 | GEORGIA TECH (20-4) | 95 | NR | 0 |
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: UCLA (18-5) 83; WEST VIRGINIA (19-3) 77; COASTAL CAROLINA (17-7) 18; UC SANTA BARBARA (15-7) 12; NORTH CAROLINA STATE (17-7) 10; FLORIDA ATLANTIC (19-5) 8; HAWAII (16-5) 8; KENTUCKY (15-7) 8; RICHMOND (20-4) 8; KANSAS STATE (15-8) 6; CALIFORNIA (13-10) 5; WESTERN KENTUCKY (21-3) 5; VIRGINIA (12-10) 4; DUKE (16-9) 3; TEXAS-RIO GRANDE VALLEY (17-5) 3; ARIZONA STATE (16-8) 2; EAST TENNESSEE STATE (18-5) 2; CAL POLY (14-8) 1; IOWA (14-8) 1; MISSISSIPPI STATE (15-9) 1.
INDIANA COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
INDIANA COLLEGE MEN’S LAX
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
INDIANA COLLEGE WOMEN’S LAX
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
NBA SCOREBOARD
ORLANDO 118 LA LAKERS 106
INDIANA 119 MINNESOTA 103
TORONTO 112 WASHINGTON 104
DALLAS 120 BROOKLYN 101
NEW ORLEANS 112 PHILADELPHIA 99
CHICAGO 129 DENVER 119
BOSTON 113 SACRAMENTO 95
PHOENIX 108 MILWAUKEE 106
NHL SCOREBOARD
VANCOUVER 4 NEW JERSEY 3
COLUMBUS 4 NY ISLANDERS 3
DALLAS 3 MINNESOTA 0
DETROIT 5 UTAH 1
MLB SCOREBOARD
REGULAR SEASON
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
SPRING TRAINING
PHILADELPHIA 8 TAMPA BAY 6
MINNESOTA 5 PITTSBURGH 1
NY YANKEES 6 NY METS 6
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 8 LAS VEGAS 5
SEATTLE 7 SAN DIEGO 7
MILWAUKEE 4 COLORADO 2
ATLANTA 13 CHICAGO CUBS 4
ST. LOUIS 3 MEMPHIS 2
TEXAS 6 KANSAS CITY 3
HOUSTON 8 SUGAR LAND 4
LA ANGELS 5 LA DODGERS 4
BOSTON 10 MONTERREY 1
CLEVELAND 4 ARIZONA 3
SAN FRANCISCO 6 DETROIT 4
MLS SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WHEN MARCH MADNESS MEETS THE TRANSFER PORTAL, THE WORLD’S BIGGEST SCOUTING COMBINE ERUPTS
DENVER (AP) — They are playing for more than trips to the Final Four and a chance to cut down the nets at March Madness. It is also a chance to see and be seen by other teams.
The transfer portal opened Monday, giving basketball players a 30-day window to switch schools. It means some of the 1,000 or so players on the 68 teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament – including some of the 250 who are still alive in the Sweet 16 — are playing to win, but also for more money, more playing time, a chance to be seen and potentially set things up for next year.
In some ways, the NCAA Tournament now doubles as the most important three-week scouting combine on the college hoops calendar.
“Anytime you can show up on a big stage and realize there are certain guys who are wired different, to take a hold of big moments, that’s almost a personality trait,” said Doug Stewart, the chief of staff for coach Kevin Young at BYU. “It’s the data that doesn’t come up in analytics and film.”
By tournament time, teams have done plenty of scouting
That’s not to say there’s not data.
For Stewart and others with jobs like his, scouting and trying to find perfect fits is a year-round project. Marc VandeWettering, the chief of staff for basketball operations at Wisconsin, said “you know who people are before they become available.”
“If you wait to do your research until a name pops up in the portal, you’re going to be behind and not be able to move quickly enough,” VandeWettering said.
Wisconsin’s 91-89 loss to BYU on Saturday also brought more urgency to part of the job VandeWettering and the staff were hoping to put off a few more weeks – roster retention, i.e., trying to keep players on their own team who might be looking elsewhere.
“We’ve been proactive with the guys who are eligible for retention,” he said. “We’ve had some good conversations with those guys, but it takes some time to get things finalized.”
Now, a player itching to move doesn’t have to go pro
In 2021, under legal pressure, the NCAA relaxed (and eventually eliminated) the rule that forced players to sit out a year before transferring. Also that year, name, image and likeness deals were permitted, allowing players to make money playing college sports.
It rewrote the book on program building, while also framing the futures of the players in a much different light. Now, there’s another option besides staying put or going pro — finding another team to play for.
“March Madness is a great opportunity to see great players, and for athletic departments to go back and check their budgets and see if they can afford these players,” said Len Elmore, who played at Maryland in the early ’70s, then the NBA for 10 years, then spent decades calling games on TV. “When you think about institutions that hire general managers for athletic departments, the line of demarcation between pros and colleges has been blurred, if not obliterated.”
Transfer portal, NIL benefit some but leaves others behind
Shortly after the best single moment of the tournament so far — Derik Queen’s buzzer-beating bank shot that sent Maryland to the Sweet 16 — Queen was asked what his coach, Kevin Willard, means to him and his teammates.
“First, he did pay us the money, so we’ve got to listen to him,” Queen said
He drew laughs, but it spoke to the realities of what college sports is today. And yet, underneath the millions being made thanks to NIL are a host of concerns that generate fewer headlines.
Trends since 2021 indicate that around 2,000 men’s players will enter the portal this year, a quarter of whom won’t get signed by anyone.
Then, there’s the problem of timing. The issue first came up last season, when the portal opened on the day after the March Madness brackets came out (it was pushed back a week this year), changing the calculus for some players (and schools) who were playing in the tournament while also looking elsewhere.
That dynamic was most conspicuously illustrated during football season, when players – Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula was the poster child for this – were leaving teams as the transfer portal opened in that sport right in time for the playoffs.
“We’re doing a disservice to the sport when we have the transfer portal, which is de facto free agency, in the middle of a very important playoff,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. “I’m hopeful that kids will focus. But we know there are people around them, in their ears, about what value they have and where they can go. It doesn’t lend itself to a great look for college athletics.”
Programs (and players) realize they have to adapt to rules they don’t like
But the rules are the rules, and programs that aren’t adapting will quickly get left behind.
It could be argued that the same three weeks that lead to a title for one program and lots of memories for others for 2025 are every bit as crucial to those that want to be on the sport’s biggest stage in 2026, ’27 and beyond.
Stewart at BYU is part of an NBA-like coaching and scouting staff installed by Young, a longtime NBA assistant who has brought a lot of his philosophies to the college game.
The Cougars, whose recruiting class for next year is already rock solid thanks to the signing of high school star AJ Dybantsa, look for players who can move up and down the floor quickly, pop out and shoot 3s and don’t get bogged down in the mid-range jumper game.
“The most important thing in all these games is ‘KYP,’ know your personnel,” Stewart said. “Understanding the analytics side, and style of play, those things start to merge and you get great perspective on players who fit certain coaching styles.”
Once that’s all baked in comes the player’s chance to perform when the lights are brightest.
“If people are considering other options for future years, then yeah, absolutely, this is the best time of year for our sport and they’re getting a chance to showcase what they can do,” VandeWettering said.
NIKO MEDVED TO LEAVE COLORADO STATE FOR NATIVE MINNESOTA AFTER TOURNEY RUN WITH RAMS, AP SOURCE SAYS
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota was making plans to hire Colorado State’s Niko Medved as its next head coach on Monday, according a person with knowledge of the decision, after the Twin Cities-area native and former student manager for the Gophers had the Rams within one basket of the Sweet 16.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract was still being finalized. Medved was the front-runner from the start for the job at Minnesota, where athletic director Mark Coyle has been eager to revitalize the struggling program. He will replace Ben Johnson, who was fired on March 13 after going 56-71 overall and 22-57 in the Big Ten Conference over four years on the job.
Colorado State went 26-10 this season after upsetting No. 5 seed Memphis 78-70 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and losing 72-71 in the second round to No. 4 seed Maryland on a buzzer-beating bank shot. This was the third time in seven years under Medved that the Rams hit the 25-win mark and made the NCAA Tournament out of the Mountain West, perennially one of the strongest mid-major conferences in the country. Colorado State beat Boise State in the Mountain West championship game two weeks ago to earn the league’s automatic bid.
The 51-year-old Medved has been a head coach for 12 seasons, including four years at Furman and a one-year stop at Drake. He’s from Roseville, a suburb just a few miles from the university where he earned degrees in kinesiology and sport management. Medved was a team manager for the Gophers under coach Clem Haskins, who led them to their only Final Four appearance in 1997. He started his coaching career as an assistant at the Division III level at Macalester before assistant positions at Furman, Minnesota and Colorado State.
Medved received a contract extension last year with a significant raise that paid him a $1.7 million salary this season and option years that carried the deal through the 2030-31 season. He went 143-85 with the Rams, the second-best winning percentage in Colorado State program history. He is 222-173 in his 12-year career.
Minnesota bottomed out at 9-22 overall and 2-17 in the Big Ten in 2022-23, before making strides in 2023-24 with a spot in the NIT and a 19-15 finish. This season, the Gophers were tied for the third-worst record in the conference and went 15-17 overall.
In 28 years since that lone trip to the Final Four, which was later vacated by the NCAA as part of the punishment for a pattern of academic fraud revealed in a Pulitzer Prize-winning series of articles in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota has made the NCAA Tournament just seven times with only two wins. In the last 20 seasons, the Gophers have had a winning record in Big Ten play just once: 11-7 in 2016-17 under coach Richard Pitino.
Medved’s buyout price from Colorado State is 33% of the remaining value on his deal, about $3.7 million. Johnson, whose annual salary was $1.95 million, the lowest in the 18-team league, had a buyout of about $2.9 million. This is an expensive transition for Coyle, the AD, whose desire to return the program to relevancy on the local sports scene and in the rugged, expanded Big Ten will require a deeper financial commitment by the university with revenue-sharing coming to college sports.
Johnson had to repeatedly rebuild rosters at his alma mater in the dawn of the transfer portal era, with some of his best players lured elsewhere by more NIL money. He was a Minneapolis native with strong ties to the state, but whether he was given a fair chance or not, he wasn’t able to effectively tap into local talent as a foundation for program growth.
One of Johnson’s assistants, Dave Thorson, was previously an assistant at Colorado State under Medved and would be a natural fit on a staff that ought to be well-positioned to productively recruit a Minnesota base that consistently produces power conference-caliber players. Medved coached Minneapolis native David Roddy at Colorado State. Roddy was a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA draft who currently is on Houston’s roster.
“There’s no doubt we need somebody who embraces Minnesota,” Coyle said after Johnson’s firing. “We need somebody who’s going to generate excitement. At the end of the day, I’m a firm believer: When you’re winning games, people want to be a part of that.”
IOWA HIRES MCCOLLUM, WHO SWEPT MISSOURI VALLEY TITLES AND WON NCAA GAME IN HIS ONE SEASON AT DRAKE
Ben McCollum, who led Drake’s dominating run through the Missouri Valley Conference and a win in the NCAA Tournament in his only season with the Bulldogs, was named head coach at Iowa on Monday.
Athletic director Beth Goetz announced McCollum’s hiring 10 days after she fired Fran McCaffery and two days after McCollum wrapped up a 31-4 season with a loss to Texas Tech in the second round of the West Regional. Terms of his contract weren’t announced.
McCollum takes over a program that had its worst season in seven years. The Hawkeyes were 17-16 overall and, at 7-13, tied for 12th in the Big Ten Conference. Iowa also has seen a steep decline in attendance the last two years.
The 43-year-old McCollum’s ties to the Hawkeye State run deep. He was born in Iowa City, raised in Storm Lake and played junior college basketball in Mason City. His mother earned her undergraduate, master’s and law degrees from Iowa.
“Returning to Iowa City as the head coach of the Hawkeyes is a dream come true for me and my family,” McCollum said. “The passion of Hawkeye fans is unmatched, and I am incredibly excited to get started on this new journey together.”
McCollum’s coaching profile has been on the rise since he landed his first head coaching job at Northwest Missouri State and won four Division II national championships in 15 seasons.
Four of his Northwest Missouri players joined him at Drake, and the Bulldogs became one of the top stories in college basketball this season. They were dubbed “Division II Drake” by some, a moniker that only served to motivate the team.
All four of the Northwest Missouri transfers were starters and one of them, Bennett Stirtz, led the Missouri Valley in scoring and was named conference player of the year and most outstanding player of the MVC Tournament.
The Bulldogs were picked fifth in the 12-team Valley and received no first-place votes. They ended up winning the regular-season championship by two games with 17 conference wins, their most ever. Then they won the MVC Tournament to run their overall win total to a school-record 30 in 33 games.
Next was a 67-57 win over Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but the Bulldogs had difficulty matching up with Texas Tech and lost 77-64.
Now McCollum moves a little more than 100 miles east, from Des Moines to Iowa City.
“We are excited to welcome Coach McCollum and his family back to Iowa City,” Goetz said. “Ben has a track record of success both on and off the court. His talent for developing student-athletes and fostering a strong team culture has been evident throughout his career. I am confident that Hawkeye fans will enthusiastically support the McCollum family as we embark on the next chapter of Iowa men’s basketball.”
McCollum coaches a grinding style. The Bulldogs’ tempo was slowest in the nation. Offensive rebounding is emphasized. The defense allows 58.4 points per game, fewest in the nation. Just over 1 in 5 opponent possessions ends with a turnover.
“Death by a thousand paper cuts,” McCollum called his system.
The Bulldogs knocked off Miami, Vanderbilt and Kansas State on their way to a 12-0 start. They dropped back-to-back games before reeling off 11 straight MVC wins.
McCaffery was Iowa’s all-time wins leader and, at 15 years, the longest-tenured coach in program history. The Hawkeyes dropped seven of nine games in February and didn’t qualify for the Big Ten Tournament until the last day of the regular season.
The program has struggled to attract elite talent because of its shallow pool of funds for name, image and likeness compensation.
Since McCaffery’s firing, seven players have announced they would enter the transfer portal.
Iowa’s men were 10th in the Big Ten in average paid attendance this season, at 9,161 per game, though actual crowds appeared significantly less. That’s an 8% drop from last season and 26% drop from 2022-23.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S NCAA SPOKANE ROUNDUP: NO. 3 LSU DOMINATES NO. 6 FLORIDA ST.
Mikaylah Williams shot 10-of-12 from the floor and scored 12 of her game-high 28 points in the pivotal third quarter of third-seeded LSU’s 101-71 romp over sixth-seeded Florida State in the second round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament on Monday in Baton Rouge, La.
Three LSU scorers went for at least 20 points, with Aneesah Morrow and Sa’Myah Smith both registering double-doubles. Morrow posted 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Smith finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds while also doling out six assists.
The Tigers (30-5) unleashed a 31-6 onslaught on Florida State in the third quarter, combining an aggressive attacking of the rim on offense with tenacious defense. LSU forced the Seminoles into six third-quarter turnovers, which the Tigers converted into 11 points. LSU shot 10-of-17 in the deciding 10-minute frame, while holding Florida State to 3-of-17 shooting from the field.
The Seminoles (24-9) managed just 27-of-76 shooting for the game, while the Tigers went 41-of-73. Ta’Niya Latson put up 30 points and seven rebounds for Florida State.
Monday’s win sends LSU to its third consecutive Sweet 16. It will face No. 2 seed North Carolina State in the Spokane 1 Region.
No. 2 North Carolina State 83, No. 7 Michigan State 49
Aziaha James pumped in six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 26 points as the Wolfpack stomped the Spartans in Raleigh, N.C.
The Wolfpack (28-6) made 15 3-pointers, setting an NCAA Tournament program record. Saniya Rivers just missed a triple-double with 17 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, while Madison Hayes added 17 points and nine rebounds. Zamareya Jones came off the bench to net 12 points in just 12 minutes.
Grace VanSlooten scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Spartans (22-10), who made just 19 of 58 shots from the floor and only 4 of 15 3-point attempts.
No. 3 Oklahoma 96, No. 6 Iowa 62
The Sooners overwhelmed the Hawkeyes in all phases in the second half of their victory in Norman, Okla., advancing to the Sweet 16 in Spokane Region 4.
The Sooners (27-7) led by 11 points at halftime but used a 30-16 third quarter to truly take over. All eight of the team’s made field goals in the period were assisted, with Skylar Vann on the scoring end of four. She went 4-for-4 in the period for 12 points, part of her team-high 17.
Raegan Beers also scored 11 points to join Vann, Payton Verhulst (16), Sahara Williams (13), Liz Scott (11) and Zya Vann (10) in double-figures. Beers’ 13 rebounds led six Sooners with at least five.
Lucy Olsen scored a game-high 20 points for the Hawkeyes (23-11).
WOMEN’S NCAA BIRMINGHAM 3 ROUNDUP: NO.1 TEXAS CRUISES PAST NO. 8 ILLINOIS
Madison Booker scored a game-high 20 points and reserve Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda added 19 Monday as top-seeded Texas cruised past eighth-seeded Illinois 65-48 in a second-round matchup of the NCAA Women’s Tournament in Austin, Texas.
