THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” MONDAY APRIL 10, 2023

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD

PITTSBURGH 1 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 0

TEXAS 8 CHICAGO CUBS 2

SAN FRANCISCO 3 KANSAS CITY 1

BOSTON 4 DETROIT 1

TAMPA BAY 11 OAKLAND 0

NY YANKEES 5 BALTIMORE 3

CLEVELAND 7 SEATTLE 6 (12)

HOUSTON 5 MINNESOTA 1

TORONTO 12 LA ANGELS 11 (10)

CINCINNATI 6 PHILADELPHIA 4

MIAMI 7 NY METS 2

MILWAUKEE 6 ST. LOUIS 1

COLORADO 7 WASHINGTON 6

ARIZONA 11 LA DODGERS 6

SAN DIEGO 10 ATLANTA 2

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD

INDIANAPOLIS 8 LOUISVILLE 1

NBA SCOREBOARD

BOSTON 120 ATLANTA 114

CHICAGO 103 DETROIT 81

CHARLOTTE 106 CLEVELAND 95

MIAMI 123 ORLANDO 110

PHILADELPHIA 134 BROOKLYN 105

INDIANA 141 NEW YORK 136

HOUSTON 114 WASHINGTON 109

TORONTO 121 MILWAUKEE 105

SAN ANTONIO 138 DALLAS 117

DENVER 109 SACRAMENTO 95

LA LAKERS 128 UTAH 117

MINNESOTA 113 NEW ORLEANS 108

LA CLIPPERS 119 PHOENIX 114

GOLDEN STATE 157 PORTLAND 101

OKLAHOMA CITY 115 MEMPHIS 100

NBA PLAYOFFS

2023 AT&T NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, APRIL 11
GAME 1 — ATLANTA @ MIAMI | 7:30 ET (TNT)
GAME 2 — MINNESOTA @ LA LAKERS | 10 ET (TNT)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
GAME 3 — CHICAGO @ TORONTO | 7 ET (ESPN)
GAME 4 — OKLAHOMA CITY @ NEW ORLEANS | 9:30 ET (ESPN)

FRIDAY, APRIL 14
GAME 5 — WINNER OF GAME 3 @ LOSER OF GAME 1 (TNT)
GAME 6 — WINNER OF GAME 4 @ LOSER OF GAME 2 (ESPN)

2023 NBA PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE FOR GAME 1S

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023
BROOKLYN @ PHILADELPHIA | 1 ET (ESPN)
EAST #7 @ BOSTON | 3:30 ET (ESPN)
NEW YORK @ CLEVELAND | 6 ET (ESPN)
GOLDEN STATE @ SACRAMENTO | 8:30 (ABC)

SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023
EAST #8 @ MILWAUKEE | TBD
WEST # 8 @ DENVER | TBD
WEST #7 @ MEMPHIS | TBD
LA CLIPPERS @ PHOENIX | TBD

NHL SCOREBOARD

BOSTON 5 PHILADELPHIA 3

COLORADO 5 ANAHEIM 4

TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES

THE MASTERS

JON RAHM RALLIES TO WIN THE MASTERS AS SPANISH STARS ALIGN

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) Jon Rahm kept hearing how he was destined to win this Masters because so many Spanish stars were aligned in his favor.

Sunday was the birthdate of Seve Ballesteros, his idol and inspiration for playing. This year was the 40-year anniversary of the second Masters title Ballesteros won. If that wasn’t enough, caddie Adam Hayes was assigned white coveralls with No. 49 – April 9.

“I was told a lot of things about why this could be the year,” Rahm said, looking smart as ever in his new green jacket. “And I just didn’t want to buy into it too much.”

His golf was far more valuable than any historical coincidence.

Rahm turned the longest day into his sweetest victory Sunday. The 30-hole marathon finish started with him trailing by four and ended with a walk up to the 18th green that nearly reduced him to tears, and gave him another major that affirmed him as No. 1 in the world.

He closed with a 3-under 69 to pull away from mistake-prone Brooks Koepka. He won by four shots over Koepka and 52-year-old Phil Mickelson, who matched the low score of the tournament with a 65 and became the oldest runner-up in Masters history.

“We all dream of things like this as players, and you try to visualize what it’s going to be like and what it’s going to feel like,” Rahm said. “Never thought I was going to cry by winning a golf tournament, but I got very close on that 18th hole.

“And a lot of it because of what it means to me, and to Spanish golf,” he said. “It’s Spain’s 10th major, fourth player to win the Masters. It’s pretty incredible.”

It was Mickelson who declared Rahm would be among golf’s biggest stars even before the Spaniard turned pro in 2016. Rahm now has a green jacket to go along with his U.S. Open title he won in 2021 at Torrey Pines.

“It was obvious to me at a very young age that he was one of the best players in the world even while he was in college,” said Mickelson, whose younger brother was Rahm’s college coach at Arizona State. “To see him on this stage is not surprising for anybody.”

Rahm made up two shots on Koepka over the final 12 holes of the rain-delayed third round and started the final round two shots behind. He seized on Koepka’s collapse and then surged so far ahead that Mickelson’s amazing closing round – it matched the three-time Masters champion’s best final round ever at Augusta National – was never going to be enough.

The finish was vintage Rahm. He pulled his drive into the pine trees and it ricocheted out, short of where the fairway starts. No problem. He hit 4-iron toward the green and lofted a pitch to 3 feet to end his round with only one bogey.

“An unusual par, very much a Seve par, a testament to him, and I know he was pulling for me today,” said Rahm, who finished at 12-under 276. “And it was a great Sunday.”

Rahm embraced his wife and two children, and as he walked toward the scoring room, there was two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal in his green jacket for the strongest hug of all and a few words that included Ballesteros.

“He said he hopes it’s the first of many more,” Rahm said in Butler Cabin. “We both mentioned something about Seve, and if he had given us 10 more seconds, I think we would have both ended up crying.”

Sergio Garcia was the low amateur in 1999 when Olazábal won his second green jacket, and then Garcia won in 2017, the year Rahm made his Masters debut.

Stars aligned, and Rahm played some world-class golf. And to think he began the tournament with a four-putt double bogey on the opening hole.

Rahm won for the fourth time this year – just as Scottie Scheffler did a year ago when he won the Masters – and reclaimed the No. 1 world ranking from Scheffler.

This Masters had a little bit of everything – hot and humid at the start, a cold front with wind that toppled three trees on Friday, putting surfaces saturated from rain on Saturday and a marathon finish Sunday as Rahm and Koepka went 30 holes.

Koepka had one miscue after another, losing the lead for the first time since Thursday afternoon when he chipped 20 feet past the hole from behind the par-3 sixth and made his second bogey. More would follow.

“Just some days you have it, some days you don’t, and today wasn’t one of those,” Koepka said. “But I feel good, and I expect to be there the other three (majors).”

Koepka went 22 consecutive holes Sunday without a birdie – from the par-5 eighth hole in the morning of the third round until the par-5 13th in final round. By then, he was three shots behind and Rahm all but sealed it with his next shot.

He hit a low cut with an 8-iron from 141 yards around a tree from right of the 14th fairway, and it caught a slope on the green at just the right spot to feed down to 3 feet for birdie. When Koepka three-putted for bogey, it was a matter of finishing.

The leaderboard was littered with major champions and a tinge of Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Mickelson and Koepka both are part of the rival circuit. Former Masters champion Patrick Reed, another player who defected to LIV, closed with a 68 and tied for fourth with Jordan Spieth (66) and Russell Henley.

Tiger Woods wasn’t around for the finish. He withdrew Sunday morning before the third round resumed, saying plantar fasciitis in his foot was aggravating him. Woods also withdrew after three rounds of the PGA Championship last year in similarly cold, windy conditions at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mickelson barely contends over 54 holes in the 48-man LIV Golf league. And then he played like the six-time major champion who two years ago became the oldest major champion at age 50 when he won the PGA Championship.

He stuffed his tee shot on the par-3 sixth, birdied the seventh and then finished in style. His approach to the 17th came within inches of going in for an eagle, and he pumped his fist when his 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th dropped for a 65.

It matched his lowest score ever at Augusta National – he shot 65 in the opening round in the 1996 Masters and was at his Sunday best.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t enough, but it was really a lot of fun for me to play at this level again, and it’s encouraging for me going forward the rest of the year,” Mickelson said.

Rahm called it an incredible day, especially with his father coming over from Spain. He concluded his remarks at the trophy presentation on the 18th green by saying, “Happy Easter. And rest in peace, Seve.”

He then made the sign of the cross, kissed his finger and pointed to the sky, the clearest it had been all week.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

MLB ROUNDUP: RAYS CRUSH A’S, RUN OPENING WIN STREAK TO 9

The white-hot Tampa Bay Rays continued their onslaught on the unfortunate teams on their schedule and the MLB record books, crushing the visiting Oakland Athletics 11-0 on Easter Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla., for their ninth straight win to open the season.

The Rays’ matched the 2003 Kansas City Royals for the hottest streak to start a season in baseball’s wild-card era. Brandon Lowe hit a grand slam and Drew Rasmussen (2-0) and two relievers combined on a one-hitter. Ramon Laureano doubled with two outs in the second for the lone Oakland hit.

Wander Franco, Lowe and Harold Ramirez homered in the first five innings as the Rays built a 7-0 lead off Oakland starter James Kaprielian (0-1).

Tampa Bay has outscored its opponents 75-18. The Rays’ plus-57 run differential through nine games is the largest ever in MLB since 1900. The Athletics have lost four straight games. They were outscored 31-5 in the three-game series with the Rays.

Padres 10, Braves 2

Nelson Cruz had three hits — including a three-run homer and a double — and drove in six runs as San Diego pummeled host Atlanta for its third victory of the four-game series.

The 42-year-old Cruz hit his second homer of the season — a 432-foot drive to left center — in the third, an RBI double in the fifth and a two-run single in the sixth. It was the 10th game in Cruz’s career with six or more RBIs. The Padres scored in five straight innings against Braves left-handed rookie starter Dylan Dodd (1-1) and reliever Lucas Luetge.

Padres starter Seth Lugo (2-0) gave up one run on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts over six innings to earn the win. The Padres were leading 8-0 when the Braves scored in the fifth. Orlando Arcia and Sam Hilliard singled to lead off the inning, with Arcia scoring on Ronald Acuna Jr.’s grounder to the right side.

Guardians 7, Mariners 6 (12 innings)

Jose Ramirez scored the winning run on Josh Bell’s slow roller to second base with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning as Cleveland rallied to defeat Seattle to avoid being swept in the three-game series.

Cleveland’s Will Brennan hit a two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at 3-3 and force extra innings. Brennan added a game-tying RBI single in the 11th as the Guardians again rallied from a two-run deficit. Teoscar Hernandez singled home Julio Rodriguez in the top of the 12th to give Seattle a 6-5 lead.

With automatic runner Amed Rosario starting the bottom of the 12th at second, Mariners right-hander Penn Murfee (1-2) intentionally walked Ramirez. Murfee then tried to pick off Rosario, but his throw sailed into center field, allowing both runners to advance. Josh Naylor grounded out to first to score the tying run and, following an intentional walk to Andres Gimenez to put runners at the corners, Bell hit his grounder to second.

Blue Jays 12, Angels 11 (10 innings)

Kevin Kiermaier drove in the last of his five runs with a 10th-inning double that broke a 10-10 tie, and Toronto held off Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.

The RBIs were the first for Kiermaier since July 6, 2022, when he played for the Tampa Bay Rays. Hip surgery subsequently ended his season. On Sunday, he drove in two with a triple in the sixth and two more with a single in the seventh. Matt Chapman and Kiermaier both had three hits, and Chapman also drove in five runs for Toronto.

In the bottom of the 10th, Los Angeles loaded the bases with two outs for Mike Trout, who walked to drive in a run. Blue Jays manager John Schneider then brought in lefty Tim Mayza, who induced Shohei Ohtani to ground out.

Diamondbacks 11, Dodgers 6

Pavin Smith knocked in three runs and Arizona roughed up rookie pitcher Michael Grove to complete a series win over Los Angeles in Phoenix.

Arizona outscored the Dodgers 29-17 in winning the final three games of the four-game series. Arizona starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (1-0) limited the Dodgers to three runs on four hits in six innings. Josh Rojas collected three hits and scored twice for Arizona, which had 16 hits in the game.

J.D. Martinez had two hits, two RBIs and two runs for Los Angeles. Grove (0-1) allowed nine runs on 12 hits in 3 1/3 innings in his second start of the season.

Pirates 1, White Sox 0

Jack Suwinski’s sacrifice fly RBI provided the offense in a pitchers’ duel as Pittsburgh topped visiting Chicago to take two of three in the series.

Pittsburgh starter Johan Oviedo (1-0) gave up five hits in 6 2/3 innings, with five strikeouts and no walks. He combined with three relievers on a six-hit shutout. The Pirates managed just two hits and lost shortstop Oneil Cruz to a fractured left ankle.

Chicago starter Michael Kopech (0-2) gave up one run and two hits in six innings, with three walks and five strikeouts.

Reds 6, Phillies 4

Jake Fraley delivered a go-ahead three-run double in the ninth inning, lifting visiting Cincinnati to a win over Philadelphia.

The Reds, who squandered a late lead on Saturday, avoided the three-game sweep and won for the first time in Philadelphia since 2021. Kevin Herget (1-0), who was making his Reds debut, allowed one hit over two scoreless innings to earn his first major league win.

The Reds entered the ninth inning trailing 4-3 before Stuart Fairchild and Jonathan India worked one-out walks against Seranthony Dominguez (0-1). TJ Friedl’s infield single loaded the bases before Fraley’s double down the right field line. Alec Bohm’s two-run homer in the fourth put the Phillies up 4-2 before the Reds made it a one-run game in the eighth.

Yankees 5, Orioles 3

Aaron Judge homered twice and Franchy Cordero hit a two-run blast to support a strong performance from five pitchers as New York defeated host Baltimore.

Judge had two solo shots for his third and fourth homers of the season. The home runs came in the third and eighth innings. Nestor Cortes (2-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings and picked up the victory, giving up two runs and four hits.

Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman went 4-for-4 with a solo home run. He had the team’s first three hits through 5 1/3 innings. Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander followed with doubles, the latter knocking in two runs.

Red Sox 4, Tigers 1

Triston Casas homered and drove in two runs as visiting Boston completed a three-game series sweep of Detroit.

Rob Refsnyder reached bases three times while scoring a run and knocking in another. Winning pitcher Kutter Crawford (1-1) gave up one run and five hits and struck out six in five innings. Kenley Jansen survived a jam to pick up his second save.

Spencer Torkelson had two hits and drove in Detroit’s lone run. Matthew Boyd (0-1) gave up two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Marlins 7, Mets 2

Garrett Cooper and Bryan De La Cruz each hit a home run to spark a surge by the top half of the order for Miami, which routed host New York.

The top four batters in the Marlins’ order — Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cooper, Luis Arraez and De La Cruz — combined to go 8-for-15 with seven RBIs and six runs scored as Miami salvaged the finale of the three-game series and improved to 2-5 against the Mets.

Francisco Alvarez and Pete Alonso each had an RBI single for the Mets, who outscored the Marlins 31-13 in the first six games between the National League East rivals.

Astros 5, Twins 1

Rookie Hunter Brown allowed two hits and one unearned run over seven innings and Chas McCormick homered and drove in four runs to lead Houston to a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Mauricio Dubon had a double and scored twice, Jeremy Pena went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and run, and Yainer Diaz also doubled and had two hits for Houston. The Astros salvaged the final game of the three-game series to avoid being swept in a series by the Twins for the first time since August 2013.

