“THE SCOREBOARD” INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCORES FRIDAY: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/baseball/scores/?date=4/17/2026 ================================================== INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL SCORES FRIDAY’S SCORES: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/softball/scores/?date=4/17/2026 ================================================ INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL SCORES FRIDAY’S SCORES: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/boys/scores/?date=4/17/2026 ================================================ INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES FLORIDA STATE 11 NOTRE DAME 0 GEORGETOWN 12 BUTLER 11 PURDUE 10 OHIO STATE 9 INDIANA 13 ABILENE CHRISTIAN 3 INDIANA STATE 8 WRIGHT STATE 7 (14) INDIANA STATE 6 WRIGHT STATE 3 BALL STATE 11 KENT STATE 3 ILLINOIS CHICAGO 4 VALPARAISO 3 TENNESSEE MARTIN 10 SOUTHERN INDIANA 1 COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: https://d1baseball.com/scores/ ================================================= INDIANA COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES NOTRE DAME 6 SYRACUSE 2 GEORGETOWN 4 BUTLER 0 PURDUE 12 RUTGERS 2 ROBERT MORRIS 11 IU INDY 7 ROBERT MORRIS 8 IU INDY 7 MIAMI OHIO 7 BALL STATE 3 BALL STATE 10 MIAMI OHIO 1 INDIANA STATE 2 MURRAY STATE 1 MURRAY STATE 5 INDIANA STATE 1 BRADLEY 4 EVANSVILLE 0 COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: https://d1softball.com/scores/?date=20260417 =================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: https://247sports.com/season/2026-basketball/transferportal/ ================================================== WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKEBALL TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: https://www.on3.com/transfer-portal/wire/womens-basketball/ ================================================= INDIANA MEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-volleyball/scoreboard ================================================= INDIANA DIVISION 1 MEN’S LAX SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-lacrosse/scoreboard ================================================= INDIANA DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S LAX SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-lacrosse/scoreboard ================================================= NBA SCORES/ NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE ORLANDO 121 CHARLOTTE 90 PHOENIX 111 GOLDEN STATE 96 ===== > FIRST ROUND EASTERN CONFERENCE (1) DETROIT VS. (8) ORLANDO GAME 1: ORLANDO AT DETROIT | SUNDAY APRIL 19 (6:30 ET, NBC/PEACOCK) GAME 2: ORLANDO AT DETROIT | WEDNESDAY APRIL 22 (7 ET, ESPN) GAME 3: DETROIT AT ORLANDO | SATURDAY APRIL 25 (1 ET, NBC/PEACOCK) GAME 4: DETROIT AT ORLANDO | MONDAY APRIL 27 GAME 5: ORLANDO AT DETROIT | WEDNESDAY APRIL 29* GAME 6: DETROIT AT ORLANDO | FRIDAY MAY 1* GAME 7: ORLANDO AT DETROIT | SUNDAY MAY 3* ===== (2) BOSTON VS. (7) PHILADELPHIA GAME 1: PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON | SUNDAY APRIL 19 (1 ET, ABC) GAME 2: PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON | TUESDAY APRIL 21 (7 ET, NBC/PEACOCK) GAME 3: BOSTON AT PHILADELPHIA | FRIDAY APRIL 24 (7 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 4: BOSTON AT PHILADELPHIA | SUNDAY APRIL 26 (7 ET, NBC) GAME 5: PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON | TUESDAY APRIL 28* GAME 6: BOSTON AT PHILADELPHIA | THURSDAY APRIL 30* GAME 7: PHILADELPHIA AT BOSTON | SATURDAY MAY 2* ===== (3) NEW YORK VS. (6) ATLANTA GAME 1: ATLANTA AT NEW YORK | SATURDAY APRIL 18 (6 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 2: ATLANTA AT NEW YORK | MONDAY APRIL 20 (8 ET, NBC) GAME 3: NEW YORK AT ATLANTA | THURSDAY APRIL 23 (7 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 4: NEW YORK AT ATLANTA | SATURDAY APRIL 25 (6 ET, NBC) GAME 5: ATLANTA AT NEW YORK | TUESDAY APRIL 28* GAME 6: NEW YORK AT ATLANTA | THURSDAY APRIL 30* GAME 7: ATLANTA AT NEW YORK | SATURDAY MAY 2* ===== (4) CLEVELAND VS. (5) TORONTO GAME 1: TORONTO AT CLEVELAND | SATURDAY APRIL 18 (1 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 2: TORONTO AT CLEVELAND | MONDAY APRIL 20 (7 ET, NBC/PEACOCK) GAME 3: CLEVELAND AT TORONTO | THURSDAY APRIL 23 (8 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 4: CLEVELAND AT TORONTO | SUNDAY APRIL 26 (1 ET, ESPN) GAME 5: TORONTO AT CLEVELAND | WEDNESDAY APRIL 29* GAME 6: CLEVELAND AT TORONTO | FRIDAY MAY 1* GAME 7: TORONTO AT CLEVELAND | SUNDAY MAY 3* ===== WESTERN CONFERENCE (1) OKLAHOMA CITY VS. (8) PHOENIX GAME 1: PHOENIX AT OKLAHOMA CITY | SUNDAY APRIL 19 (3:30 ET, ABC) GAME 2: PHOENIX AT OKLAHOMA CITY | WEDNESDAY APRIL 22 (9:30 ET, ESPN) GAME 3: OKLAHOMA CITY AT PHOENIX | SATURDAY APRIL 25 (3:30 ET, NBC) GAME 4: OKLAHOMA CITY AT PHOENIX | MONDAY APRIL 27 GAME 5: PHOENIX AT OKLAHOMA CITY | WEDNESDAY APRIL 29* GAME 6: OKLAHOMA CITY AT PHOENIX | FRIDAY MAY 1* GAME 7: PHOENIX AT OKLAHOMA CITY | SUNDAY MAY 3* ===== (2) SAN ANTONIO VS. (7) PORTLAND GAME 1: PORTLAND AT SAN ANTONIO | SUNDAY APRIL 19 (9 ET, NBC/PEACOCK) GAME 2: PORTLAND AT SAN ANTONIO | TUESDAY APRIL 21 (8 ET, NBC) GAME 3: SAN ANTONIO AT PORTLAND | FRIDAY APRIL 24 (10:30 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 4: SAN ANTONIO AT PORTLAND | SUNDAY APRIL 26 (3:30 ET, ESPN) GAME 5: PORTLAND AT SAN ANTONIO | TUESDAY APRIL 28* GAME 6: SAN ANTONIO AT PORTLAND | THURSDAY APRIL 30* GAME 7: PORTLAND AT SAN ANTONIO | SATURDAY MAY 2* ===== (3) DENVER VS. (6) MINNESOTA GAME 1: MINNESOTA AT DENVER | SATURDAY APRIL 18 (3:30 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 2: MINNESOTA AT DENVER | MONDAY APRIL 20 (10:30 ET, NBC) GAME 3: DENVER AT MINNESOTA | THURSDAY APRIL 23 (9:30 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 4: DENVER AT MINNESOTA | SATURDAY APRIL 25 (8:30 ET, ABC) GAME 5: MINNESOTA AT DENVER | MONDAY APRIL 27* GAME 6: DENVER AT MINNESOTA | THURSDAY APRIL 30* GAME 7: MINNESOTA AT DENVER | SATURDAY MAY 2* ===== (4) LOS ANGELES VS. (5) HOUSTON GAME 1: HOUSTON AT LOS ANGELES | SATURDAY APRIL 18 (8:30 ET, ABC) GAME 2: HOUSTON AT LOS ANGELES | TUESDAY APRIL 21 (10:30 ET, NBC) GAME 3: LOS ANGELES AT HOUSTON | FRIDAY APRIL 24 (8 ET, PRIME VIDEO) GAME 4: LOS ANGELES AT HOUSTON | SUNDAY APRIL 26 (9:30 ET, NBC) GAME 5: HOUSTON AT LOS ANGELES | WEDNESDAY APRIL 29* GAME 6: LOS ANGELES AT HOUSTON | FRIDAY MAY 1* GAME 7: HOUSTON AT LOS ANGELES | SUNDAY MAY 3* * = IF NECESSARY ============================================== NHL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ===== EASTERN CONFERENCE BOSTON BRUINS (WC1) VS. BUFFALO SABRES (A1) GAME 1: BOSTON AT BUFFALO, 7:30 P.M. ET APRIL 19 (ESPN, SN1, SN360, TVAS2, NESN, MSG-B) GAME 2: BOSTON AT BUFFALO, 7:30 P.M. ET APRIL 21 (ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, NESN, MSG-B) GAME 3: BUFFALO AT BOSTON, 7 P.M. ET APRIL 23 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN360, TVAS2, MSG-B, NESN) GAME 4: BUFFALO AT BOSTON, 2 P.M. ET APRIL 26 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS, MSG-B, NESN) *GAME 5: BOSTON AT BUFFALO, APRIL 28 TBD *GAME 6: BUFFALO AT BOSTON, MAY 1 TBD *GAME 7: BOSTON AT BUFFALO, MAY 3 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF BRUINS-SABRES SERIES MONTREAL CANADIENS (A3) VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (A2) GAME 1: MONTREAL AT TAMPA BAY, 5:45 P.M. ET APRIL 19 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, THE SPOT) GAME 2: MONTREAL AT TAMPA BAY, 7 P.M. ET APRIL 21 (ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS, THE SPOT) GAME 3: TAMPA BAY AT MONTREAL, 7 P.M. ET APRIL 24 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, THE SPOT) GAME 4: TAMPA BAY AT MONTREAL, 7 P.M. ET APRIL 26 (ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS, THE SPOT) *GAME 5: MONTREAL AT TAMPA BAY, APRIL 29 TBD *GAME 6: TAMPA BAY AT MONTREAL, MAY 1 TBD *GAME 7: MONTREAL AT TAMPA BAY, MAY 3 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CANADIENS-LIGHTNING SERIES OTTAWA SENATORS (WC2) VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES (M1) GAME 1: OTTAWA AT CAROLINA, 3 P.M. ET APRIL 18 (ESPN, SN, TVAS, FDSNSO) GAME 2: OTTAWA AT CAROLINA, 7:30 P.M. ET APRIL 20 (ESPN2, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC TVAS, FDSNSO) GAME 3: CAROLINA AT OTTAWA, 7:30 P.M. ET APRIL 23 (TBS, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNSO) GAME 4: CAROLINA AT OTTAWA, 3 P.M. ET APRIL 25 (TBS, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS, FDSNSO) *GAME 5: OTTAWA AT CAROLINA, APRIL 27 TBD *GAME 6: CAROLINA AT OTTAWA, APRIL 30N TBD *GAME 7: OTTAWA AT CAROLINA, MAY 2 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF SENATORS-HURRICANES SERIES PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (M3) VS. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (M2) GAME 1: PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGH, 8 P.M. ET APRIL 18 (ESPN, SN, TVAS, SN-PIT, NBCSP) GAME 2: PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGH, 7 P.M. ET APRIL 20 (ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, SN-PIT, NBCSP) GAME 3: PITTSBURGH AT PHILADELPHIA, 7 P.M. ET APRIL 22 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SNP, SNO, SNE, SN360, TVAS, SN-PIT, NBCSP) GAME 4: PITTSBURGH AT PHILADELPHIA, 8 P.M. ET APRIL 25 (TBS, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS, SN-PIT, NBCSP) *GAME 5: PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGH, APRIL 27 TBD *GAME 6: PITTSBURGH AT PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 29 TBD *GAME 7: PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGH, MAY 2 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF FLYERS-PENGUINS SERIES WESTERN CONFERENCE LOS ANGELES KINGS (WC2) VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE (C1) GAME 1: LOS ANGELES AT COLORADO, 3 P.M. ET APRIL 19 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS2, FDSNSC, ALT) GAME 2: LOS ANGELES AT COLORADO, 10 P.M. ET APRIL 21 (ESPN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNSC, ALT) GAME 3: COLORADO AT LOS ANGELES, 10 P.M. APRIL 23 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, SN360, TVAS, ALT, FDSNSC) GAME 4: COLORADO AT LOS ANGELES, 4:30 P.M. ET APRIL 26 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SNW, SNP, SN360, TVAS2, ALT, FDSNSC) *GAME 5: LOS ANGELES AT COLORADO, APRIL 29 TBD *GAME 6: COLORADO AT LOS ANGELES, MAY 1 TBD *GAME 7: LOS ANGELES AT COLORADO, MAY 3 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF KINGS-AVALANCHE SERIES MINNESOTA WILD (C3) VS. DALLAS STARS (C2) GAME 1: MINNESOTA AT DALLAS, 5:30 P.M. ET APRIL 18 (ESPN, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS, FDSNWI, FDSNNO, VICTORY+) GAME 2: MINNESOTA AT DALLAS, 9:30 P.M. ET APRIL 20 (ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNWI, FDSNNO, VICTORY+) GAME 3: DALLAS AT MINNESOTA, 9:30 P.M. ET APRIL 22 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN360, TVAS, VICTORY+, FDSNNO, FDSNWI) GAME 4: DALLAS AT MINNESOTA, 5:30 P.M. ET APRIL 25 (TBS, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS, VICTORY+, FDSNNO, FDSNWI) *GAME 5: MINNESOTA AT DALLAS, APRIL 28 TBD *GAME 6: DALLAS AT MINNESOTA, APRIL 30 TBD *GAME 7: MINNESOTA AT DALLAS, MAY 2 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF WILD-STARS SERIES UTAH MAMMOTH (WC1) VS. