“THE SCOREBOARD”
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
TORONTO 10 CINCINNATI 3
MINNESOTA 2 PITTSBURGH 0
CHICAGO CUBS 4 KANSAS CITY 3
MILWAUKEE 6 TEXAS 2
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 10 COLORADO 5
SEATTLE 7 HOUSTON 6
BOSTON 6 NY YANKEES 5
DETROIT 4 CLEVELAND 0
TAMPA BAY AT LA ANGELS POSTPONED
BALTIMORE 12 OAKLAND 1
SAN FRANCISCO 4 ATLANTA 3
ST. LOUIS 7 NY METS 3
MIAMI AT LA DODGERS POSTPONED
ARIZONA AT SAN DIEGO POSTPONED
WASHINGTON 4 PHILADELPHIA 3
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/SCOREBOARD.ASP
STATS: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/INDEX.ASP
PLAYER NEWS: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/NEWS.ASP
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
ST. PAUL 7 INDIANAPOLIS 6
FORT WAYNE 6 DAYTON 1
WEST MICHIGAN 5 SOUTH BEND 0
WNBA
DALLAS 97 WASHINGTON 84
CONNECTICUT 79 CHICAGO 73
INDIANA 83 PHOENIX 73
SEATTLE 88 MINNESOTA 74
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
COLUMBUS 3 CINCINNATI 0
MIAMI AT CHARLOTTE POSTPONED
NEW YORK 1 DC 0
MINNESOTA 2 NEW YORK CITY 0
MONTRÉAL 3 TORONTO 2
ORLANDO 3 CHICAGO 1
HOUSTON 5 PORTLAND 0
ST. LOUIS 6 AUSTIN 3
ATLANTA 2 SEATTLE 0
SAN JOSE 1 VANCOUVER 0
INDIANA SRN FOOTBALL POLLS
6A
- CENTER GROVE
- CATHEDRAL
- HAMILTON SE
- BEN DAVIS
- FW CARROLL
5A
- WHITELAND
- BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
- FW NORTH
- FW SNIDER
- MERRILLVILLE
4A
- EAST CENTRAL
- EVANSVILLE REITZ
- EVANSVILEE MEMORIAL
- NORTHWOOD
- KOKOMO
3A
- BISHOP CHATARD
- GUERIN CATHOLIC
- TRI WEST
- YORKTOWN
- DANVILLE
2A
- EVANSVILLE MATER DEI
- LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC
- LINTON STOCKTON
- TRI CENTRAL
- HERITAGE CHRISTIAN
1A
- INDY LUTHERAN
- NORTH DECATUR
- ADAMS CENTRAL
- TRI
- PARK TUDOR
BIG 10 WEEKLY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 0
SATURDAY, AUG. 26
NOTRE DAME VS. NAVY (DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 2:30 P.M. | NBC
MERCER VS. NORTH ALABAMA (MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE VS. UTEP | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. UMASS | 7 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. OHIO | 7 P.M. | FS1
VANDERBILT VS. HAWAI’I | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
JACKSON STATE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
USC VS. SAN JOSE STATE | 8 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
LOUISIANA TECH VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL | 9 P.M. | CBSSN
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WAKE FOREST VS. ELON | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
UCF VS. KENT STATE | 7 P.M. | FS1
GEORGIA STATE VS. RHODE ISLAND | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN MICHIGAN VS. ST. FRANCIS (PA) | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UCONN VS. NC STATE | 7:30 P.M. | CBSSN
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA | 8 P.M. | FOX
MISSOURI VS. SOUTH DAKOTA | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH VS. FLORIDA | 8 P.M. | ESPN
TULSA VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UAB VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA STATE VS. SOUTHERN UTAH | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. HOWARD | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN | 7 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) VS. MIAMI (OHIO) | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
GEORGIA TECH VS. LOUISVILLE (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
KANSAS VS. MISSOURI STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I VS. STANFORD | 11 P.M. | CBSSN
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE | 12 P.M. | FS1
KENTUCKY VS. BALL STATE | 12 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
LIBERTY VS. BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA | 12 P.M. | PEACOCK
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SMU VS. LOUISIANA TECH | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
TENNESSEE VS. VIRGINIA (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ABC
TCU VS. COLORADO | 12 P.M. | FOX
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
OKLAHOMA VS. ARKANSAS STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN
OLE MISS VS. MERCER | 2 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
IOWA STATE VS. UNI | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TEMPLE VS. AKRON | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
OHIO VS. LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
AIR FORCE VS. ROBERT MORRIS | 2 P.M. | ALTITUDE SPORTS
OREGON VS. PORTLAND STATE | 3 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
AUBURN VS. UMASS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. SOUTH FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
WASHINGTON VS. BOISE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. TENNESSEE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | NBC
PITT VS. WOFFORD | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
CINCINNATI VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS VS. RICE | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
APPALACHIAN STATE VS. GARDNER-WEBB | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS VS. WESTERN CAROLINA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. SE LOUISIANA | 4 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS VS. CAL | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
SYRACUSE VS. COLGATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
GEORGIA VS. UT MARTIN | 6 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
CHARLOTTE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS. MONMOUTH | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. THE CITADEL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
JAMES MADISON VS. BUCKNELL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MARSHALL VS. ALBANY | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL VS. MAINE | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
USC VS. NEVADA | 6:30 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
TEXAS A&M VS. NEW MEXICO | 7 P.M. | ESPN
UL MONROE VS. ARMY | 7 P.M. | NFL NETWORK
VANDERBILT VS. ALABAMA A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
COLORADO STATE VS. WASHINGTON STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
BAYLOR VS. TEXAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON VS. UTSA | 7 P.M. | FS1
KANSAS STATE VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN MISS VS. ALCORN STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TROY VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO | 7:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NORTH CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
WYOMING VS. TEXAS TECH | 7:30 P.M. | CBS
LOUISIANA VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
VIRGINIA TECH VS. OLD DOMINION | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
TULANE VS. SOUTH ALABAMA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP VS. UIW | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
BYU VS. SAM HOUSTON | 10:15 P.M. | FS1
UCLA VS. COASTAL CAROLINA | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. IDAHO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN | 12 P.M. | CBS
SAN JOSE STATE VS. OREGON STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
FLORIDA STATE VS. LSU (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 4
DUKE VS. CLEMSON | 8 P.M. | ESPN
NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK 2
NEW ORLEANS 22 LA CHARGERS 17
MONDAY, AUGUST 21
BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00
WEEK 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
PITTSBURGH AT ATLANTA, 7:30
INDIANAPOLIS AT PHILADELPHIA (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
DETROIT AT CAROLINA (CBS), 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT TENNESSEE, 8:15
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY, 1:00
ARIZONA AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 6:00
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON, 6:05
MIAMI AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:00
BALTIMORE AT TAMPA BAY, 7:00
LAS VEGAS AT DALLAS, 8:00
L.A. RAMS AT DENVER, 9:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
HOUSTON AT NEW ORLEANS (FOX), 8:00
WEEK 1 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (THU) 7:20P (CT) 8:20P NBC
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
HOUSTON TEXANS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P FOX
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P CBS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 4:25P (ET) 4:25P CBS
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P FOX
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 8:20P (ET) 8:20P NBC
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS (MON) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P ESPN/ABC
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/HEADLINES
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: RED SOX HAND YANKS 8TH STRAIGHT LOSS
Justin Turner hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the host New York Yankees 6-5 on Sunday afternoon to send their longtime rival to an eighth straight loss for the first time since 1995.
Boston got its seventh straight win over the Yankees when Turner hit an 0-1 sinker from Clay Holmes (4-4) to the warning track in right field to easily score Pablo Reyes, who hit a leadoff single.
Turner drove in four runs and gave the Red Sox a 5-2 lead in the seventh with a three-run homer off Michael King, but Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe hit a tying three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.
The Yankees appeared to take the lead in the eighth when Isiah Kiner-Falefa scored from first on Volpe’s single. The Red Sox challenged the play for obstruction and Kiner-Falefa’s run was overturned. The Yankees then were unsuccessful in challenging that catcher Connor Wong blocked the plate.
Mariners 7, Astros 6
Eugenio Suarez clubbed a two-run home run while Dominic Canzone and Dylan Moore recorded four-hit games as visiting Seattle completed a three-game series sweep of Houston.
The Mariners extended their winning streak to six games while completing their sixth series sweep of the season. They did so by chasing Astros rookie right-hander Hunter Brown in the third inning after their own rookie right-hander, Emerson Hancock, departed after just two innings with a right shoulder strain.
The Mariners are 16-4 over their last 20 games and pulled to within a half-game of Houston in the American League wild-card picture. Houston fell to 2-8 against the Mariners this season.
Brewers 6, Rangers 2
Milwaukee handed ace Max Scherzer his first loss with Texas en route to sweeping the three-game series between division-leading teams in Arlington, Texas.
Tyrone Taylor and Christian Yelich hit back-to-back doubles in the fourth to chase Scherzer. Taylor went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs for the Brewers, and starter Adrian Houser (5-4) scattered six hits over five innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.
Scherzer (12-5) left after 99 pitches — including 42 in the third — through only 3 2/3 innings, with three runs on three hits and four walks. On the plus side, Scherzer threw four strikeouts and passed Phil Niekro to move into 11th on the all-time strikeouts list with No. 3,343.
Twins 2, Pirates 0
Dallas Keuchel tossed 6 1/3 perfect innings en route to his first victory in over 15 months as Minnesota defeated Pittsburgh in the rubber game of their three-game series in Minneapolis.
Keuchel (1-1) yielded just one hit, an opposite-field double off the right-field wall by Bryan Reynolds on a 3-1 pitch in the seventh. Edouard Julien doubled and drove in two runs for Minnesota. Jhoan Duran earned his 23rd save with a scoreless ninth.
The 35-year-old Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner, threw a season-high 85 pitches, 53 for strikes. He recorded 10 groundouts to pick up his first victory since a 3-2 win at Boston on May 8, 2022, while with the Chicago White Sox.
Blue Jays 10, Reds 3
Toronto hit five home runs against right-hander Hunter Greene, two by Brandon Belt, and went on to defeat host Cincinnati.
Belt hit two-run and solo shots, Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer had two-run homers and Bo Bichette added a solo blast in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Greene (2-5) returned from the 60-day disabled list (hip) and allowed nine runs (eight earned) and 10 hits in three-plus innings. It was his first start since June 17. The five homers allowed matched a club record for a pitcher.
Giants 4, Braves 3
Joc Pederson worked a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and give San Francisco a win over host Atlanta to salvage a game in the three-game series.
The loss broke the Braves’ five-game winning streak and handed them their first home loss in eight games this month. The Giants ended a three-game losing streak.
The Giants loaded the bases without a hit against Kirby Yates in the ninth inning on a walk to Michael Conforto and back-to-back hit batters, Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores. After striking out Patrick Bailey and J.D. Davis, Yates (7-1) walked Pederson on four pitches to force in the go-ahead run.
Cubs 4, Royals 3
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while pitching into the seventh, and Seiya Suzuki and Miguel Amaya each homered, then Chicago held on to beat visiting Kansas City.
Kansas City wasted no time getting to Hendricks (5-6) in the opening inning. Bobby Witt Jr., who has 44 hits in his last 26 games, singled, stole second and scored on Michael Massey’s hit. Hendricks, however, settled down to yield just three more hits and walked only one, while striking out three, in lasting 6 1/3 innings.
Down 4-1, the Royals didn’t go down quietly in the ninth. Maikel Garcia’s run-scoring single and Drew Waters’ RBI groundout got them within a run with the tying run on second. However, Adbert Alzolay (18 saves) induced a game-ending groundout from Dairon Blanco, and Chicago won for the 13th time in its last 18 home contests.
Orioles 12, Athletics 1
Ryan Mountcastle went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run, Gunnar Henderson laced four extra-base hits and Baltimore completed a three-game road demolition of Oakland.
Kyle Bradish (8-6) retired the first 10 batters in order en route to pitching six innings of two-hit ball, while Jorge Mateo connected on an inside-the-park home run for the Orioles, who completed a 6-3 run through Seattle, San Diego and Oakland.
