“THE SCOREBOARD” INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCORES ========================================================== INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL SCORES ========================================================== NCAA TOURNAMENT MEN’S SCHEDULE/SCORES MONDAY, APRIL 6 (NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP) UCONN VS. MICHIGAN , 8:50 P.M. | TBS/TNT/TRUTV =========================================================== MEN’S NIT SCORES SUNDAY APRIL 5 AUBURN 92 TULSA 86 OT ========================================================== NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT UCLA 79 SOUTH CAROLINA 51 ========================================================== COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES #23 CENTRAL FLORIDA 5 #13 WEST VIRGINIA 1 MISSOURI 5 #24 KENTUCKY 2 #19 NEBRASKA 8 PENN STATE 6 #1 UCLA 10 #12 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 4 OHIO STATE 7 MARYLAND 0 PURDUE 10 ILLINOIS 5 INDIANA 8 RUTGERS 2 NORTHWESTERN 8 MICHIGAN STATE 6 IOWA 5 MINNESOTA 4 ========================================================== COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES #7 FLORIDA 5 #14 MISSISSIPPI STATE 4 #5 NEBRASKA 11 RUTGERS 5 #13 ARIZONA 10 IOWA STATE 7 #10 UCLA 4 INDIANA 0 #20 OREGON 6 IOWA 2 #6 ARKANSAS 4 AUBURN 0 #13 ARIZONA 8 IOWA STATE 7 PURDUE 4 WISCONSIN 2 OHIO STATE 10 MINNESOTA 1 MICHIGAN 11 NORTHWESTERN 9 MINNESOTA 2 OHIO STATE 1 ILLINOIS AT MICHIGAN STATE CANCELED ========================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY SCORES FROZEN FOUR THURSDAY, APRIL 9 WISCONSIN VS. NORTH DAKOTA 5:00 DENVER VS. MICHIGAN 8:30 ========================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ========================================================== DIVISION 1 MEN’S LAX SCORES MICHIGAN 13 #13 RUTGERS 10 ========================================================== DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S LAX SCORES Pittsburgh 14 Florida State 11 #20 Penn State 18 Ohio State 9 ========================================================== NBA SCORES PHOENIX 120 CHICAGO 110 BROOKLYN 121 WASHINGTON 115 BOSTON 115 TORONTO 101 MILWAUKEE 131 MEMPHIS 115 CLEVELAND 117 INDIANA 108 CHARLOTTE 122 MINNESOTA 108 OKLAHOMA CITY 146 UTAH 111 ORLANDO 112 NEW ORLEANS 108 DALLAS 134 LA LAKERS 128 LA CLIPPERS 138 SACRAMENTO 109 HOUSTON 117 GOLDEN STATE 116 ========================================================== NBA G-LEAGUE SCORES GREENSBORO 134 OSCEOLA 121 STOCKTON 101 SOUTHBAY 97 ========================================================== NHL SCORES MINNESOTA 5 DETROIT 4 PITTSBURGH 5 FLORIDA 2 PHILADELPHIA 2 BOSTON 1 OT OTTAWA 6 CAROLINA 3 NEW JERSEY 3 MONTRÉAL 0 NY RANGERS 8 WASHINGTON 1 ST. LOUIS 3 COLORADO 2 ========================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CHICAGO CUBS 1 CLEVELAND 0 PITTSBURGH 8 BALTIMORE 2 SAN DIEGO 8 BOSTON 6 MIAMI 7 NY YANKEES 6 LA DODGERS 8 WASHINGTON 6 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3 TORONTO 0 TAMPA BAY 4 MINNESOTA 1 (10) MILWAUKEE 8 KANSAS CITY 5 CINCINNATI 2 TEXAS 1 COLORADO 4 PHILADELPHIA 1 NY METS 5 SAN FRANCISCO 2 LAS VEGAS 12 HOUSTON 10 (10) LA ANGELS 8 SEATTLE 6 (11) ARIZONA 6 ATLANTA 5 (10) CLEVELAND 6 CHICAGO CUBS 5 ST. LOUIS 5 DETROIT 3 ========================================================== MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INDIANAPOLIS 7 COLUMBUS 2 GREAT LAKES 16 FORT WAYNE 1 FORT WAYNE 4 GREAT LAKES 1 ========================================================== WOMEN’S PRO VOLLEYBALL SCORES COLUMBUS 3 GRAND RAPIDS 2 SAN DIEGO 3 DALLAS 2 ========================================================== UFL SCORES GAMBLERS 22 STALLIONS 20 ========================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER NO GAMES SCHEDULED ========================================================== NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS RELEASES THE “SPORTSPAGE” FINALS PREVIEW (COACH KEITH MEYERS) The stage is set for Monday night as the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball take on the UConn Huskies men’s basketball for the national championship, and this one has all the makings of a classic. Michigan has been nothing short of dominant throughout the tournament, playing with confidence, pace, and a balanced attack that has overwhelmed opponents. They’ve shown the ability to score at all three levels and have turned every game into a track meet when needed. UConn comes into this matchup battle-tested and tough, exactly what you expect from a championship-level program. The Huskies rely on strong defense, physical play, and smart decision-making, and they’ve proven they can win in multiple ways. Their ability to control tempo and make opponents uncomfortable will be key if they want to slow down Michigan’s high-powered offense. The biggest difference in this game comes down to depth and versatility. Michigan can beat you inside, outside, and in transition, and they keep coming at you in waves. UConn will have its moments, especially defensively, but over the course of 40 minutes, Michigan’s ability to create scoring opportunities and push the pace is going to wear them down. From my view, Michigan is the better team right now and is playing at a different level. UConn will compete and keep it close early, but Michigan pulls away in the second half. My prediction: Michigan by 10. – Keith Meyers, IndianaSRN UCONN MUST OVERCOME MICHIGAN’S DOMINANCE TO ESTABLISH A BASKETBALL DYNASTY IN NATIONAL TITLE GAME INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There’s a dynasty brewing in college basketball. And, in a perfectly fitting twist, UConn can cement that status by overcoming a Michigan powerhouse that is racking up historically impressive numbers, hoping to go down as one of the sport’s greatest teams itself. Those are the stakes in Monday night’s title game between the Huskies and Wolverines. Connecticut is trying to become the first program since John Wooden’s UCLA behemoth of the 1960s and ‘70s to win three championships over a four-season span, while Michigan is trying to cap off a March Madness string of dominance, the likes of which were last seen by this very UConn program that won it all in 2023and ’24. “This run they’re on is one of the best — probably the best — since John Wooden,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “If we think riding in on a wave is going to take care of UConn, then we’re going to be very disappointed at about 11 o’clock tomorrow night or whenever the game concludes.” The Wolverines (36-3), seeded first in the Midwest, are listed as a 6 1/2-point favorite by BetMGM Sportsbook. Even with his team’s front-runner pedigree, coach Dan Hurley of UConn (34-5), a No. 2 seed out of the East, is leaning into the underdog role, not fighting it. “There’s been plenty of times in the history of this tournament where the best team hasn’t won it,” Hurley said. “You’ve just got to be better one night. The good thing for us, it’s not a seven-game series.” In yet another twist with plot-shifting potential, the status of both Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg and UConn guard Solo Ball could play heavily into this game. Ball was walking around in a boot Sunday after spraining his left foot in the first half of UConn’s 71-62 win over Illinois. Lendeborg tweaked his knee and ankle when he landed awkwardly on the foot of Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas in the first half of Michigan’s 91-73 semifinal beatdown of the Wildcats. Both have vowed they won’t miss Monday’s game. “He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA — and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA,” May said of his 15-point-per-game All-American. “Whatever version of Yaxel we get, it’s going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball.” The Wolverines are the first team to score 90-plus points in five straight tournament games. They are trying to become the fifth team to win six tournament games by double digits. The other four: 2009 North Carolina, 2018 Villanova and both of the recent UConn teams. “When you get to the Final Four and you know you have the best team, that was a different level of pressure than in ’23 where we weren’t really sure,” Hurley said of his ’24 squad. “But there’s also some pressure even if you’re — whatever — the underdog, because we’re one game away from having a national championship with this team.” UConn, UM take different approaches to roster building The Wolverines roster is a reflection of what college hoops looks like in the transfer-portal era. Four of their starters came to Michigan this season, as May fashioned a quick rebuild in his second year in Ann Arbor. This is May’s second trip to the Final Four in four seasons. His first came with Florida Atlantic. “What makes Dusty May special as a coach is obviously his eye for talent, his ability to construct a roster, the fact that he insulates himself with an excellent coaching staff, and his ability to build team and culture,” Hurley said. “He’s got a special eye for how to put together a great team.” UConn is built differently — with what Hurley would call judicious use of the transfer portal (Tarris Reed Jr., for instance, came from Michigan) combined with players who have become entrenched on a campus with 18 national basketball titles — six for the men and 12 for the women. The best example of that: Alex Karaban, who, with a title, could become the first player since the UCLA dynasty to win three national titles over his college career. “You dream of being on this stage one time, and to be heading into it for a third time, it’s a blessing,” Karaban said. At Michigan, the Fab Five is always front of mind UConn isn’t the only program with a deep history. Michigan redefined college basketball in the 1990s with the Fab Five. Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King came to the school together as freshmen in 1991. They made the title game twice and lost. But they’re most remembered for bringing a baggy-shorts, mass-marketing brashness to the game, one underpinned by the question: Why are all these coaches and shoe companies raking in dough while we play for free? “We got to college and started understanding the hypocrisy in the game, with the schools making millions and us sitting around poor as hell,” Jackson said in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press. In today’s NIL landscape, players are making money and nobody overlooks the Fab Five’s role in pushing things forward. What that group was missing, of course, was the national title. Michigan’s only championship came in 1989, a few years before the Fab Five arrived. “Other than Michael Jordan, since I’ve been alive, I don’t think there’s ever been a group change the culture for the better in our sport than the Fab Five,” May said earlier in the week. They’re “just number one. We’re proud to represent those guys and carry the flag for the former players at the University of Michigan.” Hurley looks for a title … and a tailor One key casualty of all this UConn success: Hurley’s sideline wear. He has worn the same blue suit at March Madness dating as far back as 2012 when he was coaching Rhode Island. He also wears the same socks and underwear and eats eight M&Ms before games — but none of them green. Anything to keep the good mojo going. “The pants are fine,” Hurley said. “It’s the jacket that is really — the lining is a problem. There’s like three holes. When I stick my arm in the right, there’s like three different places (you can stick your arm), and if you can see it, it’s like the lining is coming through. “I’m going to have to get a tailor in the offseason.” DUSTY MAY INFORMS MICHIGAN OFFICIALS OF INTENTION TO STAY PUT, SPURN UNC Michigan head coach Dusty May informed Michigan officials that he would not take part as a candidate in North Carolina’s coaching search — nor any other — ESPN reported on Sunday. May, 49, has guided the Wolverines to the NCAA Championship Game in his second season in Ann Arbor. A year after he took them to the Sweet 16, May has the Wolverines sitting at 36-3 ahead of Monday’s championship matchup with UConn. The Tarheels have been in pursuit of a new coach since firing Hubert Davis on March 24. The school is now facing a looming deadline of sorts with the transfer portal opening on Tuesday, yet it has also been doing due diligence with coaches still in the tournament.NCAA hockey content Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd had been squarely in North Carolina’s sights until Friday, when Lloyd was given a significant contract extension to remain with the Wildcats. That provoked speculation that the Tarheels could turn their attention to another Final Four coach. As Lloyd’s new deal became public, May — whose buyout is $7 million — also addressed job rumors on Friday, reiterating his commitment to Michigan. “After last year, I decided that I’ll never, ever respond to any job speculation,” May said. “I think it’s well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important.” Interestingly, Lloyd and May squared off on Saturday, with May’s Wolverines winning a one-sided affair, 91-73. North Carolina finished 24-9 with a first-round exit in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and Alabama’s Nate Oats have also publicly taken themselves out of the running in recent days. Other reported candidates include the Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan and Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington, among others. AUBURN BLOWS 21-POINT LEAD, RECOVERS TO BEAT TULSA FOR NIT TITLE Kevin Overton netted 26 points, including a deep 3-pointer and a free throw in the final two minutes of overtime, and Auburn won its first NIT championship in a wild 92-86 win over Tulsa on Sunday night in Indianapolis. An NCAA Tournament Final Four team one year ago, the Tigers (22-16) wasted a 21-point first-half lead, but rallied in the final 10 seconds for overtime. They then outscored Tulsa 14-8 in the extra frame for the victory. NCAA hockey content Tahaad Pettiford had 24 points and eight assists and Sebastian Williams-Adams tallied 13 points for the Tigers. Elyjah Freeman had six points, including two free throws with 11 seconds left in OT, and 14 rebounds. Filip Jovic scored 12 points, while Keyshawn Hall had 11 and 12 boards, but both fouled out late in regulation. A two-time NIT champion, the Golden Hurricane (30-8) used a 22-2 run to take the lead with 10:26 left in regulation. Tulsa’s David Green had 25 points and six rebounds and Tylen Riley added 20 points. Ade Popoola scored 13 points. With Tulsa trailing 48-31 at halftime, Green’s three-point play at 14:10 put the squad back in the contest, as the group trailed 57-45. Riley’s spinning layup at 12:58 made it 57-49 and forced an Auburn timeout during a 10-0 Tulsa run. Miles Barnstable’s trey, Green’s two free throws and Riley’s pair from the line extended that run to 22-2 and put Tulsa ahead 61-59. After Auburn forced a five-second turnover on an inbounds play while down by three, Overton drilled a corner 3-pointer