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (P1) GAME 1: UTAH AT VEGAS, 10 P.M. ET APRIL 19 (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS, UTAH16, SCRIPPS) GAME 2: UTAH AT VEGAS, 9:30 P.M. ET APRIL 21 (ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS2, UTAH16, SCRIPPS) GAME 3: VEGAS AT UTAH, 9:30 P.M. ET APRIL 24 (TBS, HBO MAX, SN360, TVAS2, SCRIPPS, UTAH16) GAME 4: VEGAS AT UTAH, APRIL 27 TBD (ESPN) *GAME 5: UTAH AT VEGAS, APRIL 29 TBD *GAME 6: VEGAS AT UTAH, MAY 1 TBD *GAME 7: UTAH AT VEGAS, MAY 3 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF MAMMOTH-GOLDEN KNIGHTS SERIES ANAHEIM DUCKS (P3) VS. EDMONTON OILERS (P2) GAME 1: ANAHEIM AT EDMONTON, 10 P.M. ET APRIL 20 (ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS, KCOP-13, VICTORY+) GAME 2: ANAHEIM AT EDMONTON, 10 P.M. ET APRIL 22 (TBS, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS2, KCOP-13, VICTORY+) GAME 3: EDMONTON AT ANAHEIM, 10 P.M. ET APRIL 24 (TNT, TRUTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, KCOP-13, VICTORY+) GAME 4: EDMONTON AT ANAHEIM, 9:30 P.M. ET APRIL 26 (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS2, VICTORY+) *GAME 5: ANAHEIM AT EDMONTON, APRIL 28 TBD *GAME 6: EDMONTON AT ANAHEIM, APRIL 30 TBD *GAME 7: ANAHEIM AT EDMONTON, MAY 2 TBD *- IF NECESSARY COMPLETE COVERAGE OF DUCKS-OILERS SERIES ============================================== MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CHICAGO CUBS 12 NY METS 4 BALTIMORE 6 CLEVELAND 4 ATLANTA 9 PHILADELPHIA 0 PITTSBURGH 5 TAMPA BAY 1 SAN FRANCISCO 10 WASHINGTON 5 NY YANKEES 4 KANSAS CITY 2 MILWAUKEE 7 MIAMI 5 (10) BOSTON 1 DETROIT 0 (10) CINCINNATI 2 MINNESOTA 1 ST. LOUIS 9 HOUSTON 4 LA DODGERS 7 COLORADO 1 LA ANGELS 8 SAN DIEGO 0 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 9 LAS VEGAS 2 TEXAS 5 SEATTLE 0 ARIZONA 6 TORONTO 3 ============================================== MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OMAHA 4 INDIANAPOLIS 2 BELOIT 6 SOUTH BEND 5 FT. WAYNE 1 LAKE COUNTY 0 LAKE COUNTY 4 FT. WAYNE 3 ============================================== WOMEN’S PRO VOLLEYBALL SCORES SAN DIEGO 3 ATLANTA 0 GRAND RAPIDS 3 INDY 1 =============================================== UFL SCORES AVIATORS 28 RENEGADES 14 ============================================== MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER VANCOUVER 3 KANSAS CITY =============================================== MAJOR NATIONAL HEADLINES/RELEASES NBA PLAYOFFS NBA PLAYOFFS 2026: THUNDER TRY TO END THE PARITY, CHALLENGERS SET TO CRASH THE PARTY Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t sound all that excited about the idea of becoming a back-to-back NBA champion. That might seem strange. It’s not. It’s just who the Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are. They live in the present. They try not to skip steps or waste energy on things out of their control. The Thunder — the NBA’s defending champions and No. 1 overall seed in this year’s playoffs, which open on Saturday — just keep things simple and see how things work out. And that’s why, to the reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP in Gilgeous-Alexander, any talk of the Thunder going back-to-back and snapping the league’s unprecedented run of parity — seven different champions in a seven-season span — can wait, at least for a few more weeks. “That’s so far down the line,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So many things are going to happen before we get to the finals-clinching game. Yeah, it’s cool. To have the opportunity to repeat means you won before, so it’s cool. I’ll keep it there.” Translated: Round 1, Game 1 is all that’s on Oklahoma City’s mind right now. The road to the title will goes through OKC yet again, with 16 teams set to start the two-month journey to decide who will raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy sometime in June. Detroit is the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Thunder are atop the West bracket, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is about to go to the playoffs for the first time and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is about to go for the 19th time in the last 21 seasons. “It’s competitive basketball,” James said. “Anytime you’re able to be in meaningful games, it definitely means a lot more for sure.” The matchups In the East: No. 1 Detroit awaits Orlando, No. 2 Boston plays No. 7 Philadelphia in a series for the 23rd time (the most common postseason matchup the NBA has), No. 3 New York takes on No. 6 Atlanta and No. 4 Cleveland meets No. 5 Toronto. In the West: No. 1 Oklahoma City awaits Phoenix , No. 2 San Antonio meets No. 7 Portland, No. 3 Denver gets No. 6 Minnesota (the third meeting of those franchises in the last four years) and the No. 4 Lakers will play No. 5 Houston — setting up a matchup for the ages and of the ageless, the 41-year-old James leading his team against the 37-year-old Kevin Durant and the Rockets. “Obviously it’s the biggest stage of basketball and there’s a lot that comes around the game,” Durant said. “But at the end of the day, when that ball’s tipped up, it’s just basketball. We all know how to play at this level. We all know what it takes to win basketball games. Just got to do that consistently.” The Thunder — who got off to a 24-1 start, then went 19-3 in their final 22 games as well — didn’t spend a single day this season outside of first place in the West. The Pistons came close to pulling off that feat in the East; it took them about 2 1/2 weeks to get to the No. 1 spot on that side of the league, and they stayed there the rest of the way. “We feel like we play a playoff brand of basketball every night,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We’re a physical team. We’re a gritty team. We’re a tough team. We orchestrate well in the trenches. Those are things you have to do in the playoffs.” The parity run Toronto won the title in 2019, followed by the Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023, Boston in 2024 and the Thunder last year. There’s never been a run like that — seven champions in seven years — in NBA history. And there are some legitimate contenders to extend that list. The most likely candidates, according to oddsmakers, include Detroit, New York and San Antonio. “I dream about it every day,” Wembanyama said. He doesn’t know how the dream might match up to the reality, if a title comes the Spurs’ way. The Thunder found out last year, after they won a Game 7 of the NBA Finals on their home floor to finally bring a championship to OKC and cap one of the winningest seasons in league history. From the outset of this season, the Thunder haven’t been trying to win two in a row. The pressure of trying to defend a title is real, but they would also say it’s external. All the Thunder worry about is whatever the day brings, an approach that worked last year and has them the overwhelming favorite to win it all again this year. “This group of guys is preconditioned to compete,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They’re preconditioned to stay inside the team. And they’ve stayed in character on that through a lot of different experiences over a long period of time. So, that’s allowed us to just focus a lot on the basketball.” SPURS’ VICTOR WEMBANYAMA SAYS HE CAN’T HELP BUT DREAM ABOUT NBA TITLES. HIS FIRST CHANCE IS HERE He’s probably going to be the runaway, if not unanimous, choice for defensive player of the year. He’s going to make this season’s All-NBA team. He’s going to get some MVP votes. He’s already a global superstar. Victor Wembanyama has met every expectation. Except, perhaps, his own. He came to the San Antonio Spurs three years ago as the No. 1 draft pick and hoping to lead a revitalization, one where a perennial title contender that got stuck in a rebuilding cycle would finally rise again. So far, so good — the Spurs just finished their best season in a decade, going 62-20. And now, the really good stuff — the playoffs — awaits. “How ready? As ready as you can be,” Wembanyama said when asked about his level of preparation for his first look at the NBA postseason. “These moments, it’s really what you work on all year, but also your whole career. We’re dreaming of playoffs as kids before we come here.” History says these second-seeded Spurs, who open the Western Conference playoffs at home against No. 7 Portland on Sunday night, could be poised to make a deep run. Of the other 15 clubs in franchise history that finished with a winning percentage of .700 or better, 14 won at least one playoff series, 10 made the NBA’s final four, six went to the NBA Finals and five won championships. The core then: Gregg Popovich as coach, leading names like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The core now: Mitch Johnson as coach, leading names like Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Wembanyama — who seems to make all things possible. “He’s embraced the city and the city’s embraced him, the stepping foot into the community,” Johnson said. “And it’s been genuine and it’s been authentic. … It’s pretty cool to witness upfront.” To say Wembanyama — who is at least 7-foot-4, and somehow has other 7-foot men in the NBA gawking about how tall he seems — is unique is somehow an