The Athletics’ only run came when Brent Rooker greeted reliever Nick Vespi with his 20th homer of the year leading off the seventh.
Tigers 4, Guardians 1
Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter homered to back a strong start from left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez as Detroit beat host Cleveland to clinch their four-game series.
After Guardians lefty Logan Allen opened the game by walking Matt Vierling on five pitches, Torkelson got a fastball down the middle and homered the opposite way to right field for a 2-0 lead. With the Tigers nursing a 2-1 lead, they added two more in the seventh, one on Carpenter’s 18th homer of the season and second in two games.
In 6 2/3 innings, Rodriguez (9-6) allowed just one run on four hits and a walk, and he struck out six. He lowered his ERA to 3.03. After the rough start, Allen (6-6) settled in, retiring the final 11 batters he faced. In six innings, he surrendered two runs on four hits and two walks, and he struck out five.
Cardinals 7, Mets 3
Paul Goldschmidt hit a home run, scored twice and drove in three runs as St. Louis defeated visiting New York to avoid a four-game sweep.
Richie Palacios drove in two runs and made a homer-robbing catch for the Cardinals, who finished with 15 hits and snapped their four-game losing streak. Pete Alonso hit his 39th homer for the Mets, whose four-game winning streak came to an end.
Cardinals starting pitcher Dakota Hudson (5-0) allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
White Sox 10, Rockies 5
Andrew Vaughn homered among his three hits, Lenyn Sosa went deep during a seven-run eighth inning and Chicago rallied to beat Colorado in Denver.
Andrew Benintendi also had three hits, Zach Remillard had two hits and Aaron Bummer (4-2) got the win in relief for the White Sox, who snapped a three-game skid and denied Colorado a three-game sweep. Yoan Moncada hit a two-run double that tied the game and Oscar Colas made it 7-5 with a two-run double during the seventh-inning uprising.
Charlie Blackmon homered and tripled and Michael Toglia and Harold Castro also had two hits for the Rockies.
YANKEES, TIGERS SLATED FOR 2024 MLB LITTLE LEAGUE CLASSIC
The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers will play in the 2024 MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa., MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Sunday during the Little League World Series.
The Tigers will be the home team for the game scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18 at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Bowman Field, home to the Williamsport Crosscutters of the collegiate MLB Draft League.
Players from both MLB teams will watch the Little League World Series game earlier on Aug. 18, and Little League players and their families will attend the big leaguers’ contest.
The Philadelphia Phillies and designated host Washington Nationals are slated to play the 2023 edition on Sunday night.
The first Little League Classic was in August 2017, when the Pittsburgh Pirates doubled up the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3, followed in 2018 by the New York Mets topping the host Phillies 8-2. The Chicago Cubs beat the Pirates 7-1 in 2019; Cleveland blanked the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 in 2021; and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-3 last season.
NFL NEWS
REPORT: JETS QB AARON RODGERS TO START FINAL PRESEASON GAME
Aaron Rodgers will make his highly anticipated debut in a New York Jets uniform in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Giants, the New York Post reported Sunday.
New York acquired the four-time league Most Valuable Player in April in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. In the first two preseason games, he’s watched Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle lead the offense.
Wilson, who will back up Rodgers after going 8-14 as a starter over the past two seasons, started the three preseason games for the Jets thus far.
Rodgers last played in a preseason game in 2018 but said early in training camp that he would play this summer if that is what coach Robert Saleh wanted him to do.
“I wouldn’t mind playing in the preseason,” Rodgers said, per the Post. “I wouldn’t mind if Robert said, ‘Hey, we are going to go. Let’s do it.’ Most coaches have that fear where they want to get you to the Week 1 and not risk it, but I believe there is a chance for the last one.”
Rodgers, 39, starts the season with 59,055 career yards, 475 touchdown passes and a 147-75-1 record as a starter.
REPORT: LB MYLES JACK TO RETIRE, TWO WEEKS AFTER JOINING EAGLES
Linebacker Myles Jack informed the Philadelphia Eagles that he is retiring, NFL Network reported on Sunday morning.
Jack, who turns 28 on Sept. 3, signed with the Eagles two weeks ago after spending last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played 29 snaps on defense and three on special teams during the Eagles’ 18-18 tie against the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game on Thursday. He entered the game for the first time in the second half.
Jack spent six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-21) before recording 104 tackles in 15 games (13 starts) with the Steelers.
He totaled 617 tackles (22 for loss), 6.5 sacks and three interceptions in 103 career games (95 starts) since being selected by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
MISSOURI TO OPEN SEASON WITH TWO-QB SYSTEM
Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz plans to take his time — and see some more reps — before naming a starting quarterback.
Drinkwitz told reporters late Saturday that he plans to play incumbent starter Brady Cook and Sam Horn in the first two games of the season before making any decisions on a full-time QB.
“In this day and age of college football, I think you can very easily see a couple quarterbacks play in the first couple of games and let the play on the field decide it,” Drinkwitz said.
Cook, a junior from St. Louis, started all 13 games for Missouri last season. He threw for 2,724 yards and 14 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He ran for 585 yards and six more scores.
Horn, a redshirt freshman, made one appearance last season. On Nov. 19 against New Mexico State, he threw two incomplete passes and ran once for 10 yards.
The Tigers were 6-7 in 2022.
Missouri will open the 2023 season with a pair of home games — Aug. 31 against South Dakota and Sept. 9 vs. Middle Tennessee State before Kansas State comes to Columbia on Sept. 16.
The Tigers will begin Southeastern Conference play two weeks later against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn.
WNBA NEWS
JEWELL LOYD, STORM DENY LYNX SEASON SWEEP
Jewell Loyd scored 18 of her 31 points in the first half as the Seattle Storm avoided being swept in the season series by the Minnesota Lynx with Sunday’s 88-74 victory at Minneapolis.
Loyd, who entered averaging a league-leading 23.8 points, was held to 15 during Seattle’s 78-70 home loss to the Lynx (15-17) on Friday. However, she scored 14 points in the second quarter Sunday and finished 10-of-25 overall and 5-of-10 from 3-point range as the Storm (10-22) won for the first time in four meetings against Minnesota this season.
Kayla McBride had 18 points and Napheesa Collier added 14, but only two in the second half, with nine rebounds for Minnesota, which shot just 35.3 percent from the field.
Seattle led 47-40 at halftime, then scored the first six points of the third quarter. The Storm went on to score 10 of the first 12 in the period, with eight coming via Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, for a 57-42 advantage.
However, Seattle failed to score on 11 straight possessions and Minnesota registered eight points during that stretch to get within 57-50 with 1:51 remaining in the third. But Mercedes Russell’s basket ended the Storm’s drought, Loyd hit two free throws and Kia Nurse knocked down a 3 to put them ahead 64-50, and eventually lead by 12 entering the fourth quarter.
Loyd added 11 more points in the fourth for the Storm, who went 10-of-26 from beyond the arc.
Nurse’s 3 in the final seconds of the first quarter gave Seattle a 21-15 edge after one. The Storm scored the first four points of the second quarter to lead by 10. However, five straight points from McBride highlighted a 7-0 Minnesota run to make it a two-point game, and the Lynx eventually led 34-33 thanks to five straight made free throws.
Then Loyd took over.
She hit a pair of 3s during an 8-0 Storm surge that put them up five. Loyd hit another 3 with 31 seconds remaining in the half to put Seattle up by seven at the break.
Mendjiadeu finished with 15 rebounds while teammate Ezi Magbegor scored 12.
SUN SNAP SKID, HAND SKY FIFTH STRAIGHT LOSS
Alyssa Thomas missed on her sixth triple-double of the year, tallying 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists, but her effort was more than enough to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 79-73 road win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
Natasha Hiedeman shot 5-of-7 from the floor and scored 13 points while DeWanna Bonner (13) and Tiffany Hayes (12) also hit double figures as the Sun (22-10) snapped a three-game losing streak and won their fifth consecutive game against the Sky dating back to last season.
The late-season struggles continued for the Sky (12-20) despite 15 points from Kaleah Copper, who couldn’t help Chicago avoid its fifth consecutive loss. Elizabeth Williams chipped in 14 while Marina Mabrey and Courtney Wllliams scored 11 apiece.
Mabrey’s 3-pointer less than a minute in marked the beginning of a fast-paced opening quarter that saw the Sky and Sun both connect early and often. The two teams were tied at 9-9, 11-11 and 13-13.
Connecticut soon led 21-13 thanks to an 8-0 run but Chicago responded with an 8-0 run of its own. A jumper by Dijonai Carrington with 19.3 to play gave the Sun a 25-23 lead after one.
A 9-2 spurt fueled in part by a 3-pointer from Dana Evans put the Sky ahead 36-31 with under four minutes to play in the half.
But the Sun hung around and were within two at 38-36 with 2:46 to go after a shot from beyond the arc from Bonner.
Bonner tied the game at 40-40 a little over a minute later, hitting one of two free throws, and Rebecca Allen’s 3-pointer nudged the Sun ahead 43-40 with 30.2 left in a half that featured eight ties and three lead changes.
Two free throws by Thomas with 2.6 seconds remaining sent the Sun into the locker room with a 45-40 lead.
Connecticut took its first double-digit lead to close out the third quarter as Rebecca Allen made two free throws for a 66-56 advantage.
ARIKE OGUNBOWALE PACES WINGS IN WIN OVER MYSTICS
Arike Ogunbowale collected 17 points and eight assists and Teaira McCowan recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday afternoon, lifting the visiting Dallas Wings to a 97-84 victory over the Washington Mystics.
Natasha Howard scored 15 points and Crystal Dangerfield added 14 to help the Wings (18-14) win their third game in a row overall and third in four meetings with the Mystics this season.
Satou Sabally contributed nine points and 10 assists and Maddy Siegrist added 11 points off the bench for Dallas, which enjoyed a decisive 44-26 edge in points in the paint. The Wings shot 49.3 percent from the floor (34 of 69) and 42.9 percent from 3-point range (9 of 21).
Washington’s Natasha Cloud scored 22 points before fouling out and Brittney Sykes added 16 points and five steals. Ariel Atkins had 13 points for the Mystics (15-17), who saw their two-game winning streak come to a halt.
Washington’s Elena Delle Donne sat out due to a hip injury sustained in the team’s 83-79 victory over the Indiana Fever on Friday.
At halftime, the Mystics inducted two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time All-Star Nikki McCray-Penson into the team’s Hall of Fame. McCray-Penson, who spent four seasons with Washington, passed away on July 7 after battling breast cancer. She was 51.
Kalani Brown made a layup pushed Dallas’ lead to 50-34 with 4:33 remaining in the second quarter. Washington countered with a 27-15 run to bridge the second and third quarters, capped by Queen Egbo’s layup.
The Wings did not wilt, however. McCowan converted a three-point play to ignite a 19-3 run and give Dallas an 84-64 lead after three quarters.
Sykes sank a 3-pointer to ignite the Mystics’ 8-2 surge to start the fourth quarter. The momentum was short-lived, however, as Ogunbowale made a pair of free throws and Veronica Burton drained a 3-pointer to effectively seal the win.
USA BASKETBALL NEWS
ANTHONY EDWARDS SPARKS TEAM USA COMEBACK AGAINST GERMANY
Anthony Edwards scored 14 of his game-high 34 points in a decisive fourth quarter to complete a Team USA comeback for a 99-91 win against Germany in a World Cup exhibition Sunday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Germany built a 16-point third-quarter lead and led by as many as nine in the fourth quarter before the Americans went on an 18-0 run to take control.
Edwards, who went 11-of-21 from the field and 8-for-8 from the line, has emerged as Team USA’s top scoring option during the World Cup exhibition slate, averaging 18.8 points.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star’s heroics polished off a perfect 5-0 record for the United States in exhibition play before the squad starts its World Cup schedule against New Zealand on Aug. 26.
GOLF NEWS
HOVLAND SETS OLYMPIA FIELDS RECORD WITH 61 TO WIN BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (AP) Viktor Hovland kept hitting every shot just the way he wanted on the back nine at Olympia Fields. Rory McIlroy was keeping his card and kept writing “3” in just about every box.
