INDIANA BASEBALL REGIONAL MATCH-UPS
CLASS 4A
AT LAPORTE
LA PORTE VS. PENN, 11 A.M. CT
LAKE CENTRAL VS. VALPARAISO, 3 P.M. CT
AT PLYMOUTH
DEKALB VS HOMESTEAD, 3 P.M.
AT LAFAYETTE JEFF
HARRISON VS. HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN, 3 P.M.
AT MOORESVILLE
NEW PALESTINE VS. CATHEDRAL, 11 A.M.
FRANKLIN CENTRAL VS. BROWNSBURG, 2 P.M.
AT CASTLE
JEFFERSONVILLE VS. CASTLE, 3 P.M.
AT JASPER
CENTER GROVE VS. COLUMBUS NORTH, 3 P.M.
CLASS 3A
AT SOUTH BEND CLAY
HERITAGE VS. EAST NOBLE, 3 P.M.
AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC
MISHAWAKA MARIAN VS. FRANKFORT, 5 P.M.
AT PLYMOUTH
ANDREA VS. NEW PRAIRIE, 11 A.M.
AT PARK TUDOR
TRI-WEST VS. WEST VIGO, 2 P.M.
AT MORRISTOWN
BISHOP CHATARD VS. BEECH GROVE, 6 P.M.
AT JASPER
SOUTHRIDGE VS. EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL, 11 A.M.
AT FLOYD CENTRAL
CONNERSVILLE VS. SILVER CREEK, 3 P.M.
AT OAK HILL
NORWELL VS. NEW CASTLE, 3 P.M.
CLASS 2A
AT SOUTH BEND CLAY
FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS VS. WESTVIEW, 11 A.M.
AT GRIFFITH
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN VS. HEBRON, 3 P.M. CT
AT LOGANSPORT
EASTERN VS. WINCHESTER COMMUNITY, 3 P.M.
AT LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON
DELPHI COMMUNITY VS. BREMEN, 11 A.M.
AT PARK TUDOR
HAGERSTOWN VS. HERITAGE CHRISTIAN, 10 A.M.
AT LOOGOOTEE
COVENANT CHRISTIAN VS. CLOVERDALE. 3 P.M.
AT FLOYD CENTRAL
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL VS. PROVIDENCE, 11 A.M.
AT MITCHELL
MITCHELL VS. PERRY CENTRAL, 3 P.M.
CLASS 1A
AT LOGANSPORT
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN VS. SOUTHWOOD, 11 A.M.
AT GRIFFITH
MORGAN TOWNSHIP VS. MARQUETTE CATHOLIC, 11 A.M.
AT OAK HILL
WES-DEL VS. BLUE RIVER VALLEY, 11 A.M.
AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC
ROSSVILLE VS. LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 1 P.M.
AT MITCHELL
SHAKAMAK VS. BETHESDA CHRISTIAN, 11 A.M.
AT LOOGOOTEE
BORDEN VS. RISING SUN, 11 A.M.
AT CASTLE
BARR-REEVE VS. EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN, 11 A.M. CT
AT MORRISTOWN
GREENWOOD CHRISITAN ACADEMY VS. NORTH DECATUR, 2 P.M.
BRACKETS
4A
3A
2A
1A
INDIANA SOFTBALL MATCH-UPS
CLASS 4A
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)
NO. 5 PENN VS. HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE), 11 A.M.
NO. 10 LAKE CENTRAL VS. CARROLL (FORT WAYNE), 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
CENTER GROVE
NO. 1 RONCALLI VS. EVANSVILLE NORTH/NO. 11 FLOYD CENTRAL, 11 A.M.
NO. 9 MOORESVILLE VS. NO. 12 PENDLETON HEIGHTS, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
CLASS 3A
TWIN LAKES
NO. 1 LEO VS. NO. 10 YORKTOWN, 11 A.M.
NO. 8 HANOVER CENTRAL VS. NO. 3 NEW PRAIRIE, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
JASPER
BEECH GROVE VS. NO. 6 TRI-WEST, 11 A.M.
NO. 9 SILVER CREEK VS. NO. 2 GIBSON SOUTHERN, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
CLASS 2A
WARSAW
NO. 6 ANDREAN VS. DELPHI COMMUNITY, 11 A.M.
NO. 2 EASTSIDE VS. NO. 5 MADISON-GRANT, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
FOREST PARK
TRITON CENTRAL VS. HAUSER, 11 A.M.
NO. 1 NORTH POSEY VS. NO. 6 CASCADE, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
CLASS A
FRANKFORT
NO. 7 CASTON VS. KOUTS, 11 A.M.
NO. 4 COWAN VS. NO. 5 ROSSVILLE, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
NORTH DAVIESS
NO. 1 TECUMSEH VS. NO. 13 CLAY CITY, 11 A.M.
NO. 7 LUTHERAN VS. RISING SUN/NO. 6 LANESVILLE, 1 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7 P.M.
INDIANA SOFTBALL BRACKETS
4A
3A
2A
1A
INDIANA GIRLS TENNIS STATE QUARTERFINALS
SULLIVAN VS. FISHERS
DELTA VS. CARMEL
FRANKLIN VS. CASTLE
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH VS. JASPER
INDIANA BOYS TRACK STATE FINALS JUNE 2
ORDER OF EVENTS
3:00 P.M. – POLE VAULT, LONG JUMP AND DISCUS
3:30 P.M. – HIGH JUMP; SHOT PUT
4:15 P.M. – 3200 M RELAY FINALS
5:00 P.M. – 100 M DASH TRIALS
5:15 P.M. – 110 M HIGH HURDLE TRIALS
5:40 P.M. – 200 M DASH TRIALS
6:10 P.M. – OPENING CEREMONIES
6:15 P.M. – 110 M HIGH HURDLES
6:25 P.M. – 100 M DASH
6:35 P.M. – 1600 M RUN
6:45 P.M. – 400 M RELAY
7:05 P.M. – 400 M DASH
7:20 P.M. – 300 M INT. HURDLES
7:45 P.M. – 800 M RUN
8:05 P.M. – 200 M DASH
8:15 P.M. – 3200 M RUN
8:30 P.M. – 1600 M RELAY
ADVANCEMENT FROM STATE MEET TRIALS TO FINALS
1. 110 AND 100 HURDLES, 100; 200
A. 3 HEATS WITH 9
B. 1ST, 2ND FROM EACH HEAT PLUS NEXT 3 BEST TIMES.
2. 400 RELAY, 1600 RELAY, 400, 300 HURDLES
A. NO TRIALS
B. 3 SECTIONS TIMED; 9 PER SECTION
3. 3200 RELAY, 800
A. NO TRIALS
B. 2 SECTIONS; 1 WITH 13, 1 WITH 14
4. 1600 AND 3200
A. NO TRIALS
B. 1 RACE TIMED
5. FIELD EVENTS
A. TOP 10 QUALIFY PLUS TIES
PERFORMANCE LISTS: HTTPS://WWW.IHSAA.ORG/SITES/DEFAULT/FILES/DOCUMENTS/2022-23%20BTR%20STATE%20PERFORMANCE.PDF
INDIANA GIRLS TRACK STATE FINALS JUNE 3
ORDER OF EVENTS
3:00 P.M. – POLE VAULT, LONG JUMP AND DISCUS
3:30 P.M. – HIGH JUMP; SHOT PUT
4:15 P.M. – 3200 M RELAY FINALS
5:00 P.M. – 100 M DASH TRIALS
5:15 P.M. – 100 M HIGH HURDLE TRIALS
5:40 P.M. – 200 M DASH TRIALS
6:10 P.M. – OPENING CEREMONIES
6:15 P.M. – 100 M HIGH HURDLES
6:25 P.M. – 100 M DASH
6:35 P.M. – 1600 M RUN
6:45 P.M. – 400 M RELAY
7:05 P.M. – 400 M DASH
7:20 P.M. – 300 M LOW HURDLES
7:45 P.M. – 800 M RUN
8:05 P.M. – 200 M DASH
8:15 P.M. – 3200 M RUN
8:30 P.M. – 1600 M RELAY
ADVANCEMENT FROM STATE MEET TRIALS TO FINALS
1. 110 AND 100 HURDLES, 100; 200
A. 3 HEATS WITH 9
B. 1ST, 2ND FROM EACH HEAT PLUS NEXT 3 BEST TIMES.
2. 400 RELAY, 1600 RELAY, 400, 300 HURDLES
A. NO TRIALS
B. 3 SECTIONS TIMED; 9 PER SECTION
3. 3200 RELAY, 800
A. NO TRIALS
B. 2 SECTIONS; 1 WITH 13, 1 WITH 14
4. 1600 AND 3200
A. NO TRIALS
B. 1 RACE TIMED
5. FIELD EVENTS
A. TOP 10 QUALIFY PLUS TIES
PERFORMANCE LIST: HTTPS://WWW.IHSAA.ORG/SITES/DEFAULT/FILES/DOCUMENTS/2022-23%20GTR%20STATE%20PERFORMANCE.PDF
INDIANA BOYS GOLF SECTIONALS, JUNE 2,3,5
1. VALPARAISO (11) | FOREST PARK GOLF COURSE | FRI, 9 AM CT
BOONE GROVE, CHESTERTON, HAMMOND BISHOP NOLL, HAMMOND CENTRAL, HAMMOND MORTON, HOBART, PORTAGE, VALPARAISO, WHEELER, RIVER FOREST, WHITING
2. LAKE CENTRAL (13) | PALMIRA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB | FRI, 8 AM CT
ANDREAN, CALUMET, CROWN POINT, GRIFFITH, HANOVER CENTRAL, HIGHLAND, ILLIANA CHRISTIAN, LAKE CENTRAL, LOWELL, MERRILLVILLE, MUNSTER, KANKAKEE VALLEY, DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN
3. LAPORTE (11) | BEECHWOOD GOLF COURSE | FRI, 8:30 AM CT
GLENN, KNOX, LAPORTE, MARQUETTE CATHOLIC, MICHIGAN CITY, MORGAN TOWNSHIP, NEW PRAIRIE, NORTH JUDSON-SAN PIERRE, SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS), TRI-TOWNSHIP, WESTVILLE
4. SOUTH BEND RILEY (12) | ERSKINE GOLF COURSE | MON, 9 AM ET
ELKHART, JIMTOWN, LAVILLE, MISHAWAKA, MISHAWAKA MARIAN, PENN, SOUTH BEND ADAMS, SOUTH BEND CLAY, SOUTH BEND RILEY, SOUTH BEND SAINT JOSEPH, SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON, TRINITY SCHOOL AT GREENLAWN
5. LOGANSPORT (12) | DYKEMAN PARK GOLF COURSE | FRI, 9:30 AM ET
CASTON, FRONTIER, LOGANSPORT, NORTH NEWTON, PIONEER, ROCHESTER COMMUNITY, RENSSELAER CENTRAL, SOUTH NEWTON, TRI-COUNTY, TWIN LAKES, WEST CENTRAL, WINAMAC COMMUNITY
6. NORTHRIDGE (12) | MEADOW VALLEY GOLF CLUB | FRI, 8 AM ET
BREMEN, BETHANY CHRISTIAN, CONCORD, FAIRFIELD, GOSHEN, LAKELAND, NORTHRIDGE, NORTHWOOD, PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, WEST NOBLE, WESTVIEW, ELKHART CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
7. EAST NOBLE (12) | NOBLE HAWK GOLF LINKS – KENDALLVILLE | FRI, 8:30 AM ET
ANGOLA, CARROLL (FORT WAYNE), CENTRAL NOBLE, CHURUBUSCO, COLUMBIA CITY, DEKALB, EAST NOBLE, EASTSIDE, FORT WAYNE NORTHROP, FREMONT, GARRETT, LEO
8. WARSAW (12) | ROZELLA FORD GOLF CLUB | FRI, 8 AM ET
CULVER ACADEMIES, CULVER COMMUNITY, HUNTINGTON NORTH, LAKELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, MANCHESTER, NORTHFIELD, PLYMOUTH, TIPPECANOE VALLEY, TRITON, WARSAW COMMUNITY, WAWASEE, WHITKO
9. FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY (13) | CHESTNUT HILLS GOLF CLUB | FRI, 8:30 AM ET
FORT WAYNE BISHOP DWENGER, FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS, FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN, FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY, FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN, FORT WAYNE NORTH SIDE, FORT WAYNE SNIDER, FORT WAYNE SOUTH SIDE, FORT WAYNE WAYNE, HERITAGE, HOMESTEAD, NEW HAVEN, WOODLAN
10. PERU (11) | ROCK HOLLOW GOLF CLUB | MON, 9 AM ET
EASTERN (GREENTOWN), KOKOMO, LEWIS CASS, MACONAQUAH, NORTH MIAMI, NORTHWESTERN, PERU, SOUTHWOOD, TRI-CENTRAL, WABASH, WESTERN
11. LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON (12) | BATTLE GROUND GOLF CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET
BENTON CENTRAL, CARROLL (FLORA), CLINTON CENTRAL, CLINTON PRAIRIE, DELPHI COMMUNITY, FAITH CHRISTIAN, HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE), LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC, LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON, MCCUTCHEON, ROSSVILLE, WEST LAFAYETTE
12. WESTFIELD (10) | ULEN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB | MON, 9 AM ET
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN, CARMEL, FRANKFORT, GUERIN CATHOLIC, LEBANON, SHERIDAN, UNIVERSITY, WESTERN BOONE, WESTFIELD, ZIONSVILLE
13. ATTICA (11) | HARRISON HILLS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET
ATTICA, COVINGTON, CRAWFORDSVILLE, FOUNTAIN CENTRAL, NORTH MONTGOMERY, NORTH PUTNAM, PARKE HERITAGE, SEEGER, SOUTH VERMILLION, SOUTHMONT, TRI-WEST HENDRICKS
14. INDIANAPOLIS CRISPUS ATTUCKS (9) | SOUTH GROVE GOLF COURSE | MON, 9 AM ET
BEN DAVIS, BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY, COVENANT CHRISTIAN (INDPLS), DECATUR CENTRAL, INDIANAPOLIS CARDINAL RITTER, PIKE, PURDUE POLYTECHNIC, RIVERSIDE, SPEEDWAY
15. MARTINSVILLE (11) | FOXCLIFF GOLF COURSE | MON, 9:30 AM ET
AVON, BROWNSBURG, CASCADE, CLOVERDALE, DANVILLE COMMUNITY, MARTINSVILLE, MONROVIA, MOORESVILLE, PLAINFIELD, SOUTH PUTNAM, GREENCASTLE
16. NORWELL (12) | TIMBER RIDGE GOLF CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET
ADAMS CENTRAL, BELLMONT, BLACKFORD, BLUFFTON, EASTBROOK, MADISON-GRANT, MARION, MISSISSINEWA, NORWELL, OAK HILL, SOUTH ADAMS, SOUTHERN WELLS
17. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (11) | MAPLE CREEK GOLF CLUB | FRI, 8 AM ET
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN, INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECHNICAL, INDIANAPOLIS BISHOP CHATARD, INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL, INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA MEMORIAL, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF INDIANA, LAWRENCE CENTRAL, LAWRENCE NORTH, NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS), PARK TUDOR, WARREN CENTRAL
18. NOBLESVILLE (12) | HARBOUR TREES GOLF CLUB | MON, 9 AM ET
ALEXANDRIA MONROE, ANDERSON, DALEVILLE, ELWOOD COMMUNITY, FISHERS, FRANKTON, HAMILTON HEIGHTS, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN, LAPEL, NOBLESVILLE, PENDLETON HEIGHTS, TIPTON
19. MONROE CENTRAL (11) | HICKORY HILLS GOLF COURSE | MON, 9 AM ET
COWAN, DELTA, JAY COUNTY, MONROE CENTRAL, MUNCIE BURRIS, MUNCIE CENTRAL, UNION CITY, WAPAHANI, WES-DEL, WINCHESTER COMMUNITY, YORKTOWN
20. GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (12) | HAWK’S TAIL OF GREENFIELD | MON, 9 AM ET
BLUE RIVER VALLEY, EASTERN HANCOCK, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL, KNIGHTSTOWN, MT. VERNON (FORTVILLE), NEW CASTLE, NEW PALESTINE, SHENANDOAH, TRITON CENTRAL, TRI, UNION (MODOC)
21. TERRE HAUTE NORTH (11) | HULMAN LINKS | MON, 9 AM ET
BLOOMFIELD, EASTERN GREENE, LINTON-STOCKTON, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG), NORTHVIEW, SHAKAMAK, SULLIVAN, TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO, TERRE HAUTE SOUTH VIGO, WEST VIGO, WHITE RIVER VALLEY
22. VINCENNES LINCOLN (13) | CYPRESS HILLS GOLF CLUB OF VINCENNES | FRI, 9 AM ET
BARR-REEVE, GIBSON SOUTHERN, NORTH DAVIESS, NORTH KNOX, PIKE CENTRAL, PRINCETON COMMUNITY, SOUTH KNOX, TECUMSEH, VINCENNES LINCOLN, VINCENNES RIVET, WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON CATHOLIC, WOOD MEMORIAL
23. EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (13) | HELFRICH HILLS GOLF COURSE | THURS, 8 AM CT
BOONVILLE, CASTLE, EVANSVILLE BOSSE, EVANSVILLE CENTRAL, EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN, EVANSVILLE F.J. REITZ, EVANSVILLE HARRISON, EVANSVILLE MATER DEI, EVANSVILLE NORTH, EVANSVILLE REITZ MEMORIAL, MT. VERNON, NORTH POSEY
24. JASPER (13) | SULTAN’S RUN GOLF CLUB | THURS, 10 AM ET
CRAWFORD COUNTY, FOREST PARK, HERITAGE HILLS, NORTHEAST DUBOIS, JASPER, LOOGOOTEE, ORLEANS, PAOLI, PERRY CENTRAL, SOUTH SPENCER, SOUTHRIDGE, SPRINGS VALLEY, TELL CITY
25. BLOOMINGTON NORTH (13) | CASCADES GOLF COURSE | MON, 8 AM ET
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE, BLOOMINGTON NORTH, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH, BROWN COUNTY, BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL, EDGEWOOD, MEDORA, MITCHELL, OWEN VALLEY, SALEM, SEYMOUR, TRINITY LUTHERAN, WEST WASHINGTON
26. FRANKLIN COMMUNITY (13) | THE LEGENDS GOLF CLUB | MON, 8 AM ET
CENTER GROVE, EDINBURGH, FRANKLIN CENTRAL, FRANKLIN COMMUNITY, GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, GREENWOOD COMMUNITY, INDIAN CREEK, INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN, PERRY MERIDIAN, RONCALLI, SOUTHPORT, WHITELAND COMMUNITY, BEECH GROVE
27. RICHMOND (10) | ELKS COUNTRY CLUB | MON, 8 AM ET
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN, CENTERVILLE, CONNERSVILLE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, HAGERSTOWN, NORTHEASTERN, RICHMOND, RUSHVILLE CONSOLIDATED, UNION COUNTY, OLDENBURG ACADEMY
28. GREENSBURG (14) | GREENSBURG COUNTRY CLUB | FRI, 8:30 AM ET
BATESVILLE, COLUMBUS EAST, COLUMBUS NORTH, EAST CENTRAL, GREENSBURG, HAUSER, JAC-CEN-DEL, MILAN, NORTH DECATUR, SHELBYVILLE, SOUTH DECATUR, SOUTH RIPLEY, SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE), WALDRON
29. MADISON CONSOLIDATED (13) | SUNRISE GOLF COURSE | MON, 11 AM ET
AUSTIN, CHARLESTOWN, HENRYVILLE, JENNINGS COUNTY, MADISON CONSOLIDATED, NEW WASHINGTON, RISING SUN, SCOTTSBURG, SHAWE MEMORIAL, SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER), SWITZERLAND COUNTY, LAWRENCEBURG, SOUTH DEARBORN
30. PROVIDENCE (14) | COVERED BRIDGE GOLF CLUB | MON, 8 AM ET
BORDEN, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA, CLARKSVILLE, CORYDON CENTRAL, EASTERN (PEKIN), FLOYD CENTRAL, JEFFERSONVILLE, LANESVILLE, NEW ALBANY, NORTH HARRISON, PROVIDENCE, SILVER CREEK, SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH), CROTHERSVILLE
NBA FINALS
DENVER 104 MIAMI 93
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
TORONTO 3 MILWAUKEE 1
BOSTON 8 CINCINNATI 2
MINNESOTA 7 CLEVELAND 6
NY METS 4 PHILADELPHIA 2
SAN DIEGO 10 MIAMI 1
ARIZONA 5 COLORADO 4
FINAL STAT LINES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/SCOREBOARD.ASP
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
TOLEDO 4 INDIANAPOLIS 1
SOUTH BEND 1 FT. WAYNE 0
WNBA SCORES
SUN 89 LYNX 84
COLLEGE BASEBALL TOURNEY MATCH-UPS
WINSTON-SALEM REGIONAL
FRIDAY
MARYLAND VS. NORTHEASTERN, 1 P.M. (ESPN+)
NO. 1 WAKE FOREST VS. GEORGE MASON, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
GAINESVILLE REGIONAL
FRIDAY
UCONN VS. TEXAS TECH, 12 P.M. (ESPNU)
NO. 2 FLORIDA VS. FLORIDA A&M, 5:30 P.M. (ESPN+)
FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 3 ARKANSAS VS. SANTA CLARA, 3 P.M. (ESPN+)
TCU VS. ARIZONA, 9 P.M. (ESPNU)
CLEMSON REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 4 CLEMSON VS. LIPSCOMB, 1 P.M. (ESPN+)
TENNESSEE VS. CHARLOTTE, 6 P.M., (ESPNU)
BATON ROUGE REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 5 LSU VS. TULANE 3 P.M. (ESPNU)
OREGON STATE VS. SAM HOUSTON 8 P.M. (ESPN+)
NASHVILLE REGIONAL
FRIDAY
OREGON VS. XAVIER, 1 P.M. (ESPN+)
NO. 6 VANDERBILT VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS, 8 P.M. (SEC NETWORK)
CHARLOTTESVILLE REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 7 VIRGINIA VS. ARMY WEST POINT, 12 P.M. (ESPN+)
EAST CAROLINA VS. OKLAHOMA, 7 P.M. (ESPN2)
STANFORD REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 8 STANFORD VS. SAN JOSE STATE, 5 P.M. (ESPN+)
TEXAS A&M VS. CAL STATE FULLERTON, 10 P.M. (ESPN2)
CORAL GABLES REGIONAL
FRIDAY
TEXAS VS. LOUISIANA, 2 P.M. (LONGHORN NETWORK)
NO. 9 MIAMI VS. MAINE, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
CONWAY REGIONAL
FRIDAY
DUKE VS. UNC WILMINGTON, 1 P.M. (ESPN+)
NO. 10 COASTAL CAROLINA VS. RIDER ,7 P.M. (ESPN+)
STILLWATER REGIONAL
FRIDAY
DALLAS BAPTIST VS. WASHINGTON, 1 P.M. (ESPN+)
NO. 11 OKLAHOMA STATE VS. ORAL ROBERTS, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
LEXINGTON REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 12 KENTUCKY VS. BALL STATE, 12 P.M. (SEC NETWORK)
WEST VIRGINIA VS. INDIANA, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
AUBURN REGIONAL
FRIDAY
SOUTHERN MISS VS. SAMFORD, 2 P.M. (ESPN+)
NO. 13 AUBURN VS. PENN, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
TERRE HAUTE REGIONAL
FRIDAY
NO. 14 INDIANA STATE VS. WRIGHT STATE, 1 P.M. (ESPN+)
IOWA VS. NORTH CAROLINA, 7 P.M. (ACC NETWORK)
COLUMBIA REGIONAL
FRIDAY
CAMPBELL VS. NC STATE, 1 P.M. (ACC NETWORK)
NO. 15 SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
TUSCALOOSA REGIONAL
FRIDAY
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. TROY, 3 P.M. (ESPN+)
NO. 16 ALABAMA VS. NICHOLLS, 7 P.M. (ESPN+)
COLLEGE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES MATCH-UPS
THURSDAY:
GAME 1: NO. 4 TENNESSEE 10, NO. 5 ALABAMA 5
GAME 2: NO. 1 OKLAHOMA 2, NO. 9 STANFORD 0
GAME 3: NO. 3 FLORIDA STATE 8, NO. 6 OKLAHOMA STATE 0 (6)
FRIDAY:
GAME 4: NO. 15 UTAH VS. NO. 7 WASHINGTON, 1 P.M., ESPN2
GAME 5: NO. 5 ALABAMA VS. NO. 9 STANFORD, 7 P.M., ESPN
GAME 6: NO. 6 OKLAHOMA STATE VS. LOSER GAME 4, 9:30 P.M., ESPN
SATURDAY:
GAME 7: NO. 4 TENNESSEE VS. NO. 1 OKLAHOMA, 3 P.M., ABC
GAME 8: NO. 3 FLORIDA STATE VS. WINNER GAME 4, 7 P.M., ESPN
JUNE 4:
GAME 9: WINNER GAME 5 VS. LOSER GAME 8, 3 P.M.
GAME 10: WINNER GAME 6 VS. LOSER GAME 7, 7 P.M.
JUNE 5:
GAME 11: WINNER GAME 9 VS. WINNER GAME 7, NOON
GAME 12: REMATCH GAME 11 (IF NECESSARY), 2:30 P.M.
GAME 13: WINNER GAME 10 VS. WINNER GAME 8, 7 P.M.
GAME 14: REMATCH GAME 13 (IF NECESSARY), 9:30 P.M.
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
GAME 1: JUNE 7, 8 P.M.
GAME 2: JUNE 8, 7:30 P.M.
GAME 3: JUNE 9 (IF NECESSARY), 8 P.M.
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
NBA NEWS
JOKIC GETS TRIPLE-DOUBLE, NUGGETS ROLL PAST HEAT 104-93 IN GAME 1 OF NBA FINALS
DENVER (AP) Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets were facing some questions going into their first NBA Finals, and their answers came in resounding fashion.
No, a week and a half off didn’t hurt them.
And no, the NBA’s biggest stage isn’t too big, either.
Jokic got a triple-double in his finals debut, Jamal Murray scored 26 points and the Nuggets had little trouble with the cold-shooting Miami Heat on the way to a 104-93 win in Game 1 on Thursday night.
“I think that’s what the beauty of this team is,” Murray said. “We have so many different weapons and so many different looks. You’ve got to guard everybody. … Free-flowing, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The Heat had been 3-0 in openers so far in these playoffs, all on the road, but Denver is still unbeaten at home. Game 1 winners in the finals go on to win the title nearly 70% of the time.
Advantage, Nuggets.
“That was one of my last messages to the group before our game,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I reminded our group, if they didn’t know, that Miami went into Milwaukee and won Game 1. They went into the Garden in New York City and won Game 1. They won Game 1 up in Boston. So, we did not want them coming in here taking control of the series on our court.”
Jokic was the one in control. The two-time NBA MVP finished with 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who waited 47 years to make the finals and didn’t disappoint.