understatement. How many other 21-year-olds in the NBA draw headlines for spending part of their summers at a Buddhist temple (as he did last summer) as part of basketball training, bring books to read at the All-Star Game (to the disbelief of some fellow All-Stars) and can show off math skills during press conferences (as he did of late while debating the NBA’s 65-game rule)? Not many. “He’s unique,” Spurs forward Harrison Barnes said, knowing he was stating the obvious. Wembanyama’s numbers this season: 1,600 points, 736 rebounds, 199 assists, 197 blocked shots, 122 3-pointers. Nobody in NBA history has ever finished a season with those totals, and the blocked shots are the biggest factor in why he stands alone there. So, take the blocks out. Grade him in history on points, rebounds, assists and 3s for a season. Do that, and here’s the full list of players to reach his totals in just those categories in one season: Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins, Karl-Anthony Towns (twice), Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle and Nikola Jokic. That’s it. “He’s a 7-5 guy that can handle the ball, shoot, guard the rim, guard the perimeter, all the little things,” said Portland coach Tiago Splitter, who went to the NBA Finals as a player on some of the great San Antonio teams and was part of the Spurs’ most recent championship in 2014. “It’s not a secret. He’s a very good player.” Oddsmakers say San Antonio is the second choice behind only defending champion Oklahoma City — the West’s No. 1 seed — to win the NBA title. That means there is an expectation, and a realistic one, that Wembanyama’s playoff debut might not just be a smashing success but might wind up bringing the ultimate success. He was rookie of the year two years ago. He was on his way to winning defensive player of the year last season before his year got cut short by a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. He’s eligible for all the big NBA awards this season, and basketball fans seem like they simply cannot get enough info about everything he does. Now, the NBA’s biggest stage awaits San Antonio’s biggest star. He’s played for Olympic gold before, so he knows what extremely high-stakes basketball is like, but his first chance to compete for an NBA championship is finally here. “I can’t really help but dream about it, of course,” Wembanyama said. “But we have to stay grounded, stay in the moment. And before even thinking about Game 1, I have to think about showing up the right way. Practice, doing all my stuff, preparing, being locked in on the scouts. But yeah, I dream about it every day.” REPORT: RETIREMENT AN OPTION ON TABLE FOR LAKERS’ LEBRON JAMES LeBron James will lead the Lakers into the first-round of the NBA playoffs against the favored Houston Rockets in Los Angeles in what could be the final series of his storied 23-year career. Unless it isn’t. The Athletic reported Friday that James, 41, is considering retiring from the league he entered as an 18-year-old, citing anonymous team and league sources. But, the report also said that James has plenty of other options, and factors such as family considerations will impact his eventual decision, too. Those options include a last act with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where the Akron, Ohio, native began his career and later won an NBA title during a second stint; a move to the Golden State Warriors, where The Athletic reported ownership is interested in pairing James with Stephen Curry, one of the brightest stars of their generation; or staying with the Lakers, who can offer the easiest path to a great payday and are the only team that can afford him the chance to be teammates with his eldest son, Bronny James. On the side of retirement: James has played the most games in NBA history (1,914, regular season and playoffs) and the most minutes (73,092, regular season and playoffs) and has put a lot of miles on his legs; remaining in Los Angeles, which his family has called home full-time since 2018; and flexibility to pursue other projects. Proximity to home also makes the Los Angeles Clippers a long-shot landing spot for James, The Athletic reported. And the fact that he’s still playing at a high level could entice him to return, especially since he isn’t being asked the carry the load anymore. Luka Doncic emerged as the first scoring option and Austin Reaves the second this season, but both are injured and not expected to play in the first round for the No. 4 seed Lakers against the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets. That has put the burden back on James, at least for now. And he showed this season he remains capable of shouldering the burden. James’ season started late because of sciatica pain but he still has played in 60 games and put up strong numbers — staggering ones when remembering he is 41: 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 33.2 minutes per game. He is a four-time league MVP and a 22-time All-Star. On the season, the Lakers are 39-21 with James in the lineup. He has 17 double-doubles and three triple-doubles. James said in February at the All-Star Weekend festivities that he hadn’t made up his mind about returning to the NBA or retiring. “When I know, you guys will know,” he said, per The Athletic. “I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live. That’s all.” =========================================== MLB MLB ROUNDUP: MOURNING ANGELS PRODUCE SHUTOUT, END PADRES’ WIN STREAK Yoan Moncada and Josh Lowe homered as the Los Angeles Angels, only hours after announcing the death of franchise icon Garret Anderson, snapped San Diego’s eight-game winning streak with an 8-0 victory on Friday night in Anaheim, Calif. Angels starter Jose Soriano (5-0) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out eight, lowering major-league-leading ERA to 0.28. Nolan Schanuel went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run for Los Angeles, which finished with 13 hits. Adam Frazier had double, a single and two runs, Jo Adell hit a two-run double and Zach Neto and Oswald Peraza also had two hits for the Angels, who won for the third time in four games. Padres starter Matt Waldron (0-1) gave up six runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings. San Diego managed a total of three hits of four Angels pitchers. Red Sox 1, Tigers 0 (10 innings) Masataka Yoshida knocked a pinch-hit, walk-off single in the 10th inning, leading Boston to a win over visiting Detroit. Yoshida’s hit through the right side of the infield drove in Jarren Duran, the automatic runner on second base to begin the extra frame. Duran had advanced to third on a wild pitch by Tigers reliever Will Vest (1-3). After starter Ranger Suarez tossed eight innings of two-hit ball, Red Sox relievers Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock (1-1) each pitched a scoreless frame. Casey Mize tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings for the Tigers, whose six-game winning streak ended. Reds 2, Twins 1 Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run double and Brandon Williamson pitched into the sixth inning to lead Cincinnati to a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Williamson (2-1), a Fairmont, Minn., native, threw 5 1/3 innings and allowed three hits and one run. Suarez had two of Cincinnati’s four hits. Emilio Pagan tossed a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to register his sixth save. Minnesota starter Joe Ryan (2-2) gave up three hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings. Josh Bell went 2-for-4 for the Twins, who only had five hits. Orioles 6, Guardians 4 Jeremiah Jackson hit a three-run homer off Connor Brogdon as part of a six-run eighth inning, rallying Baltimore past host Cleveland. Jackson’s fifth home run of the season came with two outs, capping a wild turn of events that saw the Orioles score six times off relievers Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski and Brogdon on two hits, three walks and a hit by pitch. Cleveland had taken a 4-0 lead in the seventh on Daniel Schneemann’s second career grand slam. Rico Garcia (2-0) was awarded the win for working a clean eighth inning while Ryan Helsley earned his sixth save in six opportunities. Sabrowski (0-1) allowed two runs and recorded two outs. Braves 9, Phillies 0 Martin Perez tossed six scoreless innings and Austin Riley hit a pair of opposite-field home runs as visiting Atlanta smashed Philadelphia. After getting designated for assignment and re-signed by the Braves earlier in the week, Perez (1-1) allowed just four hits. Jose Suarez earned a three-inning save. Dominic Smith’s solo shot in the third made it 7-0, and Michael Harris II and Riley tacked on homers in the eighth and ninth. The Braves have won seven of nine while the Phillies have dropped seven of nine. Philadelphia managed only six hits, including three by Bryce Harper and two by J.T. Realmuto. Taijuan Walker (1-3) was charged with seven runs and seven hits in four frames. Cubs 12, Mets 4 Moises Ballesteros hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run first inning for host Chicago, which downed free-falling New York. The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in each of their last three games, all victories — the longest streak for the club since Sept. 13-15, 2019. The Mets have lost nine straight, a span in which they’ve been outscored 56-16. Chicago’s Nico Hoerner went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer as he raised his average to .342. Ian Happ also hit a two-run homer, while Ballesteros, Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch had two hits apiece. Edward Cabrera (2-0) gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings. Pirates 5, Rays 1 Bubba Chandler allowed one run over six innings and host Pittsburgh totaled 11 hits to secure a victory over Tampa Bay. Chandler (1-1) gave up three hits to the Rays, who had a six-game winning streak snapped. The Pirates’ Oneil Cruz hit a two-run homer and Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Brandon Lowe each had three hits. Lowe had two doubles and two RBIs against his former team. Junior Caminero drove in the Rays’ lone run in the sixth with a game-tying, two-out single. Nick Martinez (0-1) threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits. Giants 