Taylor Jones chipped in 12 points for the Longhorns (33-3), which advance to the Sweet 16 on Saturday for a matchup with fifth-seeded Tennessee. Texas hit 46.7 percent of its shots from the field and enjoyed a 36-18 advantage in points in the paint.
Adalia McKenzie scored 13 points for the Fighting Illini (22-10) and Berry Wallace added 12 but they couldn’t do much with the Longhorns’ tough defense. Illinois made only 16 of 42 shots from the field and coughed up 20 turnovers that were turned into 23 points.
The Illini led 12-10 late in the first quarter but managed only six points for the half’s remainder and trailed 34-18 at the break. Texas led by as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter.
USC’S JUJU WATKINS LEAVES TOURNEY GAME WITH KNEE INJURY
Southern California standout forward JuJu Watkins left the No. 1-seeded Trojans’ second-round matchup with Mississippi State in Los Angeles on Monday midway through the first quarter after falling to the floor on a breakaway.
Watkins, the nation’s second-leading scorer at 24.6 points per game, grabbed her right knee and writhed in pain before trainers tended to her. She was helped off the court, avoiding putting weight on the injured leg. She had three points, two assists and one rebound before exiting.
“JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight’s NCAA Second Round game,” the university said in a statement released at halftime.
Watkins’ Trojans teammate, Malia Samuels, also left Monday’s game to be checked for a concussion after being hit in the head. She returned to the sidelines shortly thereafter.
NBA NEWS
NBA ROUNDUP: SUNS PREVAIL ON DEVIN BOOKER’S LATE JUMPER
Devin Booker knocked down a 20-foot jumper with 1.7 seconds remaining to give the Phoenix Suns a 108-106 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
Kevin Durant recorded 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Suns (35-37) won their fourth consecutive game. Booker added 19 points and 12 assists, Ryan Dunn had 12 points and nine rebounds and Nick Richards contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix.
The contest marked the first time Phoenix’s Mike Budenholzer coached against Milwaukee since the Bucks fired him after the 2022-23 season. Budenholzer guided the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2020-21 NBA title.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Bucks (40-31), who dropped to 2-2 on a five-game road trip. Brook Lopez added 23 points and 10 rebounds but his 18-foot baseline jumper bounced off the rim as time retired.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 19 points off the bench and Kyle Kuzma scored 15 points for Milwaukee, which was without Damian Lillard (right calf strain) for the third straight game.
Bulls 129, Nuggets 119
Coby White scored 37 points, Josh Giddey had 26 points and nine assists, and visiting Chicago beat short-handed Denver.
Dalen Terry and Jalen Smith scored 14 points each, Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and Matas Buzelis contributed 10 for the Bulls, who finished 4-2 on their longest road trip of the season.
Jamal Murray scored 28 points and Peyton Watson added a career-high 24 for the Nuggets, who were without Nikola Jokic (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (calf).
Mavericks 120, Nets 101
Anthony Davis finished with 12 points in a 27-minute stint during his return from a left adductor strain as Dallas never trailed and took control early in a victory over Brooklyn.
In his first action since getting hurt against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8, Davis played in short bursts, shot 6-of-9 and helped the Mavericks (35-37) win consecutive games for the first time in over a month. Naji Marshall led the way with 22 points off the bench as Dallas saw its reserves finish with 55.
Nic Claxton scored 19 points to lead the Nets (23-49), who lost their fourth straight and for the 15th time in 18 games. Cameron Johnson added 17 while Trendon Watford contributed 12 as the Nets shot 51.3 percent.
Magic 118, Lakers 106
Powered by 32 points from Franz Wagner and 30 from Paolo Banchero, Orlando blew past visiting Los Angeles.
The victory snapped a six-game home losing streak for the Magic.
Luka Doncic matched Wagner with 32 points for the Lakers, while LeBron James added 24 but the Lakers faltered on defense in the second half, allowing the Magic to take over. Orlando outscored the Lakers 34-18 in the third quarter.
Raptors 112, Wizards 104
Jakob Poeltl scored an efficient 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Toronto to a win over host Washington.
Poeltl made nine of his first 10 attempts on the way to a 10-of-13 performance from the field, helping Toronto end its four-game losing streak. Immanuel Quickley added a less efficient 21 points, making five of his 16 attempts from the floor.
Jordan Poole finished with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the Wizards, who took their fifth loss in a row. Alex Sarr added 16 points on 6-of-19 shooting, while fellow rookie AJ Johnson scored a career-high 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting off the bench.
Pelicans 112, 76ers 99
Rookie Karlo Matkovic matched his career-high 19 points to lead a balanced scoring effort as host New Orleans pulled away from Philadelphia.
Kelly Olynyk finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Antonio Reeves scored 17, and Yves Missi added 16 for the Pelicans, who won for just the third time in 12 games.
Justin Edwards and Jared Butler scored 19 points each, and Jeff Dowtin Jr., Guerschon Yabusele, and Chuma Okeke added 12 each to lead the Sixers, who lost their fifth straight game and 20th in the past 23.
Pacers 119, Timberwolves 103
Tyrese Haliburton recorded a 24-point, 11-assist double-double, and Indiana scored its fifth consecutive win with a defeat of Minnesota in Indianapolis.
Haliburton’s 11th consecutive double-double dating back to Feb. 23 paced Indiana offensively. Obi Toppin came off the bench to score 20 points, shooting 6-of-9 from outside. Aaron Nesmith shot 3-of-3 from 3-point range en route to 17 points. Bennedict Mathurin’s 11 points extended his run of double-digit scoring performances to five games.
Anthony Edwards went 1-of-11 from deep, the same rate at which he shot in Indiana’s 132-130 win at Minnesota on March 17. Edwards finished with 17 points. Julius Randle finished with nine points, less than half of his season average. Naz Reid’s 20 points off the bench led the Timberwolves. Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.
Celtics 113, Kings 95
Jayson Tatum poured in a game-high 25 points before spraining his left ankle, Payton Pritchard came off the bench to contribute 22 points and Boston ran away from host Sacramento for its sixth straight win.
Tatum also had seven rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes before he came down on Domantas Sabonis’ foot after a 3-point attempt with 3:35 left in the third period. Tatum shot 8-for-15 overall and Pritchard 8-for-18 as Boston avenged a 114-97 shellacking at home by the Kings in January.
DeMar DeRozan and Sabonis put up double-doubles for the Kings, DeRozan with a team-high 20 points and game-high 10 assists, Sabonis with 16 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
CELTICS STAR JAYSON TATUM EXITS WITH SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
Celtics six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum sustained a left ankle sprain in the third quarter and did not return to Boston’s 113-95 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Tatum, who scored a game-high 25 points and added seven rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes, came down on the foot of the Kings’ Domantas Sabonis after a 3-point attempt with 3:35 left in the third quarter.
After several minutes on the floor, Tatum was able to take the two free throws — making one — before being replaced. The Celtics (53-19) led 79-68 at the time. Sabonis was assessed a flagrant foul for having run under a 3-point shooter.
“He seems to be doing OK, he’s just icing it right now,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame. “I didn’t see the play. They made the right call, it was a flagrant foul. Fortunate he was able to shoot the free throw and (he’s) just taking care of it right now.
“I know he’ll do anything and everything to make sure he gets better.”
Through 66 games this season, Tatum leads the Celtics in scoring (27.1 points per game), rebounding (8.7) and assists (6.0).
NHL NEWS
NHL ROUNDUP: JACKETS END SKID WITH SO WIN OVER ISLES
Adam Fantilli scored the only goal in the shootout Monday night for the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, who overcame a two-goal deficit and snapped a six-game losing streak with a pivotal 4-3 win over the New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y.
Fantilli also scored to begin the comeback in the second period for the Blue Jackets, who inched within two points of the idle Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Columbus’ Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko added goals and Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves in regulation and overtime before stopping all three Islanders shots in the shootout.
Pierre Engvall, Kyle Palmieri and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders, who lost after regulation for the second straight game but moved within a point of the Canadiens. Palmieri had the potential game-winning goal overturned due to interference with Merzlikins with 9.6 seconds left in regulation. Ilya Sorokin recorded 27 saves.
Canucks 4, Devils 3 (SO)
Rookie Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored a goal in regulation, then notched the deciding tally of a shootout to give Vancouver a dramatic win in Newark, N.J.
The Canucks trailed 3-2 with 36 seconds left in regulation before Conor Garland deposited the equalizer after a scramble in front of New Jersey’s net. Pius Suter also tallied for the Canucks, and Thatcher Demko had 22 saves.
Timo Meier scored two goals for New Jersey and Erik Haula produced the Devils’ other tally. Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves. The Devils are 1-3-1 in their past five games overall and 2-5-1 in their past eight home games.
Stars 3, Wild 0
Jake Oettinger made 32 saves as Dallas blanked visiting Minnesota.
Wyatt Johnston, Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment provided the offense for the Stars, who have won back-to-back games and have logged points in five straight contests (3-0-2). Roope Hintz added a pair of assists.
Filip Gustavsson stopped 26 shots for the Wild, who saw their three-game winning streak end.
Red Wings 5, Utah Hockey Club 1
Despite losing starting goaltender Petr Mrazek to an injury less than two minutes into the game, Detroit defeated Utah in Salt Lake City. Alex Lyon took over and stopped 16 shots.
Alex DeBrincat had a goal and an assist and Elmer Soderblom, Marco Kasper, Austin Watson and Tyler Motte also scored for the Red Wings, who won for just the third time in 12 games.
Dylan Guenther got the goal for the Utah Hockey Club, who had won three of their previous four games. Karel Vejmelka made nine saves.
BASEBALL NEWS
SASAKI, CREWS AND DOMÍNGUEZ ARE AMONG BASEBALL’S MOST INTRIGUING ROOKIES FOR THE 2025 SEASON
CHICAGO (AP) — It sure looks as if another impressive group of prospects could have a major impact on the majors this year. Baseball’s next big star could be part of this year’s rookie class.
Here is a closer look at some of the majors’ most intriguing rookies this year:
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki
The rich got a little richer when the World Series champions signed Sasaki to a minor league contract in January that included a $6.5 million signing bonus. The 23-year-old right-hander with a fastball that tops 100 mph had a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA over four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League. The star-studded Dodgers could employ a six-man rotation during parts of the season to help with Sasaki’s transition to the majors.
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez
Juan Soto’s departure in free agency should clear the way for regular playing time for Domínguez with New York. Nicknamed “The Martian,” Domínguez was signed for a $5.1 million bonus as a 16-year-old in 2019. He made his major league debut in 2023, but his development has been hampered by elbow and oblique injuries. He hit .314 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs in 58 games over three minor league stops last year.
Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews
The sweet-swinging Crews was taken by Washington with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 amateur draft, right after his LSU teammate Paul Skenes went No. 1 overall to Pittsburgh. Crews can do it all, batting .270 with 13 homers, 68 RBIs and 25 steals in 100 games in the minors last year. He was brought up by Washington in August and swiped 12 more bags while hitting .218 with three homers in 31 games in his first stint in the majors.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe
The 22-year-old Jobe steps into Detroit’s rotation after tossing four scoreless innings over two relief appearances in his first big league stint in September. He also worked 1 2/3 innings of three-run ball in the playoffs. The right-hander was selected by the Tigers with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw
Shaw takes over at third base for a Cubs team hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The 23-year-old Shaw was selected by the Cubs with the No. 13 pick in the 2023 draft. He hit .284 with 21 homers, 71 RBIs and 31 steals over two minor league stops last year.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony
The Red Sox have a solid outfield with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, but the 20-year-old Anthony — one of baseball’s top prospects — is pushing for a spot. He finished last season with Triple-A Worcester, batting .344 with three homers and 20 RBIs in 35 games, to go along with a .982 OPS. He could make his big league debut this summer.
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Jordan Lawlar
Lawlar, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 draft, was hampered by thumb and hamstring injuries last season. But there is still a lot to like about the 22-year-old shortstop. He played in just 23 minor league games last year, but he hit .318 with two homers and 20 RBIs. He is going to begin the season with Triple-A Reno so he can receive regular playing time.
Athletics infielder Jacob Wilson
The son of former big league infielder Jack Wilson is a key building block for the A’s in the runup to their planned move to Las Vegas. Jacob Wilson made his major league debut in July, and the 22-year-old shortstop hit .250 with three RBIs in 28 games. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 draft also batted .433 (90 for 208) with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 53 games in the minors last year.
San Diego Padres outfielder Tirso Ornelas
Ornelas is coming off an impressive season with Triple-A El Paso, hitting .297 with 23 homers and 89 RBIs in 128 games. The Mexico native was signed by San Diego as part of its 2016 international signing class. He was sent down to minor league camp late in spring training, but he could make his big league debut this summer.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano
The 35-year-old Sugano agreed to a $13 million, one-year contract with Baltimore in December. He is coming off his third MVP season in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League, going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants. With Corbin Burnes’ departure in free agency, the Orioles are hoping Sugano can provide a lift for their rotation.
BOLD NEW RULES HAVE RESHAPED BASEBALL. COULD MORE CHANGES SAVE STARTING PITCHING?
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Bold decisions to change Major League Baseball’s longstanding rules quickened the pace of games and revived the popularity of stealing bases over the last few years.
A similarly creative move may be needed to help starting pitching regain the relevance it enjoyed as recently as a decade ago.
Only four pitchers (Seattle’s Logan Gilbert, Kansas City’s Seth Lugo, San Francisco’s Logan Webb and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler) threw as many as 200 innings last season, down from 34 in 2014.
During that same 2014 season, all 30 major league teams got over 900 innings from their starting pitchers and five had over 1,000. Last year, only four teams had their starters pitch at least 900 innings, led by Seattle with 942 2/3.
While this shift has been years in the making, the numbers themselves provide a cold slap of reality to longtime fans who remember seeing Bob Gibson throw three complete games in the 1967 World Series or Jack Morris pitching 10 shutout innings in Game 7 of the 1991 Fall Classic.
Going back to the days of Cy Young and Walter Johnson, part of the game’s beauty was watching a pitcher work his way through a lineup three or four times.
With every team having multiple relievers who can come out of the bullpen and throw in the high 90s, what could prompt teams to let their starters work deeper into games?
Managers and players struggle to come up with a solution.
“Outside of just changing rules to incentivize managers to keep guys in games longer,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts’ Dodgers exemplified the bullpen emphasis during their run to the 2024 World Series title. Their starting pitchers worked as many as six innings in just two of their 16 postseason games.
Texas’ Nathan Eovaldi went 5-0 with five postseason quality starts (defined as going at least six innings while allowing no more than three earned runs) a year earlier while helping the Rangers win their first World Series championship. Yet even he understands how much things have changed for starting pitchers since he made his big-league debut in 2011.
“Bullpens are a lot different now than they were back then,” Eovaldi said. “You’ve got a lot more guys who aren’t just eight- and ninth-inning guys. They can come in, in the sixth or seventh, go multiple innings. They all have multiple pitches now as well. I think that’s one of the fascinating things about the bullpen. You don’t have guys who are just a two-pitch mix anymore. They’ve got three or four pitches coming out, and two of them are really, really elite.”
And that’s why there seems only one way to get starters working more innings.
“Putting in rules that you have to,” San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ve created our own monster. It is what it is.”
What rules could MLB create to promote starting pitching?
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says it’s too early to explore rules changes.
“Our focus right now is training methods, particularly offseason training methods,” Manfred said. “It’s going to be somewhere between education and recommendations. It’s very hard to tell people you can’t do X, Y and Z, right? They’re grown men and there’s no way to monitor it during the offseason.”
One problem is the lack of a clear consensus on what rule changes could work best.
For instance, MLB had the Atlantic League experiment in 2021 and 2023 with a rule change that would force a team to lose its designated hitter if its starting pitcher didn’t finish at least five innings.
Instituting that kind of rule could be a tough sell in the majors, where some of the league’s most bankable stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper have received ample playing time at DH the last few years. Fans paying to see those stars likely wouldn’t be happy to see them get removed as collateral damage from an early pitching change.
MLB hasn’t announced any similar types of rules experimentations in the minors this season.
The maximum number of pitchers allowed on MLB rosters was lowered from 14 to 13 in 2022, though that limit rises to 14 when rosters expand from 26 to 28 on Sept. 1. A more extreme rule change would be to require starters to work at least five or six innings unless they get injured, throw a certain number of pitches or allow a particular number of runs.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he wouldn’t mind seeing the minor leagues try out more rule changes designed at lengthening starting pitchers. He wants those pitching prospects to get accustomed to working deeper into games.
“That’s the way it used to be with starters,” Bochy said. “Now I think the mentality can be, ‘Hey, I’ve done my job. I’ve thrown four or five innings.’ “
Giants pitcher Robbie Ray says the history of the game shows that starters can adapt to longer outings.