Brown (1-0) picked up his third major league win in his ninth career game and fourth start. The fifth-round pick out of Division II Wayne State University in Detroit walked two and struck out seven. Donovan Solano had an RBI double for Minnesota, which had a two-game winning streak snapped. Tyler Mahle (1-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out six.

Brewers 6, Cardinals 1
Willy Adames drove in three runs with a homer and double and Freddy Peralta allowed one run over six innings to pace Milwaukee to a victory over visiting St. Louis in the rubber game of the three-game series.

Peralta (2-0) allowed four hits, striking out seven and walking three in a 102-pitch outing. Adames put the Brewers in front 3-1 in the fifth with his second homer, a two-out shot to left-center.

Cardinals starter Jake Woodford (0-2) allowed three runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking one.

Rangers 8, Cubs 2

Marcus Semien and Bubba Thompson each had two hits and combined for five RBIs as Texas defeated host Chicago.

Texas broke out offensively after totaling 12 runs in its previous six games. Rangers starter Jon Gray (1-1) allowed Edwin Rios’ two-run homer in the second inning. He yielded five other hits over 5 2/3 frames to help the Rangers snap a seven-game road losing streak.

Tucker Barnhart had a pair of hits for the Cubs, who grounded into two double plays and committed two errors en route to seeing their three-game winning streak end. Jameson Taillon (0-2) surrendered five runs (four earned) and six hits while striking out seven with a walk in five innings.

Rockies 7, Nationals 6

Elias Diaz homered among three hits, Jurickson Profar had two hits and also went deep and host Colorado beat Washington in Denver.

Charlie Blackmon added two hits, Dinelson Lamet (1-0) tossed one inning of relief to earn the win and Pierce Johnson earned his third save for the Rockies.

Stone Garrett and Victor Robles had two hits apiece for the Nationals.

Giants 3, Royals 1

Michael Conforto crushed a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth inning that rallied host San Francisco to a win over Kansas City.

Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafani made quick work of the Royals in 6 1/3 innings before he was lifted at the 88-pitch mark. The 32-year-old yielded just three hits and struck out seven without surrendering a walk.

The lone run DeSclafani allowed came in the fourth on a two-out rally. Vinnie Pasquantino doubled and came home on Salvador Perez’s RBI single.

NBA NEWS

WARRIORS SET NBA RECORD WITH 55-POINT 1ST QUARTER IN ROUT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Golden State Warriors set an NBA record by scoring 55 points in the first quarter on their way to a 157-101 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers in their regular-season finale on Sunday to secure the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

“We’ve played really well the last couple of weeks,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I think we’ve won eight of 10. Today guys were locked in right from the beginning. Guys knew what was at stake and controlled the game from the opening tap so hopefully that carries over to next week.”

Klay Thompson, who scored 20 points, became the third player in NBA history to hit at least 300 3-pointers in a single season.

“I pulled Klay aside two minutes before the game and said, ‘Just let it happen,’” Kerr said. “He said ’no problem Coach” and then he made five 3s in the first five minutes. That’s Klay.”

Teammate Stephen Curry, who did it four times, and James Harden are the other two players.

Thompson also had the most 3-pointers by a player this season, getting to 301 by making six in Sunday’s finale.

“It’s cool to lead the league in 3s made,” Thompson said. “It’s something I’ve never done before. It’s a testament to my hard work over the last few years, some dark times that have turned into some beautiful moments.”

Curry led the Warriors with 26 points and hit five three-pointers to go along with five rebounds. Moses Moody added 25 points off the bench, while Jordan Poole had 21 points and four rebounds for Golden State (44-38).

Skylar Mays led Portland (33-49) with 21 points along with 11 assists. Shaedon Sharpe had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Jeenathan Williams added 17 points in the Blazers’ final game of the season with regular starters Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic and Jerami Grant all sidelined.

Golden State led 55-27 after the first quarter and 84-53 at the half.

TIP-INS

Warriors: The Warriors will face the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Trail Blazers: Before the game, Portland re-signed guard Skylar Mays for the rest of the season after his 10-day contract expired. … They also signed center Chance Comanche, who had previously played for the Stockton Kings of the G League. … Guard Shaquille Harrison’s 10-day contract with the Blazers expired Saturday, and he signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Clinched the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will face the Sacramento Kings in the first round.

Trail Blazers: Finished the season with the fifth-worst record in the NBA and a 10.5% chance at winning the No. 1 overall pick at the May 16 draft lottery in Chicago.

EDWARDS LEADS WOLVES RALLY PAST PELICANS, AFTER GOBERT PUNCH

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Anthony Edwards had 26 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and four blocks to lead Minnesota past New Orleans 113-108 on Sunday, passing the Pelicans in the play-in tournament seeding after losing a pair of starters during the game to anger management problems.

Rudy Gobert threw a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson late in the second quarter and was sent home for the day, after ace defender Jaden McDaniels hurt his right hand by hitting a wall in frustration. But Karl-Anthony Towns had 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Taurean Prince pitched in 18 points off the bench, and the Timberwolves rallied from a 14-point deficit.

“We’re going to have more adversity to deal with,” Towns said. “Always got to earn it.”

Gobert tweeted Sunday night: “Emotions got the best of me today. I should not have reacted the way i did regardless of what was said. I wanna apologize to the fans, the organisation and particularly to Kyle, who is someone that i truly love and respect as a teammate.”

Minnesota (42-40) finished in eighth place and will travel to Los Angeles to play the surging seventh-place Lakers (43-39) in the play-in tournament on Tuesday night. The winner gets the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup against Memphis.

New Orleans (42-40) fell to ninth place and will host 10th-place Oklahoma City in an elimination game on Wednesday night. The winner will hit the road to face the Timberwolves-Lakers loser for the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with Denver.

The Timberwolves won two of three against the Pelicans this season to gain the tiebreaker in the wildest of the handful of Western Conference games on Sunday that carried meaning for seeding.

“I’m super proud of my teammates,” Edwards said.

Brandon Ingram outscored the Wolves 21-18 in the first quarter by himself and finished with 42 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans. C.J. McCollum added 23 points and Trey Murphy III scored 20 points.

“Small things that we can correct,” coach Willie Green said, “but this was a game that was gettable for us.”

With the Wolves up 106-104, Edwards blocked McCollum’s dunk attempt to send the crowd into a frenzy. Edwards tried a dangerous pass off the drive on the other end that was intercepted in the corner by McCollum, but Edwards managed to steal it right back after Mike Conley poked the ball out of McCollum’s control. Edwards attacked the rim for a layup, drew the foul and converted the three-point play to make it 109-104.

“Normally he’s, like, putting a lot of juice in the gym with his offense,” coach Chris Finch said. “Tonight I think it was his defense that lifted us up more than anything else.”

The Pelicans, who began the day with a chance to avoid the play-in tournament altogether and climb as high as the No. 5 seed, didn’t get the help they needed – including from themselves. Whether it was not boxing out on free throws or losing their offensive pace, the Pelicans simply faltered.

“Too many mistakes,” Green said. “When you get to this point in the season, everything counts.”

After a turnover by Edwards gave the Pelicans the ball trailing 111-108, McCollum missed a contested shot at the rim. Then Murphy, with Edwards smothering him on the wing, airballed an off-balance 3.

Towns got better matchups with Gobert gone and took full advantage. He made three 3-pointers in less than 1 1/2 minutes early in the fourth quarter, the first of which gave the Wolves their first lead of the game at 86-85. He flexed his muscles and howled at the crowd, and the Pelicans called timeout.

“The game was getting away, so I just wanted to put it on my shoulders and make the shots,” Towns said.

STRONG START

Ingram has been a big reason why the Pelicans finished so strong without Zion Williamson, with nine wins in their last 12 games for their first winning record in five years. Ingram scored the first nine points for the Pelicans and helped them build a 13-point lead in less than 10 minutes.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: Jonas Valancuinas had 11 points and 18 rebounds. … New Orleans went just 3 for 21 from 3-point range. … Larry Nance Jr., who played 17 minutes, suffered an unspecified injury, Green said.

Timberwolves: Edwards had eight turnovers. … Anderson had eight points, nine rebounds and four assists. … Towns was 5 for 8 from 3-point range.

CLIPPERS RALLY PAST SUNS, SECURE NO. 5 PLAYOFF SPOT IN WEST

PHOENIX (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers rallied for a 119-114 win on Sunday over the Phoenix Suns, earning the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference playoff bracket and a first-round rematch against those same Suns.

Well, sort of.

The upcoming version of the Suns – who sat seven players, including four starters – will be much different than the one the Clippers struggled to beat on Sunday. That fact wasn’t lost on the Clippers after a unexpectedly difficult victory.

“I don’t know – I ain’t talking about this game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “It’s over, we’re in the playoffs, I want to focus on that. We didn’t play our best game today, we know that, but we’ll put it behind us and focus on the bigger picture.”

Kawhi Leonard scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to finally lead the Clippers past the spunky Suns, who were without Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul. Norman Powell led Los Angeles with 29 points while Russell Westbrook added 25.

The teams will meet again in Game 1 in Phoenix on Sunday.

The Clippers trailed by 10 points late in the third quarter, eventually cutting the margin to 86-82 going into the fourth. The frustration on the Los Angeles bench was palpable – Mason Plumlee and Bones Hyland briefly got into an argument between quarters.

But the Clippers finally rallied. Leonard made a contested layup with 19.4 seconds left to secure the win.

“We’ve got to get better,” Leonard said. “Because the last two games, teams have been sitting their stars, and we’re struggling.”

The Suns put together a surprisingly competitive effort. Saben Lee scored a career-high 25 points and finished with nine assists.

“From a force and grit standpoint, we played to the Suns’ standards,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

The Clippers cut the Suns lead to 53-48 at halftime when Eric Gordon banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Phoenix led at the break despite shooting just 36% from the field. Jock Landale led the Suns with 13 points while Westbrook had 13 for the Clippers.

HONORING MCCOY

At halftime, the Suns honored local legend Al McCoy, who is retiring following 51 seasons calling games for the team’s broadcasts.

The 89-year-old’s tenure with the Suns is the longest run by a team broadcaster in NBA history. The halftime montage included tributes from broadcaster Marv Albert, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, former players Charles Barkley and Steve Nash, and current star Devin Booker.

McCoy called his first game for the Suns on Sept. 27, 1972. He has called more than 4,000 games, including 30 playoff appearances and three NBA Finals in 1976, 1993 and 2021.

DELAY OF GAME

The game was delayed nearly 10 minutes in the second quarter because a large speaker hanging from the Footprint Center ceiling was loose and deemed a hazard. The arena operations crew had to lower some speakers to the floor, remove the affected area, and then raise the structure back to the ceiling.

TIP-INS

Clippers: Forwards Paul George (right knee sprain) and Marcus Morris Sr. (low back spasms) were not available.

Suns: Williams is hopeful that C Bismack Biyombo (right knee bone contusion) and G Cameron Payne (low back soreness) will be able to return for the playoffs. Both players got hurt against the Lakers on Friday. … F T.J. Warren (non-COVID-19 illness) was not available.

2023 AT&T PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: TUESDAY’S MATCHUPS

East: (8) Atlanta Hawks @ (7) Miami Heat (7:30 ET, TNT)

The Winner: Advances to face Boston in the first round as the No. 7 seed

The Loser: Plays the winner of Wednesday’s Bulls-Raptors game to determine the No. 8 seed

Regular season results: Heat won series 3-1

Keep Your Eyes On: Miami’s offense

Miami was the lowest-scoring team in the league, the only one to fail to muster at least 110 points per game in an NBA season where buckets came easy. What’s strange is the Heat have three players — Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro — who average at least 20 points, but the help has been spotty at best. Their volume 3-point shooters are just average, leaving the Heat to rely on Butler’s mid-range game and Adebayo’s paint presence. Also, there’s plenty of 1-on-1 ball being played, partly because Kyle Lowry isn’t the creative point guard from years past at 37. The Hawks’ overall defense isn’t exactly shut-down, but might not need to work as hard.

Key Matchup: Miami’s Jimmy Butler vs. Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray

If Murray spends more time checking Butler instead of Herro, this will be a delicious game within the game between one of the league’s great clutch players and one of the league’s best on-ball defenders. Murray brings tremendous anticipation, which allows him to cut off passing lanes and use his freakishly long arms for deflections and steals while also challenging shots. He causes turnovers and makes the offensive player constantly aware of his presence. Butler, though, is always up for a challenge. He had one of his finest seasons, once again showing a knack for coming up big when a score is needed, especially when the game is tight in fourth quarters; he finished among the league scoring leaders in clutch situations.

Prediction: HEAT

These are two teams bringing a bit of disappointment into the Play-in. Two years ago, the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference finals, and last year the Heat made it that far, but both suffered slippage. Miami has an edge with this game being on its home court and favorable head-to-head results against the Hawks, and the Heat will need those advantages. Expect a rather close game to be rescued by one of the stars. In this case, Butler is the man in those clutch situations; he should finish among the top vote-getters for the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year. And if Trae Young continues to struggle with his shooting — 33% from deep, the lowest mark since his rookie season — then that’s a wrap.

(8) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (7) LA Lakers (10 ET, TNT)

The Winner: Advances to face Memphis in the first round as the No. 7 seed

The Loser: Plays the winner of Wednesday’s Pelicans-Thunder game to determine the No. 8 seed

Regular season results: Wolves won series 2-1.

Keep Your Eyes On: The ex-Wolves now on the Lakers

D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt have played various roles in the Lakers’ comeback this season, having arrived in L.A. at the trade deadline. All three are former Wolves, with Beasley and Vanderbilt acquired after a brief stopover in Utah as part of the Rudy Gobert trade. Russell is a more reliable point guard than the departed Russell Westbrook, while Beasley brings deep shooting and Vanderbilt is an energy guy. The three ex-Wolves proved to be problem-solvers and reduced the Lakers’ weaknesses, and now have a chance to be vengeful against their old team.

Key Matchup: L.A.’s Anthony Davis vs. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns

There’s some question as to how much time Davis will spend guarding Towns, but the Lakers have few other big man options and therefore it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s significant. Towns returned just a few weeks ago from a calf injury that benched him for 51 games; he surpassed 22 points in six of eight games upon his return but only reached 30 points once. He’ll need to ramp up his production against Davis, one of the league’s best defenders — one who has the quickness to extend his coverage outside where Towns likes to work. And Towns must supply the necessary offensive balance for Anthony Edwards, who was terrific during Towns’ absence and made his first All-Star Game.

Prediction: LAKERS

The Lakers have reinvented themselves on the fly, using some much-needed personnel changes to post the West’s best record since the All-Star break. It also helped that LeBron James returned from injury and Davis avoided any. Meanwhile, the Wolves could be without Jaden McDaniels, their solid young defender, after he injured his right hand throwing the second-most regretful punch Sunday in the Wolves’ season finale. Minnesota was already without Naz Reid, done with a wrist fracture, so the losses are piling up at the absolute wrong time. This seems like two teams going in opposite directions, and the Wolves will need their best effort of the season to prosper in a road game against LeBron and AD.

2023 AT&T PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: WEDNESDAY’S MATCHUPS

EAST: (10) CHICAGO BULLS @ (9) TORONTO RAPTORS (7 ET, ESPN)

The Winner: Advances to face the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup between the Heat and Hawks on the road in a game that will determine the No. 8 seed in the East.

The Loser: Is eliminated and enters the NBA Draft Lottery.

Regular season results: Raptors took the series, 2-1.

Keep Your Eyes On: Toronto’s length

Suffocating, overwhelming, whatever you want to call it, but Bulls coach Billy Donovan even mentioned Friday that “the biggest challenge we’ve had against them has just been their size.” Back in November, Toronto’s defense racked up 11 steals and 10 blocks in a 113-104 win, only to follow up in February by forcing 20 turnovers that led to 21 points to go with a 19-6 edge in offensive rebounding, as the Raptors – capitalizing on their advantage on the boards – fired up 23 more field goals than the Bulls. Both of those games at Scotiabank Arena ended in Raptors victories.