Hovland delivered the best round of his career at just the right time Sunday, turning a two-man race into a one-man show by breaking the course record with a 9-under 61 to surge past Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick and win the BMW Championship.
The previous mark of 62 had been set twice this week on the rain-softened North course, by Sam Burns and Max Homa the previous two days. Hovland was so close to perfection that he birdied all but two holes on the back nine.
“When I made the putt on 15 for birdie, I felt like, ‘OK, we’ve got a chance now if I can finish pretty well,’” Hovland said. “Then you never know what’s going to happen behind you. … Until then, I had no idea what was going on. I was just going to try to play well and keep making birdies.”
What happened behind him was nothing special. Scheffler holed enough putts to lead by two at one point, but he missed the ones that really mattered – 6 feet for birdie on the par-3 16th to stay with Hovland, and then a three-putt from 20 feet on the 17th for bogey.
Fitzpatrick had an eight-hole stretch in the middle of his round that he played in 1 over, and then two birdies late at least kept him in the game. He and Scheffler each closed with 66 to share second place and leave Chicago feeling helpless.
“Can’t do anything about 61. I did just see Viktor – I called him a little (expletive),” Fitzpatrick said with a grin. “But for me, just really pleased again that I played really well, final round in contention with world No. 1, and I didn’t lose it. Someone else came from behind and won it.”
Even on soft turf, Scheffler was mystified by the low scores and could only applaud Hovland, especially on a Sunday. It was the lowest closing round by a PGA Tour winner this year, and a career-best for the 25-year-old Norwegian star.
“I’m just a bit frustrated. I think that would be the way to describe it,” Scheffler said. “Viktor went out and really just beat me today and played a fantastic round. I can hold my head high. I did my best out there today and fought hard. Just ultimately came up a couple shots short.”
Hovland won for the second time this year and never looked better doing it.
He only had one putt longer than 15 feet on the back nine. He closed with birdies on the 17th and 18th, the two hardest holes, finishing with a pitching wedge from 158 yards over the bunker to 6 feet on the 18th for one last birdie.
“That has to be the best round I’ve ever played,” Hovland said. “Given the circumstances – a playoff event, this golf course – the way I played the last holes was pretty special.”
Turns out the drama came from everywhere else.
Jordan Spieth bogeyed his last two holes for a 71 and was on the verge of falling out of the top 30 in the FedEx Cup who make it to East Lake next week for the Tour Championship. But then Denny McCarthy made three bogeys over his last seven holes to fall out.
The cruelest of all was Sahith Theegala. He ran off three straight birdies through the 17th hole and was projected to be in the top 30. But he took bogey on the last hole, while Patrick Cantlay in his group made birdie. They tied for 15th, and that bogey-birdie combination was enough to end Theegala’s season.
Sepp Straka wound up getting the 30th spot by nine points over Theegala.
Xander Schauffele did enough right in his round of 68 to tie for eighth, earning enough money to narrowly earn the sixth and final automatic spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Schauffele was certain to get one of the six captain’s picks, but his finish moved PGA champion Brooks Koepka from No. 5 to No. 7 in the Ryder Cup standings.
U.S. captain Zach Johnson makes his six picks in nine days.
Scheffler had six birdies and never fell out of the lead until late in the day, though he was haunted by three putts from 6 feet or closer than he missed over the final eight holes.
Scheffler, in a small consolation, is the No. 1 seed at East Lake for the the second straight year. That means he starts the tournament at 10-under par, two shots ahead of Hovland.
McIlroy, who shot 66 and finished fourth at the BMW Championship, is the No. 3 seed, followed by Jon Rahm and Lucas Glover.
“I felt like I played very average out there next to Viktor. He played amazing,” McIlroy said. “I was marking his card in there and I’m like, ‘Oh, you only made one 4 on the back nine, the rest 3s.’ It adds up to a nice little 28 for him.
“I sort of realized around like 14, 15, something pretty special was happening.”
For all the FedEx Cup possibilities that played out over some six hours Sunday, Fitzpatrick was the only player who worked his way into the top 30 who head to Atlanta for a shot at the $18 million bonus. He started at No. 40 and moved up to No. 10.
SCHAUFFELE EARNS FINAL SPOT AND BUMPS KOEPKA FROM AN AUTOMATIC RYDER CUP BERTH
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (AP) PGA champion Brooks Koepka went from a remarkable feat of getting among the six automatic spots on the Ryder Cup to now needing a phone call from U.S. captain Zach Johnson.
Xander Schauffele did enough right Sunday in the BMW Championship that a bogey on the final hole didn’t cost him. He closed with a 2-under 68 at Olympia Fields and tied for eighth, giving him the sixth and final automatic spot on the Ryder Cup team.
Koepka fell from No. 5 to No. 7, finishing 29 points behind Schauffele. Max Homa had been in the final spot and shot 68 to tie for fifth
The BMW Championship was the final qualifying tournament. After the Tour Championship next week, Johnson will get six captain’s picks.
Scottie Scheffler led the points list by such a margin that he had more points than the next two players behind him, U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and British Open champion Brian Harman. They were followed by Patrick Cantlay, Homa and Schauffele.
Koepka left the PGA Tour for Saudi-backed LIV Golf last June and only had access to Ryder Cup points in the majors. He was a runner-up at the Masters and won the PGA Championship, with points counting double for winners of a major.
Schauffele finished with 9,450 points in 26 qualifying tournaments. Koepka had 9,421 points in 10 counting events.
Any other player who finished just outside qualifying, had won five majors and was 6-5-1 in his three Ryder Cup appearances would seem to be a lock. The wild card is Koepka being part of LIV Golf and its 48-man fields over 54 holes.
Since his victory in the PGA Championship, Koepka tied for 17th in the U.S. Open and tied for 64th in the British Open. At LIV Golf, he had only one finish in the top 10 in five events, and the last two he was near the bottom of the pack.
The last American who finished just outside automatic qualifying and was not picked was Bubba Watson for the 2016 matches at Hazeltine.
Schauffele at least doesn’t have to wait on a phone call. He was bypassed in the standings in favor of Tony Finau for the 2018 matches in France.
“You don’t really want to sit around and wait for the phone call,” Schauffele said. “Been on both sides of it. … I remember getting a call saying, ‘No’ and a call saying, ‘Yes.’ It’s nice to automatically qualify.”
Schauffele had no reason to worry. Captains typically take those who finish just short of the automatic spots, especially with his performance and natural partnership with Cantlay.
“I would hope that I would get picked. I think I’ve proven enough in those events, in the team rooms and with my golf that I can play in these team events and help a team win,” Schauffele said “You never know, though. Like I said, it’s nice to automatically qualify.”
Jordan Spieth, who has played in every Ryder Cup since 2014, narrowly made it to the Tour Championship. He finished at No. 8, followed by Cameron Young, Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns.
Rickie Fowler, who won the Rocket Mortgage this summer for his first win in five years, is at No. 13. Most of the attention is on Justin Thomas, who is No. 15 and did not qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs (top 70) for the first time in his career. He also has a 6-2-1 record in the two Ryder Cups he has played.
Of the potential captain’s picks, seven will be at East Lake for one last audition. That includes Lucas Glover, who had won his previous two starts to reach No. 5 in the FedEx Cup. Glover finished at No. 16 in the Ryder Cup standings.
AUTO RACING NEWS
WILLIAM BYRON DOMINATES AT WATKINS GLEN FOR HIS CUP SERIES-LEADING FIFTH VICTORY OF THE SEASON
(AP) — William Byron had the field covered at Watkins Glen International, delivering such a dominant performance that no other NASCAR driver even got to his bumper in the final third of the race.
It was usual for the Cup Series and even more rare for Byron at a road course. The 25-year-old Byron won on a serpentine track for the first time in six Cup seasons, this one being his series-leading fifth victory of the season and making him a favorite to win it all.
“We’ve worked years and years for this,” Byron said, crediting veteran open-wheel racer Max Papis with helping him. “It’s a great win. I don’t know what it means and all that. I don’t read into that. But I think it shows that when we’re at our best, we can perform like this.”
Driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports, Byron overtook Michael McDowell in the first quarter of the 90-lap event and pretty much remained in controlled the rest of the way. He led 66 laps in all, including the final 33.
Pole-sitter Denny Hamlin was second, nearly 3 seconds back, in the penultimate race of NASCAR’s regular season. Christopher Bell was third, followed by AJ Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs.
Martin Truex Jr. finished sixth but failed to lock up the regular-season title for Joe Gibbs Racing. He and Hamlin will vie for the regular-season crown next weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
“It’s doable,” said Hamlin, who trails Truex by 39 points. “You’ve got to have things go your way, but yeah. If we can talk NASCAR into those 25 points they took away earlier in the season, we’d really make it interesting.”
Always-unpredictable Daytona will be the last chance for more than two dozen drivers – most notably 2020 series champion and fan favorite Chase Elliott – to make the 16-car playoffs.
Elliott, a two-time winner at the Glen, had hoped to lock up a postseason spot Sunday. But the Hendrick star qualified in the middle of the pack and then ruined his chances when he ran out of fuel with 36 laps to go. He lost a lap and all hope of winning.
Elliott will have to win at Daytona to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez will be equally anxious at Daytona. They are in a tight race along with Gibbs for the 16th and final spot.
“Still stressful at hell, but that takes a little bit of the edge off for sure,” Wallace said.
Former series champions Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski eased their nerves by locking up playoff spots at the Glen, both securing berths because Byron was a repeat winner.
“It’s great to have that off our shoulders,” Keselowski said. “We’re going to race really hard with nothing to lose (at Daytona); that makes us really dangerous.”
MCDOWELL’S MISCUES
McDowell, who notched his second Cup win last week at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, endured several struggles on pit road that cost him a chance at winning back-to-back races. He finished 36th, last.
McDowell, who led 17 laps and won the opening stage, was penalized early in the second for driving through too many stalls while entering his pit. The pass-through penalty dropped him from second to 17th. He had another pit-road penalty in the final stage, that one for crew members going over the safety wall too early.
McDowell ended up back in the pits with 15 laps to go with an engine issue.
“The highs and lows of motorsports,” McDowell said. “I think we had one of the fastest cars here today.”
UP NEXT
The series goes to Daytona for the regular-season finale on Saturday night. Austin Dillon is the defending race winner.
TENNIS NEWS
ATP ROUNDUP: NOVAK DJOKOVIC OUTLASTS CARLOS ALCARAZ IN CLASSIC FINAL
Novak Djokovic outlasted Carlos Alcaraz in three hard-fought sets that lasted just under four hours Sunday in the Western & Southern Open final in Mason, Ohio, just outside Cincinnati.
The Serbian Djokovic, seeded second in the tourney and ranked No. 2 in the world, defeated the top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Spaniard 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) and did so in dramatic fashion.
After dropping the first set, Djokovic faced match point at 5-6 with Alcaraz serving in the second-set tiebreaker before surviving.
Asked to describe the match afterward on the court, Djokovic described it as “crazy.”
“Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say,” he said. “Tough to describe. Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life, regardless what tournament, what category, what level, what player. It’s unbelievable.”
Djokovic led the third set 5-3 with Alcaraz on serve, but the top seed twice escaped match point to pull within 5-4, and then broke Djokovic’s serve to tie the set. In that set’s tiebreaker, Djokovic won on Alcaraz’s serve to take a 5-4 lead and won the next two points as well to clinch the match.
Amid the trophy ceremony, Alcaraz called the tight match a learning experience.
“It’s amazing playing against you, sharing the court with you, learning from you,” he said. “This match was really close, but I learned a lot from a champion like you. So congratulations to you and your team.”
The players are tied 2-2 in career matchups, with three of those in the last few months.
“This rivalry just gets better,” Djokovic said. “It gets better and better. Amazing player. Tons of respect for him. For such a young player to show so much poise in important moments is impressive.”
Winston-Salem Open
Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina needed three sets to defeat Roman Safiullin of Russia 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in more than 2 1/2 hours in the round of 64 in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Other winners were Zhizhen Zhang of China, American wild-card Alex Michelsen, Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia, Marc-Andrea Huesler of Switzerland and Benjamin Bonzi of France.