“I think starting pitchers are capable of doing it,” said Ray, who won the 2021 AL Cy Young Award with Toronto. “It’s just a matter of kind of training our bodies to do that again because what’s been expected of us has changed over the years.”
Restoring endurance as a valued skill
A 62-page MLB study released in December showed how the focus on rising velocities and maximum effort on each pitch had resulted in more injuries among pitchers. That study also revealed that starts of five or more innings dropped from 84% to 70% in the majors from 2005-24 and from 68.9% to 36.8% in the minors.
“Because we’re trying to create this engine and this repetitive thought of just pure stuff each and every pitch, yeah, starters are going to fatigue sooner,” Cleveland Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis said. “And at the same time, we’re training them that way. We’re training them to do so.
“Everybody still talks about wanting to go out for the sixth, wanting to go out for the seventh and getting deep into games. I don’t know that we’re training them to do that, and I don’t know how we are kind of teaching nowadays can allow that to happen.”
A change in approach could allow those starters to get that endurance. Right now, it’s the older guys who seem more used to that workload.
The MLB leader in quality starts last season was the 34-year-old Wheeler, who had 26. Lugo, 35, had 22 quality starts to tie for second place.
Even so, the 2024 season did offer some encouraging signs for the future of starting pitching.
MLB pitchers threw 5.22 innings per start last season. That represented the most since 2018, though it was still far off the 2014 average of 5.97.
The 2024 season also featured an MLB average of 85.5 pitches per start, the highest since 2019. Starters haven’t thrown as many as 90 pitches per appearance since 2017.
Perhaps it’s inevitable that the pendulum swing at least a little more toward getting starters to work longer. The recent focus on relievers puts more pressure on them, causing bullpens to break down.
There’s one obvious method to change that.
“I don’t think necessarily the game is going to all of a sudden turn back the other way, but there’s a huge push to understand how you can keep a bullpen healthy,” Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “And one of the biggest ways is those starters getting through that first bulk and getting you into the sixth or seventh.”
Now it’s just a matter of figuring out how those starters can pitch deeper into games more often.
TOP INDIANA HEADLINES
INDIANA PACERS
GAME REWIND: PACERS 119, TIMBERWOLVES 103
The Pacers are officially on a roll and maybe no longer living on the edge. After going 4-0 last week with a string of dramatic victories, Indiana (42-29) picked up its fifth straight win on Monday night, a more stress-free 119-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves (41-32) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The win officially secured a winning season for the Pacers, was their second victory in eight days over the Timberwolves, and their eighth straight win at home. Indiana’s magic number to clinch a top-six seed and a playoff berth is down to five. They could clinch a postseason spot as early as Saturday.
Tyrese Haliburton recorded his 11th straight double-double to lead Indiana to its latest victory, tallying 24 points and 11 assists and just one turnover.
“Special players do special things,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Tonight he was special in other areas, too. He got on one of those shotmaking rolls in the third quarter, which is huge. He’s kind of one of one with this low turnover thing. We haven’t seen a guy since Chris Paul who’s doing this at this stage of his career.”
Obi Toppin continued his hot shooting against the Timberwolves, scoring 20 points on 6-of-9 3-point shooting one week to the day after he went 7-for-10 from beyond the arc in an overtime victory against Minnesota.
“My shot just felt good,” Toppin said. “Like I always say, we have great guards who draw so much attention I just end up open and they find me. Just got to make their job easy and make the shot.”
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Track the Latest Standings, Potential Matchups, and More >>
The Pacers surged ahead quickly on Monday with an early 13-5 run and led for much of the first quarter, but Minnesota had whittled their lead down to 25-23 by the end of the opening frame.
The visitors briefly tied the game at 27 early in the second quarter but never took the lead before halftime. Indiana reasserted control quickly and used a 15-6 run to stretch its lead to as high as 13 points. But Minnesota outscored the hosts 9-2 over the final two minutes of the half to make it a 64-58 at the intermission.
Haliburton helped build the lead back shortly after the break, scoring the first eight points of the half on a mid-range jumper and a pair of threes.
After a 7-0 run pulled the Timberwolves back within eight, the Pacers reeled off 12 unanswered points — capped by a deep three from Haliburton — to stretch their lead to 77-57 midway through the third quarter.
Haliburton had 13 points and three assists in the third quarter and when he checked out with 2:57 remaining in the frame, Toppin checked in and picked up where he left off. Toppin made two threes in his first 42 seconds of the court. Toppin then added another trey — his sixth of the night — in the closing seconds of the quarter to give the Pacers a commanding 95-73 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Timberwolves opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run, but back-to-back buckets from T.J. McConnell allowed Indiana to right the ship and avoid a repeat of Saturday’s game, when they saw a 20-point lead entering the fourth quarter cut down to one by a 21-2 Brooklyn run.
Minnesota never got back within single digits as the Pacers picked up a long-awaited comfortable victory.
TRANSFER PORTAL REPORT-INDIANA CONNECTIONS
The following players from Indiana have entered the transfer portal:
Luke Almodovar, So., St. Francis, Ind./NAIA (Noblesville): 20.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.0 apg
Landen Babusiak, R-Fr., Stetson (Hanover Central/Bosco Institute): 1.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.5 apg
Reggie Bass, Jr., Lindenwood (Tech): 12.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.7 apg
Jalen Blackmon, Sr., Miami, Fla. (Marion): 6.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.4 apg
Jayden Brewer, Jr., FIU (Ben Davis): 14.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.7 apg
Tayshawn Comer, Jr., Evansville (Cathedral): 16.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.1 apg
AJ Dancler, So., Le Moyne (Southport): 15.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.4 apg
Micah Davis, Fr., Eastern Kentucky (Franklin): 0.8 ppg, 0.3 rpg, 0.3 apg — COMMITTED TO IU INDY
Koron Davis, Jr., Lafayette (Gary Bowman): 8.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.4 apg
Tae Davis, Jr., Notre Dame (Warren Central): 15.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.8 apg
Gus Etchison, Sr., Marian/NAIA (Hamilton Heights): 19.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Landin Hacker, Jr., Bellarmine (Center Grove): 5.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.9 apg
Cameron Haffner, Jr., Evansville (Westfield): 12.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg
Brit Harris, Jr., SC Upstate (Michigan City Marquette/Bosco Institute): 11.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg
Nick Hittle, Sr., Southern Indiana (Culver Academy): 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.5 apg
Curt Hopf, Jr., Bellarmine (Barr-Reeve): 4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.8 apg
J.R. Konieczny, Jr., Notre Dame (South Bend St. Joseph): 4.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.8 apg
Jalen Jackson, Jr., Purdue Fort Wayne (FW Northrop): 19.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.1 apg
Kamari Jones, Fr., Western Carolina (Lawrence Central): 3.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.3 apg
RaSheed Jones, So., Coastal Carolina (Marion): 11.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg
AJ Lux, Fr., Bellarmine (Crown Point): 3.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.5 apg
Okechukwu Okeke, Sr., FIU (East Chicago Central): 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.1 apg
Quimari Peterson, Sr., East Tennessee State (Gary West Side): 19.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.7 apg
Zach Reed, r-So., Bellarmine (Brebeuf): 3.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.3 apg
JaQualon ‘JQ’ Roberts, So., Vanderbilt (Bloomington North): 1.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Ron Rutland III, Fr., IU Indy (Crispus Attucks): 2.2 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.6 apg
Tyler Schmidt, Sr., Valparaiso (Victory Christian): 10.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.6 apg
Sheridan Sharp, So., Southern Illinois (Ben Davis): 4.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.3 apg
Billy Smith, Jr., Bellarmine (Brebeuf Jesuit): 14.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg
Isaiah Stafford, Sr., Valparaiso (Crispus Attucks): 16.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
Jahni Summers, So., Indiana State (Evansville Harrison): 5.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.6 apg
Cayden Vasko, So., Central Michigan (Lowell/Bosco Institute): 7.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.6 apg
Ashton Williamson, Fr., FIU (Gary 21st Century): 7.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.7 apg
Harold Woods, Jr., Northeastern (Hammond): 11.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.4 apg
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
INDIANA PREP BASEBALL PRE-SEASON ALL-STATE TEAMS
https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/indiana
4A
POS NAME SCHOOL CLASS
P Troy Barrett Chesterton 2026
P Will Coleman* Castle 2025 (KENTUCKY)
P Caden Crowell Valparaiso 2025 (NOTRE DAME)
P Hudson Devaughan Mooresville 2026
P Austin McNabb* Perry Meridian 2025 (DAYTON)
P Parker Rhodes Greenfield-Central 2025 (MISSISSIPPI STATE)
C Sean Dunlap Crown Point 2026 (TENNESSEE)
INF Wyatt Pennington Avon 2025 (EVANSVILLE)
INF Aiden Reynolds Noblesville 2026 (INDIANA)
INF JD Stein Carmel 2025 (WAKE FOREST)
1B Jake Winger* McCutcheon 2026 (INDIANA)
OF Peyton Dickens Whiteland 2025 (PARKLAND)
OF Noah Drake Castle 2025 (INDIANA)
OF Brandon Logan* FW Snider 2025 (NOTRE DAME)
2-way Rob Czarniecki* Chesterton 2026 (KENTUCKY)
3A
POS NAME SCHOOL CLASS
P Alex Barr Kankakee Valley 2025
P Zane Cline* Delta 2025
P Matthew Fisher Evansville Memorial 2025 (INDIANA)
P Will Jaisle Batesville 2025
P Jacob Morris New Palestine 2026
P Aiden Smith Shelbyville 2026 (KENTUCKY)
C Reed Robinson* New Prairie 2026
INF Dylan Bowen Hanover Central 2026
INF Luke MacDonald* Leo 2025
INF Joe Washburn SB Saint Joseph 2025
1B Landon Ruoff* Leo 2025
OF Reis Bellar Peru 2026
OF Drew Graft* Norwell 2025
OF Brandt Kendall* Scottsburg 2025 (BALL STATE)
2-way Mason Barth** Andrean 2025
2A
POS NAME SCHOOL CLASS
P Max Engle** Westview 2025
P Lucas Gerkey* Lafayette Central Catholic 2025
P Jaxon Lueken Forest Park 2026 (INDIANA)
P Hayden May* Triton Central 2025
P Kai Newman Lapel 2025
P Seth Wagler** Barr-Reeve 2025
C Colby Angel North Posey 2025
INF Desmond Francis Park Tudor 2026 (NOTRE DAME)
INF Gavin Jackson* Providence 2026
INF Collin Osenbaugh Shenandoah 2025
1B Davian Carrera* Boone Grove 2025
OF Kade Buecher* North Posey 2025
OF Cole Huett* Providence 2025
OF Silas Laidig* Bremen 2025
2-way Xavier Carrera Boone Grove 2025
1A
POS NAME SCHOOL CLASS
P Drew Bingamon* Triton 2026
P Landon Garrett Kouts 2026
P Chantz McCutcheon North White 2025
P Grayson Schneider* Tri-County 2025
P JP Scudder South Decatur 2026
P Simeon Wasil Hauser 2025
C Bradley Farris Morgan Township 2025
INF Kye Jacobs Clinton Prairie 2026
INF Garrett Schmidt* Borden 2025
INF Dillon Warnick Bloomfield 2025
1B AJ Goff Riverton Parke 2025
OF Reed Hayes* FW Canterbury 2025
OF Hudson Mills Indianapolis Lutheran 2026 (U OF INDIANAPOLIS)
OF Cian Moore Covington 2025
2-way Dillon Stewart* Tri-Township 2025
*PREVIOUS 1ST TEAM ALL-STATE SELECTIONS
**TWO TIME ALL-STATE SELECTIONS
INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
IU AIMS TO BUILD FROM NCAA TOURNEY DEFEAT
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sometimes you refuse to concede, refuse to buckle against pressure, refuse to give in to a hostile sell-out crowd and to elite opponent athleticism and length.
And yet, for Indiana, sometimes it’s not enough.
In the end Sunday afternoon, ninth-seed IU couldn’t get past top-seed South Carolina with its 18-0 Colonial Life Arena NCAA tourney record and dominant third quarter. The Hoosiers’ season ended 64-53 in NCAA tourney second-round action.
“I’m proud of our group,” coach Teri Moren said, “and disappointed in the outcome.”
Defeat brought resolve. The Hoosiers (20-13), with six straight NCAA tourneys on their resume, including three Sweet Sixteen appearances and an Elite Eight berth, will build for more.
“We want to continue to win at a high level and be part of March Madness,” Moren said. “We have to find the right kids. Recruit the kids who fit us.
“We will always be a team that hangs its hat on defense. That’s the way we built this — we’ve been the gritty, tough, no nonsense team. We will continue to find those kids who want to be part of something that is hard every day. Winning is hard.”
The Gamecocks (32-3), the defending national champions, earned their 11thstraight Sweet Sixteen appearance, but the Hoosiers made them work for it.
“Our players are exhausted,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said, “but it takes that to beat Indiana.”
The loss ended the college careers for guards Chloe Moore-McNeil and Sydney Parrish, along with forward Karoline Striplin. Moore-McNeil finished with 1,153 points, 495 rebounds, 510 assists along with a school record 154 games. Parrish finished with 1,389 points, 645 rebounds, 216 assists and 165 steals at IU and Oregon. Striplin ended with 790 points and 380 rebounds.
“I won’t remember the stats,” an emotional Moore-McNeil said. “I’ll remember the special moments with my team. We take pride in wearing Indiana across our chest.”
Added Moren: “They put us in position to do things that are really special. They left a legacy at Indiana.”
Both players said they hope to play professionally.
“If it doesn’t go the way I want,” Parrish said, “I hope to get a job in sports media field.”
Guards Yarden Garzon and Shay Cieski will return to form a solid foundation for the future. Garzon led IU in scoring (14.6 points) and three-pointers (88). She has a school-record 220 three-pointers for her career. Ciezki averaged 11.8 points with 47 three-pointers.
Moren and her staff will hit the transfer portal hard. The portal opens on Monday.
“We’ll have a lot of holes to fill,” Moren said. “A lot of schools will have holes to fill. We’ve already been in the process of figuring out what those holes will be.
“We’re very careful in the portal. Players have to fit Indiana and the way we do things. We make sure we’re recruiting winners, that they’ve come from places where they’ve won. That they’re competitors and love to work.
“When you come here, it’s about the team. We will help you as a player to develop and thrive. When you leave Indiana, you will be a better player. There is a certain standard we will live up to.”
Parrish vouched for that.
“If you want to play in March Madness, come to Indiana. Coach Moren has made that a huge deal.
“She puts her players first. She’s a players’ coach. She trusts us. I am so grateful. She takes chances on kids in the portal. She makes it special. She believes in you, like when you airball a three and look to the sidelines and she’s clapping her hands even though she is probably not thinking that.”
On Sunday, IU made an early statement by forcing five South Carolina turnovers, holding the Gamecocks scoreless for five straight minutes and using a 10-0 run to build leads as large as eight points. It reached halftime ahead 26-25.
South Carolina’s 26-14 third quarter created 11-point separation the Hoosiers couldn’t close.
“The third quarter did us in,” Moren said. “They had 14 points in the paint. We had five turnovers. That was costly. Other than that, we were right there. If not for that, maybe we could have gotten the outcome we wanted.”
Staley was well aware.
“Teri can really coach,” Staley said. “She gets her players to play to their strengths.
“When it comes to the NCAA Tournament, sometimes it is luck and matchups. She has the talent, the assistant coaches and pool of people in the program.
“And then you have to get lucky.”
Four Hoosiers scored in double figures led by guard Shay Ciezki’s 12 points. Striplin had 11 points. Moore-McNeil and Garzon each had 10. Garzon added eight rebounds and four assists. The Hoosiers had 17 assists.
“I’m proud and grateful of this group,” Moren said. “We had some special moments. It will serve as motivation.”
In the game’s opening six minutes, IU struggled to make shots (2-for-9) and rebound (South Carolina had an 11-3 edge), yet trailed just 7-5 thanks to Moore-McNeil’s three points and a Garzon basket. A Striplin layup and a Moore-McNeil three-pointer pushed Indiana ahead 12-9 to end the first quarter. The Hoosiers held the Gamecocks without a point in the final three minutes for South Carolina’s fewest points in a first quarter since 2019.
Ciezki’s three-pointer capped the 10-0 run for a 15-9 second-quarter lead. Forward Lilly Meister scored to push the Hoosiers ahead 19-11. A Moore-McNeil basket made it a 21-15 score with 4:49 left.
South Carolina surged ahead 23-21 before a Ciezki basket tied it at 23-23. Parrish’s three-pointer helped IU take a 26-25 halftime lead. Moore-McNeil led with 10 points. Ciezki added seven. The Hoosiers held the Gamecocks to 10-for-29 shooting with seven turnovers.
South Carolina opened the third quarter on a 13-4 run. Parrish’s second three-pointer pulled IU within 38-33. The Gamecocks surged ahead 45-33. Garzon hit a three-pointer, but it wasn’t enough. The Hoosiers trailed 50-41 entering the fourth quarter, then went on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to seven, but couldn’t get any closer.