Key Matchup: DeMar DeRozan vs. Everybody

Facing his former team in the postseason for the first time since it traded him in 2018, DeRozan knows what’s coming given what he’s seen in three regular-season outings against the Raptors. Trapped relentlessly in Game 1 between the teams, DeRozan took nine shots, committing five of Chicago’s 17 turnovers. In Game 2, the Bulls leaned on a 30-point night from Zach LaVine for a win, as DeRozan struggled his way to 9 points in the face of constant double teams. DeRozan saw much of the same in Game 3 of this series, scoring 13 points on 11 attempts.

Prediction: TORONTO

The Patrick Beverley effect on the Chicago Bulls has been fun, and we’ll see it on full display again in this matchup. But Beverley’s intensity won’t be enough to lift the visitors on the road against this lengthy Raptors team, which is 27-14 at home and appears to own the blueprint for slowing down DeRozan. Point guard Fred VanVleet is the only Toronto starter standing shorter than 6-foot-7, and we’ve seen enough evidence in three regular-season games to suggest Chicago won’t be able to rebound effectively or successfully shoot over the Raptors’ length on a consistent basis.

WEST: (10) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER @ (9) NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (9:30 ET, ESPN)

EAST: (10) CHICAGO BULLS @ (9) TORONTO RAPTORS (7 ET, ESPN)

The Winner: Advances to face the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup between the Heat and Hawks on the road in a game that will determine the No. 8 seed in the East.

The Loser: Is eliminated and enters the NBA Draft Lottery.

Regular season results: Raptors took the series, 2-1.

Keep Your Eyes On: Toronto’s length

Key Matchup: DeMar DeRozan vs. Everybody

Prediction: TORONTO

WEST: (10) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER @ (9) NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (9:30 ET, ESPN)

NHL NEWS

BRUINS BREAK NHL SINGLE-SEASON WINS RECORD BY BEATING FLYERS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) David Pastrnak posed with the puck he used to score his 60th goal of the season in front of the whiteboard in the locker room that had “63 WINS” written in blue marker.

It’s not the Boston Bruins’ biggest goal, but they now own the NHL single-season wins record thanks to their best player putting on a show.

Pastrnak recorded a hat trick to reach 60 for the first time in his career, leading the Bruins to their 63rd victory of the season, 5-3 at the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night. The win snapped a tie with the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings and 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning.

“It’s been a lot of fun, I’m not going to lie,” Pastrnak said after his fourth four-point game this season. “It’s been enjoyable, especially the group we have here. We obviously knew the stakes, and it’s definitely special to hit it in a game like this. Made history today in the biggest league in hockey.”

Hats rained down from the many Bruins fans in attendance after Pastrnak scored his third of the game early in the third period. The crowd chanted “We want the Cup!” in the final minutes, then showered players with cheers at the final horn.

“It’s hard to win in this league and there’s a reason why this record is at 62 because not many teams can get there, so it’s a special honor,” said goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who made 34 saves. “These guys in this room are more than deserving.”

The Bruins have won six in a row and reached 131 points, one back of the record held by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens that has stood for nearly five decades, and with two games left against opponents well out of the playoff race. The Canadiens 46 years ago played in an era without overtime when games ended in a tie, and the Red Wings set the initial wins record before the shootout that has given the Boston four more.

When the playoffs begin in a little more than a week, the Bruins will have home-ice advantage throughout in pursuit of the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship since 2011.

Boston’s top two centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci were out, along with No. 1 defenseman Charlie McAvoy, forward Taylor Hall, key trade deadline pickup Dmitry Orlov and All-Star goaltender Linus Ullmark.

Even with a lineup chock full of players from the AHL’s Providence Bruins, Boston relied on a familiar recipe to set the wins record. Beyond Pastrnak’s goals, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha scored, Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves and the Bruins extended their streak of consecutive penalties killed to 38.

“They had some people out, but still that’s a really good hockey team,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said.

The Bruins also kept up what first-year coach Jim Montgomery called their “signature calling” of closing out games. After allowing a goal to Owen Tippett midway through the third period, the Bruins locked things down as they have so many times before, improving to 46-1-2 when leading at the second intermission.

Pastrnak joined MVP favorite Connor McDavid as a 60-goal scorer, making this the first season with two players reaching that mark since Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in 1995-96. The Czech winger had 48 games when the pandemic ended the 2019-20 season, so that gave him the belief he could put together a season like this.

“I know what kind of player I am in this league right now,” Pastrnak said. “I knew I could do it. That helps with your mindset.”

Wade Allison and Joel Farabee also scored for the Flyers, who lost their seventh in a row late in another lost season. Felix Sandstrom made a few big stops among his 29 saves, but that wasn’t enough to slow down the Bruins in their pursuit of a spot in the record books.

UP NEXT

Bruins: Host Washington on Tuesday night.

Flyers: Host Columbus on Tuesday night.

AVALANCHE FIGHT BACK FOR CRITICAL 5-4 OT WIN OVER DUCKS

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Nathan MacKinnon scored his second power-play goal of the game with 44.3 seconds left on the clock in overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.

Mikko Rantanen had two goals and two assists, and J.T. Compher also scored to help Colorado move two points ahead of Dallas atop the Central Division. The Stars hold the potential tiebreaker with more regulation wins, which made MacKinnon’s one-timer from the left circle in the extra period that much more important.

“Well, it’s a good spot to be in with three games left or whatever, but there’s still work to be done because we’ve seen the standings flip flop all year long,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.

Pavel Francouz made 19 saves in his first start in nearly two months. He had not played since Feb. 7 because of a lower-body injury.

Frank Vatrano had two goals, Adam Henrique and Brett Leason also scored, and the Ducks picked up a second point in two nights to give up ground in the race for the NHL’s worst record and the best odds to win the draft lottery. Lukas Dostal allowed five goals on 46 shots.

“Our guys are full of fire,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “They’re working hard for each other, and they’re trying to support each other, and they’ve competitive people.”

Colorado squandered a two-goal lead in the second period before rallying back from a two-goal deficit in the third. Rantanen reached 100 points on the season when he cut it to 4-3 on the power play midway through the period, and MacKinnon’s one-timer with the man advantage tied it up 4-4 with 4:32 remaining.

“If you’re drawing penalties, you have your top five guys on the ice at one time and they can start feeling it. Eventually, I think, skilled players and talented players are going to find a way to break through,” Bednar said.

Anaheim scored twice in a 2:07 span of the third, going in front 3-2 on Vatrano’s wrist shot through traffic at 5:18 and making it 4-2 when Leason scored off the rush.

Eakins was pleased with the spirit on display coming to the end of a disheartening season, and not just from the youngsters that the Ducks hope will be cornerstones for years to come.

“Our veteran players, a guy like Frankie has a career year in points,” Eakins said. “Cam Fowler, career year in points. (Henrique) comes back, he’s got 20 (goals) again. … There’s a lot of good going on, quietly, that is really going to pay off for the future.”

That seemed like it might be enough to punish the Avalanche, but Colorado’s power play eventually was able to make up for a wasteful start. They failed to cash in on two lengthy 5-on-3 looks and a double minor against Derek Grant for high sticking in the first period.

The Avalanche ended up 3 for 8 on the power play.

“Their power play is deadly,” Eakins said. “They’ve got some really super high-end talent. … You give them that many cracks on a power play, they’re gonna get you sooner or later.”

ROAD TRIPPING Colorado won its 10th straight road game, their longest run since leaving Quebec after the 1994-95 season. Five of those wins have come in California, with the Avalanche having racked up 11 consecutive wins in the Golden State.

NOTES: Ducks D Drew Helleson made his NHL debut. He was a second-round draft pick by Colorado in 2019 and sent to Anaheim last year as part of the trade for D Josh Manson. … Avalanche D Bowen Byram (illness) missed his second straight game. … Ducks F Max Comtois is out for the final three games of the season because of an upper-body injury.

UP NEXT

Avalanche: Host Edmonton on Tuesday night.

Ducks: Host Vancouver on Tuesday night.

NFL NEWS

RAVENS AGREE TO 1-YEAR DEAL WITH ODELL BECKHAM JR.

(AP) — The Baltimore Ravens gave their wide receiver group a much-needed shakeup Sunday, agreeing to a contract with Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $18 million including $15 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the deal told the AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn’t been officially signed.

The 30-year-old Beckham did not play last season following ACL surgery. He now joins a Baltimore team with a quarterback situation that is still quite uncertain. The Ravens used the franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, who has asked to be traded.

Even with Jackson, the Ravens’ passing game was limited by a lack of production from their wide receivers. Rashod Bateman played only six games last season, and aside from tight end Mark Andrews, no Baltimore player managed even 500 yards receiving.

Beckham has five 1,000-yard seasons, but none since 2019 with Cleveland. In his most recent season on the field in 2021, he caught 44 passes for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games for the Browns and Rams.

He scored a touchdown in Los Angeles’ Super Bowl victory that season, although he also injured his knee in that game.

No matter who the quarterback is, when Beckham is at his best, he’s a major threat capable of producing dazzling highlights. Since debuting with the New York Giants in 2014, he has 531 catches for 7,367 yards and 56 TDs.

Beckham made the Pro Bowl his first three seasons. He’s one of three players in NFL history – along with Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas – to reach 80 receptions and 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons.

AUTO RACING

DIRT-RACING STAR BELL OUTRUNS REDDICK TO WIN ON BRISTOL DIRT

(AP) — It didn’t take long for Christopher Bell to figure out Bristol Motor Speedway’s dirt surface was ready made for drivers with dirt experience.

And it was the perfect layout for Bell to win his fifth NASCAR Cup Series race there Sunday night.

“It was a very tough surface to get a hold of and should’ve rewarded guys that kind of knew what to expect and how to get the car around the race track, which I think it did,” Bell said.

Bell held on through a restart eight laps from the end hold off another who grew up racing on dirt in Tyler Reddick.

Bell was a whiz-kid dirt racing sensation growing up – he won three Chili Bowl Nationals driving midget cars on dirt – and that experience helped the Joe Gibbs Racing driver to his fifth victory in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The first two years of Bristol dirt racing, NASCAR champs Joey Logano and Kyle Busch both won despite have less expansive dirt experience than many of their colleagues.

That changed this year as organizers gave racers more of a dirt feel than ever before, Bell said.

“This place is so much fun, whether it’s dirt or concrete,” Bell said.

Reddick was second for a second straight season, followed by Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Chase Briscoe.

Bell’s last challenge came after defending race winner Kyle Busch spun with 15 laps left. Bell took off on the restart and widened his lead over Reddick.

Reddick, who won the second stage, was closing in on the last lap when the 16th and final caution came out, instantly ending the race and sending Bell’s team into hysterics.

“Man, I just can’t get over how long those laps feel,” Bell said.

Reddick also enjoyed the intensity down the stretch. “I thought I had a little bit more,” he said. “I was at the edge, but I wasn’t quite there in the last couple of laps.”

Justin Haley was sixth, Bell’s JGR teammate Martin Truex Jr. seventh, Todd Gilliland eighth, Kevin Harvick with Ty Gibbs in 10th, giving Gibbs three cars in the top 10.

Points leader Ross Chastain, who took the top spot after Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman’s car was hit with a 60-point penalty for violations at Richmond, ended a lap down in 28th.

Kyle Larson, like Bell a dirt racing supernova who started from pole, won the first stage and took only fuel – no fresh tires – heading to the final segment. But Larson spun on his own 96 laps from the end, had to pit and restarted at the back of the field.

Larson’s race ended for good some 20 laps later after bumping several times with Ryan Preece between turn three all the way to turn one. Larson, the winner last week at Richmond, drove into the garage.

Preece was angered by earlier contact with Larson and gave him a hand gesture soon after to make that clear as their cars passed each other.

“I’m guessing he was paying me back for whatever I did earlier,” said Larson, who was 35th. “He rode me straight into the fence.”

Last year’s surprise winner Busch – he swept to the checkered flag after leaders Reddick and Briscoe slid out of contention – lost his chance for a second straight win with his late-race spin. Busch finished 32nd.

LOGANO’S UP AND DOWN WEEKEND

It wasn’t the outing two-time NASCAR champ Joey Logano wanted on the Bristol dirt.

Logano, who won the truck race at the track Saturday night, struggled to find his way and was behind the wall with his hood up less than halfway through.

“It was an eventful face for the short amount of laps we got to run,” Logano said. “It seemed like every wreck in front of me, I got up in the middle of it.”

Logano thought he had a competitive car, but broke his steering on a hard hit then “clobbered a fence after that.”

Logano had his hood up behind the wall at lap 104. He registered 37th – last place. It’s the second time that’s happened this season to the reigning champion, the other being Las Vegas last month. He only had two in his NASCAR career before 2023.

UP NEXT

NASCAR stays on the short tracks and heads back to Virginia when the Cup Series runs at Martinsville on Sunday. William Byron, already a two-time winner this season, is the defending champion for Martinsville’s spring race.

LUCY FOYT, WIFE OF INDY 500 WINNER A.J. FOYT, DIES AT 84

(AP) — Lucy Foyt, wife of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, died Wednesday in a Houston hospital following a brief illness. She was 84.

Born and raised in the Houston area, Lucy met her future husband at Lamar High School and the two married in 1955. She supported her husband’s racing career but rarely attended races and instead focused on her passions for “culture, arts, and global travel,” the team said in a statement.

“Lucy had a special appreciation for life, always embracing new experiences, people, and challenges,” A.J. Foyt Racing said. “There was never a dull moment being married to the auto racing legend; for nearly 68 years, Lucy was his rock, keeping him grounded as he ascended to superstardom in motorsports.

“Her steadfast support and amazing grace under pressure throughout A.J.’s career and post-career, which was marked by life-threatening injuries on several occasions, made it possible for him to stage the remarkable comebacks that added to his legendary status.”

Foyt, who turned 88 in January, had a pacemaker installed in early March. He missed the IndyCar season-opening race but spent last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway with his two-car race team.

Lucy Foyt was not feeling well when he returned home and hospitalized earlier this week.

She is survived by her husband, sons A.J. Foyt III and Jerry, daughter Terry, and their grandson, Larry, whom the Foyts adopted and is the current president of A.J. Foyt Enterprises – the team Foyt started in late 1965. The Foyts have eight grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

“She was able to watch them grow to achieve success, marry for love, and raise children, many of which are named after her with the most recent being Larry’s daughter, Lucy, who was born in January,” the team said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

TOP INDIANA RELEASES/NEWS

INDIANA PACERS

Another exciting season of Indiana Pacers basketball has come to a close.

The Blue & Gold’s 2022-2023 campaign ended with a 141-136 win over the New York Knicks on Easter Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Indiana finished with a record of 35-47 – improving by 10 wins from last year and the most victories since the 2019-2020 season (45-28).

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the message after the game was one of thanks to everyone on the team.

“It was a heartfelt thank you on behalf of our staff, our support staff, for an amazing year of high integrity, high-class people who really pulled for each other the entire year and really care about each other. Who, I think, really want to build something special here.”

Both teams missed key players despite the big offensive numbers.

The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, T.J. McConnell, Chris Duarte and Jalen Smith and Knicks duo of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randall also did not play.

The final result did not impact postseason chances and seeding for either team. The Knicks (47-35) are locked into the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs while the Pacers won’t make the playoffs for a third straight season.

Indiana trailed by seven points going into the fourth quarter before outscoring New York 41-29 in the final frame.