TOP INDIANA NEWS/RELEASES FROM ORGANIZATIONS
COLTS FOOTBALL
HEAD COACH SHANE STEICHEN WANTS TO SEE COMPETITION AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK’S ROSTER CUTS
This week, the Colts will be headed to Philadelphia to participate in a joint practice and then a preseason game against the Eagles.
While this will give the team a chance to compete against the reigning NFC Champions, the week will also be the last chance for players on the bubble to show that they deserve a spot on the on final 53-man roster.
Rather than multiple players being cut each week of the preseason like in the past, this year all 32 teams will have to trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players by Tuesday, Aug. 29.
An unenviable task for front offices, but even more stressful for the players themselves, Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen spoke with the media on Sunday and mentioned what he wanted to see from players fighting for a spot on the team.
“[I want to see] competition,” Steichen said. “Just competitive nature. It’s going to be tough. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions here in the next couple of weeks. But just go out and compete, show that you belong every single day.”
As the team inches closer and closer to the regular season, there is no shortage of competition for significant roles.
“The corner spot, obviously. The tight end spot, I know some guys are banged up at tight end but always going through that process, seeing where guys are at,” Steichen said. “Same with the corners. Who is going to be that fourth, fifth or sixth wide out for us? There’s going to be some tough decisions to be made but again, we got another good week and a half to figure that out.”
Though it is important for those guys on the fringe to do their jobs on offense and defense, Steichen said that special teams are another area where players could make themselves stand out.
“Yeah, obviously they got to have special teams value,” Steichen said. “Those spots – that fourth, fifth or sixth wide out, whether it’s five or six, or three or four tight ends. We’ll make that decision when it needs to be made but those guys definitely have to have special teams value.”
FEVER BASKETBALL
KELSEY MITCHELL (28 POINTS), FEVER KNOCK OFF MERCURY
Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points and eclipsed the 3,000-point mark to carry the visiting Indiana Fever past the Phoenix Mercury 83-73 on Sunday.
Mitchell shot 10-for-22 from the field and scored 13 straight points for the Fever late in the game as Indiana pulled away after letting Phoenix creep within one possession on 15 occasions in the second half.
NaLyssa Smith contributed 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Fever (9-24), who snapped a four-game road skid with their first victory away from Indiana since an 82-76 win over the Washington Mystics on July 19.
The Fever led 67-64 before forcing back-to-back turnovers that Mitchell capitalized on with two of her five 3-pointers that gave Indiana a 73-64 cushion with 3:14 to go.
Mitchell tacked on another jumper before her final trey of the game ballooned the Fever’s lead to 78-66 with 1:27 left and pushed her past the 3,000-point plateau.
No other scorer logged more than nine points for Indiana, who shot 44.6 percent from the field and drained 7-of-18 3-pointers.
The Mercury (9-23) were led by 18 points from Sophie Cunningham and 15 from reserve Megan Gustafson but shot a dismal 3-of-22 from distance and committed 14 turnovers that the Fever flipped into 20 points.
Diana Taurasi logged six points and three assists for Phoenix in the first half before a nagging toe injury kept her sidelined for the final two quarters. The Mercury also played without Brittney Griner (health and safety protocol) and Shey Peddy (concussion).
Phoenix was lethargic on offense in the opening half, committing nine turnovers against just three assists and missing all 10 of its 3-point attempts. The Mercury led for just over a minute in the first quarter and fell behind for good on Mitchell’s 3-pointer that made it 7-6 Fever at the 7:30 mark.
The Mercury hovered within a possession for most of the second quarter until Kristy Wallace drilled an open 3-pointer from the right wing to expand Indiana’s lead to 34-28 four minutes before halftime. Mitchell and Smith combined for 25 points in the first half as the Fever led 40-32 at the break.
INDIANS BASEBALL
INDY DROPS SERIES FINALE, SPLITS SERIES WITH ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite a five-run third inning, the Indianapolis Indians dropped the series finale to the St. Paul Saints on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field, 7-6.
St. Paul slugged its way to a come-from-behind victory thanks to a four-run sixth inning that was highlighted by a pair of triples off Indians reliever John O’Reilly (L, 3-4). DaShawn Keirsey Jr. led off the frame with a triple and Jair Camargo was beaned on the following pitch to put runners on the corners. Yunior Severino followed with an RBI single and Gilberto Celestino tripled to drive in a pair to recapture the lead. Andrew Stevenson drove in the would-be winning run on a single up the middle that skipped past center fielder Ryan Vilade for a two-base error.
The Saints (69-50, 26-19) plated a run in each of their first two plate appearances. Stevenson scored the first run of the game after a leadoff walk, stealing second base and reaching third base on a wild pitch before Trevor Larnach hit a sacrifice fly. In the second, Severino belted his first of two solo blasts on the day.
Vinny Capra led off the third inning with a double, followed by a Nick Gonzales walk and passed ball that advanced both runners into scoring position. Miguel Andújar then grounded out to plate Capra and a bloop single from Canaan Smith-Njigba scored Gonzales. Aaron Shackelford gave Indy its only lead of the contest on a piercing line-drive RBI double down the left-field line. The Indians (55-63, 22-22) finished off their five-run frame with an RBI single courtesy of Ryan Vilade, and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt by Austin Schulfer that sent home Shackelford.
Severino’s second blast of the game cut St. Paul’s deficit to two runs. The third baseman accounted for half of the Saints six hits on the day.
Indy rallied in the eighth, cutting the deficit to a run on a Gonzales RBI single. With two outs and runners on the corners, Andújar flew out to deep left-center field to stop the threat.
Andrew Bechtold (W, 2-0) earned his second win of the season with a perfect sixth inning. Kody Funderburk (S, 5) put the Indians down in order in the ninth.
The Indians head back to Victory Field on Tuesday night to open a six-game set with the Iowa Cubs. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM ET. Both teams have yet to name a starter.
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER BATTLES VIRGINIA TECH TO A 0-0 DRAW
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana women’s soccer team (1-0-1) battled Virginia Tech (1-0-1), to a nil-nil draw at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
KEY MOMENTS
• Virginia Tech struck early in the third minute as they got a shot off in the 18-yard box, but junior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg was there for the save.
• The defenses continued to battle it out as Indiana took the next four shots, two of them blocked by the Hokies’ backline.
• In the 24th minute, Virginia Tech sent a cross inside the box just in time for freshman forward Samantha DeGuzman to send one down the middle as Gerstenberg scooped up her second save.
• The Hoosiers saw their first chance from freshman midfielder Kennedy Neighbors. She dribbled the ball just inside the 18-yard box, striking the bottom left of the net before the Hokies’ keeper made the save.
• In the 79th minute, graduate forward Paige Webber got a shot off right inside the penalty box after she dribbled past the Hokies defender to find a gap, but senior keeper Alia Skinner would make the save.
HOOSIER POINTS
GOALS: None
ASSISTS: None
NOTABLES
• Freshman Elle Britt and Kennedy Neighbors earned their first career starts.
• Indiana out shot Virginia Tech 11-4 with four shots on goal.
• IU also tallied seven corners while holding VT to only two.
• Gerstenberg earns her 16th career shutout and her first of the season.
QUOTABLES
Indiana assistant coach Tim Verschuren
“We feel really good about the game, but disappointed in the result. We felt that we could have gotten more out of it, but it definitely shows how far we have come from a year ago where we played them away. We are happy to walk away with the 0-0 draw today. I think if we would have found a way to score a goal late in the game. I don’t think it would have been a shock to anyone watching this game. Overall, we are disappointed in the result but feel really good about the performance.”
UP NEXT
The Hoosiers will host Morehead State at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Aug. 24. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on B1G+.
PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER
BOILERMAKERS TIE GOALS RECORD IN SHUTOUT WIN
By: Charlie Healy
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue soccer team tied the program record for goals in a game and goals in a half in an 8-0 victory over Iona on Sunday in West Lafayette, Indiana.
On a hot and sun-soaked early afternoon, the Boilermakers (1-1-0) concluded the opening weekend of play with their first win of the young season. The scoring barrage was highlighted by three two-goal performances and two players who scored their first career goals. Meanwhile, the defense held the Gaels (0-2-0) to just four shots, one on goal.
Purdue’s eight goals are tied for the most in team history, a feat that has been accomplished just twice before, in 2003 (8-0 vs. Evansville) and 2011 (8-2 over Indiana). The eight-goal margin of victory also ties the program record, along with the 2003 shutout of Evansville. Additionally, the Boilermakers scored six goals in the first half, which also ties the record for goals in a half, along with a 2000 showing in the second half at Valparaiso and the first half in the 2003 contest against Evansville.
The Old Gold and Black also had nine assists in the contest, which is tied for No. 2 in team history behind the record of 10 in the 2003 match against Evansville. Today is equal to the nine assists at Valparaiso in 2000 and in a 6-1 win against Butler in 2001.
Sunday’s eight goals also are the most in coach Drew Roff’s nine seasons, topping the previous high of six. Purdue improves to 9-5-2 in opening-weekend games under Roff.
Individually, redshirt junior midfielder Victoria Kevdzija, junior forward Gracie Dunaway and sophomore forward Kayla Budish all scored two goals. It was Dunaway’s second career brace and Budish and Kevdzija’s first multi-goal games. Kevdzija’s first goal, in the waning minutes of the first half, was the first score of her career.
Junior forward Megan Hutchinson also netted her first goal, which was the first points of her career, and senior midfielder Nicole Kevdzija joined the goal-scoring frenzy. Dunaway’s goals give her nine in her career and Budish and Nicole Kevdzija both now have six.
Not to be outdone, Hutchinson, redshirt junior midfielder Callie Ingram, sophomore forward Naomi Splittorff, freshman midfielder Lauren Adam and freshman forward Lauren Omholt all earned their first career assists. Senior forward Zoie Allen was credited with her first assist as a Boilermaker. Assists also were registered by Budish, senior midfielder Emily Mathews and junior defender Abigail Roy.
Nicole and Victoria Kevdzija also are the first pair of sisters to both score a goal in the same game in the 26-year history of the Purdue soccer program.
Dunaway led the team with five shots, three on goal, and Budish, Victoria Kevdzija and Omholt all had three shots, with Budish and Kevdzija’s all going on target. In goal, senior Charlotte Cyr (70 minutes) and sophomore Kailey Kimball (20 minutes) combined for the shutout. Cyr made one save and both of Iona’s keepers had three saves each.
Purdue held an 18-4 advantage in shots, with a 14-1 edge in shots on goal. The home side had five corner kicks to the visitors’ two, while both teams committed 10 fouls.
The Boilermakers wasted no time taking the lead, as Budish converted a penalty kick at 4:41. Budish’s first goal of the game was set up after Dunaway took a foul in the box.
Less than six minutes later, Dunaway made it 2-0 as she scored her first of the day at 10:03. After a throw-in, Dunaway passed to Budish, who waited before giving it back to Dunaway as she entered the corner of the penalty area. From the left side, Dunaway dribbled to just outside the corner of the six-yard box and fired a shot across and into the far corner of the goal. Budish collected the assist for her third point in the opening 10-plus minutes.
Three minutes later, Nicole Kevdzija extended the advantage to 3-0. Off a corner kick by Adam, an Iona defender deflected the ball at the near post, but not far enough away and right to Kevdzija at the top of the goal box. She headed the ball off the right post and into the back of the net.
Budish scored her second of the day at 22:07 to make it 4-0. On the far left side, Omholt dribbled downfield before she sent a cross in from 16 yards out. She met Budish on the run five yards in front of the goal, and Budish beat her defender, jumped up and scored into the left side of the goal.
Hutchinson added to the lead to make it 5-0 at 27:11 with a hard-hit strike for her first career goal. Roy sent the ball in to Hutchinson at the top of the penalty arc. Hutchinson moved to her right and fired the ball into the top-right corner of the net, beyond the arms of the leaping Iona keeper.
The half closed with Victoria Kevdzija’s first goal at 41:16 that made it 6-0. Outside the penalty box, Splittorff passed back to Ingram, who quickly sent the ball through to Kevdzija. She was unmarked and scored into the bottom-right corner to beat the keeper, who was off her line.