“The most important thing is to win a game,” Jokic said after his ninth triple-double of this year’s playoffs – his sixth in his last seven games. “I’m trying to win a game in any possible way.”
Aaron Gordon added 16 points and Michael Porter Jr. scored 14 for Denver, which trailed for all of 34 seconds and eventually led by as many as 24.
Bam Adebayo finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, which shot 41% for the game – 33% from 3-point range. Gabe Vincent scored 19, Haywood Highsmith had 18 and Jimmy Butler added 13 for the Heat.
Miami was 2 for 2 from the foul line – a night like none other in NBA playoff history.
It tied the fewest free throws ever made in a playoff game, broke the record for fewest attempts from the line in a playoff game – the previous record was three – and set NBA Finals records for fewest free throws made and attempted. The Los Angeles Lakers had the previous marks there, going 3 for 5 from the line against Philadelphia on May 26, 1983.
“We’ve got to attack the rim a lot more, myself included,” Butler said.
Added Adebayo, tongue firmly in cheek: “We made history”
Game 2 is in Denver on Sunday night.
Miami opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run, cutting an 84-63 deficit to start the final period down to 84-74. The Heat actually got within nine on a 3-pointer by Highsmith with 2:34 left, but no closer and there wasn’t any doubt, either.
“It’s a long series,” Vincent said. “First to four wins. Adjustments will be made. And we will learn from this loss.”
Malone gave his team a pop quiz in shootaround Thursday morning, peppering them with questions about the game plan and what had to be done in the most important game to date in franchise history.
They had all the answers then. Had them all at game time, too. They were the team with minimal NBA Finals experience, only two players having been to the title round before, and yet they looked right at home before the home crowd in Game 1.
“We were ready,” Denver guard Bruce Brown said.
Jokic became the second player in the last 25 years – LeBron James was the other, in 2017 – to have 10 assists by halftime of a finals game. He had 10 points and 10 assists by the break, and Denver was up 59-42 after the first two quarters – with Jokic taking only three shots.
“I don’t need to shoot and I know I don’t need to score to affect the game,” Jokic said.
Meanwhile, the Heat just couldn’t shoot. At all. Or at least, not until Denver was too far ahead to catch.
Caleb Martin, who narrowly missed out on winning the MVP award of the Eastern Conference finals, was 1 for 7. And Max Strus was 0 for 10, 0 for 9 on 3-pointers, and became just the second player in the last 45 years to take that many shots without a make in a finals game.
The other, somewhat surprisingly: Ray Allen, a past Heat finals hero who was 0 for 13 for Boston against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010.
“I didn’t even look at the box score yet, but like I said, I think the disposition, the efforts were more appropriate in the second half,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But that’s not enough. It has to be for a full game, and you also have to make some plays when you’re beat.”
TIP-INS
Heat: Miami fell to 1-6 all-time in Game 1s of the NBA Finals. The Heat lost the series opener in each of their title years – 2006, 2012 and 2013 – and the only win came in 2011, a series they eventually lost to Dallas. … Adebayo’s 25 shots were a career high. He became the third player to score at least 24 points for Miami in a Game 1 of a finals. James did it three times for the Heat and Dwyane Wade did it in 2006.
Nuggets: Jokic became the eighth player to have a triple-double in Game 1 of a finals. None of the others were accompanied by 27 points; Dave Cowens had a 25-point triple-double to open the 1976 finals. … Brown, who played his college ball at Miami, scored 10. … Denver got to the foul line 20 times.
CELEB WATCH
Among those in the sellout crowd: Grammy winner H.E.R., former Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, current Denver quarterback Russell Wilson, Broncos coach Sean Payton and actor-comedian Ken Jeong.
NBA PLANNING TO ANNOUNCE LATEST JA MORANT DECISION AFTER FINALS, SILVER SAYS
DENVER (AP) The latest sanctions, if any, that the NBA plans to levy against Memphis guard Ja Morant for his second instance of displaying a gun on social media will be announced shortly after the finals, Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday.
Silver did not say what the penalties were, not even saying if Morant would be available at the start of next season. Morant was suspended for eight games by the NBA in March for an incident where he broadcast himself on Instagram displaying a gun in a suburban Denver club, and was suspended by the Grizzlies last month after another video showed Morant displaying what appeared to be a gun yet again.
Silver said the league has discovered more information during its current investigation, but the decision was made to not have the next round of Morant news overshadow the NBA Finals.
“We probably could have brought it to a head now, but we made the decision – and I believe the players’ association agrees with us – that it would be unfair to these players and these teams, in the middle of this series, to announce the results of that investigation,” Silver said.
The first suspension cost Morant about $669,000 in salary. The second incident was streamed on the Instagram account of Morant associate Davonte Pack. The video shows Morant in the passenger seat of a vehicle, briefly appearing to display a handgun. At the very brief moment – maybe less than a second – when Morant is shown holding what appears to be a weapon, the livestream had 111 viewers.
“In assessing what discipline is appropriate, if that’s the case, we look at both the history of prior acts but then we look at the individual player’s history as well and the seriousness, of course, of the conduct,” Silver said. “Those are all things that get factored. It’s not an exact science. It comes down to judgment at the end of the day on the part of me and my colleagues in the league office.”
This will be at least the third known NBA investigation surrounding Morant and the possible involvement of firearms so far in 2023.
Morant’s actions were investigated after a Jan. 29 incident in Memphis that he said led to Pack – someone Morant calls “my brother” – banned from Grizzlies home games for a year.
That incident followed a game against the Indiana Pacers; citing unnamed sources, The Indianapolis Star and USA Today reported that multiple members of the Pacers saw a red dot pointed at them while they were near the loading dock where their bus was located, and The Athletic reported that a Pacers security guard believed the laser was attached to a gun.
The NBA confirmed that unnamed individuals were banned from the arena but said its investigation found no evidence that anyone was threatened with a weapon.
Silver said he’s hoping this episode sparks change for Morant.
“He seems to be a fine young man, in terms of my dealings with him,” Silver said. “He’s clearly made some mistakes. But he’s young and I’m hoping now, once we conclude at the end of our process, what the appropriate discipline is, that it’s not just about the discipline. It’s about now what we, the players’ association, his team, he and the people around him around him are going to do to create better circumstances going forward. That’s ultimately what’s most important.”
COMPETITIVE BALANCE
The NBA Finals matchup no longer seems predictable months in advance, and Silver doesn’t mind that fact whatsoever.
Silver, speaking just before the start of a Denver-Miami matchup in the title series, said those two clubs making the finals “speaks a lot to the competitiveness in this league.” This is the league’s sixth different finals matchup in the last six seasons, and nine different teams have played for a title in that span.
“With just a little over a week left in the season, you had 26 teams still competing for the playoffs,” Silver said in his annual pre-finals address. “That’s a record.”
Denver is in the finals for the first time, and Miami is the second team to get there as a No. 8 seed – plus the first to get there after needing to survive the play-in tournament just to qualify for the playoffs. It’s also a matchup of teams in the middle of the pack of the NBA market; Denver is No. 16 in market size, according to Nielsen, while South Florida is No. 18.
“I think that’s intriguing,” Silver said.
There’s been no shortage of examples of the same team – or two, even – making the finals on what seems like an annual basis.
Golden State played Cleveland four consecutive times from 2015 through 2018; Miami was in four consecutive finals from 2011 through 2014 and played San Antonio in the last two of those years; and the Los Angeles Lakers played three consecutive finals from 2008 through 2010, two of those matchups against Boston.
There were seven teams with better odds of winning the NBA title going into the season than Miami; there were eight with better odds than Denver.
“Competition is great for the league,” Silver said.
STEVENS: MAZZULLA WILL BE BACK AS CELTICS COACH, TEAM ‘WITHOUT A DOUBT’ WANTS BROWN TO RETURN
BOSTON (AP) For anyone expecting sweeping changes from the Boston Celtics this offseason, team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is throwing a bit of cold water on that idea.
After a season in which the Celtics fell one game short of a return to the NBA Finals, Stevens said he sees a team in need of small tweaks, not massive disruption to the leadership or its young core.
“There was a lot that went right, and we can’t lose sight of that,” Stevens said Thursday during his season-ending news conference. “It’s not far. … It’s really hard to get in the mix. So, we just have to figure out how to be a little better.”
That will start at the top with coach Joe Mazzulla, who Stevens said will return after guiding the Celtics to 57 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Asked directly if Mazzulla is the right person to lead the team going forward, Stevens was unequivocal.
“Yeah, I think he is,” Stevens said. “I thought he did a really good job with this group. Everybody’s going to overreact to the best players and coaches after every game. That’s always how it is. We know that going in, so we have to be able to judge things on the whole.”
That the team was able to finish the regular season second in both offense and defense and fight back from a 3-0 deficit in the conference finals is evidence of Mazzulla’s leadership, Stevens said.
Given the rapid-fire introduction Mazzulla received after being named interim coach just days before training camp, Stevens said he now measures Mazzulla’s head-coaching experience in dog years.
“He’ll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year, because he’s constantly trying to learn. And he’s accountable,” Stevens said. “When you can show all those things through the expectations and the microscope that he was under, that’s hard to do.”
Stevens said the Celtics do plan to add at least one assistant coach with extensive NBA experience on the bench this summer, filling the spot vacated when Damon Stoudamire left to become Georgia Tech’s coach in March.
As far as changes to the roster, Stevens said while they will always monitor the league landscape for potential additions that could help, he likes his team’s existing core.
Due to NBA rules that restrict what executives are allowed to say about players with pending contracts, Stevens declined to speak specifically on the decisions needed to me made this offseason involving Jaylen Brown (eligible to sign a five-year supermax extension on July 1) and restricted free agent Grant Williams.
“I’ve had nothing but great conversations with Jaylen,” Stevens said. “I can say, without a doubt, we want Jaylen to be here. He’s a big part of us. We believe in him and I’m thankful for him. … I’m really thankful that when those guys have success they come back to work. And when they get beat, they own it and they come back to work. And so I know that’s what they’re about. And that’s hard to find.”
Stevens believes Williams got caught in a numbers situation regarding his reduced time in the rotation this season.
“He is a good player who was on a really deep team,” Stevens said. “With the addition of (Malcolm) Brogdon last year it was going to require that guys that had gotten a little more opportunity weren’t going to get as much. That obviously hit a few of our players. … But everybody around the league knows Grant can add value to any team.”
Whatever happens, Stevens said, it will start with doing as little as possible to disrupt the infrastructure of a team he believes has the bones to be a championship team.
“At the end of the day we love our foundation. We love our core. And that’s really our focus and our priority,” Stevens said.
NOTES: Stevens said Tatum had “a pretty decent” ankle sprain in Game 7 but is feeling “a little better.” Brogdon, who dealt with a strained right forearm during the conference finals, has yet to decide whether to have surgery. Stevens said Derrick White’s knee injury in Game 7 was just a hyperextension and sprain.
REFEREE ERIC LEWIS NOT SELECTED TO WORK NBA FINALS WHILE LEAGUE LOOKS INTO TWEETS
DENVER (AP) Eric Lewis was not selected as one of the 12 referees who will work the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, while the league continues to look into whether he used a Twitter account to defend himself and other officials from online critiques.
Lewis had been chosen to work the finals in each of the last four seasons. This year’s finals referees were announced by the league Thursday morning, about 12 hours before the start of the title series.
After some now-deleted tweets were revealed by a pair of Twitter users last week, the league opened an investigation into whether Lewis violated NBA rules by speaking about officiating in an unauthorized manner. It has not been determined if Lewis was using the account, which utilizes the name “blair cuttliff.” The account was deactivated briefly last week but was active again Wednesday evening.
“Regarding Eric Lewis and the social media posts, we are continuing to review the matter and he will not be working the finals,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Thursday.
The league has not revealed a timetable for the completion of its probe into whether Lewis used the Twitter account. It also remains unknown what discipline from the league that Lewis could face if he broke policy by discussing officiating matters openly without approval.
“We decided that given that investigation was ongoing and it remains ongoing, that it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to work in these finals,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday night. “I don’t know what the ultimate conclusion will be. We’ll see where the facts take us.”
Of the 12 referees picked for the Nuggets-Heat matchup, nine worked the title series last season. Scott Foster will be a finals referee for the 16th year, while Tony Brothers and Marc Davis were picked for a 12th time. Zach Zarba is now a 10-time selection, John Goble was picked for the seventh time, David Guthrie for the sixth time, Josh Tiven for the fourth and Courtney Kirkland and James Williams are now three-time selections.
Returning to the referee lineup for the finals are Ed Malloy, now an eight-time pick, and Bill Kennedy – picked for the fifth time. The only first-time selection this year is Kevin Scott, who began working NBA games in the 2010-11 season.
Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor have been assigned as finals alternates. Foster has officiated 23 NBA Finals games, followed by Davis (18) and Brothers (15).
“The pinnacle for an NBA official is to work the NBA Finals,” said Byron Spruell, the league’s president of basketball operations.
Davis, Guthrie and Malloy worked Game 1 of the series Thursday night. Typically, the 12 referees each get to work one of the first four games of the series.
Besides Lewis, the other referees who worked the 2022 finals but aren’t working them this year are Kane Fitzgerald – who left on-court work after last season and took over in September as the league’s Vice President of Referee Operations and Replay Center Principal – and James Capers, who is injured.
Lewis has worked more than 1,200 games, counting both regular season and playoffs, in 19 seasons as an NBA referee. He last worked on May 16, when Denver played host to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. The reports of the tweets came out about a week later.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: CORBIN CARROLL, D-BACKS SINK ROCKIES
Corbin Carroll’s two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Arizona Diamondbacks a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday in Phoenix.