Moren said the addition of UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon to the Big Ten requires the Hoosiers to get bigger and more athletic, but she won’t compromise the intangibles of high character, competitiveness and team-first mentality.
“As the game has grown,” she said, “we have to grow with it.”
Parrish has no doubt the Hoosiers will.
“I have a lot of confidence in the team next year and in the years to come.”
INDIANA BASEBALL
BASEBALL CENTRAL: BELLARMINE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A nine-game homestand begins for the Indiana Baseball team (13-11, 5-4 B1G) on Tuesday (March 25) evening against Bellarmine. This stretch will feature seven games against teams in the top-85 of the latest RPI rankings, giving IU plenty of resume-boosting opportunities on its own home field.
Bellarmine will visit to begin the run of games at Bart Kaufman Field before the other half of the Los Angeles schools, USC, makes its way to town for a three-game set. IU is coming off a closely-contested series loss at UCLA last weekend. The Hoosiers won the opener but suffered a pair of three-run defeats to close the weekend.
IU’s pitching staff was the start of the weekend. The Hoosiers only allowed 14 runs (11 earned) in three games with the Bruins. Graduate student right-handed pitcher Cole Gilley and senior left-hander Ryan Kraft combined to throw all nine innings in Friday’s (March 21) win while giving up just one run. Gilley will get the start against Bellarmine as part of his weekly pitching progression. Expect a handful of arms to throw in the game.
Freshman first baseman Jake Hanley had the best offensive weekend for the Hoosiers. He hit .417 (5-12) and supplied one home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Junior shortstop Tyler Cerny got his bat going with four hits, two home runs and four runs scored.
In midweek games this season, IU’s true freshmen have been outstanding offensively. Hanley and third baseman Cooper Malamazian are each batting .417 (5-12) across four midweek contests. As a team, IU has worked more walks (25) than strikeouts (23) in four midweek affairs.
Tuesday’s game will start at 5:00 p.m. at Bart Kaufman Field and will be streamed on B1G+ (Andrew Hillsman, Cruz Martin and Olivia Pierce). The radio stream will go through whcc105.com/iuhoosiers.com with Austin Render returning to his baseball duties as the Play-by-Play man.
Gameday Info
vs. Bellarmine (Tuesday, March 25th – 5:00 PM ET)
Live Video: t.ly/yTqCd
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: t.ly/EIw-V
Probable Starters
Bellarmine
• Tuesday: RHP Cole Gilley, Gr. (3-1, 2.39 ERA)
Leading Off
HOME SWEET HOME: After the weekend out in California, IU will have an important nine-game homestand begin on Tuesday vs. Bellarmine. That stretch of contests includes two weekend series (USC, Michigan State) and three midweek games.
KEEPS HITTIN’: Freshman first baseman Jake Hanley went hitless in the first two games of last week but broke out of the mini-slump with five hits in the final two games vs. UCLA. He is now tied for the Big Ten lead with 37 hits and is the early favorite for Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
THE RISE OF GILLEY: Graduate student pitcher Cole Gilley has been a revelation for IU’s pitching staff. His most impressive feat is his 33 strikeouts compared to just five walks. He has worked 11-straight innings without allowing a walk. He will open Tuesday’s game with Bellarmine.
KRAFT ON TRACK: Since opening weekend, senior southpaw Ryan Kraft has settled back into an important role in IU’s rotation. He had his best outing at UCLA (4.1 innings with zero earned runs). He’s only allowed seven earned runs in his last 14.1 innings of action. Kraft has a 3.48 ERA in Big Ten play.
CERNY TIME: It was a very slow start for junior shortstop Tyler Cerny but the veteran seems to have figured out his swing in time for the heart of the season. He hit a pair of home runs in the weekend series at UCLA and is hitting .389 with five extra-base hits in the past five games.
RECORD WATCH: Junior outfielder Devin Taylor is closing in on Hoosier history over the next couple of weeks. He needs four home runs to break the program’s all-time home run record. He also needs 15 hits to become the 25th player in IU history to reach 200 base knocks.
Scouting the Opponent
Bellarmine
• It has been a rough go of it this season for first-year head coach Ben Reel. The Knights are just 6-17 and 2-4 in the Atlantic Sun. Pitching has been a struggle for Bellarmine with a 10.65 team earned run average. It will turn to one of its more reliable arms in junior right-hander Oliver Ward (1-0, 2.63 ERA, 5 app.) to begin Tuesday’s game.
• Redshirt junior utilityman Eli Watson has been on a tear at the top of the Bellarmine lineup. He’s hitting .384 with 33 hits and 22 RBIs this season. Redshirt freshman infielder Landon Akers is another potent bat at the top of the lineup with four home runs, 11 RBIs and 36 base hits.
• Former IU reliever Cooper Hellman has made a team high 10 appearances on the mound for the Knights this season. He pitched for the Hoosiers in 2023 and appeared in the NCAA Regional against Kentucky.
Inside the Series
Bellarmine
• These two teams have played 31 times but just four times with both teams as division one members. They played 27 times when Bellarmine was a division two school.
IU swept a four-game home set in Bloomington in 2023 behind a strong weekend of pitching. The Hoosiers have won 15-straight matchups and last lost a game to the Knights in 1985.
PURDUE MEN’S GOLF
PURDUE, FORRESTER CONTINUE TO LEAD AT HOOTIE INTERCOLLEGIATE
AWENDAW, S.C. – The Purdue men’s golf team continues its strong play, increasing its lead by one shot after 36 holes at the Hootie Intercollegiate at Bulls Bay Golf Club.
The Boilermakers shot a 9-under par 279 for a 36-hole total of 22-under par 554 (275-279) to lead College of Charleston and Furman by six shots entering tomorrow’s final round.
No. 18-ranked South Carolina is fourth at 12-under par, while Missouri rounds out the top five at 10-under par.
The Boilermakers continued their consistent play, posting their fifth straight round in the 270s, dating to the spring opener in Puerto Rico a month ago.
Should Purdue hold the lead in Tuesday’s final round, it would give the Boilermakers three victories on the season for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Head coach Andrew Sapp would become the first Purdue coach in school history with three victories in his first season in charge.
Individually, the Boilermakers continue to populate the top of the leader board, led by sophomore Jenson Forrester. The East Tennessee State transfer leads the field at 10-under par 134 (68-66) after his second bogey-free round in a row. Forrester amassed six birdies and 12 pars and through his first two rounds, has 10 birdies, 26 pars and no bogeys.
Kent Hsiao and Sam Easterbrook are tied for seventh at 5-under par 139. Hsiao fired a 2-under par 70 in the second round, while Easterbrook posted a 1-under par 71.
Nels Surtani shot an even-par 72 and is now tied for 23rd at 2-under par 142 (70-72). Surtani has been at even- or under par in seven straight rounds, tied for the third-longest streak in school history.
Supapon Amornchaichan shot an even-par 72 for a 2-over par 146 (74-72), good for 55th place.
Purdue will be paired with College of Charleston and Furman in Tuesday’s final round, starting at 9:12 a.m. ET, off hole No. 1.
PURDUE BASEBALL
VALPO VISITS ALEXANDER FOR FINAL MIDWEEK GAME OF MARCH
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Valparaiso (5-14, 1-2 MVC) at Purdue (19-4, 3-3 Big Ten)
Tuesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. ET / Stream B1G+
Alexander Field / West Lafayette, Indiana
Probable Starting Pitchers: Isaac Milburn (Sr, LHP) vs. Valpo’s Joe Seiber (R-Jr, RHP)
TUESDAY PROMOTIONS
Purdue Trading Cards Set 2 Giveaway
$3 Deals on GA Tickets, Hot Dogs, Beers, Popcorn & Nachos (Presented by Indiana Packers)
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time: Purdue leads 69-20
All-Time in West Lafayette: Purdue leads 41-9
Purdue Under Greg Goff vs. Valpo: Purdue leads 1-0 (since 2020)
Last Meeting: Purdue 6, Valpo 5 – 10 Innings (April 2022 in West Lafayette)
First Meeting: Purdue 11, Valpo 9 (April 1949 in West Lafayette)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Game No. 8 of Purdue Baseball’s season-long homestand doubles as the Boilermakers’ third matchup of the year with an in-state foe as Valparaiso visits Alexander Field for the final midweek game of March.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET as the final late afternoon start of the season at Alexander, with weekday games moving to 6 p.m. starting Friday. It’s another $3 midweek matchup present by Indiana Packers – general admission tickets, hot dogs, beers, popcorn and nacho are all specially priced at $3.
The Boilermakers are 5-2 on their 12-game homestand but coming off their first weekend series defeat of the season after Michigan took the rubber-game Saturday night.
The last two Purdue-Valpo matchups were rained out.
Full preview to follow…
ACTIVE STREAKS
• Albert Choi: 23-game on-base (as a Boilermaker)
• Brandon Anderson: 22-game on-base; 4-game hit
• Avery Cook: 13 consecutive scoreless innings (since May 22, 2024)
• Keenan Spence: 6-game on-base, 5-game hit
• Logan Sutter: 5-game RBI, 5-game on-base
• Aaron Manias: 5-game on-base
LEADERS LAST WEEK
• Brandon Anderson: 6-for-13, 2 HR, 5 BB, HBP, 8 R – hit safely, scored a run in all 4 games
• Lukas Cook: 7-for-17, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, HBP, 6 R, 2 SB – go-ahead HR in the 8th inning of G2 vs Michigan
• Logan Sutter: 4-for-10, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, HBP, 6 R, 2 Sac Flies – drove in a run, scored a run in all 4 games
• Keenan Spence: 5-for-14, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, HBP, R, SB – hit safely in all 4 games
• Aaron Manias: 3-for-15, HR, 5 RBI, BB, 2 HBP, R
• Avery Cook: Win, Save, 3 App, 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
• Easton Storey: 4+ IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Chris Gallagher: 2 2/3 IP, H, R, BB
NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL
NOTRE DAME WELCOMES UIC IN FOR MIDWEEK BATTLE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame softball team will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night when the Irish host UIC for a midweek clash at Melissa Cook Stadium. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
After 27-straight road games to begin the season, Notre Dame opened up its home schedule last week. The Irish went 1-4 to kick off the homestand, posting a 2-1 win over Western Michigan for the first home win under head coach Kris Ganeff.
In five games at home, Addison Amaral has torn the cover off the ball, hitting .462 with a home run and three doubles. The Irish shortstop leads the team with six hits at home, four of them for extra bases. She is slugging .923 at Melissa Cook Stadium. Sydny Poeck, who hit in the leadoff spot the last two games against No. 17 Stanford, walked seven times last week and comes into Tuesday’s contest with a .583 on base percentage and a .300 batting average.
Rebecca Eckart hit her first career home run in yesterday’s game against No. 17 Stanford. The freshman catcher is the ninth player this year to homer for Notre Dame and the fourth to trot the bases for a first career time this season.
Tuesday’s game marks game six of a nine game homestand. Notre Dame will host Virginia this weekend in its second home ACC series.
BUTLER WOMEN’S GOLF
BULLDOGS TWO SHOTS OFF THE LEAD AFTER FIRST DAY IN NASHVILLE
Butler is only two shots off the lead after the opening 36 holes of The Nashville Invitational. The Bulldogs have a trio of players among the Top 20 following the conclusion of Monday’s play.
Kelli Scheck is tied for seventh at two-over 144; she fired rounds of even-par 72 and 74 Monday. Her opening-round 72 included four birdies on the 6,259-yard President’s Reserve at Hermitage Golf Course. Her afternoon was highlighted by an eagle three on the 475-yard 18th hole.
Scheck is joined near the top of the leaderboard by teammates Katie Steinman (148, +4) and Cybil Stillson (149; +5), who are tied for 12th and 15th, respectively.
Hannah Harrison of Washington State and Louise Dahl of CSU Fullerton share the day-one lead at one-under 143. Scheck is three shots off the lead.
Washington State and Iowa hold the 36-hole lead in the team standings, each standing at 16-over 592. Butler is two shots back at 594 (+18) after rounds of 293 and 301. Butler is four shots clear of Austin Peay. There are a total of 16 teams in the field
Butler and Washington State shared the lead after Monday’s opening 18 holes as each team carded a score of five-over 293. The top six teams were separated by only three strokes after the morning round.
Tuesday’s final round is scheduled for an 8 a.m. (Central) shotgun start. Live scoring is available with a link posted on ButlerSports.com.
THE BULLDOGS:
T7) Kelli Scheck, 72-74—146 (+2)
T12) Katie Steinman, 72-76—148 (+4)
T15) Cybil Stillson, 75-74—149 (+5)
T23) Sophie McGinnis, 75-77—152 (+8)
T44) Treva Dodd (playing as an individual), 79-76—155 (+11)
T50) Ashley Freitas, 74-82—156 (+12)
BUTLER BASEBALL
BULLDOGS TO PLAY TWO BEFORE HOME OPENER
The Butler baseball team will play at Saint Louis and at Miami Ohio this week as they continue to prepare for their 2025 home opener which is set for this weekend. The game against Saint Louis will be played on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Miami Ohio contest originally scheduled for March 5 was pushed back to Wednesday after weather washed out the first date.
Butler Schedule
Tuesday, March 25 at Saint Louis – 4 PM
Wednesday, March 26 at Miami Ohio – 3 PM
Scouting Saint Louis
The Billikens are 12-11 overall and 4-2 in conference after winning two of three at Dayton over the weekend. St. Louis opened A-10 action at home, winning two of three against St. Joseph’s the week prior.
Head Coach Darin Hendrickson is in year 17 at Saint Louis. He has coached 11 MLB draft picks at SLU and became the program’s all-time winningest head coach in 2018. Hendrickson registered his 1,000th career victory last year and has tallied over 500 of those wins while at Saint Louis.
The 2025 team is led by Riley Iffrig and his .382 batting average. The SLU first baseman has a team-high 29 hits including 10 doubles, a triple and four home runs. Another player to keep an eye on is outfielder Brenden Stressler. He is batting .286 with a team-best six home runs.
Scouting Miami Ohio
The Redhawks are also 12-11 overall heading into their matchup with Butler. They are three weeks into Mid-American Conference action and hold onto a 7-2 mark against their conference rivals. They took two of three at home from Toledo, swept NIU in Oxford and most recently won the first two games of a weekend series at Eastern Michigan.
Miami Ohio hits. 301 as a team and is led at the plate by Anthony Zarlingo. The senior outfielder holds onto a .390 batting average, collecting a team-best 30 hits. Ty Batusich and Dillon Baker both bat over .300 for Miami Ohio and have combined to hit nine home runs. Evan Appelwick is the home run leader with 12 while Dominic Krupinski leads the club with six doubles.
Second-year head coach Brian Smiley made an immediate impact on the program in 2024. Miami finished the season 17-13 in the Mid-American Conference, posting the program’s best conference record since 2019. The Redhawks went on a nine-game winning streak last year for the first time in five years and advanced to the conference tournament for the first time since 2019.
Series History
Butler split a pair of games against Miami Ohio last year with each program winning on the road. The Bulldogs notched a 13-10 win at McKie Field on March 19, but fell to the RedHawks 6-4 a month later at Bulldog Park. The lone contest against Saint Louis came on April 30 last year with the Billikens winning 12-2 in Indy.
About Butler
The Bulldogs went 0-2 last week with setbacks at Notre Dame and at Ball State. The losses moved Butler’s overall record to 6-15. Scoring runs has not been the issue for this BU team. They average seven runs per game and have scored nine or more 10 times.
Top bats in the BU lineup include Jack Moroknek, Jack Bello, Harry Carr and AJ Solomon. Moroknek has 40 hits over 21 starts with eight doubles and 12 home runs. Bello is batting .447 with eight doubles, two triples and five home runs. Both Carr and Solomon are over .300 on the year with Carr getting 20 starts early in his BU career.
On the mound, Colin Dailey gave Butler three solid innings at Notre Dame and could be back on the mound this week as a starter. Dailey had a season-high four strikeouts in South Bend and limited the Irish to three hits. Dailey is one of nine Bulldogs to start a game for Butler this year. Marcus Goodpaster is the only player on the roster to throw 20+ innings for BU. Simon Linde and Gabe Pancratz are tied for the team lead in appearances with seven each.
Monster Numbers from Moroknek
Jack Moroknek leads the nation in total bases (84), ranks second in batting average (.494), and is tied for third in home runs with 12.
Best in the BIG EAST
Butler leads the BIG EAST in batting average (.313), doubles (44), home runs (35), on-base percentage (.393), and slugging percentage (.543).