Purdue had a 12-2 advantage in shots in the opening 45 minutes and registered nine shots on goal while conceding none.
The second half began like the first ended, with another Boilermaker goal at 53:06. This time it was Dunaway with her second thanks to her ability to score off her own rebound. From just passed midfield, junior midfielder Sydney Boudreau sent the ball to Mathews, who flicked it forward to the top of the penalty box. From just inside the box on the right side, Dunaway’s first shot was saved before she buried her second chance off a long rebound.
Victoria Kevdzija secured her first brace at 63:58 to make it 8-0. Two great passes led up to the goal, first from Allen to Hutchinson at the edge of the box. Hutchinson then centered to Kevdzija, and she scored from just inside the penalty box. Her hard-hit strike ricocheted off the crossbar and in.
The home side had six shots, five on goal, in the second half, and the visitors had two shots, one which was saved by Cyr. Purdue had the only two corner kicks in the final 45 minutes.
Up next, the Boilermakers welcome in-state foe Valparaiso to Folk Field on Thursday, August 24. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET, and admission is free for all fans.
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER SHUTS DOWN ILLINOIS STATE
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women’s soccer team picked up its first win of the season with a shut out of visiting Illinois State. The Bulldogs (1-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) saw career-first goals from two players in defeating the Redbirds (0-2, 0-0 MVC) by the final score of 3-0.
Key Moments
21′ | Emily O’Malley plays a ball from the center of the field, forward and to the right side. Norah Jacomen collects the ball in the corner and sends a cross in front of the goal. Alexei Whittaker re-directs it under the keeper and into the left side of the net, giving Butler a 1-0 lead.
—HALFTIME—
66′ | Abigail Isger beats her defender to the left corner. She sends a cross into the box and finds Talia Sommer who drops to a charging Jacomen. The freshman one-times the ball into the lower right side for the first goal of her career.
69′ | Jacomen earns a brace just over three minutes later. She chests a long ball forward from Amelie Darey on the right side. Three touches later, and after eluding a Redbird defender, she splits two defenders from 30 yards out, and the shot careens off the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand, into the left side of the net.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Norah Jacomen (2), Alexei Whittaker
ASSISTS: Norah Jacomen, Emily O’Malley, Talia Sommer, Abigail Isger
Bulldog Bits
Alexei Whittaker’s goal was the first of her career.
Norah Jacomen’s two goals, along with her assist, all contributed to a career-high five points. These represent the first points of her career at Butler.
Emily O’Malley’s assist was the first of her career.
Talia Sommer’s assist was her first of the season and the fifth of her career.
Abigail Isger’s assist was her first of the season and the fifteenth of her career.
For the second game this season, the Bulldogs utilized two goalkeepers in the match. Anna Pierce and Emma Martin were each credited with a combined shutout.
Butler’s defense did not allow the Redbirds to produce a shot in the full 90 minutes.
IUPUI WOMEN’S SOCCER
JAGUARS BLANK SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ON SUNDAY, 2-0
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s soccer team scored a pair of first half goals, including one in the final seconds of the stanza that proved to be a back breaker. Seniors Sam Slimak and Jessica Jacobs deposited the goals and Ashton Kudlo and Cailynn Junk teamed up in goal for the shutout.
IUPUI (2-0) went ahead less than 20 minutes in when Emma Antoine rolled a cross through traffic to Slimak, who drove a shot just under the bar from in close for her fifth career score. It looked like IUPUI would take a 1-0 advantage to the locker room but Jacobs snuck in a score just before the horn. Freshman Lindsey Castillo sent a cross in from the right side to Jacobs at the back post, who delivered the goods before the break.
“(It feels) really good. We came out and executed exactly what we wanted to do. Coach said a lot about getting runners on the back post and those are how our goals came about today, so I think we did really well, especially in the heat,” Jacobs said.
Temperatures flirted with 100 degrees and teams were given hydration breaks in each half to help keep bodies fresh.
However, it was the hosts who were seemingly fresher as the Jags continued to apply pressure in the second half, finishing the match with a 23-9 shot advantage and 11-4 margin on corner kicks. Slimak just missed a brace when she had a header ring off the crossbar in the second half. Slimak paced the IUPUI attack with six shot attempts, putting three on frame, and freshman Caroline Kelley had three attempts. Freshman Julia Biesiada had two golden opportunities off the bench in a productive 36 minutes of work.
Kudlo made two saves, both in the first half, before sitting the final 17-plus minutes in favor of Junk.
Sophomore Kailyn Smith led the revolving door of field players with 67 minutes of action as 23 different Jaguars received playing time.
“I thought our team dynamic was very good during the game,” Smith said. “From the first half to the second half, I think we improved. We might still be a little bit panicked, but I think altogether we’re working really well.”
IUPUI will return to action this week as they’ll trek to Bellarmine on Thursday (Aug. 24) before hosting SIUE on Sunday (Aug. 27).
IUPUI MEN’S SOCCER
GOMEZ NOTCHES TWO SECOND HALF GOALS TO SECURE COMEBACK OVER EVANSVILLE
INDIANAPOLIS – In the final tune up before the regular season opener, the men’s soccer team fought back after being a goal down to take down Evansville, 2-1, on a scorching Sunday afternoon.
“We faced some adversity in the first half. The heat was taking its toll on the guys, and we let them set the tempo,” stated assistant coach Arturo Rodriguez following the match. “We rallied in the second half and had some young guys step up and add energy and juice. We were able to take advantage of their mistakes, ultimately leading to the first goal, giving us some life.”
The Purple Aces opened the scoring in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot. After a slight hesitation sent Lucas Morefield diving to his left, Nacho Diaz Barragan passed the ball down the middle to give his team the lead.
An outstanding individual effort by Josemir Gomez knotted the match at one in the 71st minute. The forward received the ball just outside the 18-yard box, making two defenders miss before side-stepping the goalkeeper and tapping the ball into the back of the net.
Gomez secured his brace just four minutes later, finding the back of the net off a superb pass from Spencer Holland.
“When you get the opportunity to get your name on the score sheet you have to take it,” exclaimed Gomez. “The subs came in and brought the energy and the second half was a lot better for us.”
The Jags begin the 2023 regular season campaign at home against Southern Indiana on Thursday (Aug. 24) with kick-off set for 8 p.m. ET.
“As you saw today, it took us a while to gel in the first half, so building that chemistry a little more and starting off on the front foot and being ready to go as soon as the whistle blows will set the tempo for us moving forward,” added Rodriguez. “It’s going to take a little bit of time and will not be overnight success. The regular season is here, but we want to make sure we are hitting our peak when conference comes around.”
BALL STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
THIRD-RANKED IRISH TAKE DOWN CARDS 3-0
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Third-ranked Notre Dame cruised to a 3-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Soccer Stadium, controlling Ball State from start to finish in what was the second match for both squads.
The Irish (1-0-1) broke a 0-0 deadlock in the 21st minute, getting an opening score from Eva Gaetino. Notre Dame took a 2-0 lead just before halftime on a goal by Meg Mrowicki. Not until the 83rd minute in the game’s waning moments did either team score again – the Irish capping their scoring with a goal by Sophia Fisher.
The Cardinals (1-1) managed just four shots on goal all afternoon, getting one apiece from Avery Fenchel, Delaney Caldwell, Emily Roper and Lexi Fraley. Bethany Moser was the Cards’ top statistical performer, making eight saves while navigating Notre Dame’s 32 shots on goal.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
IRISH LEAVE NO DOUBT IN 3-0 WIN OVER BALL STATE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 3 Notre Dame women’s soccer (1-0-1) left no doubt in game number two of the young 2023 season, rolling to a 3-0 victory over Ball State (1-1-0) on Sunday afternoon. Three different Irish players got in on the goal scoring, including two which came from set pieces.
The Irish received first half goals from senior captain Eva Gaetino and freshman forward Meg Mrowicki. Then in the closing minutes, Sophia Fisher capped it off for her first goal of the season. Fisher played all 90 minutes in her first collegiate start.
For Gaetino, it marked her first first of the season and third of her career. For Mrowicki, it was her first goal in an Irish uniform, and it also marked the second straight game in which a freshman found the back of the net.
Also worth noting that graduate student Erin Hohnstein finished with two assists on the day, coming off the bench.
Defensively, the Fighting Irish only surrendered one shot on goal to earn their first shoutout of the season. For reference, last year’s squad earned a stout 14 shutouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first near Irish scoring chance happened 12 minutes into the match and it was almost a near replica of Kiki Van Zanten’s assist from the season opener on Thursday. Van Zanten diced past a couple of Ball State defenders and hit a low cross to Maddie Mercado, but the Cardinals goalie met Mercado at the ball at the same time.
Fast forward to the 22nd minute and the Irish got on the scoreboard off a corner kick. Gaetino, always a threat when in the box, positioned herself well around the middle of the six-yard box. After shot attempts from Mercado and Leah Klenke, Gaetino found the ball and tucked it away for her third career goal.
Goal number two occurred in the 39th minute, starting with a perfect through ball from Erin Hohnstein into the right side of the box. Audrey Weiss met it in stride then crossed to Mrowicki in the middle of the box who delivered it into the corner for the goal.
The Irish then took the 2-0 lead into half, boasting a 5-1 shots on goal advantage.
Early in the second half, the Irish attack kept getting behind the line of the Cardinal defense. Charlie Codd posed as a problem for Ball State, slotting multiple through balls, including a dangerous one to Mercado in the 64th minute.
In the 74th minute, Mercado had a beautiful heel pass that just missed Codd who was searching for her first goal. Codd came close again in the 80th minute off a great cross and feed from Klenke from the left side.
Fisher’s goal arrived in the 84th minute off a corner kick from Chayse Ying. Hohnstein had the first crack on net as the rebound found Fisher who tucked it away.
Up next, the Irish will remain at home for two more games inside Alumni Stadium next week. First, Notre Dame will host Butler on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. ET. Then, they’ll welcome in Arkansas on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SYCAMORES-REDHAWKS FIGHT TO SCORELESS DRAW ON SUNDAY EVENING
OXFORD, Ohio – Indiana State closed out the season-opening road trip on Sunday evening with a 0-0 draw at Bobby Kramig Field against Miami University.
The Sycamores (0-0-2) posted back-to-back shutouts to open the regular season for the first time in program history as Maddie Alexander recorded her second consecutive clean sheet in the draw. Anna Chor had a pair of shots to highlight the Sycamore offense, while Ella Gorrie posted ISU’s first attempt on goal in 2023 in the tie.
Alexander posted her 12th career shutout in Sunday evening’s contest as the senior goalkeeper faced 17 Miami (0-1-1) shots in the match. The Battle Creek, Mich. native posted three saves in the draw, while ISU’s defense blocked or redirected several attempts inside the box to keep the score intact.
Chor posted ISU’s first shot of the 2023 season at the 6:57 mark in the first half as the sophomore forward challenged Miami keeper Dominique Popa early. Chor, Gorrie, and Mackenzie Kent all recorded shot attempts in the second half against MU’s Mallory Thomas with the Redhawk keeper recorded a save to keep the Sycamores off the board.
Miami peppered 12 of their 17 shots in the second half and added six of their seven corner kicks over the final 45 minutes as the Redhawks attempted to score the go-ahead goal. Alexander proved up to the task with back-to-back saves in the 66th and 68th minutes in recording her second shutout of the season.
News & Notes
Maddie Alexander posted the 12th collegiate shutout of her career and the third time she’s recorded back-to-back shutouts in her time at Indiana State.
Alexander last posted consecutive shutouts back in the spring 2021 season when she held Missouri State (1-0, Mar. 28), Northern Iowa (2-0, Apr. 3), and Evansville (1-0, Apr. 7) scoreless over three consecutive matches.
Alexander also posted back-to-back shutouts in the same 2021 spring season with 1-0 wins against Drake (Feb. 28) and Southern Illinois (Mar. 5).
Alexander has faced 40 shots posting 12 saves to date in the 2023 season.
Josie Bakaitis made her 2023 debut in the starting lineup on Sunday evening as the senior defender drew the nod.