Gabriel Moreno started the ninth-inning rally when he was walked by Colorado closer Pierce Johnson (0-2) with one out. Ketel Marte followed with his second double of the game one out later to move Moreno to third. Carroll then ripped his walk-off single to center field to plate both Moreno and Marte.
The victory completed Arizona’s first sweep of the season, as the Diamondbacks took four games from the Rockies.
Harold Castro, Nolan Jones and Brenton Doyle each had two hits and an RBI to lead Colorado. Rockies left fielder Jurickson Profar’s 37-game on-base streak was snapped due to an 0-for-4 performance. It was the longest streak in the majors this season.
Padres 10, Marlins 1
Fernando Tatis Jr. drove in four runs and Joe Musgrove took a no-hitter into the sixth inning as San Diego defeated host Miami.
Tatis went 3-for-4 with three doubles, two runs and one walk. Musgrove (3-2) went six innings, allowing an unearned run, three hits and three walks while fanning three.
Jesus Luzardo (4-4) allowed five runs, four hits and one walk for Miami. The Marlins scored their lone run in the third. Jonathan Davis walked, stole second, took third on catcher Austin Nola’s throwing error and scored on Luis Arraez’s sacrifice fly. Arraez also broke up the no-hitter with an infield single in the sixth.
Blue Jays 3, Brewers 1
Kevin Gausman struck out 11, Matt Chapman hit a two-run home run and host Toronto defeated Milwaukee.
Bo Bichette added a solo home run for the Blue Jays, who took two of three from the Brewers. Gausman (4-3) allowed no runs, five hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.
The Brewers have dropped five of their last seven games in losing their past two series. Starter Freddy Peralta (5-5) allowed three runs, six hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings.
Mets 4, Phillies 2
Max Scherzer tossed seven strong innings for a second consecutive start and Mark Canha continued tormenting Philadelphia by hitting another two-run home run as host New York completed a three-game sweep.
Scherzer (5-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out nine. Jeff McNeil had an RBI single in the third before Canha hit the go-ahead two-run homer to left off Taijuan Walker (4-3) in the fourth.
Nick Castellanos had three singles and a sacrifice fly for the Phillies, who have dropped four straight and 12 of 17.
Twins 7, Guardians 6
Willi Castro hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in the ninth inning as Minnesota rallied to defeat Cleveland in the opener of a four-game series at Minneapolis.
Royce Lewis hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth and Michael A. Taylor also homered for the Twins. Griffin Jax (3-6) picked up the win with a scoreless inning of relief.
Mike Zunino had a two-run single to highlight the Guardians’ five-run sixth inning. Will Brennan and Gabriel Arias each added two hits apiece for Cleveland.
Red Sox 8, Reds 2
Chris Sale exited the game early due to soreness in his left shoulder, but host Boston ended a three-game losing streak by beating Cincinnati.
Sale allowed a run on five hits in 3 2/3 innings. Chris Martin (1-1) gave up one run in one inning but was credited with the win. Enrique Hernandez homered, singled and drove in three runs for the Red Sox.
It was a 2-2 tie until Boston scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. All six runs of those runs were charged to Kevin Herget (1-2) as the Reds’ five-game winning streak ended.
Astros 5, Angels 2
Alex Bregman produced a two-run, two-out single to cap a three-run fifth inning as host Houston won the opener of a four-game series against Los Angeles. Kyle Tucker contributed three hits for the Astros.
Houston’s Ronel Blanco (1-0), called up pregame to make his first major league start, gave up two runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Ryan Pressly pitched a scoreless ninth for his 11th save.
Brandon Drury homered and Hunter Renfroe had three hits for the Angels. Reid Detmers (0-6) yielded four runs on six hits in five innings.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
SEC TO PLAY 8-GAME CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE IN 2024; LONG-TERM MODEL STILL TBD
DESTIN, Fla. (AP) The Southeastern Conference will play eight league games in 2024 when it expands to 16 teams with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas, but beyond that the schedule model is still to be determined.
Commissioner Greg Sankey said Thursday, the second-to-last day of the SEC’s spring meetings, that the conference’s university presidents unanimously voted to implement a short-term solution to a scheduling conundrum that has been debated within the league for more than a year.
SEC leaders have been trying to decide between a nine-game conference schedule that would include three annual rivalry games and an eight-game model with one annual rivalry game.
“Our long-term options are fully open,” Sankey said.
He also said, confidently, a long-term scheduling model would be hashed before the conference returns to the Florida Panhandle this time next year.
“Nobody wants to go through this every year,” Sankey said.
Football matchups for the 2024 season will be released on June 14 on the SEC Network, without exact dates. Sankey said traditional rivalries such as Alabama-Auburn and Mississippi-Mississippi State would be honored.
“Are you asking me: Are we not going to play the Iron bowl and Egg Bowl? I won’t be the commissioner if that happens,” Sankey said.
Sankey would not commit to a renewal of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry, which has not been played since the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012.
“I’m pretty confident they’ll play before (2026) though,” Sankey said.
Other yearly rivalries such as Alabama-Tennessee, Georgia-Auburn and Ole Miss-LSU could be worked into the 2024 schedule as well, but are not as likely as they would have been with a nine-game slate.
SEC leaders had already said they were planning to abandon the two-division structure the conference has had since 1991 when Texas and Oklahoma relocate from the Big 12. The top two teams in the standings will meet in the league championship in 2024 for the first time.
The Texas and OU move comes a year earlier than the SEC originally expected. Texas and Oklahoma were contractually bound to the Big 12 through the 2024-25 school year.
The advanced timetable left some athletic directors apprehensive about rushing into an expanded conference slate.
Some schools such as LSU and Texas A&M have been clear in their support for playing more conference games, and a few such as Kentucky have been steadfast in their desire to stay at eight. It remains unclear exactly where each school stands.
Texas and Oklahoma athletic directors participated in this week’s meetings at a resort hotel on the Florida Gulf Coast, but do not have voting rights until July 2024.
Some SEC athletic directors cited College Football Playoff expansion from four to 12 teams in 2024 and the need to re-arrange already-booked nonconference games as reasons to stick with an eight-game schedule – at least for another year.
“You can put a lot of people in a tough position if you go to nine and you discontinue certain (nonconference) games en masse,” Sankey said.
There was also the question of whether ESPN, which becomes the exclusive home of the SEC next season, would pay for more an increased number of conference games.
“A lot of change,” Sankey said. “A list of reasons probably could make six or eight more if I had my notebook with me. Or 12 more. I think this was a really healthy one-year opportunity.”
The SEC also announced a revised policy for its schools to follow to attempt to prevent fans from storming the court or field after a game.
“Schools must provide security and uniformed law enforcement around each team and game officials before, during and after the event to prevent contact with spectators,” the league said.
Schools will be required to submit to the conference before next season detailed plans to manage field and court rushing and a communication plan that discourages students and fans from doing so.
Fines home teams face for field/court rushing will be reset heading into this season and increased. The fine for a first offense doubles to $100,000. A second-offense will increase from $100,000 to $250,000. Third offenses double to $500,000.
Instead of fines going to the league office, they will now be paid directly to the visiting school.
NHL NEWS
PATRICK KANE HAS HIP RESURFACING SURGERY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT 4-6 MONTHS
(AP) — Patrick Kane underwent hip resurfacing surgery Thursday and is expected to miss four to six months.
Agent Pat Brisson confirmed Kane’s operation in a text message to The Associated Press. The extended absence appears to rule out Kane for an NHL training camp but means he may be able to return early in the regular season.
Kane, 34, has been dealing with a nagging hip injury that hampered him over the past year with the Chicago Blackhawks and then down the stretch and in the playoffs with the New York Rangers.
Brisson expects Kane to make a full recovery. It was not immediately clear how the surgery impacts Kane’s impending free agency, though Brisson said they’d consider options if the prolific winger does not have a contract on July 1.
The priority, Brisson said, is that the surgery was successful. He told Sportsnet, which first reported the operation, that Kane wants to keep playing for a long time.
Kane might get that chance if the surgery allows him to return to his previous form. Second only to Mike Modano in scoring among U.S.-born players with 1,237 points, Kane was one of the centerpieces of Chicago’s Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2010, ’13 and ’15 and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2016.
As recently as the 2021-22 season, Kane was more than a point-a-game player even amid the Blackhawks’ struggles, putting up 26 goals and 66 assists in 78 games.
Kane had six points on a goal and five assists in New York’s seven-game first-round series loss to New Jersey after the Rangers acquired him before the trade deadline.
The Buffalo, New York, native joins Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom and Carl Hagelin as players to have the invasive hip surgery over the past year. It involves dislocating the upper end of the thighbone, trimming it, capping it and removing cartilage before putting it back in place.
Backstrom, who also was seeking to fix a lingering hip ailment, played seven months after the surgery and finished the season with 21 points in 39 games. Before Backstrom, the only NHL player to come back from hip resurfacing surgery was Ed Jovanovski, who got into 37 more games before calling it a career.
PENGUINS NAME FORMER MAPLE LEAFS GM DUBAS AS CLUB’S NEW PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
PITTSBURGH (AP) Kyle Dubas wanted to take a breath and take a break after being fired as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Then the Pittsburgh Penguins called.
The break ended shortly thereafter.
Dubas joined the Penguins as the team’s president of hockey operations on Thursday, less than two weeks after a somewhat ugly exit from Toronto following a second-round playoff loss to Florida.
The 37-year-old Dubas goes from one type of hockey crucible to another. In Toronto, he was tasked with helping the Maple Leafs emerge from two decades of postseason futility. In Pittsburgh, his mission will be to prop open the Stanley Cup window for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang a little longer.
All three are 35 or older and haven’t won a playoff series since 2018. Yet Dubas believes strongly the issue isn’t the age of the franchise’s core but deficiencies elsewhere on the roster. Dubas replaces Brian Burke, who was fired along with general manager Ron Hextall in April after the Penguins failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
“I heard a lot of people that were highly skeptical of the team’s ability to contend here and the way I view it, if the people want to bet against (Crosby, Letang and Malkin) they can go ahead and do so,” Dubas said. “But I’m going to bet on them and go with them here. I think it is a group that’s capable of contending to win a championship.”
Crosby and Malkin were excellent for much of last season and Letang showed remarkable resiliency while dealing with multiple setbacks, including a stroke and the death of his father. Yet save for a 14-2-2 stretch in November and December, the Penguins struggled to find consistency and ultimately stumbled down the stretch to snap the longest active playoff streak in major North American Sports.
While the Penguins do have $20 million in cap space and the 14th overall pick in this month’s NHL draft, significant changes or upgrades could be difficult in the short term.
Dubas inherits a team that was the oldest in the NHL last season and is littered with question marks, particularly in goal and the forward group outside of Crosby, Malkin and Jake Guentzel.
Two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry will become a free agent this summer and was beset by injuries over the second half of the season. Forward Jason Zucker, who served as the emotional sparkplug for long stretches, is also scheduled to hit the open market and may have priced himself out of town.
Pittsburgh also has several aging players with full or partial no-movement clauses, including 38-year-old forward Jeff Carter, 30-year-old Bryan Rust and 35-year-old defenseman Jeff Petry.
“I think that those are obviously very real situations, everyone knows that they exist,” Dubas said. “To me the effect on it … is what we can add in terms of depth pieces? What we can add in terms of younger players? That’ll be the real key.”
Dubas does plan to hire a general manager to fill the vacancy created when Hextall was let go after a short but largely unfruitful tenure. Dubas will serve as the GM on an interim basis until early July.
Dubas comes to Pittsburgh after nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, including the last five as general manager. Toronto won a postseason series for the first time since 2004 this spring before falling to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinals in five games.
Shortly after the Maple Leafs’ playoff exit, Dubas said that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to remain in Toronto. His contract was set to expire on June 30, but team president Kyle Shanahan opted to pre-emptively fire Dubas instead. Toronto hired former Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving as Dubas’ replacement on Wednesday.
Dubas helped build the Maple Leafs into a regular-season power during his tenure. Toronto set single-season records for wins and points, and went 221-109-42 in his tenure. Dubas also didn’t shy away from big moves – he fired Stanley Cup-winning coach Mike Babcock in November 2019 and replaced him with Sheldon Keefe – but struggled to find the right mix in the playoffs until this spring.
In the end, advancing beyond the first round for the first time since 2004 wasn’t enough for Dubas to remain in Toronto.
He joked he was maybe a little “too honest” during his season-ending press conference with the Maple Leafs when he expressed reservations about returning. Shanahan’s abrupt decision to move on came as a bit of a surprise, and Dubas planned to take some time to hit the reset button before looking for another job.
Yet the Penguins – who’d already been given clearance by the Maple Leafs to interview Dubas – provided a compelling reason to speed up the timetable. Dubas’ due diligence included speaking to Crosby and longtime coach Mike Sullivan to take the pulse of a leadership group that remains firmly in place.
Dubas called them “some of the best competitors” in hockey. Competitors that have – for one reason or another – been unable to recapture the magic of their runs to back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017.
Time is running out for Crosby to put his name on the Cup for a fourth time in a career that will almost certainly end in the Hall of Fame. Dubas knows he’ll be judged in part on whether he can make that happen. After taking more than six weeks of searching before landing on Dubas, Fenway Sports Group Chairman Tom Werner believes Dubas is up to the challenge.
“Our philosophy is giving Kyle and his associates the best possible resources to win,” Werner said. “Kyle’s been very articulate today about his path to success … we’re very confident that Kyle will execute the plan he’s articulated to us.”
MEN’S GOLF
RILEY AVOIDS BIG NUMBERS FOR 67 ON TOUGH DAY AT MEMORIAL
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) Davis Riley opened with a 67 at the Memorial to finish atop the leaderboard after the opening round for the second straight year. And that’s where the similarities end.