10, Nationals 5 Heliot Ramos hit a three-run homer, Drew Gilbert and Casey Schmitt added solo shots and San Francisco beat host Washington. Matt Chapman had three hits and drove in three runs for the Giants, who have won two straight. Logan Webb (2-2) went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. After scoring three or fewer runs in five straight games, the Giants jumped in front with a six-run second inning. James Wood and Daylen Lile homered and Jose Tena had three hits for the Nationals. Washington’s Zack Littell (0-2) gave up eight runs on 11 hits over four innings. Yankees 4, Royals 2 Ryan McMahon hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning and New York earned a victory over visiting Kansas City. Ben Rice, who hit a two-run shot in the fourth, kept the inning going with a two-out single, and McMahon snapped a 2-2 tie with his shot off Alex Lange (0-1). New York’s Camilo Doval (1-0) had allowed a tying homer by Vinnie Pasquantino. David Bednar notched his sixth save. Pasquantino also had an RBI groundout for the Royals, who have lost five straight and eight of 10. Starter Michael Wacha allowed two runs on three hits in six innings. Brewers 7, Marlins 5 (10 innings) Garrett Mitchell drove in three, including a two-run double in the top of the 10th inning, as Milwaukee defeated host Miami. The Brewers, who have won three straight games, scored three times in the 10th against Calvin Faucher (1-2). Abner Uribe (1-0) tossed one scoreless inning. Trevor Megill handled the bottom of the 10th, yielding one run, for his fourth save. Jake Bauers went 3-for-4 and scored three runs. Brewers starter Coleman Crow (two runs, 5 1/3 innings) made his major league debut, and he took a no-decision despite leaving the game with a lead. Miami’s Otto Lopez hit a two-run homer, a triple and a single. Agustin Ramirez added a game-tying double in the eighth. Cardinals 9, Astros 4 Nolan Gorman clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to give St. Louis plenty of breathing room as it claimed a win at Houston. Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy (2-2) surrendered three homers but just those three runs. He allowed five hits across five innings. Ivan Herrera homered and drove in three. Christian Vazquez and Yordano Alvarez went deep for the Astros. Peter Lambert (0-1) gave up four runs on seven hits and struck out eight in five innings. Dodgers 7, Rockies 1 Max Muncy homered twice and hit an RBI double as Los Angeles defeated Colorado on a chilly night in Denver. Shohei Ohtani had two hits to extend his on-base streak to 49 games, the fifth-longest run in Dodgers history. Tyler Glasnow (2-0) allowed just two hits and a run in seven strong innings. Will Smith and Freddie Freeman had two hits apiece for Los Angeles, which has won four in a row. Mickey Moniak doubled and scored the lone run for the Rockies, who have lost seven of their past eight games. Tomoyuki Sugano (1-1) allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings. Diamondbacks 6, Blue Jays 3 Nolan Arenado homered for the third time in four games and drove in two, Michael Soroka won his fourth straight start, and Arizona beat Toronto in Phoenix. Soroka (4-0) gave up two runs and five hits in a season-high seven innings. He has one fewer win this season than in the previous five years combined, when he missed extended time with Achilles tendon, arm and shoulder injuries. Ketel Marte had two hits and scored twice and Corbin Carroll and Jose Fernandez had run-scoring singles for the Diamondbacks, who have won nine of 12. Toronto’s Eric Lauer (1-3) gave up three runs and five hits in three innings. White Sox 9, Athletics 2 Munetaka Murakami launched a towering grand slam and Davis Martin tossed seven solid innings to help Chicago trounce the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif. Murakami and Andrew Benintendi (one RBI) each had three hits and two runs as Chicago matched its highest-scoring output of the season. The White Sox had scored the second-fewest runs in the majors (60) entering the contest. Martin (3-1) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings. Nick Kurtz and Andy Ibanez drove in runs for the A’s, who lost their second straight game. Aaron Civale (2-1) allowed five runs and 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings. Rangers 5, Mariners 0 Brandon Nimmo homered leading off the game and six pitchers combined for a six-hitter and Texas improved to 4-0 this season against host Seattle. Reliever Gavin Collyer (1-0), a rookie right-hander, pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn his first major league victory in just his second appearance. Texas has won four of its last six, while Seattle has lost four in a row. Nimmo jumped on a 2-0 fastball from Logan Gilbert (1-3) in the first, lining it over the right field fence. Rangers starter Jacob deGrom didn’t allow a run, but an elevated pitch count (88) knocked him out after four innings. SAN DIEGO PADRES ARE NEARING A WHOPPING SALE, AP SOURCE SAYS The family of late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler is nearing a sale of the team, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Padres aren’t commenting publicly on the process. The Wall Street Journal first reported the imminent deal with private equity billionaire Jose E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones. The team is expected to be sold for $3.9 billion in a record deal for a Major League Baseball team, easily topping the approximately $2.4 billion paid by Steven Cohen for the New York Mets in 2020. The 53-year-old Feliciano is the co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital, a private equity firm based in Santa Monica, California. The firm was part of an investment group that purchased Premier League club Chelsea in 2022, with Los Angeles Dodgers minority owner Todd Boehly becoming the Blues’ chairman. Seidler’s family began to explore a sale of the Padres last November, two years after the death of the popular Peter Seidler. His brother, John Seidler, has served as the Padres’ chairman since then. Peter Seidler was part of a group that bought the Padres in 2012, and he became the team’s primary owner in 2020. He enthralled San Diego’s baseball fans with his free-spending eagerness to win the Padres’ first World Series, and general manager A.J. Preller built a series of exciting teams that have reached the MLB playoffs in four of the last six seasons — a first in team history. The Padres’ potential sale price reflects their value as San Diego’s only franchise in North America’s four traditional major sports leagues, leading to a passionate fan base in their attractive home at downtown Petco Park. The team has set attendance records in each of the past three seasons, capped last season by drawing a whopping 3,437,201 fans — the second-most in the majors to the Dodgers, who play in their much larger stadium in Chavez Ravine. Feliciano was born and raised in Puerto Rico before attending Princeton and Stanford. He co-founded Clearlake Capital two decades ago. GARRET ANDERSON, THE TALENTED OUTFIELDER AND ANGELS CAREER HITS LEADER, DIES AT 53 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Garret Anderson, the multitalented outfielder who became the Los Angeles Angels’ career hits leader and led the team to its only World Series title, has died. He was 53. The Angels announced Anderson’s death Friday morning without immediately disclosing the cause or location. Anderson reached the majors with the then-California Angels in 1994 and played for the club until 2008, primarily as a left fielder. He was a fixture in the heart of their batting order for his entire tenure, becoming the franchise’s career leader in games played (2,013), hits (2,368), RBIs (1,292), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489) and grand slams (8). “The Angels organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a statement. “Garret was a cornerstone of our organization throughout his 15 seasons, and his stoic presence in the outfield and our clubhouse elevated the Angels into an era of continued success, highlighted by the 2002 World Series championship. Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class and loyalty throughout his career and beyond. His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable.” The Angels will wear a memorial patch this season bearing Anderson’s initials, the team announced. They will hold a moment of silence Friday before the Angels host the San Diego Padres. Anderson was a three-time AL All-Star who finished as high as fourth in the AL MVP balloting, and he won two Silver Slugger awards. He memorably won the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game MVP award in 2003 in Chicago. His 272 career homers are third in Angels history behind Mike Trout and Tim Salmon. Only Trout has scored more runs in Angels history than Anderson. In 2002, Anderson batted .306 and drove in a team-leading 123 runs for the then-Anaheim Angels, who won 99 games and earned a wild-card playoff berth. The Halos stormed through the playoffs to this franchise’s only championship, overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series. Anderson was a key factor in the Fall Classic, batting 9 of 32 with six RBIs. He drove in the final three runs of the series with a tiebreaking three-run double in the third inning of the Angels’ 4-1 victory over the Giants in Game 7. Anderson finished his career with Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers before his retirement in 2011. He was inducted into the Angels’ Hall of Fame in 2016, and he had regularly worked for the team as a television broadcaster on its pregame and postgame shows over the ensuing decade. Anderson was born in Los Angeles on June 30, 1972. He attended Granada Hills High School in the suburban San Fernando Valley before the Angels drafted him in the fourth round in 1990. The Angels said Anderson is survived by his wife, Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, and son Garret “Trey” Anderson III. ======================================= NFL AP MOCK DRAFT 3.0: REAL INTRIGUE IN NFL DRAFT STARTS AT NO. 2 AFTER RAIDERS TAKE QB FERNANDO MENDOZA Fernando Mendoza will get a chance to learn from Kirk Cousins before the Las Vegas Raiders give him an opportunity to start. The only question surrounding the Heisman Trophy winner is when he’ll make his debut. Mendoza, who led Indiana to its first national championship, is an overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1-overall pick in the NFL draft next Thursday. He won’t be in Pittsburgh to hear NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce his name, choosing instead to celebrate his big night with family and friends in Miami. The intrigue starts with the second pick. Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese was widely considered the choice for the New York Jets but Texas Tech edge David Bailey has gained momentum. Here’s the third edition of the AP’s 2026 mock draft in order of picks: 1. Las Vegas Raiders: FERNANDO MENDOZA, QB, INDIANA Mendoza is a precise pocket passer with prototypical size, poise and maturity. The Raiders have some playmakers — Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty — and spent more than a quarter-billion in free agency. Cousins gives Mendoza a mentor in the QB room. Part-owner Tom Brady can provide Mendoza with valuable advice. The Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since losing the Super Bowl following the 2002 season and have only reached the postseason twice in that span. They need Mendoza to be a franchise QB. 2. New York Jets: ARVELL REESE, EDGE RUSHER, OHIO STATE We’re sticking with Reese. He’s a freak athlete — he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash — who played off-ball linebacker and standup edge. He has the talent to be an elite edge rusher who can make an immediate impact for the Jets. 3. Arizona Cardinals: DAVID BAILEY, EDGE RUSHER, TEXAS TECH Bailey is another immensely athletic edge with elite upside. The Cardinals could trade down to add more draft assets or look at bolstering the offensive line. Bailey would join Josh Sweat to give Arizona two pass rushers who can create havoc. 4. Tennessee Titans: JEREMIYAH LOVE, RUNNING BACK, NOTRE DAME The Titans reloaded in free agency, revamping the secondary and adding depth on defense along with another target for Cam Ward in wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. They have a tough choice here between Love or giving new coach Robert Saleh a star on defense: edge Rueben Bain Jr. and linebacker Sonny Styles. If general manager Mike Borgonzi sticks with the best available player, it’s Love. 5. New York Giants: SONNY STYLES, LINEBACKER, OHIO STATE Styles’ impressive combine performance helped him soar into the top five on many draft boards. Protecting Jaxson Dart is a priority for the Giants so they’d have their choice of best offensive lineman in the draft at this spot but Styles is a supremely gifted defensive player. 6. Cleveland Browns: CARNELL TATE, WIDE RECEIVER, OHIO STATE Tate is a consistent route runner with excellent hands and enough speed to be a top playmaker. The Browns added three veteran offensive linemen but still could target a tackle. Tate gives them a No. 1 receiver that’s hard to pass up. 7. Washington Commanders: MANSOOR DELANE, CORNERBACK, LSU Delane is the best cover corner in the draft. He’ll provide a significant boost for a defense that’s thin in the secondary. 8. New Orleans Saints: RUEBEN BAIN JR., EDGE RUSHER, MIAMI Bain is a versatile rusher who can line up on the edge or inside against guards, creating mismatches. He’ll be a huge asset for the Saints. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, MIAMI Mauigoa is a three-year starter at right tackle who would replace Jawaan Taylor and provide Patrick Mahomes more protection. Getting Mahomes a playmaking receiver is also an option. So is an edge rusher. But Mauigoa is strong value slipping to this spot. 10. Cincinnati Bengals: CALEB DOWNS, SAFETY, OHIO STATE Downs is an elite, versatile playmaker who strengthens a porous defense that has held the Bengals back in recent years. Downs has top-five talent but only slips because of potential value. 11. Miami Dolphins: MAKAI LEMON, WIDE RECEIVER, USC After trading Jaylen Waddle and releasing Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins need to get Malik Willis a top receiver. Lemon is an elite playmaker who creates matchup nightmares for defenses in the slot. 12. Dallas Cowboys: AKHEEM MESIDOR, EDGE RUSHER, MIAMI Mesidor is an older prospect at age 25 but his talent is clear on video. He’ll generate pressure from the outside and is solid against the run, which Jerry Jones emphasized last year after trading Micah Parsons. 13. Los Angeles Rams: JORDON TYSON, WIDE RECEIVER, ARIZONA STATE He’s an exceptional route-runner with speed who catches the ball in traffic. The Rams were interested in some high-profile wideouts so drafting Tyson upgrades a dynamic group that includes All-Pro Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. 14. Baltimore Ravens: OLAIVAVEGA IOANE, GUARD, PENN STATE Ioane fills a big need for the Ravens on the interior of their offensive line and fits their run-blocking scheme nicely. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: KELDRIC FAULK, EDGE RUSHER, AUBURN Scouts rave about Faulk’s leadership and he has obvious talent. The Buccaneers need a standout pass rusher and Faulk’s the type of player who fits general manager Jason Licht’s character criteria. A trade down to add more picks also is a possibility. 16. New York Jets: DENZEL BOSTON, WIDE RECEIVER, WASHINGTON Boston is strong, fast and has elite ball skills. He has the frame (6-foot-4, 212) of receivers that new offensive coordinator Frank Reich has relied on in his system. The Jets could trade down and still get Boston or Omar Cooper Jr. and stockpile even more picks. 17. Detroit Lions: KADYN PROCTOR, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ALABAMA Proctor started at left tackle as a freshman and allowed just two sacks in his three seasons. He has great size — 6-foot-7, 352 pounds — and plenty of athleticism. Proctor even had five runs for 16 yards. 18. Minnesota Vikings: DILLON THIENEMAN, SAFETY, OREGON Thieneman had an impressive combine, running a 4.36 40-yard dash that was faster than some of the NFL’s best receivers. A three-year starter, he’ll step right into Brian Flores’ defense. 19. Carolina Panthers: KENYON SADIQ, TIGHT END, OREGON The Panthers improved their defense in free agency by adding edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. If Sadiq is available, they’d get the best tight end in the draft at this spot, giving Bryce Young a potential favorite target. 20. Dallas Cowboys: JERMOD MCCOY, CORNERBACK, TENNESSEE McCoy is a consistent corner with outstanding ball skills often mocked to the Cowboys at No. 12. Dallas gets a defensive back who can anchor the secondary. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: MONROE FREELING, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, GEORGIA Freeling has elite athleticism and is considered a potential top-10 pick. He just needs more experience after starting one season on the right side. Freeling has the athletic ability to adapt to a new spot. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: PETER WOODS, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, CLEMSON Woods is a powerful, versatile defensive lineman who fits the type of player coach Jim Harbaugh wants on defense. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: BLAKE MILLER, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, CLEMSON Miller started 54 games in college and can step in right away and play if the Eagles need him. He provides an eventual successor to right tackle Lane Johnson. 24. Cleveland Browns: T.J. PARKER, EDGE RUSHER, CLEMSON Parker’s production dipped after big numbers in 2024 but he’s a strong, powerful edge with potential to flourish. He makes it three straight Clemson players in this mock. 25. Chicago Bears: ZION YOUNG, EDGE RUSHER, MISSOURI The Bears lost several starters in the secondary and adding a defensive back is an option but a strong rusher also helps significantly. Young is a disruptive force who brings energy and leadership. 26. Buffalo Bills: CASHIUS HOWELL, EDGE RUSHER, TEXAS A&M Despite acquiring D.J. Moore, another playmaking receiver is an option. Edge also is a priority and Howell has proven he gets to the quarterback and finishes. 27. San Francisco 49ers: K.C. CONCEPCION, WIDE RECEIVER, TEXAS A&M Concepcion is a speedy, elusive wideout who gives Brock Purdy and the 49ers a top target and another playmaker on offense. Despite signing Mike Evans in free agency, San Francisco can’t pass up a confident player who already declared he’s the best receiver in the draft. 28. Houston Texans: KAYDEN MCDONALD, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, OHIO STATE McDonald is another Buckeyes player going in the first round. He’s a natural run defender who’ll clog the middle of the line. 29. Kansas City Chiefs: OMAR COOPER JR., WIDE RECEIVER, INDIANA After giving Mahomes a blocker with the ninth pick, the Chiefs add a potential top target late in the round. Cooper is a versatile playmaker who is known for getting yards after the catch. 30. Miami Dolphins: AVIEON TERRELL, CORNERBACK, CLEMSON Terrell is an athletic cornerback who is projected higher in the draft. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is a possibility if he’s still available but the Dolphins signed Malik Willis. 