“THE SCOREBOARD” INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS SATURDAY MARCH 28 SESSION 1 10:30 AM ET | CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BARR-REEVE (27-1) VS. TRITON (25-3) APPROX. 12:45 PM ET | CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PARKE HERITAGE (26-4) VS. WESTVIEW (27-1) SESSION 2 6 PM ET | CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (24-5) VS. NEW HAVEN (22-7) APPROX. 8:15 PM ET | CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MT. VERNON (FORTVILLE) (27-3) VS. CROWN POINT (25-1) CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025-26%20Boys%20Basketball%20Preview.pdf =========================================================== NCAA TOURNAMENT MEN’S SCHEDULE/SCORES THURSDAY, MARCH 26 (SWEET 16) PURDUE 79 TEXAS 77 IOWA 77 NEBRASKA 71 ILLINOIS 65 HOUSTON 55 ARIZONA 109 ARKANSAS 88 FRIDAY, MARCH 27 (SWEET 16) (1) DUKE VS. (5) ST. JOHN’S, 7:10 P.M. | CBS (1) MICHIGAN VS. (4) ALABAMA, 7:35 P.M. | TBS/TRUTV (2) UCONN VS. (3) MICHIGAN STATE, 9:45 P.M. | CBS (2) IOWA STATE VS. (6) TENNESSEE, 10:10 P.M. | TBS/TRUTV =========================================================== MEN’S NIT SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ========================================================== NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT FRIDAY MARCH 27 NOTRE DAME VS. VANDERBILT 2:30 NORTH CAROLINA VS. UCONN 5:00 MINNESOTA VS. UCLA 7:30 DUKE VS. LSU 10:00 SATURDAY MARCH 28 LOUISVILLE VS. MICHIGAN 12:30 KENTUCKY VS. TEXAS 3:00 OKLAHOMA VS. SOUTH CAROLINA 5:00 VIRGINIA VS. TCU 7:30 ========================================================== WOMEN’S NIT FRIDAY MARCH 27 PURDUE FT. WAYNE VS. ARKANSAS STATE 2:00 GEORGE WASHINGTON VS. LOYOLA IL 6:00 MARSHALL VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATE 6:30 ABELINE CHRISTIAN VS. ILLINOIS STATE 7:30 ========================================================== COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES #2 TEXAS 14 #8 OKLAHOMA 0 MIAMI 8 CLEMSON 3 BYU 6 OKLAHOMA STATE 5 ========================================================== COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES NORTHWESTERN 11 #18 OREGON 3 KANSAS 6 BYU 4 CREIGHTON 7 SEATTLE 6 ========================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY SCORES NCAA HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP THURSDAY MARCH 26 #3 MICHIGAN STATE 2 UCONN 1 QUINNIPIAC 5 PROVIDENCE 2 WISCONSIN 5 DARTMOUTH 1 #2 NORTH DAKOTA 3 MERRIMACK 0 FRIDAY MARCH 27 #4 WESTERN MICHIGAN VS. MINNESOTA STATE 2:30 #1 MICHIGAN VS. BENTLEY 5:30 CORNELL VS. DENVER 6:00 PENN STATE VS. MINNESOTA DULUTH 9:00 ========================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL SCORES #12 MCKENDREE 3 #20 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 0 #10 LOYOLA CHICAGO 3 #16 LEWIS 1 #7 BALL STATE 3 #11 LINDENWOOD 0 ========================================================== DIVISION 1 MEN’S LAX SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ========================================================== DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S LAX SCORES #9 MICHIGAN 12 #18 DENVER 6 #15 BOSTON COLLEGE 13 #2 STANFORD 11 #3 MARYLAND 15 #6 JOHNS HOPKINS 12 OHIO STATE 20 OREGON 2 ========================================================== NBA SCORES DETROIT 129 NEW ORLEANS 108 CHARLOTTE 114 NEW YORK 103 ORLANDO 121 SACRAMENTO 117 ========================================================== NBA G-LEAGUE SCORES WISCONSIN 106 RAPTORS 104 NOBLESVILLE 134 CLEVELAND 112 IOWA 133 OKLAHOMA CITY 106 RIO GRANDE VALLEY 121 MEMPHIS 107 SOUTH BAY 137 SIOUX FALLS 114 ========================================================== NHL SCORES PHILADELPHIA 5 CHICAGO 1 NY ISLANDERS 2 DALLAS 1 SEATTLE 4 TAMPA BAY 3 OT MINNESOTA 3 FLORIDA 2 MONTRÉAL 2 COLUMBUS 1 PITTSBURGH 4 OTTAWA 3 ST. LOUIS 2 SAN JOSE 1 OT NEW JERSEY 4 NASHVILLE 2 COLORADO 3 WINNIPEG 2 WASHINGTON 7 UTAH 4 ANAHEIM 3 CALGARY 2 OT EDMONTON 4 VEGAS 3 OT LOS ANGELES 4 VANCOUVER 0 ========================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NY METS 11 PITTSBURGH 7 MILWAUKEE 14 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2 WASHINGTON 10 CHICAGO CUBS 4 BALTIMORE 2 MINNESOTA 1 BOSTON 3 CINCINNATI 0 DETROIT 8 SAN DIEGO 2 LA ANGELS 3 HOUSTON 0 ST. LOUIS 9 TAMPA BAY 7 PHILADELPHIA 5 TEXAS 3 LA DODGERS 8 ARIZONA 2 CLEVELAND 6 SEATTLE 4 ========================================================== WOMEN’S PRO VOLLEYBALL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ========================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER NO GAMES SCHEDULED ========================================================== NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS RELEASES MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL NCAA TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP: PURDUE NIPS TEXAS IN LAST SECOND Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in a shot with 0.7 seconds left to give the second-seeded Boilermakers a 79-77 win over 11th-seeded Texas in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region semifinals on Thursday night in San Jose. Purdue’s Braden Smith drove to the lane on the final possession, and his jumper bounced off, right to the hands of Kaufman-Renn, one of three starters for the Boilermakers (30-8) who were part of the team that played in the 2024 NCAA final. Kaufman-Renn finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, making 8 of 10 shots from the floor. Fletcher Loyer scored 18 points and Smith added 16 for Purdue, which will face No. 1 Arizona in the regional final on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four. Texas (21-15) got 29 points from Tramon Mark, the most by a Longhorn in the NCAA tourney since Kevin Durant had 30 in 2007. He hit 11 of 15 from the field and 5 of 7 from 3-point range. The Longhorns shot 51.8% overall, 55.6% in the second half. No. 1 Arizona 109, Arkansas 88 Brayden Burries scored 23 points and fellow freshman Koa Peat added 21 as the Wildcats rolled past the Razorbacks in the West Region semifinals at San Jose. Arizona (35-2) matched its school record for wins by shooting 63.8% from the field, advancing to its first Elite Eight since 2015. Burries finished 7 of 11 from the field, while Peat made 8 of 11 shots. Arkansas (28-9) got 28 points from freshman Darius Acuff Jr., who scored 88 in three tourney games. The Razorbacks were called for two flagrant fouls and two technicals, one on coach John Calipari. Billy Richmond III was ejected for a flagrant-2 foul with 7:14 left. Games SOUTH No. 3 Illinois 65, No. 2 Houston 55 David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler produced double-doubles as the Fighting Illini parlayed a 17-0 second-half run into a victory over the Cougars in the South Regional semifinals at Houston. Illinois (27-8) advanced to the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons. The Fighting Illini will face a Big Ten rival, ninth-seeded Iowa, on Saturday with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Indianapolis. Mirkovic paired 14 points with 10 rebounds. Wagler posted 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Emanuel Sharp led Houston (30-7) with 17 points. Kingston Flemings added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Cougars, who shot just 34.4%. No. 9 Iowa 77, No. 4 Nebraska 71 Bennett Stirtz scored a team-high 20 points, Tate Sage added 19 and the Hawkeyes rallied from a first-half, double-digit deficit to defeat the Cornhuskers in the South Regional semifinals at Houston. Stirtz provided Iowa (24-12) with its first lead at 68-65 via a 3-pointer with 2:10 left. That ignited a decisive closing stretch from Iowa, which advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987 while dashing Nebraska’s bid for its first Elite Eight appearance. Pryce Sandfort paced the Cornhuskers (28-7) with 25 points, while Braden Frager added 16. That duo combined to shoot 11 of 18 from behind the arc for the Cornhuskers, who missed 18 of 24 3-point shots in the second half after going 7 of 14 from deep before intermission. ================================================================== MLB MLB ROUNDUP: JACOB MISIOROWSKI, BREWERS FAN 20 WHITE SOX IN OPENER Sal Frelick and Jake Bauers homered and hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski shook off a leadoff home run to strike out 11 over five innings as the Milwaukee Brewers routed the visiting Chicago White Sox 14-2 on Thursday in the season opener for both teams. Misiorowski (1-0) gave up a homer to Chase Meidroth to begin the game but allowed only a fourth-inning single over the rest of his 94-pitch outing, along with three walks. Misiorowski’s 11 strikeouts were an Opening Day franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of eight done three times, most recently by Freddy Peralta last season. Brewers pitchers set a franchise record with 20 strikeouts, equaling the major league mark for a nine-inning game. Bauers and William Contreras each drove in three and six others had at least one RBI for the Brewers. Munetaka Murakami, in his major league debut, went deep for the White Sox. Games Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 2 Andy Pages hit a three-run home run and Yoshinobu Yamamoto went six strong innings as Los Angeles followed consecutive World Series titles with a victory over visiting Arizona. Will Smith homered and drove in three runs as the Dodgers capped a day of celebration that included the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies on the field before the game. Yamamoto (1-0) fanned six while yielding two runs on five hits and no walks. Geraldo Perdomo hit a two-run homer among his two hits for the Diamondbacks. Arizona starter Zac Gallen gave up four runs on five hits in four-plus innings. Guardians 6, Mariners 4 Chase DeLauter, appearing in his first career regular-season game, hit two home runs as Cleveland won at Seattle. Jose Ramirez broke a tie by delivering a two-run double with two outs in the seventh inning for the Guardians. Reliever Connor Brogdon (1-0) got the victory, and Cade Smith pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save. Dominic Canzone hit two solo homers and Brendan Donovan and Luke Raley each added a solo long ball for the Mariners. Tigers 8, Padres 2 Kevin McGonigle doubled in the first two at-bats of his major league career and finished 4-for-5 as visiting Detroit downed San Diego. Dillon Dingler homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers. Tarik Skubal (1-0) permitted three hits and an unearned run while walking none and fanning six in six innings. Ramon Laureano hit a solo homer for the Padres. San Diego starter Nick Pivetta (0-1) lasted just three innings, allowing seven hits and six runs. Phillies 5, Rangers 3 Cristopher Sanchez struck out 10 over six scoreless innings and Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm each homered, fueling host Philadelphia to a win over Texas. Signed to a six-year contract extension on Sunday, Sanchez (1-0) capped his day by striking out the side in the sixth inning. He scattered three hits and did not walk a batter. Jake Burger capped a three-hit performance for the Rangers by belting a two-run homer in the ninth inning. Nathan Eovaldi (0-1) was tagged for five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Red Sox 3, Reds 0 Garrett Crochet pitched six scoreless innings and Ceddanne Rafaela broke a scoreless tie in the seventh with an RBI single to lead the visiting Boston past Cincinnati. Roman Anthony had three hits, and Trevor Story and Jarren Duran added insurance RBI singles for the Red Sox in the ninth. Crochet (1-0) gave up three hits, walked two and struck out eight, and Aroldis Chapman threw a perfect ninth inning for the save. Sal Stewart racked up three hits, becoming the first Reds rookie since 1958 (when rookie rules were established) to record three hits on Opening Day. Andrew Abbott matched Crochet with six shutout innings. Orioles 2, Twins 1 Trevor Rogers pitched seven scoreless innings and Baltimore broke through on offense late to beat visiting Minnesota and give Craig Albernaz a victory in his big-league managerial debut. Rogers limited the Twins to three hits and four walks while striking out five. Adley Rutschman had two hits, including a double. In a two-run seventh, Colton Cowser lifted a sacrifice fly and Blaze Alexander drove in a run in his first game with the Orioles. Games The Twins came up with only three singles until the eighth and dropped Derek Shelton’s first game as the team’s manager. In the eighth, Byron Buxton ripped a triple and scored on Luke Keaschall’s sacrifice fly. Starter Joe Ryan allowed one hit and two walks while striking out seven in 5 1/3 shutout innings. Mets 11, Pirates 7 Brett Baty’s three-run triple highlighted a five-run first inning, and host New York chased reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes after just two outs on its way to a win over Pittsburgh. Rookie Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez hit back-to-back homers in the sixth for the Mets, who improved their baseball-best Opening Day record to 42-23. Brandon Lowe delivered a pair of round-trippers for the Pirates. Skenes (0-1) had the shortest outing of his career while allowing five runs and four hits. Mets starter Freddy Peralta (1-0) allowed four runs while striking out seven in five innings. Nationals 10, Cubs 4 Joey Wiemer, Jacob Young and Brady House homered and the Washington bullpen provided 5 1/3 innings of one-run relief to boost the visiting Nationals to a victory against Chicago. Wiemer went 3-for-3 to spark a 11-hit attack in his club debut, which also marked the first game for Nationals manager Blake Butera. House had two hits and two RBIs while CJ Abrams and Young drove in two runs apiece. Michael Busch produced three hits and Pete Crow-Armstrong had two for Chicago, but the Cubs went just 4-for-19 with runners in scoring position while stranding nine. Angels 3, Astros 0 Mike Trout homered, walked three times and stole a base, and Jose Soriano struck out seven over six shutout innings to lead visiting Los Angeles to a victory over Houston. It was the 405th career home run for Trout, a three-time American League MVP who was making his club-record 14th Opening Day start in center field. Los Angeles picked up its first road victory on Opening Day since April 1, 2013, at Cincinnati in Kurt Suzuki’s major league managerial debut. Nolan Schanuel also homered and Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up a save. Houston’s AJ Blubaugh (0-1) allowed one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings while striking out three. Astros starter Hunter Brown scattered four singles and struck out nine over 4 2/3 shutout innings. Cardinals 9, Rays 7 Alec Burleson capped an eight-run sixth inning with a two-run homer to help St. Louis Cardinals rally for a victory against visiting Tampa Bay. Burleson’s home run came after the Rays had scored six runs in the top half of the sixth to take a 7-1 lead. Burleson had three hits, scored twice and drove in two. Nathan Church had three hits, drove in two and robbed a home run and JJ Wetherholt homered in his major league debut. Jonathan Aranda homered and singled for Tampa Bay. Yandy Diaz, Ben Williamson and Nick Fortes each had three hits and one run, and Jonny DeLuca added two hits and two RBIs. ===================================================================== NBA NBA ROUNDUP: HORNETS CONTINUE LATE SURGE, HALT KNICKS’ STREAK Kon Knueppel had 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on Thursday to help the Charlotte Hornets earn a 114-103 victory over the visiting New York Knicks. LaMelo Ball added 22 points and Brandon Miller scored 21 for Charlotte, which won its fifth straight game. Coby White and Miles Bridges chipped in 17 points each for the Hornets, who sit in a three-way tie with the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson led New York with 26 points and 13 assists, followed by OG Anunoby’s 17 points and Josh Hart’s 16. Mikal Bridges scored 14 points and Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 13 for the Knicks, who had their seven-game winning streak snapped. The Hornets’ 10-point halftime lead grew to 77-62 on Ball and Knueppel’s back-to-back 3-pointers. New York narrowed the deficit to 11, but Grant Williams’ triple stamped a 7-0 run to close the third and give the Hornets a 94-76 lead entering the final quarter. The Knicks got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way. Games Pistons 129, Pelicans 108 Jalen Duren dominated inside with 30 points and 10 rebounds and added seven assists, two blocks and two steals as Detroit won for the fifth time in six games by thumping New Orleans. Kevin Huerter fired in 22 points, while Daniss Jenkins supplied 19 points and nine assists. Tobias Harris had 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, with Ausar Thompson chipping in 11 points with three steals. Zion Williamson topped the Pelicans, who have lost three straight, with 21 points. Saddiq Bey had 17 points, while Jeremiah Fears added 13 points with six assists. Dejounte Murray finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Magic 121, Kings 117 Paolo Banchero had a team-high 30 points and combined with Desmond Bane for eight in a late 12-0 flurry that led Orlando to a victory over visiting Sacramento. Bane finished with 23 points and Tristan da Silva 18 for Orlando, which snapped a six-game losing streak and moved into a three-way tie with Miami and Charlotte for eighth in the Eastern Conference play-in seeding race. DeMar DeRozan paced the Kings with 33 points and recorded a double-double, just his second of the season, with a season-high-tying 11 assists to complement the 216th 30-point game of his career. ================================================================== NHL NHL ROUNDUP: CAPS DOWN MAMMOTH BEHIND ALEX OVECHKIN’S HAT TRICK Alex Ovechkin produced his 34th career hat trick and the Washington Capitals rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the Utah Mammoth 7-4 on Thursday in Salt Lake City. Ovechkin has 29 goals this season, including two hat tricks, and an NHL-record 926 for his career. Ivan Miroshnichenko tallied his first two goals of the season and Anthony Beauvillier and Rasmus Sandin each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals. Logan Thompson made 36 saves. Dylan Guenther scored twice and Mikhail Sergachev and Clayton Keller each had three assists for the Mammoth. Vitek Vanecek allowed six goals on 23 shots before being lifted midway through the third period. Karel Vejmelka saved the lone shot he faced in relief. Ducks 3, Flames 2 (OT) Mikael Granlund completed his hat trick with a last-second overtime winning goal as visiting Anaheim defeated Calgary. John Carlson collected a pair of assists and Ville Husso made 23 saves for Anaheim, which has won four straight games. Thanks to Calgary’s second too-man-men penalty of the game, the Ducks enjoyed a man advantage late in overtime, and Granlund buried a one-timer from the high slot just before the buzzer. Games Blake Coleman and Matvei Gridin scored for the Flames, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Olli Maatta collected a pair of assists, and Devin Cooley stopped 30 shots. Wild 3, Panthers 2 Marcus Foligno scored in his first game back from injury and Joel Eriksson Ek netted the go-ahead goal with five seconds left as Minnesota defeated Florida in Sunrise, Fla. Ryan Hartman also scored for the Wild, who got 18 saves from Jesper Wallstedt. It was a big night for Foligno, who played a game with his brother Nick Foligno for the first time since they were in the sixth and ninth grades, respectively. Nick Foligno was acquired from Chicago earlier this month. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist and Aaron Ekblad scored for the Panthers, who got a 47-save performance from backup goalie Daniil Tarasov. The Panthers have lost four of their past six (2-4-0). Canadiens 2, Blue Jackets 1 Zachary Bolduc scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and assisted on Montreal’s other goal in a win against visiting Columbus. Jayden Struble also scored for the Canadiens, who have won three straight. Jakub Dobes made 25 saves. Damon Severson scored and Jet Greaves made 18 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have lost two of their past three games. Games Islanders 2, Stars 1 New York claimed two big points in its quest for a playoff spot with a victory over Dallas in Elmont, N.Y. Bo Horvat scored to reach the 30-goal mark for the fourth time and Calum Ritchie also tallied. Matthew Schaefer assisted on both goals. Ilya Sorokin was 2:59 away from a shutout, making 26 saves. Combined with Pittsburgh’s win over Ottawa, the result moved the Islanders back into the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Matt Duchene scored for the Stars, who lost for their fourth straight, their longest skid since going 0-3-3 from late December to early January. Jake Oettinger, pulled after one period in his last start against New Jersey, stopped 23 shots. Kraken 4, Lightning 3 (OT) Brandon Montour scored twice, including the winner at 2:47 of overtime, as Seattle won at Tampa Bay. Kaapo Kakko and Bobby McCann each had a goal and an assist for the Kraken, who snapped a four-game winless streak (0-3-1). Philipp Grubauer stopped 30 shots for Seattle. Jake Guentzel had a goal and an assist, Anthony Cirelli and Corey Perry also scored and Charle-Edouard D’Astous added two helpers for the Lightning, who extended their point streak to six games (4-0-2). Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 15 of 19 shots. Games Penguins 4, Senators 3 (SO) Egor Chinakhov and Ben Kindel scored in a shootout to give Pittsburgh a win over host Ottawa. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby left early in the second period due to a lower-body injury and did not return. Rickard Rakell had two goals and an assist and Erik Karlsson produced a goal and two assists. Stuart Skinner stopped 26 shots through regulation and overtime, then stopped two of Ottawa’s three shootout attempts. Drake Batherson scored twice and had the shootout goal while Nick Cousins added a goal for the Senators, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Tim Stutzle had two assists. Linus Ullmark made 35 saves through regulation and OT but turned aside just one of three in the shootout. Flyers 5, Blackhawks 1 Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates and Alex Bump each registered a goal and an assist as Philadelphia thumped visiting Chicago. Samuel Ersson made 25 saves for the Flyers, who have won six of their past eight to make some late noise in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Denver Barkey and Sean Couturier also scored for Philadelphia. The Blackhawks remain well out of postseason contention following their fifth loss in seven games. Connor Bedard reached the 30-goal plateau for the first time, while Spencer Knight did his best to combat a furious Flyers offensive performance with 37 saves. Games Devils 4, Predators 2 Nico Hischier’s second deflected goal of the night broke a late tie, and visiting New Jersey won for the fifth time in six games, defeating surging Nashville. Jesper Bratt had a goal with two assists, Jack Hughes recorded two helpers and Timo Meier added an empty-netter for the Devils, who are essentially out of the playoff race but have won nine of their past 12. Jacob Markstrom stopped 16 shots. Reid Schaefer and Steven Stamkos notched second-period goals and Justus Annunen posted 26 saves for the Predators, who had won five straight. Avalanche 3, Jets 2 Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals 3:42 apart early in the third period, Jack Drury also had a goal and visiting Colorado beat Winnipeg. Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 22 shots for the NHL-leading Avalanche, who have won four in a row. Artturi Lehkonen had an assist in his return from an 11-game absence caused by an upper-body injury. Mark Scheifele scored twice and Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves for the Jets, who had gone 2-0-1 in their previous three games. Games Oilers 4, Golden Knights 3 (OT) Evan Bouchard scored 3:10 into overtime and Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists as Edmonton defeated Vegas in Las Vegas. Matt Savoie and Zach Hyman also scored for Edmonton, which has won four of its past six games. Connor Ingram made 26 saves. McDavid (785 games) became the third-fastest player in league history to reach 800 assists, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (527 games) and Mario Lemieux (661 games). Mark Stone scored twice — his fourth multi-goal game of the season and the 32nd of his career — and Ivan Barbashev had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights, who fell to 1-4-1 in the past six games. Adin Hill finished with 25 saves. Kings 4, Canucks 0 Darcy Kuemper made 19 saves for his third shutout of the season as Los Angeles prevailed at Vancouver. Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore each had a goal and an assist, Scott Laughton and Artemi Panarin both scored a goal and Mikey Anderson tallied two assists for the Kings, who snapped a four-game skid (0-1-3). Kevin Lankinen made 34 saves for the Canucks, who have lost four straight games in regulation. Blues 2, Sharks 1 (OT) Dylan Holloway buried the game-winning goal in the dying seconds of overtime as St. Louis outlasted visiting San Jose. Dalibor Dvorsky also scored and Joel Hofer made 24 saves to help the Blues post their third consecutive victory. Alexander Wennberg tallied the lone goal for the Sharks, who have lost six in a row (0-5-1). Yaroslav Askarov (11 saves) and Alex Nedeljkovic (10 saves) split the goaltending duties after Askarov left the contest halfway through because of an injury. ===================================================================== GOLF LYDIA KO FIRES 60 FOR EARLY LEAD AT FORD CHAMPIONSHIP LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko came extremely close to a mammoth achievement: the second round of 59 in LPGA history. Ko birdied four of her last five holes to shoot a 12-under-par 60 and set the pace in the first round of the Ford Championship on Thursday in Chandler, Ariz. The Cattail Course at Whirlwind Golf Club, hosting an LPGA event for the second time, was kind to more than just Ko. Her lead is just a single shot as South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim posted an 11-under 61 and Nelly Korda is right behind in third place at 9-under 63. “I think the number 59 did cross my mind by the time I holed my birdie putt on 6 (her 15th hole), but it wasn’t like … I had a lot of pressure to like break 60,” the New Zealand star said. “It was just more like, ‘Oh, it’s really cool to be in this position.’ I think that’s my career low score.” Ko birdied each of her first four holes and rolled in 12 without a bogey. Had she birdied the par-5 seventh hole, instead of settling for par, she’d be the second woman in tour history to break 60. Annika Sorenstam of Sweden famously had the LPGA’s first 59 in March 2001 in a now-defunct tournament in Phoenix — a mere 30 miles away from Whirlwind Golf Club. “Honestly the thought came very late in my round and I had to birdie the rest coming in at that point, so … I felt like it was an added bonus if it did happen,” Ko said. “If it didn’t, it’s fine. Still a really good round. “Annika is the only one that has shot 59, so any record that matches Annika’s record is going to be pretty incredible.” Kim, who like Ko started on the back nine, shot up the leaderboard late in her round by finishing birdie-eagle-birdie. Not only is Kim trying to win back-to-back tournaments following last week’s Fortinet Founders Cup, she is also the defending champion and clearly comfortable at Whirlwind Golf Club. “I tried playing like last year at the course, but the course conditions are quite different, so I’m just trying my best,” she said. “My short game went well, so I had a low score.” Games Korda won the Ford Championship when it was introduced in 2024, before it was moved to Whirlwind. On Thursday, the World No. 2 skated through the round bogey-free with seven birdies in addition to an eagle at the par-4 18th. “Just try to place myself in the right spots,” Korda said of her approach. “Sometimes these fairways get baked out. Same with the greens. “So closer doesn’t always mean that it’s good, just because then you have a tricky pitch shot in where you can’t get too much spin on it and get it to stop, so you try to lay back a little bit.” Korda is vying for her second win of the young season. Tied for fourth at 8-under 64 are Frida Kinhult of Sweden and Weiwei Zhang of China. ============================================================== PAUL WARING GOES BOGEY-FREE, JUMPS OUT TO ROUND 1 LEAD AT HOUSTON OPEN England’s Paul Waring said he felt he was getting better even while missing cuts in recent tournaments. He showed signs of solid play during the first round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open on Thursday. Waring shot a 7-under-par 63 without a bogey to hold the lead. “I think I’ve just been told I holed over 160 foot of putts today, which is massive and gives you a massive advantage,” Waring said. Waring is one stroke ahead of Gary Woodland, who was one of the final golfers to finish the round. Sam Burns, Michael Brennan and Tom Hoge all shot 65s at Memorial Park Golf Course to land in a tie for third. Six of Waring’s seven birdies came on par-4 layouts. He started on the back nine, had a 40-foot birdie putt on No. 18, and later added a 31-foot birdie putt on No. 5. The result was Waring’s first sub-70 round of the year. “This is a proper long golf course,” he said. “It’s a lot more mid-irons and short irons, and as I say, you’ve got to putt well if you’re going to put a round like that together.” Woodland played without a bogey until his 16th hole of the day — No. 7 — though he bounced back with birdies on the last two holes. He made a birdie putt at the par-3 ninth from inside 10 feet. “I think the best thing I did was I carried the momentum over from last week,” Woodland said, referring to the Valspar Championship. “I got a lot of confidence last week.” Woodland tied for second place last year in this tournament. “The golf course sets up very well for me,” he said. “Allows me to be aggressive, to play to my strengths right now. I’m looking forward to getting out there again.” Burns overcame one bogey on both the front and back nine. Like Woodland, the Texas native finished birdie-birdie at Nos. 8-9. “My body hadn’t really cooperated so far this year,” Burns said. “So try to make sure my body’s feeling good and trying to kind of build on that.” Hoge said it might be huge that he had a low score for the first round. “It played pretty tough with the wind out there,” he said. “It’s going to be a battle the next few days.” England’s Marco Penge (66) had a bogey-free round and is tied for sixth place with Kurt Kitayama, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger, England’s Matt Wallace and China’s Zecheng Dou at 4 under. “This golf course sets up pretty nice for me off the tee,” Penge said. “I can kind of give it a good rip.” Rickie Fowler, who needs a strong result this week or a win in next week’s Valero Texas Open in order to qualify for next month’s Masters, posted 67. “I wouldn’t say I did anything amazing,” Fowler said. “Short game was good. Made a couple nice up-and-downs, which definitely helps kind of keep momentum if I had much.” Games Tony Finau slipped late with a bogey on the final hole following two pars to leave him at 67. Australia’s Karl Vilips, who had birdies on five of the first 12 holes, appeared poised to charge toward the top until going 3 over with three bogeys on his last five holes to finish 2 under. Cole Hammer, competing in his hometown, hit a hole-in-one on the 15th hole, setting the tone for his 3-under 67 to land in the 20-player pile-up in a tie for 11th. Defending champion Min Woo Lee of Australia shot 68. Brooks Koepka, who helped redesign the course, finished with 75. =================================================================== INDIANA SPORTS TEAM RELEASES INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW Saturday, March 28 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis Indiana high school basketball reaches its peak as the state’s best collide in a two-session championship Saturday. Every team entering the finals has 20+ wins, setting up one of the most competitive finals in recent memory. ====== SESSION 1 CLASS 1A: BARR-REEVE VS. TRITON Barr-Reeve (27-1) A powerhouse program with championship pedigree, Barr-Reeve returns to the state stage looking to add another title to its resume (titles in 2015 & 2021). Known for disciplined defense and efficient offense, they’ve been dominant all season. Triton (25-3) Triton is battle-tested and making its first state finals appearance since 2013. The Trojans bring toughness and balance, coming off a strong semi-state run and looking to capture their second state title. Storyline: Experience vs. hunger — can Triton break through against a proven Barr-Reeve program? ======= CLASS 2A: PARKE HERITAGE VS. WESTVIEW Parke Heritage (26-4) A physical, defensive-minded team that has played one of the toughest paths to get here. Parke Heritage controls tempo and thrives in half-court basketball. Westview (27-1) One of the hottest teams in the state, Westview has dominated opponents and brings championship history (titles in 1999 & 2000). They’ve been explosive offensively and efficient on both ends. Storyline: Strength vs. speed — can Parke Heritage slow down Westview’s momentum? ======== SESSION 2 CLASS 3A: INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL VS. NEW HAVEN Indianapolis Cathedral (24-5) A tradition-rich program and former state champion (2022), Cathedral combines athleticism, depth, and big-game experience. They’ve been tested all tournament long. New Haven (22-7) New Haven enters as a confident underdog after winning a tight semi-state championship. They play with grit and have shown the ability to close out close games. Storyline: Can New Haven’s momentum overcome Cathedral’s experience and talent? ======= CLASS 4A: MT. VERNON (FORTVILLE) VS. CROWN POINT Mt. Vernon (27-3) A balanced and high-powered team that has been dominant in the southern half of the state. They bring scoring, depth, and strong guard play. Crown Point (25-1) One of the most impressive teams in Indiana this season, Crown Point has rolled through the tournament with dominant wins, including a convincing semi-state performance. Storyline: Heavyweights collide — this could be the game of the day. Final Take Every matchup features elite teams, strong records, and legitimate title chances. From small-school battles to 4A giants, this is what Indiana basketball is all about — Hoosier Hysteria at its finest. Follow IndianaSRN all week for updates, breakdowns, and full coverage leading into championship Saturday. =================================================================== INDIANA PACERS GAME PREVIEW: PACERS VS CLIPPERS There will be a reunion at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night, as former Pacers first round picks Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson return to Indianapolis for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. It will be the second meeting this month between Indiana (16-57) and the Clippers (37-36). The Clippers won 130-107 in L.A. on March 4. The Pacers traded Mathurin and Jackson to the Clippers along with three future draft picks on Feb. 5 in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. It was a tough decision for Indiana to move on from both Mathurin, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and Jackson, the 22nd overall pick in 2021. Ultimately, the chance to bring in a top-line center in Zubac was too much to pass up, but Pacers coaches and players alike have expressed their appreciation for everything Mathurin and Jackson contributed in Indiana on and off the court. Both players have played well since joining the Clippers. Mathurin is averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over his first 17 games in Los Angeles. He erupted for 38 points off the bench on Feb. 19 against Denver in just his third game as a Clipper. He recently missed four games with a toe injury, but returned on Wednesday to tally 23 points and six assists in a win over Toronto. Jackson, meanwhile, played sparingly initially for the Clippers, but has carved out a spot