Riley birdied three of his last four holes Thursday afternoon when the turf was firm and the wind was swirling and the bad breaks led to big numbers, as Rory McIlroy found out.
Riley was in a six-way share of the lead last year. On Thursday, he led by one over Matt Wallace. Jordan Spieth was in the group at 69, ending his hopes for a bogey-free day by hitting into two bunkers on the 18th hole and saving bogey from the second one.
It was hot. It was hard. And at times it was tough to watch.
Chad Ramey hit four shots that went into the water on the ninth hole, which featured a front pin and a stream in front of the green. He made a 13, the highest score ever recorded on any of the holes at Muirfield Village.
He posted an 88, still shy of the record high score of 92 that Roger Maltbie shot in 1979 in a second round that featured 30 mph wind and a wind chill index of 13 degrees.
Dry and hot is the weather tournament founder Jack Nicklaus always wanted but rarely gets, and there were plenty of comparisons to a U.S. Open except for the generous fairways.
Defending champion Billy Horschel has been in a slump, and Muirfield Village was no place to try to snap out of that. Horschel had four 6s on his card of 84.
“My confidence is the lowest it’s been in my entire career. I think ever in my entire golf career,” Horschel said. “So it’s funny, as low as it feels, it feels like I’m not that far off at the same time. Which is insane to see when you see me shoot 84 today.”
Wallace, who needs a victory this week to avoid U.S. Open qualifying, posted his 68 in the morning before the wind and the temperatures picked up. Shane Lowry had five straight birdies in the morning in relatively calm conditions, but even he wasn’t immune to a fast golf course that could be punishing without notice.
McIlroy was 3 under for his round playing the 18th when his drive went right – not unusual for the shape of that hole – and was tumbling toward the sand until it stopped. That was very unusual. The ball was nearly belt-high and he could barely take a stance. He did his best to chop it out, and it just cleared the bunker into thick grass.
From there, his 9-iron caught a flyer and sailed over the green to the shaggy hill. His flop shot came out clunky and over the green and its front pin. His chip was weak. He missed the putt. And his triple bogey wiped out an otherwise good day.
Spieth almost was in that predicament. At least he was in the sand, but he hit a poor 7-iron that barely got out of the sand, just ahead of McIlroy’s ball. That turned out to be a break, because when Spieth saw that happened to McIlroy’s shot, he went down to a pitching wedge.
It was a flyer, but it at least took a short hop into the sand in front of the green. He came inches away from holing – as he did for birdie from the bunker on No. 10 – and got away with a bogey.
“It’s nice to beat a tough golf course,” Spieth said.
Mark Hubbard also was at 69 and tried to remind himself it was a very good score after his bogey-bogey-bogey finish.
“I guess on paper it wasn’t what I wanted, but I had 5-iron into 16, 7-wood into 17 and 4-iron into 18. Like that’s a little tough coming in there today,” Hubbard said. “So I told my caddie that’s the least mad I’m ever going to be bogeying the last three.”
Jon Rahm and Adam Scott were at 70 playing in the morning. Scottie Scheffler didn’t make a putt longer than 6 feet and shot 74. That was his highest opening round since Las Vegas in October 2021.
The course average was 74, the highest for a first round at Muirfield Village since 2000. Eight players failed to break 80 – that doesn’t include Dylan Frittelli, who was 15 over through 14 holes when he withdrew with an illness.
Riley’s only bogey was nearly a superb par, from the back bunker on the 18th to 4 feet, but then he missed the putt. A very good round turned into a great one when he made a 12-foot birdie on the sixth, hit wedge to 4 feet on the par-5 seventh and finished with a 12-foot birdie on the ninth hole.
His description of the wedge at No. 7 illustrated the difficulty.
“I got 118 yards and I’m landing it 10 yards short of the pin, 30 feet short, and it’s skipping all the way there. And the wind was up,” Riley said. “This is probably one of the more difficult ones all year.”
WOMEN’S GOLF
NCAA CHAMP ROSE ZHANG MAKES IMPRESSIVE LPGA TOUR DEBUT IN MIZUHO AMERICAS OPEN
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) Two-time NCAA champion Rose Zhang made her professional debut Thursday on the LPGA Tour, a solid opening round in the Mizuho Americas Open.
The 20-year-old from Stanford who dominated the women’s amateur rankings for more than two years shot a 2-under 70 at Liberty National in the shadow of New York. The Californian was five shots off the lead held by Lauren Hartlage, who shot a career-best 65.
Aditi Ashok, the first player from India on the tour, was at 67 in a tournament where the focus shifted to Zhang last weekend with her announcement she was turning pro.
Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand and Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland had 68s.
Ayaka Furue, coming off a loss to Pajaree Anannarukarn on Sunday in final of the match play event in Las Vegas, was at 69 with Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Emma Talley, Cheyenne Knight, Grace Kim and Yuka Saso.
Zhang didn’t dominate in her first round as a pro but she showed enough, making five birdies and three bogeys on a day her putter didn’t help her. She hit fairways and greens in a round on a course that features a par 3 played with the Statue of Liberty staring golfers in the face.
“This was definitely a round that could have been better, and that kind of gets me excited to work on more and to develop my game even further,” said Zhang, who was among 14 players at 2 under. “I felt like I left a couple shots out there, and I think there is a lot of room for improvement.”
There were also some shots that were great. On the par-5 13th, she chipped in from 29 yards, coming from below the hole and having the ball cross the length of the green before falling in the hole.
The people following her group loved it. It was what they expected from the player who has won has won back-to-back Annika Awards as the best college player, and who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.
Her eight wins this season tied Tiger Woods for the most by a Stanford player in school history, and her 12 wins in 20 college starts are a school record.
“I don’t really have to think about other people’s expectations,” Zhang said. “Like I said before, I think of it as a compliment that they think I’m capable of more. But on the overall level, I think I have people that just want me to do the best I can and they push me to be better.”
Zhang will need to be better if Hartlage continues playing as well as she did on Thursday.
Starting on par-5 10th, Hartlage ignited her career-best round by hitting her second shot to within a foot and making eagle. She added five more birdies over the final 17 holes, adding it was nice to play well after struggling in her last four events.
“I feel like no one really expects me to be at the top, and it’s kind of fun just being able to just play with some of the best in the world and see how I rank,” said Hartlage, a 25-year-old who has two top-10 finishes since joining the tour last year.
Ashok, who has two top five finishes in her last three events, is two shots behind Hartlage after a bogey-free round.
“I just know that if I play good four days, then I’ll have a pretty good chance,” Ashok said.
Thitikul has two wins and 21 top-10 finishes since joining the tour last year. The 20-year-old had five birdies and bogey and she was the only player in the top four who played in the afternoon, when the wind picked up.
NASCAR
NASCAR SLAMS STEWART-HAAS RACING FOR CHEATING TO MAKE 2 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF MASSIVE PENALTIES
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) NASCAR issued its second massive penalty in as many days by levying huge fines Wednesday against Stewart-Haas Racing for a “counterfeit part” found on Chase Briscoe’s car in a secondary inspection after the Coca-Cola 600.
SHR’s No. 14 team was docked 120 points in both the owner standings and Briscoe’s driver standings, and he also was stripped of 25 playoff points. John Klausmeier, the crew chief, is suspended six races and was fined $250,000.
The penalties are the harshest NASCAR can impose under its written deterrence system. It comes a day after superstar Chase Elliott was suspended one race for deliberately wrecking Denny Hamlin on Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“We would much rather be talking about the phenomenal racing we just had at Charlotte Motor Speedway than penalties,” said Elton Sawyer, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition. “We are the custodians of the garage.”
The penalties against SHR fall under rules that prohibit counterfeiting a Next Gen single source vendor-supplied part. SHR is accused of using an illegal part in an attempt to create more downforce on Briscoe’s Ford.
“I was a little surprised they’d go down this path,” Sawyer said of SHR’s blatant cheating. “With them knowing the severity of the penalty. Talking with the race team, they’ve got some process and procedures within their race shop, that they feel they need to button-up.”
SHR chief competition officer Greg Zipadelli admitted as much and said the team will not appeal.
“We had a quality control lapse and a part that never should’ve been on a car going to the racetrack ended up on the No. 14 car at Charlotte. We accept NASCAR’s decision and will not appeal,” Zipadelli said.
The violation was found in a random inspection at NASCAR’s R&D Center in Concord the day after Briscoe finished 17th at Charlotte on Monday night. NASCAR randomly selects two cars to take back to its facility for a more thorough inspection, which is particularly important for policing the new Next Gen car.
The Next Gen car is mostly a spec car with single-source vendor parts. It was designed to both cut costs and even the playing field. Sawyer said NASCAR will consider taking more than two random cars to a secondary inspection to ensure teams are not treating the car and their shops as “a laboratory” for how they can push the limits in the second year.
“Last year they were just getting the parts and pieces, and getting the cars prepared and getting to the racetrack,” Sawyer said. “Now they’ve had them for a season and so its given a lot of time to their engineers, their people back at the shop to think ‘OK, maybe we can do this? Maybe we can do that?’
“By taking these cars back to the R&D and taking them down to basically the nuts and bolts – and we will continue to do that – we will get our message across.”
The points loss dropped Briscoe to 31st in the standings with 12 races remaining in the regular season. The top 16 in the standings – or a driver with a win – make the 16-driver field for the playoffs.
TOP INDIANA RELEASES
COLTS NEWS
The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran outside linebacker Genard Avery on Thursday, and in a corresponding move released running back Darius Hagans.
Avery played nine games (no starts) for the Buccaneers last season, recording one sack and five tackles in those games.
Avery was a fifth-round pick by the Browns in 2018 and recorded 4.5 sacks in his rookie year. He was traded to the Eagles during his second season after reportedly falling out of favor with the new coaching staff.
He played in Philadelphia for three seasons, recording three sacks across 35 games (12 starts).
The Colts had to release Hagans to make room for signing Avery. Hagans signed with the Colts in May as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia St.
INDIANS BASEBALL
INDIANAPOLIS – Cam Alldred impressed with four one-run innings in his fourth spot-start of 2023, but the Indianapolis Indians could not overcome three late-inning runs by the Toledo Mud Hens in a Thursday night loss at Victory Field, 4-1.
The Mud Hens (24-29) took an early lead in the second inning via an RBI single off the bat of nine-hitter Jermaine Palacios. The advantage didn’t last long, however, and Indianapolis (25-28) tied the game with an RBI single by Jared Triolo in the third.
A two-out double by Palacios in the seventh inning marked Toledo’s first extra-base hit of the game and resulted in the go-ahead run crossing home plate against John O’Reilly (L, 0-3). Two pitches later, Justyn-Henry Malloy drove him in with a line-drive single to center field. The Mud Hens then tacked on two more runs via a Michael Papierski two-run double in the eighth.
Chavez Fernander (W, 1-0) was the second of four Mud Hens relievers that held Indianapolis without a run past the third inning. Aneurys Zabala (S, 1) closed out the contest.
The Indians will look to extend their series lead against the Mud Hens to 3-1 tomorrow night with RHP Quinn Priester (5-3, 4.96) on the mound in a 7:05 PM first pitch. Toledo hasn’t named a starter for the contest.
INDY ELEVEN
#CHSvIND Preview
Indy Eleven at Charleston Battery
Friday, June 2, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Patriots Point Soccer Stadium – Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
2023 USL Championship Records:
Charleston Battery: 7W-2L-3D (+2 GD), 24 pts; 1st in Eastern Conference
Indy Eleven: 3W-5L-3D (-5 GD), 12 pts; 8th in Eastern Conference
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report:
OUT: DF R. Dambrot (L knee), MF B. Rebellon (L hamstring), R. King (R quad), Y. Boudadi (L shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: None
Discipline Report:
CHS: none
IND: none
SETTING THE SCENE
The Boys in Blue hit the road to take on Charleston Battery in a Friday night match-up. Indy is coming off a 1-0 loss at the hands of rival Louisville City FC and is 3-5-3 on the season. Charleston leads the USL’s Eastern Conference at 7-2-3 and is riding a two-match win streak.
SERIES VS. CHARLESTON BATTERY
Friday marks the seventh meeting between the two sides and is the first of two match-ups this season, with the second coming on July 12 at Carroll Stadium.
Indy leads: 3-2-1
GF 13, GA 10
Recent Meetings
10.8.22 // Home // W, 4-1
6.4.22 // at CHS // W, 4-3
9.8.19 // at CHS // L, 1-0
5.18.20 // Home // W, 1-0
LAST TIME OUT
MAY 27, 2023
IND 0:1 LOU
Indy Eleven hosted Louisville City FC for the first and only time this season. A one-time shot in the box from Will Harris in the 20th minute would be the difference maker as the Eleven were shut out 1-0 Saturday night.
A Ray Serrano corner kick delivered the ball into the box where Harris was able to put one past Yannik Oettl to give Louisville the early lead.
Offense was hard to come by for the Boys in Blue in the first half, as Indy Eleven did not record their first shot until Douglas Martinez’s attempt in stoppage time. Despite winning the possession battle (52%-48%), the Eleven were outshot 5-1 in the first.
Indy came out with a purpose in the second half, getting four shots in the opening 12 minutes of the half. The Boys in Blue got a massive boost of energy when Roberto Molina checked in for his team debut in the 68th minute. He showcased strong footwork and put an attempt on goal that almost tied the game in the 74th minute.
Indy Eleven and Keystone Group Break Ground on Eleven Park, a Transformational Riverfront Development Anchored by Multi-Purpose Soccer Stadium
Officials from Indy Eleven and Keystone Group were joined Wednesday by state and city leaders for a ceremonial groundbreaking for Eleven Park, a transformational riverfront neighborhood development anchored by a multi-purpose soccer stadium that will serve as a permanent home for Indy Eleven. Demolition will begin immediately and continue over the next few months.