Sasha Thompson also made her 2023 debut on the pitch in Oxford after missing the opener.
Five Sycamores went all 90 minutes on the field battling through an increasing heat index that forced both teams to take several water breaks throughout the contest.
Maddie Alexander, Alexa Mackey, Adelaide Wolfe, Kloe Pettigrew, and Maddie Helling all went all 90 minutes for the second consecutive game.
ISU moves to 0-2-1 all-time against Miami University following the draw.
Up Next
Indiana State is set to make their 2023 home debut on Thursday, August 23, as the Sycamores welcome Marshall to Memorial Stadium. The match is scheduled to be carried live on ESPN+.
INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL
SYCAMORES NAME 2023 FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAINS
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State head football coach Curt Mallory announced the 2023 team captains on Sunday night in the Sycamores’ final team meeting of fall preseason camp. The four captains for the upcoming season will be defensive tackles Gianini Belizaire and Lucas Hunter, quarterback Cade Chambers, and wide receiver Dakota Caton.
All four Sycamores receive their first captaincy nods as voted on by the team earlier Sunday evening.
Belizaire led Indiana State with 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks in his first season with the Sycamores. The junior defensive lineman made his ISU debut with a season-high six tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks against North Alabama, while adding a 2.5 TFL and 1.5 sack game against Western Illinois.
Hunter finished the 2022 season with 35 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack as an interior defensive lineman. The Indianapolis, Ind. native highlighted his season with a career-high 11 tackles, a TFL and 0.5 sacks against North Dakota State. The junior defensive lineman also recorded a scoop-and-score fumble recovery for a touchdown early in the season against Montana for his first collegiate touchdown.
Chambers is the reigning MVFC Freshman of the Year after receiving 59 out of a total 66 possible points on his way to becoming the first Indiana State football player in program history to receive Valley Freshman of the Year honors dating back to the award’s inception in 1999. The Maryville, Tenn. native was the only Missouri Valley Football freshman to be named to the Jerry Rice Watch List this season and subsequently became one of the 30 finalists nationwide to make the list. He finished with 938 passing pards and an 8:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the year. He added 111 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Caton was second on the Sycamores with 291 receiving yards over 23 receptions while adding two touchdowns. He posted a season-high 83 yards and a pair of scores at Youngstown State, while adding five games with three or more catches. He also returns as one of the top return specialists in the MVFC this season. The Sullivan, Ind. native was the team leader in kickoff return average (21.1) and punt returns (7.7) and is two seasons removed from a First Team MVFC return nod in 2019.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER
MASTODON WSOC TAKES DOWN SAINT FRANCIS (IND.) 7-0
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer held Saint Francis (Ind.) to just one shot on goal on Sunday (Aug. 20), which tied the program record in its Division I history, in a 7-0 win.
The Mastodons’ seven goals tied the most in program history, tying matches against Taylor (2015) and Delaware State (2005).
The Mastodons struck early and often, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes. Mackenzie Evans scored the first, then Morgan Reitano scored a pair in less than a minute. Zoe Greenhalge scored the fourth. Rylee Vruggink assisted on three of the first four goals.
Lauren Klusek scored her first goal of the season shortly before halftime to give the ‘Dons a 5-0 lead heading into halftime.
Redshirt-senior Madde Elliott found the back of the net for first time in her career midway through the second half, then freshman Kailey Hansen did the same less than 20 minutes later.
Twenty-seven Mastodons saw the field on Sunday, with 16 of them taking at least one shot. The ‘Dons totaled 29 shots with 18 on-target. Both of those numbers are top-10 marks in program history.
It was head coach Jason Burr’s 36th victory, tying Terry Stefankiewicz’ record for the most wins in program history. With the win, Burr passed his predecessor Margaret Saurin’s 35.
Purdue Fort Wayne improves to 1-1, while Saint Francis stays at 0-1. The game was played as an exhibition for the Cougars. The ‘Dons are back in action at SIUE on Friday (Aug. 25) with an 8 p.m. ET start.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
EAGLES BATTLE LIONS TO 1-1 DRAW
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer picked up a 1-1 tie in its home opener against the University of North Alabama on Sunday. The draw moved both teams’ records to 0-1-1 on the young 2023 season.
The Screaming Eagles started out with early pushes into the attacking third. In the 7th minute, USI came within inches of scoring an early tally. Freshman midfielder Greta Ohlwein (Chicago, Illinois) crossed a pass to the middle of the box toward sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana). Murphy sent a low shot that went off the post.
With the match still scoreless, USI jumped onto the scoreboard in the 21st minute. Sophomore midfielder Emma Thurston (Leawood, Kansas) sent a long throw-in pass into the box, which deflected off a defender toward junior midfielder Maggie Duggan (Defiance, Missouri). The captain buried the opportunity into the lower right corner of the net for her first career goal. USI carried its 1-0 lead into the intermission.
North Alabama knotted the match at one in the 58th minute after a wayward pass led to a break toward the goal. Later, Southern Indiana nearly retook the lead in the 73rd minute when freshman midfielder Grace Bamber (Chesterton, Indiana) dished a cross to redshirt freshman defender Abby Rhoutsong (Newburgh, Indiana), who headed it inches above the crossbar.
In the last few minutes of the contest, the Screaming Eagles organized a couple of attacks in the final third of the field, but the Lions’ defense was able to clear the ball out of danger to hold the match to a 1-1 draw.
Southern Indiana outshot North Alabama 7-6 in the game, as each side placed three shots on goal. While Duggan had USI’s goal and Thurston with the assist, Murphy led the Screaming Eagles with two shots. Between the posts, sophomore keeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) made two saves.
On Thursday, Southern Indiana will travel eastward to Dayton, Ohio for a 6 p.m. CT matchup at Wright State University. Coverage links for the match at Wright State can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.
VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER MAKES IT PERFECT OPENING WEEKEND WITH WIN OVER NIU
The Valpo soccer team made it two victories in as many matches to open the 2023 campaign on Sunday afternoon at a steamy Brown Field with a 1-0 win over Northern Illinois, courtesy of a header in the 61st minute from Nicole Norfolk (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels). Nikki Coryell (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) posted her 20th career clean sheet in goal, moving her into a tie for second place in program history.
How It Happened
While the first 45 minutes went by without either side denting the scoreboard, it wasn’t for a lack of trying as both squads had handfuls of scoring opportunities. Valpo’s best chance in the opening half came in the 19th minute — the Beacons found themselves with the numbers advantage in the box on a break. Allie Anderson (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South [Xavier]) ended up with the ball at her feet about 15 yards from goal, but her first shot was blocked by an NIU defender, while her effort on the rebound bent just left of goal.
The Huskies took their best shot at opening the scoring in the 27th minute, on a break of their own. But Coryell came off her line well to make a sliding stop on a shot from Isabel Struble, and senior Aubrey Ramey (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School [DePaul]) followed up with a strong defensive play, getting her foot in for a big block on the attempted shot off the rebound.
Valpo was able to withstand some NIU pressure early in the second half to keep it a 0-0 scoreline, and the Beacons then took advantage of a set piece in the 61st minute to put home what proved to be the game’s lone goal. Anderson took a corner kick from the right corner and hit a well-placed ball to the center of the box, at the edge of the six. Norfolk got above everyone for the header, and while NIU goalkeeper Sadie McGill was able to get a touch on it, she was unable to keep it out of the bottom-right corner as Valpo jumped on top.
NIU pushed in search of the equalizer, but the Valpo defense was up to the task. The Huskies did get five shots off following Valpo’s goal, but Coryell made saves on both shots on goal and the Beacons also did not surrender a corner kick following their goal.
Inside the Match
With two wins on opening weekend, Valpo opens a season 2-0-0 for the fourth time in program history. It’s the program’s first 2-0-0 start since 2017 and the first against a pair of Division I opponents since 2012.
Valpo claimed its first win in program history over Northern Illinois on Sunday. Previously, NIU held an 8-0-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Norfolk’s goal was the third of her Valpo career and her second career match-winner, as she tallied the decisive goal last season in the Beacon’s MVC win over UIC.
With the assist on the match’s lone goal, Anderson found herself involved with all three goals on opening weekend (1g, 2a). She is the first Valpo player to have a three-point opening weekend since Sydney Griffin tallied two goals and one assist over the first two matches of the 2017 campaign.
Anderson’s helper on Sunday was the 10th of her collegiate career, nine of which have come in her time at Valpo. She is just one assist shy of cracking the program’s top-10 for career assists.
The three-time defending MVC Goalkeeper of the Year, Coryell was up to the task against a strong NIU attack on Sunday, making six saves to keep the clean sheet. The shutout was the 20th of her collegiate career, moving Coryell into a tie with Mele Cabral and Erin Murray for second-most in program history.
Coryell also moved into a tie for eighth place in MVC history for career shutouts.
Sunday’s clean sheet was the fourth time Coryell has made six or more saves in a clean sheet at Valpo.
The Beacon defense has allowed one goal or fewer in 13 consecutive matches dating back to last season.
Three days after making her collegiate debut, freshman Daisy Boardman (Warrington, England) earned her first career start, playing 58 minutes in the back. Fellow freshman Julianna De Simone (Elmhurst, Ill./York Community) appeared for the Beacons for the first time with 26 minutes of second-half action up top.
NIU held a 14-10 advantage in shot attempts and put six shots on goal to Valpo’s five. Valpo earned six of the match’s nine corner kicks, however.
Thoughts From Head Coach John Marovich
“I’m really proud of our group today — to grind out a Sunday result, especially in today’s heat, every minute that each player gave was absolutely critical.”
“NIU posed some very good tactical questions today, and that allowed us to grow as a group. As a group, we came up with solutions and did that well in some good pockets of the game.”
“Set pieces are critical, and we had good intentionality and discipline in that moment to get a goal on the corner. We then did very well to see out the game in the final minutes.”
“With the second game of the weekend, we went deeper into our group today — got some players on who didn’t play on Thursday, others grew into heavier minutes. It really shows the depth of the group and the quality they have of being connected to one another. Everyone comes in, plays their role and does it really well.”
Next Up
Valpo (2-0-0) aims for the first 3-0-0 start in program history on Thursday evening, as the Beacons start their weekend at Purdue. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT and the match can be seen live on BTN+.