Seven Pacers finished in double-digit scoring, led by 26 points from rookie Bennedict Mathurin, 19 points by Jordan Nwora and rookie Andrew Nembhard each, and 17 points by George Hill. Hill made five 3-pointers in the game, including three in the fourth quarter.

For the Knicks, Obi Toppin scored a game-high 34 points, Immanuel Quickley recorded 30 and Quentin Grimes added 22.

In the first half, the Pacers led 73-71 despite getting outshot 55.8 to 52.3 percent from the field.

Mathurin was sensational in the opening 24 minutes, scoring 19 points by shooting 5-for-5 (2-for-2 3-point range) from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line to go along with three assists and two rebounds.

Both teams shot 66.7 percent in the first quarter, but it was the Knicks that held the edge at 45-41.

In the first frame, Mathurin made all four of his field goal attempts, including two 3-pointers, for 13 points. Alternatively, Toppin dropped 15 points in the first quarter for the Knicks and Grimes scored 10 points.

The teams traded jabs after the tip until the Knicks went on a 14-4 run, thanks to seven points by point guard Grimes, to lead 28-18 with 5:31 left in the first quarter. A 7-0 Pacers run, capped by a 3-pointer from Gabe York, then cut it to 41-36 before a half-court, buzzer-beating bank shot by Hill made it a four-point game.

The Knicks swelled the lead to 57-45 by opening the second quarter on a 10-4 run, on six points by RJ Barrett and four from Josh Hart, but the Pacers responded with a 9-0 scoring spree themselves to narrow it to 57-54 with 7:41 left in the half.

In the final 2:39 of the half, the teams tied four times before a basket from Aaron Nesmith with 46 ticks left gave the Pacers a two-point lead.

New York opened the third quarter on a 13-3 run – thanks to seven points by Toppin and five points by Barrett – to lead 84-76. The Pacers got no closer than six points the remainder of the frame, and from 7:45 to 4:25, the Knicks outscored the Pacers 15-3 on three made 3-pointers.

Going into the final 12 minutes, the Pacers trailed 107-100.

In the fourth quarter, Hill made a trio of threes to put the Pacers back ahead.

A 10-0 Pacers scoring spree early in the fourth quarter, on two 3-pointers by Hill, gave the Pacers a 117-112 advantage before a third three by Hill made it 127-117 with 5:20 remaining.

While the Knicks were able to cut it to 132-128 with 2:35 left, by scoring nine unanswered points, the Pacers were able to hang on down the final stretch.

Overall, the Pacers shot 51.7 percent while the Knicks shot 48.6 percent.

In a season focused on rebuilding, the Pacers made big strides.

Indiana had a top-10 offense all year, ranked among the fastest-paced teams in the league, and had the highest scoring bench in the NBA. The Pacers had more 10-point or more comeback wins than any other team this season, completing 17 come-from-behind victories from double digits.

As a team, the Pacers set a new franchise season record for 3-pointers made (1,112) and total points (9,535) in a season.

Individually, two franchise cornerstones both had career years.

Haliburton, 23, was named an All-Star for the first time and led the league for most of the season in assists before injuries sidelined him during the final stretch of games.

This season, in 56 games played, Haliburton averaged 20.7 points, 10.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He’s the first player in Pacers history to finish with at least 20 points and 10 assists in a season and no player to wear the Blue & Gold has ever had a higher assists average in a season.

Turner, 27, who signed an extension in January, also had a phenomenal year, finishing with career-highs in points (18.0), field goal percentage (.548) and rebounds (7.5) while also moving into second all-time in Pacers history for blocks this season. Turner also broke Reggie Miller’s franchise single-season true shooting percentage record by finishing at .651.

Going into the season, the Pacers had high hopes for their rookie class – and their first two picks delivered.

Mathurin, the No. 6 pick in the 2022 draft from Arizona, had an outstanding rookie campaign averaging 16.7 points on 43.4 percent shooting, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He finished with the Pacers rookie records in 3-pointers made (100), free throws made (376) and free throw attempts (454) and third in total points. He scored 20 or more points 27 times this season.

Nembhard, the 31st pick from Gonzaga, also was among the best rookies in the league. Among Pacers rookies all-time, Nembhard finishes second in assists (341) and third (92) in 3-pointers made. Overall, Nembhard averaged 9.5 points on 44.1 percent shooting, 4.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.

When the season concludes for all teams on Sunday, Mathurin and Nembhard will rank among the top in this year’s rookie class for several statistical categories.

Buddy Hield, in his second season after being traded to the Pacers who led the league for most of the season with 3-pointers made, set a new franchise record this season for threes made (288) and played in a team-high 80 games.

Aaron Nesmith, Jordan Nwora, Isaiah Jackson, and Jalen Smith all also saw increased playing time and had several big opportunities for starters minutes, with each of them posting career-bests on several nights.

This summer, the Pacers have three first round draft picks.

Inside the Numbers

Mathurin’s 12 made free throws are the second-most by a Pacers rookie in a game in franchise history. The record is held by Clark Kellog, who went 15-for-15 in a game in 1983.

The Pacers were 30-for-38 from the free throw line and the Knicks were 17-for-22.

Indiana eclipsed 140 points for just a second time this season in the win. The season-high was 143 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 9.

New York outscored Indiana 74-44 in the paint.

Both teams gave up 15 turnovers.

Mitchell Robinson had 10 more rebounds than points for the Knicks, finishing with nine points and 19 boards (13 offensive).

Quickley and Toppin scored at least 30 points in back-to-back games against the Pacers.

You Can Quote Me On That

“We have been resilient all year long. The fact that we gave up a huge first quarter defensively, it motivated us to pick it up in the final three quarters. We did a lot of good things and shot the ball well.” — Carlisle on the win over New York

“We’ve got to get our defense better. Our guys have got to take the challenge this summer to do a lot of the prep for next year based on the fact we have to become better individual defenders and better team defenders. That’s a big thing on the list of priorities for next year. Like everything else, it will be upon us quickly.” — Carlisle on offseason focuses

“It’s a fun group to be around. I think this summer is going to big for everybody. There is a lot of room to improve in all aspects. I can’t wait for it.” — Nwora on the team

“I think there’s a lot of room where I can grow. I think, being here, with the focus of improving young guys I think I can take a huge leap into my game into next year.” — Nwora on postseason focuses

Stat of the Night

Hill scored a season-high 17 points, and finished just one 3-pointer short of tying his personal best of six made threes in a single game.

Noteworthy

Indiana went 15-26 on the road this season.

The Pacers have not been swept by the Knicks since the 1993-1994 season.

New York owns a 100-94 record against Indiana all-time.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS BASEBALL

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Behind 5.0 innings of two-hit, one-run ball from top pitching prospect Quinn Priester, the Indianapolis Indians beat the Louisville Bats for their fifth win in a row on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field, 8-1.

The win not only pushes Indianapolis over the .500 marker in the early goings, but the five-game winning streak also matches their longest win streak all of last season (April 8-13, Aug. 31-Sept. 4).

Both teams were held hitless through the first four innings of the game, but the Indians (5-4) finally got into the hit column in the top of the fifth against rehabbing Louisville right-hander Lucas Sims. The Bats’ starter, right-hander Luke Weaver, went 4.0 no-hit innings with four strikeouts in the first outing of his rehab assignment.

The Bats (2-7) struck first shortly after their first hit against Priester (W, 1-1) when center fielder TJ Hopkins scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth. However, the Indians broke through for three runs a half-inning later against Bats reliever Zack Brown (L, 0-1), highlighted by an RBI single from catcher Endy Rodríguez and a run-producing double from first baseman Miguel Andújar. They tacked on two more in the seventh thanks to a two-run single from left fielder Tucupita Marcano, who’s hitting an even .500 (14-for-28) with nine RBI in his first seven games.

Three more Indians runs came in the top of the ninth against Bats reliever Ricky Karcher thanks to an RBI triple from center fielder Travis Swaggerty, a double from Marcano, and a sacrifice fly from second baseman Nick Gonzales.

Indianapolis’ eight runs scored is a new season-high nine games into the season, while their two hits allowed are the fewest in a nine-inning game this year.

The Indians head back to Victory Field to start a six-game series with the St. Paul Saints beginning on Tuesday night at 6:05 PM ET. No starter has been announced for either team.

INDY FUEL HOCKEY

INDIANAPOLIS – The Fuel hosted the Cincinnati Cyclones for the final time this season in an attempt to gain some momentum headed into the playoffs after a win last night over Iowa. Despite scoring first, the Fuel ultimately fell to the Cyclones 5-3 in regulation.

1ST PERIOD

The Fuel opened the scoring six minutes into the period with a goal by Bryan Lemos assisted by Seamus Malone and Zach Vinnell. Three minutes later, Malone took the game’s first penalty for cross-checking.

19 seconds later, Koletrane Wilson followed it up with an interference call as well giving Cincinnati a 5-on-3 opportunity which they quickly capitalized on with a goal by Lee Lapid to tie the game at one each.

Cincinnati took the next penalty, a high-sticking call on Adam Berg. The Cyclones killed that off but took another penalty at 18:25 which was a slashing call on Louie Caporusso. While the penalty would carry over into the second period, time expired on the first before another score.

2ND PERIOD

The Fuel took the first penalty of the period with a cross-checking call on Chris Cameron.

At 13:25 Zach Vinnell took a holding penalty and less than a minute later, Caporusso took a hooking penalty forcing some 4-on-4 hockey.

Jalen Smereck broke the tie for Cincinnati making it 2-1 at 15:59 in the period. By the end of the second, Cincinnati was outshooting Indy 22-15.

3RD PERIOD

Cincinnati’s Justin Vaive took a high sticking penalty less than a minute into the frame and the Fuel immediately capitalized with a power play goal by Seamus Malone to tie the game at two.

14 seconds later, Cincinnati took the lead again with a goal by Cody Caron. Less than a minute after that, Josh Passolt extended Cincy’s lead to 4-2 with a goal assisted by Patrick Polino.

Malone scored his second of the game and third of the weekend at 8:40 to bring the Fuel back within one.

The game got progressively chippier as time ticked down with Berg taking a cross-checking penalty at 17:19. After a timeout, the Fuel pulled Driscoll from net with about two minutes to go.

A minute later, Smereck scored a shorthanded empty net goal to put the Cyclones up 5-3. Driscoll returned to the net but time expired on the third period before Indy could make a comeback.

INDIANA MEN’S GOLF

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana men’s golf team shot a three-round score of 879 (298-293-288; +27) to place second at the Hoosier Collegiate at The Pfau Golf Course on Sunday.

Fifth-year senior Mitch Davis tied the course competitive round record at 66 (-5) in the final round of play. He is the first player to play a 66 was Oskar Ambrosius of Memphis in the Hoosier Collegiate Invitational on April 3, 2021.

No. 49 Chattanooga (870; +18) took the team title, while Jay Nimmo (211; -2) of Murray State earned the individual medalist honors.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Hoosier Collegiate Invitational • Bloomington, Ind.

The Pfau Golf Course

Par 71 • 7,265 yards

Live Scoring via GolfStat

Team Standings: 2nd/14 – 879 (298-293-288; +27)

Top Indiana Player: Mitch Davis – 215 (74-75-66; +2)

CHIP-INS

• Fifth-year senior Thomas Hursey, playing as an individual, finished second overall after shooting a 212 (71-72-69; -1). His final round of 69 (-2) included three birdies against just one bogey.

• Davis played a three-round scorecard of 215 (74-75-66; +2) to finish tied for fifth. His final round of 66 (-5) was the lowest round played all weekend at The Pfau. He carded seven birdies, including four of five holes on the back nine.

• Junior Drew Salyers tied for eighth overall at 220 (73-72-75; +7). His final round of 75 (+4) included a birdie on No. 1 and an eagle on No. 13.

• Senior Noah Gillard finished t-10th with a final tally of 221 (75-75-71; +8). His final round of 71 (E) played one birdie (No. 3) and a team-best 16 par conversions.

• Senior Eric Berggren finished t-14th after shooting a 223 (76-71-76; +10) over the weekend. He struggled to close out his third round of 76 (+5) after converting a birdie on No. 13.

• Junior Robbie Bender III, playing as an individual, shot a 232 (78-81-73; +19) for the weekend. He converted two birdies (No. 11, No. 18) on his front nine of the final round.

• Fifth-year senior Harry Reynolds finished the tournament at 232 (78-77-77; +19).

HOOSIERS IN THE STANDINGS

2. Thomas Hursey – 212 (71-72-69; -1)

t-5. Mitch Davis – 215 (74-75-66; +2)

t-8. Drew Salyers – 220 (73-72-75; +7)

t-10. Noah Gillard – 221 (75-75-71; +8)

t-14. Eric Berggren – 223 (76-71-76; +10)

t-45. Harry Reynolds – 232 (78-77-77; +19)

t-45. Robbie Bender III – 232 (78-81-73; +19)

UP NEXT

Indiana will close out the 2022-23 regular season at the Fighting Illini Collegiate from April 22-23. The event will be played at the Atkins Golf Course in Urbana, Ill. The Hoosiers will then advance to the 2023 Big Ten Men’s Golf Championship from April 28-30 at the Galloway National Golf Course in Galloway, N.J.

INDIANA WOMEN’S TENNIS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s tennis (12-8, 2-4 B1G) fell, 6-1, to the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines (17-3, 9-0 B1G) at the IU Tennis Center on Sunday afternoon.

At the end of the doubles match, the Hoosiers went down, 1-0, dropping No. 2 and 3 doubles.

The team was unable to get going against the third ranked team in the country. Indiana saw one point in today’s match, coming from freshman Nicole Teodosescu in No. 5 singles.

Teodosescu was down after the first set, then managed to tie it up in the second. After today’s match had been decided, she went into a super tiebreaker, winning the matchup 13-11.

FINAL RESULTS:

INDIANA 1, MICHIGAN 6

SINGLES

1. Jaedan Brown (UM) def. Lara Schneider (IU) 6-2, 6-2

2. Kari Miller (UM) def. Saby Nihalani (IU) 6-1, 6-2

3. Julia Fliegner (UM) def. Mila Mejic (IU) 6-4, 6-2

4. Andrea Cerdan (UM) def. Alex Staiculescu (IU) 6-4, 6-3

5. Nicole Teodosescu (IU) def. Gala Mesochoritou (UM) 5-7, 6-4, 1-0(13-11)

6. Lily Jones (UM) def. Rose Hu (IU) 6-3, 6-1

DOUBLES

1. Schneider/Nihalani (IU) vs. Brown/Cerdan (UM) 5-3 (unf.)

2. Fliegner/Jones (UM) def. Staiculescu/Teodoescu (IU) 6-2

3. Kelly/Miller (UM) def. Lemonds/Hu (IU) 6-0

ORDER OF FINISH

Singles: 6, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5

Doubles: 3, 2, 1, unf.

UP NEXT

Indiana travels to West Lafayette, Ind., for a matchup against in-state rival Purdue on Saturday at noon.

INDIANA SOFTBALL

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – No. 18/RV Indiana (30-11, 9-2 B1G) fell to Minnesota (23-15, 4-5 B1G), 8-5, in the series finale on Sunday Afternoon at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.

INDIANA 5, MINNESOTA 8

KEY MOMENTS

• Minnesota started things off with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first for the early lead.

• IU piled on three runs after freshman Avery Parker hit a long ball off the scoreboard to tie the ball game in the top of the second.

• Freshman Cassidy Kettleman hit a triple deep in the right field gap to put herself in scoring position.

• Sophomore Kinsey Mitchell hit a bunt to beat out the throw that allowed Kettleman to advance home, 2-1.

• Senior Cora Bassett hit an RBI double up the middle for a 3-2 lead.

• The Gophers scored two more runs in the bottom of the inning to even it out.