“Now rising from a formerly underutilized portion of our downtown, Eleven Park is a transformational riverfront development that will make a permanent mark on our city’s skyline and its impact will be felt by generations of supporters, visitors and residents who will soon be able to enjoy its world class amenities,” said Ersal Ozdemir, Chairman and Founder of Keystone Group and Indy Eleven. “With this groundbreaking, we are thrilled to mark a crucial milestone in the project, creating a new live, work, and play neighborhood for our city and region that has been a decade in the making.”
Anchored by a 20,000-seat multipurpose stadium that will be the permanent home for Indy Eleven’s men’s and women’s professional teams, the Eleven Park development will also include more than 600 apartments, 205,000 square feet of office space, 197,000 square feet of retail space and restaurants, hotels, public plazas and green space, parking, and more.
Governor Eric Holcomb and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett participated in the event and offered praise for the project.
INDIANA BASEBALL
LEXINGTON, Ky.– A second trip to the Bluegrass State in 2023 has the Indiana baseball program in the NCAA Lexington Regional. The Hoosiers will open NCAA postseason play against West Virginia on Friday (June 2) at 7 p.m. inside Kentucky Proud Park.
Indiana (40-18) is 6-4 over its last 10 games after going 1-2 at the Big Ten Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska, last week, while West Virginia (39-18) sits at 5-5 over its last 10 contests with a five-game losing streak entering regional play.
Quick Hitter
Indiana is 11-15 all-time in NCAA Regional Tournament play with at least one win in each of its last six appearances.
The Hoosiers have a Big Ten-best seven NCAA Regional appearance since 2013. Maryland is second with six appearances, while Michigan and Nebraska each have five.
Senior Phillip Glasser saw his 45-game reached base come to an end at Northwestern, which tied for the longest streak in program history since at least 2005.
Glasser is among the top-50 active hitters in a bevy of categories, including No. 5 with 277 career hits.
Senior Peter Serruto has caught 96 percent of Indiana’s innings since April 1 (34 games) and hit .309 during Big Ten play following an injury to Matthew Ellis.
Freshman Devin Taylor became the third Indiana rookie to earn All-B1G first team honors, as he also brought home the programs third Big Ten Freshman of the Year honor.
Among relief pitchers nationally, sophomore Ryan Kraft’s 54 1/3 innings of relief work is among the most in the country, sitting No. 9 nationally.
Freshman Devin Taylor carried a 32-game reached base streak that spanned Feb. 25-April 28, which is the longest streak for an IU freshman since at least 2005.
Sophomore Josh Pyne was named NCBWA National Player of the Week and B1G Player of the Week after a 10-hit, 14-RBI week versus Xavier and Purdue.
Sophomore Luke Sinnard is one of two Big Ten pitcher with three-or-more double-digit strikeout games in 2023, which includes a B1G-best-tying 13 versus Morehead State.
Head coach Jeff Mercer became the eighth IU skipper to reach 100 victories in the cream and crimson with a series finale win at Auburn on February 19, 2023. He then won his 200th career game as a head coach at Illinois on April 15.
NCAA Tournament Notes
Indiana makes its 10th overall appearance in the NCAA Baseball Championships and second under fifth-year head coach Jeff Mercer.
Indiana owns a 14-17 overall record in the NCAA Tournament in program history, with an 11-15 record in NCAA Regional play since its first berth in 1949.
A two-time NCAA Regional host, Indiana will hit the road for an NCAA Regional for the eighth time in program history, with four of those trips to the state of Kentucky.
In the Bluegrass State, the Hoosiers are 2-6 in NCAA postseason play. That includes a 1-2 mark in the 2017 NCAA Lexington Regional.
Scouting the Opponents
West Virginia enters the NCAA Lexington Regional with a 39-18 overall record, which includes a 15-9 mark in Big 12 play.
As a team, WVU is top 30 in walks (No. 27; 311), hit-by-pitch (No. 18; 102), on-base percentage (No. 21; .414) and stolen bases (No. 12; 121).
Along with having three players ranked nationally in stolen bases, the Mountaineers also have three players ranked nationally in sacrifice bunts.
J.J. Wetherholt leads the Big 12 and ranks No. 2 nationally with a .443 batting average. He is also top 30 nationally in doubles (No. 24; 22), stolen bases (No. 12; 35) and runs scored (No. 45; 66).
The pitching staff ranks top-50 in all four major metric categories in the NCAA. They are No. 24 in ERA (4.35), No. 33 in hits per nine innings (8.44), No. 34 in WHIP (1.37) and No. 50 in walks per nine innings (3.90).
Blaine Traxel leads the staff with seven victories, a 3.79 ERA, a 3.55 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an NCAA-best five complete games.
Inside the Series
The opening game of the NCAA Lexington Regional will mark the fourth all-time meeting between Indiana and West Virginia, with the Hoosiers 2-1 in those meetings.
In 2009 and 2010, IU and WVU met during early-season trips to Florida as part of single game meetings. The 2013 meeting was at the annual Baseball at the Beach tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina.
Indiana opened the 2009 season with its the first meeting versus West Virginia in a 14-4 loss in Bradenton, Florida.
The Hoosiers have won the last two meetings, taking a 10-8 decision in Clearwater, Florida, in 2010 and an 8-5 contest in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2013.
All-time against the Big 12, Indiana is 7-21 all-time against the current alignment of the Big 12. IU played Texas in Week 2 of the 2023 season and dropped the series, 2-1.
Of the 28 meetings with the Big 12, one has been in the NCAA Tournament (2018 – at Texas; L, 3-2).
INDIANA FOOTBALL
Bloomington, Ind. – Hoosier Football fans now have the chance to enjoy a premium suite experience at Memorial Stadium from field level.
Beginning this fall, Memorial Stadium will feature eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end located immediately behind the end zone. Each suite includes spacious, sectional furniture seating; a mounted large screen television on the suite’s awning; a drink rail with seating facing the field; high barstool seats to provide additional seating space. Other special amenities include an all-you-can-eat hospitality buffet; domestic, craft beer, and wine options; a personal suite attendant; and a unique player vantage point from field level.
Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games beginning with the Sept. 2 opener against Ohio State. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.
The new premium suite experience is the result of a new partnership between IU Athletics and REVELXP. REVELXP partners with sports and entertainment brands across the U.S. to provide fans with an elevated experience on game days. To date, REVELXP has partnerships with nearly 100 collegiate and professional properties nationwide. Among its active partnerships are Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and the College Football Playoff.
“We continue to look for ways to enhance and expand the game-day experience alternatives for Hoosier football fans, so we are excited to offer this new premium seating opportunity beginning this fall,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “REVELXP has a proven track record of providing the highest level of service and experiences at a wide array of events, college football included. I expect this to be a very enticing opportunity for our fanbase for not only this year, but for years to come.”
INDIANA STATE BASEBALL
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The 2023 Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Year is now an All-American as Connor Fenlong was recognized on the Collegiate Baseball News All-American Second Team as announced by the organization on Thursday.
Fenlong claimed All-American honors for the first time in his collegiate career as the Gouverneur, N.Y. native enters the postseason as arguably one of the hottest pitchers in the NCAA down the stretch.
Fenlong finished the regular season with four complete game shutouts over his final six starts including a 10-0 win over Belmont in the Missouri Valley Championships this past week at Bob Warn Field. The redshirt senior has not allowed an earned run since April 29, a span of 30.0 innings including four starts down the stretch. His four complete game shutouts leads all of NCAA Division I.
He becomes the first Sycamore pitcher to earn postseason All-American honors since Geremy Guerrero (2021) after pacing the Missouri Valley in a multitude of pitching categories this season.
The Gouverneur, N.Y. native finished the regular season as the Missouri Valley leader in both wins (9) and innings pitched (92.0), while finishing fifth in ERA (3.52) and fourth in opponent batting average (.225). Those numbers were even better in conference play leading the Valley in wins (8), innings (63.2), while finishing second in ERA (2.26) and fourth in opponent batting average (.210).
Fenlong made his 2023 debut on the mound with a 5.2-inning relief effort in the season-opening game against Iowa. From there, he took the Saturday starting role on the mound against Northeastern and Kentucky.
Fenlong started to hit his stride in mid-March as the right-hander nearly posted the first complete game of his collegiate career going 8.2 innings allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out eight in a win over Memphis. After a weekend start against Michigan State, Fenlong started conference play going at least 6.1 innings in eight consecutive starts.
He was key to ISU bouncing back from their three MVC losses by rebounding to win starts at UIC, Evansville, and Murray State in pacing the Sycamores to winning all nine conference weekend series in 2023.
The Sycamores continue play this weekend as Indiana State prepares to host the Terre Haute Regional of the NCAA Tournament. ISU will take the field for the first time on Friday afternoon with a 1 p.m. ET first pitch against Wright State.
BALL STATE BASEBALL
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State baseball team returns to the diamond for the Lexington Regional against Kentucky on Friday, June 2. The Cardinals and Wildcats are scheduled for a noon first pitch on the SEC Network.
The Cardinals finished the regular season with an overall record of 33-21 and earned a spot into the Mid-American Conference Tournament. BSU went 3-0 in the MAC tournament. Ball State won the MAC Tournament behind a go-ahead grand slam by Adam Tellier in the top of the ninth inning with two outs. The Cardinals won their second MAC Tournament, first under Head Coach Rich Maloney. BSU is making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance.
Gold Glove Peltier
At the conclusion of last season, Ryan Peltier was honored as the best defensive third baseman in the NCAA and received an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove. After being named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and earning a spot on the All-MAC Second Team for back-to-back seasons, Peltier was awarded the first Gold Glove in BSU history. He was a 2023 Preseason All-American honoree from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He was named to the All-MAC First Team as well as the MAC All-Defensive Team.
Peltier is second on the team with a .351 batting average, which is tied for 191st in the NCAA and seventh in the MAC. He has pelted a team-best 15 homers and has a team-high 54 RBIs. He has a slugging percentage of .654, which is tied for 122nd in the country and fourth in the MAC. Peltier has scored 68 runs, which is tied for 36th in the NCAA and is best in the MAC. He leads the team in doubles with 18 and he has added three triples. His 18 doubles are tied for 106th in the NCAA and are tied for fifth in the conference.
What Can Brown Do for You?
Ryan Brown was named the No. 49 prospect in college baseball by D1 Baseball. Brown was the only Mid-American Conference player selected to the top-100 list. He was also tabbed as one of the top mid-major prospects for the 2023 season. Brown also landed on the 2023 MLB Draft: Rising Righthanded Pitchers watch list. Last season, Brown earned recognition as a Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-American along with the MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year. He also earned a spot on the All-MAC Second Team.
Brown currently has 56 strikeouts, which is fifth on the team. He his 4-1 on the year and has thrown 28 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting just .184 against him for the season. He has a 4.76 ERA.
Don’t Mess with Tex
Trennor O’Donnell landed on the All-MAC Second Team. He leads the team with a 2.98 ERA. His ERA is tied for the 48th best in the country and is second in the MAC. He paces the team with 92 strikeouts are tied for 70th in the NCAA and fourth in the MAC. He has a 5-3 record and has thrown 84 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting just .219 against him. He produced 13 strikeouts against NIU, which were the most of any pitcher in MAC play. He added an 11-strikeout performance against Miami. He is the only MAC pitcher to record 11 or more strikeouts in two games. He threw a complete game against Kent State in game two of the MAC Tournament, where he gave up one unearned run and had eight strikeouts with no walks.
Decking It All Over the Park
Decker Scheffler earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team as well as the CSC Academic All-District Team. He leads the Cardinals with .388 batting average, which is tied for 42nd in the NCAA and is third in the MAC. He has 49 RBIs, 46 runs scored, 13 doubles, eight homers, and three triples. In conference only games, led the MAC with a .449 batting average and an on-base percentage of .516. He is tied for third in the MAC with two triples, he is tied for eighth in the MAC with 10 doubles, he is tied for 12th in the MAC with 28 runs scored.
Tell it Goodbye
Adam Tellier earned a spot on the All-MAC Second Team. He was named the MAC Tournament MVP and was a member of the All-Tournament Team. His grand slam in the top of the ninth inning powered the Cardinals to a 12-9 victory. He is third on the team with a .319 average. He has 55 runs scored, 46 RBIs, 24 walks, 12 doubles, nine home runs, and three triples.
Scouting the Cardinals
Justin Conant rounds out the .300 hitters with a .304 average. He has 28 runs scored, 26 walks, 17 RBIs, six doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Nick Gregory might only be hitting .260, but he leads the team with 46 walks. His 46 walks are tied for 55th in the NCAA and are tied for third in the MAC. He has scored 45 runs and driven in 19 runs. Blake Bevis is second on the team with 11 home runs and is hitting .271 for the year.
Ty Weatherly has 68 strikeouts on the season and is second on the staff. He has a 6.71 ERA in 63 innings of work and a 2-4 record. Ty Johnson is third on the team with 63 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings of work. He has a 4-2 record with a 3.81 ERA and has three saves. Logan Schulfer is fourth on the team with 60 strikeouts. He as a 3-2 record with an 8.10 ERA. Tanner Knapp has 46 strikeouts in 52 innings. He is 2-2 on the season with a 7.10 ERA. Sam Klein has 42 strikeouts. He is 7-2 on the season with a 5.31 ERA. Jacob Hartlaub is the remaining pitcher with more that 20 strikeouts, with 30. He has a 4-2 record with a 6.49 ERA and has one save.
Ball State vs. Kentucky: The Series
Ball State and Kentucky will meet for the 15th time on Friday. The series is split 7-7. The Cardinals won the last meeting, 4-3, on March 7, 2021. BSU has a 7-6 record against UK in Lexington.