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 |
| Baltimore | 77 | 47 | .621 | – | 36 – 23 | 41 – 24 | 24 – 14 | 18 – 7 | 16 – 10 | 7 – 3 | W 3 |
| Tampa Bay | 75 | 51 | .595 | 3 | 40 – 22 | 35 – 29 | 20 – 14 | 20 – 6 | 13 – 12 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Toronto | 69 | 56 | .552 | 8.5 | 32 – 27 | 37 – 29 | 11 – 23 | 18 – 8 | 14 – 11 | 5 – 5 | W 2 |
| Boston | 66 | 58 | .532 | 11 | 35 – 28 | 31 – 30 | 19 – 14 | 16 – 10 | 12 – 10 | 7 – 3 | W 3 |
| NY Yankees | 60 | 64 | .484 | 17 | 35 – 31 | 25 – 33 | 15 – 24 | 12 – 10 | 16 – 13 | 1 – 9 | L 8 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Minnesota | 65 | 60 | .520 | – | 36 – 26 | 29 – 34 | 12 – 17 | 23 – 19 | 11 – 8 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Cleveland | 59 | 66 | .472 | 6 | 32 – 31 | 27 – 35 | 10 – 12 | 19 – 21 | 13 – 12 | 4 – 6 | L 2 |
| Detroit | 57 | 67 | .460 | 7.5 | 26 – 33 | 31 – 34 | 5 – 20 | 25 – 15 | 9 – 13 | 6 – 4 | W 2 |
| Chi White Sox | 49 | 75 | .395 | 15.5 | 25 – 33 | 24 – 42 | 8 – 17 | 19 – 17 | 9 – 17 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| Kansas City | 40 | 86 | .317 | 25.5 | 23 – 40 | 17 – 46 | 6 – 18 | 13 – 27 | 5 – 14 | 3 – 7 | L 2 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Texas | 72 | 52 | .581 | – | 42 – 24 | 30 – 28 | 14 – 11 | 17 – 5 | 21 – 15 | 4 – 6 | L 4 |
| Houston | 70 | 55 | .560 | 2.5 | 33 – 29 | 37 – 26 | 10 – 10 | 11 – 11 | 26 – 17 | 4 – 6 | L 3 |
| Seattle | 69 | 55 | .556 | 3 | 34 – 28 | 35 – 27 | 12 – 15 | 15 – 12 | 22 – 11 | 7 – 3 | W 6 |
| LA Angels | 61 | 64 | .488 | 11.5 | 32 – 30 | 29 – 34 | 13 – 13 | 14 – 8 | 18 – 22 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Oakland | 34 | 90 | .274 | 38 | 18 – 44 | 16 – 46 | 7 – 22 | 7 – 11 | 6 – 28 | 2 – 8 | L 3 |
| National League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Atlanta | 80 | 43 | .650 | – | 42 – 21 | 38 – 22 | 25 – 7 | 16 – 6 | 13 – 10 | 8 – 2 | L 1 |
| Philadelphia | 67 | 57 | .540 | 13.5 | 34 – 24 | 33 – 33 | 16 – 19 | 11 – 8 | 14 – 13 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Miami | 64 | 61 | .512 | 17 | 37 – 27 | 27 – 34 | 14 – 19 | 13 – 10 | 11 – 14 | 5 – 5 | L 2 |
| NY Mets | 58 | 67 | .464 | 23 | 31 – 28 | 27 – 39 | 17 – 17 | 12 – 17 | 15 – 13 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| Washington | 57 | 68 | .456 | 24 | 29 – 36 | 28 – 32 | 13 – 23 | 12 – 14 | 14 – 14 | 7 – 3 | W 1 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Milwaukee | 68 | 57 | .544 | – | 33 – 27 | 35 – 30 | 10 – 9 | 24 – 12 | 10 – 19 | 7 – 3 | W 3 |
| Chi Cubs | 64 | 59 | .520 | 3 | 35 – 30 | 29 – 29 | 11 – 17 | 21 – 14 | 9 – 8 | 6 – 4 | W 2 |
| Cincinnati | 64 | 61 | .512 | 4 | 31 – 34 | 33 – 27 | 13 – 16 | 16 – 23 | 16 – 9 | 4 – 6 | L 2 |
| Pittsburgh | 55 | 69 | .444 | 12.5 | 29 – 32 | 26 – 37 | 10 – 10 | 14 – 19 | 16 – 15 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| St. Louis | 55 | 70 | .440 | 13 | 28 – 37 | 27 – 33 | 11 – 12 | 13 – 20 | 10 – 16 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| LA Dodgers | 76 | 47 | .618 | – | 43 – 21 | 33 – 26 | 13 – 8 | 19 – 14 | 23 – 12 | 9 – 1 | W 2 |
| San Francisco | 65 | 59 | .524 | 11.5 | 35 – 28 | 30 – 31 | 11 – 14 | 18 – 9 | 18 – 11 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| Arizona | 64 | 61 | .512 | 13 | 30 – 31 | 34 – 30 | 13 – 15 | 11 – 10 | 25 – 19 | 7 – 3 | W 2 |
| San Diego | 59 | 66 | .472 | 18 | 33 – 32 | 26 – 34 | 13 – 13 | 8 – 15 | 17 – 22 | 4 – 6 | L 2 |
| Colorado | 48 | 76 | .387 | 28.5 | 28 – 33 | 20 – 43 | 14 – 17 | 11 – 13 | 8 – 27 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1902 The National League throws right-handed pitcher Joe McGinnity of the Baltimore Orioles out of the circuit after punching and spitting at an umpire. Due to his popularity, ‘Iron Man Mike’ will be quickly reinstated.
1908 After over a dozen attempts, Senator backstop Gabby Street catches a baseball dropped by journalist Preston Gibson atop the 555-foot Washington Monument. Scientists estimate the ball traveled with a force of between 200-to-300 pounds.
1919 Phillies catcher Bert Adams has a stellar day behind the plate, recording ten putouts and five assists. The weak-hitting backstop’s outstanding defense doesn’t prevent Philadelphia from dropping a 5-1 decision to Chicago at the Baker Bowl.
1926 At Fenway Park, White Sox right-hander Ted Lyons throws a no-hitter against the hometown Red Sox, 6-0. The future Hall of Famer’s gem takes only 67 minutes to complete.
1931 Babe Ruth becomes the first major leaguer to hit 600 career home runs when the Yankees defeat the Browns, 11-7. The 36-year-old slugger hit the milestone round-tripper off right-hander George Blaeholder.
1932 Defeating the Senators, 11-5, at Washington’s Griffith Stadium, Indians’ hurler Wes Ferrell becomes the first pitcher in this century to win 20 or more games in each of his first four seasons. The Greensboro, NC native, who will post a 23-12 record this season, won 21, 25, and 22 games for Cleveland during the past three years.
1935 At Braves Field, Cardinals’ first baseman Ripper Collins does not make a putout during the team’s 13-3 nine-inning loss in Boston. The St. Louis infielder, who will also not make a putout playing first for the Cubs in a game against Brooklyn in 1937, is the only player who accomplished the rare feat twice in the major leagues.
1947 Williamsport (PA) hosts the first Little League World Series tourney. With a .625 team batting average, the hometown Maynard Midgets easily win the tournament, 16-7.
1948 Cleveland’s streak of victories (8), shutouts (4), and scoreless innings (47) ends in the ninth inning when Bob Lemon walks Pat Seerey and yields home runs to Aaron Robinson and Dave Philley in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.
1949 With the home team trailing 4-2 with one out in the top of the ninth inning, the visiting Giants are awarded a 9-0 forfeit by umpire Al Barlick when the Phillies fans launch a pop bottle and paper barrage at Shibe Park. The Philadelphia patrons displayed their displeasure after first base ump George Barr rules center fielder Richie Ashburn had trapped the ball hit by Joe Lafata, a call vehemently protested by the outfielder and his teammates.
1951 President Harry Truman nixes the selection of Major General Emmett O’Donnell as Commissioner of Baseball, stating the officer needs to remain in his post as commander of bombers in Korea. The owners, who had unanimously elected the military man to succeed Happy Chandler, choose National League president Ford Frick to fill the position.
1963 At Wrigley Field, Jerry Lynch leads off the top of the ninth with a pinch-hit home run off Lindy McDaniel, which proves to be the difference in the Pirates’ 7-6 victory over Chicago. The historic homer is the southpaw slugger’s 15th career homer coming off the bench, establishing a new major league record previously shared with former Cincinnati teammate George Crowe.
1971 The Connie Mack statue, a fixture in front of the North Philadelphia ballpark since 1957, is rededicated at the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in front of the Phillies’ new home, Veterans Stadium. The team added a plaque to the monument’s pedestal, listing the A’s players chosen between 1978 and 2003 for the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.
1972 In a complete-game effort at Veterans Stadium, Steve Carlton’s consecutive-victory streak ends at 15 when the Phillies drop a 2-1 decision to Atlanta and Phil Niekro, who also goes the distance. Dusty Baker, who started the 11th-inning rally with a two-out double, scores the eventual winning run on Mike Lum’s broken-bat flare over the shortstop’s head.
1975 The Reuschel brothers of the Cubs join forces to blank the Dodgers, 6-0. Rick goes 6.1 innings, and Paul finishes the game for the first shutout thrown by siblings.
1977 In his first appearance at Shea Stadium since being traded, Tom Seaver throws a six-hitter against his former teammates and strikes out 11, helping the Reds defeat the Mets, 5-1. In addition to his work on the mound, ‘Tom Terrific’ hits a double and scores two runs.
1977 Orioles’ third baseman Brooks Robinson, retaining his coaching duties with the team, announces his retirement as an active player before the game against the Twins to make room on the roster for catcher Rick Dempsey, returning from the disabled list. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer, nicknamed the Human Vacuum Cleaner due to his outstanding defensive prowess, won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, playing his 23-year career with Baltimore.
1980 At a news conference, owner Charlie Finley announces he has sold his A’s to Walter A. Haas, Jr., the Levi Strauss clothing empire board chairman, Hass’s son Walter J., and son-in-law Roy Eisenhardt for $12.7 million. The sale to the San Francisco executives, effective in November, keeps the team in Oakland, thwarting oilman Marvin Davis’s plan to move the team to Denver.
1982 Rollie Fingers becomes the first player in major league history to record 300 career saves. The Brewers’ right-handed reliever reaches the milestone, pitching the final two innings of the team’s 3-2 victory over the Mariners at the Kingdome.
1983 On the same day, two minor leaguers, Vince Coleman and Donnell Nixon, break Rickey Henderson’s single-season record by stealing their 131st base.
1986 In the Red Sox’s 24-5 rout of the Indians, Spike Owen ties a major league mark, becoming the first major leaguer to score six runs in a game since Johnny Pesky, also playing for Boston, accomplished the feat in 1946. The light-hitting shortstop, along with center fielder Dave Henderson, was obtained three days ago from the Mariners in exchange for Rey Quinones and cash.
1989 Orioles southpaw Jeff Ballard, throwing 112 pitches while scattering seven hits, hurls a shutout without issuing a walk or recording a strikeout when he whitewashes Milwaukee at Memorial Stadium, 5-0. The unusual feat of a no walk/no strikeout complete-game shutout will not occur again until Rick Porcello, an eight-month-old infant when Ballard throws his gem, blanks Oakland in 2014.
1990 The Phillies overcome an eight-run deficit, scoring nine runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Dodgers, 12-11. John Kruk’s pinch-hit three-run homer ties the game, and two batters later, Carmelo Martinez’s double plates Rod Booker with the eventual winning run in the Chavez Ravine contest.
1999 At Camden Yards, Orioles outfielder Brady Anderson becomes only the third player in major league history to lead off each game of a doubleheader with a home run. The pair of round-trippers doesn’t help when Baltimore drops both ends of the twin bill to the White Sox, 4-3 and 8-5.
1999 Joining Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa becomes the fourth player to hit 50 home runs in consecutive seasons. The Cubs’ right fielder, who hit 66 dingers last season, blasts his major league-leading 50th and 51st home runs in an 8-6 victory over the Rockies at Wrigley Field.
2001 The International League’s Triple-A game between the Rochester Red Wings (Orioles) and Ottawa Lynx (Expos) features Tim Raines and his son Tim Jr. as opponents. The contest marks the first time a dad and his son oppose each other during the regular season on the professional level.
2002 The Expos’ first selection, fifth overall, in the amateur draft, Clint Everts, signs a deal with Montreal, which gives him a $2.5 million signing bonus. The Houston Cypress Falls High School’s right-hander and teammate left-hander Scott Kazmir (Mets) are only the fourth pair of high school players selected in the same draft round.
2002 In the longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville (KY) beats Fort Worth (TX) in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting 49 batters strike out when Fort Worth’s Walker Kelly whiffs 21 in nine two-hit innings, and Louisville’s Aaron Alvey fans 19 opponents over nine no-hit innings.
2003 Miguel Tejeda starts his 559th consecutive game to establish a team record. The A’s shortstop, who has the longest active streak in the majors, last missed a game on May 1, 2000.
2003 Much to the delight of the Fenway Faithful and the embarrassment of their first baseman, a video of Kevin Millar (aka ‘Rally Karaoke Guy’), as an LA City College freshman doing an impersonation of Bruce Springsteen singing “Born in the USA,” appears on the scoreboard. The tape first played at a clubhouse meeting in Texas as a prank by a college friend, who is now an FBI agent, appears to be Boston’s answer to the Rally Monkey of Anaheim when the Red Sox win their first game in seven days, beating the A’s, 14-5.
2003 At Dodger Stadium, Vladimir Guerrero hit his 226th career home run, breaking Andre Dawson’s club record. The Expos’ right fielder hits his milestone round-tripper off Odalis Perez, a 454-foot blast over the left-field wall.
2005 Mike Jacobs hits a three-run home run in his first major league at-bat pinch-hitting in the fifth inning using teammate Cliff Floyd’s bat. The left-handed-hitting backstop becomes the fourth Mets rookie to go deep in his big league debut, joining Benny Ayala, Mike Fitzgerald, and Kaz Matsui.