in the rotation in recent weeks. Jackson has scored in double figures in five of his past six contests, including tallying 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting, six rebounds, and two blocks in the victory over Toronto. The Pacers are coming off a 137-130 loss to the Lakers on Wednesday. The Pacers have been scoring the ball at a high rate and shot 55.8 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range against the Lakers, with point guard Andrew Nembhard dishing out a career-high 19 assists. But the Pacers have struggled defensively recently and have committed too many turnovers. They had 18 giveaways on Wednesday and allowed the Lakers to score 70 points in the paint. Projected Starters Pacers: G – Andrew Nembhard, G – Aaron Nesmith, F – Jarace Walker, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Jay Huff Clippers: G – Darius Garlan, G – Derrick Jones Jr., F – Kawhi Leonard, F – John Collins, C – Brook Lopez Injury Report Pacers: Andrew Nembhard – probable (right calf contusion), Aaron Nesmith – probable (right ankle injury management), Pascal Siakam – probable (right knee sprain), Obi Toppin – probable (right foot injury management), Johnny Furphy – out (right ACL tear), Tyrese Haliburton – out (right Achilles tear), Ivica Zubac – out (rib fracture) Clippers: TBA Last Meeting March 4, 2026: Despite their three leading scorers returning from injury, the Pacers fell to the Clippers in Los Angeles, 130-107. Pascal Siakam had a strong showing, scoring a team-high 29 points while going 8-for-14 from the field and 12-for-14 from the free throw line. But the rest of the team struggled offensively, as Indiana shot just 42.8 percent from the field. And the Blue & Gold struggled to slow down the Clippers all night, as the hosts converted 55.1 percent of their attempts. Kawhi Leonard had 29 points and eight rebounds in just 23 minutes for the Clippers. Bennedict Mathurin tallied 23 points, eight boards, and four assists in 22 minutes off the bench against his former team, going 8-for-11 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Noteworthy With a win on Friday, the Clippers would sweep the season series with the Pacers for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Indiana has lost 10 straight home games — the longest home losing streak in franchise history. The Pacers’ last win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was on Jan. 31 against Atlanta. The Pacers have shot better than 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range in six straight games, tying the 2004-2005 Phoenix Suns for the longest streak in NBA history. Despite their strong shooting percentages, the Blue & Gold are just 1-5 over that stretch. Broadcast Information (Where to Watch and Listen to Pacers Games >>) TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host) Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host) ==================================================================== INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS CONSENSUS TOP PROSPECT KONNOR GRIFFIN HEADLINES INDIANS PRELIMINARY OPENING DAY ROSTER INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, today announced their preliminary Opening Day roster for the 2026 season. Indianapolis’ daily roster will consist of 28 active players led by shortstop Konnor Griffin – the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in baseball – and seven additional top 30 organizational prospects. With a refreshed identity, the Indians spark their 124th campaign in franchise history at Victory Field on Friday, March 27 at 6:35 PM ET vs. the St. Paul Saints, Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Griffin, 19, enters the season as the No. 1 overall prospect according to Baseball America, FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline. Having scaled the ranks of Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona last season, he is primed for his Triple-A debut in the heart of the Circle City. The reigning Young Bucs Honus Wagner Player of the Year, Bill Mazeroski Defender of the Year and MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient seeks to build on a prolific 2025 in which he hit .333 (161-for-484) with 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs, 65 stolen bases and a .942 OPS across 122 games between levels. Griffin was selected ninth overall by Pittsburgh in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft from Jackson (Miss.) Preparatory School. Indians players also ranking among Pittsburgh’s top 30 (MLB Pipeline) are outfielder Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia (No. 6), second baseman Termarr Johnson (No. 7), right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly (No. 9), catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores Jr. (No. 10), outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (No. 11) and right-handed pitchers Wilber Dotel (No. 13) and Thomas Harrington (No. 14). The Indians roster for the 2026 season will be made up of 28 active players, with roster moves to be made ahead of Friday’s season opener vs. St. Paul. Position Players (14) C/1B Rafael Flores Jr.C Wyatt HendrieC/1B Endy Rodríguez1B Nick CimilloINF Tyler CallihanINF Konnor GriffinINF Termarr JohnsonINF Enmanuel ValdezINF Davis WendzelINF Alika WilliamsOF Dominic FletcherOF Jhostynxon GarciaOF Ronny SimonOF Esmerlyn Valdez Pitchers (14) RHP Brandan BidoisRHP Beau BurrowsRHP Mike ClevingerRHP Michael Darrell-HicksRHP Noah DavisLHP Nick DombkowskiRHP Wilber DotelRHP Carson FulmerRHP Thomas HarringtonRHP Antwone KellyLHP Joe La SorsaRHP Justin MeisRHP Cam SandersLHP Evan Sisk ================================================================= INDY ELEVEN INDVDET PREVIEW Indy Eleven vs. Detroit City FC Sat., March 21, 2026 | 7:00 pmCarroll Stadium | Indianapolis Follow Live Watch: My-INDY-TV 23, CBS Sports Golazo Network In-game updates: IndyElevenStats: #INDvDET MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com 2026 USL Championship Records Indy Eleven: 0-1-0 (-1), 0 pts Detroit City FC: 1-0-0 (3), 3 pts Setting the Scene Indy Eleven plays its 2026 home opener on Sat. Mar. 21 at 7 p.m. at Carroll Stadium vs. USL Championship Eastern Conference rival Detroit City FC. IND DET 1 Games 1 0 Goals 3 4 SOT 5 0 Assists 2 1 Goals Conceded 0 12 Shots Faced 2 0 Clean Sheets 1 Series Saturday is the 10th meeting in the all-time series. Tied 3-3-3 | GF 10, GA 6 Recent Meetings Aug. 9, 2025 | L, 1-0 | Away May 3, 2025 | D, 2-2 | Home Oct. 12, 2024 | D, 0-0 | Away May 22, 2024^ | W, 3-0 | Home (Open Cup) Last Time at Detroit City Hamtramck, Mich. – The Boys in Blue fought resiliently on the road in Detroit, battling through adversity in a 1-0 defeat to Detroit City FC on August 9. Indy Eleven played more than 60 minutes down a man and were narrowly edged after an unfortunate second-half goal. Indy Eleven was reduced to 10 players in the 29th minute following a red card. Despite the setback, the squad stayed organized and disciplined, keeping Detroit City off the board until an own goal in the 57th minute. That is the first goal Indy Eleven has given up in four matches at Detroit City FC. Indy’s backline, anchored by Josh O’Brien held strong under sustained pressure, limiting Detroit to just three shots on target. Midfielder James Murphy helped spark late chances, while the Boys in Blue continued to make strides towards the goal. Midfielder Cam Lindley led Indy Eleven in chances created (2) and completed passes (19) and he was tied for third with three completed passes in the final third. Indy Eleven 0:1 Detroit City FC Sat., August 9, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Keyworth Stadium | Hamtramck, Mich. Weather: Sunny, 91 degrees Scoring Summary DET – Own Goal 57’ Discipline Summary IND – Bruno Rendon (ejection) 30’ DET – Michael Bryant (caution) 38’ IND – Reice Charles-Cook (caution) 30’ Indy Eleven Line-Up: Hunter Sulte, James Musa, Josh O’Brien (Elliot Collier (90’+1), Ben Ofeimu, Aodhan Quinn (captain), James Murphy, Cam Lindley (Pat Hogan 84’), Bruno Rendón, Jack Blake (Edward Kizza 84’), Romario Williams (Elvis Amoh 70’), Maalique Foster (Logan Neidlinger 70’). Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Reice Charles-Cook, Brem Soumaoro. Detroit City FC Line-up: Carlos Saldaña, Ates Diouf, Devon Amoo-Mensah (captain), Sebastián Guenzatti (Ryan Williams 74’), Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Matt Sheldon, Michael Bryant, Connor Rutz (Haruki Yamazaki 68’), Abdoulaye Diop (Jay Chapman 68’), Shane Wiedt (Darren Smith 45’), Alex Villanueva (Rhys Williams 74’). Detroit City FC Subs Not Used: Carlos Herrera, Bilal Obeid, Jordan Adebayo-Smith Last Time at Carroll Stadium Indy Eleven forward Elvis Amoh rallied his team from a 2-0 deficit with two goals to help the Boys in Blue earn a 2-2 draw against Detroit City FC at Carroll Stadium on May 3. With his team trailing 2-0 in the 27th minute, Amoh stole an attempted pass back towards goalkeeper Carlos Herrera, turned and fired a shot into the top left corner. The Boys in Blue trailed 2-1 in the 60th minute when defender Hayden White was issued his second yellow card of the match, causing the team to play a man down the rest of the evening. Six minutes later, Amoh struck again after a long ball was headed by Aodhan Quinn to Amoh, who took a quick dribble and fired a shot that hit the inside of the post and went in to make it 2-2. It marked the first Boys in Blue goal playing a man down since July 1, 2023 vs. San Diego Loyal SC. Indy Eleven goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made two big saves. In the 83rd, Sulte dove to his left to stop a shot by Stephen Carroll that was heading towards the bottom corner. In the second minute of stoppage time, Sulte recovered quickly to move from the right side of the goal to stop a shot by Ates Diouf headed toward the top left corner. Scoring Summary DET – Connor Rutz (Haruki Yamazaki) 2’ DET – Darren Smith (Jay Chapman) 15’ IND – Elvis Amoh 27’ IND – Elvis Amoh (Aodhan Quinn) 66’ Discipline Summary DET – Ryan Williams (caution) 4’ IND – Hayden White (caution) 32’ IND – James Musa (caution) 55’ DET – Haruki Yamazaki (caution) 58’ IND – Hayden White (caution) 60’ (ejection) IND – Aodhan Quinn (caution) 64’ DET – Jay Chapman (caution) 65’ DET – Michael Bryant (caution) 72’ DET – Devon Amoo-Mensah (caution) 85’ Indy Eleven Line-up: Hunter Sulte, Aedan Stanley (Pat Hogan 80’), James Musa, Ben Ofeimu, Hayden White, Aodhan Quinn (captain), James Murphy, Jack Blake (Elliot Collier 68’), Elvis Amoh (Romario Williams 68’), Edward Kizza (Bruno Rendon 45’), Maalique Foster (Josh O’Brien 68’). Indy Eleven Subs not used: Cam Lindley, Reice Charles-Cook. Detroit City FC Line-up: Carlos Herrera, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Stephen Carroll (captain), Michael Bryant, Alex Villanueva (Shane Wiedt 78’), Ryan Williams, Jay Chapman, Haruki Yamazaki (Rhys Williams 63’), Connor Rutz (Ates Diouf 89’), Jeciel Cedeño (Sebastián Guenzatti 78’), Darren Smith. Detroit City FC subs not used: Matt Sheldon, Marcello Polisi, Carlos Saldaña. Charles-Cook Records Second Open Cup Clean Sheet Westfield, Ind. – Indy Eleven opened Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play with a victory for the third year in a row, defeating Des Moines Menace, 3-0, in First Round action indoors at the Community Health Network Events Center on the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus. Forward Loic Mesanvi gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute with his first Boys in Blue goal. Defender Alejandro Mitrano started the sequence with a clearance from just outside the six on a long ball that the speedy Mesanvi ran down outside the area and finished from distance. Indy Eleven increased its lead in the 60th minute when Mesanvi played a ball to the left side to Mitrano at the edge of the box. Mitrano took two dribbles and played a brilliant cross to the far post, where 6’5 midfielder Noble Okello headed it in for his first Boys in Blue goal. In the 75th minute, former Western Michigan forwards Dylan Sing and Charlie Sharp combined for their first Indy Eleven goal. Midfielder Allen Gavilanes headed an attempted clearance toward the goal with Sing going up strong to force a punch by Des Moines keeper Jamie Barry. Sharp chested the ball down at the edge of the six and finished with his left to make it 3-0. Boys in Blue goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook recorded his second clean sheet in three U.S. Open Cup starts by making four saves. In 329 minutes of Open Cup action for Indy Eleven, Charles-Cook has given up just one goal for a 0.27 goals against average. 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round Indy Eleven 3:0 Des Moines Menace SC Tue., Mar. 17, 2026 – 8:00 p.m. Community Health Network Events Center (Indoors) Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus | Westfield, Ind. Scoring Summary IND – Loic Mesanvi 31’ IND – Noble Okello (Alejandro Mitrano) 60’ IND – Charlie Sharp (Dylan Sing) 75’ Discipline Summary IND – Anthony Herbert (caution) 42’ IND – Kian Williams (caution) 70’ IND – Hesron Barry (caution) 78’ Indy Eleven Line-Up: Reice Charles-Cook, Alejandro Mitrano, Hesron Barry, Anthony Herbert, Logan Neidlinger, Cam Lindley (captain) (Aodhan Quinn 45’), Josh O’Brien (Noble Okello 45’), Allen Gavilanes, Loic Mesanvi (Mikah Thomas 81’), Edward Kizza (Dylan Sing 72’), Kian Williams (Charlie Sharp 72’). Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Eric Dick, Makel Rasheed. 20,000 Club Defender Paco Craig became the 18th player in USL Championship history to reach 20,000 minutes in league regular-season play. Craig started his Boys in Blue debut at Brooklyn FC on March 8, playing 71 minutes to increase his career number to 20,042. Indy Eleven Appearances (All Competitions) 1. Ayoze-126 (2018-22) 2. Cam Lindley-116 (2020, 2023-) 3. Brad Ring-115 (2014-18) 4. Karl Ouimette-108 (2018-22) 5. Don Smart-101 (2014-17) 6. Jack Blake-100 (2023-) Aodhan Quinn USL Championship All-Time Rankings Games Started | 277 | 1st Assists | 61 | 2nd Minutes | 24,288 | 2nd Appearances | 291 | 3rd Indy Eleven USL Era (2018-) Goals (All Competitions) Jack Blake-25 (2023-) Tyler Pasher-24 (2018-20) Sebastian Guenzatti-16 (2023-24) Manuel Arteaga-15 (2021-22) Aodhan Quinn-13 (2023-) Stéfano Pinho-13 (2022-23) Ayoze-13 (2018-22) Most Seasons with a Goal in USL Championship History Dane Kelly – 12 Augie Williams – 11* T-3. Aodhan Quinn – 10* T-3. Alex Dixon – 10 T-3. Enzo Martinez – 10 Most USLC Regular Seasons with 10 Assists Aodhan Quinn – 3 (2018-OC, 2021-PHX, 2025-IND) Kenardo Forbes – 2 (2022-PIT, 2023-PIT) Antoine Hoppenot – 2 (2018-RNO; 2022-DET) USL Championship Regular Season Goal Contributions Dane Kelly 132 (106 goals, 26 assists) Enzo Martinez 131 (78 goals, 53 assists) Aodhan Quinn 118 (57 goals, 61 assists) USL Championship Regular Season 50 Goals & 50 Assists Enzo Martinez – 78 goals, 53 assists Aodhan Quinn – 57 goals, 61 assists Solomon Asante – 52 goals, 58 assists USL Championship Assists in Consecutive Games Streaks Aodhan Quinn (PHX) 5 2021 Aodhan Quinn (OC) 4 2018 Aodhan Quinn (IND) 4 May 3-28, 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Shutout % (min. 30) Eric Dick 38.1% (32 Clean Sheets, 84 Games Played) Team Leaders (USL Championship Stats) Stat Player # Chances Created-Aodhan Quinn, 5 Shots-Charlie Sharp, 4 Shots on Target-Charlie Sharp, 2 Crosses-Aodhan Quinn, 8 Fouls Won-Dylan Sing, 3 Duels Won-Makel Rasheed, 14 Aerial Duels Won-Makel Rasheed, 10 Clearances-Makel Rasheed, 10 Blocks-Aodhan Quinn, 3 Interceptions-Aodhan Quinn, 2 Tackles Won-Dylan Sing, 3 Passes-Cam Lindley, 54 Saves-Eric Dick, 4 Minutes-Six Players, 90 2026 USL Championship Stats Individual Category Player Rank Total Blocks Aodhan Quinn-T1, 3 Aerial Duels Won Makel Rasheed-T3, 10 Chances Created Aodhan Quinn-T4, 5 Josh O’Brien-T18, 3 Save Percentage Eric Dick-T7, 80% Saves Eric Dick-T9, 4 Shots Charlie Sharp-T11, 4 Crosses Aodhan Quinn-T16, 8 Duels Won Makel Rasheed-T16, 14 Clearances Makel Rasheed-T18, 10 Team Category Rank Total Goals Conceded T5 1 Roster Breakdown Goalkeepers (3): Reice Charles-Cook, Eric Dick, Ryan Hunsucker Defenders (9): Hesron Barry, Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Pat Hogan, Alejandro Mitrano, Josh O’Brien, Makel Rasheed, Mikah Thomas, Hayden White Midfielders (6): Jack Blake, Allen Gavilanes, Cam Lindley, Logan Neidlinger, Noble Okello, Aodhan Quinn Forwards (6): Edward Kizza, Loic Mesanvi, Bruno Rendon, Charlie Sharp, Dylan Sing, Kian Williams Newcomers (13) USL-C (6): Paco Craig (North Carolina), Eric Dick (Pittsburgh), Allen Gavilanes (Miami), Anthony Herbert (Las Vegas), Alejandro Mitrano (Miami), Noble Okello (Phoenix) USL League One (1): Makel Rasheed (South Georgia Tormenta) MLS NEXT Pro (5): Hesron Barry (New England), Loic Mesanvi (Minnesota), Charlie Sharp (Toronto), Dylan Sing (Charlotte), Mikah Thomas (Charlotte) Canadian Premier League (1): Kian Williams (Valour FC) Player Transactions Mar. 16, 2026: Signed GK Ryan Hunsucker to Academy Contract. Mar. 12, 2026: Acquired D Mikah Thomas on loan from Charlotte Mar. 2, 2026: Signed F Loic Mesanvi from Minnesota United (MLS) Jan. 21, 2026: Signed D Paco Craig from North Carolina (USL-C) Jan. 20, 2026: Signed D Hesron Barry from New England (MLSN) Jan. 15, 2026: Signed M Noble Okello from Phoenix (USL-C) Jan. 12, 2026: Signed F Kian Williams from Valour FC (CPL) Jan. 8, 2026: Signed D Alejandro Mitrano from Miami (USL-C) Jan. 7, 2026: Signed D Anthony Herbert from Las Vegas (USL-C) Dec. 18 2025: Signed M Allen Gavilanes from Miami (USL-C) Dec. 11, 2025: Signed D Makel Rasheed from South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One) Dec. 9, 2025: Signed GK Eric Dick from Pittsburgh (USL-C) Dec. 4, 2025: Signed F Dylan Sing from Charlotte FC (MLS) Dec. 2, 2025: Signed F Charlie Sharp from Toronto FC (MLS) Nov. 26, 2025: Announced 10 players returning from 2025: M Jack Blake, GK Reice Charles-Cook, D Pat Hogan, F Edward Kizza, M Cam Lindley, M Logan Neidlinger, D Josh O’Brien, M Aodhan Quinn, F Bruno Rendon, and D Hayden White. ==================================================================== INDIANA BASEBALL BASEBALL CENTRAL: NEBRASKA BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The final weekend of March will take the Indiana Baseball team (10-14, 3-6 B1G) to Lincoln for a three-game series at Haymarket Park against No. 24 Nebraska. This will be the third different team in the D1 Baseball’s top-25 rankings (LSU, North Carolina) that IU will have played this season. In total, 12 of IU’s first 27 games will have been against teams that have been ranked at some point this year. This is a matchup of two of the Big Ten’s best programs over the last 10 years. Since 2016, only Iowa (148) has won more conference games than Nebraska (147) and IU (146). These two sides met five times in the span of 15 days in 2024 with the Huskers winning the final four games in that stretch. Each team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament twice in the last three campaigns. For all but one offensive player on the roster, this will be the first trip to Lincoln to play in front of an always impressive crowd. Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley will ride in to town having hit .415 (17-41) over his past 10 games. He leads the team with 12 RBIs in that stretch and has an OPS north of 1.100 during that time. Sophomore outfielder Cole Decker has a seven-game hitting streak heading into action against Nebraska. IU is looking for a bounce back weekend from its starting rotation after getting just 2.2 combined innings from graduate student right-handed pitcher Reagan Rivera and sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas against Minnesota. Graduate student southpaw Tony Neubeck did his part in a win last weekend and has two quality starts in three Big Ten outings this year. First pitch on Friday comes at 7 p.m. ET. All three games this weekend will feature on B1G+. Gameday Infoat #24 Nebraska (Friday, March 27th – 7 p.m. ET)Live Video: bit.ly/4m0SovNLive Audio: bit.ly/IUAudioLive Stats: bit.ly/46VZA6j at #24 Nebraska (Saturday, March 28th – 3 p.m. ET)Live Video: bit.ly/4lZcaYILive Audio: bit.ly/IUAudioLive Stats: bit.ly/46VZA6j at #24 Nebraska (Sunday, March 29th – 1 p.m. ET)Live Video: bit.ly/4tdn4wqLive Audio: bit.ly/IUAudioLive Stats: bit.ly/46VZA6j Probable Starters Indiana at Nebraska • Friday: RHP Reagan Rivera, Gr. (0-2, 10.90 ERA) • Saturday: LHP Tony Neubeck, Gr. (2-2, 3.49 ERA) • Sunday: LHP Brayton Thomas, So. (1-2, 5.09 ERA) (subject to change with any weather changes) Leading Off TOUGH TONY: Graduate student southpaw Tony Neubeck has been outstanding on the weekend for the Hoosiers this year. He’s allowed just 11 earned runs in 28.1 innings of action. On top of that, he has a 30-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his starts this season. DENNY ON TRACK: Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny is swinging a hot bat over the last week. He’s hitting .450 in the last five games with three doubles, two home runs and five RBIs. The Indiana native has scored eight times and has racked up nine hits. He’s reaching base at a .522 clip in that stretch. GETTING GOING: Sophomore outfielder Cole Decker is amidst the best stretch of play in his young career. The Indiana native is riding a seven-game hitting streak that began with a home run against Oregon last week. He has also made several fantastic defensive plays in center field. VOGEL RESPONDS: After dealing with some injuries last year, redshirt junior pitcher Jacob Vogel has provided a big season on the mound. He’s tied for the team lead with 10 appearances and has given up just five earned runs in 15.0 innings. His 3.00 ERA is second best on the team. HOMEGROWN HITS: On the season, 92.9% of IU’s hits have come from players that head coach Jeff Mercer recruited to Bloomington out of high school. The top seven players in terms of total hits are all underclassmen that began their careers at IU. Jake Hanley leads the team with 34 base knocks. BIG DUO: Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny and sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley have combined for 64 hits, 10 home runs, 42 RBIs and 44 runs scored this year. Each player is slugging over .580 on the season and have both been in the lineup for all 24 games. SEND TO SEEBOLD: Graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold will get the ball when IU feels like it has the first chance to win a game. He has maintained a fantastic 0.83 ERA over 21.2 innings of action this season. Seebold has given up just two earned runs. KOSKIE’S IMPROVEMENT: Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie has become a big staple of IU’s lineup in 2026. He has improved his batting average from .200 to .328 since last season. On the year, the Minnesota native has seven doubles, 21 hits and 13 RBIs. Scouting the Opponent Nebraska • The Huskers have jumped into the top-25 in the D1 Baseball rankings after a 5-1 start to Big Ten play. Nebraska has wins over Florida State, Auburn and Kansas State and a series victory at Michigan. The Huskers have won consecutive Big Ten Tournaments and have gone to the NCAA regional in back-to-back years. • Junior outfielder Mac Moyer, a junior college transfer, has been on a hot start at the plate. He’s hitting .426 and is reaching base at a .526 clip. Moyer has more walks (20) than strikeouts (13) and is tied for the team lead in base hits (40). Senior Dylan Carey also has 40 hits to pair with six home runs and 32 Rbis. • On the mound, Nebraska rolls out a deep collection of talented strike throwers. Junior right-handed pitcher Ty Horn has settled into a Friday role with a 3.26 ERA over a team-best 30.1 innings. Former IU pitcher Cooper Katskee has a 2.10 ERA over 25.2 innings in a split between relief and midweek action. Overall, Nebraska holds a 4.21 ERA on the year. Inside the Series Nebraska • Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, these have been two of the best teams in the conference. They have met in seven full weekend series as league opponents – the last in Lincoln in 2024. Nebraska holds a slight 19-14-1 advantage but is 8-4 against head coach Jeff Mercer. • In 2024, IU and Nebraska played five times in the span of 15 days. Three of the games were settled by three-or-fewer runs. After IU completed a comeback in the opener, Nebraska hit a walk-off home run on the Saturday to set up a rubber match. IU tied it at 2-2 late in the game but Nebraska would go on to win 4-2. ====================================================================== INDIANA FOOTBALL SPRING SESSIONS: SPRING PRACTICE NO. 1 – CURT CIGNETTI MEDIA SESSION BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– The Indiana football program opened Spring Practice on Thursday (March 26) and head coach Curt Cignetti met with the media in the Don Croftcheck Team Room inside Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium following the session. Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found in the link above or at IUHoosiers.com/watch. Curt Cignetti | Head Coach Opening Statement CC: Day one is in the books and day two is coming up Saturday, and I thought we moved around pretty well and the drill organization was good, which is what I had my eye on. When you’ve got that many new guys it’s sort of your practice standards and the things that you preach that are important to you about playing winning football. So there was some good, some bad, some ugly, as always, and every day we want to get better. On new strength and conditioning coach Tyson Brown… CC: Yeah, I’ve gotten great feedback from the players and staff, too, on him. Actually after my first year at Elon I lost my strength guy. He was engaged and had to go back to Massachusetts with his wife, or wife to be, and hired Tyson, who was the No. 2 guy at Washington State for leach. He was on the job three weeks, and his wife and kids put everything in a U-Haul and drove cross country to Elon, Burlington, North Carolina. They were 20 miles out when Mike Leach lost his strength guy to the Chicago Bears and called Tyson and offered him the job, making about four times more money, and our kids at Elon loved him. He was interested in the job coming back, and I knew him, and he got good reviews, so he’s done a nice job. On if anything structurally changes after the extended postseason run… CC: No, we made some adjustments because we played our last game on January 19th, so we didn’t start training the veterans, returning veterans, for a couple weeks. We gave them some extra time off. Last year we started spring football practice before spring break, so we’re starting later. We’ve tried to get a blow in there, so to speak, and still get right on the new guys and get the young guys involved as quickly as possible, too. I think it’s been a nice balance. I mean, the biggest challenge right now, to be quite honest with you, is we have 49 defensive players out there right now. We’ve got some pretty good depth at some positions. We have 33 on offense right now. We’ve got seven guys out for spring ball. At least five of them we’re counting on to contribute, many of them start. Good players. So we’re short right now on the offensive line. We’ve got one guy that’s limited, so I’ll count him as a half. We’ve got 11 and a half offensive linemen, and we’ve got three guys at tight end that are out for the spring. One of the young tight ends was flexed out his whole high school career, so I’ll count him as a half. We’ve got one and a half tight ends and 11 and a half offensive linemen and we’re rolling through groups. Defensively we have 18 defensive linemen, between D-ends, D-tackles, good young players, good old players, and we’re playing three groups. So do the math. But the most important thing is we get our work in, and if we’ve got to move a guy or two over to offense to help us get the work in so we can keep developing as a football team, we will. On the leadership at the linebacker position… CC: It’s too early to — I can tell you this for sure, Hardy and Bones are back, Isaiah Jones, and they played winning football, and they’re going to be two leaders on our team. We’re excited about them. We’ve got some veterans returning and we’ve got some young guys that we’re excited about. It’ll be interesting to see how the competition between the returning older guys that are looking to play more minutes and the young guys that have promise, how that plays out. On how the newcomers have met the program’s standard during the offseason… CC: I think we’ve had a good off-season, and now this is the important part in terms of putting it between the white lines. Understanding the standard, the expectation level, the accountability, doing the things that we preach that led to winning football games and not doing the things that lose football games. So this is important. I feel like we probably have more work to do with this group than the first two teams, simply because there’s so many that we don’t have a one- to three-year relationship with, whereas even the first year there were quite a few we knew very well. But they’ve trained well. The reports have all been good. Now we’ve got to develop them, which is a big part of this game. Now, I put the portal guys and the high school guys kind of in different categories because a lot of the portal guys are 21, 22 years old, and they’ve been around the block once or twice, and the young guys are 17, 18 and have gone to college for the first time in January, and they don’t know they don’t know. They don’t know they don’t know. But we’ve got some returners that forgot what they knew. I mean, we’re building a house from the ground up again, right? We’ve got to have that edge and be humble and hungry. We’ve got a number of portal guys that appear to be in position to really help us, but after one practice and without watching tape, it’s really hard to say who and how many. On Tino Sunseri’s return and what he maybe carries over from Chandler Whitmer’s approach into the 2026 season… CC: Well, I think you evolve every year, not only schematically but maybe in your processes, and we’ve evolved, certainly. Tino’s first order of business was to learn the new stuff we did because there’s things that we did last year that we didn’t do before, and there’s things that we’re not doing that we did two years ago. Then we’ll recreate some things again this year. There’s certainly some things that Chandler did with Mendoza, I thought, that really helped his development, the virtual reality technology, for one. That’s something that we’re still doing, and I think it really helps a quarterback’s processing. On what improving on success looks like after an undefeated season… CC: Well, that’s over, okay. You can’t really improve on 16-0. 16-0. Because there were 16 games and you won every one of them. What you can improve on is your day-to-day consistency and the tools in your toolkit and the things you do to help guys become the best they can be, because even when you win games, there’s a lot of plays you’d love to have back, there’s a lot of calls you’d love to have back, there’s missed assignments that hurt you. Those are the things you tend to focus on that you need to improve on. But right now, all we’re going to try to do is get as much juice, squeeze as much juice out of this group as we can this spring and take them as far as we can. On who he is looking to for leadership in 2026… CC: Yeah, it’s awful early. We’ve got a good core nucleus of guys returning that are going to be good leaders on this football team that are seniors. We’ve got some guys that are juniors that could be good leaders. There’s always some new portal guys that are good leaders. It’s important, and it grows during the spring, but then it really starts to flourish in fall camp and in season. We’re early here, but we’re going to be in good shape. On what made Nick Marsh a fit for his program… CC: Two years of production at Michigan State. I remember we played Maryland early in the year and they did, too, and saw that tape and he made some big plays in that game. I didn’t love those gold shoes he came out in today. He learned what getting your ass ripped is all about. I don’t know if that happened to him very often at Michigan State. That was before practice started. That was a wake-up call. But he’s really worked hard, done a great job for us. On if he had a chance to relax following the 2026 College Football Playoff… CC: Yeah, we did. We absolutely did. On the fastest he’s ever driven a car before next month’s Indy 500. CC: I can’t tell you the truth. (Laughter.) But I bought a new Audi SQ8 the first summer I was employed here from down the road there, and that thing has got a lot of horsepower in it. One night within the first couple weeks that we owned it, my wife and I were returning from Ohio to see our son and there was nobody on the highway I would not be setting a good example for the young people that need to — but I laid it down pretty quick, but it’s got a little juice in it. But I’m going to put the pedal to the metal when they tell me to in Indy. ============================================================= INDIANA TRACK AND FIELD HOOSIERS CLOSE DAY ONE OF RALEIGH RELAYS RALEIGH, N. C. – The Indiana University track and field team opened the first day of the Raleigh Relays on Thursday, March 26, recording multiple personal bests and improvements on the all-time record lists. The day started with the women’s shot put. Makayla Hunter opened the outdoor season with a second place finish. Freshman Emma Gardner also saw her first competition as a Hoosier in the event. On the men’s side, Seth Brosseau earned a fifth place finish with a personal best distance of 17.28m/56-8.5. In the men’s Javelin, Dalton Boisseau opened his season with a fourth place finish recording a personal best mark of 64.65m/212-1. His distance now ranks third all-time on the school record list, passing Jake Wiseman for the spot. Rocklan Boisseau also saw his first competition for the cream and crimson in the javelin throw. His mark of 57.26m/187-10 finished in the top-15 in the event and ranks 11th on the school record list. Day two from Raleigh, N. C. will begin tomorrow at 10 am with Hannah Alexander and Gardner in the women’s discus. =============================================================== INDIANA SWIMMING HOOSIER YOUNGSTERS LEAD WAY IN DAY TWO ATLANTA – Indiana swimming sophomore Alexei Avakov and freshman Josh Bey both reached the podium in their debut events at the 2026 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday (March 26) inside the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. Five Hoosiers and a relay scored points on day two of the national meet, as Indiana sits fourth in the team standings with 132.5 points – one point out of third place. “I am really proud of both Josh and Alexei making their first ‘A’ finals,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “Big day tomorrow.” Avakov dropped 76 hundredths from his best time Thursday in the 100-yard breaststroke, the sophomore’s first event at his first NCAA Championships. Coming into the meet ranked No. 19 in the event, Avakov first improved with a 50.89 in the morning to qualify for the final in seventh. Avakov improved again in his second swim, finishing sixth on the podium with a 50.58. He now ranks No. 5 in program history in the 100 breast. Bey put out a courageous swim in his championship final. The freshman went out with Texas junior and eventual champion and American record breaker Rex Maurer – through 300 yards, Bey was second with a 2:44.29 split, one second behind Maurer. The youngster lost steam in his freestyle and fell to seventh at the final touch with a 3:37.23. Still, Bey will be proud to be Big Ten Champion, his 3:34.90 last month setting the conference record. RESULTS 100 BUTTERFLY 31. Raekwon Noel – 45.55 400 IM 7. Josh Bey – 3:37.23 (First-Team All-America) 10. Zalán Sárkány – 3:38.54 (Personal Best, Second-Team All-America) 30. Luke Ellis – 3:44.35 DQ. Noah Cakir – Disqualified 200 FREESTYLE 17. Aaron Shackell – 1:31.76 (Personal Best) 19. Owen McDonald – 1:32.05 100 BREASTSTROKE 6. Alexei Avakov – 50.58 (Personal Best, First-Team All-America) 14. Travis Gulledge – 51.50 (Second-Team All-America) t15. Toby Barnett – 51.53 (Personal Best, Second-Team All-America) 1-METER DIVING 17. Joshua Sollenberger – 319.45 22. Maxwell Weinrich – 313.95 200 FREESTYLE RELAY 12. Mikkel Lee, Dylan Smiley, Travis Gulledge, Miroslav Knedla – 1:15.32 (Second-Team All-America) HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS Alexei Avakov – 100 breaststroke Toby Barnett – 100 breaststroke* Josh Bey – 400 IM Travis Gulledge – 200 medley relay, 100 breaststroke*, 200 freestyle relay* Miroslav Knedla – 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay* Mikkel Lee – 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay* Owen McDonald – 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay Raekwon Noel – 800 freestyle relay Zalán Sárkány – 1,650 freestyle, 400 IM* Aaron Shackell – 800 freestyle relay Dylan Smiley – 800 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay* Luke Whitlock – 1,650 freestyle UP NEXT Indiana looks forward to a busy Friday in the 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 500-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 400-yard medley relay and 3-meter diving. =============================================================== PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL TKR TIP-IN LIFTS BOILERS PAST TEXAS TO ELITE EIGHT [2 seed] PURDUE 79, [11 seed] TEXAS 77 (Postgame Notes) Second-seeded Purdue defeated 11th-seeded Texas 79-77 in the West Regional Semifinals, advancing to its second Elite Eight in the last three years and its third Elite Eight in the last seven tournaments. Prior to the 2019 NCAA Tournament, the last Elite Eight appearance came in 2000. Purdue has now made the Elite Eight in 2019, 2024 and 2026. Purdue improved to 30-8 overall, winning its seventh straight game. It marked the third time in school history that Purdue has won 30 games (2018, 2024, 2026). Purdue’s seven-game winning streak is the fourth-longest winning streak in the country. Purdue’s three Elite Eight appearances since 2019 are tied for the second most nationally (Duke – 4; Purdue, Gonzaga, Houston – 3). Since the start of the 2023-24 NCAA Tournament, Purdue is now 10-2 in the NCAA Tournament, currently the most wins in the NCAA Tournament over the last three years (Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Houston – 9). Purdue is 19-8 over the last 10 seasons (since 2017) in the NCAA Tournament. The 19 victories are the fourth most nationally (Gonzaga – 24; Duke, Houston – 21). Purdue improved to 18-3 in games played away from Mackey Arena, and is now 10-0 in neutral-site games this season. Purdue is a nation’s-best 41-9 (.820) in neutral-site games since the start of the 2021-22 season. Purdue’s senior class won its 117th game during their careers, the most in a four-year span in school history. It’s the third-most wins for a senior class in Big Ten history (2013 – Ohio State, 123; 2014 – Ohio State, 119). Purdue’s four turnovers were its fewest in an NCAA Tournament game in school history. The previous record low was seven turnovers. The game was played within an 11-point span. Purdue’s largest lead was seven points, while Texas’ largest lead was four points. In the second half, the largest margin was four points. Trey Kaufman-Renn’s tip-in with 0.7 seconds left gave Purdue the 79-77 victory. It marked his second career game-winning shot in the last 10 seconds of the game, as his previous game-winner came against Indiana on Jan. 31, 2025. Kaufman-Renn scored 20 points with eight rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Kaufman-Renn has scored at least 20 points in four of his last six NCAA Tournament games, averaging 20.2 points and 9.0 rebounds during that span. Kaufman-Renn now has 514 points on the season. Purdue now has three players over 500 points for the second time ever (2018). Fletcher Loyer scored 18 points and has scored in double-figures in 10 straight games, going 4-of-8 from 3-point range. He has made at least two 3-pointers in 18 straight games. Loyer has 110, 3-pointers on the season, needing two trifectas to move into second place on the Purdue single-season list. Loyer is now 64-of-130 (.492) from deep in the last 18 games. Braden Smith scored 16 points with five assists and two steals. Smith now has 1,096 career assists. Purdue’s starting five scored 75 of Purdue’s 79 points with all five starters in double-figures. SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Trey Kaufman-Renn has heard coach Matt Painter remind the Boilermakers so many times during his four years at Purdue that it’s not always the first shot of a possession that matters most. “It’s those tip-ins at the end of the games,” Kaufman-Renn recalled of the message. “He said that my four years here, so it’s kind of cool to experience that.” Yes, Kaufman-Renn’s quick hands at the rim extended a special NCAA Tournament run for Purdue. Kaufman-Renn tipped in a miss by Braden Smith with 0.7 seconds left, and the No. 2-seed Boilermakers edged hobbling Texas star Tramon Mark and the 11th-seeded Longhorns 79-77 on Thursday night in the Sweet 16. Texas (21-15) tied it moments earlier when Dailyn Swain made a driving layup, was fouled and converted the three-point play with 11.9 seconds to go. Smith had scored on his own drive with 38 seconds remaining and finished with 16 points. Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6 for 6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points. He was mobbed by teammates right after the final buzzer sounded at SAP Center. Purdue will play top-seeded Arizona on Saturday night with a chance to advance to the Final Four. Texas had subbed 7-foot center Matas Vokietaitis out of the game with 11 seconds left after Boilermakers big man Oscar Cluff had fouled out, giving Purdue a better opportunity in the paint. Kaufman-Renn got himself right under the front of the rim after Smith missed on his drive. “The No. 1 thing for us to have a chance today was to rebound with Purdue,” Texas coach Sean Miller said. “I thought we really struggled to rebound on defense.” Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior’s team needed him most. His points were the most by a Texas player in an NCAA Tournament game since Kevin Durant scored 30 against Southern California in the second round of the 2007 tournament. Purdue (30-8) advances to Saturday’s Elite Eight game against either top-seeded Arizona (34-2) or No. 4 seed Arkansas (28-8), who were playing the late game in San Jose. The teams traded baskets and chances most of the night. Chendall Weaver scored off his offensive rebound with 1:03 to play pulling Texas within 73-72 after Smith had made only one of two free throws. Vokietaitis hit a pair of free throws with 20 seconds left before Purdue’s C.J. Cox made two at the 19.4-second mark. Smith’s drive Smith thought he’d taken a winning shot, then was left beneath the basket to watch his teammate deliver. “I was standing under the rim, I was like ‘Please get in there, please get in there,’ and it did,” said Smith, who also dished out five assists. “Trey tipped it perfectly and I was like ‘Thank God, thank God that went in.’” ============================================================= PURDUE TRACK WALKER CRACKS PURDUE’S 10,000M TOP 5 AT RALEIGH RELAYS RALEIGH, N.C. – Purdue Track & Field started its split squad week with seven men’s distance runners competing on Thursday at the Raleigh Relays led by graduate student Nathan Walker. Men’s Notes • In his return to the track for one final season, Walker ran 29:14.15 in the 10,000m to take over the No. 5 spot in school history. His previous personal best was 29:50.49 in 2024. He finished 20th overall at the Raleigh Relays. • Nate Assa made his collegiate outdoor debut and finished 81st out of 206 runners in the 5000m (14:19.27). He was the 13th-highest freshman finisher. Next Up Purdue women’s distance competes at the Raleigh Relays on Friday, while the rest of the team begins the UCF Knights Invite. =============================================================== PURDUE SWIMMING WELSH AN ALL-AMERICAN VIA TOP 10 FINISH ON 1-METER ATLANTA – Zach Welsh placed 10th among a field of 47 in 1-meter diving at the NCAA Championships, earning his first career All-America honor as Purdue Men’s Swimming & Diving’s top finisher Thursday at the national championship meet. The Boilermakers have at least four entries in all three diving events this week and Welsh made a run at earning a berth in the 1-meter championship final. His list score of 342.20 was just 2.5 points shy of eighth place and the final spot in the final. Welsh was top 10 at NCAAs for the first time in his career. Going back to the women’s NCAA Championships last week, Purdue has had a top-10 finisher in all four diving events so far. Big Ten champion Max Miller was also among the top 15 for much of the prelim until a missed dive in the final round led to the junior slipping to 21st. Nathaniel Grannis (30th) made his debut at NCAAs and Tyler Wills (40th) competed on 1-meter at the national championship meet for the first time. All four Boilermakers compete again Friday on 3-meter and will be joined by teammate Holden Higbie. Sophomore Evan Mackesy also made his debut at NCAAs on Thursday, racing twice in the prelim session. He placed 22nd of 36 in the 400 individual medley, with his time of 3:42.24 again eclipsing the Purdue record entering the season. About an hour later, Mackesy joined Jānis Dzirkalis, Alex Hotta and Nathaniel Thomas in the 200 freestyle relay. Purdue finished 22nd among the relay teams that raced in the morning. Dzirkalis’ leadoff leg split of 19.13 was again faster than the team record in the 50 freestyle entering the season. Alex Hotta and Dzirkalis led the way in Wednesday’s 200 medley relay. They teamed with Lucas Byrd and Thomas for a time of 1:23.70, which was also faster than the Purdue record in the event entering the season. With a leadoff leg time of 20.95, Hotta went sub-21 seconds on a 50 backstroke for the first time in his career. Dzirkalis closed the race with a 50 free split of 18.59, going sub-18.6 on a relay yet again. Along with 3-meter diving, Purdue’s remaining events at NCAAs include the 500 free (Mackesy) Friday as well as the 200 IM (Mackesy) and platform diving (four entries) Saturday. Swimming prelims begin at 10 a.m. and diving prelims follow at noon. Finals sessions start at 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS 1-Meter Diving • Zach Welsh, 342.20 – Finished 10th in Prelim (7 Points); Honorable Mention All-America • Max Miller, 314.95 – Finished 21st in Prelim • Nathaniel Grannis, 293.55 – Finished 30th in Prelim • Tyler Wills, 268.35 – Finished 40th in Prelim 400 IM • Evan Mackesy, 3:42.24 – Finished 22nd in Prelims 200 Medley Relay • Hotta, Byrd, Thomas & Dzirkalis, 1:23.70 – Finished 24th Overall Hotta leadoff leg split of 20.95 is a lifetime best in 50 backstroke 200 Free Relay • Dzirkalis, Hotta, Thomas & Mackesy, 1:16.98 – Finished 30th Overall PURDUE’S DAILY SCHEDULE IN ATLANTA All Start Times Approximate Friday, March 27 • 500 Free (Mackesy) – First Prelim Heat at 10:34 a.m., Final at 6:51 p.m. • 3-Meter Diving (Grannis, Higbie, Miller, Welsh, Wills) – Prelim at 12 p.m.; Final: Rounds 1-3 at 6:25 p.m., Rounds 4-6 at 7:10 p.m. Saturday, March 28 • 200 IM (Mackesy) – First Prelim Heat at 10 a.m., Final at 6 p.m. • Platform Diving (Grannis, Higbie, Springfield, Wills) – Prelim at 12 p.m.; Final: Rounds 1-3 at 6:25 p.m., Rounds 4-6 at 7:08 p.m. ================================================================= NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NO. 6 NOTRE DAME DRAWS NO. 2 VANDERBILT FOR SWEET 16 FORT WORTH, Texas — For the fifth consecutive season, Notre Dame is in the Sweet 16. The sixth-seeded Irish will face No. 2 Vanderbilt (29-4) on Friday with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line. Tiffany Greene, Carolyn Peck and Angel Gray will have the call from Dickies Arena. NOTES The Irish topped third-seeded Ohio State in Columbus to make it this far, 83-73. Notre Dame featured a well-balanced offensive attack, as five players finished in double figures in the scoring column. Hidalgo led the way with 26 points to go along with 13 rebounds, eight steals and two assists. Hidalgo is just the second women’s player to ever have two NCAA Tournament games with 8+ steals, and she became the program’s single-season scoring leader on Monday, passing Arike Ogunbowale (849). Hidalgo has 856 points this season. Also against Ohio State, Vanessa de Jesus scored 15 points — her first time in double-figures in the NCAAT — while Cassandre Prosper and Iyana Moore each recorded 13 apiece. KK Bransford came in and added 10 points off the bench in 21 minutes of action. Notre Dame is one of three programs in the nation to make the last five Sweet 16s, joining UConn and South Carolina. The Irish are 4-1 all-time against the Commodores and last faced off the 2001 NCAA Regional Final, a team led by current head coach Niele Ivey. ================================================================= NOTRE DAME BASEBALL IRISH SET TO FACE TAR HEELS IN RANKED MATCHUP SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 23 Notre Dame baseball team continues their homestand with a ranked matchup against No. 13 North Carolina in an ACC series starting on Friday evening. DateTime (ET)OpponentLocationProbable StartersBroadcastMar. 27.4:30 PMClemsonJake Kline Field – Frank Eck StadiumRHP Jack Radel vs. RHP Jason DeCaroACCNXMar. 282:00 PMClemsonJake Kline Field – Frank Eck StadiumLHP Caden Crowell vs. RHP Ryan LynchACCNXMar. 291:00 PMClemsonJake Kline Field – Frank Eck StadiumRHP Ty Uber vs. LHP Folger BoazACCNX THE MATCHUP The Irish lead the all-time series 13-12. Notre Dame is coming off of a 14-3 (7 innings) midweek win over Western Michigan. North Carolina claimed a victory over South Carolina by a 9-1 score at Truist Field in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday night. LAST TIME OUT Notre Dame captured a 14-3 (7 innings) win over Western Michigan after making their debut in the D1Baseball Top 25 poll. Mark Quatrani, Bino Watters and Jayce Lee each belted a home run. Kellan Klosterman struck out a pair in the start while Aiden Zerr earned his first collegiate pitching win in relief after 2.1 innings of work with two strikeouts. TOP TALENT The Irish have six players listed in the D1baseball.com Preseason rankings by position. Sophomore Bino Watters was the 17th ranked first baseman. Junior Jack Radel was 29th on the starting pitchers list. Junior Mark Quatrani was 49th on the catchers list. Graduate student Drew Berkland was 63rd on the outfielders report. Sophomore Oisin Lee came in at 74th on the relief pitchers list. Junior Davis Johnson was listed at 132nd in the outfielder rankings. Additionally, Notre Dame had representation on the D1Baseball Impact Freshman List as Caden Crowell came in at No. 9 on the ranking. ===================================================================== BUTLER SOFTBALL PREVIEW: BULLDOGS TRAVEL TO PRESEASON FAVORITE ST. JOHN’S DATE: Friday-Sunday, March 27-29 LOCATION: Queens, N.Y. / Red Storm Field LIVE STATS: butlersports.com (statbroadcast) LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+ (Fri. & Sun.) | Youtube (Sat.) The Butler softball team will travel to St. John’s this weekend for its third conference series of the season. The Bulldogs (14-9, 6-0 BIG EAST) are coming off a three-game series sweep vs. Seton Hall and a midweek win over Ball State. The Red Storm (22-10, 3-3 BIG EAST), who were the preseason favorite to win the BIG EAST, lost their series with UConn, 2-1, but won their series at Georgetown, 2-1. Bulldog Bits (as of 3/24/26) As a team, Butler leads the BIG EAST with a .334 batting average, 13 double plays, and 7.52 runs/game. Makena Alexander leads the BIG EAST and is (ranked nationally) in several categories: 1.147 Slug% (6th), .618 on base% (7th), .529 avg. (7th), and 42 RBI (21st), and 11 home runs (32nd). Hailey Conger ranks in the BIG EAST and is (ranked nationally) in several categories: 1st (9th) with 1.48 runs/game, 2nd (47th) with .543 on base%, 2nd (54th) with .456 avg. and 2nd with 31 RBIs. Cate Lehner leads the BIG EAST (26th nationally) with 18 stolen bases, and she is also 1st (5th) with 86.0 at bats per strikeout. at Ball State With two home runs in the contest, Makena Alexander has six in the past seven games. The home run by Olivia Roberts was a career first. Maren Berger’s win in the circle was her first as a Butler Bulldog. Kate Murray’s save was a career first, and it represented the first save for the Butler pitching staff this season. vs. Seton Hall Cate Lehner led Butler with a .636 avg., seven hits, and four stolen bases. With five runs scored over three games, she broke Butler’s career record and now has 126 runs in her career. (Ella White, 124 runs scored, ’22-’25) Hailey Conger and Lehner each scored five runs. Conger and Makena Alexander led Butler with five RBIs. Lehner, Conger, and Alexander each had multiple hits and batted .500 or better. Katie Petran (0.00 ERA, 2APP, 8.2-IP) pitched a complete-game shutout victory in game one vs. Seton Hall. She then entered game three in the fifth and closed out the game. Conger and Petran were named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for their performances over the weekend. This was Butler’s first-ever sweep over Seton Hall. The Bulldogs have not started BIG EAST play with six-straight wins since 2023 when they won their first eight conference games. (DePaul, Providence, Creighton). Series History St. John’s leads: 22-11 St. John’s took the 2025 series, 2-1, in Indianapolis. The Red Storm won BIG EAST Tournament games in 2024 and 2023 and swept the 2024 series. (The teams did not play a series in 2023.) Butler won the 2022 series, 2-1, in Queens and swept the 2021 series in Indianapolis. SCOUTING ST. JOHN’S (22-10, 3-3 BIG EAST) BIG EAST series: 1-2 vs. UConn | 2-1 at Georgetown Additional wins for St. John’s include Columbia (3), Army (2), Harvard (2), Campbell (2), Southern Mississippi (2), Central Michigan, and Fordham. Additional losses for the Red Storm include East Carolina (2), and Stetson (2). 2026 ST. JOHN’S stats* compared to (Butler) Avg. .299, (.331), Runs 168 (172), Hits 271 (214), RBI 149 (161), SB 27 (44), ERA 3.26 (5.79) ================================================================== NOTRE DAME BASEBALL IRISH SET TO FACE TAR HEELS IN RANKED MATCHUP SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 23 Notre Dame baseball team continues their homestand with a ranked matchup against No. 13 North Carolina in an ACC series starting on Friday evening. DateTime (ET)OpponentLocationProbable StartersBroadcastMar. 