Ball State vs. West Virginia: The Series
The Cardinals and Mountaineers have met two times in program history. West Virginia won both meetings, which were at a neutral site. The last meeting was on February 26, 2017, and the Mountaineers won the contest 4-1.
Ball State vs. Indiana: The Series
If the Cardinals and Hoosiers were to meet, it would be the for the 63rd time. IU holds a 36-26 advantage over BSU. Indiana won both meetings this season. The Hoosiers won the last meeting, 9-8, in Muncie on April 25.
VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program has announced the addition of Jaxon Edwards, a transfer from Murray State University who will join head coach Roger Powell Jr.’s program as a sophomore for the 2023-24 season.
The 6-foot-6 guard from Indianapolis played in 11 games during his rookie campaign, knocking down 50 percent of his field-goal tries. He earned a spot on the Indiana All-Star team and was twice named Indiana All-State during his standout prep career at Cathedral. He was a McDonald’s All-American nominee following his senior season.
“The coaching staff played a big role in my decision to come to Valpo,” Edwards said. “They were all very genuine and wanted me to come to Valpo and become a better player. They talked about making me a better young man. Coach Powell and I talked about his strong faith. He wants to help young men be the best people they can be. The other coaches talked about how they have all been winners in the past and have the ability to keep winning. They want to help me be the best person I can be on and off the court.”
In 2021-22, Edwards helped lead Cathedral to the Indiana 4A state tournament championship. He averaged 10.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while hitting 3s at a 40.8 percent clip. Edwards played for D1 Indiana on the Under Armour Circuit for head coach Brian Keeton.
“I would say my explosiveness on the defensive and offensive ends would be the strength of my game,” Edwards said. “My strengths include rebounding, shooting and driving to the basket. My midrange game is very good. My pull-up is one of my favorite types of shots. I’m here to work hard, play hard and do everything I can to win and achieve the goals that the team has.”
Edwards, a sports marketing major, played football up until high school but stopped after eighth grade when he injured his hand. He lists his favorite basketball memories as winning state his senior year and getting his first “poster” dunk this year in college.
“I’m extremely excited about this young man coming back to the state of Indiana,” Powell said. “He’s fired up to compete and make a statement in the Missouri Valley Conference. His athleticism, versatility and winning pedigree are all attributes that we were looking for in putting together our roster.”
During his junior year of high school, Edwards averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists while competing in one of the nation’s top areas for high school basketball. He was a finalist for the Indiana Junior All-Star team. He excelled in big games, scoring 17 points in the Indianapolis City Championship against Crispus Attucks and 19 against the top team in Class 2A, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian.
“My goal is to be part of the MVC Most-Improved Team and help our team work toward winning a championship,” Edwards said. “It’s a whole new squad, and I’m excited to make the teammates around me better.”
HCAC ATHLETICS
CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) announced today the addition of Berea College into the league following a vote by the HCAC Council of Presidents. With the introduction of the Mountaineers beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, the league will expand to 11 full-time member institutions.
“Berea College is a welcome addition to our conference. They have an outstanding academic reputation and will compete well athletically within our league.” said HCAC Commissioner Jay Jones. “The institution is a wonderful fit for the HCAC and we are excited to welcome them into our membership.”
“I am delighted that the HCAC presidents have voted to invite Berea College to join their conference,” President Lyle D. Roelofs said. “We look forward to competing with this group of quality institutions with which we share many important characteristics and values.”
James Williams, President of Mount St. Joseph University, and current Chair of the HCAC Council of Presidents added, “Berea College is a tremendous addition to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Berea’s renowned academics, its unique approach to connecting labor and education, and its commitment to diversity will add tremendous value to the Conference. I am very excited for HCAC coaches and student athletes to have the opportunity to compete more regularly with Berea’s teams!”
Berea will become the 11th member school and the first institution to join the HCAC since Earlham College was added in 2010.
The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference current ten members are: Anderson University (Indiana), Bluffton University, Defiance College, Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount Saint Joseph University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Transylvania University.
What Teams Compete at Berea College:
Baseball
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Men’s Cross Country
Women’s Cross Country
Men’s Golf
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Softball
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Tennis
Men’s Track and Field
Women’s Track and Field
Women’s Volleyball
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
SPORTS EXTRA
MLB STANDINGS
| American League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Tampa Bay | 40 | 18 | .690 | – | 26 – 6 | 14 – 12 | 13 – 8 | 9 – 1 | 4 – 2 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Baltimore | 35 | 21 | .625 | 4 | 17 – 12 | 18 – 9 | 11 – 7 | 11 – 5 | 8 – 6 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| NY Yankees | 34 | 24 | .586 | 6 | 19 – 13 | 15 – 11 | 10 – 10 | 7 – 6 | 8 – 5 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| Toronto | 30 | 27 | .526 | 9.5 | 15 – 10 | 15 – 17 | 6 – 15 | 10 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Boston | 29 | 27 | .518 | 10 | 16 – 13 | 13 – 14 | 7 – 7 | 7 – 2 | 5 – 5 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Minnesota | 30 | 27 | .526 | – | 17 – 12 | 13 – 15 | 6 – 7 | 11 – 6 | 5 – 4 | 5 – 5 | W 2 |
| Detroit | 26 | 28 | .481 | 2.5 | 14 – 13 | 12 – 15 | 2 – 14 | 9 – 4 | 4 – 5 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Cleveland | 25 | 31 | .446 | 4.5 | 12 – 15 | 13 – 16 | 5 – 7 | 6 – 10 | 8 – 5 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Chi White Sox | 23 | 35 | .397 | 7.5 | 13 – 15 | 10 – 20 | 2 – 11 | 12 – 11 | 4 – 6 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Kansas City | 17 | 39 | .304 | 12.5 | 8 – 21 | 9 – 18 | 2 – 5 | 5 – 12 | 3 – 9 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Texas | 35 | 20 | .636 | – | 16 – 8 | 19 – 12 | 6 – 4 | 7 – 2 | 11 – 5 | 7 – 3 | L 1 |
| Houston | 33 | 23 | .589 | 2.5 | 16 – 13 | 17 – 10 | 4 – 2 | 7 – 9 | 11 – 5 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Seattle | 29 | 27 | .518 | 6.5 | 17 – 15 | 12 – 12 | 3 – 6 | 5 – 5 | 11 – 5 | 7 – 3 | W 1 |
| LA Angels | 30 | 28 | .517 | 6.5 | 15 – 13 | 15 – 15 | 8 – 9 | 7 – 5 | 9 – 8 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Oakland | 12 | 46 | .207 | 24.5 | 7 – 24 | 5 – 22 | 1 – 9 | 3 – 3 | 4 – 23 | 2 – 8 | L 1 |
| National League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Atlanta | 33 | 23 | .589 | – | 15 – 14 | 18 – 9 | 12 – 5 | 6 – 0 | 4 – 6 | 4 – 6 | W 1 |
| NY Mets | 30 | 27 | .526 | 3.5 | 15 – 9 | 15 – 18 | 12 – 8 | 2 – 7 | 8 – 8 | 6 – 4 | W 3 |
| Miami | 29 | 28 | .509 | 4.5 | 15 – 13 | 14 – 15 | 8 – 12 | 5 – 4 | 9 – 10 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Philadelphia | 25 | 31 | .446 | 8 | 14 – 10 | 11 – 21 | 3 – 7 | 6 – 4 | 6 – 10 | 3 – 7 | L 4 |
| Washington | 24 | 32 | .429 | 9 | 11 – 17 | 13 – 15 | 5 – 8 | 4 – 3 | 7 – 9 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Milwaukee | 29 | 27 | .518 | – | 16 – 12 | 13 – 15 | 3 – 0 | 5 – 4 | 7 – 13 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Pittsburgh | 28 | 27 | .509 | 0.5 | 12 – 13 | 16 – 14 | 2 – 1 | 7 – 4 | 9 – 6 | 4 – 6 | W 2 |
| Cincinnati | 26 | 30 | .464 | 3 | 14 – 14 | 12 – 16 | 7 – 9 | 8 – 8 | 2 – 4 | 7 – 3 | L 1 |
| St. Louis | 25 | 32 | .439 | 4.5 | 12 – 16 | 13 – 16 | 0 – 3 | 9 – 8 | 7 – 10 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Chi Cubs | 24 | 31 | .436 | 4.5 | 15 – 16 | 9 – 15 | 6 – 10 | 3 – 8 | 5 – 5 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Arizona | 34 | 23 | .596 | – | 19 – 12 | 15 – 11 | 6 – 6 | 6 – 3 | 16 – 9 | 7 – 3 | W 5 |
| LA Dodgers | 34 | 23 | .596 | – | 19 – 8 | 15 – 15 | 8 – 4 | 11 – 9 | 12 – 7 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| San Francisco | 28 | 28 | .500 | 5.5 | 16 – 13 | 12 – 15 | 9 – 7 | 9 – 5 | 2 – 7 | 6 – 4 | L 2 |
| San Diego | 26 | 30 | .464 | 7.5 | 12 – 15 | 14 – 15 | 9 – 7 | 4 – 6 | 9 – 9 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Colorado | 24 | 34 | .414 | 10.5 | 15 – 14 | 9 – 20 | 11 – 10 | 8 – 7 | 3 – 10 | 4 – 6 | L 4 |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1883 Using 17 huge arc lights that provide 4,000 candle power each at Fort Wayne’s League Park, the Quincys become the first professional team to play under the lights. The Northwestern League’s club from Illinois beat the local Methodist College team, 19-11, in seven innings in front of 2,000 spectators who paid 25 cents to attend the game.
1891 Reds’ right-hander Charley Radbourn earns his 300th victory, beating the Beaneaters at Boston’s South End Grounds, 10-8. ‘Old Hoss,’ who will finish 484 of the 497 games he starts, will end his 11-year career this season with 309 victories.
Amazon Fifty-nine in ’84: Old Hoss Radbourn, Barehanded Baseball, and Greatest Season a Pitcher Ever Had
1921 Reds’ outfielder Pat Duncan hits the first over-the-fence home run at Cincinnati’s Redland Field, a two-run drive that clears the 12-foot left-field wall over the Devere Electric Company sign. Eventually becoming a cozier Crosley Field, the once spacious ballpark debuted nine seasons ago in 1912.
1928 Les Bell collects 15 total bases, blasting three home runs and a triple at Braves Field. The Boston’s third baseman’s offensive output isn’t enough when Boston bows to the Reds, 20-12.
1935 Braves outfielder Babe Ruth announces his retirement from baseball. The 40-year-old former Yankees slugger wanted to retire three weeks sooner but stayed when team owner Emil Fuchs persuaded him to continue to play because Boston hadn’t played in every National League park.
1941 Upon their arrival in Detroit, the Yankees learned the sad news that their captain, Lou Gehrig, seventeen days before his 38th birthday, had died in his sleep due to ALS in his Riverdale home. On this day exactly 16 years ago, the ‘Iron Horse’ broke into the starting lineup of the Bronx Bombers.
NYT Lou Gehrig’s New York Times Obituary
1949 In the 12-3 rout of the Reds at Shibe Park, the Phillies hit five home runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Andy Seminick [2], Del Ennis, Willie Jones, and Schoolboy Rowe go deep for Philadelphia.
1950 George Kell hits for the cycle when he doubles in the eighth inning of the Tigers’ 16-5 rout of the A’s. The Detroit third baseman had collected a home run, triple, and a single, respectively, in the first three frames in the Shibe Park contest.
1951 Due to the poor lighting during an Alabama-Florida League contest at Peanut Stadium in Headland (AL), Ottis Johnson of the Dothan Browns fails to avoid a fastball thrown by Jack Clifton. The 24-year-old Class D minor league outfielder undergoes surgery and spends eight days in the hospital before dying on June 10 due to being hit by the Dixie Runners hurler’s pitch.
1951 During a contest against the Durham Bulls, Mike Romello hits umpire Emil Davidzuk after being called out for leaving third base early. A judge at the game arrests the visiting Danville’s shortstop on the spot, and the infielder will later be fined $25 for his assault on the arbitrator.
1955 In his last game with the club, Red Sox’s first baseman Harry Agganis goes 2-for-4 in a 4-2 loss to the White Sox at Comiskey Park. The Golden Greek, hospitalized after the game with pneumonia, will die of a pulmonary embolism on June 27, having fallen ill again in Kansas City two weeks after rejoining the team.
1957 Moe Drabowsky sets a National League record for the most hit batsmen in a single game when he plunks four Reds in the Cubs’ 4-3 loss at Crosley Field. Cincinnati’s right fielder Frank Robinson is drilled in consecutive innings by the right-hander, born in Ozanna, Poland.
1958 In the sixth inning, with Orioles on first and second, in an eventual 2-1 loss, Brooks Robinson lines into a triple play when Senator shortstop Rocky Bridges snares his hard-hit drive, steps on second, and then relays the ball to first baseman Julio Becquer. The triple killing is the first of four the future Hall of Fame third baseman will hit into, a major league record.
1959 The White Sox ground crew rids the playing field of gnats using a smoke bomb attached to a postgame fireworks display. The Comiskey Park contest, delayed for half an hour because of the insects, will end with a 3-2 Oriole victory when the smoke clears.
1962 The Colt .45s capture their first doubleheader sweep in franchise history when they beat the Pirates twice at Forbes Field, 10-6 and 10-3. Outfielder Carl Warwick, recently acquired from St. Louis for Opening Day starter Bobby Shantz, contributes six hits in the twin bill victories.
1987 Using their number one pick overall in the draft, the Seattle Mariners select Ken Griffey, Jr. The signing of ‘Junior,’ the son of major leaguer Ken Griffey, will play a significant role in Seattle’s success in the mid-1990s.