• In the top of the fourth, sophomore Taylor Minnick sent one out of the park for two RBI, 5-3, before UMN tied it again in the bottom of the fifth, 5-5.

• Minnesota scored three runs in the sixth on a bases loaded triple for three RBI and an 8-5, lead to seal it.

NOTABLES

• Indiana outhit Minnesota 10-8.

• The Hoosiers tallied five RBIs and four extra base hits.

• Minnick hit her eighth home run while Parker recorded her ninth on the season.

UP NEXT

The Hoosiers return back to action in Bloomington on Tuesday against Louisville. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET on Big Ten Plus.

PURDUE BASEBALL

PURDUE WOMEN’S TENNIS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women’s tennis defeated Michigan State 4-2 in a battle to the very end.

Carmen Gallardo Guevara ended the match with her singles win at No. 2. After dropping her first set 4-6, the sophomore flew through the second to win 6-1. The third set was a battle until Gallardo Guevara took the lead and ran with it for a 6-3 win over Issey Parker from Michigan State.

Senior Csilla Foder took another step toward the record books with her win at No. 2. Fodor ended her match quickly with her 6-2, 6-3 win against Michigan State’s Marley Lambert. The senior now only needs three singles wins to secure her spot in the program’s all time top-15.

Juana Larranaga also had a dominant win in her singles match at No. 6. The sophomore defeated Tia Mukherjee of Michigan State 6-3, 6-1.

Purdue earned an early lead with wins in doubles at No. 1 and No. 2.

Redshirt senior Liz Norman and sophomore Tara Katarina Milic secured the doubles point for the Boilermakers with a win at No. 1. The pair started out strong over Lambert and Liisa Vehvilainen from Michigan State, before allowing their opponents to catch up. In the end, Norman and Milic fought to the last rally to take the doubles point.

Fodor and Gallardo Guevara finished their match at No. 2 just before the conclusion of No. 1 doubles. The pair tied up the doubles point with their 6-4 win against the team of Lambert and Liisa Vehvilainen of Michigan State.

No. 47 PURDUE (13-6, 4-4) – 4, MICHIGAN STATE (8-12, 1-8) – 2

SINGLES

1. Liz Norman (PUR) vs. Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) – 6-7 (2), 6-3, unfinished

2. Csilla Fodor (PUR) def. Marley Lambert (MSU) – 6-2, 6-3

3. Carmen Gallardo Guevara (PUR) def. Issey Purser (MSU) – 4-6, 6-1, 6-3

4. Juliette Nask (MSU) def. Kennedy Gibbs (PUR) – 6-4, 6-1

5. Dagmar Zrubecka (MSU) def. Tara Katarina Milic (PUR) – 6-4, 6-3

6. Juana Larranaga (PUR) def. Tia Mukherjee (MSU) – 6-3, 6-1

DOUBLES

1. Liz Norman/Tara Katarina Milic (PUR) def. Nicole Conard/Issey Purser (MSU) – 7-5

2. Csilla Fodor/Carmen Gallardo Guevara (PUR) def. Marley Lambert/Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) – 6-4

3. Juliette Nask/Dagmar Zrubecka (MSU) def. Juana Larranaga/Kennedy Gibbs (PUR) – 6-2

ORDER OF FINISH

Singles: 6, 5, 2, 4, 3

Doubles: 3, 2, 1

PURDUE SOFTBALL

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Despite Purdue’s best efforts, which included a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Boilermakers fell, 1-5 vs. Wisconsin on Easter Sunday.

Although Wisconsin took an early lead, with the game-winner coming in the second inning, the Boilermakers continued to battle, posting six hits and leaving nine runners stranded.

Right fielder Kyndall Bailey recorded Purdue’s run in the seventh inning on a deep shot to center field by Alexa Echazarreta, which resulted in an RBI double.

Jade Moy led the effort with two hits, while Tyrina Jones, Bailey and Echazarreta each added one.

Relief pitcher Madi Elish recorded five strikeouts, including two over her final three batters faced. The effort marked the most strikeouts during conference action and the second-highest count of the season for the sophomore.

Relief pitchers Verni and Elish came in clutch as they got the Boilermakers out of a jam in the second and third innings, respectively when with the bases loaded, tossed strikeouts to close the frame. In total, the Boilermakers’ defensive efforts forced 11 Badgers to be stranded in the game.

Verni received loss after her 1.1 innings in the circle in which two runs on two hits were allowed.

Purdue continues it homestand this week with a Wednesday matchup vs. SIUE before hosting Michigan Friday through Sunday. All games will be streamed on B1G+.

BUTLER MEN’S GOLF

Butler posted a ninth-place finish at the Hoosier Collegiate, which ended Sunday in Bloomington, Ind.

The Bulldogs registered a final-round 297 (+13), which tied for the fourth-best Sunday score. Butler finished at 910 (+58) after rounds of 316 and 297 Saturday, followed by the Sunday 297.

Chattanooga took the team title at 870 (+18), which was nine shots better than host Indiana. There were 14 teams in the field.

Damon Dickey led the Butler charge on Sunday with a one-under score of 70. He had four birdies during the round on the 7,265-yard Pfau Course. It was the best round by a Bulldog over the weekend. Dickey finished in a tie for 36th at 229 (+16).

Freshman Will Horne took the top Butler spot on the leaderboard, finishing in a tie for 14th at 223 (+10) over the 54 holes. He shot a one-over 72 Sunday, which included three birdies. He tournament was highlighted by an even-par 71 in Saturday’s second round.

Connor McNeely shot 77 Sunday to finish at 230 (+17) and in the 41st position. Daniel Tanaka 235 (+22) and Kenny Leseur 239 (+26), concluded the event in ties for 59th and 68th, respectively.

Derek Tabor, playing as an individual, shot 72 (+1) Sunday and finished in a tie for 34th at 228 (+15).

Murray State’s Jay Nimmo was able to maintain his one-shot lead that he entered Sunday’s round with, holding off Indiana’s Thomas Hursey by a single shot. Nimmo’s two-under 69 Sunday gave him a 54-hole total of 211 (-2).

The Bulldogs are winding down the regular season as the 2023 BIG EAST Golf Championships loom at the end of the month. Next up for Butler is next weekend’s Boilermaker Invitational, hosted by Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

BUTLER WLAX

Gameday Information – Butler vs No. 8 Notre Dame

DATE: Monday, April 10

LOCATION: Indianapolis, Ind. / Varsity Field

LIVE STATS: butlersports.com

LIVE VIDEO: FloSports / Butler+

Link: Full Notes

Butler women’s lacrosse returns to Indianapolis for a three-game homestand that begins with a matchup against No. 8 Notre Dame. The Bulldogs are 5-6 on the season while the Fighting Irish are 8-4.

Bulldog Bits

Maggie Zentgraf is in her first season as head coach at Butler. She previously coached at Division III Lake Forest, going 11-4 in the program’s first-ever season.

Butler is one win away from tying their program record for wins (6) in a season.

Leah Rubino ranks third in the nation in shooting percentage (66.7%) as of April 7.

Greer Bireley has recorded at least one assist in each of the last four games.

Butler scores 10.8 goals per game and allows 13.5 goals per game.

The Bulldogs secured their first Big East win in program history with a 19-12 victory over Xavier on April 1.

Last Time Out

Butler’s last game ended in a 15-5 defeat at Villanova on Saturday. Rubino led the Bulldogs with a hat trick in the contest.

Scouting Notre Dame

Notre Dame won the only prior meeting against Butler back in 2019.

The Fighting Irish are ranked eighth in the Nike/USA Lacrosse rankings (last updated on April 3, 2023).

Notre Dame scores 15.25 goals per game and allows 9.25 goals per game.

The last game for the Irish ended in a close 12-11 loss to No. 7 Boston College. The Eagles won a free-position goal in the closing seconds.

IUPUI MEN’S GOLF

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The IUPUI men’s golf team carded a final round of 297 at the Hoosier Collegiate on Sunday (Apr. 9) and moved up a spot to a 12th-place finish at 920 (315-308-297). The Jaguars’ final round 297 tied for the fourth-best round of the day, trailing only Chattanooga, Indiana and Valparaiso – the tournament’s top three finishing teams.

Sophomore Sam McWilliams led the way with an even par 71 and Taylor Gardner shot 1-over 72. McWilliams was 1-over at the turn and made his first birdie of the day on his tenth hole to get back to even. He made another birdie two holes later to get to 1-under before playing his final six holes to 1-over.

Gardner made three birdies on his first nine and was at 1-under 34 at the turn. He made a pair of bogeys on the back nine, ultimately closing 1-over. He finished the tournament tied for 19th overall at 224 (76-76-72) for the week.

Morgan Tournemire shot 4-over 75, including a birdie on his final hole of the tournament, and Colten Girgis closed at 8-over 79. Kevin Tillery shot 9-over 80 and Preston Nanthavong shot 11-over 82 while playing as an individual.

McWilliams finished the tournament at 227 (77-79-71) and climbed 17 spots on the final day.

No. 49 Chattanooga earned the team title at 870 and host Indiana was second at 879. Murray State’s Jay Nimmo held off the field to earn medalist honors at 2-under 211, one shot ahead of Indiana’s Thomas Hursey.

Gardner finished the tournament with a team-high seven birdies and McWilliams made five for the weekend.

The Jaguars will be back in action next weekend whey they participate in the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette on Apr. 15-16.

INDIANA STATE BASEBALL

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Adam Pottinger connected on the go-ahead single in the bottom of the eighth inning and Jared Spencer shut the door on Illinois State in the top of the ninth as Indiana State completed the three-game sweep of the Redbirds at Bob Warn Field with the 4-3 win.

Indiana State (18-12, 8-1 MVC) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning on a rally With Luis Hernandez (single), Miguel Rivera (walk), and Keegan Watson (fielder’s choice) all reaching with one out to load the bases, Illinois State (10-16, 2-7 MVC) brought the infield in to cut off the potential go-ahead run.

Pottinger connected on the first offering from Redbird reliever Tyrelle Chadwick (1-3) and drove a hard grounder past a diving Adrian Flores at first base and the ball skipped into right field scoring pinch-runner Joe Kido to give the Sycamores the 4-3 lead.

Jared Spencer (S, 3) took over the mound in the top of the ninth and struck out the side to shut down the Redbirds for his third save of the season.

The Sycamore win continued an impressive start to the 2023 season for Indiana State as ISU picked up their third conference series win. Their 8-1 MVC record through the first three weekends is ISU’s best start to conference play since 1998 when the Sycamores opened with a 12-1 mark in conference competition.

ISU’s series win over the Redbirds also marked the first time since 2012 and just the third time in program history the Sycamores have won their first three conference series (2023, 2012, and 1998).

Cameron Holycross (3-0) was effective in relief in picking up his second win of the week as the redshirt junior right-hander went three scoreless innings. The ISU defense recorded a pair of double plays in both the sixth and seventh innings, while Holycross struck out the final two batters he faced to lower his season ERA to 0.40 over seven appearances.

Diaz was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a pair of doubles and two RBI to lead the Indiana State offense on the day. Urdaneta also doubled as the Sycamores connected on nine hits in the win.

Lane Miller went into the sixth inning in his third start of the season in taking the no-decision. Miller surrendered five hits and three runs while walking one and striking out two. Holycross took over in the sixth and gave up two hits while walking one and striking out four.

Luke Lawrence was 3-for-3 with two RBI for Illinois State, while Daniel Pacella added a multi-hit game for the Redbirds in the loss.

Chadwell took the loss after going 0.1 innings allowing three hits and one run in relief of starter Jayson Hibbard. Hibbard went 7.0 innings in the start allowing six hits and three runs while striking out four.

How They Scored

Randal Diaz connected on a check-swing RBI single and Luis Hernandez added an RBI sacrifice fly as Indiana State jumped ahead of the Redbirds early with a 2-0 lead after the bottom of the first.

The Redbirds took the 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning as Nick Strong singled in Daniel Pacella, while Strong and Greg Nichols both scored on Luke Lawrence’s two-run double in the inning to give Illinois State the lead.

Diaz tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth with his two-out RBI double back up the middle scoring Seth Gergely to knot the game at 3-3.

Adam Pottinger connected on the bases-loaded RBI single past a drawn-in infield in the bottom of the eighth scoring Joe Kido to provide the final 4-3 margin.

News & Notes

Indiana State opened the season with three consecutive Missouri Valley Conference series wins for the first time since 2012 and just the third time in program history (1998).

The Sycamores’ 8-1 mark in conference play trails only ISU’s 12-1 start to conference action back in the 1998 season as the best opening stretch in program history.

The Sycamores picked up their first sweep over the Redbirds since the 2017 season. The home sweep was ISU’s first against Illinois State at Bob Warn Field since 2008.

Luis Hernandez extended his on-base streak to 23 consecutive games following his eighth inning one-out single back up the middle.

Josue Urdaneta continued his season-best nine-game hitting streak with a double to right field in the bottom of the first inning.

Seth Gergely extended his on-base streak to 14 games after drawing a walk to lead off the bottom of the first inning.

Gergely’s fifth-inning stolen base marked his team-leading 10th steal of the 2023 season. He became the first ISU player to hit double-digit steals in a single season since Jordan Schaffer swiped 11 bases in 2021.

Indiana State recorded its fourth consecutive series win over Illinois State dating back to the 2019 season.

The Sycamores improve to 8-2 at Bob Warn Field this season and currently boast an eight-game winning streak inside the facility following the weekend series.

ISU’s six-game winning streak equals their longest of the 2023 season when the Sycamores took two from SEMO (Mar. 7-8), swept the series at Memphis (Mar. 10-12), and won in extra-innings at Illinois (Mar. 15).

The Indiana State pitching staff was on point throughout the weekend as the Sycamores posted a staff 1.93 ERA and a 21:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over the three-game series.

The Sycamore pitchers surrendered 21 hits to the Redbirds over the series with only one going for extra bases over the weekend.

Cameron Holycross extended his streak without allowing an earned run to 20.2 consecutive innings dating back to the fifth inning at Miami (Fla.) back on February 22.

Keegan Watson extended ISU’s 2023 hit-by-pitch to a Missouri Valley-leading 55 after getting plunked with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Up Next

Indiana State begins a five-game road trip on Tuesday evening as the Sycamores make the trip to West Lafayette, Ind. and Purdue University on April 11. First pitch at Alexander Field is set for 6 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on B1G+ and 105.5 The Legend.

INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball fell 8-3 to UNI on Sunday afternoon in the series finale as the Panthers claimed the series victory.

The Sycamores (19-19, 8-5) finished with seven hits while UNI (22-11, 11-1) had thirteen on the afternoon.

Indiana State used three different pitchers in the contest as Lexi Benko, Lauren Sackett and Cassi Newbanks all saw action in the circle.

The Action

UNI got on the board first in the rubber match as a solo shot to right center gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Indiana State answered quickly and tied the game up at one in the bottom of the opening frame. Olivia Patton led off the inning with a walk and would advance to third on a Danielle Henning double down the line in left field. Patton would then score on a Panther error, making it a 1-1 game.

After a leadoff single by UNI in the top of the second, the Sycamores replaced starter Lexi Benko with Lauren Sackett. The first batter Sackett faced lined a ball to right field where Kaylee Barrett caught it and threw to first for a double play. Sackett then got a groundout to retire the side.

A pair of doubles in the top of the third helped the Panthers go back in front as UNI scored twice in the frame to go up 3-1. The Sycamores would go down in order in the bottom half.

The Panthers would break the game open in the fourth inning, plating four runs on three hits including a two-run home run over the scoreboard in right field to go up 7-1.

Indiana State would get a run back in the bottom of the fifth as Isabella Henning drove in Olivia Patton with a single up the middle to make it a 7-2 game.

UNI would go back up by six runs in the top of the sixth, scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field which made it 8-2.