31. New England Patriots: MAX IHEANACHOR, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ARIZONA STATE Iheanachor is an athletic former basketball player with ideal size who will need time to develop but projects as a potential starter right away. 32. Seattle Seahawks: JADARIAN PRICE, RUNNING BACK, NOTRE DAME Price replaces the departed Super Bowl MVP and provides the Seahawks with a natural runner in the backfield. With Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a knee injury, Price fills a need. Seattle could trade out of the first round, add more picks and potentially get Price early in the second. THE NO. 7 PICK IN THE DRAFT IS ONE OF THE FEW POSITIVES THAT CAME OUT OF LAST SEASON FOR WASHINGTON ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The 2025 season was a nightmare for the Washington Commanders. One of the few positives to come out of it is the No. 7 pick that they own in the NFL draft. “The circumstances to get this pick, you never want to be in,” general manager Adam Peters said Thursday. “But it’s a great opportunity for us.” At this time last year, the Commanders were still basking in the glow of their first trip to the NFC title game in 33 years. They looked set at quarterback after Jayden Daniels’ outstanding rookie season, and they’d added Deebo Samuel, giving him another target to throw to. Then Washington went 5-12, and the skeptics about the direction of this franchise are back. The top concern is Daniels’ ability to stay healthy, and there’s not much the Commanders can do via the draft to help his durability — aside from maybe improving the pass protection. Outside of that magical 2024 season, the Commanders haven’t been relevant in a while — but despite all that losing, they’ve only picked in the top seven twice in the last 10 drafts. Washington took pass rusher Chase Young at No. 2 in 2020 and Daniels at No. 2 in 2024. The 2026 season will say a lot about whether Washington’s future is as promising as it once seemed, and a pick this high in the first round can give the Commanders an impact player right away. “It is a big pick, but I think all of our picks are big,” Peters said. “In every single round you can hit a home run. This one, I think the chances are a little bit greater, so you really want to make sure you don’t make a mistake — you don’t blow it, I guess.” Need The defense across the board could use improving. Washington allowed 384 yards per game, the worst mark in the NFL, and forced the second-fewest turnovers in the league. What would also help the Commanders is more picks. They only have six, having traded their second- and fourth-rounders to Houston in last year’s deal for tackle Laremy Tunsil. Keep an eye on Washington as a team that might trade down to increase its quantity of picks. Don’t need Aside from quarterback, the Commanders should be looking to improve just about everywhere. Washington landed running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round last year, and he had a solid rookie season, so the Commanders might not need as much help there either. New staff Washington coach Dan Quinn returns, but last season’s decline led to some shuffling on his staff. David Blough was promoted to offensive coordinator, and Daronte Jones was brought in to be the defensive coordinator. They replaced Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. “New coaches, new schemes, so we’ve adjusted the draft board accordingly because of that, just positionally-wise,” Peters said. “But they’re not big changes, they’re just minor changes.” THE RAVENS ALMOST TRADED THEIR 1ST-ROUND PICK, BUT INSTEAD THEY’RE STILL WAITING AT NO. 14 OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — For a couple of days in March, Baltimore’s draft seemed a lot less significant — when the Ravens were about to trade this year’s first-round pick and next year’s for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Then Baltimore backed out of the deal. So the Ravens still own the 14th overall selection in the NFL draft, equaling their highest pick in the last decade. After going 8-9 last season, Baltimore has a new coach in Jesse Minter — but the Eric DeCosta-led front office is a familiar one. “We’re excited to have the pick this year at No. 14. We think we’re going to get a really good player,” DeCosta said. “You never know what’s going to happen at 14, too, right? You can move up, you can move back. We’ve done both over time.” The only other recent time Baltimore picked as high as 14th was in 2022, when the Ravens took safety Kyle Hamilton. He’s become a star. As of now, Baltimore has 11 picks in this year’s draft: one in each of the first four rounds, four in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh. Both seventh-rounders and two fifth-rounders are compensatory picks. Need Baltimore’s offensive line struggled in spots last year, and that was before losing star center Tyler Linderbaum to free agency. Several mock drafts have the Ravens using their first-round pick on the offensive line, and the trenches in general could be a focus after Baltimore didn’t live up to its usual reputation in terms of physicality in 2025. “I definitely think that it’s a great draft for that. There’s a lot of talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” Minter said. “I think any good football team, it’s always been that way where you’re good on the line of scrimmage, obviously. And so, no matter if you’re coming off of a year where you’re the best offensive line or the best defensive line, I think you’re always looking to keep those areas as a strength.” The Ravens also lost punter Jordan Stout, although you don’t necessarily need to use the draft for that position. Depth at tight end is not what it was last season after the departures of Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Don’t need Quarterback and running back are obviously set with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. There’s always room for help in the secondary, but Baltimore has taken defensive backs in the first round in three of the last four drafts (Malaki Starks, Nate Wiggins and Hamilton) and may look in a different direction this time. Like-minded franchises Several players have made the move from Baltimore to the Giants after New York hired former Ravens coach John Harbaugh. And coach Jim Harbaugh’s team — the Los Angeles Chargers — has plenty of Ravens influence. It’s where Minter used to coach. Meanwhile, Cleveland hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as its coach. DeCosta was asked about the possibility all these franchises might be targeting the same players. “I think if they’re picking right around us, then I’m probably more concerned with it. We all know good football players, right?” he said. “And I think the other thing is I don’t want to be too predictable.” OKLAHOMA PRODUCES NFL QBS, OHIO STATE AND LSU THRIVE AT RECEIVER, AND ALABAMA TOPS AT RUNNING BACK When it comes to producing players for the NFL, it’s not surprising that the top-performing colleges are the most prolific. Where it gets more interesting is looking at how different schools excel at producing players at different positions. Oklahoma has thrived with quarterbacks over the past decade thanks to Lincoln Riley’s tenure as an offensive coordinator and head coach there. Stanford and Iowa have had fierce debates about which school should get the moniker Tight End U. Notre Dame punches above its weight at offensive line, while Ohio State and LSU vie for top billing at receiver. There have been 2,565 players taken in the past 10 drafts, with 223 schools represented based on where players finished their college careers, according to Sportradar. Six of the top 10 schools have won a title from the 2015 to 2024 seasons. The top 10 schools combined for 35 playoff appearances in that span, with only Florida failing to make even one. Alabama led the way with 95 players drafted, followed by Ohio State (85), Georgia (81), LSU (73) and Michigan (73). Florida, Penn State, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma rounded out the top 10. Those same schools lead the way when it comes to first-rounders, with Alabama’s 32 players picked in the opening round from 2016-25 being the most out of the 74 schools with at least one first-round pick. Ohio State was next with 26, followed by Georgia with 21. The only other schools with at least 10 first-rounders in that span were LSU (15), Michigan (13), Clemson (13) and Florida (10). Here’s a breakdown of which schools have done the best at producing NFL players at various positions based on the final college for each player: Quarterbacks Oklahoma has long been known for the wishbone offense and talented running backs like Billy Sims to Adrian Peterson to DeMarco Murray. But the Sooners have transformed into more of a passing team of late, a trend accelerated when Riley was hired as OC in 2015 and then served as head coach from 2017-21. Oklahoma had a five-year run featuring future No. 1 overall picks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, followed by a future Super Bowl winner in Jalen Hurts after he transferred from Alabama. Those three have combined for 66,876 yards passing as pros — more than 27,000 more than any other school’s draftees from 2016-25 — 428 touchdown passes and 289 starts. Hurts’ original school has also fared well with three first-rounders in Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young, who haven’t been able to equal the production of the Sooners QBs. Ohio State was the only other school with three first-round QBs in that span. C.J. Stroud has been the best of those but Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields provided far less production. LSU has two stars with Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, along with other schools with impressive duos like Oregon (Justin Herbert and Bo Nix) and USC (Sam Darnold and Caleb Williams). There is an outlier when it comes to the position with North Dakota State, which has been at the lower-level FCS, having three players drafted in this span, including top three picks Carson Wentz (2016) and Trey Lance (2021). The Bison rank in the top 12 in yards passing, TD passes and starts among players in the last 10 drafts. Running backs There’s no debate about which school is best when it comes to developing running backs. Led by Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama backs from the last 10 drafts have rushed for 37,997 yards and 335 touchdowns in the NFL. No other school is even close to that production. Georgia ranks second with 20,628 yards rushing and 144 TDs. The Crimson Tide have such a deep group of NFL backs with five that have rushed for at least 3,500 yards as pros, with Najee Harris and Kenyan Drake also doing that. There are only 28 other players drafted in the last 10 years to do that, with Georgia the only other school with more than two in Nick Chubb, De’Andre Swift and James Cook III. Wide receivers The fiercest debate might be at wide receiver, where LSU produced two of the best in the game in Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Ohio State produced reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba and four other first-rounders since 2016 and Alabama leads the way with seven first-round picks. When it comes to production, the Buckeyes take the top