Bulldog Bits
– Jack Moroknek is on a five-game hitting streak
– Moroknek has reached base safely in 10-straight
– Moroknek has 13 multi-hit games and has had multiple RBIs in six games
– Jack Bello ranks 13th in the nation with his .447 batting average
– Bello ranks second in the league in slugging percentage (.803)
– Tommy Townsend leads the team in base on balls (13)
– Tre Benjamin made his first start for Butler at Ball State
– Will Burgess went 3-for-3 at Notre Dame with two RBI and two runs scored
– Harry Carr has a hit in four-straight games
– David Ayers and Ryan Drumm each have three stolen bases on the year
– Drumm, Moroknek and Danny Barbero are the only Bulldogs to play in all 21 games
– Drumm had two RBIs at Ball State
– Gunnar Duncan’s first multi hit game came at Notre Dame
– Duncan went 2-for-3 with an RBI
– Adam Galdoni made his season debut at Notre Dame
– Connor Sackett has an RBI in back-to-back games
– Alex Thomas struck out a season-high three batters in just 1.2 innings at Ball State
– Butler arms struck out 10 batters last week at Notre Dame their highest total since Feb. 22
– Butler hasn’t played a full nine-inning game since March 12
Here It Comes
The 2025 home opener is coming up for the Bulldogs this weekend. Fans are being asked to park at Hinkle Fieldhouse or on the North side of 52nd Street.
BIG EAST Ball
Butler will open BIG EAST action on April 4 with a three-game series at Xavier.
BIG EAST Standings
Creighton 13-6
Villanova 12-10
UConn 10-11
Xavier 11-13
St. John’s 9-12
Seton Hall 8-14
Georgetown 8-16
Butler 6-15
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be at home this weekend! The 2025 home opener is set for Friday, March 28 with BU hosting Northern Illinois. Game one of the four-game series will get underway at 3 p.m. Saturday is slated for a doubleheader with a noon start and the getaway game will get going at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
IU INDY WOMEN’S GOLF
JAGUARS IN SEVENTH PLACE AFTER OPENING DAY OF NKU SPRING JULIE INVITE
BATAVIA, Ohio – The IU Indianapolis women’s golf team posted an opening round 333 at the NKU Spring Julie Invitational on Monday (Mar. 24) and sits seventh among the 12-team field heading into Tuesday’s finale. Three different Jaguars shot an opening round 83 to pace the lineup. True freshman Alexandra Chiew is tied for 10th overall after a 9-over 80 on day one.
Chiew closed with a season-best round of 80, including shooting 38 on her final nine holes with a birdie and three bogeys.
Cassidy Ayres, Yanah Rolston and Sydni Zebrauskas paced the lineup with rounds of 83 and are all tied for 31st among the 75-player field. Zebrauskas shot 2-over 38 on her final nine, making eight pars and a double bogey to help offset a slow start. Rolston made eight pars for the day while Ayres had an early birdie as part of her round.
Sophomore Nina Wojtczak was next in line with an opening round 84 and Reagan Sohn shot 89.
Senior Nerea Lancho also fared well from an individual spot, firing 11-over 82 to sit tied for 26th after one round.
Lindenwood and Youngstown State are tied atop the field at 317 and Green Bay is third at 319. Green Bay’s Riley Pechinski and Glenville State’s Maria Escobar are tied atop the leaderboard at 5-over and four others are tied at 7-over 78.
Play will conclude with a 9:00 a.m. start on Tuesday.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S GOLF
DRISCOLL TIED ATOP LEADERBOARD AFTER DAY 1 OF GEORGIA STATE INVITATIONAL
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – – Junior Jasmine Driscoll turned in a solid 36-hole day Monday at the Georgia State Invitational and is currently tied for first among the 86-player field at -2 (142).
After shooting an E (72) in the opening round, Driscoll went two strokes lower in her second tour of the 5,945-yard Rivermont Golf Club at -2 (70). She was one of only four players to shoot under par in the second round and is currently tied for the overall lead with Lindsey Wilson’s Butpapaporn Sukterm who is the No. 1 ranked player at the NAIA level.
“Jasmine played an excellent round in the afternoon,” head coach Cameron Andry exclaimed! “She hit all 18 greens in regulation during the second round which is pretty amazing.”
Driscoll’s effort, which included a team-high nine birdies, has the Cardinals in third place among the 15-team field at +22 (598). In fact, Ball State turned in the lowest team score in the second round at +8 (296) and is just eight strokes behind tournament leader Saint Leo which is ranked No. 17 nationally at the NCAA Division II level.
“As a team, we bounced back well in the second round to make a move up the leaderboard,” Andry said. “It’s always fun to be in contention and we battled hard this afternoon to give ourselves a chance! We’ll see if we can make a charge tomorrow!”
Along with Driscoll, both freshman Sophie Korthuijs and junior Sarah Gallagher finished their days ranked in the tournament’s top 25. Korthuijs is tied for 20th overall at +7 (151), while Gallagher is tied for 25th at +8 (152).
Korthuijs turned in the squad’s second-best opening round of the day at +3 (75), registering four total birdies, including three of her final seven holes. She also carded three more birdies in her second round, giving her seven on the day.
Gallagher recorded the team’s second-best second round, shooting +2 (74) over her final 18 holes. She carded two birdies in the round, to go along with 12 pars.
“Sophie didn’t have her best stuff today, but she always competes with a lot of grit to get everything out of her round,” Andry said. “Sarah bounced back after a rough start and really played steady!
Sophomore Jenna Estravillo also turned in a solid day and is currently tied for 40th overall at +11 (155) after shotting +4 (76) in her second round. Estravillo’s day included six total birdies, with three in each round.
“I was proud of Jenna and the way she handled being in the lineup for the first time,” Andry added. ” She played very steady golf, especially in the second round.”
The Cardinals also received a countable opening round from sophomore JJ Gregston, who played 22 total holes at par over her two rounds. She shot +5 (77) in her opening round, which included 13 pars.
On the individual front, senior Sabrina Langerak turned in Ball State’s third-lowest round of the day with a +1 (73) in her opening round which included four birdies and 10 pars. She added another birdie in the second round and is currently tied for 40th overall at +11 (155).
Rounding out the Cardinals on the course was sophomore Madelyn Young who tallied a pair of birdies and 18 pars over her 36 holes.
As a team, the Cardinals finished the day ranked second overall on the courses Par 4s, playing them at +19 (4.20). BSU was also fourth on the Par 3s (+13 / 3.34) and fifth on the Par 5s (+8 / 5.22). Ball State also finished the day as the top MAC school, with Bowling Green tied for seventh at +34 (610) and Akron 11th at +38 (614).
The Ball State women’s golf team closes play in the Georgia State Invitational Tuesday with a 9 a.m. shotgun start back at the Rivermont Golf Club.
Ball State Team Scores
T-1st – Jasmine Driscoll: -2 (142): 72-70
T-20th – Sophie Korthuijs: +7 (151): 75-76
T-25th – Sarah Gallagher: +8 (152): 78-74
T-40th – Jenna Estravillo: +11 (155): 79-76
68th – JJ Gregston: +17 (161): 77-84
Ball State Individual Scores
T-40th – Sabrina Langerak: +11 (155): 73-82
T-61st – Madelyn Young: +16 (160): 82-78
BALL STATE SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL TAKES ON INDIANA STATE TUESDAY
» THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE SOFTBALL: The Ball State softball team returns to action Tuesday, when it heads to Indiana State for a 3 p.m. first pitch on ESPN+ at Price Field … From there, the Cardinals travel to Bowling Green for a three-game series with a single game scheduled for Friday (3 p.m.) and a doubleheader set for Saturday (1 p.m.).
» NEXT TIME IN MUNCIE: After playing its next four games on the road, the Cardinals return to the Ball State Softball Stadium on Tuesday, April 1 for a 1 p.m. league doubleheader versus Northern Illinois … The twinbill will serve as Faculty / Staff Appreciation Day with members of the team honoring members of the Ball State community who have made an impact in the collegiate lives.
» THE OVERALL RECORD: Ball State enters the week with a 1195-1179-4 (.503) overall record dating back to 1975 … The Cardinals have tallied 30-or-more wins in 16 seasons, most recently a 37-18 mark in 2021 … Of the 16 seasons with 30-or-more wins, 11 have come in the past 17 years.
» QUOTING COACH PEÑA: “Our goal this season is to have fun competing. If we can compete every single pitch, and have fun doing it, I believe we are going to have a really good season. It’s truly about getting better every weekend and not putting so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect.”
» AGAINST THE SYCAMORES: Ball State holds a 35-25 lead in the all-time series versus Indiana State having won the last four meetings, including a 6-5 victory last season (March 8) in the Marshall March Madness tournament … While ISU holds a slim 9-7 advantage in games played on its home field, the Cardinals earned a hard-fought 2-1 (8) victory in its last trip to Terre Haute on March 29, 2017, to start the four-game winning streak.
BALL STATE NEWS & NOTES:
» MAC PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS: Ball State was picked to finish fourth among 11 teams in the Mid-American Conference’s annual preseason poll … The Cardinals, who finished sixth in the league last season with a 12-13 MAC record, are looking for a third consecutive MAC Softball Championship berth, with the league’s top six teams advancing to Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, for the three-day event which runs May 7-10 … BSU also picked up one of the 11 votes to win the MAC Tournament title.
» WATCH OUT FOR TIMMONS: McKayla Timmons was named a player to watch this season, ranking 36th on the Softball America Top 100 Preseason list and as the No. 8 ranked utility/designated player in the country by D1Softball.com … Most recently, Softball America named her the nation’s seventh-best catcher in its March position rankings while D1Softball.com named her the nation’s fifth-best catcher in its player power rankings … Timmons enters the week ranked first on Ball State’s career list in on base percentage (.515), second in slugging percentage (.799), second in home runs (52), third in batting average (.387), third in RBI (159) and ninth in runs scored (136) … She also owns the program record for being hit by a pitch at 39.
» EARNING THE ACCOLADES: So far, McKayla Timmons has earned the accolades, entering the week ranked first in the MAC and seventh nationally with a .516 batting average … Timmons, who is currently on a 17-game hitting streak and a 52-game streak of reaching base safely, has blasted 11 home runs so far this season including at least one home run in eight of the last 13 games … In addition to her solid batting average, she leads all NCAA Division I players in on base percentage (.703), ranks second in the nation in slugging percentage (1.161) and is 44th in runs scored (33) and 54th in RBIs (34).
» FREE PASSES: McKayla Timmons received a big boost to her on base percentage in the weekend series versus Toledo, reaching base in all 14 of her plate appearances over the three games … She started the series with a two-run home run Friday and was walked in each of her next eight plate appearances … The Rockets gave her one more opportunity to swing in the series finale and she blasted the ball to the wall in right center for a first inning single … She then drew four more walks, bringing her weekend total to 12 … The 12 walks helped her climb to second in the nation at 1.12 walks per game … She is also tied for eighth in the nation at 29 total walks.
» SHINING BEHIND THE PLATE TOO: In addition to pacing the offense, McKayla Timmons has proven to be one of the nation’s top threats behind the plate and finished the 2024 season ranked as one of the nation’s best catchers by Softball America … She was fifth on SA’s final catchers list and 47th among the nation’s top 100 players … The effort was aided by Timmons throwing out 11 of the 37 runners attempting to steal a base on her last season … She has already caught seven runners trying to steal this season, while surrendering just 10 stolen bases.
» ON THE BASES: Ball State has also proven to be one of the nations’ craftiest teams on the base paths, ranking first in the MAC and 32nd nationally with a 1.96 stolen bases per game average … The Cardinals have successfully stolen 51 of the 55 bases it has attempted to steal, led by a MAC-leading 13 stolen bases from McKayla Timmons… Overall, 12 different Cardinals have stolen at least one base, with redshirt junior second baseman McKenna Mulholland ranking second on the squad and third in the MAC with 10 … Conversely, Ball State has limited opposing squads to just 11 stolen bases in 18 attempts this season … Only 12 teams in the country have limited teams to less stolen bases, with the next best MAC school being Miami at 15.
» ON THE OFFENSIVE FRONT: Ball State has been putting on an offensive clinic so far this season, ranking 16th nationally by averaging 7.58 runs per game … The Cardinals have earned seven run-rule victories so far this season and have scored 10-or-more runs in seven games … Overall, Ball State is out-scoring opponents 197 to 112 this season and owns a 15-4 record when scoring at least five runs.
» THE WHITNEY EFFECT: Ella Whitney, who played her first two seasons of collegiate softball at FIU, leads the MAC and ranks 25th nationally with her 11 pitching victories … Over 84.1 innings of work, the two-time MAC Pitcher of the Week honoree has compiled a 1.99 ERA which ranks 67th in the country … Whitney has also limited opposing batters to a .231 average against which ranks fourth in the league.
» MORE ON WHITNEY: A two-way player for the Cardinals, Ella Whitney is also a big offensive threat, boasting a .326 average and ranking second on the team in both home runs (4) and RBIs (27) … She recorded Ball State’s first triple of the season and leads the squad with six doubles … Whitney also enters the week ranked second on the squad with a 14-game streak of reaching base safely.
» SHUTTING ‘EM OUT: Freshman Breanna Severino picked up her first collegiate complete game shutout in last Tuesday’s 7-0 victory at Butler … She limited the Bulldogs to just seven hits over her 7.0 innings of work in the game … She also struck out one batter and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth.
» LONG BALL NUMBERS: The Cardinals currently rank second in the MAC with 32 home runs, trailing only Miami’s 46 … Timmons leads the way and is second among all league players and 24th nationally with her 11 home runs … On the opposite spectrum, Ball State’s pitching staff ranks first in the MAC and tied for 37th nationally by allowing just 11 home runs … Toledo and Ohio are tied for second in the league with 18 home runs allowed.
» SOME OF THE NATION’S TOUGHEST: Sophomore shortstop Maia Pietrzak and senior outfielder Kara Gunter enter the week as two of the nation’s toughest batters to strike out … Pietrzak is fourth in the MAC and 45th nationally at one strikeout per every 28.3 at bats, while Gunter is sixth in the MAC and 55th nationally at one strikeout per every 25.3 at bats.
» D-FENSE: Ball State enters the week ranked second in the MAC and 40th nationally with a .972 fielding percentage this season … The Cardinals have committed just 21 errors in its first 26 games, including 12 games without an error … The current program record for best fielding percentage in a season is .974 for the 2010 squad which committed just 40 errors.
BALL STATE BASEBALL
BASEBALL BACK HOME TO HOST USI TUESDAY AFTERNOON
The Ball State baseball returns home to host Southern Indiana at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Shebek Stadium.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+, and links to that broadcast, a free digital radio broadcast and live stats can be found above and on the schedule page.
Ball State (16-9) fell in three games over the weekend at Xavier in Cincinnati, but the Cardinals boast an 8-2 record in games played in Muncie this year.
The Screaming Eagles (10-13, 2-1 Ohio Valley Conference) won their first OVC series of the year last weekend at Western Illinois, suffering a 15-5 setback in Friday’s opener before winning 8-5 on Saturday and 6-4 on Sunday.
Southern Indiana faced Mid-American Conference foe Bowling Green earlier in the year, beating the Falcons 8-7 in 10 innings on Feb. 28 and falling 4-1 on March 1, with both games being played in Carbondale, Ill.
Junior Cole Kitchens paces USI in batting average (.449), hits (35), home runs (three) and RBI (17), while fellow junior Kannon Coakley leads the Screaming Eagles in doubles (10) and also hits over .400 at .405 so far this year.
This will be the initial visit to Muncie for USI who hosted Ball State last year on Feb. 27 for the first game in series history between the two programs. The Cardinals prevailed 10-4 in Evansville on that Tuesday.
Ball State is next set to travel up to Northeast Ohio for a three-game set at Akron beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday.
INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL
SYCAMORES SET FOR NON-CONFERENCE BATTLE WITH BALL STATE ON TUESDAY
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State is set to host Ball State for a midweek non-conference matchup at Price Field on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET. This game will also serve as the Sycamores Chain Game, with Indiana State student-athletes in attendance to pass along the chain, bringing extra energy and support to the team.
Indiana State secured a series sweep over Murray State this past weekend, earning a 2-0 victory on Friday before taking both games on Saturday, 9-5 and 16-3 (5 innings). With the sweep, the Sycamores improve to 9-19 on the season and 4-1 in conference play.
Last Time Out:
The Sycamores dominated its weekend series against Murray State, sweeping all three games with a combination of strong pitching and explosive offense.
In the series opener, Hailey Griffin delivered a stellar performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game one-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Sycamores to a 2-0 victory. Hannah Welch and Sophie Esposito powered the offense with solo home runs.
Game two saw Indiana State claim a 9-5 win, fueled by a bases-clearing double from Brailey Mills and clutch hits from Peyton Simmons and Sophie Esposito. Cassi Newbanks secured the win in relief, keeping Murray State in check.
The Sycamores capped off the sweep with a dominant 16-3 run-rule victory in game three, scoring six runs in both the first and third innings. Luci Kapelka’s three-run homer and Madison Poulson’s three-RBI triple highlighted the offensive explosion, while Lauren Sackett earned the win with a solid five-inning outing.
Sycamore Standouts:
Hannah Welch provided the first run of the series opener with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, her second of the season and career. Her timely shot put the Sycamores ahead and forced a pitching change for the Racers.
Welch also leads the team with a perfect 8-8 record in stolen bases.
Sophie Esposito had an outstanding week for Indiana State, she provided key offensive support with a solo home run in the fifth inning, her second of the season, to give the Sycamores a 2-0 lead in game one.