2005 Florida suspends their batboy for six games after the 11-year-old accepts former Marlin and current Dodger hurler Brad Penny’s $500 dare to drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour without throwing up. The sixth-grader, who drinks the quantity in the allotted time but cannot keep it down, will be offered by the Milk Processor Education Program a promise to pay off the dare and cover the lost wages resulting from the suspension if he agrees to drink three glasses every 24 hours.
2006 Cory Lidle, recently obtained from the Phillies along with Bobby Abreu in a trade-deadline deal, throws six scoreless innings to get the 2-1 win as the Yankees complete a five-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Dubbed the “Boston Massacre II,” the lopsided series reminds fans of the rivalry of a similar meltdown in Boston in 1978.
2006 For the first time since 1943, the Yankees sweep a five-game series at Fenway. The latest Boston massacre leaves the Red Sox six and a half games behind front-running New York and four games off the wild-card pace.
2006 After seeing his starting pitcher give back seven runs of an 8-0 lead, John Gibbons goes to the mound in the third inning to remove Ted Lilly, who argues with the Blue Jay manager and refuses to give up the ball. The incident escalates in the clubhouse tunnel, resulting in a bloody nose for the Toronto skipper.
2007 With a grand slam, three-run homer, two-run, and a pair of one-run doubles during an 18-9 rout of the Yankees, Garret Anderson drives in a franchise-record ten runs with his four hits. The Angels’ left fielder, one RBI shy of setting the American League mark, becomes the 12th player to collect 10 RBIs in one contest in big-league history.
2007 Mark Reynolds ties a major league record, held by five other non-pitchers, including Bo Jackson of the Royals in 1988, by striking out in nine consecutive plate appearances. The dubious streak ends when Dave Bush hits the Diamondbacks’ third baseman with a pitch in the sixth inning in a 7-4 Brewer victory at Chase Field.
2007 Matt Murphy, 21, reluctantly decides to sell the ball Barry Bonds hit to break Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record, citing he would be heavily taxed on the historically significant souvenir if he were to hold onto it. The August 7th AT&T Park home run ball, valued at an estimated $500,000, will be available from August 28 through September 15 through a Sotheby’s/SCP online auction.
2010 After being heckled by Philadelphia fans between innings, Nyjer Morgan throws a ball into the Citizens Bank Park outfield seats, hitting a fan in the head. The Nationals outfielder will receive a seven-game suspension for his serious lapse of judgment, with his victim, a 37-year-old male, surprised by the punishment, wishing his assailant good luck with the appeal of the penalty.
2010 Matt Stairs sets the career record for pinch-hit home runs when he goes deep off Ernesto Frieri in the eighth inning of a 6-5 loss in Milwaukee. The two-run shot over the Miller Park right-field fence, his twenty-first round-tripper coming off the bench, moves the premier pinch-hitter ahead of Cliff Johnson.
2011 The Padres retire Trevor Hoffman’s No. 51 in a post-game ceremony to honor baseball’s all-time saves leader, who retired in the off-season after playing 18 big league seasons, 16 with San Diego. After the team acquired him in a five-player deal in 1993, the right-handed reliever compiled 552 of his 601 saves for the Friars
2013 Ichiro Suzuki collects his 4,000th career hit, joining Ty Cobb and Pete Rose as the third professional baseball player to accomplish the feat. The Yankee right fielder, who has compiled more hits during his 13 seasons in the major leagues than any other player within the same amount of playing time, started his career with the Orix BlueWave in Japan, where he had a total of 1,278 hits before joining the Mariners in 2001.
2022 The Rays’ nine-batter starting lineup against the Royals features players from eight different countries, a major league first. Baseball’s version of the League of Nations includes nationalities from the United States, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, and Taiwan.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
LEE SMITH
Pitcher
At the time of his retirement, the numbers left little room for doubt.
Lee Arthur Smith – by virtue of having saved the most games in major league history – was one of baseball’s greatest relief pitchers.
Smith, born Dec. 4, 1957, in Jamestown, La., was an excellent basketball player and part-time baseball player in high school. But bad knees and a million-dollar arm convinced him to turn to the diamond instead of the hardwood, and he was drafted in the second round of the 1975 amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs. He quickly advanced through the minor leagues – but nearly quit the game when the Cubs decided to make him a relief pitcher.
“I thought it was a slap in the face, like I wasn’t good enough to be a starter,” said Smith, who was lured back to baseball with the help of future Hall of Famer and former Cubs star Billy Williams.
Smith was good enough. By 1980, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander with the blazing fastball debuted with the Cubs, and by 1982 he had earned Chicago’s closer job with 17 saves and a 2.69 earned-run average in 72 games.
The next season, Smith led the National League with 29 saves – the first of four times he would lead his league in that category – while posting a 1.65 ERA and earning the first of his seven All-Star Game selections. In 1984, Smith helped the Cubs win their first NL East title with nine wins and 33 saves.
But when the Cubs began to slide, management made Smith available via a trade. Following the 1987 season, the Cubs dealt Smith – their all-time saves leader – to the Red Sox for Al Nipper and Calvin Schiraldi.
Smith saved 54 games during the next two seasons, then was traded to St. Louis during the 1990 campaign. He led the NL in saves in 1991 (47) and 1992 (43), and had 43 saves on Aug. 31, 1993, when the Cardinals traded him to the Yankees.
Smith then pitched for four different teams from 1994-97. He led the majors in saves with 33 during the strike-shortened 1994 season, and ended his career with a big league-best 478 saves after he retired during the 1997 season. His powerful right arm never required a single surgical procedure during his 23 seasons in professional baseball.
Smith held the all-time saves record for 13 seasons before Trevor Hoffman broke it in 2006. Today, Smith ranks No. 3 all-time behind Hoffman and Mariano Rivera.
His final totals: a 71-92 record, a 3.03 ERA, 1,022 games pitched, 802 games finished (the top career total at the time of his retirement), an NL-record 546 straight games pitched without a fielding error, three reliever of the year awards and those 478 saves.
Smith was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
August 21, 1929 – The Chicago Cardinals become the very first professional American Football team to train outside the confines of their hometown. The team decided to have camp in Waterworks Park in Coldwater, Michigan. FOr the details we will summon the words of our great SHN historian Joe Ziemba from his book, When Football was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL. Joe tells us that after a debacle of a season in 1928 where the team had only a 1-5 League record, former owner Chris O’Brien sold the franchise to Chicago physician, Dr, David Jones in July 1929. Jones had some grand ideas on how to make the club better, even so he signed some of the now dormant Duluth Eskimos including owner Ole Hausgrud, Coach Dewey Scanlon and star player and attraction Ernie Nevers on to the Cardinals payrole. These changes also centered on an a promotion of “the Fighting Cards from Back of the Yards” campaign and sent the team out of state to Coldwater for an instense training camp.
August 21, 2019 – Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson for the 2nd consecutive year is the world’s highest paid actor as his earnings reached $89.4 million. Johnson was a former University of Miami Hurricane that played on the 1991 National Championship team as a defensive tackle.
HALL OF FAME BIRTHDAYS FOR AUGUST 21
August 21, 1928 – Rankin, Texas – Bud McFadin was an offensive lineman from the University of Texas who entered into the College Football Hall of Fame in the induction class of 1983. According to the National Football Foundation as a freshman this talented youngster almost left school to return home because he missed his horse. The attachment to the animal was so great that Texas officials saved the day by having the equine shipped to a nearby farm close to the University to keep the bond healthy between their player and his ride. It turned out to be a great move too because a happy Bud McFadin played both offense and defense and was the Texas boxing and wrestling champion. In 1949, the 6-3, 225-pound lineman won All-America honors from the International News Service for his defensive skills. In 1950, the All-America Board, the Associated Press, United Press, INS and Look named him first team All-America, with emphasis on his offensive skillset. In the Chicago Tribune All-Star game, Bud was voted Most Valuable Player of the game for the All-Stars.
August 21, 1945 – Clover, Virginia – Willie Lanier the a linebacker from Morgan State University from 1963 to 1966 was born. After college “Honey Bear” played pro ball for the Kansas City Chiefs where he was a five-time all-pro middle linebacker. Years later, in 1986, Willie Lanier was elected into the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
August 21, 1954 – Archie Griffin was the two time Heisman Trophy Winner from Ohio State University. He is forever enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame since 2000.
August 21, 1959 – Jim McMahon the former BYU quarterback was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. McMahon was a two time All-American QB for the Cougars. In the NFL he famously guided the 1985 Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX. Later he played for San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Arizona, Cleveland and Green Bay. Sme of his most interesting plays were off the field as he squabbled with the NFL Commissioner over branding on apparel worn in games. This culminated humorously when he wore a sweatband on his forehead with the name of the Commish inked on it.
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
BENNIE BLADES
Position: Defensive Back
Years: 1984-1987
Place of Birth: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date of Birth: Sep 03, 1966
Jersey Number: 36
Height: 6-0
Weight: 215
High School: Sunrise, FL (Piper HS)
In high school Bennie Blades was better known as a track athlete as he was invited to the 1984 Olympic trials in the 400 meters. In his freshman season, he was a reserve cornerback and special teams player before he became a starter at free safety as a sophomore. He led the team with four interceptions and returned two picks for scores. The following year, he was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award as he led the nation with ten interceptions. He also began to be noticed for his ability as an open field tackler and had 16 tackles against Oklahoma. He gained consensus All-America status In his senior season he was able to claim the national championship that he just missed the previous year in a season-ending loss to Penn State. He also gained some individual honors in winning the Thorpe Award and became a unanimous All-America. The national championship run was saved early in the season when Blades recovered a fumble deep in Canes territory in a one-point victory over Florida State. Over his career he had 19 interceptions for 305 return yards along with making 286 tackles. Coach Jimmy Johnson called him ?the best player at his position that I ever coached.? With the pros he was the third overall selection in the 1988 draft. He spent nine seasons with the Detroit Lions and two with Seattle.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 14 – 21 – 18 – 6 – 34 – 5 – 10 – 7
August 21, 1901 – Baltimore Orioles pitcher Joe McGinnity is suspended from NL for punching & spitting on umpire Tom Connolly in previous day’s 5-2 loss to Detroit Tigers; lifetime suspension reduced to 12 days
August 21, 1926 – Chicago White Sox pitcher Ted Lyons no hits Boston Red Sox, 6-0 in just 67 minutes at Fenway Park
August 21, 1931 – New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth, Number 3 became the first MLB player to hit 600 career home runs as NY defeats St. Louis Browns, 11-7 at Sportsman’s Park
August 21, 1932 – Wes Ferrell, Number 14 of the Cleveland Indians became the first MLB pitcher to win 20 games in each of his 1st 4 seasons
August 21, 1948 – Cleveland Indians 47-inning scoreless streak is broken as future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon wearing Number 21 gave up a home run to Number 18, Aaron Robinson in a 3-2 loss to Chicago White Sox
August 21, 1967 – Kansas City utility player Number 6, Ken Harrelson became baseball’s first free agent when he is abruptly released by the Athletics. He took his parting shots too as he called team owner Charlie Finley “a menace to baseball.” Harrelson would end up siging on with the Washington Senators soon after this release and later play for the Cleveland Indians.
August 21, 1982 – American League MLB Milwaukee Brewers’ relief pitcher Rollie Fingers in his familiar Number 34 jersey became the first MLB pitcher to get save number 300. Fingers was aptly named as he had some wicked pitches that confounded many batters, and oh he sported probably the most famous moustaches in all of baseball history.
August 21, 1986 – Red Sox Spike Owen, Number 5 scored 6 runs in a 24-5 rout of Cleveland Indians
August 21, 2008 – US Olympic Women’s Soccer Striker Carli Lloyd, Number 10 scored in extra time as the United States beat Brazil 1-0 to take the women’s Football Gold Medal at the Beijing OlympicsAugust 21, 2016 – Hoops great Kevin Durant , wearing Number 7 scored 30 points as the US retained the Olympic men’s basketball title with a comfortable 96-66 win over Serbia at the Rio de Janeiro Games