27.4:30 PMClemsonJake Kline Field – Frank Eck StadiumRHP Jack Radel vs. RHP Jason DeCaroACCNXMar. 282:00 PMClemsonJake Kline Field – Frank Eck StadiumLHP Caden Crowell vs. RHP Ryan LynchACCNXMar. 291:00 PMClemsonJake Kline Field – Frank Eck StadiumRHP Ty Uber vs. LHP Folger BoazACCNX THE MATCHUP The Irish lead the all-time series 13-12. Notre Dame is coming off of a 14-3 (7 innings) midweek win over Western Michigan. North Carolina claimed a victory over South Carolina by a 9-1 score at Truist Field in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday night. LAST TIME OUT Notre Dame captured a 14-3 (7 innings) win over Western Michigan after making their debut in the D1Baseball Top 25 poll. Mark Quatrani, Bino Watters and Jayce Lee each belted a home run. Kellan Klosterman struck out a pair in the start while Aiden Zerr earned his first collegiate pitching win in relief after 2.1 innings of work with two strikeouts. TOP TALENT The Irish have six players listed in the D1baseball.com Preseason rankings by position. Sophomore Bino Watters was the 17th ranked first baseman. Junior Jack Radel was 29th on the starting pitchers list. Junior Mark Quatrani was 49th on the catchers list. Graduate student Drew Berkland was 63rd on the outfielders report. Sophomore Oisin Lee came in at 74th on the relief pitchers list. Junior Davis Johnson was listed at 132nd in the outfielder rankings. Additionally, Notre Dame had representation on the D1Baseball Impact Freshman List as Caden Crowell came in at No. 9 on the ranking. ================================================================== BUTLER BASEBALL BUTLER HEADS TO WISCONSIN FOR WEEKEND SERIES WITH MILWAUKEE INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take on the Milwaukee Panthers in a three-game weekend series. Saturday, March 28, will feature a doubleheader with the two sides playing two seven-inning games before wrapping up the series on Sunday with one nine-inning contest. GAMEDAY INFORMATION DATES: Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29 GAME TIMES: Saturday – 2PM ET & 5PM ET, Sunday – 2PM ET LOCATION: Milwaukee, Wis. LIVE STATS: Butlersports.com ABOUT THE BULLDOGS Butler (6-19) is coming off an 11-1 win over Toledo on Tuesday afternoon at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. David Ayers had a spectacular day at the plate for Butler against Toledo, tallying three hits, three runs scored, two RBIs and a homer while swiping three bags. Grayson Bradberry had his best outing of the season against the Rockets, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and no runs while punching out five. Matthew Rhoades ranks second nationally in home runs (15), seventh nationally in total bases (82) and is 13th nationally in slugging percentage (.845). The junior has 30 hits and 26 runs scored to his credit and leads the team in RBIs (27) and is first on the team in doubles (7) and home runs (15). Max Winders leads Butler on the mound, in seven appearances (three starts), Winders has posted a 5.04 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. The sophomore leads Butler with 33 strikeouts and has issued only two walks. Against Morehead State, Rhoades was sensational for Butler. In 16 at-bats, he recorded nine hits, 10 runs scored, one double, five home runs, eight RBIs, one walk and two hit by pitches. Rhoades hit .563 over the course of the week for BU. The junior earned BIG EAST Player of the Week honors after his spectacular weekend for the Dawgs. Ayers had a sensational series for Butler against Morehead State that began with the junior tying a program record for most RBIs in a game with eight to his credit in Friday’s 20-5 victory over the Eagles. Ayers hit .500 on the week with five runs scored, seven hits, one double, three home runs, 10 RBIs and a hit by pitch. For his efforts, Ayers earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. Logan Crock was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watchlist earlier this season. The award honors the nation’s top shortstop and will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year. The top 100 shortstops in the country made the list, which featured Butler shortstop Crock. The sophomore has had a solid start to 2026, slashing .270/.413/.764 in 20 games for the Dawgs. Crock has 17 hits, three doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs to his credit. Butler returns 17 letterwinners from a year ago and welcomes 21 new faces to the squad for 2026. Butler welcomed Ty Neal to the coaching staff this offseason as the program’s pitching coach. Neal was an assistant coach at Michigan in 2025, helping the Wolverines post a 33-23 overall record. They went 16-14 in the Big Ten standings and held a 4.92 team ERA. Neal has made stops at Michigan, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Indiana, Miami Ohio, and Southern Illinois. He brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience to the program and has assisted in the recruiting and development of over 50 MLB draft picks. Bradberry was named the BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year by D1Baseball and Perfect Game prior to the start of the season. Bradberry hails from Columbia City, Indiana and earned All-Conference honors (3x), Pre-Season All-State honors, team MVP (2x), NE8 Conference Player of the Year and was chosen as a two-time team captain. In 2025, Butler saw Jack Moroknek get drafted in the 11th round by the Washington Nationals. Moroknek led the team in hits (81), batting average (.372), total bases (153), RBIs (57), home runs (18), runs scored (57), slugging percentage (.702) and OPS (1.145) while posting one of the best individual seasons in Butler history. Moroknek was the first Bulldog drafted since Ryan Pepiot was taken in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Head Coach Blake Beemer enters his fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs. Beemer helped coach back-to-back BIG EAST Freshman of the Year winners Joey Urban (2023) and Kade Lewis (2024) in his first two seasons with the Bulldogs. Beemer played a pivotal role in developing Jack Moroknek who earned All-BIG EAST second team honors a season ago before being selected by the Washington Nationals in the 2025 MLB Draft. SCOUTING MILWAUKEE Milwaukee (4-18) is coming off a 0-3 weekend at Wright State. The Panthers lost 8-4, 8-3 and 6-5. Dylan O’Connell leads Milwaukee at the dish, slashing .360/.707/1.144. O’Connell has 27 hits, nine doubles, one triple, five home runs and 21 RBIs. Gavin Theis leads the Panthers on the mound, boasting a 5.64 ERA and a 1-1 record in four appearances. Theis has tossed 22.1 innings and has allowed 18 hits and 14 earned runs while punching out 17. UP NEXT The Bulldogs will return to action next weekend as BU opens BIG EAST play at Villanova. The Dawgs and Wildcats will begin a three-game series on Thursday, April 2, that will conclude on Saturday, April 4. More information about the series will be available on Butlersports.com. ================================================================== IU INDY TRACK HUEFTLE PACES JAGUARS ON OPENING NIGHT OF WASHU. DISTANCE CARNIVAL ST. LOUIS – Five members of the IU Indianapolis men’s track squad took to action on Thursday (Mar. 26), competing in the 800m and 3,000m steeplechase events on day one of the WashU. Distance Carnival at WashU’s Francis Field. Sophomore Alec Hueftle led the way in his initial steeple of the season with Nolan King not far off his pace. Hueftle spun a time of 9:27.07, finishing fourth in his heat, while King put down a personal best time of 9:32.38. Freshman Evan Farmer ran his first career steeple with a time of 9:57.97. In the 800m event, sophomore Nick Cook made his season debut with a time of 1:55.09 while Joey Ashman ran a time of 2:00.01. The Jaguars will return to action on Friday with athletes competing at both WashU. and the Marian Knight Open. ================================================================ IU INDY SWIMMING LOGAN KELLY EARNS ALL-AMERICAN STATUS ON THURSDAY OF NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS ATLANTA – The IU Indy swim and dive team opened the NCAA Championships today, highlighted by Logan Kelly becoming the first IU Indy swimmer in program history to earn points at the event. Kelly earned Second Team All-America honors after finishing in 11th out of 38 swimmers with a lifetime best time of 51.24 in the 100 breast. He became just the second IU Indy men’s swim and dive student athlete to score points at the NCAA Championships, with the first points being recording in 2019 from diver Krisztian Somhegyi. In the opening event for the Jags, Yassin Abdelghany recorded a time of 45.69 to finish in 33rd out of 42 swimmers in the 100 fly. Sebastian Otero also competed on Thursday for the Jags. Otero earned a 29th place finish in the 1-meter with a score of 296.15 to close out his stellar career. Abdelghany and Kelly are both set to compete again tomorrow, Friday, March 27. Kelly will swim in the 200 breast at approximately 10:15 AM while Abdelghany is set to swim in the 50 free around 11:00 AM. ================================================================= IU INDY SOFTBALL SOFTBALL HEADS TO GREEN BAY FOR HORIZON LEAGUE OPENER GREEN BAY – The IU Indy Softball team will travel to Green Bay for their Horizon League opener. The Jaguars will face the Green Bay Phoenix in a three-game series, beginning on Friday, March 27. The first two games will be broadcast on ESPN+. The first game is scheduled for 1:00 PM, followed by a second game at 3:30 PM on Friday. The series will end on Saturday, March 28 with a final game at 1:00 PM. IU Indy is currently 3-23 overall so far this season. During their most recent matchup against Indiana, the team fell 6-3. Green Bay is currently 4-20 overall so far this season with 0-3 in conference play. The Phoenix opened Horizon League play in a three-game series against Robert Morris. The team fell in all three games 6-10, 5-13, and 5-7. IU Indy and Green Bay have gone head-to-head 37 times. The most recent matchup was on May 8, 2025, when the Jags fell 10-12 to the Phoenix. First pitch for the Horizon League Opener is set for Friday at 1:00 PM with a 3:30 PM game two. They will close out the series with a final game scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 PM. ================================================================= BALL STATE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL MVB MAINTAINS TOP MIVA SPOT WITH SWEEP OVER LINDENWOOD ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The seventh-ranked Ball State men’s volleyball team began its week of conference play at Robert F. Hyland Arena, securing a straight set victory (25-20, 25-18, 26-24) against No. 11 Lindenwood Thursday evening. The Cardinals (19-3, 10-2 MIVA) maintain its position at the top of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association standings with the win, completing the regular season sweep over the Lions (17-4, 8-3 MIVA) and handing the team its first loss at home this season. Ball State dictated the pace of the match, finishing with a .406 hitting percentage while limiting Lindenwood to a .167 clip. Junior setter Lucas Machado fueled the efficient attack, orchestrating the offense with 24 assists and adding three kills of his own. Ryan Louis led the Cardinals’ attack, hammering down nine kills on a.438 hitting percentage. Patrick Rogers followed with eight kills on a .353 clip. Braydon Savitski-Lynde contributed six kills on a match-high .750 clip. The Cardinals’ defensive effort once again made the difference, as BSU out-blocked the Lions 9.5-4.0. Will Patterson led Ball State with six blocks. Rogers, Machado and Wil Basilio each contributed three individually, and Louis and Savitski-Lynde added one. Rogers and Machado paced Ball State with five digs each, while Louis added four. Ball State set the tone early in the opening frame, totaling 5.5 blocks as a unit while Patterson led the frame with four kills and a trio of stops at the net. The Cardinals stayed hot in the second set, hitting .348 as a team and benefiting from seven Lions service errors. After Lindenwood erased a late lead to tie the game at 24-24 in the final set, A clutch kill from Savitski-Lynde gave the Cardinals match point before a triple block by Rogers, Patterson, and Machado shut the door on the Lions to seal the win. The Cardinals look to close their road schedule with a trip to McKendree Saturday, March 28. First serve is slated for 5 p.m. ET. ================================================================== BALL STATE BASEBALL BASEBALL BACK HOME TO HOST BOBCATS FOR THREE GAMES STARTING FRIDAY The Ball State baseball team returns home to host Ohio for three games starting Friday at Shebek Stadium. Friday’s start time is set for 3 p.m., and the opener will be followed by 1 p.m., first pitches on Saturday and Sunday. Each game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and WMUN 92.5 FM / 1340 AM and on the WMUN app. Links to the broadcasts and live stats can be found above and on the schedule page. Ball State (12-11, 7-2 Mid-American Conference) beat Western Michigan on Saturday and Sunday last weekend to win the series but fell 13-3 at Southern Indiana in seven innings on Tuesday. Ohio (5-19, 3-6 MAC) had the midweek off after taking 2 of 3 at Bowling Green last weekend. The Bobcats were swept at home by Western Michigan the week before in facing the lone common opponent to Ball State so far this year. Andrew See is in his first season as the head coach at Ohio after previously playing for the Bobcats and working as the pitching coach. Ohio was picked to finish 11th in the 12-team MAC preseason poll. The Bobcats have hit the second-most doubles (53) in the MAC while posting the third-most hits (218) and stolen bases (48). Senior Dylan Shepherd paces Ohio in batting average (.328) and OPS (1.000) while posting four doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI. Junior Cameron Boyd is the team leader in hits (29), homers (five) and RBI (20). After the Cardinals are done with the Bobcats, they will remain home to host Xavier on Tuesday afternoon. COMEBACK CARDINALS: Ball State faced ninth inning deficits both Saturday and Sunday at Western Michigan but rallied back for wins to claim a road series triumph against the Broncos. The Cardinals trailed 6-3 entering the final frame on Saturday before scoring five runs highlighted by a Jack Bakus go-ahead grand slam to lead the visitors to an 8-6 win. Western held a 4-3 edge going into the ninth of Sunday’s rubber match, but Ball State tallied four runs on a sacrifice fly and a trio of RBI singles to pull out a 7-5 decision. FINE IN THE NINTH: As showcased by the late offense in last weekend’s series win in Kalamazoo, Ball State has been at its best in the ninth inning of games this year. The Cardinals have scored 20 runs in that frame while allowing opponents to score only three times. The +17 run differential in the ninth is the best for Ball State in any inning, while the 20 total tallies are the second-most in a frame behind 24 runs in the seventh. BAKUS BLAST: The pinch hit bases-clearing homer from Bakus on Saturday was his first home run at Ball State, while the quartet of runs batted in were also his initial RBI collected as a Cardinal. Two other Ball State players have hit pinch hit grand slams this season as well, as Kenskey Thomas (March 8) and DJ Scheumann (March 14) blasted theirs earlier in the month. GILLIS HITS THE GONG: Junior Jacob Gillis posted six hits last week including a double against the Broncos and a pair of two-run home runs in the late innings on March 18 against Butler and ranks near the top of the Mid-American Conference leaderboards in multiple offensive categories. Gillis ranks fifth in the MAC in homers (seven), ninth in slugging percentage (.655) and 11th in batting average (.357) through 23 games in his first season with the Cardinals. DAVIDSON PROVIDES A SPARK: Junior utilityman Brady Davidson saw his first playing time of the season over the weekend against the Broncos and went 4-for-6 with a pair of RBI singles. Davidson had a pinch hit run-scoring single on Friday before going 3-for-5 with the go-ahead knock in Sunday’s comeback victory. QUINN FOR THE WIN: Senior Owen Quinn boasts Ball State’s top ERA (1.88), a mark that ranks first in the league and No. 47 nationally. The right-handed pitcher came out of the bullpen and tossed 5.0 innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts to earn the win in Saturday’s 8-6 decision over Western Michigan. Quinn has struck out 16 in 24.0 frames this season. GETTING THE GREAT LAKES STATE OVER WITH: Ball State played each of the three Mid-American Conference schools from Michigan in the first three series of conference play. The Cardinals took 2 of 3 against Central Michigan from March 6-8 and last weekend at Western sandwiched around a series sweep of Eastern Michigan (March 13-15). Following the series with the Broncos, Ball State has 19 games remaining against teams from Ohio, seven from Indiana and three each from Illinois and Massachusetts. ==================================================================== PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MASTODONS AND RED WOLVES SET FOR SUPER 16 BOUT FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team will visit Arkansas State on Friday (March 27) for the Women’s National Invitation Tournament Super 16. The game will tip at 2 p.m. ET.Game Day InformationWho: Arkansas State Red WolvesWhen: Friday, March 27 | 2 PM ETWhere: Jonesboro, Ark. | First National Bank ArenaLive Stats: LinkWatch: ESPN+Radio: WELT 95.7Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Arkansas State | Horizon League Know Your Foe Arkansas State is 25-9 after a 14-4 Sun Belt season. The Red Wolves are elite in two categories: forcing turnovers and 3-pointers. They force the most turnovers (26.7) and take the most triples (34.7) in the country, making 10.2 per game, which is third nationally. The Red Wolves are balanced with Zyion Shannon leading the team at 12.9 points per game. Seven others are at 6.0 points or better. Series History This is the first meeting between the two programs. ‘Dons in the WNIT… The ‘Dons are 5-2 in the Postseason WNIT in the last three seasons. They have wins over Eastern Kentucky, Cincinnati, Old Dominion, Butler and South Alabama. The ‘Dons made the Super 16 in 2024 and the Great 8 in 2025. Recent WNIT History Purdue Fort Wayne is one of two schools in the country to make the Super 16 in each of the last three seasons. The other is Illinois State. Thief! After recording seven steals against South Alabama in WNIT Second Round, Jordan Reid became the program’s all-time single-season steals leader with 81 this year. She passed Sue Hendricks’ 80 from the 1980-81 season. Thief x2 Jordan Reid’s seven steals against South Alabama were the most in a Mastodon game since 2019 and tied for the fourth-most in a game in program history. That’s a Lot of Points! Alana Nelson’s 37 points in the WNIT Second Round game against South Alabama put her in the top-10 in single-game scoring in program history. It was also the third-most by a Division I player and the only Mastodon in the DI era to score more in a game was Amanda Hyde (43 in 2012, 41 in 2013). We’ll Take That Purdue Fort Wayne forced 29 turnovers in its win over South Alabama in the WNIT Second Round. This was the first time since 2022 the ‘Dons forced 29 turnovers against a Division I foe, matching the program record against a DI team. Scoring in Bunches Alana Nelson has 555 points this season, the ninth-most in the Mastodons’ single-season history. Thanks to 37 in the WNIT Second Round, she passed Lauren Ross’ 546 from a year ago. 7. 