Esposito also tripled in the game, marking her second of the season. She continued her strong performance in game two with an RBI double and added an RBI single in game three, contributing to the Sycamores’ offensive surge throughout the series.
Brailey Mills played a pivotal role in both games on Saturday, delivering a clutch bases-clearing double in the first inning of game two, driving in three runs, and finishing with three RBIs. She also contributed with an RBI single in Game 3, helping lead the Sycamores to a 16-3 victory.
Mills is batting .300 in 22 games, including 15 hits, 10 runs scored, one double, one triple, and six RBIs.
Luci Kapelka had a standout performance in game three, hitting a 3-run home run in the first inning, the first of the season for her and the second of her career. She also scored in the third inning as part of the Sycamores’ explosive offense.
Lauren Marsicek has been a consistent presence in Indiana State’s lineup, hitting .299 in 27 games, totaling 20 hits, six doubles, and seven RBIs.
Madison Poulson, hitting .269 in 26 games, continued her strong offensive performance in Game 3 this weekend, contributing a 3-RBI triple in the fourth inning and later scoring. She has 21 hits, three doubles, and five RBIs on the season.
Peyton Simmons, who has made just five appearances this season, made a significant impact this weekend. In game two, she drove in a run with an RBI single in the first inning and another with an RBI fielder’s choice in the fifth. In game three, she contributed two more RBIs—one from an RBI single and another from a walk—helping to boost the Sycamores’ offense.
In the Circle:
Hailey Griffin, Lauren Sackett, and Cassi Newbanks each picked up a win this weekend, contributing to Indiana State’s strong pitching performances.
Griffin earned her win with an incredible complete-game performance, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 7 batters. She shut down the opposition, retiring the first 9 batters and holding the Racers hitless until the fourth inning. Her dominant outing helped her team secure a 2-0 victory.
Griffin started game two against the Racers, throwing 3.1 innings and allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out five batters.
Newbanks earned her third win of the season with 3.2 innings of relief. She gave up five hits and two earned runs, striking out one batter. Her solid performance in relief helped secure the Sycamores’ 9-5 victory.
Sackett earned her first win of the season in game three with a solid 5-inning performance. She allowed six hits and three runs, walking three batters and striking out four. Her strong outing helped lead the Sycamores to a 16-3 victory, securing the series finale win.
Scouting Ball State:
Ball State enters Tuesday’s matchup with an 18-8 overall record and a 4-2 mark in conference play. The Cardinals are coming off a MAC series win over Toledo, earning a 13-8 victory on Friday, falling 17-14 in extra innings on Saturday, and securing the series with a 9-8 win on Sunday.
McKayla Timmons has been a driving force for Ball State this season, boasting a .516 batting average through 26 games. She has racked up 32 hits, including five doubles, 1 triple, and 11 home runs, along with 34 RBIs.
Ella Whitney (11-2) has been a reliable pitcher for Ball State this season, appearing in 15 games and logging 84.1 innings in the circle. She has allowed 76 hits and 24 earned runs, resulting in a 1.99 ERA. Whitney has struck out 41 batters while walking 27.
Up Next:
The Sycamores will hit the road for a three-game MVC matchup against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. The games are scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MASTODON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOSTS OLD DOMINION FOR WNIT SECOND ROUND
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball will play host to Old Dominion on Tuesday (March 25) in the second round of the WNIT.
Game Day Information
Who: Old Dominion Monarchs
When: Tuesday, March 25 | 7 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Old Dominion | Horizon League
Know Your Foe
Old Dominion is 18-15 this season after going 9-9 in the Sun Belt Conference for a fifth-place finish. The Monarchs are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation, grabbing 16.2 o-boards per game, the sixth-most nationally. En’Dya Buford is leading the team with 13.2 points per game while pitching in 6.0 rebounds per contest. ODU beat Navy 63-42 in the first round of the WNIT to advance to the second round behind 24 points from Zainai Barnett-Gay.
Series History
This is the first meeting between the Mastodons and the Monarchs.
Making History
Lauren Ross’ 47.7 percent from 3-point range is the 26th-best in NCAA history for a single season while meeting the 3-point percentage minimum of 2.5 makes per game.
Net Positive
Purdue Fort Wayne has the highest NET ranking of all teams in the WNIT field with a ranking of 88.
On the Semifinal…
Purdue Fort Wayne beat Cleveland State 83-65 in the semifinal round of the Barbasol Horizon League Championship to move on to the championship game. The Mastodons had 26 assists, which is a season-high and top-10 mark in program history. They hit 15 3-pointers, one shy of the Horizon League Championship record. It was also the fourth time this season with 15 or more 3-pointers, all of which are top-10 marks in program history. Lauren Ross had six of the Mastodons’ 15 3-pointers. The Mastodons hit 10 3-pointers in the first half, tying a program record.
Program Records
Purdue Fort Wayne has set new program records in points (2,496), field goals (910), 3-point field goals (308) and steals (322) this season.
Finishing Strong
In the last 10 games, Audra Emmerson averaged 10.2 points per game while shooting 43.0 percent (37-of-86) from the floor and 40.7 percent (22-of-54) from beyond the arc.
She’s Not Done Yet!
Amellia Bromenschenkel recorded double-digit scoring performances in six each of the last seven games. She averaged 13.1 points per game in that stretch.
Fort Wayne’s Own
Over her last eight games played, Sydney Graber is shooting 69.2 percent (27-of-39) from the floor.
She Can Reid The Defense
Over the last 12 games, Jordan Reid averaged 10.0 points per game while shooting 50-of-91 (54.9 percent).
Shooters Shoot
Lauren Ross’ 47.7 percent clip from 3-point range and 94.4 percent from the free throw line are both the best in the country. Her 3.12 triples per game rank fifth nationally.
Road Warriors
Purdue Fort Wayne is 11-5 on the road this season and owns a 9-1 record in Horizon League road games. The Mastodons’ 11 road wins is the best mark in program history.
Dubs
Purdue Fort Wayne has 25 wins this season, which is the most wins for the program in a season at any level.
Ross Has the Sauce
Through 33 games, Lauren Ross is shooting 46.4 percent from the floor, 47.7 percent from 3-point range and 94.4 percent from the line. If those percentages hold, she would be one of 17 players to shoot 45/45/90 while meeting the 3-point percentage minimums since the 3-point line was added to college basketball.
Amellia BromenDubayoo
Amellia Bromenschenkel has 72 wins in her career which is the most of any Mastodon women’s basketball player at the Division I level. Audra Emmerson and Jazzlyn Linbo have 71 each, right behind the graduate student.
Some is Schwiet, More Is Schwieter
Renna Schwieterman is shooting 52.6 percent (40-of-76) from 2-point range this season.
Literally Free
Lauren Ross has missed just one of her last 47 free throws dating back to the fourth quarter of the IU Indy game on December 11.
Super Sydney
In league play, Sydney Freeman averaged 11.5 points per game and is shooting 42.9 percent from the floor (87-of-203) and 36.5 percent from 3-point range (31-of-85).
Rankings Respect
Per the NET and Bart Torvik, Purdue Fort Wayne has a national ranking of 88 and 91, respectively.
Home Sweet Gates
The Mastodons are 13-1 at home this season. In its home games this season, Purdue Fort Wayne is scoring 78.2 points per game and has an average margin of victory of 23.5 points per game. The Mastodons are shooting 46.1 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from 3-point range in Fort Wayne.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne fell to Green Bay in the final game of the Horizon League Championship 76-63. Sydney Freeman (18), Jordan Reid (12) and Jazzlyn Linbo (11) reached double-figures for the Mastodons. Natalie McNeal had 26 points for Green Bay.
Next Time Up
With a victory, Purdue Fort Wayne will play the winner of Butler and UIC. That game will be in the window of March 26-28 in a location and at a time yet to be determined.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S GOLF
PURDUE FORT WAYNE FIFTH AFTER FIRST DAY OF THE JULIE
BATAVIA, Ohio –Natalie Papa led the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s golf team during the first round of the The Julie, hosted by Northern Kentucky University, on Monday (March 24) afternoon. The event is being held at Elks Run Golf Course.
Papa fired a 78 to lead the Mastodons. She had a birdie on hole 11. Papa is tied for third overall in the field of 73, two strokes out of first place.
Lillian Gottman turned in a card of 80, tying for 10th, second best on Purdue Fort Wayne. Hunar Mittal is in 31st after a round of 83. Lara Dommach shot an 84. Louise Ekesall finished with a score of 86.
Playing as an individual, Lillie Cone earned an 88.
The Mastodons finished with a team score of 325, eight strokes behind leaders Youngstown State and Lindenwood.
The final round of the Julie is set for Tuesday (March 25).
PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL
BASEBALL HOME OPENER SET FOR TUESDAY VS. TOLEDO
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The 2025 home opener is here. The Purdue Fort Wayne baseball team welcomes Toledo to Mastodon Field on Tuesday (March 25) afternoon.
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (3-19) vs. Toledo (8-14)
When: Tuesday, March 25 | 3 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Mastodon Field
Live Stats:Link
Weather: Cloudy, high of 46
Series History: Toledo leads 12-6. The ‘Dons have won the last two meetings, including a 4-3 win on a walk-off wild pitch in 13 innings in Fort Wayne last year.
Know Your Foe: Toledo took 2-of-3 from Ohio at home last weekend in MAC play. They opened their season taking a win off of No. 12 Oregon in the second game of a three-game set in Eugene. Caden Konczak leads the Rockets in hitting with a .280 average and a .520 slugging percentage. He had a home run in the series at Ohio last weekend. As a team, the Rockets have 23 home runs.
On That 20-16 Win: The Mastodons took 2-of-3 from Youngstown State over the weekend. The 20 runs in the final game of the series is tied for 6th in the Division I era program history for runs in a game. The ‘Dons tied for 1st in the Division I era program history for walks in a game with 13. The 12 walks in game one of the doubleheader on Sunday tied for second for most walks in a game.
About Last Week: In four games last week, the Mastodons:
– hit .323 with a .478 on-base percentage
– averaged 13.5 runs per game
– averaged 10.25 walks per game
Individually:
– Justin Osterhouse knocked in nine runs with 16 total bases and scored seven times
– Brooks Sailors walked 10 times
– Jackson Micheels and Augusto Schroeder each had eight walks
– Aidan Pearson didn’t allow a run in 4.0 innings out of the pen, striking out four and getting the win at YSU
– Carter Orner earned his first career win in a 20-16 victory over Youngstown State
O Yeah:Justin Osterhouse hit three home runs on March 18 at Bowling Green. Osterhouse was also intentionally walked three times in the game. It is the fifth time in the Division I era a Mastodon his hit three home runs in a game. The other times:
Cade Fitzpatrick at Northern Kentucky 5/10/2024
Ben Higgins at Youngstown State 3/31/2023
Greg Kaiser at Western Illinois 4/15/2016
Tyler Fowler vs Toledo 4/6/2004
On the BGSU Game: The Mastodons scored 18 runs at Bowling Green (March 18). It is the ninth most runs in a game in the Division I era for the Mastodons.
‘Dons & Ends:
– Brooks Sailors owns a current 17-game on-base streak. Justin Osterhouse has a 10-game on-base streak.
– Justin Osterhouse has a team-best eight multi-hit games.
– Jackson Micheels and Justin Osterhouse are the only two Mastodons to start in all 19 games this season.
– Brooks Sailors is tied for first in the league in walks (20) and ninth in the league in on-base percentage (.443).
– Zane Danielson’s 4.64 ERA is third in the league, he is also third in opposing batting average (.242). He is first in innings pitched (33.0).
– Dillon Fischer is third in the league in innings pitched (31.1).
– Brooks Sailors leads the league in runners caught stealing (6).
Fischer Honor: Dillon Fischer was picked as a top 100 pitcher from the fourth weekend of the season by DI Baseball. Fischer allowed no runs in 6.1 innings at Tennessee Tech.
Nice to Meet You: This season isn’t the first time Kevin Hall and Nick Hockemeyer are teammates. They spent the summer of 2024 playing for the Elizabethton River Riders of the Appalachian League. Hall had a .453 OBP in 26 games for the River Riders. Hockemeyer hit .296 in 18 games.
Blood Lines: Mastodon head coach Doug Schreiber coached Trent Murphy’s father, Rob, when Schreiber was an assistant at Ball State.
Up Next: The Mastodons host Oakland this weekend in the first home Horizon League series of the year. The games on Friday and Saturday will be played at Indiana Tech. Sunday’s game will be played at Mastodon Field. However do keep an eye on GoMastodons.com as weather could cause changes to the schedule.
EVANSVILLE BASEBALL
BASEBALL RETURNS HOME ON TUESDAY AFTER MONTH-LONG ROAD TRIP
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — After 19 straight games away from the River City the University of Evansville baseball team will play a home game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
The Purple Aces return home for the first time since February 23rd on Tuesday night for a midweek matchup with Western Kentucky. UE has played 21 of its 23 games so far in the 2025 season on the road to lead the Missouri Valley Conference in away contests. Evansville is just ahead of the UIC Flames who have had 20 games away from home this year. The 19 game road trip was the longest for the Aces since 2022 when they played 15 games away from Evansville from March 9 to March 29.
The Aces first home opponent in over a month is the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in their first of two games this season. The Hilltoppers have had a great start to the 2025 season with a 21-3 overall record as they come to the Braun on Tuesday night. But WKU struggled with the start of CUSA play over the weekend as they only took one of two games at Kennesaw State. Despite the two losses the Hilltoppers are one of the best teams in the nation both at the plate and on the mound. Western Kentucky has the second ranked pitching staff in the country with an ERA of only 2.79 while the offense is third in doubles with 65 on the year. The Hilltoppers are also 11th in the country in batting average at .326.
UE had a successful start to MVC play with a 2-1 series win over the Murray State Racers. It was the first time in two seasons that Evansville began conference play with a series win as the Aces also opened Valley play against Murray State in 2024 at home. UE dropped all three games last year but made up for the sweep this past weekend. Evansville now leads the overall series with the Racers 46-26 while Murray has the slight edge in MVC games at 5-4 even though the Aces won their only postseason meeting during the 2023 MVC Tournament.
Evansville had its first game with multiple home runs this season on Saturday afternoon. Senior center fielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) had the first multi-home run game of his career as he launched two long balls in route to the Aces 15-10 win over Murray State. Rumsey jump-started the Evansville offense in the top of the third with his first home run of the year and then hit three-run bomb in the top of the seventh to tie the game at six runs each. Rumsey’s two home runs was the Aces first game with multiple home runs from one batter since the 2024 MVC Tournament.
Since returning from a brief injury senior infielder Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) has been an offensive force for the Aces. McGinnis is currently on a nine game hitting streak to lead UE and is tied for the highest batting average on the team at .359 with Rumsey. Also having a big offensive surge for Evansville is sophomore left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) after a big weekend against Murray State. In three games Longmeier went 7-for-12 (.583) with four doubles while bringing in three runs to now be second on the team in doubles with six and fourth in overall batting average at .286.
SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL
SCREAMING EAGLES VISIT BALL STATE, HOSTS LITTLE ROCK THIS WEEK
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball completes its five-game road swing Tuesday with a visit to Ball State University before starting a seven-game homestand that begins this weekend versus the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
The first pitch at Ball State in Muncie, Indiana, is slated for 2 p.m. (CDT), while home series with Little Rock starts Friday at 6 p.m. The USI-Little Rock series starts Friday, continues Saturday at 3 p.m., and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s game is Jersey Day at the USI Baseball Field. Fans wearing a jersey to the game will receive a free popcorn and will have a chance to win St. Louis Cardinals tickets in a sixth-inning drawing.
Following the USI-Little Rock series, the homestand continues next week with the Screaming Eagles hosting Northern Kentucky University April 1 and concludes with a three-game series against Morehead State University April 4-6.
With the ever-changing weather in March, USI encourages fans to watch for potential schedule changes on USIScreamingEagles.com, X, and Facebook.
Links to follow the Eagles all season can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and the USI Baseball Schedule.
USI Baseball Notes:
USI wins opening OVC series. The USI Screaming Eagles (10-13, 2-1 OVC) opened the 2025 OVC schedule with a 2-1 series win over Western Illinois University last weekend. USI lost the opening game, 15-5, but bounced back to win 8-6 and 6-4 in the final two games. Junior first baseman Kannon Coakley led the Eagles at the plate with a .571 mark (4-7) in the first two games, while junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens hit .400 (6-15) with two RBIs and two doubles. Sophomore outfielder Cameron Boyd drove in a team-high four RBIs during the series.
USI last week. The Eagles were 2-2 last week overall, losing to Austin Peay State University and taking two of three from WIU. Junior first baseman Kannon Coakley hit .545 (6-11) for the week, while junior shortstop Clayton Slack and sophomore outfielder Cameron Boyd drove in four RBIs each.