Much like Friday’s contest, the Sycamores tried to engineer a rally in the bottom of the seventh as the first two batters reached safely. Livi Colip was hit by a pitch followed by Abi Chipps, who worked a 13-pitch at bat and singled to left field. The Panthers got two-straight outs, bringing up Isabella Henning who singled up the middle for her second RBI of the day, scoring pinch-runner Kaylee Barrett. UNI was able to retire the side and claim a 8-3 win in the series finale.

The Sycamores got three multi-hit performances as Abi Chipps, Danielle Henning and Isabella Henning each had a pair of hits. Olivia Patton rounded out the offense with a 1-for-3 game, scoring twice.

Lauren Sackett took the loss for the Sycamores, dropping to 4-6 on the season.

Up Next

Indiana State will host Evansville on Tuesday, April 11 for an MVC contest beginning at 4 p.m. ET at Price Field.

EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Sydney Weatherford and Megan Brenton combined to earn a 2-0 shut out victory over Southern Illinois at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium on Sunday.

Weatherford picked up her fourth win of the season with five innings of work. She allowed seven hits and struck out a pair. Brenton threw the final two innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Neither pitcher gave up a walk.

The tone was set for a pitcher’s duel in the early going as Sydney Weatherford retired the Salukis in order to begin the game. Taylor Howe picked up a hit in the first while Alexa Davis added one in the second. Davis also got the job done on the defensive side, making a diving catch in center field to prevent a sure double.

In the bottom of the fourth, the scoreless tie was broken when the Purple Aces plated two runs. Jess Willsey, Davis and Karlee Frobeter all walked to load the bases with one out. Willsey scored on a wild pitch before Hannah Hood hit a bloop single into left to make it a 2-0 game.

Highlighted by a pair of defensive gems from Zoe Frossard, the Salukis were held scoreless in the top of the fifth. Her diving catch in right field prevented a base hit to record the first out while an even better play cemented the second out. With a runner on first, the Salukis picked up a base hit, which Frossard grabbed and threw out the runner a third.

Brenton entered in the top of the sixth and took care of business, allowing just one hit to secure the shut out victory. UE recorded three hits on the day while the Salukis had eight. Elizabeth Warwick and Emma Austin registered two hits apiece.

For the second week in a row, the Aces will travel to Terre Haute as they will face the Sycamores on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT.

VALPO SOFTBALL

The Valpo softball team concluded its Easter weekend series at Murray State Sunday afternoon on a warm, sunny day, falling to the host Racers by a 6-0 final.

How It Happened

Fifth-year Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) drew a one-out walk in the top of the first for Valpo’s first baserunner of the day, but was stranded on first.

The Racers scored one run in the first and added three more in the second — two of which were unearned — to take a 4-0 lead.

Junior Alexis Johnson (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) was hit by a pitch with two outs in the third before being erased on a fielder’s choice.

The Racers capped the scoring with a pair of runs in the fourth.

Freshman Lyna Vasquez (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View) worked a two-out walk in the fifth, but wasn’t able to advance into scoring position.

The Beacons had a pair of baserunners in the sixth, as Johnson led off with a sharp single and senior Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) drew a walk later in the inning.

Inside the Game

Batting in the leadoff spot on Sunday, Johnson reached base twice with her single and hit by pitch.

Herschbach’s walk was her team-best 14th free pass of the season.

Making her first start of the weekend at catcher, Vasquez caught a pair of runners stealing — including one on a back pick in the first inning. The freshman has seven caught stealings to her credit this season.

Junior Caitlin Kowalski (Temperance, Mich./Notre Dame Academy) started and took the loss, going four innings. Senior Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) entered in relief and tossed a pair of shutout innings.

Next Up

Valpo (4-28, 1-12 MVC) steps away from Valley play for the final time this season on Tuesday afternoon when the Beacons travel to DeKalb, Ill. for a twinbill against Northern Illinois. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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*	9	0	*1.000*	–	*6 – 0*	*3 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 0*	*3 – 0*	*9 – 0*	*W 9*
*NY Yankees*	6	3	*.667*	3	*4 – 2*	*2 – 1*	*2 – 1*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*6 – 3*	*W 2*
*Toronto*	6	4	*.600*	*3.5*	*0 – 0*	*6 – 4*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 1*	*2 – 1*	*6 – 4*	*W 1*
*Boston*	5	4	*.556*	4	*2 – 4*	*3 – 0*	*2 – 1*	*3 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*5 – 4*	*W 3*
*Baltimore*	4	5	*.444*	5	*1 – 2*	*3 – 3*	*2 – 4*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 1*	*4 – 5*	*L 2*
*Central*
*Team*	W	L	*Pct*	GB	*Home*	*Road*	*East*	*Central*	*West*	*Last 10*	*Streak*
*Minnesota*	6	3	*.667*	–	*2 – 1*	*4 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 0*	*2 – 1*	*6 – 3*	*L 1*
*Cleveland*	6	4	*.600*	*0.5*	*1 – 2*	*5 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*6 – 4*	*6 – 4*	*W 1*
*Chi White Sox*	4	6	*.400*	*2.5*	*1 – 2*	*3 – 4*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 2*	*4 – 6*	*L 1*
*Kansas City*	3	7	*.300*	*3.5*	*1 – 6*	*2 – 1*	*1 – 3*	*0 – 3*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 7*	*L 1*
*Detroit*	2	7	*.222*	4	*0 – 3*	*2 – 4*	*0 – 6*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 1*	*2 – 7*	*L 4*
*West*
*Team*	W	L	*Pct*	GB	*Home*	*Road*	*East*	*Central*	*West*	*Last 10*	*Streak*
*LA Angels*	5	4	*.556*	–	*1 – 2*	*4 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 2*	*5 – 4*	*L 1*
*Texas*	5	4	*.556*	–	*4 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*5 – 4*	*W 1*
*Houston*	4	6	*.400*	*1.5*	*3 – 4*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 6*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 6*	*W 1*
*Seattle*	4	6	*.400*	*1.5*	*2 – 5*	*2 – 1*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 4*	*1 – 2*	*4 – 6*	*L 1*
*Oakland*	2	7	*.222*	3	*2 – 4*	*0 – 3*	*0 – 3*	*1 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*2 – 7*	*L 4*

*National League*
*East*
*Team*	W	L	*Pct*	GB	*Home*	*Road*	*East*	*Central*	*West*	*Last 10*	*Streak*
*Atlanta*	6	4	*.600*	–	*1 – 3*	*5 – 1*	*2 – 1*	*3 – 0*	*1 – 3*	*6 – 4*	*L 3*
*NY Mets*	5	5	*.500*	1	*2 – 1*	*3 – 4*	*5 – 2*	*0 – 3*	*0 – 0*	*5 – 5*	*L 1*
*Miami*	4	6	*.400*	2	*3 – 4*	*1 – 2*	*2 – 5*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 6*	*W 1*
*Philadelphia*	3	6	*.333*	*2.5*	*2 – 1*	*1 – 5*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 1*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 6*	*L 1*
*Washington*	3	7	*.300*	3	*1 – 5*	*2 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 2*	*3 – 7*	*L 1*
*Central*
*Team*	W	L	*Pct*	GB	*Home*	*Road*	*East*	*Central*	*West*	*Last 10*	*Streak*
*Milwaukee*	7	2	*.778*	–	*5 – 1*	*2 – 1*	*3 – 0*	*4 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*7 – 2*	*W 1*
*Pittsburgh*	6	3	*.667*	1	*2 – 1*	*4 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*6 – 3*	*W 1*
*Chi Cubs*	4	4	*.500*	*2.5*	*3 – 3*	*1 – 1*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 3*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 4*	*L 1*
*Cincinnati*	4	4	*.500*	*2.5*	*3 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*1 – 2*	*3 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 4*	*W 1*
*St. Louis*	3	6	*.333*	4	*2 – 4*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 3*	*1 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 6*	*L 1*
*West*
*Team*	W	L	*Pct*	GB	*Home*	*Road*	*East*	*Central*	*West*	*Last 10*	*Streak*
*Arizona*	6	4	*.600*	–	*3 – 1*	*3 – 3*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*6 – 4*	*6 – 4*	*W 3*
*San Diego*	6	4	*.600*	–	*3 – 3*	*3 – 1*	*3 – 1*	*0 – 0*	*3 – 3*	*6 – 4*	*W 3*
*LA Dodgers*	5	5	*.500*	1	*4 – 2*	*1 – 3*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*5 – 5*	*5 – 5*	*L 3*
*San Francisco*	4	5	*.444*	*1.5*	*1 – 2*	*3 – 3*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*0 – 0*	*4 – 5*	*W 1*
*Colorado*	4	6	*.400*	2	*2 – 2*	*2 – 4*	*2 – 2*	*0 – 0*	*2 – 4*	*4 – 6*	*W 1*

NBA STANDINGS

Eastern Conference

Pct

Conf GB

Home

Road

Div

Conf

Last 10

Streak

1 xyz-Milwaukee

.707

—

32-9

26-15

11-5

35-17

6-4

2 L

2 xy-Boston

.695

1.0

32-9

25-16

11-5

34-18

8-2

3 W

3 x-Philadelphia

.659

4.0

29-12

25-16

10-6

34-18

5-5

2 W

4 x-Cleveland

.622

7.0

31-10

20-21

13-3

34-18

7-3

1 L

5 x-New York

.573

11.0

23-18

24-17

8-8

32-20

5-5

2 L

6 x-Brooklyn

.549

13.0

23-18

22-19

7-9

30-22

6-4

1 L

7 xy-Miami

.537

14.0

27-14

17-24

10-6

24-28

6-4

1 W

8 Atlanta

.500

17.0

24-17

17-24

8-8

26-26

5-5

2 L

9 Toronto

.500

17.0

27-14

14-27

4-12

26-26

6-4

1 W

10 Chicago

.488

18.0

22-19

18-23

7-9

27-25

6-4

2 W

11 Indiana

.427

23.0

20-21

15-26

7-9

24-28

3-7

1 W

12 Washington

.427

23.0

19-22

16-25

8-8

21-31

3-7

1 L

13 Orlando

.415

24.0

20-21

14-27

7-9

20-32

5-5

4 L

14 Charlotte

.329

31.0

13-28

14-27

7-9

15-37

5-5

1 W

15 Detroit

.207

41.0

9-32

8-33

2-14

8-44

1-9

1 L

Western Conference

Pct

Conf GB

Home

Road

Div

Conf

Last 10

Streak

1 xyz-Denver

.646

—

34-7

19-22

10-6

34-18

5-5

1 W

2 xy-Memphis

.622

2.0

35-6

16-25

13-3

30-22

6-4

1 L

3 xy-Sacramento

.585

5.0

23-18

25-16

9-7

32-20

5-5

3 L

4 x-Phoenix

.549

8.0

28-13

17-24

9-7

30-22

7-3

2 L

5 x-LA Clippers

.537

9.0

23-18

21-20

9-7

27-25

6-4

3 W

6 x-Golden State

.537

9.0

33-8

11-30

7-9

30-22

8-2

3 W

7 LA Lakers

.524

10.0

23-18

20-21

6-10

27-25

8-2

2 W

8 Minnesota

.512

11.0

22-19

20-21

8-8

29-23

7-3

3 W

9 New Orleans

.512

11.0

27-14

15-26

11-5

29-23

7-3

1 L

10 Oklahoma City

.488

13.0

24-17

16-25

9-7

25-27

4-6

2 W

11 Dallas

.463

15.0

23-18

15-26

9-7

28-24

2-8

2 L

12 Utah

.451

16.0

23-18

14-27

6-10

24-28

2-8

1 L

13 Portland

.402

20.0

17-24

16-25

7-9

23-29

1-9

4 L

14 Houston

.268

31.0

14-27

8-33

4-12

12-40

4-6

3 W

15 San Antonio

.268

31.0

14-27

8-33

3-13

10-42

3-7

1 W

Eight teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.

X – Clinched Playoff Spot, Y – Clinched Division, Z – Clinched Conference

NHL STANDINGS

*Eastern Conference*
	GP	W	L	*OTL*	*Pts*	*ROW*	GF	GA	*Home*	*Road*	*L10*
*1 xyz-Boston Bruins*	80	63	12	5	*131*	59	*295*	*171*	*33-4-3*	*30-8-2*	*9-1-0*
*2 x-Carolina Hurricanes*	79	50	20	9	*109*	46	*254*	*205*	*27-10-3*	*23-10-6*	*4-5-1*
*3 x-New Jersey Devils*	80	50	22	8	*108*	48	*280*	*220*	*23-13-4*	*27-9-4*	*5-4-1*
*4 x-New York Rangers*	80	47	21	12	*106*	43	*273*	*213*	*23-12-4*	*24-9-8*	*6-2-2*
*5 x-Toronto Maple Leafs*	79	47	21	11	*105*	46	*270*	*216*	*27-8-6*	*20-13-5*	*5-3-2*
*6 x-Tampa Bay Lightning*	80	45	29	6	96	42	*275*	*250*	*27-7-5*	*18-22-1*	*3-7-0*
*7 Florida Panthers*	80	42	31	7	91	40	*285*	*265*	*23-12-4*	*19-19-3*	*6-4-0*
*8 New York Islanders*	80	41	30	9	91	40	*237*	*215*	*24-13-3*	*17-17-6*	*6-3-1*

*9 Pittsburgh Penguins*	80	40	30	10	90	39	*258*	*256*	*23-12-5*	*17-18-5*	*6-4-0*
*10 Buffalo Sabres*	78	39	32	7	85	37	*282*	*287*	*16-20-4*	*23-12-3*	*6-3-1*
*11 Ottawa Senators*	80	38	35	7	83	36	*255*	*265*	*23-14-3*	*15-21-4*	*4-4-2*
*12 Detroit Red Wings*	79	35	34	10	80	32	*238*	*264*	*19-16-5*	*16-18-5*	*5-4-1*
*13 Washington Capitals*	79	34	36	9	77	32	*244*	*253*	*17-16-6*	*17-20-3*	*1-7-2*
*14 Philadelphia Flyers*	80	29	38	13	71	27	*213*	*270*	*17-18-5*	*12-20-8*	*3-6-1*
*15 Montreal Canadiens*	80	31	43	6	68	26	*226*	*298*	*17-20-3*	*14-23-3*	*4-6-0*
*16 Columbus Blue Jackets*	79	24	47	8	56	23	*206*	*319*	*15-22-2*	*9-25-6*	*3-6-1*

*Western Conference*
	GP	W	L	*OTL*	*Pts*	*ROW*	GF	GA	*Home*	*Road*	*L10*
*1 x-Vegas Golden Knights*	80	49	22	9	*107*	44	*265*	*227*	*24-15-1*	*25-7-8*	*6-1-3*
*2 x-Colorado Avalanche*	79	49	24	6	*104*	43	*271*	*219*	*21-13-5*	*28-11-1*	*8-2-0*
*3 x-Edmonton Oilers*	80	48	23	9	*105*	48	*318*	*257*	*22-12-6*	*26-11-3*	*9-0-1*
*4 x-Dallas Stars*	79	44	21	14	*102*	40	*273*	*215*	*21-10-9*	*23-11-5*	*7-2-1*
*5 x-Minnesota Wild*	79	45	24	10	*100*	38	*238*	*216*	*25-11-4*	*20-13-6*	*6-2-2*
*6 x-Los Angeles Kings*	80	45	25	10	*100*	39	*272*	*254*	*25-11-4*	*20-14-6*	*5-5-0*
*7 x-Seattle Kraken*	79	45	26	8	98	45	*283*	*248*	*20-16-4*	*25-10-4*	*7-2-1*
*8 Winnipeg Jets*	79	44	32	3	91	43	*236*	*218*	*25-13-2*	*19-19-1*	*6-4-0*

*9 Calgary Flames*	80	37	27	16	90	35	*255*	*248*	*19-16-4*	*18-11-12*	*6-3-1*
*10 Nashville Predators*	79	40	31	8	88	35	*219*	*229*	*21-14-4*	*19-17-4*	*5-5-0*
*11 St. Louis Blues*	80	37	36	7	81	34	*261*	*295*	*18-16-6*	*19-20-1*	*6-3-1*
*12 Vancouver Canucks*	79	36	36	7	79	30	*268*	*289*	*19-20-2*	*17-16-5*	*5-3-2*
*13 Arizona Coyotes*	80	28	39	13	69	25	*223*	*290*	*21-14-4*	*7-25-9*	*1-7-2*
*14 San Jose Sharks*	79	22	41	16	60	21	*229*	*307*	*8-22-11*	*14-19-5*	*3-5-2*
*15 Anaheim Ducks*	80	23	45	12	58	20	*204*	*330*	*12-23-4*	*11-22-8*	*0-8-2*
*16 Chicago Blackhawks*	79	25	48	6	56	23	*193*	*290*	*14-22-3*	*11-26-3*	*1-9-0*

Eight teams in each conference qualify for the divisional playoff format. The top three teams from each division make up the first six spots. The two remaining teams with the highest points, regardless of division, qualify for the final two wild card spots.