584 – Johnna Lewis-Carlisle – 2007-08 8. 558 – Amanda Hyde – 2012-13 9. 555 – Alana Nelson – 2025-26 Scoring At All Levels Alana Nelson owns over 1,000 points in her NCAA (1,037) and NAIA (1,787) careers. Last Time Out Purdue Fort Wayne beat South Alabama 77-72 behind a Division I career-high 37 points from Alana Nelson. Next Time Up The winner of the Super 16 game will play the winner of Cleveland State and Middle Tennessee in the Great 8. ================================================================ PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL NO. 20 PURDUE FORT WAYNE FALLS AT NO. 12 MCKENDREE LEBANON, Ill. – The Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball team fell in straight sets (25-20, 25-19, 29-27) at No. 12 McKendree on Thursday night (March 26). The first two sets of the match swung back and forth, each side borrowing the momentum to craft a scoring run. The Bearcats took the first run of the match, scoring four unanswered points early. Logan Muir pushed the Mastodons into a 6-1 scoring stretch with two aces, taking a 10-8 lead. McKendree raised the ‘Dons, pulling off the longest run of the match. The Bearcats ran away with a 9-2 run, scoring five consecutive for a 17-12 lead in the opening set. Purdue Fort Wayne closed in on the lead with a 5-1 run, but McKendree finished out the set with their own run of 7-3, finishing at 25-20. The Bearcats opened set two in a similar fashion, jumping out on a 5-1 scoring stretch. McKendree added onto their early lead with five unanswered points, claiming a 14-8 lead. The Mastodons pulled the match back into striking distance with a 5-1 stretch, but similar to the first set the Bearcats finished out the frame on a 7-3 run for a 25-19 conclusion. Brody McAfee was a bright spot in the third set, putting up five kills in the frame. Purdue Fort Wayne and McKendree were locked into a tight final set, neither side with a longer run than 3-0. The first break in the action came from a Bearcat timeout at a ‘Dons’ 20-18 lead following two kills from Carlo Huisden and one from McAfee. The Mastodons threatened to take their first set of the match at 24-23, but McKendree swung the momentum and took the final set at an extended 29-27. The final set was the best hitting percentage from both teams, Purdue Fort Wayne at .300 and McKendree at .219. No. 20 Purdue Fort Wayne drops to an even 9-9 on the year, 4-7 in MIVA play. No. 12 McKendree moves to 14-7 for the season, 7-4 in MIVA play. The ‘Dons finish out their road trip on Saturday (March 28) at No. 11 Lindenwood. ================================================================== EVANSVILLE BASEBALL BASEBALL TO HOST ILLINOIS STATE TO OPEN MVC PLAY EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team opens up MVC play this weekend, hosting Illinois State at German American Bank Field. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is set for 6 PM. Evansville vs. Illinois State | Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29 | 6 PM, 2 PM, 1 PM CTSite | LocationGerman American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium | Evansville, Ind.LinksFriday, 6 PM: Live Stats | TV: ESPN+ Expected Pitching Match-Up: RHP Max Hansmann (2-2, 5.46 ERA) vs. Illinois State RHP Thomas Harper (1-1, 6.93 ERA)Saturday, 2 PM: Live Stats | TV: ESPN+ Expected Pitching Match-Up: RHP Tanner Graham (0-2, 3.98 ERA) vs. Illinois State RHP Michael Addari (1-0, 2.25 ERA) Sunday, 1 PM: Live Stats | TV: ESPN+ Expected Pitching Match-Up: UE LHP Kevin Reed (3-3, 6.58 ERA) vs. Illinois State TBAFollow the Aces Baseball Site | Twitter | Game Notes Series History – Friday’s series opener marks the 135th meeting between Evansville and Illinois State – Illinois State swept the Aces in Normal last season – The last meeting in Evansville came in 2024, with the Aces picking up a three game sweep Hometown Product – Freshman infielder Simon Schulz made his first three collegiate starts last weekend – The Memorial High School product had a strong showing, hitting .364 across 11 at-bats – Schulz has deep ties to the Evansville program, as his father, Pat Schulz, is program’s all-time hits leader Freshman Standout – Freshman right-hander Tanner Graham will take the mound on Saturday for his second consecutive weekend start – Last weekend, Graham tossed a career-high five innings in his first career start – On the season, Graham owns a 3.98 ERA and has been named MVC Freshman of the Year twice On Base Streak – Freshman catcher Spike Magill has begun his career by reaching base in all 19 games he has appeared in – Magill leads the team with a .493 on base percentage and has walked 17 times while striking out only 13 times – Magill has started 17 games behind the plate and is hitting .260 across 50 at bats ================================================================= SOUTHERN INDIANA SOFTBALL USI TRAVELS FOR OVC SERIES AGAINST LINDENWOOD EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball heads out on the road this weekend for a three-game series in Ohio Valley Conference play when the Screaming Eagles visit Lindenwood University on Saturday and Sunday from St. Charles, Missouri. The three-game set begins Saturday at 3 p.m. and concludes Sunday with a Noon doubleheader at Lou Brock Sports Complex. USI Softball (10-16, 7-2 OVC) aims to continue a strong start to the OVC season by seeking a fourth OVC series win. Meanwhile, Lindenwood (13-18, 2-7 OVC) has been swept in its last two OVC series against Eastern Illinois University and Tennessee Tech University after beginning the conference slate by taking two of three against the University of Tennessee at Martin. USI leads the all-time series against Lindenwood, 12-2. The Screaming Eagles won a shortened two-game series at home last season against the Lions before defeating Lindenwood in the OVC Tournament. The Screaming Eagles are coming off their third series win in OVC play, winning two of three last weekend at home against Southeast Missouri State University. USI won the series opener, 4-3, in walk-off fashion for the third time this season. The walk-off victory was Head Coach Sue Kunkle’s 700th career win. USI followed and claimed the series with its first shutout of the season, winning 2-0 in the middle game of the series. The Redhawks rallied to salvage the series finale, 10-5. In last weekend’s series, junior infielder Sydney Long led the Screaming Eagles at the plate, batting .500 with four RBIs. Junior catcher Alyssa Mumaw collected three RBIs, including the walk-off game-winning RBI in the series opener. The pitching staff posted a collective 2.00 ERA. Freshman pitcher Anna Kemp led the way with an ERA of zero after giving up zero runs in 6.2 innings of work and helping to combine for the 2-0 shutout win in the middle game. Overall, senior outfielder Caroline Stapleton tops the squad with a .347 batting average and 22 runs scored. Freshman outfielder Katelyn Marx is second on the team with a .317 batting average and 11 RBIs. Sophomore Grace Huffman has also notched 11 RBIs this season. Long has a team-best 15 RBIs while hitting a few ticks below .300. On the pitching side, Kemp leads the team with a 3.81 ERA and 41 strikeouts. Freshman pitcher Elly Robbins has a team-best five wins, while sophomore hurler Kylie Witthaus has pitched a team-high 63.1 innings with 34 strikeouts. Despite going winless in the last two weekends of OVC play, Lindenwood is coming off a 1-0 midweek victory on Wednesday against Saint Louis University. Last weekend, the Lions fell 5-0, 3-1, and 8-0 in five innings on the road at Tennessee Tech. The Lions are hitting .286 as a team, with sophomore infielder Anna Sanders leading the squad with a .358 batting average and second on the team with 23 RBIs. Senior infielder Tori Hatton has a team-high 27 RBIs while hitting .310. Senior infielder Emily Geary is batting .282 and has a team-best five home runs with 18 RBIs. The pitching staff is headlined by senior Avery Wapp, who owns a 5-5 record with a 3.61 ERA and an OVC-leading 71 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. The three-game series between USI and Lindenwood can be seen with an ESPN+ subscription. Additional coverage and live stat links are available on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com. ================================================================= SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL USI GOES SOUTH FOR THREE-GAME SET AT LITTLE ROCK EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball heads south for a four-game road swing, beginning with an Ohio Valley Conference three-game set at Little Rock this weekend. The USI-Little Rock series starts Friday at 6 p.m.; continues Saturday at 4 p.m.; and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock, Arkansas. USI, which is 16-9, finishes its four-game road trip Tuesday (March 31) when it visits Middle Tennessee State for a 4 p.m. matchup at Reece Smith Jr. Field in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Fans are encouraged to watch social media and USIScreamingEagles.com for any schedule changes due to weather. Links to follow the Screaming Eagles during 2026 can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and the USI Baseball Schedule. USI Baseball Notes: USI finishes homestand with run-rule win. The USI Screaming Eagles finished a four-game homestand with a 13-3 run-rule victory over Ball State Tuesday. The win was the first-ever for USI over Ball State. Senior first baseman Patrick McLellan led USI with three hits and three runs scored, while senior designated hitter Micajah Wall drove in a team-high three runs. USI is 3-1 on homestand. USI was 3-1 during the last homestand. Graduate outfielder Noah Foster led USI during the homestand by hitting .571 (8-14) with six runs scored, two doubles, a triple, and three RBIs. Senior designated hitter/catcher Micajah Wall had a team-high seven RBIs during the four games. DiPasquale named OVC Pitcher of the Week. Junior right-hander Ean DiPasquale was named the OVC Pitcher of the week after throwing a seven-inning complete game shutout of Western Illinois. Hitting cools on the road. The USI hitters have been cool while on the road this season. The Screaming Eagles are hitting .295 (135-457) in the 13 road games, while batting .321 at home (125-389). Pitching on the road vs. at home. USI hurlers are 5-8 on the road trip and have a 5.97 ERA. The staff ERA at home is 4.07 and has an 11-1 record. Doing it at the plate. USI is putting runs on the scoreboard at an incredible rate. USI leads the OVC with 212 runs scored this season (8.5 per game). The Screaming Eagles also rank second in the OVC with a .307 team batting average. Leaders. Senior first baseman Patrick McLellan leads USI and is sixth in the OVC with a .373 mark (38-102). Senior shortstop Clayton Slack follows with a .359 average and is 10th in the league. Multi-hit games. Graduate outfielder Noah Foster and senior first baseman Patrick McLellan are tied with nine multi-hit games this year. McLellan also leads the team with 10 multi-RBI contests. Little Rock in 2026. Little Rock is 15-10 overall and 3-0 in the OVC after sweeping Tennessee Tech to open the 2026 OVC slate and defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff Tuesday. The Trojans are 9-3 in the last 12 games. USI vs. Little Rock. The Trojans lead the series, 7-3, after splitting four games with USI in 2025. USI won the series at the USI Baseball Field last year (2-1), but Little Rock knocked out the Screaming Eagles out of the OVC Championship last year in the first round. MTSU in 2026. Middle Tennessee State is 13-12 overall in 2026 and will host New Mexico State this weekend (March 27-29) before welcoming USI. USI vs. MTSU. USI won the only meeting with Middle Tennessee State, 12-9, in 2024 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. ============================================================== VALPO BASEBALL BEACON BASEBALL TO FINALLY OPEN HOME SLATE ON SATURDAY Valparaiso (6-14, 0-3 MVC) vs. Indiana State (11-13, 2-1 MVC) Emory G. Bauer Field (500) | Valparaiso, Ind. Saturday, March 28, 1 p.m. CT – RHP Adam Guazzo Sunday, March 29, 1 p.m. CT – RHP Connor Lockwood Monday, March 30, 1 p.m. CT – RHP Nick Baffa Next Up in Valpo Baseball: After starting the season with 20 consecutive road games, the Valparaiso University baseball team will finally open the home portion of the season this weekend at Emory G. Bauer Field. Indiana State will be in town for a three-game, Missouri Valley Conference series. Due to projected frigid temperatures on Friday, this has been shifted to a Saturday/Sunday/Monday series. Valpo will play a pro ball schedule over the course of the next week with seven games in eight days. Last Time Out: The Beacons have incurred setbacks decided by two run or fewer in each of their last three games, most recently a 3-2 loss at Big Ten foe Purdue on Tuesday. Valpo tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh, but Purdue came back with a two-out run in the bottom of that inning that stood as the difference. Brayden Pleau went 4-for-4 to pace the team. That came after a 13-12 loss in Sunday’s series finale against Murray State, as the Beacons dropped all three over the first weekend of league play against the preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorite and a team that went to the College World Series a year ago. Following the Beacons: One game in this series is scheduled to air on ESPN+. Saturday’s game will not be streamed, but either Sunday or Monday will be streamed. Check back to ValpoAthletics.com closer to gameday for finalized streaming plans. For links to video and stats, visit ValpoAthletics.com. For in-game updates, follow @ValpoBaseball on X. Head Coach Brian Schmack: Brian Schmack (218-385) is in his 13th season in charge of the program. He ranks third in program history in seasons coached and games coached as he coached his 500th game on March 17, 2024 at Campbell. On April 19, 2024 vs. Missouri State, he became the third head coach in program history to secure his 200th win. Schmack, a member of the 2003 Detroit Tigers, served as pitching coach/associate head coach at Valpo for seven seasons prior to his promotion. Series Notes: Valpo is 31-62-1 all-time against Indiana State in a series that began in 1947. Last season, Valpo experienced a major breakthrough, beating the Sycamores for the first time since joining the Missouri Valley Conference by winning 8-3 in the series opener in Terre Haute. Valpo had lost 25 straight head-to-head matchups since last beating the Sycamores 11-2 on March 31, 2007 prior to that win. Since joining the Missouri Valley Conference prior to the 2018 season, Valpo was 0-20 against Indiana State and is now 1-22 against the Sycamores, who won the final two games of the series last year 2-1 and 10-5. Entering this weekend, Valpo is 0-9 at home against Indiana State since joining the MVC and has lost 12 straight at home against the Sycamores dating back to 1972. =========================================================== SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS WEB SITES UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/ MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/ INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/ EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/ WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/ FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/ ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/ ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/ DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/ HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/ MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/ HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/ OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/ IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/ IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/ PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/ INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/ ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/ GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/ HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/ VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index ========================================================= “SPORTS EXTRA” TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY 1902 A Chicago Daily News headline reads, ‘Manager of the Cubs is in Doubt Only on Two Positions,’ marking the first time the team’s nickname has appeared in print. Although the moniker has existed since 1890, the Orphans, also known as the Colts and White Stockings, will not officially adopt the Cubs as their new name until 1907. 