Kitchens, Coakley have hot sticks. Junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens has had the big bat for USI the last 10 games, hitting .523 (23-44) with eight runs scored, five doubles, a triple, a home run, and nine RBIs. Junior first baseman Kannon Coakley is batting .419 (13-31) with four runs scored, three doubles, and eight RBIs.
Overall Eagle leader at the plate. USI junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens is the top hitter at USI and the OVC with a .449 batting average (35-78). The OVC batting average leader also leads in home runs (3) and RBIs (17); and second in doubles (9).
On the mound: Junior right-hander Blake Kimball led the USI starters in the opening weeks with a 2-3 record and a team-best 4.36 ERA. Junior right-hander Andres Gonzalez has a team-best 22 strikeouts this season. Kimball is sixth in the OVC in ERA through March 23.
USI in the OVC. USI ranks second in the OVC with a .305 team batting average. On the bump, the Eagles are eighth in the league with a 7.54 ERA.
Eagles in the OVC. Junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens and junior first baseman Kannon Coakley are one-two in the OVC in batting average, boosting a .449 and .405 average, respectively.
Hitting Streaks. Junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens and junior utility player Patrick McLellan start this week with 12-game hitting streaks.
USI visits BSU. USI visits Ball State University to finish the road trip next week. BSU is 16-9 in 2025 after being swept by Xavier University last weekend. The Cardinals lead the series with the Eagles, 4-0, with all games being played since 2023.
USI starts homestand with the Little Rock series. USI opens a seven-game homestand Friday when the University of Arkansas at Little Rock visits the USI Baseball Field. Little Rock is 9-15 overall this season and started OVC play by going 0-3 versus Tennessee Tech University. The Trojans lead the all-time series with USI, 5-1, after taking three of four last spring. Little Rock swept the regular season series in 2024, while USI won the meeting in the 2024 OVC Tournament, 2-0, in Marion, Illinois.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
USI WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO HOST WNIT SUPER 16 GAME THURSDAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball will host its Super 16 game in the 2025 Postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday at 6 p.m. inside Liberty Arena, home of the Screaming Eagles.
The news follows USI’s second-round home win on Sunday against Campbell University in the WNIT, powered by Triple Crown Sports. The Screaming Eagles will host the University at Buffalo (26-7, 13-5 MAC).
Tickets for Thursday’s home game are $12 and go on sale Monday at Noon. Fans who had a seat at Sunday’s second-round game will have 24 hours to purchase their same seats again. All seat inventory will open up on Tuesday at Noon. Fans can purchase tickets in person at the USI Ticket Office from Noon to 6 p.m. on Monday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets can also be purchased online through usiscreamingeagles.com. USI students receive free admission. For any questions, call (812) 465-1189.
Fans can follow the 2025 Postseason WNIT through X/Twitter (@WomensNIT), Facebook (womensNIT), and the hashtag #WNIT.
VALPO WOMEN’S GOLF
MCCOY, FAY LEAD TEAM IN FIRST ROUND AT THE JULIE
The Valparaiso University women’s golf team played the first round of the two-day, 36-hole Julie Invitational hosted by Northern Kentucky at the par-71, 6053-yard Elks Run Golf Course in Batavia, Ohio on Monday. Senior Anna Fay (Ada, Mich. / Forest Hills) and junior Katelyn McCoy (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton) tied for the team lead.
How It Happened
Fay and McCoy each carded an 82 (+11) in the opening round. They are part of a tie for 26th in a 73-player field. McCoy birdied the par-3 second hole.
The third-best score on the team came from Taylor Skibinski (Michigan City, Ind. / Michigan City), who stroked an 86 and sits at t-52 through 18 holes.
Valpo’s team score of 340 (+56) is 11th on the team leaderboard, one stroke ahead of Southern Indiana and one behind Saint Francis.
Youngstown State and Lindenwood are tied for the team lead at 317, while Green Bay’s Riley Pechinski and Glenville State’s Maria Escobar are deadlocked atop the player leaderboard at 76 (+5).
Thoughts From Head Coach Jill McCoy
“Anna had a very solid round today until her last couple of holes. I’m confident she is figuring her game out and gaining confidence as we head toward the end of the season. Katelyn had a couple rough holes on the first nine, but really showed her grit and buckled down on her second nine to salvage a decent score. It’s going to be tough conditions tomorrow, but hopefully we can pull it together and play better as a team.”
Up Next
The tournament will continue with 18 more holes on Tuesday. A link to live scoring via Clippd is available on ValpoAthletics.com.
VALPO SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL HEADS TO DEPAUL, HOSTS EVANSVILLE THIS WEEK
Valparaiso (12-13, 1-4 MVC)
March 26 – at DePaul (12-16, 1-8 Big East) – 3 p.m.
March 28-30 – Evansville (14-17, 0-6 MVC) – 3 p.m., 2 p.m., noon
Next Up in Valpo Softball: Valpo takes a brief step away from conference play on Wednesday afternoon, making the short trip to the Windy City to take on DePaul. The Beacons then return home to the Valpo Softball Complex this weekend to host Evansville in a three-game series.
Previously: The Beacons opened their 2025 home campaign last weekend against defending MVC champion Southern Illinois, falling to the Salukis 10-4, 18-3 and 6-3.
Looking Ahead: Valpo hits the road for a stretch of MVC play next week, playing a Tuesday doubleheader at UIC before heading to Bradley for a three-game series next weekend.
Following Valpo Softball: Wednesday’s game at DePaul will be broadcast live on the Marquee Sports Network, while the entirety of the Evansville series is scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN+. All home games and most MVC road games will be broadcast on ESPN+, while select nonconference games will have video streams depending on the host.
Head Coach Mike Armitage: Mike Armitage (81-80) is in his first season as head coach of the Valpo softball program after being hired as head coach on June 6, 2024. Armitage came to Valpo following a successful stretch as head coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead, turning around the Dragons’ program, and brings familiarity with the Missouri Valley Conference with a stint on staff at Illinois State. Armitage spent the last three seasons as head coach at MSUM, posting the first back-to-back 30-win seasons in MSUM program history in 2023 and 2024 after inheriting a Dragons program which had not finished above .500 since 2007.
Series Notes: DePaul – Valpo is just 1-47-1 all-time against DePaul in a series which dates back to 1986. Earlier this season at the DePaul Dome Tournament, the Blue Demons earned a 2-0 victory despite a strong performance in the circle from Azalya Lopez. Valpo’s one win in the series came in 2016 at UNLV’s Rebel Classic – a 5-1 win for a Valpo team which went on to go to the NCAA Tournament that season.
Evansville – Valpo owns a 7-24 record in the all-time series with the Purple Aces, including a 4-12 mark since joining the MVC. Last season, UE swept the three-game series in Evansville to open Valley play by scores of 8-0, 9-7 and 2-1.
Scouting the Opposition: DePaul – DePaul enters the week with a 12-16 record, including a 1-8 mark in Big East play – the Blue Demons host Loyola Tuesday afternoon before taking on the Beacons Wednesday. Addison Talbot boasts a team-best .340 batting average, while Morgan Rogers has scored a team-high 18 runs and Lydia Ettema leads the Blue Demons with 16 RBIs. In the circle, Bella Nigey has stood out – she is 6-3 with a 1.84 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 53.2 innings of work.
Evansville – The Purple Aces come into the weekend series at 14-17 overall, but sit at 0-6 in MVC play after most recently dropping all three games at Missouri State. Evansville leads the Valley with 34 home runs this year, paced by 10 off the bat of Morgan Adams. Niki Bode paces the Purple Aces with a .408 batting average.
Long Time, No See: It will be 46 days between the season’s two matchups between Valpo and DePaul, as the teams faced off back on Feb. 8. This is just the second time in the last 10 seasons Valpo has faced a nonconference opponent in early-season tournament play and then later in the midst of conference action (2022, Western Michigan).
Familiar Opponent, Unfamiliar Surroundings: The Beacons have played the Blue Demons in four of the last five seasons, but all of those meetings have come at the Rosemont Dome as part of the DePaul Dome Tournament. Notably, Valpo’s last visit to Cacciatore Stadium was not to face DePaul – the 2014 Valpo squad played a Horizon League doubleheader against UIC there, a twinbill most notable for Kaitlyn Ranieri launching a home run off the mural of St. Vincent de Paul beyond the wall in right-center. Valpo ‘s last visit to Cacciatore to face the Blue Demons was for a 2008 doubleheader against a top-25 DePaul squad.
Seeing Purple at Home: Despite Valpo being in its eighth season in the MVC, this weekend marks just the third time the Beacons have welcomed Evansville to the Valpo Softball Complex. The Purple Aces took two of three games in 2018 – Valpo’s first season in the Valley – and Valpo won two of three games to cap the 2022 regular season. The two teams played series at Evansville in 2019, 2021 and 2024 – the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, while Evansville was one of two teams Valpo didn’t play against in 2023.
A Premature End: Combine playing a doubleheader on Saturday due to an inclement Sunday forecast, and not being able to start playing Saturday until 2 p.m. due to the conference’s temperature threshold, and you have the perfect formula for a truncated second game. Valpo’s series finale with SIU was cut short after six innings at 7:01 p.m. due to darkness, just two minutes prior to sunset. It was the the first time Valpo has played into the 7:00 hour at home since April 9, 2013 — that day saw game two of a doubleheader against Bowling Green halted mid-7th inning due to darkness at 7:18 p.m.
Going Deep: Valpo hit a trio of home runs in last weekend’s series with SIU, most notably a two-run blast from sophomore Kayden Krug in the series finale – the first homer of her collegiate career. Krug became the second Valpo player to hit her first collegiate home run this season, joining Lexi Szostak. Azalya Lopez hit a three-run homer in the series opener, her first at Valpo and the third of her collegiate career, while Mack Gallagher hit a solo shot for her team-best fourth of the season and 21st of her collegiate career in the middle game. After not recording a home run in the season’s first 13 games, the Beacons have gone deep seven times in the last 12 games.
Turning the Lineup Over: Krug might be batting in the nine-hole in the Beacons’ batting order, but it’s not because she’s the team’s ninth-best batter. Krug has excelled at the bottom of the lineup, slashing .478/.538/.696 in nine appearances out of the nine spot. In those games, she is 11-for-23 with two doubles, a homer, five runs scored and seven RBIs.
Streaks Come To An End: Freshman Madison Vrastil had a pair of streaks end in the series opener against SIU as she went 0-for-4 at the plate, snapping a 13-game hitting streak and a 22-game on-base streak. The 13-game hitting streak was the longest by a Valpo player since Carly Trepanier’s 16-game hitting streak in 2017. Meanwhile, the 22-game on-base streak – which opened her collegiate career – was the longest on-base streak by a Valpo player since Sam Stewart reached in 29 consecutive contests in 2017 and is tied for the fourth-longest on-base streak by a Valpo player since 1999.
Among the Best: Even with a rough weekend against SIU at the plate, Vrastil still ranks among the MVC’s best in numerous categories. She leads all Valley players in hits (37), ranks second in batting average (.430) and stolen bases (10), ranks third in on-base percentage (.490), ranks fourth in doubles (8) and triples (2) and is seventh in OPS (1.060).
Going to the Pen: Valpo has leaned on a trio of pitchers – junior Azalya Lopez, sophomore Sydney McDermott and freshman Erin Metz for the vast majority of innings in the circle and hasn’t hesitated to use multiple arms in the same game, even when things are going well. In fact, when Lopez went the distance in the circle in the series finale against SIU on Saturday, it was just the second complete game for the Beacons through 25 games this season.
K Zone: The Valpo pitching staff has taken care of business itself quite often through the season’s first 25 games. The Beacons rank 25th nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (6.77) and 53rd in strikeout/walk ratio (2.19). All three primary pitchers are among the top-10 in the MVC in strikeouts (Lopez, 5th, 62; McDermott and Metz, t-9th, 47. In the extra-inning win at Indiana State, Metz and Lopez combined for 12 strikeouts – the most for Valpo pitchers in a game since tallying 12 strikeouts against Saint Louis March 6, 2020.
Pulling Out the Close Ones: Valpo’s 11-inning win at Indiana State – its longest game since joining the MVC – improved the Beacons’ record this year to 6-2 in one-run contests. Valpo was just 8-11 in one-run games over the last two seasons. Notably, three of those wins came in one weekend, as all three of the Beacons’ wins at the Marshall tournament came by a single tally.
Winning Record Into Conference: The Beacons entered MVC play this season with an 11-9 overall record. It was the program’s best record at the start of conference play since 2018, when Valpo entered its first season of MVC play with a 12-8 mark.
W5: While Valpo saw a winning streak came to an end at the hands of Cleveland State to close the Scotsman Invitational, the Beacons did reel off five consecutive victories dating back to opening weekend. It was the program’s first five-game winning streak since the 2022 team won five in a row in early-season action.
Snowmen: Valpo posted eight runs in each of its two games in Saturday action at Presbyterian, the first time the program has scored eight or more runs in consecutive games since plating nine and 10 runs in back-to-back outings against Detroit in April 2017.
A Big Sunday: It was a noteworthy day on many fronts on Sunday, Feb. 9 as the Beacons run-ruled Green Bay, 12-1, and followed with a 7-2 win over Detroit Mercy:
– Valpo won two games on the same day for the first time since March 4, 2023, when the Beacons defeated Bellarmine and Eastern Illinois.
– The Beacons’ 19 runs were the program’s highest single-day output since plating 22 runs in a doubleheader split at Northern Kentucky March 25, 2017.
– The 11-run win over the Phoenix in the opener was Valpo’s largest win since an identical 12-1 score in a victory at Stetson March 1, 2020.
– The Beacons racked up 16 hits in the win over Green Bay, their highest single-game hit total since a 16-hit effort against Holy Cross Feb. 19, 2022.
– Valpo’s win in the nightcap was its 36th win all-time against Detroit Mercy, the most in program history against a single opponent.
Four For 44: Sophomore Kayden Krug was locked in at the plate in the win over Green Bay on opening weekend, picking up base hits in four consecutive innings from the second through the fifth as she went 4-for-4 with two RBIs. It was the first four-hit game by a Valpo player since Feb. 19, 2022, when Ryan Milkowski tallied four base hits against Holy Cross. It also was the first time a Valpo player has recorded a base hit in four consecutive innings since April 2, 2010, when KC Boldt did so at Detroit.
Who’s Back: Valpo returns 13 of 21 letterwinners from its 2024 squad for the 2025 campaign. The returnees accounted for 51.7% of the team’s plate appearances and 46.3% of the Beacons’ innings pitched last season.
Who’s New: Coach Armitage brought a pair of transfers with him from MSU Moorhead – junior infielder Mack Gallagher and junior pitcher/infielder Azalya Lopez, both of whom were All-Conference honorees. In addition, the program welcomes nine freshmen this season as well.
A Large Roster: Do the math from the above two notes, and you find that this year’s Valpo softball roster is comprised of 24 players. That is the largest roster in program history, topping the previous high of 21 players. Even more notable is that only two of this year’s 24 players are seniors.
Taking Advantage of the Numbers: Coach Armitage has shown a willingness to utilize his large roster as much as possible. 20 players saw action against Butler and Cleveland State, while 19 players apiece appeared in the wins over Green Bay and Detroit Mercy opening weekend and in the second game against Loyola at Marshall.
VALPO BASEBALL
VALPO TO CONTINUE IN-STATE STRETCH ON TUESDAY AT PURDUE
Valparaiso (5-14, 1-2 MVC)
at Purdue (19-4, 3-3 Big Ten)
Tuesday, March 25, 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET – RHP Joe Seiber
Alexander Field (1,500) | West Lafayette, Ind.
Next Up in Valpo Baseball: The Valparaiso University baseball team will make the short trip to West Lafayette to battle instate foe Purdue on Tuesday afternoon. The Beacons continue a stretch of eight straight games against instate foes (visiting Ball State, Indiana State, Purdue and Evansville) while approaching the end of a stretch of 15 straight road games.
Last Time Out: Valpo snapped a 25-game head-to-head losing streak to Indiana State by beating the defending Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champion Sycamores 8-3 in the series opener on Friday night, but the hosts rallied to sweep Saturday’s doubleheader 2-1 and 10-5 in Terre Haute. Connor Lockwood did not allow an earned run while striking out 10 and walking one to pitch the Beacons to victory on Friday, while Harry Deliyannis took a tough-luck loss after allowing two runs on five hits in six innings in the middle game of the series.
Following the Beacons: Tuesday’s game will air on B1G+. For links to live video and stats, visit ValpoAthletics.com. For in-game updates, follow @ValpoBaseball on X.
Head Coach Brian Schmack: Brian Schmack (207-346) is in his 11th season in charge of the program. He ranks third in program history in seasons coached and games coached as he coached his 500th game on March 17, 2024 at Campbell. On April 19 vs. Missouri State, he became the third head coach in program history to secure his 200th win. Schmack, a member of the 2003 Detroit Tigers, served as pitching coach/associate head coach at Valpo for seven seasons prior to his promotion.