to force overtime at 78-all. With Auburn great Charles Barkley courtside, Jovic, a bruising 6-foot-8 freshman, started strong with back-to-back dunks as the Tigers used a 7-0 run for a 9-2 lead just over two minutes into the title game. Williams-Adams sank a 3-pointer at 13:58 to push it to a 16-4 advantage. The American Conference school went 8 1/2 minutes without a field goal until Popoola’s layup at 10:51 made it 23-9. Tulsa cut it to 39-26 on Tyler Behrend’s layup at 3:30, and Green’s 10 points led the way. However, the team shot only 38.5% (10 of 26) from the field. Pettiford and Overton scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, as Auburn made 16 of 31 (51.7%) shots overall and led by 17 at the break. WEST VIRGINIA RALLIES, BEATS OKLAHOMA IN OT TO WIN COLLEGE BASKETBALL CROWN Honor Huff scored 38 points and made eight 3-pointers to help West Virginia rally for an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown championship game on Sunday in Las Vegas. Chance Moore added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers (21-14), who trailed by 13 points in the second half before rallying. Brenen Lorient scored 15 points in the program’s first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT. Nijel Pack led Oklahoma (21-16) with 24 points and seven assists, followed by Tae Davis’ 19 points and Xzayvier Brown’s 13. Oklahoma scored the first six points of overtime, taking an 82-76 lead on Pack’s layup. Jasper Floyd then hit his first 3-pointer of the game, followed by Huff’s triple to tie the score with 2:14 remaining. After Pack missed a 3-pointer, Floyd hit another trey to give the Mountaineers an 85-82 lead. West Virginia got stops on its next two possessions and Huff drilled four straight free throws to seal the championship win. Oklahoma pushed its four-point halftime lead to 10 on Pack’s 3-pointer, forcing a West Virginia timeout less than four minutes into the second half. Brown’s jumper extended the margin to 13, before Huff’s three-point play and Moore’s layup cut the deficit to 59-51. Lorient’s basket at the 5:23 mark pulled West Virginia within three. Derrion Reid and Davis scored on Oklahoma’s next two possessions, giving the Sooners a 71-64 lead. From there, Huff scored five straight points and Lorient made a layup to tie the score at 71 with 1:45 remaining. After an Oklahoma timeout, Pack and Huff traded triples. Davis then turned the ball over and committed a foul on Huff, who drained two free throws with 33 seconds left. Davis’ ensuing layup tied the score at 76. Huff missed a go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end, sending the game to overtime. The Mountaineers connected on eight of their first 10 3-point attempts, including Huff’s three straight triples to build a 26-11 lead. Oklahoma answered with a 16-2 run, cutting its deficit to a point on Pack’s mid-range jumper with 5:25 left in the first half. After Moore’s layup snapped a four-plus minute West Virginia scoring drought, the Sooners scored nine straight points, taking a 36-30 advantage. Davis closed the first half with a three-point play to give Oklahoma a 41-37 halftime lead. ================================================================ WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL UCLA STORMS PAST SOUTH CAROLINA TO CLAIM ITS 1ST NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TITLE PHOENIX (AP) — It’s mission accomplished for UCLA. Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and the rest of the UCLA seniors secured the first NCAA women’s basketball national championship in school history — a goal that was set after losing in the first Final Four last season. Jaquez scored 21 points, Betts added 16 and UCLA routed South Carolina 79-51 Sunday in the title game. “I knew we were going to do it. Coming to UCLA we all set out for a goal, and I imagined this moment,” Jaquez said. “I imagined it so many times, and I am just so, so proud. … Crying a lot, the confetti, all of the fans being here to support us, my family being here, it just means everything. Celebrating with this group, like … I’m so happy.” The near-record lopsided victory completed the Bruins’ journey through this year’s March Madness. The Bruins ran through their opponents this season with their only loss coming in November, to Texas in a Thanksgiving tournament. “It’s immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams.” UCLA (37-1) was led by Betts and her fellow seniors and graduate students, like Jaquez — who played all four years with the Bruins. She also had 10 rebounds and five assists in front of her brother Jaime, who plays for the Miami Heat and flew in to attend the game to watch his alma mater win. The group that coach Close put together through a combination of high school commitments and transfer portal players capped off their stellar careers with a championship, scoring all the points in the title game. “Connectivity. Attention to detail. You know I looked them in the eyes before in the locker room, before the game, and I said, ‘I’m so proud to be able to say this,” Close said. “Because all year we’ve been saying the talent is our floor, but our character will determine our ceiling.’” The title is UCLA’s first since winning the 1978 AIAW championship, which was the postseason tournament for women’s basketball before the NCAA took over in 1982. The championship game loss was the second straight for the Gamecocks, who won the title in 2024. Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks (36-4) will be favored to return to the game’s biggest stage with a talented group of expected returnees, led by Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer. Like their 51-44 semifinal win over Texas, the Bruins were locked in defensively, anchored by Betts. She finished with 11 rebounds and exited the game with 3:45 left, giving Close a huge hug. The 6-foot-7 senior earned Most Outstanding Player honors of the Final Four. “UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year, and you make adjustments,” South Carolina’s Staley said. “From last year to this year — they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year because they were so close.” Offensively, the Bruins had a much easier time than in the semifinal game that saw the team score only 20 points in the first half. The Bruins surpassed that total in the opening 10 minutes against South Carolina. Kiki’s Rice 3-pointer just before the first-quarter buzzer made it 21-10 as the Bruins got off to a strong start and South Carolina struggled with 17% shooting, it’s poorest quarter of the season. The Bruins extended the lead to 15 points in the second quarter by clogging up the paint on defense and working the ball inside on offense for a 36-23 lead at the half. UCLA put the game away in the third quarter, opening the period with a 12-3 run. Jaquez had five points during the spurt. South Carolina never threatened again as the Bruins outscored them 25-9 in the period. “We just didn’t have it today. We tried, but we just didn’t have it today,” Staley said. “They were the better team.” ================================================================= NBA NBA ROUNDUP: ROCKETS EDGE WARRIORS TO SPOIL STEPHEN CURRY’S RETURN Stephen Curry returned from a two-month absence with 29 points, but Alperen Sengun capped a 24-point performance with a go-ahead interior hoop with 11.1 seconds remaining, lifting the Houston Rockets to a 117-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night in San Francisco. In his first return to San Francisco as a member of the Rockets, Kevin Durant poured in a game-high 31 points for Houston (49-29), which moved within one game of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets in their three-team duel for third place in the Western Conference. Brandin Podziemski backed Curry with 18 points for the Warriors (36-42), who virtually assured themselves of the 10th seed in the Western play-in tournament. Curry, who had missed 27 straight games since a Jan. 30 injury against Detroit, played 26 minutes, during which he hit 11 of his 21 shots. The Warriors had gone 9-18 in his 27 absences as he recovered from a sore right knee. Gui Santos finished with 15 points and Payton 14 for the Warriors, who saw Kristaps Porzingis foul out with just nine points and a team-high eight rebounds after 23 minutes. Draymond Green collected a game-high 12 assists to go with seven points. Celtics 115, Raptors 101 Jaylen Brown tossed in a game-high 26 points and Jayson Tatum added 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to lead Boston to a victory over visiting Toronto. The Celtics received 18 points and seven rebounds from Neemias Queta, 17 points from Payton Pritchard and 10 from Derrick White. Boston’s Nikola Vucevic played in a game for the first time since he fractured his right ring finger March 6 and had four points and four rebounds. Boston has won its last nine home games against Toronto. The Raptors haven’t won in Boston since 2021. Boston has won 21 of its last 24 regular-season games against Toronto overall. Ja’Kobe Walter led Toronto with 16 points. Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett each scored 15. Mavericks 134, Lakers 128 Cooper Flagg followed a historic 51-point performance with another sensational outing, going for 45 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to lead host Dallas over short-handed Los Angeles. Dallas built a lead as large as 22 points behind P.J. Washington’s 15 points, Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams each scoring 13 and Klay Thompson knocking down three 3-pointers on the way to 11 points to support Flagg. LeBron James (30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds) did what he could to pick up the slack as Los Angeles was without its top two scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who will both miss at least the remainder of the regular season. Luke Kennard notched his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. Suns 120, Bulls 110 Devin Booker scored 30 points, Jalen Green added 25 and Dillon Brooks sank a pair of clutch baskets down the stretch to help Phoenix get past host Chicago. All five Phoenix starters scored in double figures, as Mark Williams shot 6-of-8 from the floor on the way to 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Jordan Goodwin added 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting and seven boards. Tre Jones scored 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the floor to lead Chicago. Collin Sexton posted a double-double, scoring 18 points and nine rebounds. Leonard Miller had a game-high 10 rebounds and shot 7-of-14 from the field on the way to 17 points. Cavaliers 117, Pacers 108 Donovan Mitchell scored 38 points and James Harden had 28 points and seven assists as playoff-bound Cleveland overcame a slow start in a victory over visiting Indiana. Thomas Bryant posted 14 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which did not lead in the first half before rallying for its eighth win in the last 10 games. The Cavaliers are on the verge of locking up fourth place in the Eastern Conference, which would give them home-court advantage in the first round. Micah Potter and Obi Toppin scored 21 points apiece for Indiana, which only dressed nine players and has the second-worst record in the league. Jalen Slawson scored a career-high 19 points, and Quenton Jackson had 15 points. Hornets 122, Timberwolves 108 LaMelo Ball scored 35 points on 13-for-22 shooting and Charlotte pulled away for a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Miles Bridges added 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Charlotte), which won its fourth game in a row. Coby White contributed 17 points off the bench. Julius Randle scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Minnesota. Bones Hyland finished with 18 points off the bench, and Rudy Gobert registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Edwards (right knee inflammation) and Jaden McDaniels (left knee soreness) missed the game. Magic 112, Pelicans 108 Desmond Bane scored 27 points as Orlando overturned a 15-point third-quarter deficit to defeat host New Orleans. Paolo Banchero paired 23 points with 16 rebounds for the Magic, who seized control after edging in front midway through the fourth quarter to win their third game in the last four. Saddiq Bey had 32 for the Pelicans, who succumbed to their eighth straight defeat. Jeremiah Fears added 19 points, Yves Missi posted 18 and Zion Williamson contributed 17 for New Orleans. Clippers 138 Kings 109 Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and John Collins added 25 as Los Angeles moved into eighth place in the Western Conference standings with a road victory over Sacramento. Darius Garland and Kobe Sanders each scored 17 points, while Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller added 13 each as the Clippers ended a two-game skid. Los Angeles has the same record as the Portland Trail Blazers but now owns the eighth spot in the standings via tiebreaker by winning two of the three games between the teams. Devin Carter scored 21 points and Nique Clifford added 18 as the Kings saw a two-game winning streak come to an end. Maxime Raynaud scored 11 points with 15 rebounds for Sacramento, which has struggled with injury issues this season but has managed to go 7-8 since March 8. Bucks 131, Grizzlies 115 Ryan Rollins scored 24 points, Cormac Ryan added 21 and Myles Turner finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Memphis. The Bucks also got 19 points from Taurean Prince, who was 7-of-8 shooting, including 5-of-5 from long range. The team shot 60.2% from the field and 50% from 3-point range, never trailing in the second half, although the Grizzlies did cut the deficit to one point twice early in the fourth quarter. Rayan Rupert posted a 30-point triple-double for the Grizzlies, only the third in franchise history, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Walter Clayton Jr. added 20 points for the Grizzlies, who lost their fourth straight and for the 17th time in 19 games. Nets 121, Wizards 115 Rookie Nolan Traore scored a career-high 23 points and added a game-high seven assists as Brooklyn held off visiting Washington in an Eastern Conference basement battle in New York. Jalen Wilson added 19 points and five rebounds, while Josh Minott and E.J. Liddell each had 15 points as the Nets won for just the second time in their past 14 games. They also won the season series with Washington 3-1. Will Riley shot 9 for 16 from the field and led the Wizards with 30 points. The rookie has led the Wizards in scoring in five of the past six games, averaging 22.5 points per game over that stretch. Julian Reese added 17 points and 16 rebounds for Washington. ================================================================= NHL NHL ROUNDUP: FLYERS BEAT BRUINS IN OT, MOVE INTO PLAYOFF SPOT Porter Martone scored his first NHL goal on a 5-on-3 in overtime, lifting the Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Boston Bruins on Sunday. After Boston took penalties seven seconds apart in OT, Philadelphia needed just 15 more seconds to score the decisive goal. Christian Dvorak made a touch pass to the slot for Martone, whose first attempt was stopped by Joonas Korpisalo, but the rookie winger — playing in just his fourth career game — banged home the rebound. Dan Vladar made 18 saves and Dvorak scored the other goal for Philadelphia, which jumped over the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers entered the day one point behind the Islanders, as well as in a four-way tie for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Pavel Zacha scored the lone goal for Boston, which still sits atop the wild-card race despite losing its third straight contest. Korpisalo made 29 saves for the Bruins, including the sequence of the game late in regulation when he denied Jamie Drysdale’s blast and then stoned Tyson Foerster on the rebound with a spectacular pad stop. Senators 6, Hurricanes 3 Brady Tkachuk scored twice among the final four Ottawa goals in a win over visiting Carolina. Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto all had a goal and an assist and the Senators picked up a much-needed result to win for the second time in their last six games. Ottawa holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Claude Giroux had the other goal — an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining — and goalie Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for the Senators, who tallied two goals on power plays. Logan Stankoven, Andrei Svechnikov and Taylor Hall scored for the Hurricanes, who lost for only the second time in their last six games. Jackson Blake provided two assists and goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots. Carolina remained one point away from clinching the Metropolitan Division with five games to play. Wild 5, Red Wings 4 Kirill Kaprizov notched a hat trick, including the go-ahead goal with 1:51 remaining, as visiting Minnesota defeated fading Detroit. After the Wild squandered a 4-1 lead in the first 15 minutes of the third period, Kaprizov scored his third goal of the afternoon and 43rd of the season on a power play as he ripped a shot from the right circle past Detroit goaltender Cam Talbot off a Matt Boldy feed. Boldly and Vladimir Tarasenko also scored. Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Patrick Kane each had a goal and an assist for Detroit, but Kane committed the tripping penalty that led to Minnesota’s winning goal. Albert Johansson and J.T. Compher also scored for the Red Wings, who have lost four of their past five games and nine of their last 13 contests. Penguins 5, Panthers 2 Rickard Rakell scored twice and Evgeni Malkin added a pair of helpers as Pittsburgh upended visiting Florida. With the win, the Penguins picked up their second win over the Panthers in as many days and swept the three-game season series. Sidney Crosby scored and added two assists and Bryan Rust had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who moved seven points up on the third-place New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division. Arturs Silvos made 29 saves for Pittsburgh, which improved to 4-1 over its last five. Cole Schwindt and Carter Verhaeghe scored goals for the Panthers (37-37-3, 77 points), who have dropped back-to-back games and are eliminated from playoff contention. Daniil Tarasov stopped 18 shots for Florida, which has lost five of seven. Devils 3, Canadiens 0 Jacob Markstrom posted his first shutout of the season as visiting New Jersey beat Montreal to snap the hosts’ eight-game winning streak. Timo Meier, Cody Glass and Connor Brown scored for the Devils to keep their razor-thin playoff hopes alive. Markstrom made 18 saves to record the 25th shutout of his career, including a pair of highlight-reel stops that prevented dynamic Montreal forward Cole Caufield from reaching the 50-goal mark. The Devils are seven points outside a playoff spot with five games remaining, and exacted a hint of revenge after losing a 4-3 shootout game to Montreal on Saturday. New Jersey has won 11 straight games in Montreal. No. 3 goalie Jacob Fowler stopped 17 shots for Montreal, which punched a ticket to the playoffs before the game. Rangers 8, Capitals 1 Will Cuylle scored twice in a span of 2:40 during a five-goal second period on the way to his first career hat trick and host New York prevented Washington from gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with a rout. Washington fell three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second and final wild-card spot. The Capitals also trail the New York Islanders by two points and are one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Charlie Lindgren recorded 24 saves, but tied a career worst by allowing eight goals for the second time. Rookie Adam Sykora and Adam Fox also scored during the big period as the Rangers won for the fifth time in six games following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1). Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves. ====================================================================== MLB MLB ROUNDUP: WHITE SOX BLANK BLUE JAYS TO COMPLETE SURPRISING SWEEP Davis Martin pitched six effective innings, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays to complete a surprising sweep Sunday afternoon. Martin (2-0) allowed four hits and two walks. After Bryan Hudson and Jordan Leasure handled the next two innings, Chris Murphy pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth to earn the save. Austin Hays, Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa each had RBI hits in the first four innings. Luisangel Acuna had a team-high two hits. Ernie Clement had two hits for the Blue Jays, who were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in losing their fourth straight. Eric Lauer (1-1) walked three and gave up three hits over his two-inning start, surrendering two runs. Cubs 1, Guardians 0 (Game 1) Four Chicago pitchers limited host Cleveland to one hit as the visiting Cubs squeaked out a victory in the first game of a doubleheader. Miguel Amaya’s single off Connor Brogdon (2-1) with one out in the eighth scored Dylan Carlson from second as the Cubs managed to win with just two hits. Carlson came on as a pinch-runner after Michael Conforto worked a leadoff walk. Caleb Thielbar (1-0) allowed one walk in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the ninth to claim his first save of the season. Cleveland’s struggles at the plate overshadowed a strong performance by Guardians starter Slade Cecconi, who also allowed just one hit. Cecconi struck out six and walked one during his six-inning stint. Guardians 6, Cubs 5 (Game 2) Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for Cleveland, which rallied to salvage the nightcap against Chicago. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth and a homer in the eighth. Parker Messick allowed one run over five innings, Shawn Armstrong (1-0) gave up the go-ahead homer but recorded the win and Cade Smith allowed a run in the ninth before stranding two runners in scoring position with a game-winning strikeout to record his third save. Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson each hit their first homers of the season for the Cubs, who saw starter Shota Imanaga allow one run on three hits over five-plus innings. Jacob Webb (0-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs over a third of an inning. Angels 8, Mariners 7 (11 innings) Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly scored the winning run as Los Angeles edged Seattle in Anaheim, Calif. Reliever Shaun Anderson (1-0) struck out Cal Raleigh with the bases loaded to end the top of the 11th. Adam Frazier went 3-for-4 with an RBI and crossed the plate with the winning run. Schanuel and Jorge Soler each drove in a pair of runs. Chase Young clubbed a three-run homer to give Seattle a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning. Leo Rivas went 1-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. Gabe Speier (0-2), the Mariners’ seventh pitcher of the game, took the loss. Athletics 12, Astros 10 (10 innings) Brent Rooker clubbed a pair of home runs, including a three-run walk-off blast in the 10th inning that lifted the Athletics to a wild win over Houston in West Sacramento, Calif. Elvis Alvarado (1-0), who retired the final two batters after Houston scored once in the 10th, earned the win. Tyler Soderstrom went 1-for-4, but scored three times and drove in three runs. Rooker finished with six RBIs. Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker clubbed two-run homers for the Astros and Cam Smith went 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Closer Bryan Abreu (0-1) took the loss, retiring only one of four batters in the A’s 10th. Diamondbacks 6, Braves 5 (10 innings) Ketel Marte laced a walk-off double to propel Arizona to a victory and a series split against Atlanta in Phoenix. Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs on a triple for the Diamondbacks. Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing a perfect top of the 10th in his season debut. Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with his fourth homer and four RBIs for the Braves, who rallied from three deficits before coming up short. Joel Payamps (0-1) took the loss after throwing just one pitch, which Marte knocked to right to plate automatic runner Jorge Barrosa. Rays 4, Twins 1 (10 innings) Richie Palacios clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer in the 10th inning as Tampa Bay claimed its first series of the season with a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Junior Caminero, who hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, later drove in the Rays’ fourth run on a walk. Kevin Kelly earned his second save in relief of Bryan Baker (1-0), who pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts. In his second straight quality start, the Rays’ Nick Martinez yielded just a solo shot — the only hit against the right-hander — in six innings. He fanned four with a walk. Matt Wallner went deep for the Twins, who managed just three hits in their second straight setback. Padres 8, Red Sox 6 Jackson Merrill’s leadoff home run in the eighth inning broke a late tie and lifted visiting San Diego to a win over Boston. Merrill went 3-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored to lead the Padres, who banged out 12 hits and erased an early 4-0 deficit to claim the series. Jeremiah Estrada (1-1) was victorious following a scoreless inning of relief, and Mason Miller struck out the side to post his second save in as many days. Wilyer Abreu (double, triple, RBI, two runs scored) and Masataka Yoshida (3-for-4, two doubles, three RBIs) combined for six of Boston’s nine hits. Tyler Uberstine (0-1) lost his major league debut for the Red Sox, allowing one run on three hits across 2 2/3 innings. Marlins 7, Yankees 6 Pinch hitter Graham Pauley lined a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird (1-1) to spark a four-run eighth inning and Miami hung on for a victory over host New York after a rain delay of more than three hours. Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough which proved critical when Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered a two-run double to cut the lead to one in the bottom of the ninth before J.C. Escarra struck out to end the game. Ben Rice smashed a three-run first innings for the Yankees, who saw ace Max Fried allow his first three runs of the season over 6 2/3 innings after he tossed 13 1/3 scoreless in his first two starts. John King (1-0) recorded the win for retiring the final batter of the New York seventh after Chris Paddack followed the two openers with 4 2/3 innings of earned-run-free work. Pirates 8, Orioles 2 Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead host Pittsburgh to a victory over Baltimore. O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run homers to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Ashcraft (1-1) gave up an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth, but limited the damage, tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits. Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits and Jeremiah Jackson added an RBI single. Starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits. Dodgers 8, Nationals 6 Shohei Ohtani, Dalton Rushing and Teoscar Hernandez homered, and Los Angeles rallied to beat host Washington, completing the three-game sweep. The Dodgers plated four runs in the eighth to take the lead for good. Former National Alex Call had two hits and scored twice. Jack Dreyer (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the win and Edwin Diaz worked the ninth for his third save after starter Roki Sasaki was tagged for six runs over five innings. James Wood had a three-run homer and Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run shot for the Nationals, who have dropped five straight. Cionel Perez (0-1) took the loss, spoiling a strong start from Foster Griffin, who allowed one run on five hits over five innings. Reds 2, Rangers 1 Elly De La Cruz singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Cincinnati edged Texas to complete a three-game sweep in Arlington, Texas. De La Cruz had two hits and scored a run, and Will Benson had two hits for Cincinnati. Reliever Sam Moll (1-0) got the win, and Brock Burke struck out the side in the ninth for his first career save. Starter Chase Burns took a shutout into the seventh inning. Joc Pederson homered for Texas, which scored four runs in the series and has dropped four straight. Robert Garcia (0-1) took the loss in relief. Mets 5, Giants 2 Pinch hitter Luis Torrens stroked a go-ahead two-RBI double in a four-run eighth inning, and visiting New York rallied to beat San Francisco. The Mets strung together five straight one-out hits against a pair of Giants relievers to deliver a third straight win. Jorge Polanco got the uprising going with a one-out double off Keaton Winn (0-1), after which Luis Robert Jr. singled and stole second. Stepping in for Jared Young, who had a 3-for-3 day going, Torrens then greeted Erik Miller with an opposite-field double to right to give New York the lead. Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers had consecutive RBI hits for the Giants to end Kodai Senga’s start. Senga struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings, while Logan Webb threw seven innings of one-run ball for San Francisco. Rockies 4, Phillies 1 Former Philadelphia first-round pick Mickey Moniak hit two home runs and TJ Rumfield also went deep as Colorado salvaged the series finale of the three-game set in Denver. Hunter Goodman had two hits and starter Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0) pitched six strong innings to earn his first win for Colorado. Victor Vodnik got the last three outs to earn his first save. Adolis Garcia homered and singled for the Phillies. Starter Taijuan Walker (0-2) struggled in his second start of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings. Brewers 8, Royals 5 Gary Sanchez hit a two-run home run and William Contreras had two hits and two RBIs in visiting Milwaukee’s series-clinching win over Kansas City. Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (1-0) picked up the win as he scattered three hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Kris Bubic (1-1) took the loss for the Royals as he surrendered four hits and four runs over five innings. Trevor Megill picked up his third save of the season. Contreras was 2-for-3 with a run and two walks for Milwaukee. Maikel Garcia was 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino was 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Royals. Cardinals 5, Tigers 3 Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as visiting St. Louis topped Detroit. Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save. Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit while Spencer Torkelson reached base four times. Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. ================================================================= GOLF LAUREN COUGHLIN GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE TO WIN ARAMCO CHAMPIONSHIP Lauren Coughlin went wire-to-wire and captured the inaugural Aramco Championship on Sunday in Las Vegas for her first win on the LPGA Tour since 2024. Coughlin fired an even-par 72 for her final round on the difficult Shadow Creek Golf Course layout and finished with a 7-under-par total of 281, five shots clear of Nelly Korda and Ireland’s Leona Maguire. One year ago, Coughlin lost the championship match to Madalene Sagstrom when the LPGA held the T-Mobile Match Play at Shadow Creek. “I just know I played really, really great all week,” Coughlin said. “Had a lot of fun. I’m just happy. You know, definitely left a sour taste in my mouth last year not getting the W given how well I played all week, so makes it extra special this week.” Coughlin opened with a 5-under 67 and shared the lead with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Miyu Yamashita. She shot Friday’s low round of 69 in windy conditions and took a five-stroke lead, but Korda sliced three shots off the advantage and trailed by only two strokes heading into the final round. Coughlin made an early statement on Sunday, birdieing the par-4 first hole. There was a two-shot swing on the par-3 eighth, with Coughlin recording a birdie and Korda posting bogey, opening up an insurmountable six-shot lead. But she did not allow herself to think of victory until her final wedge shot from the 18th fairway. “Probably after I hit that wedge shot on 18 into it. I was like, all right, I think I got it now,” she said. Korda birdied the final hole, her only birdie of the round as she shot a 3-over 75. Maguire posted a final-round 71. “I just didn’t play good golf today,” Korda said. “I was hitting it pretty poorly off the tee and just finding myself in really tough positions going into the greens, and then hitting it in places where I shouldn’t be around the greens. “… Props to Lauren. She played some unbelievable golf. It was really fun to see today and it was fun to play alongside her.” Yamashita was the only other player to finish the week under par in the firm desert conditions, taking solo fourth place at 1 under after Sunday’s 74. Japan’s Akie Iwai and Australia’s Karis Davidson tied for fifth at even-par 288. Coughlin won her first two LPGA titles in 2024, capturing the CPKC Women’s Open and the Women’s Scottish Open, but went winless in 2025. J.J. SPAUN ENDS DRY SPELL WITH TEXAS OPEN VICTORY At last year’s U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun made a 64-foot birdie putt to polish off his first major victory. He used another remarkable shot, this time from the tee box, to return to the winner’s circle. Spaun shot a 5-under-par 67 that included a late eagle in the final round of the Valero Texas Open to win the tournament for the second time on a long final day of play Sunday in San Antonio. “I haven’t been feeling at the form that I wanted to be based off of last season,” Spaun said. “Just trying to take each day as it comes and accepting what I have. Just got such a great team behind me that’s been supporting me. Just means a lot to come back and win here at a place that’s been so good to me.” Spaun finished at 17-under 271 and then waited for several groups to finish for a one-shot victory at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. This weekend’s championship wasn’t secured until Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, playing in the final group, misfired on his second shot on the final hole and recovered only for a par, leaving him with 70 for the round and 16 under for the tournament. Michael Kim (69) and England’s Matt Wallace (68) also shared second place. Andrew Putnam (70) and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (70) were tied for fifth at 15 under. Spaun’s first Texas Open title, won in 2022, was his only PGA Tour win before breaking through at the U.S. Open last June. After winning the major last year, the attention that accompanied his new status might have worked against him. “I put a lot of pressure on myself this year to start the year, and a lot of expectations,” Spaun said. “It’s the complete opposite of the mantra I had all year last year that really helped me, so I tried to get back to that. Went into the last few weeks starting at The Players just trying to be freed up and put less pressure on myself. It’s been trying, but sticking to that mantra has really helped me.” Spaun reached the green off the tee on the par-4, 306-yard 17th hole. His ball settled 9 1/2 feet from the cup, and his eagle putt proved enough even after he settled for par on the par-5 18th. Spaun also had birdies on Nos. 14 and 16 sandwiched around a bogey on the 15th. MacIntyre, the second-round leader, also had an eagle on No. 17, making a 16 1/2-foot putt to keep his hopes alive. “I was proud of the way I played,” said MacIntyre, who also finished runner-up to Spaun at the U.S. Open. “Disappointed with some of the bogeys.” Some golfers played as many as 30 holes Sunday after storms cut play short Saturday. “I thought the course drained a lot better than I would have expected,” Kim said. “Playing lift, clean and place, so it wasn’t too bad.” Wallace set the pace, exiting the final green at 16 under and holding a one-stroke lead, but some groups had yet to complete nine holes in the final round at the time. Wallace needed a victory this week to receive the final available invite to the Masters. Spaun was already in the field for Augusta. “I played so good over these last couple days and the last couple weeks as well,” Wallace said. Wallace scored 64 for the third round and then heated up again late in the final round with birdies on Nos. 15-17 before taking a par on the final hole after playing two balls out of the rough. Putnam was disappointed with a bogey-birdie-bogey finish. “It was raining all day and windy and cold,” Putnam said. “Yeah, I hit a lot of good shots. Kind of a bummer how the last few played out.” To expedite play, the golfers stayed in their third-round groups for the final round in what amounted to near-continuous play. MacIntyre birdied his first hole Sunday — No. 7 — but then played the final 11 holes of the third round at 2 over without a birdie and finished with 72. Kevin Yu of Taiwan shot 69 in the final round and placed seventh at 14 under. Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune led briefly during the final round, but three bogeys in a five-hole stretch dimmed his chances. He posted 72 and tied Chandler Phillips (71) for eighth at 13 under. There were weather delays during each of the first three days of the tournament. THE MASTERS: RANKING ALL 10 LIV GOLFERS IN 2026 FIELD AUGUSTA, Ga. — Ninety-one players are scheduled to tee off at Augusta National in the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament on Thursday, but the final field includes only 10 members of LIV Golf. The Saudi-backed league already had its fewest number of qualified players before Phil Mickelson withdrew last week due to a family health matter. The number has declined each year since LIV Golf’s inaugural 2022 season, with 18 of the league’s players qualifying for the Masters in 2023. There were 13 players at Augusta in 2024 and 12 last year. The number has dwindled to 10 in 2026, directly impacted by the recent LIV Golf departures of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. Joaquin Niemann did not receive an invitation after being offered a special invite each of the past two years. However, there are two LIV players among the top five pre-tournament favorites and five former champions among their ranks at this year’s Masters. At least two LIV Golf players have finished in the top 10 of the Masters each of the past three years. We rank each of their chances to don the green jacket come next Sunday. BUBBA WATSON (+60000 at DraftKings) Qualified By: Past Champion (2012, ‘14) Watson has plummeted to 702nd in the Official World Golf Ranking due to a decline in play followed by finger surgery last October that ended his 2025 competitive season. The 47-year-old RangeGoats captain hasn’t finished better than T28 through the first five LIV events this year and is 48th in the points standings. The two-time Masters champion can never be fully discounted at Augusta, where he finished T14 last year thanks to a final-round 68. But Watson missed the cut the previous year and has largely been a non-factor outside of LIV Golf events since being one of the league’s first signings in 2022. CHARL SCHWARTZEL (+60000) Qualified By: Past Champion (2011) The South African rebounded from missing the cut two years ago to finish T36 at Augusta in 2025. Schwartzel, 41, did finish T10 at the International Series Morocco and T12 in the Philippines last year, but only played five events outside of LIV. He rarely plays against elite fields these days, with the Masters being his lone major appearances over the past two years. Schwartzel’s best LIV finish so far in 2026 was a T17 in Adelaide. DUSTIN JOHNSON (+24000) Qualified By: Past Champion (2020) After missing the cut in three of four majors and failing to win a LIV event last year, Johnson has begun to string together more positive results of late. That includes three finishes of T17 or better through five LIV events in 2026, although he still sits 26th in the points standings. Now 41, Johnson has become one of the poster children for critics who claim elite players lured by lucrative contracts from the Saudis now lack the drive to remain at the top of the game (see: Cameron Smith, below). Johnson also missed the Masters cut in 2024 and hasn’t finished better than T23 while missing the cut in six of the past nine majors overall. Games SERGIO GARCIA (+22500) Qualified By: Past Champion (2017) Garcia will be making his 103rd career start in a major, although there is little to suggest that he’ll be a real threat at Augusta. He has missed the Masters cut each of the past three years and has a lone top-15 finish on LIV this year. The Fireballs GC captain finished T4 at the Bahrain Championship to begin 2026, but otherwise has rarely been a factor outside of LIV Golf over the past three years. CARLOS ORTIZ (+26000) Qualified By: Top 4 in 2025 U.S. Open (T4) Ortiz has yet to find a podium on LIV Golf this year, but he has been solid with four finishes of T21 or better highlighted by a solo sixth in Hong Kong. This will mark only his second start at the Masters, where he missed the cut in 2021. Ortiz, 34, tied for fourth at last year’s U.S. Open to punch his Augusta ticket for 2026. The Mexican star also won the International Series Macau in March 2025 and closed out last year with a T8 at the Australian Open. TOM MCKIBBIN (+28000) Qualified By: 2025 Hong Kong Open Champion The former Rory McIlroy protege will make his Masters debut thanks to his seven-shot victory in Hong Kong last year. McKibbin is off to a slow LIV start, with his best finish a T17 at the season-opening Riyadh event, but the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland is considered one of the top young talents in the game. Games McKibbin’s best major finish to date was a T41 at the 2024 U.S. Open and he likely needs some course knowledge before becoming a true threat to win at Augusta. But he also showed world-class form with his dominant win in Hong Kong, which followed a solo fourth on the DP World Tour in Spain. CAMERON SMITH (+10000) Qualified By: 2022 U.S. Open Champion The good? Smith has five top-10 finishes in his past eight Masters starts. The bad? He missed the cut at Augusta for the first time last year. The ugly? The former World No. 2 missed seven consecutive cuts in non-LIV events — including all four majors — before claiming a runner-up finish in his native Australia in 2025. Smith has shown an improvement in form with a pair of T8s on LIV this year, but he’s still a far cry from the player who finished T6 at Augusta just two years ago. TYRRELL HATTON (+6900) Qualified By: Top 4 in 2024 U.S. Open (T4) The fiery Englishman’s famous lack of patience with himself on the course wouldn’t appear to suit Augusta, but Hatton has plenty of game to be a serious factor if he can put four solid rounds together. His best previous Masters finish was a T9 in 2024, when he closed with a 69. Games Hatton, 34, has a past top-10 finish in each of the majors, with his best result to date being a T4 at the 2025 U.S. Open. His T14 at Augusta last year would have been significantly better if not for a 75 on Saturday that dropped him out of serious contention, and Hatton regularly seems to play some of his best golf on the world’s most challenging courses. JON RAHM (+850) Qualified By: Past Champion (2023) The captain of Legion XII that includes Hatton and McKibbin, Rahm already has a win, three runners-up and another top-5 on LIV in 2026. The Spaniard shot a final-round 69 at Augusta in 2023 to beat Koepka and Mickelson by four shots to claim his second major victory. Rahm, 31, has consistently risen to the major challenge since bolting for LIV Golf in 2024. That includes three top-15 major finishes in 2025, topped by a T7 at the U.S. Open after a T8 at the PGA Championship. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU (+1100) Qualified By: 2024 U.S. Open Champion DeChambeau, 32, is the hottest player on the LIV circuit, having won consecutive events in dramatic playoffs while also posting a T3 in Adelaide. That followed a 2025 in which he posted top-10s in every major outside of his missed cut at the U.S. Open. He shared the 36-hole lead at Augusta in 2024 before finishing sixth, and held the 54-hole lead last year before settling for a T5. That’s DeChambeau’s best Masters finish to date, but his prodigious length off the tee and increasing knowledge of Augusta’s nuances make him one of the clear favorites entering the week. ============================================================================== AUTO RACING WILLIAM SAWALICH GETS BREAKTHROUGH VICTORY AT ROCKINGHAM ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — Grabbing the lead and control of the race after a restart on Lap 172, William Sawalich pulled away over the final 79 laps to win Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Presented by Black’s Tire at Rockingham Speedway. Auto Racing The victory was the first in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the 19-year-old Sawalich, the youngest driver to win at the 0.94-mile track in any of NASCAR’s top three series. Sawalich, who led 80 laps, crossed the finish line 0.863 seconds ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Brandon Jones to end the five-race winning streak of JR Motorsports and preserve the series record of six straight victories for JGR. “It means everything,” said Sawalich, who gained three positions to 11th in the series standings. “Honestly, it was a tough year last year and a tough start to the year this year. Gosh, it feels good to get it done here at Rockingham in front of an awesome crowd. “Our Supra was on rails today, obviously. Good in Stage 1 (fifth), Stage 2 (second) and obviously amazing in clean air. Lapped traffic took me out last year (in a 25th-place finish), so that was running through my head a little bit, but, man, I just studied the race last year, calmed down–and everything’s fine.” With the win, Sawalich earned eligibility for the first Dash 4 Cash race next Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. The top four finishers at Rockingham–Sawalich, Jones and third- and fourth-place finishers Justin Allgaier and Rajah Caruth–will compete for a $100,000 bonus in that event, with the top finisher among them claiming the prize. Caruth, in fact, made a spectacular three-wide pass of both Sheldon Creed and Carson Kvapil with nine laps left to grab the last Dash 4 Cash position. Kvapil finished fifth and Creed sixth, followed by Taylor Gray, Parker Retzlaff, Ryan Sieg and pole winner Corey Day. For the first half of the race, Day appeared to have the dominant car. The 20-year-old led a race-high 118 of the 250 laps and swept the first two stages–the first stage wins of his career. But Day lost five positions on a slow pit stop during the second stage break and never recovered. On Lap 174, he pitted out of sequence for a loose lug nut and charged from 24th over the final 70 laps to post his seventh straight top 10. “We had a couple of bad pit stops,” Day said. “We got behind there, and it was hard to dig ourselves out of the hole.” Jones was pleased with the progress his runner-up finish represents. “I left Martinsville a little frustrated at myself last week (after finishing 18th),” Jones said. “We weren’t quite aggressive enough at times, so today, I was super adamant on being super aggressive. I am going to take all of the runs I can get. I’m going to put people in bad situations, if I can, and just move forward. “I think we did a really good job of it. We kept fighting both sides of it with balance today. Sam (McAuley, crew chief) did a great job taking all of my feedback and making a car, I think, capable of winning. It was just a matter of trying to get some track position, and he (Sawalich) got such a big restart on that last restart (after the seventh caution on Lap 206) that it was hard to catch him.” Allgaier had the consolation of leaving Rockingham with a lead of 126 points over second-place Jesse Love in the O’Reilly Auto Parts standings. Love hit the outside wall after a shove from Caruth, lost track position on a subsequent unscheduled pit stop on Lap 153 and finished 27th, two laps down. ================================================================= INDIANA SPORTS TEAM RELEASES PACERS Despite having just nine available players, the Pacers led for the vast majority of the first three-plus quarters on the road on Sunday night in Cleveland. But the Cavaliers’ star power ultimately prevailed, as the Cavs (49-29) surged ahead in the fourth quarter behind All-Star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden for a 117-108 victory. With the win, Cleveland completed a sweep of the four-game season series with Indiana (18-60). Micah Potter was outstanding for Indiana in the loss, recording a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Obi Toppin also scored 21 points off the bench to go along with eight rebounds and four assists, while two-way forward Jalen Slawson scored a career-high 19 points, going 5-for-7 from 3-point range. But Mitchell scored a game-high 38 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists for Cleveland, going 16-for-27 from the field and tallying 23 points in the second half. Harden added 28 points and seven assists while going 5-for-11 from 3-point range and 7-for-8 from the free throw line. The Pacers had just nine available players on Sunday, as All-Star forward Pascal Siakam (left ankle sprain/lower back bruise) and reserve guard Ben Sheppard (right hip sprain) joined an already lengthy list of players sidelined due to injuries. “All in all, I’m just real proud of the group,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “To compete the way we did for three full quarters and a good chunk of the fourth, and to have a lead and to carry a lead for a long time with the group that was available was a great effort by them.” Even shorthanded, the Blue & Gold got off to a fast start on Sunday, knocking down seven of their first nine 3-point attempts. Slawson made three 3-pointers in the first 5:42 (he had never made more than two threes in any of his previous 20 NBA games). Potter — a Mentor, Ohio native — got the start at center and donned blue shoes during starting lineup introductions to reveal that he and his wife are expecting a baby boy. The expectant father knocked down two early shots from beyond the arc and scored eight quick points to help Indiana jump out to a 20-10 lead. The Pacers maintained the lead throughout the first quarter, but the Cavs had whittled it down to 32-31 by the end of the frame, as Mitchell scored 11 points in the first 12 minutes. The Blue & Gold extended their lead again early in the second quarter. Slawson scored five more points during a 13-2 Indiana run that pushed the margin back to 12. The Cavs once again clawed back behind Harden, who scored 13 points in the second quarter. Former Pacer Thomas Bryant’s putback basket capped a 16-5 Cleveland run and made it 56-55 with 19.4 seconds remaining in the first half. But Quenton Jackson scored on the other end to give the Pacers a three-point lead at the intermission. Cleveland took its first lead of the night early in the second half thanks to threes by Bryant and Mitchell, but the lead was short-lived. Toppin came off the bench and knocked down three 3-pointers while scoring 11 points in the third quarter. Indiana led 91-86 late in the frame, but the Cavs scored the final four points to once again make it a one-point game entering the fourth quarter. There were five lead changes and two ties in the first 2:30 of the final frame. Cleveland eventually surged ahead with an 11-0 spurt. They took the lead on Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s three with 9:30 to play and Mitchell and Harden then helped extend the margin to double digits. Indiana responded with six straight points to cut the Cavs’ lead to 106-102 with under five minutes remaining, but Mitchell converted a floater and a three and then Harden added a layup to seal the win for the hosts. Jackson tallied 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals for Indiana. Kobe Brown added 11 points, seven boards, and five assists. Bryant recorded a double-double against his former team with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Keon Ellis added 13 points for Cleveland. The Pacers will return home to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for three of their final four games. Indiana hosts Minnesota on Tuesday, travels to Brooklyn on Thursday, and then returns to Indianapolis to wrap up the 2025-26 season against Philadelphia on Friday and Detroit on Sunday. Inside the Numbers Potter recorded his fifth career double-double on Sunday. Four of those double-doubles have come this season for the Pacers. Potter surpassed 20 points for the third time in his career on Sunday. The 10 highest-scoring performances of his career have all been with Indiana. Slawson reached double figures for the third time in his career and set new career bests with 19 points and five 3-pointers. Toppin’s 21 points were a new season high. He set a new career high for both free throws made and attempted, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. Cleveland outscored Indiana 54-24 in points in the paint. The Cavs outscored the Pacers 62-50 in the second half and 27-17 in the fourth quarter to rally for the victory. ================================================================= INDIANS COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jhostynxon Garcia tallied three hits and Thomas Harrington tossed 4.0 shutout innings in the Indianapolis Indians 7-2 win over the Columbus Clippers on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Park. Indy has won its last four Easter Sunday contests. The Indians (2-7) opened the scoring in the second inning with Termarr Johnson driving home Garcia with an RBI double into the left center field gap. Indy tacked on another run in the third inning with an RBI single from Esmerlyn Valdez that scored Alika Williams, extending Valdez’s on-base streak to nine games to begin the campaign. Three more runs came across in the fourth frame to put Indianapolis up, 5-0. Garcia tallied his third hit in the sixth inning, capping the scoring with a two-run double to the center field wall to extend the lead, 7-0. Columbus (6-3) posted their lone two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on back-to-back solo home runs from Cooper Ingle and Kody Huff. Thomas Harrington shined in his second start of the season with his 4.0 scoreless. Carson Fulmer (W, 1-0) followed him in relief with 2.0 scoreless innings. Beau Burrows allowed the two homers across the seventh inning, Cam Sanders tossed a shutout eighth and Brandan Bidois retired all three batters he faced in the ninth. Seven Columbus pitchers combined in a bullpen game with starter Jack Leftwich (L, 0-1) taking the loss with one earned run in 1.2 innings. Indianapolis has an off day on Monday before beginning a six-game series at Victory Field with the Louisville Bats on Tuesday at 6:05 PM ET. No starter has been named at this time for Indy while RHP Chase Petty (0-1, 9.95) will take the mound for the Bats. ================================================================= IU SOFTBALL LOS ANGELES, Calif. ––– After three tight innings and a scoreless game, Indiana fell behind to No. 9 UCLA who pulled ahead to an eventual 4-0 win on Sunday (April 5) at Easton Stadium. With the loss, the Hoosiers are now 27-10 on the year and are 7-5 in Big Ten play. GAME 3: No. 9 UCLA 4, INDIANA 0 *UCLA wins the series, 3-0 KEY MOMENTS • With UCLA having the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, Madalyn Strader caught a line drive off of Kaniya Bragg’s bat to escape the jam and keep the game scoreless. • UCLA opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth when they had an RBI double to right center and scored two on an error to go up 3-0. • The Hoosiers strung together hits from Hannah Haberstroh and Alex Cooper in the fifth and sixth innings but could not keep the offense going to cut into the deficit. • UCLA extended the lead on a solo home run from Alexis Ramirez to make it 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth. NOTABLES • Troutt pitched 3.2 innings and had two strikeouts while not allowing an earned run. • Hannah Haberstroh had a hit in every game of the series. • Indiana will be at home for its next five games. UP NEXT Indiana will next play on Wednesday (April 8) in a home game against Butler with a 6 p.m. start at Andy Mohr Field. ============================================================================ IU BASEBALL BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The starting pitching from the Indiana Baseball team (12-19, 5-10 B1G) this weekend was as good as it has seen all season. Sophomore southpaw Brayton Thomas continued that in an 8-2 win over Rutgers (16-15, 5-7 B1G) on Sunday (April 5) afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field. Thomas was the first in a line of three pitchers that helped keep the visitors to just two runs on five hits. He worked 4.2 scoreless innings while picking up five strikeouts. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Jacob Vogel (W, 1-1) worked out of trouble in the fifth inning to pick up his first win of the year. Junior right-handed pitcher Jackson Yarberry got the final eight outs of the game on just one hit. IU’s offense broke the game open in the middle of the contest with a collection of singles and walks. Redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts started the scoring with a solo home run in the fourth inning. A big two-run single in the sixth from red hot sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny helped put the lead away for good. The Hoosiers racked up 13 hits, led by three from Ricketts. Sunday’s win in the rubber match moved IU to 11-1 against Rutgers at Bart Kaufman Field. The Hoosiers have won all four conference series between the two sides in Bloomington. Head coach Jeff Mercer is now 24-5 in Big Ten weekends played at his home stadium during his tenure. Midweek action against Ball State on Tuesday (April 7) will keep IU in town for one more game. Big Ten play takes the Hoosiers on the road for the final road weekend of April as they head to College Park for a three-game set at Maryland (April 10-12). Scoring Recap Bottom Fourth Brayden Ricketts broke a scoreless affair with a solo home run to right field. Indiana 1, Rutgers 0 Bottom Fifth Jake Hanley’s RBI double scored Hogan Denny from second base. Hanley eventually came around to score on an RBI groundout from Caleb Koskie Indiana 3, Rutgers 0 Bottom Sixth Will Moore added to the lead with an RBI single in the sixth inning. Denny kept the train rolling with a two-run single up the middle. Koskie provided a sacrifice fly for his second RBI of the day. Indiana 7, Rutgers 0 Top Seventh Matt Chatelle singled through the right side to get Rutgers on the board. A sacrifice fly from Yomar Carreras scored a second run in the inning. Indiana 7, Rutgers 2 Bottom Eighth Moore scored on a wild pitch. Indiana 8, Rutgers 2 Top Hoosier Performers #42 Ricketts, Brayden 3-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB #34 Hanley, Jake 2-5, 2B, R, RBI #38 Yarberry, Jackson 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K Inside the Box Score • All but one starter for IU had a base hit. Four different players had multi-hit efforts. • IU’s pitching staff racked up 10 strikeouts – five of those from Brayton Thomas. • The Hoosiers had 13 hits but only two for extra bases. IU also reached four times on walks. Notes to Know • Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie continues to ride the longest hitting streak of the season for any IU player. He has hit safely in 12-straight games after an early single on Sunday afternoon. Koskie also provided a pair of RBIs in the win on a groundout and a sacrifice fly. • Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Jacob Vogel came on to earn the win with a strong performance out of the bullpen. He pitched three times this week, striking out seven betters and not allowing a walk. He has given up just seven earned runs in 22 full innings of action this year. • IU’s three starters pitched brilliantly to keep the bullpen lined up for next week. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas, graduate student left-handed pitcher Tony Neubeck and graduate student right-handed pitcher Reagan Rivera combined to throw 16.2 innings while giving up just three runs. The trio struck out 18 batters on the weekend. • Head coach Jeff Mercer won his 24th Big Ten home weekend in 29 tries as the skipper of the Hoosiers. He has now won back-to-back home weekends after dispatching of Minnesota and Rutgers. He has still yet to lose multiple home conference series in the same year during his eight-season tenure. Mercer improved to 14-9 in Big Ten rubber matches with the victory. • Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny finished a tremendous week by hitting .471 (8-17) over four games. He scored eight times and had four walks, four RBIs, two doubles and a home run. On the season, he leads IU with a .450 on-base percentage. Up Next IU ends a four-game homestand at Bart Kaufman Field with a visit from Ball State on Tuesday (April 7). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET on B1G+ and the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio. ======================================================================= PURDUE BASEBALL WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Baseball reeled off 10 unanswered runs while posting eight consecutive zeros defensively, overcoming an early five-run deficit in a 10-5 series-clinching victory vs. Illinois on Sunday at Alexander Field. The Boilermakers (21-9, 9-6 Big Ten) won their fourth consecutive series in Big Ten play, achieving the feat for the first time since the 2012 Big Ten championship team won its first seven. Purdue overcame a deficit of five-plus runs for the second weekend in a row. March 28 at Michigan State, the Boilers reeled off 15 unanswered runs while rallying from an 8-1 deficit after two innings. But that game turned out to be a 16-13 Saturday slugfest. On this day, Thomas Howard (3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K), Jarvis Evans (3 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K) and Jake Kramer (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, K) teamed up for the eight consecutive scoreless innings after the Fighting Illini (15-15, 7-8 Big Ten) scored five times in the top of the first. Meanwhile, Purdue also scored in each of the first three innings, making it one-run game with a three-run bottom of the second and grabbing the lead with four two-out runs the following frame. Quincy Malbrough, Westin Boyle and Eli Anderson reached base safely and scored a run in both frames. Malbrough registered hits in five consecutive at-bats from the fifth inning Saturday through the third inning Sunday, connecting for four doubles during that stretch. SUNDAY NOTABLES • The Boilermakers opened and closed their first series win vs. Illinois since April 2017 with eight consecutive scoreless innings. Purdue posted zeros in 21 of the 27 innings it was in the field while outscoring the visitors 21-13. • The Boilers improved to 4-1 in weekend-deciding Sunday games this season. They’ve won traditional rubber games on consecutive weekends in Big Ten play for the first time since April 2011. Sunday was Purdue’s first rubber game victory vs. Illinois since 2010 in Champaign. • The Boilers improved to 9-4 at home this year. They have not lost consecutive games at home since early April of last season. Both teams capitalized when the opposition gave them an extra out to work with. Illinois scored three of its five runs with two outs in the top of the first after an error loaded the bases. Two pop ups dropped – one for an error, another for a two-run single – in the Boilers’ four-run third inning. As the first man out of the bullpen for Purdue, Howard retired 11 of 12 batters faced from the first through fifth innings. He posted 1-2-3 innings against the Illini’s 3-4-5 and 2-3-4 hitters during that stretch. The team’s relief ace worked six innings of one-run ball over two appearances in the series. Evans retired the first nine batters he faced in his first relief appearance as a Boilermaker, striking out three in his best outing at Alexander Field so far. STREAKS EXTENDED • Sam Flores: 10-game hit; 7-game hit in Big Ten play; 6-game hit at home • Aaron Manias: 10-game on-base; 7-game on-base in Big Ten play; 6-game hit at home • Eli Anderson: 10-game hit at home • Dylan Drake: 10-game on-base at home • Avery Moore: 6-game on-base; 7-game on-base in Big Ten play SERIES LEADERS • Thomas Howard: 2 App, 6 IP, 7 H, R, 5 BB, 4 K • Quincy Malbrough: 5-for-8, 4 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R • Aaron Manias: 5-for-9, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB, 4 HBP, 4 R – Hit safely in all 3 games • Sam Flores: 6-for-10, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, BB, 4 R, SB – Hit safely & drove in a run in all 3 games • Jackson Bessette: 4-for-10, 2 RBI, BB, HBP, 2 R, Sac Bunt • Eli Anderson: 4-for-12, 2 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 4 R, SB • Avery Moore: 4-for-12, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 HBP Sam Flores and Anderson delivered RBI singles in the second inning after Malbrough and Boyle reached base to ignite the rally. Purdue’s four consecutive two-out hits in the third inning after the dropped pop up included Malbrough’s double, an RBI single from Boyle, an opposite-field double from Anderson and a two-run single from Manias. The last of four would have been caught if not for the wind playing tricks on the left side of the Illini infield again The Boilermakers’ first five batters of the sixth inning also reached base safely, with a leadoff double from Manias igniting the rally. Dylan Drake drew a bases-loaded walk and Jackson Bessette was plunked moments later to force home another run. Purdue is back in action Tuesday when it squares off against Bradley for the first time since 2011. First pitch at Alexander Field is set for 6 p.m. ET. ============================================================================= PURDUE SOFTBALL WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Boilers (26-12, 6-6 Big Ten) saved the series with a 4-2 game three victory over Wisconsin (21-12, 7-5), while Moriah Polar inked three marks in the record book, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. During Polar’s first at-bat, she smashed an RBI triple where she became tied for first in career-triples at Purdue (14), a record set in 2008 by Ashley Hall. With Polar’s second hit of the day, her 76th of the season, Polar cemented herself as No. 2 in the record book for single-season hits, overtaking Jenny Schoen’s 75 hits in 1997. With 85 hits as the top spot single-season record, Polar is just nine away from breaking the record with a guaranteed 14 games left to go; The junior is currently on a 16-game hit streak. BOILER BITS Offensive Highlights Moriah Polar: 3-for-3, 3B, 2B, 2 R, RBI Anna Moore: 2-for-3, RBI Khloe Banks: 1-for-3, R Haley Painter: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R Pitching Breakdown Julia Gossett: (W, 10-6) 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 K, 32 BF The Boilers started the game off hot, plating three runs in the bottom of the first. Khloe Banks led off with a single to left, advancing on an error from Wisconsin. Polar’s triple drove in the first run of the day, for her 96th career-RBI, just four shy of entering the 100 hits, 100 runs scored, and 100 RBI club, having already accomplished the other two feats. With Polar on, Haley Painter launched her sixth home run of the year, a 218 foot blast, which brought in the final two runs in the first. Julia Gossett shined on the mound, giving up just one hit through four innings, surrendering just a lone unearned run up until the fifth. Anna Moore plated Purdue’s fourth run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, on an RBI single which sent around Polar, her 48th run scored of the season, in which she set her third record of the day, tying herself for third in single-season runs scored. The Badgers cut the deficit in half in the top of the sixth on a solo shot, but the Boilers shut it down in the top of the seventh, closing out the game with a strikeout from Gossett, earning the 4-2 victory and avoiding the sweep. For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball). ========================================================================= PURDUE MGOLF NAPLES, Fla. – The Purdue men’s golf team started strong, but slipped in the middle of the round, finishing the first round of the Calusa Cup in sixth place. The Boilermakers totaled a 2-over par round of 290 to sit seven shots behind tri-leaders Louisville, Florida and Eastern Michigan. USF is in fourth place at 4-under par 284, while Iowa is fifth at 1-over par 289. Virginia (+6) and Miami, Ohio (+16) round out the field. Sam Easterbrook led the Boilermakers in round one at 2-under par 70, good for T-7th place after 18 holes. Easterbrook was even-par through the front nine, but birdied three straight holes in the middle of the back nine to move into the top 10 and two shots off the pace. Will Harvey and Andre Zhu are tied for 20th at 1-over par, Jenson Forrester is tied for 24th at 2-over par 74 and Kentaro Nanayama is tied for 31st at 4-over par 76. Purdue will tee off the second round at noon on Monday, paired with South Florida. ================================================================== NOTRE DAME WLAX #13/14 NOTRE DAME at LIBERTY – Monday, April 6 at 1 PMLocation: Lynchburg, VA | Liberty Lacrosse FieldLIVE STATS | ESPN+ The No. 13/14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-3, 5-3) are staying on the road as they head to Lynchburg to take on Liberty University on Monday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m. The Irish lead the overall series 6-0, with the Irish taking the win in their last match up on April 11, 2024 where the Irish won 19-8 at Liberty. BY THE NUMBERS3Kate Timarky and Maura Irish earned their way onto the 2026 Tewaaraton Watch List. They joined Madison Rassas, who was on the first watch list that was announced mid-February. Most recently, all three were named IL Women Midseason All-Americans.46Timarky now has scored a hat trick or more in 10 games so far this season and is 11th nationally/second in the ACC with 46 goals and is fourth in the ACC with 58 points so far this season.7Timarky and Rassas each recorded career-bests 7 goals a piece in the win over FSU on Saturday (3/21).6The Irish are sixth nationally in scoring margin (6.85) and seventh nationally for their scoring defense (7.46).40Rassas is fourth in the conference (25th nationally) with 40 goals and is tenth in the ACC with 48 points.38Freshman goalkeeper Ceci Patterson (#38) is eighth in the country/fourth in the ACC with a goals against average of 7.78 and is fourth in the ACC with a save percentage of .445.5Five Irish players were mentioned in the ILWomen Impact Freshman Early Season Rankings: Grace Maroney (8), Maura Irish (12), Charley Bacigalupo (considered), Uma Kowalski (considered), and Ceci Patterson (considered).6Grace Maroney recorded her first career hat trick in the win over No. 3 Boston College on Feb 13, with her behind the back landing at #6 in SportsCenter Top 10.12The Irish welcome 12 freshman to this year’s squad.4The Irish named four captains for the 2026 campaign: Julia Carr, Abby Lyons, Franny O’Brien, and Kathryn Morrissey.2Two new assistant coaches join this season as Marina Miller and Mckenna Davis joined the staff this summer.15Head Coach Christine Halfpenny heads into her 15th year at the helm of the program. Irish Take Down Virginia Tech In 13-9 Road Win The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-3, 5-3) extended their winning streak to four straight wins on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies (8-7, 2-6) in a 13-9 victory in Blacksburg. Junior Kate Timarky had herself a day as she scored six of Notre Dame’s 13 goals, just one goal shy of her career-high seven goals. Timarky’s six goals led all players today as she’s second in the ACC with 46 goals and fourth with 58 points so far this season. She was followed by freshman Charley Bacigalupo who finished with two goals and two assists for four points on the day, along with two ground balls. Sophomore Madison Rassas scored a goal, dished out an assist, and recorded one ground ball as she’s now third in the ACC with 40 goals so far this year. Freshmen Maura Irish and Grace Maroney each recorded a goal in the win, as well. Irish also recorded an assist, a draw control, and three ground balls, while Maroney dished out two assists, grabbed one ground ball, and forced a turnover. Junior Meghan O’Hare recorded a goal and four draw controls in the win, surpassing the 100 career draw control milestone as the midfielder now has 102 career draws. Senior Emma Murphy also scored in the win, finding the back of the net on a free position shot. Freshman Uma Kowalski finished with a team-best seven draw controls, as the draw control specialist has also surpassed the 100 career draw control milestone with 106 draw controls in her first Irish season. Freshman goalkeeper Ceci Patterson finished with seven saves on the day. She’s third in the conference with a goals against average of 7.78, fourth with a save percentage of .445, and is eighth in the ACC with 73 saves so far this season. Irish Defeat Robert Morris The #13/13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3, 3-3) defeated the Robert Morris Colonials (3-7, 1-1) in dominant fashion with a 20-2 victory on Tuesday night at Arlotta Stadium. The Irish are now 5-1 on their home turf this season with two regular season home games remaining. It was another strong performance from the Irish as Notre Dame scored 20 goals for the third time this season, following a 22-goal performance on Saturday with a 22-3 win over Florida State. The two goals allowed against Robert Morris is the fewest goals allowed this season since the 25-0 shutout against Central Michigan.The Irish have now held their opponents to single-digit scoring eight times and to five goals or fewer four times this season. Junior Kate Timarky led the way with four goals and a career-high four assists to tie her career-high eight points. She also recorded two ground balls in the win. This is her eighth hat trick of the season and fifth straight game with three or more goals. She’s now second in the ACC with 37 goals this season and is also second with an average of 3.36 goals per game. Sophomore Madison Rassas also finished with four goals, four points, and three ground balls in the win. She’s recorded five hat tricks this