spot with 2,794 catches for 34,165 yards and 190 TDs from draftees from 2016-25, led by Smith-Njigba, Michael Thomas, Garret Wilson, Chris Olave and Terry McLaurin. The Tigers are second in all three categories thanks to multiple time All-Pros Jefferson and Chase, as well as recent picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Alabama had back-to-back drafts with multiple first-rounders in 2020 (Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs) and 2021 (Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith) and ranks in the top four in all three categories. The other big producer is USC with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London and Jordan Addison leading the way. Tight ends Iowa has pulled ahead in the debate of which school deserves to be called Tight End U thanks to the production of players like George Kittle, Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson. That moniker has bounced around over the years. Miami held it in the early 2000s, thanks to players like Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen, and then Stanford took over with Notre Dame always near the top. The Hawkeyes players have a healthy lead among 2016-25 draftees with 1,568 catches for 18,303 yards and 116 TDs. The Cardinal remain in second thanks in part to Austin Hooper and Dalton Schultz, although their most productive player, Zach Ertz, entered the league before this stretch in 2013. The surprising entry at this position is South Dakota State, which ranks in the top seven across the board thanks to Dallas Goedert and Tucker Kraft. Offensive line When it comes to the trenches, Notre Dame joins the leaders, finishing neck and neck with Alabama in producing offensive linemen. The Crimson Tide have a narrow lead when it comes to most starts (669 to 645) and snaps, but the Fighting Irish come ahead with star power thanks to players like Quenton Nelson, Ronnie Stanley and Joe Alt. The schools in the Midwest fare well when it comes to the line, with Ohio State and Michigan coming in third and fourth in playing time and Wisconsin not far behind at No. 7. Defense It’s a split decision when it comes to defense, with Ohio State leading the way with 380 1/2 sacks from players drafted from 2016-25, led by the Bosa brothers, LSU in the secondary with Derek Stingley Jr. and Tre’Davious White helping the Tigers record an NFL-high 100 INTs. Alabama ranks best overall with 146 takeaways, along with the most starts, snaps and tackles. Georgia and Michigan both finished in the top six in sacks, takeaways and snaps. PROSECUTORS SAY MAKEUP, WIGS HELPED FORMER ALABAMA TACKLE IMPERSONATE NFL PLAYERS IN $20M FRAUD ATLANTA (AP) — In early 2024, a former defensive tackle at the University of Alabama put on makeup and a wig and got on a video call from a swanky suburban Atlanta hotel to finalize a $4 million loan. Luther Davis had convinced investors the money was for a player in the NFL, and he used the wig and make up to impersonate the athlete. The ruse worked. The detailed allegations are included in a criminal complaint filed against Davis last month by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta. Federal prosecutors say Davis would go on to don disguises — a wig once, and a do-rag-style head covering another time — again in March and July to impersonate two other NFL players on video calls and bilk millions more in loans. The complaint does not say exactly how the wigs and do-rag helped Davis assume the three different players’ identities. It also only identifies the NFL players by their initials. Davis and CJ Evins, who prosecutors say executed the scheme with Davis, are charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. They both pleaded not guilty in March, but they are scheduled to return to court on April 27 to enter a guilty plea, according to court filings. An email and call to Davis’ attorney, Gabe Banks, were not immediately returned. Evins’ attorney, Benjamin Alper, confirmed his client is scheduled to plead guilty, but he said he had no additional comment. The complaint says none of the NFL players had authorized Davis and Evins to obtain loans. In addition to wearing disguises, prosecutors say Davis used fake driver’s licenses with photos of the players that could be found online. The scheme brought in nearly $20 million from at least 13 fraudulent loans that Davis and Evins used to buy real estate, jewelry and cars, according to the complaint. Davis was a national champion with the Crimson Tide in 2010. REPORTS: TEXANS’ WILL ANDERSON JR. AGREES TO 3-YEAR, $150M DEAL All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. agreed to a three-year, $150 million contract extension to make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, multiple media outlets reported on Friday. The deal reportedly includes $134 million in guaranteed money and has a no-trade clause for Anderson, who already was under contract with the Texans through 2027 after the club picked up his fifth-year option. Anderson’s new deal surpasses the previous record extension of fellow edge rusher Micah Parsons, who signed with the Packers after Green Bay acquired him from the Dallas Cowboys in August. Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million extension that included $136 million in total guarantees. Anderson, 24, has recorded 30 sacks, 64 quarterback hits, 136 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 46 games (44 starts). He was selected by Houston with the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, one pick behind Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. Anderson was the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2025 and earned All-Pro first-team honors in 2025 when he was runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. CARDS’ JACOBY BRISSETT NOT AT OFFSEASON PROGRAM, WANTS EXTENSION Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is seeking a contract extension that will pay him as a starter. NFL Network reported on Friday that Brissett is not attending the team’s voluntary workout program as a means to address that situation. Brissett, who has only $1.5 million guaranteed on the lone year of his current contract, is in line to be the Cardinals’ starter after the team released Kyler Murray on March 3. Murray, the former No. 1 overall pick, signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings on March 12. In addition to Brissett, the Cardinals’ quarterbacks are Gardner Minshew II and Kedon Slovis. Arizona is expected to add one in the upcoming NFL draft. Brissett, 33, stepped up in place of Murray last season, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games (12 starts). The Cardinals, however, finished 3-14 in the tough NFC West in 2025 and fired coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5 after three seasons. A Super Bowl champion with New England, Brissett has thrown for 14,766 yards with 76 touchdowns and 32 interceptions with the Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders and Cardinals. REPORT: EX-NFL WR ALSHON JEFFERY FACING FRAUD CHARGES Former NFL wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was arrested earlier this week for insurance fraud, TMZ Sports reported on Friday. Jeffery, a Pro Bowl selection with the Chicago Bears and a Super Bowl LII champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, was booked in a jail in California on Wednesday morning and later released, per the report. Further details were not immediately available. Jeffery, 36, could face up to five years in prison if convicted of the felony charge, according to TMZ Sports. A second-round pick by Chicago in 2012, Jeffery caught 475 passes for 6,786 yards and 46 touchdowns in 109 career games with the Bears (2012-16) and Eagles (2017-20). COURT ORDERS RASHEE RICE’S CO-DEFENDANT TO PAY $2.88M A Texas court ruled former SMU cornerback Theodore “Teddy” Knox was “grossly negligent” in a 2024 street racing crash in Dallas that involved Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. Judge Kim Bailey Phipps issued a default judgment of $2.88 million on Wednesday against Knox for the accident in which both men lost control of their vehicles in an accident that left several people injured. The judgment awarded to Kathryn Kuykendall, one of the victims, includes punitive damages and costs for medical expenses and lost wages. Rice, who is scheduled to go to trial in the matter on June 9, started the 2025 season by serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy stemming from his role in the crash on March 30, 2024. He pleaded guilty in district court to two third-degree felony charges — collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. Rice and four of his friends failed to check on the injured parties and fled on foot before police arrived. Rice was sentenced to five years of deferred probation, and 30 days in jail. He also was required to pay more than $115,000 in restitution to the victims of the crash. Rice, 25, was driving a rented Lamborghini SUV at speeds up to 119 mph at the time of the accident. Knox was driving a rented Corvette. A second-round pick by Kansas City out of SMU in 2023, Rice has recorded 156 catches for 1,797 yards and 14 scores in 28 games (20 starts) over his first three NFL seasons. In January, the court issued default judgments against Knox totaling more than $3.6 million for two other victims in the case. Knox played for two seasons with the Mustangs (2022-23) after one season at Mississippi State. ====================================== GOLF NEWS SEI YOUNG KIM GRABS LEAD AT MIDPOINT OF LA CHAMPIONSHIP World No. 10 Sei Young Kim of South Korea carded a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 on Friday and took a one-shot lead after two rounds at the JM Eagle LA Championship in Tarzana, Calif. Kim sits at 14-under 130 at El Caballero Country Club, just ahead of first-round leader Chizzy Iwai of Japan. Coming off a course-record-tying 63 on Thursday, Iwai carded a 68 on Friday, leaving her at 13 under. South Korea’s Ina Yoon holds third place at 12 under following a 64. Tied for fourth at 9 under are Melanie Green and South Korea’s Jin Hee Im, who each shot 68 on Friday, and Jessica Porvasnik, who logged a 69. Jenny Bae (second-round 68), Japan’s Minami Katsu (69), Australia’s Hannah Green (69) and Thailand’s