A Look Back at 2024: Valpo finished 14-38 overall and 6-21 in Missouri Valley Conference play last season and hopes to return to the MVC Tournament field in 2025. Kaleb Hannahs earned Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors last season, while Kyle Schmack finished one home run shy of tying the program’s career and single-season records. The team launched 71 home runs, the second most in program history and most since 2001. Alex Ryan made an incredible leaping catch that was featured at No. 4 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays, robbing a grand slam as part of a 20-0 victory at UIC on April 28. The 2024 campaign also saw Valpo post a fielding percentage of .970 that ranked fourth in program history. The season also saw head coach Brian Schmack reach the 200-win threshold.
Series Notes: Valpo is 20-69 all-time against Purdue in a series that dates back to 1949. The two teams are crossing their fingers for better weather this season, as scheduled matchups between the two teams were canceled in both 2023 and 2024. Purdue prevailed 6-5 in 10 innings in the most recent game in 2022. Valpo has lost the last three meetings but did win as recently as March 29, 2017, a 5-1 victory in West Lafayette.
In the Other Dugout – Purdue
The Boilermakers dropped two of three to Michigan this past weekend.
They have a 3-0 record against the Missouri Valley Conference so far this season with two wins over UIC and one over Indiana State.
Already on the verge of a 20-win season, the Boilermakers won 33 games a year ago.
The team is under the direction of head coach Greg Goff, who is in his sixth season.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1910 Hugh Chalmers, the president of the Chalmers Motor Car Company of Detroit, announces his Model 30, one of the most luxurious autos of its day, will be awarded to the player with the highest batting average this season. Nap Lajoie goes 8-for-9, beating out seven bunts, when Browns’ Red Corriden purposely plays deep at third base, raising the Indian infielder’s final average to .384 to surpass Ty Cobb for the controversial batting title.
1914 Babe Ruth makes the first start of his professional career, defeating the world champion Philadelphia A’s, 6-2, in an exhibition game played in Wilmington (NC). The 19-year-old left-hander tosses a complete game for the International League’s Baltimore Orioles, allowing 13 hits and four walks in the Port City’s newly constructed Sunset Park.
1934 For the third time in six days, track and field Olympian medalist (javelin, hurdles, high jump) Babe Didrikson takes the mound to face a major league team. The Orleans Pelicans’ hurler pitches two scoreless innings against the Indians and lines out in her only at-bat.
(Ed. Note: Earlier this week, Babe Didrikson pitched for the A’s against the Dodgers and the Cardinals with the Red Sox as her opponents.-LP)
1935 The Cubs sell 32-year-old right-hander Pat Malone to the Yankees. The former 20-game winner (1929, 1930) will go 12-4 in 1936 but will post only a 19-13 record in his three-year tenure with the Bronx Bombers.
1945 Tryouts are granted to pitcher Terris McDuffie and first baseman Dave Thomas when a group of blacks appears at the Dodger offices in Brooklyn. The two players will work out at Ebbets Field in front of Branch Rickey on April 7.
1959 The Cardinals trade Sam Jones, who will become a first-time All-Star with his new club, to the Giants for first baseman/outfielder Bill White and third baseman Ray Jablonski. The 33-year-old right-hander, called Toothpick Sam by his teammates, will be a distant runner-up to Early Wynn for the Cy Young Award this season, posting a 21-15 record and a league-leading ERA of 2.83 for San Francisco.
1959 Jay Publishing SF Giants Picture Pack
1959 Infielder Bill White and third baseman Ray Jablonski are traded to the Cardinals by the Giants in exchange for pitching prospect Don Choate and right-hander Sam Jones. Although southpaw ‘Toothpick Sam’ will have three solid seasons in San Francisco, including a 20-win season, the Redbirds’ new first baseman will become a perennial All-Star and Gold Glover during his eight-year tenure in St. Louis.
1962 The Cubs, who haven’t had a manager since 1960, tap Elvin Tappe to be the team’s first head coach of the campaign after he posted a 42–54 record last year, the best by far of the four who led the club as members of Chicago’s college of coaches. When he gets off to a 4–16 start as the skipper, the 35-year-old veteran returns to the bench, playing 26 games as a backup catcher for the ninth-place team.
1963 The Reds sell journeyman pitcher Johnny Klippstein to the Phillies. After going 7-7 over two seasons with Philadelphia, the 37-year-old box salesman will help the Twins win the pennant in 1965, posting a 9-3 record.
1981 The Phillies trade Bob Walk to the Braves for outfielder Gary Matthews. The team’s new center fielder provides outstanding defense and has three solid seasons at the plate for Philadelphia, with Atlanta’s new right-hander compiling a 12-13 record with a 4.85 ERA during his three-year tenure with the club.
1985 The news is terrible for the Cubs when Circuit Court Judge Richard L. Curry rules that the existing laws banning night games are constitutional. The Chicago’s west-side club brought suit after giving up a home playoff game last season due to Wrigley’s lack of lights.
1989 The Pirates and Indians swap shortstops, with Jay Bell going to the Steel City and Felix Fermin joining the Tribe. Pittsburgh’s new slick infielder will be the team’s starting shortstop for the next eight seasons, winning a Gold Glove in 1993.
1997 The Indians send Kenny Lofton (.317, 14, 67) and Alan Embree (3-1, 2.79) to the Braves for Marquis Grissom (.262, 10, 57) and David Justice (.337, 30, 88). The deal saves Atlanta $5.8 million in salaries and helps the team sign hurlers Greg Maddux ($57.5 million, five-year) and Tom Glavine ($34 million, four-year).
2006 Acknowledging he may never play again, Jeff Bagwell announces he will start the season on the disabled list and seek consultation to determine if removing bone spurs from his shoulder would help prolong his career. The 37-year-old first baseman must stay on the injured list all season for the Astros to collect $15.6 million of the $17 million guaranteed contract from an insurance claim filed in January.
2008 At the corner of Carnegie and Ontario Avenues, Cleveland’s Brilliant Electric Sign Co. installs the brand new Progressive Field sign on the ballpark once known as Jacob Field since 1994. Progressive, a major insurance corporation headquartered in nearby Mayfield, agreed to pay the team $57.6 million for the naming rights for 16 years.
2008 In Japan’s Tokyo Dome, the Red Sox beat the A’s, 6-5, in the earliest major league opener ever played. Manny Ramirez’s tenth-inning double gives Hideki Okajima the victory, who used to pitch in this stadium for the hometown Yomiuri Giants.
2008 Miguel Cabrera (.320, 34, 119), acquired by the Tigers in a trade at the winter meetings with the Marlins, agrees to a $152.3 million, eight-year deal to play with the team. The All-Star third baseman, who had previously agreed to an $11.3 million, one-year contract in January, will compile a .326 batting average and hit 270 home runs during the span of the deal.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
March 25
1934 — Horton Smith wins the first Masters golf tournament by one stroke over Craig Wood.
1947 — Holy Cross, led by George Kaftan, beats Oklahoma 58-47 in the NCAA basketball championship.
1958 — Sugar Ray Robinson regains the middleweight title for a record fifth time with a 15-round decision over Carmen Basilio.
1961 — Cincinnati ends Ohio State’s 32-game winning streak with a 70-65 win in the NCAA basketball championship. In the third-place game, St. Joseph’s beats Utah 127-120 in quadruple-overtime.
1967 — UCLA, led by sophomore Lew Alcindor’s 20 points, beats Dayton 79-64 for the NCAA basketball championship.
1972 — Bill Walton scores 24 points to lead UCLA to an 81-76 victory over Florida State and the NCAA basketball title.
1972 — Maryland beats Niagara 100-69 in the NIT championship, becoming the first team to score 100 points in the finals of the tournament.
1973 — The Philadelphia 76ers post the worst mark in NBA history at 9-73 under coaches Roy Rubin (4-47) and Kevin Loughery (5-26).
1982 — Wayne Gretzky becomes 1st NHL to score 200 points in a season.
1995 — Scotty Bowman gets his 900th regular-season coaching victory as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Canucks 2-1 in Vancouver.
2006 — Following the tradition of teenage American women pulling off big upsets, 16-year-old Kimmie Meissner uses the performance of her life to soar to the World Figure Skating Championships title.
2008 — Tennessee gives coach Pat Summitt her 100th NCAA tournament win, a 78-52 rout of host Purdue. The win sends the Lady Vols to the NCAA regional semifinals.
2011 — The Southwest regional is the first in NCAA men’s basketball history with three double-digit seeded teams in the semifinals. Virginia Commonwealth, an 11th seed beats 10th seed Florida State 72-71 in overtime and the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks beat No. 12 seed Richmond 77-57 in the region’s other semifinal.
2012 — In the NBA’s first quadruple-overtime game since 1997, Joe Johnson scores 37 points and Josh Smith adds 22 as the Atlanta Hawks beat Utah 139-133. The four overtimes tie for the third-longest game in NBA history.
2016 — Klay Thompson scores 40 points and Stephen Curry adds 33 to help the Golden State Warriors become the second team to post back-to-back 65-win seasons with a 128-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors improve their record to 65-7 following a 67-win season a year ago. The only other team to win at least 65 games in consecutive seasons was Chicago in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
2017 — Arrogate shows his class again in the $10 million Dubai World Cup as he comes from last place to win by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths.
_____
March 26
1944 — St. John’s, coached by Joe Lapchick, cruises by DePaul 47-39 to become the first back-to-back winner of the National Invitation Tournament.
1946 — Hank Iba’s Oklahoma A&M Aggies beat North Carolina 43-40 for their second straight NCAA men’s basketball title. Bob Kurland scores 23 points, including the first two dunks in NCAA tournament history.
1949 — Alex Groza leads Kentucky to a 46-36 victory over Oklahoma State for the NCAA championship.
1952 — Kansas’ Clyde Lovelette scores 33 points to lead the Jayhawks to a 80-63 win over St. John’s for the NCAA basketball title.
1972 — The Los Angeles Lakers beat Seattle 124-98 to finish the season at 69-13, the best record in NBA history, until the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls finish at 72-10.
1973 — Bill Walton scores 44 points to help UCLA win its record seventh NCAA basketball championship with an 87-66 triumph over Memphis State.
1974 — George Foreman knocks out Ken Norton in the second round in Caracas, Venezuela, to retain the world heavyweight title.
1994 — Utah’s John Stockton becomes the second player in NBA history to collect 2,000 career steals. Stockton gets a pair of steals during a 98-83 loss at Houston to join Maurice Cheeks, who finished his career with 2,310 steals.
2005 — In the NCAA men’s basketball regional finals, Louisville and Illinois make tremendous comebacks to force overtime and advance. Louisville, trailing by 20 to a West Virginia, complete an amazing come-from-behind 93-85 win. Illinois, trailing by 15 with just four minutes to play, went on a dazzling 20-5 run to send Arizona to a crushing 90-89 defeat.
2006 — George Mason stuns No. 1 seed Connecticut 86-84 in overtime to become the first No. 11 seed to reach the men’s Final Four since LSU in 1986.
2011 — Shelvin Mack scores 27 points, including five in overtime, as Butler returns to the Final Four with a 74-71 victory over Florida in the Southeast regional.
2012 — Jaime Alas scores in stoppage time and El Salvador forges a 3-3 tie that ousts the United States from Olympic qualifying. The Americans miss the Olympics for the second time since 1976.
2016 — Breanna Stewart has 22 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks to lead No. 1 UConn to a 98-38 record rout of fifth-seeded Mississippi State in the Bridgeport regional semifinals. The victory supplants the record 51-point win the Huskies had over Texas in the regional semifinals last year that set the NCAA record for margin of victory in the regional rounds and beyond.
2017 — Luke Maye hits a jumper with 0.3 seconds left, and top-seeded North Carolina holds off Kentucky 75-73 in the South Regional to earn a second straight trip to the Final Four and 20th all-time.
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March 27
1939 — Oregon beats Ohio State 46-33 in the NCAA’s first national basketball tournament.
1942 — Joe Louis knocks out Abe Simon in the sixth round at Madison Square Garden to retain his world heavyweight title.
1945 — Oklahoma A&M beats New York University 49-45 for the NCAA basketball championship.
1951 — Bill Spivey scores 22 points to lead Kentucky to a 68-58 win over Kansas State for the NCAA basketball title.
1960 — The Boston Celtics score a then NBA Finals record 76 points in the first half a 140-122 win over the St. Louis Hawks. Tom Heinsohn (24), Bill Sharman (23), Frank Ramsey (22) and Bob Cousy (20) each score 20-or-more points to win the series opener.
1971 — UCLA beats Villanova 68-62 for its fifth NCAA basketball title.
1978 — Jack Givens scores 41 points to lead Kentucky to a 94-88 victory over Duke for the NCAA basketball title.
1983 — Larry Holmes wins a unanimous 12-round decision over Lucien Rodriguez to retain his world heavyweight title in his hometown of Scranton, Pa.
2005 — Annika Sorenstam shoots a final-round 68 to finish at 15-under to win the Nabisco Championship by eight shots over Rosie Jones. It’s he 59th victory of the Swedish star’s LPGA Tour career — and her eighth major championship win.
2010 — Long shot Al Shemali wins the $5 million Dubai Duty Free, pulling away from a crowded field to pull off a surprisingly easy win in the Dubai World Cup. Al Shemali, at 40-1, starts slow then duels it out with Bankable before taking the lead for good.
2011 — Jamie Skeen scores 26 points as Virginia Commonwealth delivers the biggest upset of the NCAA tournament, a 71-61 win over No. 1 seed Kansas in the Southwest Regional final.
2014 — The Philadelphia 76ers tie the NBA record for futility with their 26th straight loss, falling 120-98 to the Houston Rockets. Philadelphia matches the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA’s worst skid.
2017 — UConn’s women’s basketball team advance to its 10th consecutive Final Four with a 90-52 victory against Oregon. The victory moves coach Geno Auriemma past Pat Summitt for the most NCAA Tournament victories at 113.
TV SPORTS TUESDAY
| MLB | TIME ET | TV |
| Colorado vs Minnesota | 1:05pm | MLBN |
| Atlanta vs Chi. Cubs | 4:05pm | MLBN |
| Detroit vs San Francisco | 8:00pm | MLBN |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| San Antonio Spurs vs Detroit Pistons | 7:00pm | Fanduel Sports SW Fanduel Sports DET |
| Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets | 7:00pm | Fanduel Sports CHA Fanduel Sports FL |
| Dallas Mavericks vs New York Knicks | 7:30pm | TNT truTV MAX |
| Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat | 7:30pm | Fanduel Sports Sun NBCS-BAY |
| Atlanta Hawks vs Houston Rockets | 8:00pm | Fanduel Sports ATL SCHN |
| Memphis Grizzlies vs Utah Jazz | 9:00pm | Fanduel Sports MEM KJZZ |
| Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers | 10:00pm | Rip City FanDuel Sports Ohio |
| Oklahoma City Thunder vs Sacramento Kings | 10:00pm | TNT truTV MAX |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres | 7:00pm | ESPN+ Sportsnet MSG-BUF |
| Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00pm | ESPN+ NBCS-PHI SPortsnet |
| Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning | 7:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Sports Sun ATTSN-PIT |
| Nashville Predators vs Carolina Hurricanes | 7:30pm | ESPN+ Hulu |
| Montreal Canadiens vs St. Louis Blues | 8:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Sports MW Sportsnet |
| Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild | 8:00pm | ESPN+ Scripps FanDuel Sports North |
| Washington Capitals vs Winnipeg Jets | 8:00pm | ESPN+ MNMT Sportsnet |
| Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avalanche | 9:00pm | ESPN+ ALT FanDuel Sports DET |
| Seattle Kraken vs Calgary Flames | 9:00pm | ESPN+ KONG Sportsnet |
| New York Rangers vs Los Angeles Kings | 10:30pm | ESPN+ MSG FanDuel Sports West |
| MEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| NIT Quarterfinals: Chattanooga at Bradley | 7:00pm | ESPN2 |
| NIT Quarterfinals: North Texas at Oklahoma State | 9:00pm | ESPN2 |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Friendly: Sweden vs Northern Ireland | 2:00pm | fuboTV |
| Friendly: Switzerland vs Luxembourg | 3:45pm | fuboTV |
| World Cup Qualifying: Israel vs Norway | 3:45pm | FS2 fuboTV |
| World Cup Qualifying: Liechtenstein vs Kazakhstan | 3:45pm | fuboTV |
| World Cup Qualifying: North Macedonia vs Wales | 3:45pm | fuboTV |
| World Cup Qualifying: Gibraltar vs Czech Republic | 3:45pm | fuboTV |
| World Cup Qualifying: Montenegro vs Faroe Islands | 3:45pm | fuboTV |
| World Cup Qualifying: Bolivia vs Uruguay | 3:45pm | fuboTV |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification: Trinidad and Tobago vs Cuba | 7:00pm | FS1 fuboTV |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification: Martinique vs Suriname | 7:00pm | fuboTV |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification: Jamaica vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 8:00pm | FS2 fuboTV |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification: Costa Rica vs Belize | 9:00pm | FS1 fuboTV |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification: Honduras vs Bermuda | 10:00pm | FS2 fuboTV |