season and is fifth in the ACC with 31 goals so far this year. Freshman Charley Bacigalupo recorded her second career hat trick and caused a career-high two turnovers. Freshman Grace Maroney also scored her second career hat trick in the win. A First-Ever Matchup Between Notre Dame and Florida State The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-3, 3-3) took home an impressive 22-3 win over the Florida State Seminoles (3-9, 0-7) on Saturday afternoon in their first-ever meeting as Florida State women’s lacrosse is in their inaugural season this year. What a day for freshman Uma Kowalski, who tied a program record of 16 draw controls as she tied with Kelly Denes (March 30, 2024) and Andie Aldave (February 22, 2019). She also scored her second goal of the season for one goal, one point, and 16 draw controls on the day. Madison Rassas and Kate Timarky put on an absolute show — the duo posted a combined 14 goal performance, scoring seven goals a piece for two career-bests on the day. They were each just one shy of tying the program record at home of eight goals in a single game. It didn’t take long for Rassas to get going as she scored back-to-back goals to put Notre Dame in front 2-0 to start. The midfielder had a hat trick in the first quarter alone and had six goals by halftime, tying the program record of six goals in just one half. Timarky led all players with a career-high eight points in the win and was followed by Rassas with seven points. Angie Conley was dishing out assists left and right as she recorded a career-high six assists, six points, and three ground balls. Conley assisted on three of Timarky’s seven goals. She was followed by Emma Murphy, who finished with one goal and a career-best five assists and six points on the day. Julia Carr was a defensive force for the Irish as she recorded a career-high six caused turnovers and three ground balls. A SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN AGAINST #11/12 IRISH AT #2/2 STANFORD The No. 11/12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-3, 2-3) fell 11-17 to the undefeated No. 2/2 Stanford Cardinal (9-0, 6-0) on the road late Saturday, March 14. As the Irish have proved all season, it doesn’t matter if they trail early – they always battle their way back into games. Despite trailing 0-7, the Irish continued to chip away at the deficit as they brought it within as few as three goals at 7-10 in the third period. While the Irish continued to battle, the Cardinal were persistent in their second half efforts as well as they would ultimately take home the win. Kate Timarky recorded her sixth hat trick of the season as she led the Irish with three goals on the night. She was followed by Maura Irish, Madison Rassas, and Grace Maroney with two goals each. Charley Bacigalupo and Emma Murphy chipped in one goal a piece for the Irish. Murphy also dished out a team-best two assists for three points on the night. Meghan O’Hare finished with a game-high four ground balls for the Irish and caused two turnovers. Irish Dominate Elon In 16-5 Road Win The No. 11/12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-2, 2-2) dominated the Elon Phoenix (3-3, 0-0) in a 16-5 road victory at Elon on Tuesday afternoon. The Irish have held their opponents to single-digit scoring six times, as this the fewest goals allowed this season since the 25-0 shutout against Central Michigan. The Irish outshot the Phoenix 38-12 as they dominated the draw circle 15-6. Freshman Uma Kowalski finished with a game-high seven draw controls as she ranks fourth in the ACC with 56 draws this year. What a day for Madison Rassas as she scored five goals on just eight shots while also recording two draw controls and a ground ball. She’s amongst the top five in the conference with 22 goals on the season and is averaging 2.75 goals per game. She was followed by Kate Timarky, who finished with three goals for her fifth hat trick of the season. She is third in the ACC with 23 goals so far this season and is third in goals per game (2.88). Emma Murphy finished with a career-high five points as she scored two goals and dished out three assists in the win. Grace Maroney recorded four points with two goals and two assists. Charley Bacigalupo finished with three points as she recorded one goal, two assists, and two ground balls in the win. Wynter Jock tied her career-high as she scored twice with back-to-back goals in the closing minutes of the period. Meghan O’Hare finished with one goal and three draw controls. Defensively, Franny O’Brien finished with three caused turnovers and a ground ball. She was followed by Julia Carr with two caused turnovers and three ground balls and Maura Irish with two caused turnovers, one ground ball, and one draw control. Goalkeeper Ceci Patterson finished with seven saves and a .583 save percentage. In the ACC she ranks fourth with a save percentage of .461, fifth with a 7.88 goals against average, and sixth with 53 saves this season. Irish Fall to #11/15 Clemson The No. 6/7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-2, 2-2) fell 9-13 on the road to the No. 11/15 Clemson Tigers (4-4, 1-3) on Sunday afternoon. One of the latest Tewaaraton Watch List additions, junior Kate Timarky, led the Irish with three goals with her fourth hat trick of the season. She was followed by fellow Tewaaraton Watch List player Madison Rassas with two goals. Charley Bacigalupo, Grace Maroney, Angie Conley, and Emma Murphy each scored one goal for the Irish. Murphy and Maura Irish each dished out a team-best two assists apiece. The Irish won the draw control battle 15-9 with Uma Kowalski finishing with six draw controls and Meghan O’Hare finishing with a stat line of five draw controls, two ground balls, and a caused turnover. ========================================================================= BUTLER MTENNIS Butler defeated Creighton 5-2 on Sunday morning behind five singles victories for the Dawgs. With the win, Butler improves to 8-13 on the season and 2-3 in BIG EAST play, while Creighton slides to 11-12 overall and 2-3 in conference action. Riccardo Baldi secured a point in the No. 1 singles match for Butler with a 6-2, 6-4 victory. Nicolas Arts (6-3, 7-5) and Siddhartha Lama (6-3, 6-4) earned wins on courts three and four. The Dawgs secured the match with wins on courts five and six from Ronin Kasday (6-3, 7-5) and Aidan William (6-3, 6-1) as BU took home the 5-2 victory. Butler will return to action on Saturday, April 11, as the Dawgs take on Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio. Saturday’s match is the final regular season match of the season before the BIG EAST Tournament begins on April 17. BUTLER 5, CREIGHTON 2 Singles Riccardo Baldi (BUT) def.Yuma Daijima (CU) 6-2, 6-4 Kirtan Patel (CU) def. Rahulniket Konakanchi (BUT) 6-2, 6-4 Nicolas Arts (BUT) def. Rocky McKenzie (CU) 6-3, 7-5 Siddhartha Lama (BUT) def. Mathis Dahler (CU) 6-3, 6-4 Ronin Kasday (BU) def. Zachary Kuo (CU) 6-3, 7-5 Aidan William (BUT) def. Jack McMahon (CU) 6-3, 6-1 Doubles Jack McMahon/Lucas Mommessin (CU) vs. Nicolas Arts/Rahulniket Konakanchi (BUT) UNFINISHED Yuma Daijima/Rocky McKenzie (CU) def. Riccardo Baldi/Arnesh Singh (BUT) 6-4 Zachary Kuo/Mathis Dahler (CU) def. Nicholas Balthazor/Siddhartha Lama (BUT) 6-2 =================================================================== BALL STATE MGOLF FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Happy Gilmore led the Ball State men’s golf team for a second straight round on Sunday, shooting 2-over par 73 in the final round of the Mason Rudolph Championship for his best round of the tournament. He outpaced Cardianls’ teammate Samuel Harris, who shot even par in his first nine holes, but closed at +4 in his final nine. Beginning on the back nine, Gilmore overcame a double-bogey on the par-5 18th hole and proceeded to shoot par or better on seven of nine holes on the front. He was +2 on the back with a birdie on the par-5 14th hole. His birdie on the par-5 sixth hole lowered his card to +1 entering the day’s last three holes. He shot bogey-birdie-bogey to close the day. Saturday, he matched Avery Mahoney with the Cardinals’ best round at +5 overall. Gilmore (81-76-73—230) and Harris (73-82-75—230) led the Cardinals over 72 holes, followed closely by Luke Johnston (73-80-79—232), just two strokes behind. Mahoney (80-76-82—238) scored fourth in the Cardinals’ lineup. Top-ranked Auburn won the star-studded event, with host and No. 11-ranked Vanderbilt finishing second in the event that drew five top-12 programs and nine in the country’s top 100. ===================================================================== ILLINOIS STATE SOFTBALL TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Southern Illinois used early offense and timely power in both games of Sunday’s doubleheader as Indiana State dropped a pair to the Salukis at Price Field, falling 6-1 in Game 1 and 10-4 in Game 2. The Sycamores moved to 18-18 on the season following the twinbill, while SIU improved to 20-13 overall. Southern Illinois struck early and never trailed, using three home runs and a pair of multi-run innings to take the opener. SIU opened the scoring in the first on a solo shot from Sage Grann, then broke the game open with a three-run homer from Sydney Potter in the third to go ahead 4-0. The Salukis added single runs in the fifth and sixth to extend the lead. Indiana State pushed across its lone run in the sixth when Iseland Riley delivered an RBI infield single scoring Claire Connelly, but the Sycamores stranded seven runners in the loss. Sophie Esposito led ISU with a double and a single, while Connelly, Riley, and Madison Poulson also recorded hits. Lauren Sackett (9-10) took the loss after allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned). SIU’s Brooklyn Danielson (7-1) earned the win, scattering seven hits with one run allowed. The second game turned into an offensive battle early, but SIU’s six-run second inning proved to be the difference as the Salukis completed the sweep. After a scoreless first, SIU loaded the bases in the second and capitalized with a pair of RBI singles before Emily Williams delivered the big swing, a grand slam to left center, pushing the Salukis ahead 6-0. Indiana State responded immediately. Hannah Welch doubled home a run in the bottom half, and Claire Connelly added an RBI single in the third to cut the deficit to 6-2. The Sycamores continued to chip away in the fourth as Addie Burns ripped a two-run double to left center, bringing ISU within 6-4. But SIU answered with two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to regain full control. Morgan Goodrich posted a multi-hit game, while Welch, Burns, Connelly, and Sophie Esposito all drove in runs. Caylee Gaytan (8-6) took the loss for ISU. SIU’s Hailey Lucas (5-4) earned the win after working through 5.1 innings. How They Scored – Game 1 Top 1: Grann homered to right to give SIU a 1-0 lead. Top 3: Potter hit a three-run homer to left, extending the lead to 4-0. Top 5: Emily Williams added a solo home run to make it 5-0. Top 6: Potter doubled home another run for a 6-0 advantage. Bottom 6: Riley’s RBI infield single plated Connelly for ISU’s lone run. How They Scored – Game 2 Top 2: SIU plated six runs, highlighted by Williams’ grand slam. Bottom 2: Welch doubled home Esposito to put ISU on the board. Bottom 3: Connelly singled home Poulson to make it 6-2. Bottom 4: Burns doubled home two to cut the deficit to 6-4. Top 4: SIU added two more on RBI singles from Grann and Williams. Top 5: Kurtz and Blomenkamp each drove in runs to push the lead to 10-4. News and Notes Sophie Esposito recorded hits in both games, including a double in Game 1. Morgan Goodrich posted multi-hit performances across the doubleheader. Addie Burns delivered a key two-run double in Game 2. Up Next Indiana State returns to Price Field tomorrow for the series finale against SIU. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 pm ET. ========================================================= 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 1970 President Richard Nixon, delayed at the White House until his Supreme Court nominee, Harold Carswell, won a test vote in the Senate, will miss the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch in the Senators’ home opener at RFK Stadium. David Eisenhower, Ike’s grandson, substitutes for his father-in-law and tosses the traditional pitch before Washington’s 5-0 loss to the Tigers. 1971 Giants’ center fielder Willie Mays, a month shy of his fortieth birthday, homers on Opening Day and will hit home runs in the next three games to tie a major league record. The ‘Say Hey Kid’ will hit 15 round-trippers before the All-Star break, collecting only three more to finish the year, thanks to an abundance of base-on-balls, 30 more this season than he had at any time in his career. 1973 On Opening Day at Three Rivers Stadium in front of a record crowd of 51,695, the Pirates retire Roberto Clemente’s uniform number 21 posthumously. The Pittsburgh right fielder died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve, attempting to provide relief to earthquake-stricken Managua, Nicaragua. 1973 The Yankees become the last American League team to abandon their flannel uniforms in favor of polyester. The team’s new look on the road features white piping around the words New York on the front and the numbers on the back. 1973 Orlando Cepeda, who was specifically signed to fill the newly created position of the designated hitter, goes 0-for-6 when the Red Sox pound out 20 hits in a 15-5 rout of the Yankees at Fenway Park on Opening Day. The future Hall of Famer misses out on a place in baseball history when the first inning is extended by a misjudged bloop hit and two walks, giving Ron Blomberg, batting sixth for the Bronx Bombers, the opportunity to be the first player to come to the plate as the DH. 1973 At the Oakland Coliseum, Tony Oliva becomes the first designated hitter to homer. The Twins DH’s first-inning two-run round-tripper off future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter helps the team defeat the A’s, 8-3. 1973 Richard Nixon throws the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day before Nolan Ryan and the Angels beat the Royals at Anaheim Stadium, 3-2. The Commander in Chief becomes the first president to throw the CFP on Opening Day in a contest held outside Washington, DC. David Luna, Angels owner Gene Autry, and President Nixon. 1973 At Fenway Park, Ron Blomberg of the Yankees becomes the first designated hitter in major league history. In the historic plate appearance, Boomer draws a first-inning bases-loaded walk on a 3-1 pitch off Luis Tiant and will become the first DH to get a hit when he singles in the third frame of the 15-5 Red Sox rout of the Bronx Bombers. 1974 The Bronx Bombers begin their two-year stint at Shea Stadium, where the team will compile a 172-150 (.534) record during the renovations to the Stadium, with a 6-1 victory over Cleveland. The ‘other’ NY fans cheer loudly when the scoreboard posts the Mets’ 5-4 loss in Philadelphia. 