X – Clinched Playoff Spot, Y – Clinched Division, Z – Clinched Conference

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1913 In a game that features President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the first pitch, Washington’s Walter Johnson gives up an unearned run in the first inning of the home opener, but the ‘Big Train’ will not yield another tally for 56 innings. The Senators beat the Yankees, formerly known as the Highlanders, since the franchise moved in 1903 from Baltimore to New York, 2-1.

1947 During the sixth inning of an exhibition game against their minor league team at Ebbets Field, the Montreal Royals, Dodgers’ president Branch Rickey issues a brief statement to the press. The two sentences will forever change the game when the team announces, “The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased Jackie Roosevelt Robinson’s contract from the Montreal Royals. He will report immediately.”

1959 On Opening Day, Nellie Fox, who goes 5-for-7, hits an unlikely two-run homer off Don Mossi in the top of the 14th inning to beat Detroit at Briggs Stadium, 9-7. The White Sox second baseman, called ‘Mighty Mite’ by his teammates, did not homer in 623 at-bats the last season.

1961 In the last opener ever to be played at Griffith Stadium, rookie president JFK throws out the longest and hardest thrown ceremonial first pitch in history as the ball sails over the heads of the players lined up in front of the presidential box. The newly elected Commander in Chief, an avid Red Sox fan, stays for the entire game and sees the ‘new’ Washington Senators, the former team having moved to Minnesota, play their first game, losing to the White Sox, 4-3.

1962 Wally Post hits the first home run in Dodger Stadium history, a two-out, three-run shot in the seventh inning over the center-field fence off Johnny Podres that proves to be the difference in Cincinnati’s 6-3 victory. The left fielder’s homer is a fair ball, unlike some others hit in Chavez Ravine, with the discovery the foul poles are positioned in foul territory, requiring special permission from the National League for balls down the line to be recognized as fair

1962 In front of 52,564 fans, Reds infielder Eddie Kasko doubles off Johnny Podres in the first-ever at-bat at Dodger Stadium and Duke Snider’s single in the bottom of the second accounts for the home team’s first hit. After the first four seasons at the LA Memorial Coliseum, the team drops a 6-3 decision to the Reds in the debut of the new $22-million ballpark in Chavez Ravine, financed with a two-percent interest loan from the Union Oil Company in exchange for exclusive rights to advertise within the stadium.

1962 At Houston’s Colt Stadium, thanks to a pair of three-run home runs by Roman Mejias, the Colt .45s defeat the Cubs in their first-ever major league game, 11-2. Former Yankee hurler Bobby Shantz gets the win for the new franchise on owner Judge Hofheinz’s 50th birthday.

1968 In the Red Sox’ 7-3 win at Tiger Stadium, Carl Yastrzemski homers twice on the first day of the season, with one being an inside-the-park round-tripper. Marlins’ third baseman Emilio Bonifacio will stroke the next Opening Day inside-the-park poke 41 years later when he circles the bases for a four-base hit against the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium.

1969 Tommie Agee hits a monster shot into the top tier of the stadium in left field, making the blast the longest home run to reach the seats in Shea Stadium history. The Mets place a disc in the Flushing ballpark’s upper deck to commemorate the Mets center fielder’s historic homer.

1971 The largest crowd to attend a baseball in Pennsylvania witness the Phillies’ first game at Veterans Stadium, despite temperatures in the low 40s. A chilled but enthusiastic 55,352 fans are on hand to see Jim Bunning throw the first pitch, and Larry Bowa single for the park’s first hit, in Philadelphia’s 4-1 defeat of the Expos.

1973 A crowd of 39,464 chilly fans watches the first game at Royals Stadium and sees the home team rout the Rangers, 12-1. The ballpark, which will be renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1993 to honor the team’s beloved owner, is recognized as one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball.

1976 With the bases loaded and the Brewers trailing the Yankees by three runs, Don Money blasts Dave Pagan’s 1-0 pitch deep into the left-field bleachers, circling the bases for an apparent walk-off grand slam. Billy Martin vehemently insists first base ump Jim McLean called a timeout before the pitch, leading to the play’s nullification when the arbitrator admits he had, after denying the skipper’s claim at first, in Milwaukee’s eventual 9-7 heartbreaking loss.

1976 After being granted his free agency in a landmark case that will forever change baseball, Andy Messersmith becomes one of the first major leaguers to use his new status to sign with a team of his choice. The former Dodger right-hander comes to terms with the Braves, posting a 16-15 record during his two-year tenure for his new club.

1977 At Fenway Park, the Indians (13) and the Red Sox (6) established a major league record for the most runs scored by both teams in one inning. The eighth inning barrage proves to be too much for Boston as Cleveland beats the home team, 19-9.

1979 After yesterday’s 10-2 Opening Day rout by the Blue Jays, White Sox owner Bill Veeck offers free admission to fans for tomorrow’s Comiskey Park contest. The outcome will also be disappointing for the Southside fans when the Pale Hose allows six Toronto runs to score in the top of the eighth inning and lose the game, 9-7.

1979 At the Astrodome, J.R. Richard, striking out 13 batters in a complete-game effort, sets the record for most wild pitches in a game, uncorking six in the Astros’ 2-1 victory over a win over the Dodgers. Braves’ knuckleballer Phil Niekro will tie the Houston right-hander dubious mark later in the season, each surpassing Tiger rookie Charley Wheatley, who threw five in one frame in 1912.

1980 Jon Matlack and Yankee southpaw Ron Guidry match zeroes for nine innings at Arlington Stadium’s season opener. In the 12th, with his 1978 Opening Day nemesis, Richie Zisk, at the plate, Goose Gossage allows Mickey Rivers to score the game’s only run from third base when his first and only pitch is wild, giving the Rangers a 1-0 victory.

1981 On Opening Day, White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, playing the first game of his career while not wearing a Red Sox uniform, makes a dramatic return to Fenway, hitting a three-run homer in the eighth to knot the score at 3-3. Chicago will tack on two more runs in the ninth, beating Boston, 5-3.

1982 A crowd of 62,443 fans shows up with the game-time temperature of 38 degrees with a wind chill of 17 to see the Indians drop the season opener to the Rangers, 8-3. The team removed five hundred tons of snow from the Municipal Stadium field before the game.

1984 Martha and the Vandellas’ iconic hit Dancing in the Streets, which was recorded a couple of miles north of the ballpark twenty years ago at the Motown Studios, is finally played over the public address system at Tiger Stadium. Jim Campbell, the Detroit’s GM who thought the lyrics might cause rowdiness in the stands, finally gives in to the wishes of his younger fans, resulting in a ballpark tradition of the crowd cheering when Martha Reeves belts out the immortal words, “Can’t Forget the Motor City.”

1985 Cal Ripken sprains his left ankle during a pick-off play in the third inning of a game (444 of the streak) against the Rangers. The ‘Iron man’ does not leave the game, and X-rays taken later in the day will reveal no fractures.

1989 Ken Griffey Jr., the youngest player in the majors, hits his first career homer on the first pitch he ever sees at his home ballpark, the Kingdome. The 19-year-old son of the Reds outfielder with the same name takes White Sox right-hander Eric King’s pitch deep on his father’s 39th birthday.

1989 Dave Stieb pitches his third one-hitter in his past four starts when the Blue Jays beat the Yankees in the Bronx, 8-0. The 30-year-old right-hander had also limited Baltimore and Cleveland to a lone hit during his last two starts the previous season.

1990 At the SkyDome in Toronto, George Bush becomes the first U.S. president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in Canada. After the international toss, the Blue Jays beat the visiting Rangers, 2-1.

1990 Detroit skipper Sparky Anderson decides to walk Wade Boggs intentionally three times, tying a major league mark for a nine-inning game. The Tigers’ strategy pays off in preventing additional runs from scoring, but the team still drops a 4-2 decision to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

1992 Dave Eiland hits his only big-league home run in his first major league at-bat, becoming the first hurler to accomplish the feat while allowing a homer to the first batter he faced in the major leagues. In 1988, as a rookie for the Yankees, the Padres right-hander gave up a round-tripper to Paul Molitor, who was the first batter he faced in his big league debut.

1997 Alex Fernandez, making his first appearance in Chicago since leaving the White Sox after signing with the Marlins as a free agent in the offseason, comes within two outs from pitching a no-hitter at Wrigley Field. Cubs’ pinch-hitter Dave Hansen’s infield hit off the pitcher’s glove breaks up the no-no, but the right-hander’s one-hitter hands the Northsiders a 1-0 loss, with the team falling to 0-8, the worst start in the club’s 122-year history.

1998 “Well I love that dirty water

Oh, Boston, you’re my home

(Oh, you’re the number one place).”

Following the lead of the NHL’s Bruins and the NFL’s Patriots, the Red Sox begin playing Ed Cobb’s Dirty Water, a song sung by the Standells known for its iconic lyrics, ‘Boston you’re my home,’ after the home team wins. The debut of the tune at Fenway Park is memorable when the team’s victory anthem plays with Mo Vaughn circling the bases following his walk-off grand slam, giving the BoSox, who had entered the frame trailing by five runs, an improbable 9-7 walk-off victory over Seattle.

1998 Trailing Arizona 4-2 at Qualcomm Stadium with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Steve Finley erases the two-run deficit with a walk-off grand slam. The Padres’ center fielder, who will accomplish the feat again in 2004, hits the game-ending round-tripper off Felix Rodriguez.

2000 Ken Griffey Jr. becomes the youngest player in major league history to hit 400 home runs when he goes deep into the left-field seats off Rolando Arrojo in the fourth inning of the Reds’ 7-5 loss to Colorado at Coors Field. Thirty-year-old ‘Junior’ reaches the milestone 107 days younger than Jimmie Foxx, who accomplished the feat in 1938 playing with the Red Sox.

2003 Astros’ outfielder Craig Biggio breaks Bobby Bonds’ National League record when he hits his 31st career leadoff homer, a shot off Cincinnati’s Danny Graves in Houston’s 4-2 victory at Minute Maid Park. Rickey Henderson holds the major league mark, homering 80 times as the first batter for his team.

2003 In a 7-6 victory over the Cardinals at Coors Field, the Rockies turned the first triple play in club history. With Scott Rolen on second base and Tino Martinez on first, Colorado’s first baseman Todd Helton catches Orlando Palmeiro’s soft liner for the first out and then throws the ball to shortstop Jose Hernandez, who steps on second for the second out and then tags Martinez to complete the triple killing.

2006 During the Devil Rays’ home opener, a snippet of More Cowbell, a skit from Saturday Night Live, originally aired in the spring of 2000, is shown at Tropicana Field. The use of the video clip, suggested by the team’s new principal owner Stuart Sternberg, will inspire the Tampa Bay fans to start the tradition of clanging bells at the ballpark during games.

2006 Rather than exploit the free-agent market next season, David Ortiz agrees to a $52 million, four-year contract extension with the Red Sox. The deal, which keeps the popular designated hitter in Boston until 2010, also contains a team option for 2011.

2007 After four days of weather-induced postponements, including blinding snow and sub-freezing temperatures, the Cleveland Indians play their home opener on the road, beating the Angels at Miller Park in Milwaukee, 7-6. The last time a series changed venues, the games were played in U.S. Cellular Field when the Marlins hosted the Expos in Chicago due to Hurricane Ivan hitting Miami in September of 2004.

2012 After praising Fidel Castro in a magazine interview, the Marlins suspends their manager Ozzie Guillen for five games. The comments of the outspoken skipper deeply offend the large Cuban exile community living in Miami, many of them victimized by the dictator.

2012 The Indians announce Carlos Santana has signed a five-year extension, with a club option for a sixth year, reportedly worth $21 million. The 26-year-old catcher joins the team’s shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who signed a two-year extension last week with the Tribe, as a player with less than three years of service locked up through their arbitration-eligible years.

2012 Vin Scully misses the Dodgers’ home opener for the first time in 35 years when doctors order the 84-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster to rest as he recovers from a bad cold. The last time the team’s play-by-play announcer was absent from the season’s first home game, he was on assignment, calling the first round of the Masters in 1977.

2013 The Red Sox regular-season span of 794 sellouts ends when a less-than-capacity crowd attends the team’s 8-5 loss to the Orioles at Fenway Park, easily surpassing the previous baseball record of 455 full houses at Jacobs Field, established by the Indians from 1995 to 2001. The addition of postseason games brings the total to 820, surpassing the Portland Trailblazers’ mark of 814 consecutive sold-out contests, making Boston’s stretch the longest in major professional sports history.

2014 For the first time since 1914, a starting pitcher whiffed ten batters without finishing the fourth frame when 24-year-old sophomore hurler Danny Salazar strikes out ten White Sox batters in 3.2 innings in the Indians’ loss at U.S. Cellular Field. The right-hander gives up five earned runs and six hits and gets all his outs via the strikeout, except for Adam Eaton, who is thrown out at second base, trying to stretch a single into a double for the first out in the third inning.

2015 Cubs Travis Wood and Tyler Matzek of the Rockies hit eighth in their team’s lineup, marking just the 12th time in major league history that mound opponents have not batted ninth in the same game. The last occurrence happened in 2008 when the Cardinals, led by Tony La Russa, who frequently employed his hurler in that slot, played the Pirates.

2015 Mark Buehrle becomes the 113th pitcher in major league history to win 200 games when he hurls six solid innings in Toronto’s 12-5 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. The 36-year-old southpaw, who has also played for the White Sox and Marlins, is the second pitcher to reach the milestone while wearing a Blue Jays uniform, joining Roger Clemens, who accomplished the feat in 1997.

2015 At Great American Ball Park, Reds closer Aroldis Chapman throws a 101 mph fastball by Matt Holliday to get the last out in the team’s 5-4 victory over St. Louis, making the fireballer the leader in saves by a Cuban-born player with 115. The 27-year-old Holguin native surpasses Pinar del Rio’s Danys Baez, who, beginning in 2001, closed for six teams during his ten-year tenure in the major leagues.

2015 The Red Sox need six hours and 49 minutes to beat New York at Yankee Stadium, making the contest the longest game in franchise history. The 19-inning victory lasts 14 minutes longer to complete than a 2001 loss to the Rangers in Texas.

2017 Wil Myers completes the second cycle in Padres’ history when he triples in the top of the 8th inning of the team’s 5-3 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field. The 26-year-old first baseman joins Matt Kemp, who accomplished the feat two seasons ago after the franchise had gone 35 years without one.