1989 The Orioles, known as the Browns when the club played in St. Louis, become the fifth franchise in baseball history to record their 3,000th victory. The other clubs which have reached the milestone include the Cubs, Giants, Pirates, and Yankees.
1990 Randy Johnson, blanking the Tigers, 2-0, becomes the first Mariner in franchise history to pitch a no-hitter. The southpaw strikes out eight while walking six in the first hitless game thrown in the 14-year existence of the Kingdome.
1994 Tom and Ben Grieve, both outfielders, become the first father-son combination to be chosen in the first round of the amateur draft when the A’s select Ben as the team’s first-round pick (2nd overall). Tom, presently the general manager of the Rangers, was chosen sixth overall by the Senators in 1966.
1995 After five no-decisions, Hideo Nomo picks up his first major league victory, giving up one run on two hits in 8+ innings when the Dodgers beat the Mets at Chavez Ravine, 2-1. Los Angeles signed the 26-year-old former Japanese All-Star to a minor league contract that included a signing bonus of over $2 million in the off-season.
1995 The Expos pick Serra High School (San Mateo, CA) stand out Tom Brady in the 18th round, the 507th player selected in baseball’s amateur draft. The tall, athletic 17-year-old catcher with a powerful left-handed swing and a rocket arm elects to play football at the University of Michigan before making his eight record-setting Super Bowl appearances as the quarterback for the NFL Patriots.
1995 Todd Helton, who will spend his 17-year career with the Rockies, is selected in the first round, eighth overall, by Colorado in the amateur draft. The University of Tennessee’s first baseman was the Vols’ backup quarterback, playing behind Peyton Manning, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
1996 In St. Louis, Darryl Kile ties a major league record by hitting four batters. The Astros right-hander becomes the first National League player to do it since Moe Drabowsky accomplished the feat on the same date while toiling for the Cubs in 1957.
1999 In the first-year player’s draft, the Devil Rays select Raleigh (NC) prep star Josh Hamilton as the team’s top pick. Tampa Bay’s selection marks the first time since 1993 when Alex Rodriguez was chosen by the Mariners, that a high school player becomes the first overall pick.
2000 Cubs reliever Rick Aguilera pitches a perfect ninth inning for his 300th save to nail down Chicago’s 2-0 win over the Tigers. The game marks Detroit’s first visit to Wrigley Field for the first time since winning Game 7 of the 1945 World Series.
2000 Fred McGriff becomes the thirty-first player to hit 400 career homers. The Devil Rays’ first baseman’s milestone round-tripper comes off Glendon Rusch, a two-run drive in a 5-3 loss to the Mets at Shea Stadium.
2000 The Expos will wear Maurice Richard’s uniform number (9) on their right sleeves this season to pay tribute to the late Montreal Canadiens star, who played 18 years in the National Hockey League. The uniform patch marks the first time a major league team has chosen to honor a hero from a different sport.
2005 In celebration of Rotary International’s Centennial Year, The Player, a 13-foot tall bronze sculpture donated by the Denver Rotarians, is dedicated in front of Coors Field on the corner of 20th and Blake. A 24-inch version of the work of art, created by internationally prominent sculptor George Lundeen, is given annually to the recipient of the Branch Rickey Award, an honor given to a major leaguer in recognition of exceptional community service.
2008 Chase Utley goes yard for the fifth straight game with his major-league-leading 21st homer in a 5-4 victory over the Reds at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies’ second baseman, who also homered in five consecutive games earlier in the season, ties his club record, which he shares with Bobby Abreu, Dick Allen, and Mike Schmidt.
2009 With a first-inning leadoff infield hit off David Hernandez in the Mariners’ 8-2 victory over the Orioles at Safeco Field, Ichiro Suzuki sets a new team record by hitting safely in his 26th consecutive game. The 35-year-old outfielder extends the mark to 27 tomorrow, surpassing the franchise mark he established in 2007.
2010 “I feel that without enough occasional starts to be sharper coming off the bench, my continued presence as a player would be an unfair distraction to my teammates, and their success as a team is what the ultimate goal should be.” – Ken Griffey, Jr., on his retirement. After 22 seasons of compiling can’t miss Hall of Fame statistics, Mariner outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. unexpectedly issues a statement through the team announcing that he has decided to retire. Drafted #1 by the Mariners on this date in 1987, the now 40-year-old ‘Kid” leaves the game fifth on the all-time career home run list with 630 round-trippers.
2010 Jim Joyce emphatically calls Jason Donald safe at first base after Tigers starter Armando Galarraga has retired 26 consecutive Cleveland batters, although the baserunner is clearly out. After seeing the replay, the first-base arbitrator tearfully admits his error, apologizing to the 28-year-old Venezuelan for his blown call that robbed the right-hander of pitching a perfect game.
2013 At PNC Park, Garrett Jones became only the second player and the first Pirate to hit a ball into Davy Jones’ Locker on the fly when his two-run eighth-inning round-tripper ties the score in the Bucs’ eventual 5-4 win over Cincinnati. In 2002, Houston’s Daryle Ward launched a shot that also splashed into the waters of the Allegheny River.
2016 Trailing by ten runs after five frames, the Mariners stage the biggest comeback in franchise history when the team beats the Padres 16-13. Seattle tallies five times in the sixth, scoring nine more times in the seventh inning to take the lead for good in the Petco Park contest.
2021 On the date that marked the beginning of his streak in 1925 and his death of ALS 16 years later in 1941, MLB celebrates the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day, continuing a tradition that began a few seasons ago with the reading of his “I am the luckiest person on Earth” speech. In addition to raising money to find a cure for the dreaded disease, every team will display “4-ALS” logos highlighting the Hall of Famer’s jersey number with players, managers, and coaches wearing a special commemorative patch on their uniforms.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
June 2, 1875 – Alexander Graham Bell makes the first sound transmission. Though he didn’t patent the telephone until March 7, 1876 and didn’t ask Watson to “come here” until March 10, 1876 this day in 1875 was a milestone. Think of it in today’s world sound is transmitted everywhere around us! In the realm of football we see and hear sound transmissions on TV, radio, the internet, stadium PA systems and even in NFL helmets. The game definitely would not be the same without this great accomplishment.
June 2, 1896 – In a somewhat related event Guglielmo Marconi applied for the US Patent of the radio on this day. His Patent was granted on July 2, 1897 in a fierce race with others to be the first to get the famous patent. Radio too as discussed above has had major bonuses for the game of football.
June 2, 1945 – Legendary super athlete, Jim Thorpe married wife Patrica Askew on this date. Askew was Thorpe’s second wife and she remained at his side until his passing in 1953. The great athlete was previously married to Iva Miller for 15 years and they had four children together but divorced in 1941.
June 2, 1992 – Former New York Giants Head Coach Bill Parcells underwent open heart surgery.
June 2, 2020 – The NFL announces that all teams will be required to run training camps at their home facility and not travel to alternate locations due to COVID-19 precautions and player/community safety.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for June 2
June 2, 1895 – Piffard, New York – Homer “Pop” Hazel, an end and fullback out of Rutgers University in 1916 and in 1923 and 1924 was born. Homer secured a place in the College Football Hall of Fame when he was inducted into the gridiron museum in 1951. Homer later served as Athletic Director as well as the football and basketball coach at the University of Mississippi for five years. Then even was a golf pro for four years.
June 2, 1920 – Tex Schramm the president and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1989 was born. Tex guided the Cowboys from a start up franchise in the League all the way to Super Bowl Championships. Under his guidance the Cowboys enjoyed 20 consecutive winning seasons and was instrumental in the AFL/NFL merger of the late 1960’s. The Pro Football Hall of Fame website tells us that Schramm was the NFL Competition Committee Chairman from 1966 through 1988 and was an integral part of the NFL instituting six divisions and even the Wild Card Playoff concept. He also was a proponent of extra field markings, instant replay and rules to enhance offensive scoring. Tex Schramm was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
June 2, 1950 – Jeff Siemon was an 4 time Pro Bowl NFL linebacker for the Vikings for his 11 year career. He attended and played football at Stanford University from 1969 to 1971 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. The National Football Foundation shares that Siemon made 15 critical tackles in the 1971 Rose Bowl game that helped the Cardinal upend heavily favored Ohio State 27-17, preventing the Buckeyes from claiming the National Championship. The very next year he led Stanford to the Rose Bowl once again and theis time they upset Michigan by 12 points. After his brilliant NFL career Jeff in his post football life has been active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other Christian endeavors.
June 2
1944- Garo Yepremian was an NFL Kicker that was a 2 time All Pro, made two Pro Bowls and was on the winning Super Bowl team 2 times in his career that spanned from 1966 through the 1981 season. Yepremian played for Detroit, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa Bay in his pro career. Garo immigrated from Cyprus and attended Indiana University on a soccer scholarship. He was not eligible to play NCAA football because he had played professional soccer in London before he moved to the US. His kicking of a ball in soccer easily translated to football in the NFL.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 9 – 16
June 2, 1935 – After one last stint of a partial season in Boston with the the Braves, Future Baseball Hall of Famer, Number 3, Babe Ruth formally announced his retirement as a player at 40 years of age. Ruth had started out playing in the MLB with the Boston Red Sox before the famous trade that led to years with the New York Yankees.
June 2, 1942 – As many brave men and women did in a sense of patriotism, Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams, Number 9 enlisted into the US military for World War II service as a Navy aviator.
June 2, 1958 – New York Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford, Number 16 sat down 6 Chicago White Sox batters in a row to tie an AL record, and the Yanks went on to a 3-0 win.
TV FRIDAY
| COLLEGE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES | TIME ET | TV |
| Charlottesville Regional: Virginia vs. Army | 12:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Gainesville Regional: UConn vs. Texas Tech | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| Lexington Regional: Kentucky vs. Ball State | 12:00pm | SECN |
| Clemson Regional: Clemson vs. Lipscomb | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Conway Regional: Duke vs. UNCW | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Columbia Regional: Campbell vs. NC State | 1:00pm | ACCN |
| Nashville Regional: Oregon vs. Xavier | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Stillwater Regional: DBU vs. Washington | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Terre Haute Regional: Indiana State vs. Wright State | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Winston-Salem Regional: Alabama vs. Nicholls | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Auburn Regional: Southern Miss vs. Samford | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Coral Gables Regional: Texas vs. Louisiana | 2:00pm | LHN |
| Baton Rouge Regional: LSU vs. Tulane | 3:00pm | ESPNU |
| Fayetteville Regional: Arkansas vs. Santa Clara | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Tuscaloosa Regional: Boston College vs. Troy | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Stanford Regional: Stanford vs. San Jose State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Gainesville Regional: Florida vs. Florida A&M | 5:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Clemson Regional: Tennesse vs. Charlottee | 6:00pm | ESPNU |
| Auburn Regional: Auburn vs. Penn | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Columbia Regional: South Carolina vs. Central Connecticut State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Charlottesville Regional: East Carolina vs. Oklahoma | 7:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Conway Regional: Coastal Carolina vs. Rider | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Coral Gables Regional: Miami (FL) vs. Maine | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lexington Regional: West Virginia vs. Indiana | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Stillwater Regional: Oklahoma State vs. Oral Roberts | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Terre Haute Regional: Iowa vs. North Carolina | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Tuscaloosa Regional: Alabama vs. Nicholls | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Winston-Salem Regional: Wake Forest vs. George Mason | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Baton Rouge Regional: Oregon State vs. Sam Houston | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Nashville Regional: Vanderbilt vs. Eastern Illinois | 8:00pm | SECN |
| Fayetteville Regional: TCU vs. Arizona | 9:00pm | ESPNU |
| Stanford Regional: Texas A&M vs. Cal State Fullerton | 10:00pm | ESPN2 |
| COLLEGE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES | TIME ET | TV |
| TBA | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| TBA | 9:30pm | ESPN |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| LPGA: Mizuho Americas Open | 11:00am | GOLF |
| PGA: Memorial | 2:00pm | GOLF |
| MLB REGULAR SEASON GAMES | TIME ET | TV |
| Milwaukee at Cincinnati | 5:10pm | Bally Sports |
| Oakland at Miami | 6:40pm | NBCS-CA Bally Sports |
| St. Louis at Pittsburgh | 7:05pm | ATTSN-PIT Bally Sports |
| Philadelphia at Washington | 7:05pm | NBCS-PHI MASN/2 |
| Toronto at NY Mets | 7:10pm | Sportsnet SNY |
| Tampa Bay at Boston | 7:10pm | Bally Sports NESN |
| Seattle at Texas | 8:05pm | Root Sports Bally Sports |
| Colorado at Kansas City | 8:10pm | ATTSN-RM Bally Sports |
| Cleveland at Minnesota | 8:10pm | Bally Sports |
| LA Angels at Houston | 8:10pm | ATTSN-SW Bally Sports |
| Detroit at Chi. White Soz | 8:10pm | NBCS-CHI Bally Sports |
| Atlanta at Arizona | 9:40pm | Bally Sports |
| Chi. Cubs at San Diego | 9:40pm | MARQ Bally Sports |
| NY Yankees at Dodgers | 10:10pm | MLBN YES Spectrum |
| Baltimore at San Francisco | 10:15pm | MLBN MASN/2 NBCS-BAY |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Argentina Primera División: Estudiantes vs Barracas Central | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Argentinos Juniors vs Platense | 8:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Tigre vs Talleres Córdoba | 8:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Canadian Premier League: Vancouver FC vs Pacific | 10:00pm | FS2 |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| New York vs Chicago | 6:00pm | ION |
| Dallas vs Washington | 7:00pm | ION |
| Las Vegas vs Atlanta | 8:00pm | ION |
| Los Angeles vs Phoenix | 10:00pm | ION |