1935 In the bottom of the ninth inning, Russell Hinaga singles off future Hall of Fame Russian-born pitcher Victor Starffin, giving the San Jose Asahi, a hometown Japanese American semi-pro team, a 3-2 victory over the powerful Tokyo Giants. The visitors, who will avenge their loss to the ‘Morning Suns,’ next year, are touring the United States to promote the formation of a Japanese professional league, which they plan to establish in the Land of the Rising Sun next season. 1967 Giants’ right-hander Juan Marichal ends his 29-day holdout when he becomes the third $100,000 major league pitcher in history, joining Dodger hurlers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. The ‘Dominican Dandy’ also reported to spring training late last season, then won his first 10 games en route to a 25-6 record. 1973 Twins’ right-hander Jim Perry becomes the first player to use the ’10 and 5 rule’ when he okays his trade to the Tigers for minor league pitcher Dan Fife and cash. During his one season with Detroit, Gaylord’s brother will post a 14-13 (.519) record and an ERA of 4.03 in 35 appearances. 1973 Hoping to make the team in spring training, right-hander Denny McLain is released by the Braves, ending his career two days before his 29th birthday. During his ten-year major league tenure, the former 30-game winner compiled a 131-92 career record with an ERA of 3.39. 1981 Boston’s Gold Glove catcher Carlton Fisk is declared a free agent by major league baseball, much to the chagrin of the Fenway Faithful. The 33-year-old backstop can now negotiate with other teams for his services because he received his contract from the Red Sox two days after the deadline. 1987 The Mets trade backup catcher Ed Hearn, right-hander Rick A. Anderson, and pitching prospect Mauro Gozzo to the Royals for David Cone and minor leaguer Chris Jelic. The 24-year-old right-hander, who will compile an 80-48 (.625) record during his first six seasons in New York, posts a 5-6 mark this season, with Hearn appearing in only 15 games for Kansas City. 1989 The April 3 issue of Sports Illustrated, available on newsstands today, features a six-page article by Craig Neff and Lieber that exposes Pete Rose’s gambling activities. The piece entitled Rose’s Grim Vigil, alleges ‘Charlie Hustle’ bet from the Riverfront Stadium dugout using hand gestures with an associate. 1992 The Brewers deal Gary Sheffield to the Padres for pitcher Ricky Bones and minor leaguers Jose Valentin and Matt Mieske. Sheffield, Milwaukee’s first-round pick (sixth overall) in the 1986 draft, will hit .330 for his new team this season, winning the National League batting crown. 2002 After being told he would not be an everyday player, the Expos give 37-year-old Jose Canseco his unconditional release. The 1986 Rookie of the Year and 1988 MVP of the American League ends his 17-year career with 462 home runs while batting .266, playing with five clubs in the Junior Circuit. 2002 The Cubs, in need of a closer due to Tom Gordon’s muscle tear, trade righties Julian Tavarez (10-9, 4.52) and Jose Cueto, southpaw Dontrelle Willis, and catcher Ryan Jorgensen to the Marlins for Antonio Alfonseca (4-4, 28 saves) and right-hander Matt Clement (9-10, 5.05). Willis, next season’s National League Rookie of the Year, will become a 20-game winner for the Fish in 2005. 2008 At the start of spring training, Hideki Matsui, planning to wed in a few weeks, a fact unknown to the Bronx Bombers, makes a wager with some of his teammates about who would be the first to get married. A surprised Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu agree to pay off the bet after learning the Yankee slugger pulled a fast one on them by getting ‘hitched’ in New York on the club’s off-day yesterday. 2009 In a Kansai Independent League game played at the Osaka Dome, knuckleballer Eri Yoshida makes her debut, becoming Japan’s first female professional baseball player. On Opening Day, the 17-year-old faces two batters, walking one and striking out the other, in the ninth inning of the Kobe 9 Cruise’s 5-0 victory over the hometown Gold Villicanes. 2011 Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka will make a $1 million contribution to the Red Sox Foundation for earthquake and tsunami victims in his native Japan. The team’s official charity has raised more than $1.3 million in response to the March 11 disaster, including personal donations from other Japanese players, Hideki Okajima, Junichi Tazawa, and Itsuki Shoda. boston.com Matsuzaka donates $1 million to Japan. 2011 The Nationals deal Nyjer Morgan to the Brewers for minor league infielder Cutter Dykstra and cash. Washington sends the light-hitting, fleet-footed outfielder to Milwaukee to obtain the Class A minor league third baseman, the son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra. 2012 Embattled owner Frank McCourt agrees to sell the Dodgers to a group that includes former LA Lakers star Magic Johnson and former baseball executive Stan Kasten for $2 billion, the highest amount ever paid for a team in the history of professional sports. The sale price far exceeds the $1.47 billion Malcolm Glazer paid for the English soccer team Manchester United in 2005. ========================================================= TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY On March 27 in … 1871 – First international rugby game-Scotland 1, England 0. 1879 – Longest championship fight takes place (136 rounds). 1928 – US Ladies Figure Skating Championship won by Maribel Vinson. 1928 – US Men’s Figure Skating Championship won by Roger Turner. 1931 – John McGraw says night baseball will not catch on. 1939 – First NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: University of Oregon beats Ohio State 46-33. 1942 – Joe Louis knocks out Abe Simon in six to retain heavyweight boxing title (New York City, New York). 1945 – 7th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Oklahoma State beats NYU 49-44. 1945 – DePaul beats Bowling Green for NIT title. 1951 – 13th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kentucky beats Kansas 68-58. 1960 – Wiffi Smith wins LPGA Royal Crown Golf Open. 1962 – Jacques Plante ties record winning 6th NHL Vezina trophy. 1966 – Marilynn Smith wins LPGA Louise Suggs Delray Beach Golf Invitational. 1966 – The Jules Rimet trophy (World Cup), stolen March 20, is found by a dog in South Norwood, England. 1971 – 33rd NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Villanova 68-62; this is UCLA’s 5th consecutive NCAA basketball title. 1972 – Adolph Rupp retires after 42 years of coaching University of Kentucky. 1973 – Dennis Amiss out for 99 versus Pakistan, third 99 in Test Cricket. 1976 – Delta States beat Immaculata, 69-64, for AIWA basketball title. 1977 – Sandra Palmer wins LPGA Kathryn Crosby/Honda Civic Golf Classic. 1978 – 40th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kentucky beats Duke 94-88. 1982 – Randy Holt sets Washington Capitals’ record of 34 penalty minutes. 1982 – Imran takes 14-116 for cricket match versus Sri Lanka at Lahore. 1983 – Larry Holmes beats Lucien Rodriguez in 12 rounds for heavyweight boxing title. 1988 – Ok-Hee Ku wins Standard Register Turquoise Classic Golf Tournament. 1988 – World Ice Dance Championship in Budapest won by Bestemianova and Bukin (USSR). 1988 – World Ice Pairs Figure Skating Championship in Budapest won by E Valova and O Vasiliev (USSR). 1988 – World Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Budapest won by Katarina Witt (German Democratic Republic). 1988 – World Men’s Figure Skating Championship in Budapest won by Brian Boitano (USA). 1989 – Delhi beats Bengal by innings and 210 to win Cricket’s Ranji Trophy. 1989 – Sports Illustrated magazine exposes baseball player Pete Rose’s gambling activities. The article alleges ‘Charlie Hustle’ bet from the Riverfront dugout using hand gestures with an associate. 1990 – New South Wales beats Queensland by 345 runs to win Sheffield Shield Final. 1991 – NCAA bans University of Minnesota football team from postseason play in 1992. 1991 – Scotty Bowman and Neil Armstrong elected to NHL Hall of Fame. 1994 – 23rd Nabisco Dinah Shore Golf Championship won by Donna Andrews. 1994 – World Ice Dance Championship in Chiba Japan won by Gritschuk and Platov (Russia). 1994 – World Ice Pairs Figure Skating Championship in Chiba won by Shishkova/Vadim Naumov (Russia). 1994 – World Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Chiba won by Yuka Sato (Japan). 1994 – World Men’s Figure Skating Championship in Chiba won by Elvis Stojko (Canada). 2009 – The International Olympic Committee decides to eliminate international torch relays ahead of future Olympic Games, due to protests held during previous Olympic torch relays. 2022 – At Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, NHL regular season game: Winnipeg Jets beats Arizona Coyotes by score 2-1. 2022 – At Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, NHL regular season game: New Jersey Devils beats Montreal Canadiens by score 3-2. 2022 – At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, NHL regular season game: Toronto Maple Leafs beats Florida Panthers by score 5-2. 2022 – At Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, NHL regular season game: Minnesota Wild beats Colorado Avalanche by score 3-2. 2022 – At Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, NHL regular season game: Nashville Predators beats Philadelphia Flyers by score 5-4. 2022 – At PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, NHL regular season game: Pittsburgh Penguins beats Detroit Red Wings by score 11-2. 2022 – At Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, USA, NHL regular season game: New York Rangers beats Buffalo Sabres by score 5-4. 2022 – At UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, USA, NHL regular season game: Tampa Bay Lightning beats New York Islanders by score 4-1. Births of sports figures on March 27 1859 – Birth of George Giffen; cricket player (one of Australia’s greatest all-rounders). 1903 – Birth of Walt Kiesling; NFL guard/coach (Hall of Fame). 1910 – Birth of Rudi Ball in Germany; Jewish ice hockey star (Olympics-bronze-1932). 1932 – Birth of Wes Covington; baseball player (Philadelphia Phillies). 1940 – Birth of Cale Yarborough; auto racer (Won Daytona 500 four times-1968, 1977, 1983, 1984). 1941 – Birth of Liese Prokop in Austria; pentathlete (Olympics-silver-1968). 1951 – Birth of Bobby Lalonde; NHL player (Boston Bruins). 1953 – Birth of Annemarie Moser-Pröll in Austria; downhill skier (Olympics-gold-1980). 1956 – Birth of Brian Kelly; Canadian Football League wide receiver (Edmonton Eskimos). 1956 – Birth of Thomas Wassberg in Sweden, 15km/50km cross country skier (Olympics-gold-1980). 1957 – Birth of Duncan Goodhew in England; 100 metre breast stroke swimmer (Olympics-Gold-1980). 1958 – Birth of Bart Connor; gymnast/sportscaster (Olympics-gold-1984). 1960 – Birth of Steve Jarvin; Australian soling yachter (Olympics-1996). 1963 – Birth of Ed Pinckney; NBA forward (Philadelphia 76ers). 1963 – Birth of Randall Cunningham; NFL quarterback (Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings). 1963 – Birth of Todd Graves in Laurel, Mississippi, USA; skeet (Olympics-1992, 1996). 1966 – Birth of Kate Donahoo in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; American judoka (Olympics-1992). 1967 – Birth of Jaime Navarro in Bayamon Puerto Rico; pitcher (Chicago Cubs). 1967 – Birth of Tom Hammonds; NBA forward (Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets). 1968 – Birth of Irina Belova; Russian pentathlete (world record 1992). 1969 – Birth of Tom Beer; NFL running back (Detroit Lions). 1970 – Birth of Anthony Prior; NFL cornerback/safety (New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings). 1970 – Birth of Ed Philion; NFL nose tackle (Buffalo Bills). 1972 – Birth of Kirby Dar Dar; wide receiver (Miami Dolphins). 1973 – Birth of Serge Tremblay in La Malbaie, Québec, Canada; weightlifter (Olympics-1996). 1975 – Birth of B J Gallis; Canadian Football League linebacker (British Columbia Lions). 1975 – Birth of Gregory DuBois; hockey defenseman (Team France 1998). 1976 – Birth of Danny Fortson; NBA forward (Denver Nuggets). 1977 – Birth of Tom van der Leegte; Dutch soccer player (PSV). 1981 – Birth of Terry McFlynn; Irish football player. 1983 – Birth of Shawntinice Polk; American basketball player (dies 2005). 1986 – Birth of Valerie “So Cal Val” Wyndham; American professional wrestling valet. Deaths of sports figures on March 27 1933 – Lionel Palairet, cricket player (49 runs in two Tests for England 1902), dies. 1947 – Charles Smith, cricket player (batted for South Africa in 1902-03), dies. 2013 – Death of Hjalmar Andersen, Norwegian skater (born 1923). ========================================================== TV SPORTS TODAY Friday, 3/27/2026 MLB REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVNew York Yankees at San Francisco Giants4:35pmYESNBCS-BAYAthletics at Toronto Blue Jays7:07pmNBCS-CASNColorado Rockies at Miami Marlins7:10pmRockies.TVMarlins.TVKansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves7:15pmRoyals.TVBraves.TVLos Angeles Angels at Houston Astros8:15pmFanDuel Sports WestSCHNDetroit Tigers at San Diego Padres9:40pmSN-DETPadres.TVCleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners9:45pmGuardians.TVROOTArizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers10:10pmDiamondbacks.TVSNLANBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVLos Angeles Clippers vs Indiana Pacers7:00pmFanDuel Sports SoCalFanDuel Sports INDMiami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers7:30pmFanDuel Sports OhioFanDuel Sports FLAtlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics7:30pmNBCS-BOSFanDuel Sports ATLHouston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies8:00pmSCHNFanDuel Sports MEMChicago Bulls vs Oklahoma City Thunder8:00pmNBATVCHSNFanDuel Sports OKCNew Orleans Pelicans vs Toronto Raptors8:30pmGCSNSNUtah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets9:00pmKKJZZALTDallas Mavericks vs Portland Trail Blazers10:00pmKFAARip CityWashington Wizards vs Golden State Warriors10:00pmMNMTNBCS-BAYBrooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers10:30pmYESSpectrumNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVDetroit Red Wings vs Buffalo Sabres7:00pmFanDuel Sports DETMSG-BUFChicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers7:00pmCHSNMSGMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVNCAA Sweet 16: St. John’s vs. Duke7:00pmCBSParamount+NCAA Sweet 16: Alabama vs. Michigan7:30pmTBSMAXNCAA Sweet 16: Michigan State vs. UConn9:30pmCBSParamount+NCAA Sweet 16: Tennessee vs. Iowa State10:00pmTBSMAXCOLLEGE HOCKEYTIME ETTVNCAA Tournament2:30pmESPNUNCAA Tournament5:30pmESPNUNCAA Tournament6:00pmESPN+NCAA Tournament9:00pmESPN2GOLFTIME ETTVPGA Tour: Houston Open3:00pmGOLFLPGA Tour: Ford Championship7:00pmGOLFSOCCERTIME ETTVFriendly: Azerbaijan vs St. Lucia11:00amFOX Soccer PlusfuboTVFriendly: RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim1:00pmFOX Soccer PlusfuboTVFriendly: England vs Uruguay3:45pmFS1fuboTVFriendly: Netherlands vs Norway3:45pmFOX Soccer PlusfuboTV Saturday, 3/28/26 MLB REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVTampa Bay Rays at St. Louis Cardinals2:15pmRays.TVCardinals.TVWashington Nationals at Chicago Cubs2:20pmNationals.TVMARQAthletics at Toronto Blue Jays3:07pmSNNBCS-CAMinnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles4:05pmFS1Twins.TVMASN+Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies4:05pmRSNNBCS-PHIPittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets4:10pmSN-PITSNYBoston Red Sox at Cincinnati Reds4:10pmNESNReds.TVColorado Rockies at Miami Marlins4:10pmRockies.TVFanDuel Sports FLChicago White Sox at Milwaukee Brewers7:10pmCHSNBrewers.TVLos Angeles Angels at Houston Astros7:10pmFanDuel Sports WestSCHNNew York Yankees at San Francisco Giants7:15pmFOXKansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves7:15pmFOXDetroit Tigers at San Diego Padres8:40pmSN-DETPadres.TVArizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers9:10pmDiamondbacks.TVSNLACleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners9:40pmGuardians.TVROOTNBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVSan Antonio Spurs vs Milwaukee Bucks3:00pmPrimeFanDuel Sports SWDetroit Pistons vs Minnesota Timberwolves5:30pmABCESPN UnlimitedPhiladelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets6:00pmNBCS-PHIFanDuel Sports CHSSacramento Kings vs Atlanta Hawks7:30pmNBCS-CAFanDuel Sports ATLChicago Bulls vs Memphis Grizzlies8:00pmCHSNFanDuel Sports MEMUtah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns10:00pmNBATVKJZZAFSNNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVOttawa Senators vs Tampa Bay Lightning1:00pmFanDuel Sports SunSNFlorida Panthers vs New York Islanders1:00pmScrippsMSGSNAnaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers3:30pmVictory+SNMinnesota Wild vs Boston Bruins5:00pmNHLNFanDuel Sports NorthNESNDallas Stars vs Pittsburgh Penguins5:00pmVictory+SN-PITNew Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes5:00pmMSGSNFanDuel Sports SouthSan Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets5:00pmNBCS-CAFanDuel Sports OhioSeattle Kraken vs Buffalo Sabres5:30pmKONGMSG-BUFToronto Maple Leafs vs St. Louis Blues7:00pmFanDuel Sports MWSNMontreal Canadiens vs Nashville Predators7:00pmFanDuel Sports NSHSNWinnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche7:00pmALTSNPhiladelphia Flyers vs Detroit Red Wings9:30pmABCESPN UnlimitedUtah Mammoth vs Los Angeles Kings9:00pmUtah16FanDuel Sports WestVancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames10:00pmSNESPN+Washington Capitals vs Vegas Golden Knights10:00pmMNMTScrippsMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVNCAA Elite 8––NCAA Elite 8––COLLEGE HOCKEYTIME ETTVNCAA Tournament4:30pmESPN2NCAA Tournament7:00pmESPN2GOLFTIME ETTVPGA Tour: Houston Open1:00pmGOLFPGA Tour: Houston Open3:00pmNBCLPGA Tour: Ford Championship7:00pmGOLFUFLTIME ETTVD.C. at St. Louis12:00pmESPNHouston at Arlington4:00pmFOXMOTORSPORTSTIME ETTVXfinity: NFPA 2503:30pmCWFIGURE SKATINGTIME ETTVISU: World Championships1:00pmusaSOCCERTIME ETTVFriendly: Senegal vs Peru12:00pmfuboTVFriendly: Scotland vs Japan1:00pmFOX Soccer PlusfuboTVFriendly: USA vs Belgium3:30pmTNTPeacockFriendly: Mexico vs Portugal9:00pmfuboTV About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” MARCH 26 THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” MARCH 27