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

TY COBB

Ty Cobb may have been the best all-around baseball player that ever lived. But one thing is for sure: Cobb had a burning desire to win.

“I never could stand losing,” he said. “Second place didn’t interest me. I had a fire in my belly.”

Born on Dec. 18, 1886 in Narrows, Ga., Cobb grew up with a demanding father who would accept nothing but success. The drive to please his father remained with Cobb long after his father’s death and contributed to his intense drive to be the best.

“(Ty) Cobb lived off the field as though he wished to live forever. He lived on the field as though it was his last day,” said Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey.

After spending time in the South Atlantic League and with some semipro teams, Cobb joined the Detroit Tigers in 1905. He spent 22 seasons in Detroit and another two in Philadelphia. At the time of his retirement, he was attributed as the holder of more than 90 career or season records, including the all-time batting average mark of .366.

Cobb was known for his aggressive base running style and his ability to hit to all fields. He won nine consecutive AL batting titles from 1907 to 1915 and three more in his career. He hit .320 or better for 22 consecutive seasons including over .400 three times.

In 1909, he led the league in home runs for the only time in his career and won the Triple Crown. Cobb’s best offensive season was 1911 when he led the AL in every major offensive category except home runs including hits, runs, RBI, batting average and slugging percentage. He was named AL MVP.

“He didn’t outhit and he didn’t outrun them, he out thought them,” said Hall of Fame teammate Sam Crawford.

Spending most of his career in the outfield, Cobb helped the Tigers win three American League pennants from 1907-09 and served as player-manager of the Tigers from 1921-1926.

“I never saw anyone like Ty Cobb. No one even close to him. He was the greatest all time ballplayer. That guy was superhuman, amazing,” said Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel.

In 1936, the first balloting was held for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Cobb received the most votes of the five electees.

“The greatness of Ty Cobb was something that had to be seen, and to see him was to remember him forever,” said fellow Hall of Famer George Sisler.

Cobb passed away on July 17, 1961.

MICKEY COCHRANE

“Greatest catcher of them all, (Mickey) Cochrane was,” said Hall of Fame pitcher Lefty Grove of his longtime Philadelphia Athletics batterymate.

Gordon “Mickey” Cochrane was a fiery catcher, nicknamed “Black Mike” for his fierce competitive spirit, who helped lead his teams to five pennants and three World Series crowns during his 13 big league seasons. He spent his first nine years with the Connie Mack’s A’s, capturing American League flags from 1929 to 1931, with Fall Classic titles coming in 1929 and ’30.

Sold for $100,000 to the Detroit Tigers after the 1933 campaign to become player-manager, he promptly lead his new team to the top of the Junior Circuit his first two seasons and a World Championship in 1935.

“He showed us how to get a man on first, move him over to third and then get him in. We needed somebody to take charge and show us how to win and that’s what Mickey did,” said Tigers slugger Hank Greenberg. “He was an inspirational leader. He’d been on three pennant winners and winning was a way of life with him, a winning spirit that was really infectious. He was the greatest fighting spirit on the ball field. He’d go through a brick wall to catch a ball.”

“Cochrane was a great inspirational leader,” said Tigers Hall of Fame second baseman Charlie Gehringer. “Boy, he was a hard loser, the hardest loser I think I ever saw. He wouldn’t stand for any tomfoolery. He wanted everybody to put out as hard as they could and he set the example himself. Always hustling, always battling. Cochrane was in charge out there.”

Winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award in 1928 and 1934, Cochrane finished with a .320 career batting average, a career-best .357 coming in 1930. But it was his handling of pitchers which impressed those around him.

“Hardly ever shook him off,” Grove said. “If Mickey was living today, he’d tell you I only shook him off about five or six times all the years he caught me. Funny, before I’d even look at him, I had in my mind what I was going to pitch and I’d look up and there’d by Mickey’s signal, just what I was thinking. Like he was reading my mind. That’s the kind of catcher he was.”

Cochrane’s playing career came to an abrupt halt at the age of 34 when he was hit in the head by fastball from Yankees’ pitcher Bump Hadley on May 25, 1937. Cochrane survived the fracture skull, which one doctor reported, “The X-rays looked like a road map,” but never played another big league game.

Cochrane was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1947. He passed away on June 28, 1962.

BASEBALL YEAR IN REVIEW

1940 AMERICAN LEAGUE

Off the field…

The United States first adopted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. The act provided that not more than 900,000 men were to be in military training at any one time, and it limited active duty service to twelve months. After the United States entered World War II, a new selective service act made men between eighteen and forty-five liable for military service and required all men between eighteen and sixty-five to register for the draft.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike debuted as the first multilane superhighway in the U.S. and the first Los Angeles freeway opened. Both set the standard for the rapid evolution of highway transportation development across the country. Since then every state has constructed at least one superhighway on either a toll or non-toll basis.

In the American League…

Yankees pitcher Spud Chandler almost single-handedly led New York to a 10-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox after knocking in six runs with a single, two home runs and a grand slam. His six runs batted in performance tied an American League record shared with Pete Appleton who was one of the pitchers he was facing.

During a 12-9 win over the Detroit Tigers, Red Sox shortstop Joe Cronin became not the first player to cycle twice, but the first to do it a decade apart. Cronin, who had originally accomplished the feat in 1929, went four-for-five becoming the fifth Boston player ever to go the distance.

Boston Red Sox slammer Jimmie Foxx moved ahead of Lou Gehrig on the all time home run list after hitting number’s four-hundred ninety-four and four-hundred ninety-five off the Washington Senators en route to a 7-6 win on August 16^th.

In the National League…

On May 7^th, the Brooklyn Dodgers fell 18-2 after the St. Louis Cardinals totaled forty-nine bases on twenty hits. Thirteen knocks went for extra-bases and seven of them were home runs. The rally set a National League record for most extra bases on long hits with twenty-nine.

Brooklyn Dodgers’ reliever Carl Doyle dropped the ball (and the game) after giving up sixteen hits and fourteen runs (in just four innings) as the Cincinnati Reds tallied twenty-seven hits and a 23-2 victory. To make matters worse, Doyle also hit four Cincinnati batters to tie a National League record and initiated a bitter rivalry between the teams that would last for decades. Four days later, he was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Harry Danning, of the New York Giants, hit for the cycle against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 15^th and became the last player of the century to include an inside the park home run in his cycle. The inside-the-park-home run traveled four-hundred sixty feet and became lodged behind an Eddie Grant memorial in front of the Giants’ clubhouse. New York went on to win their eighth straight with a 12-1 triumph.

Around the League…

At the All-Star Game, outfielder Max West of the Boston Bees hit a three-run home run in the first inning to lead the Nationals to victory over the American League. The 4-0 final was the first shutout ever recorded at a Midsummer Classic.

In response to the “beanball wars” Spalding Sporting Goods introduced a new style of batting helmet (with earflaps) to mixed reviews. The Brooklyn Dodgers also introduced a padded cap liner that some batters elected to use the following season.

Walter Johnson, the man who had won four-hundred sixteen games for the Washington Senators, lost the election as the Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland. Although Johnson’s political career ended before it began, his career on the field seemed to never end as he compiled statistics that included sixteen straight wins (1912); a string of fifty-six scoreless innings, and a 36-7 (1.09) mark in 1913; five wins, three of them shutouts, in nine days (1908); sixty-six triumphs over Detroit, the most for any American League pitcher against any one team; two-hundred victories in eight seasons and three-hundred in fourteen.

FOOTBALL HISTORY

THE HALL OF FAME

BERT BELL

It wasn’t long after Bert Bell was elected the National Football League’s commissioner in January 1946, that he demonstrated he would be a fearless, tireless leader who would guide the league to new heights of popularity.

Bell’s first order of business was to prepare his league for a costly struggle with the new rival league, the All-America Football Conference. Steadfastly rejecting any settlement that would leave the AAFC intact, Bert finally presided over a “merger” after the 1949 season that brought three AAFC teams – Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers – into the NFL.

In Bell’s first year as commissioner, he also took a strong anti-gambling stance that marked the start of tough conduct codes in the NFL. Another far-sighted action was Bell’s handling of the-then young television industry. Realizing that televising home games would hurt stadium attendance and much-needed team revenues, Bell formulated the policy to permit only road games to be televised back to home cities, thus protecting gate revenues while making previously unavailable away games accessible to fans.

Bell exhibited a rare fortitude when he first recognized the NFL Players’ Association. Confronted by angry owners, he simply referred to the league’s constitution, which permitted him to act on any matter “in the best interests of pro football.” Bell began his pro football life as the founder-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933 and struggled with overwhelming financial adversity for the rest of the decade. A unique franchise shift in 1940 found Bell moving to Pittsburgh as part owner of the Steelers, a status he maintained until he was selected as commissioner. On October 11, 1959, while watching his “two teams,” the Eagles and Steelers, play at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field; Bert suffered a fatal heart attack. The fact he died at an NFL game seemed appropriate for a man who had made pro football his entire life.

April 10, 1945 – NFL’s Boston Yanks & Brooklyn Tigers merge. According to an article on the American Football Fandom pages the merger occurred because of a shortage of players caused by World War II, the Yanks were merged with the Brooklyn Tigers for the 1945 season, and styled as the Boston Yanks. The merged team played four home games in Boston and one in New York. But fans from neither city cared as they finished with a 3-6-1 record. The Boston Yanks were a NFL team based in Boston, Massachusetts that played from 1944 to 1948 playing their home games at Fenway Park and when the Red Sox baseball team needed the field they went over to the Manning Bowl in nearby Lynn, Mass.

Hall of Fame Birthdays for April 10

April 10, 1909 – Toronto, Ohio – The stud fullback of 1929 to 1931 from Bucknell University and later the Green Bay Packers, Clarke Hinkle arrived into this life. In 1964 Clarke Hinkle was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

April 10, 1918 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Jim Daniell the great Ohio State tackle from 1939 to 1941 was born. Big Jim had one of his most memorable plays on October 19, 1941 in a game against Purdue. The mudfest led to a scoreless tie early on in the game with the Boilermakers set up to punt. The NFF says that Daniell exploded across the scrimmage line, evaded blockers and leapt with out-stretched arms. The punted ball was swatted back-beyond the goal line, then beyond the end line. Safety! Ohio State led, 2-0. These were important points too as the Buckeyes escaped with a 16-14 victory! The National Football Foundation selected Jim Daniell for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Jim after school served his country and was awarded the a Presidential Citation, as well as a Bronze and a Silver Star. Daniell played pro football with the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns, serving as Cleveland’s captain in 1946 in the AAFC.

April 10, 1936 – Hall of Famer John Madden was born per the NFL.com. Madden was 103-32-7 in 10 seasons from 1969 through the 1978 season as the Oakland Raiders head coach. John Madden was chosen to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his contributions of being a coach and I am sure the things he brought to television broadcasts are not overlooked.

April 10, 1938 – Mount Vernon, Texas – Don Meredith the fun loving Southern Methodist University Quarterback from 1957 to 1959 was born. He was known by many as “Dandy Don” as he was a fun loving guy! The NFF tells how Don got his shot in college football by earning it. Meredith started his sophomore year in 1957 as the third string quarterback, and completed only four of six passes in the first four games. Then, against favored Texas, he carried the ball 10 times for 72 yards, and, throwing short but straight, completed six of nine pass attempts including two scoring strikes for an unexpected 19-12 victory. All the young QB did the rest of the year was to have had completed 71 of 102 attempts for 912 yards, seven touchdowns and a .696 completion average. Opening the 1958 season against top-ranked Ohio State, Meredith completed 20 throws out of 27 attempts for 204 yards, but the Mustangs fell by three to the Buckeyes. Don went on to become an All-American in both 1958 and 1959. Don Meredith was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. Dandy Don had a great NFL career as he played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys 1960-68 and then became a sports announcer with ABC-TV most notably on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford.

April 10, 1948 – Pittsburgh Steelers legendary cornerback Mel Blount was born. Blount was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

42 – 4 – 21 – 2 – 12

April 10, 1947 – This moment is even bigger! Jackie Robinson, Number 42 famously put his name in ink in front of Branch Rickey the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers to officially and bravely break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Of course there was a minor transaction of the Dodgers buying out the contract of Mr. Robinson from the Montreal Royals that occurred as well.

April 10, 1956 – At the Stanley Cup Finals played at the Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec. Star Center, Jean Beliveau, Number 4 netted a goal and 2 assists as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2 for a 4-1 series win

April 10, 1986 – In a game against the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks stalwart Number 21, Dominique Wilkins made 21 field goals, scoring a total of 57 points in the Hawks’ 126-117 victory. Wilkins won the NBA scoring title during that 1985-86 season, finishing with a 30.3 ppg average, edging out the Utah Jazz star Number 4, Adrian Dantley, and Denver Nuggets Number 2, Alex English.

April 10, 1991 – Dallas Mavericks guard Number 12, Derek Harper scored a game-high 34 points in the Mavericks’ 97-91 loss to the Jazz at the Salt Palace, becoming the first player in NBA history to improve his scoring average in each of his first eight seasons in the league, as he averaged 19.7 points per game.

TV MONDAY

*MLB REGULAR SEASON GAMES*	*TIME ET*	TV
*Chi. White Sox at Minnesota*	*2:10pm*	MLBN Bally Sports NBCS-CHI
*NY Yankees at Cleveland*	*6:10pm*	Bally Sports YES
*Oakland at Baltimore*	*6:35pm*	NBCS-CA MASN/2
*Houston at Pittsburgh*	*6:35pm*	ATTSN-SW ATTSN-PIT
*Boston at Tampa Bay*	*6:40pm*	MLBN NESN Bally Sports
*Miami at Philadelphia*	*6:40pm*	Bally Sports NBCS-PHI
*San Diego at NY Mets*	*7:10pm*	MLBN SNY Bally Sports
*Cincinnati at Atlanta*	*7:20pm*	*Bally Sports*
*Seattle at Chi. Cubs*	*7:40pm*	Root Sports MARQ
*Kansas City at Texas*	*8:05pm*	*Bally Sports*
*St. Louis at Colorado*	*8:40pm*	Bally Sports ATTNS-RM
*Washington at LA Angels*	*9:38pm*	MASN/2 Bally Sports
*Milwaukee at Arizona*	*9:40pm*	*Bally Sports*
*LA Dodgers at San Francisco*	*9:45pm*	NBCS-BAY Spectrum
*NHL REGULAR SEASON GAMES*	*TIME ET*	TV
*San Jose at Winnipeg*	*7:00pm*	NBCS-CA Sportsnet
*Buffalo at NY Rangers*	*7:00pm*	MSG-BUF MSG
*Carolina at Ottawa*	*7:00pm*	Bally Sports Sportsnet
*NY Islanders at Washington*	*7:00pm*	MSGSN NBCS-WSH
*Toronto at Florida*	*7:00pm*	ESPN+ HULU
*Dallas at Detroit*	*7:00pm*	*Bally Sports*
*Minnesota at Chicago*	*9:00pm*	*ESPN*
*Nashville at Calgary*	*9:30pm*	Sportsnet Bally Sports
*Seattle at Arizona*	*10:00pm*	Root Sports Bally Sports
*Vancouver at Los Angeles*	*10:30pm*	Sportsnet Bally Sports
*SOCCER*	*TIME ET*	TV
*England Championship: Huddersfield Town vs Blackburn Rovers*	*7:30am*	*ESPN+*
*England Championship: Coventry City vs Watford*	*10:00am*	*ESPN+*
*England Championship: West Bromwich Albion vs Queens Park Rangers*	*10:00am*	*ESPN+*
*England Championship: Bristol City vs Middlesbrough*	*12:30pm*	*ESPN+*
*La Liga: Barcelona vs Girona*	*3:00pm*	*ESPN+*