1974 At Veterans Stadium, Phillies’ third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth-inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season. 1977 For the second time in nine years, a new franchise makes its major league debut in Seattle. Frank Tanana and the Angels blank the Mariners, 7-0, in the first regular-season game at the Kingdome. 1982 A freak massive spring snowstorm brings subfreezing temperatures, high winds, and up to a foot of precipitation across the Northeast. The blizzard-like weather conditions will cause the postponement of home openers for the Yankees, Tigers, White Sox, Brewers, Indians, Phillies, and Pirates. 1984 After he commits a two-out error in the bottom of the eighth inning to allow the eventual winning run to score in the Yankees’ 7-6 loss to the Rangers at Arlington Stadium, the team sends shortstop Bobby Meacham to the minors after the fourth game of the season on the orders of owner George Steinbrenner. The move, which stuns manager Yogi Berra, will be a precursor to the ‘Boss’ firing him next season after the team drops ten of its first sixteen decisions. 1988 The Blue Jays’ reluctant designated hitter, George Bell, follows up his three home run Opening Day performance by going 5-for-5 (three singles and two doubles), leading Toronto over the Royals, 11-4. Considered a defensive liability, last year’s American League MVP will return to left field full-time. 1988 Pat Borders becomes the first player in American League history to drive in five runs in his major league debut when he collects two singles and a triple in the Blue Jays’ 11-4 victory over Kansas City at Royals Stadium. The 24-year-old rookie catcher joins Walter Mueller (1922 Pirates) and Joe Cunningham (1954 Cardinals), who both accomplished the feat in the Senior Circuit. 1992 On Opening Day, in front of a packed house at Seattle’s Kingdome, the Rangers score nine runs in the top of the eighth inning to beat the Mariners, 12-10. Texas had been trailing 8-3 before the late-inning barrage. 1993 Blue Jay right-hander Jack Morris sets a major league record when he makes his 14th consecutive Opening Day start, taking the loss when the Mariners beat the team, 8-1, at the Kingdome. The 37-year-old has an 8-6 record in his first-day assignments, starting in 1980 with the Tigers (10 seasons) and the Twins (1 season). 1997 After a 3-2 loss to Houston at the Astrodome, the Cardinals remain winless after the season’s first six games. The losing streak marks the Redbirds’ worst start in the 106-year history of the franchise. 2001 Philadelphia retires Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning’s number 14 jersey. Kentucky’s Republican U.S. senator, who compiled a 224-184 record in his 17-year career pitching for the Tigers, Phillies, Pirates, and Dodgers, joins Richie Ashburn (1), Robin Roberts (36), Steve Carlton (32), and Mike Schmidt (20) as the fifth player to have his number retired by the team. 2001 The Phillies placed the letter “P” on their Wall of Fame in tribute to Pete Alexander, who averaged 27 wins during his first seven seasons with the Phillies. The Hall of Fame right-hander won 28 games as a freshman in 1911, which remains the modern rookie record. 2001 The Devil Rays lose their third consecutive game, after winning on Opening Day, giving up precisely 11 runs in each defeat. Following the 11-8 and 11-0 losses to the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay drops an 11-4 decision on the road at Fenway Park to the Red Sox. 2001 President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch at Miller Park before the Brewers open their new home with a 5-4 win over the Reds, thanks to Richie Sexson’s eighth-inning solo homer and David Weathers tossing a perfect ninth for the save. The move from County Stadium, initially scheduled for last season, was delayed following a construction accident that claimed the lives of three ironworkers, Jeffrey Wischer, William DeGrave, and Jerome Starr. 2001 After a disappointing 0-4 start on the road, the Brewers get into the winner’s circle in front of President George W. Bush when the team beats the Reds, 5-4, in the major league debut of Miller Park. Richie Sexson’s 435-foot home run in the eighth inning breaks a 4-4 deadlock, giving Milwaukee its first win. 2004 David Aardsma surpasses Hank Aaron in an unlikely category. ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ will no longer be the first player named alphabetically in baseball history books when the Giants hurler makes his major-league debut against the Astros. 2004 On Opening Day at Bank One Ballpark, Diamondbacks’ outfielder Luis Gonzalez and Rockies’ second baseman Luis Gonzalez homered, making it only the second time in major league history that players with the same first and last names homered in the same game. The first occurrence happened when Ken Griffey Jr. and his dad, Ken Griffey, playing for the Mariners, hit back-to-back homers off Angels’ hurler Kirk McCaskill in 1990. 2004 Adrian Beltre becomes the 36th player in baseball history to hit 100 home runs before age 25. The Dodger third baseman joins Cal Ripken Jr. and Lou Gehrig to have precisely 100 homers on their 25th birthday. 2004 In an online poll, nearly 8,000 fans chose Still, We Believe: The Boston Red Sox Movie as the title of a documentary about the 2003 season. Other choices offered by the team and the Boston Globe websites included This Is the Year, The Ecstasy and the Agony, and Always the Bridesmaid, as well as a fan’s wry suggestion: I Know What You Did Last Summer, I Wish I Didn’t Know What You Did Last Fall. 2005 At Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, the Nationals beat the Phillies, 7-3, winning their first game representing Washington, D.C. The historic victory features the team’s center fielder, Brad Wilkerson, completing the second cycle of his career. 2006 In a 10-6 loss to the Tigers at Ameriquest Field, Texas knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, in his only appearance of the season, ties a post-1900 major-league record shared by five other major leaguers when he gives up six home runs, five of which are solo shots. St. Louis Maroons’ right-hander Charlie Sweeney is the only hurler to allow more round-trippers in a game, giving up seven gopher balls in an 1886 contest against the Detroit Wolverines. 2009 In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as the major league’s first black manager. 2009 Arizona switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate on Opening Day after going deep in the top of the fourth inning off Glendon Rusch after connecting off Colorado starter Aaron Cook to lead off the game. An inning later, the Diamondback second baseman’s unique feat is matched by Tony Clark, making the pair the first set of teammates to homer from both sides of the plate on the first day of the season. 2009 Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park home run, the first on Opening Day since Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski accomplished the feat in 1968, in Florida’s 12-6 victory over the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium. The Marlins’ third baseman’s round-tripper, one of his four hits, is his career’s first big-league homer. 2012 Adam Dunn ties a major league record, hitting his eighth Opening Day home run, a leadoff sixth-inning shot off Texas starter Colby Lewis in Chicago’s 3-2 loss in Arlington. The White Sox’ DH, who hit two homers in the first game of the season twice while with Cincinnati in 2005 and 2007, equals the mark established by Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only other players with eight round-trippers in openers. 2015 The Rays retire number 66 on Opening Day in honor of their late senior baseball adviser, Don Zimmer, who passed away in June at 83. ‘Popeye,’ a player, coach, and manager with a dozen different teams, wore the number in his final season with the organization to represent the years he worked in professional baseball. 2015 The Mets start 41-year-old Bartolo Colon on Opening Day, much to the chagrin of many fans who hoped one of their young guns, Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, would get the coveted assignment. The oldest pitcher to get the nod on Opening Day in franchise history doesn’t disappoint when he gives up one run on three hits, besting Washington’s $210-million ace Max Scherzer in the team’s 3-1 victory at Nationals Park. 2016 The Padres, with their 7-0 loss at Petco Park, become the first team to be shut out in the first three games of the regular season, surpassing the dubious mark set by the Browns, who opened the 1943 campaign with 26 straight scoreless innings. San Diego also dropped their first two decisions of the three-game series against the Dodgers, 15-0 and 3-0. 2016 Trevor Story becomes the first major leaguer to hit a home run in his first three major league games when he goes deep in the first inning of the Rockies’ 4-3 victory over the Diamondbacks at Chase Park. The 23-year-old shortstop is also the first rookie to have the round-trippers account for each of his first four big league hits. 2019 Jorge Polanco hits for the franchise’s 15th cycle, including the four before moving in 1961 from Washington, DC, in Minnesota’s 10-4 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Twins’ shortstop completes the feat with a seventh-inning double, the fourth of the five hits he collects. 2021 Oakland begins the season 0-6, dropping a 5-1 decision to the Dodgers, matching the 1916 Philadelphia A’s, who posted a 36-117 mark that season for the worst record in franchise history. The club has been outscored 50-13 in its first half-dozen games, losing all six by at least four runs and four times by at least seven runs. ========================================================= TV SPORTS TODAY Monday, 4/6/26 MLB REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVChicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays4:10pmRays.TVMARQKansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians6:10pmGuardians.TVRoyals.TVCincinnati Reds vs Miami Marlins6:40pmReds.TVMarlins.TVSan Diego Padres vs Pittsburgh Pirates6:40pmSN-PITPadres.TVMilwaukee Brewers vs Boston Red Sox6:45pmBrewers.TVNESNSt. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals6:45pmCardinals.TVNationals.TVLos Angeles Dodgers vs Toronto Blue Jays7:07pmFS1SNLASNBaltimore Orioles vs Chicago White Sox7:40pmCHSNMASNDetroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins7:40pmSN-DETTwins.TVSeattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers8:05pmRSNMariners.TVHouston Astros vs Colorado Rockies8:40pmRockies.TVSCHNAtlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Angels9:38pmFanDuel Sports WestBraves.TVPhiladelphia Phillies vs San Francisco Giants9:45pmNBCS-BAYNBCS-PHINBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVDetroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic7:00pmFanDuel Sports DETFanDuel Sports FLNew York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks7:00pmPeacockMSGPhiladelphia 76ers vs San Antonio Spurs8:00pmFanDuel Sports SWNBCS-PHICleveland Cavaliers vs Memphis Grizzlies8:00pmFanDuel Sports MEMFanDuel Sports OhioPortland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets9:00pmRip CityALTNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVTampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres7:00pmFanduel Sports SunMSG-BUFSeattle Kraken vs Winnipeg Jets7:30pmKONGSNChicago Blackhawks vs San Jose Sharks10:00pmCHSNNBCS-CANashville Predators vs Los Angeles Kings10:30pmFanDuel Sports NSHFanDuel Sports WestMAXMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVNCAA Championship8:30pmTNTMAXSOCCERTIME ETTVSerie A: Udinese vs Como6:30amParamount+Serie A: Lecce vs Atalanta9:00amParamount+Serie A: Juventus vs Genoa12:00pmParamount+Serie A: Napoli vs Milan2:45pmParamount+La Liga: Girona vs Villarreal3:00pmESPN+fuboTV Tuesday, 4/7/26 MLB REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVKansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians6:10pmGuardians.TVRoyals.TVChicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays6:40pmRays.TVMARQCincinnati Reds vs Miami Marlins6:40pmReds.TVMarlins.TVSan Diego Padres vs Pittsburgh Pirates6:40pmSN-PITPadres.TVMilwaukee Brewers vs Boston Red Sox6:45pmBrewers.TVNESNSt. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals6:45pmCardinals.TVNationals.TVAthletics vs New York Yankees7:05pmNBCS-CASNLAYESLos Angeles Dodgers vs Toronto Blue Jays7:07pmFS1SNLASNArizona Diamondbacks vs New York Mets7:10pmCHSNMASNBaltimore Orioles vs Chicago White Sox7:40pmCHSNMASNDetroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins7:40pmSN-DETTwins.TVSeattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers8:05pmRSNMariners.TVHouston Astros vs Colorado Rockies8:40pmRockies.TVSCHNAtlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Angels9:38pmFanDuel Sports WestBraves.TVPhiladelphia Phillies vs San Francisco Giants9:45pmNBCS-BAYNBCS-PHINBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVChicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards7:00pmMNMTCHSNMinnesota Timberwolves vs Indiana Pacers7:00pmFanDuel Sports NorthFanDuel Sports INDMiami Heat vs Toronto Raptors7:30pmSNFanDuel Sports SunMilwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets7:30pmYESFanDuel Sports MILUtah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans8:00pmGCSNKJZZCharlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics8:00pmNBCPeacockSacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors10:00pmNBCS-BAYNCBS-CAOklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers10:30pmFanDuel Sports OKCSpectrumDallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers10:30pmKFAAFanDuel Sports SoCalHouston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns11:00pmNBCPeacockNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVPhiladelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils7:00pmESPNESPN UnlimitedFlorida Panthers vs Montreal Canadiens7:00pmScrippsSNTampa Bay Lightning vs Ottawa Senators7:00pmFanDuel Sports SunSNBoston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes7:00pmNESNFanDuel Sports SouthMAXColumbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings7:00pmFanduel Sports OhioFanduel Sports DETColorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues8:00pmALTFanDuel Sports MWCalgary Flames vs Dallas Stars8:00pmSNVictory+Seattle Kraken vs Minnesota Wild8:00pmKONGFanDuel Sports NorthMAXEdmonton Oilers vs Utah Mammoth9:30pmESPNESPN UnlimitedVegas Golden Knights vs Vancouver Canucks10:00pmScrippsSNNashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks10:00pmFanduel Sports NSHVictory+SOCCERTIME ETTVUEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs Bayern München3:00pmParamount+VIXUEFA Champions League: Sporting CP vs Arsenal3:00pmParamount+VIXCONCACAF Champions Cup: Nashville SC vs América8:00pmFS2fuboTVLiga MX: Querétaro vs Juárez8:00pmVIXCONCACAF Champions Cup: Los Angeles FC vs Cruz Azul10:00pmFS2fuboTV About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” APRIL 5 THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” APRIL 6