Suvichaya Vinijchaitham (71) are level at 8 under, tied for seventh. Kim birdied two of the first three holes and was 2 under at the turn. She then reeled off five birdies in a seven-hole span on the back nine. “Little less windy today, because yesterday (it was a) very dry golf condition because (I started in the) afternoon,” Kim said. “So today … I can attack to the pin more than yesterday.” Kim owns 13 career LPGA victories, but just one in the past six years, at the BMW Ladies Championship last October. “This course (offers) a lot of the opportunity if you play well, so I think some players or couple players (will) play good and we’ll see, yeah, what’s going on,” Kim said. “Yeah, (I) like my position so I just want to keep (moving) forward (the) next two days.” Iwai had another good round, albeit nowhere near as good as her first-round 63. She had two birdies and one bogey through the first 12 holes, then added three birdies in a four-hole stretch starting at No. 13. “My front nine, I didn’t make … short birdie putts, but my driver and my second shot was all consistent, my swing,” Iwai said. “Yeah, my shot is pretty good.” Yoon charged into contention with a sizzling start to her round, making seven birdies and two pars on the back nine. She then played the front nine and cooled off, adding only one more birdie in a bogey-free day. “First nine holes was awesome,” Yoon said. “I never shoot 29 for nine hole in my life. It was unbelievable. “The back nine was little bummer, but I had pretty good shot on the back nine as well. Some tricky putts on there. I made some. But it was good overall.” JON RAHM OVERCOMES ROCKY START TO TAKE LIV GOLF MEXICO CITY LEAD Jon Rahm used a strong back nine during Friday’s second round to take a narrow lead at the halfway point of LIV Golf Mexico City in Naucalpan, Mexico. Rahm — who backdoored his way into a top-40 finish last week at the Masters by shooting 4 under in the final round to finish at 1 over — overcame a rocky front nine to shoot 4 under on the back nine, post 67 at Club de Golf Chapultepec and sit at 10-under-par 132. The Spaniard was in second place after the opening round at 6 under. He’s now one stroke clear of Matthew Wolff, Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland and Harold Varner III, who are all tied at 9 under. “I was even par on that 9th tee, and I thought, ‘Well, if I hit a good tee shot on 9, I’m going to give myself a birdie chance,’” Rahm said after the round. “If I keep hitting good drives like I’ve been doing so far, I was going to give myself really good chances at 10, 11 and 12, so I think I told (caddie) Adam (Hayes), ‘If we can get one or two before we get to the par-5s, I think we’re in a good spot,’ and kind of took it that way.” Rahm, who started on the first tee at the shotgun-start event, opened with a bogey, which set the tone for an even-par front nine with three birdies and three bogeys. That included a ball into the water at No. 8, which led to a second consecutive bogey. He changed the tune by starting his back nine with a birdie on the par-4 10th hole, kicking off a bogey-free final half of his round. Rahm racked up four birdies to put himself in pole position as he seeks his second 2026 win and sixth straight top-five finish to begin the season. Wolff, McKibbin and Luis Masaveu of Spain (who is in fifth place at 8 under) each shot 6-under 65 to shoot up the leaderboard. Wolff navigated a number of tough situations with par saves to come away with a bogey-free round. “I was a bit all over the place, to be honest. I told my caddie after I finished up, I said, ‘I would have never guessed that that round would be bogey-free.’ I feel really good with the putter, so I think that helped a lot,” Wolff said. “… Overall, obviously I’m really happy, but definitely would like to tighten the ball-striking up a little bit. But it’s day by day. Hopefully I can leave that bad ball-striking behind and hit it good the next few days.” Australia’s Marc Leishman had the low round of the day, posting a 7-under 64 to move past his 3-over opening round to move into a tie for 11th at 4 under. He eagled Nos. 7 and 12, finishing 5 under at the three par-5 holes during his Friday round. First-round leader Victor Perez of France followed up his career-best 9-under 62 by shooting 2 over on Friday. He’s tied for sixth at 7 under along with Canada’s Richard T. Lee and England’s Tyrrell Hatton. Bryson DeChambeau, aiming to become the first player in LIV Golf history to win three straight individual events, posted his second straight even-par 71 and is in a tie for 31st. SCOTT HEND, BRIAN GAY SHARE LEAD AT SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Scott Hend has won everywhere from Asia to Canada to his native Australia in his long, workmanlike golf career. Now he is in position to contend for his first major championship. Hend posted a 7-under-par 65 on Friday, the lowest round through two days of the Senior PGA Championship, to share the 36-hole lead with Brian Gay at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. Hend was 2 under for his day when he made the turn, but climbed the leaderboard quickly when he got birdies to fall at Nos. 11, 12 and 13. Hend added back-to-back birdies at Nos. 16-17 to shoot 5-under 31 coming in. He and Gay sit at 10-under 134 at Concession — the new host of the major through 2028 – though both believed they could have been even better. “I was disappointed in yesterday’s two double bogeys on the back nine, so I wanted to play that nine a bit smarter and a bit better today,” Gay said. “So I didn’t short-side myself as much as what I did yesterday, and it seemed to work out quite well.” Hend has traveled Asia, collecting 10 wins on the Asian Tour from 2008-19. He has won three times since joining the European Senior Tour. He knows that the leaderboard is packed with challengers who have experience under the brightest lights. “I haven’t got any majors in my back pockets, so the guys who have majors should be the ones that are favorites,” Hend said. That includes Stewart Cink and South Africa’s Retief Goosen, who share third place at 8 under par with Ben Crane. Cink shot a 67 Friday while Crane and Goosen posted 69s. Cink made an impressive eagle at the par-5 17th on a long, uphill putt. That pushed him to 9 under, but he bogeyed his final hole. “Two bogeys today. You know, obviously you’d like to clean those up,” said Cink, who has won six times since joining the PGA Tour Champions and twice this year but is searching for his first senior major. “But you know, all in all it was pretty good golf, and I would take days like today pretty much every day for the rest of my career and be happy, because there’s going to be some days that yield some low scores on days like this, and there’s not going to be too many over-par rounds.” As for Gay, he is in the same bucket as Hend, seeking his first career major of any kind. An eagle at the par-5 seventh was counteracted by his double-bogey 7 at the 17th. “Another pretty good day. A little volatile. Pretty similar to yesterday, except I butchered a couple of par-5s. Two of them with one bad tee ball, two good tee balls, but other than that, I putted well again.” Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, the defending champion, went 9 over through 36 holes and missed the cut by seven strokes. ================================ INDIANA HEADLINES/RELEASES PACERS BASKETBALL MEXICO CITY (AP) — The NBA is sending Denver and Indiana to Mexico City for a regular-season game on November 7, the league said Thursday. The game will be the 35th in Mexico, all since 1992, and the 16th regular-season contest there. Other than the U.S. and Canada, no nation has played host to more NBA games than Mexico. “Hosting the 35th game in the country reflects the depth of the NBA’s relationship with Mexico and the role this event plays in bringing the global game closer to fans locally, throughout Latin America, and around the world,” said Raul Zarraga, senior vice president of NBA Latin America. Denver has played in Mexico once before, that being a preseason game against Golden State in Monterrey in 2006. The Pacers are heading to Mexico for the first time, set to become the 23rd NBA franchise to play a game in that country. The game will be played during the week of the Day of the Death celebrations in Mexico. The NBA will also play regular season games in Paris and Manchester, England, next season. ======================================= INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS PAPILLION, Neb. – The Indianapolis Indians and Omaha Storm Chasers combined for eight hits, just four apiece, as Indy fell, 4-2, on Friday night at Werner Park. Esmerlyn Valdez’s career-best 17-game on-base streak concluded as he went 0-for-4. Omaha (10-8) grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the first inning as Kameron Misner hit a two-run home run, his fourth of the season, to open the scoring. The Indians (5-14) rallied to even the contest, with Rafael Flores Jr. providing an RBI single in the second inning and Ronny Simon tying the game on a run-scoring groundout in the third. After allowing a double to John Rave in the bottom of the third inning, Thomas Harrington (L, 0-3) walked three batters including a free pass to Josh Rojas that plated Rave, the go-ahead run. A pair of doubles in the fourth frame by Gavin Cross and Brandon Drury created the Storm Chasers’ fourth run. All four runs were earned to Harrington, with four hits, three walks and four strikeouts across 4.0 innings. Justin Meis relieved Harrington and delivered a strong performance from the bullpen, striking out four across 3.0 scoreless and hitless innings. Storm Chasers starter Ryan Ramsey opened the game with 4.2 innings of two-run ball and gave way to Jose Cuas (W, 2-0) who tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to follow. Mason Black (S, 2) blanked the Indians over the final 2.0 frames. The Indians and Storm Chasers match up for Game 5 of the six-game series on Saturday afternoon at 3:05 PM ET. RHP Wilber Dotel (1-2, 6.28) will take the mound for Indy while Omaha is yet to name a starter. ====================================== FEVER BASKETBALL INDIANAPOLIS (April 17, 2026) — The Indiana Fever and Aliyah Boston have agreed to a new contract, with the center signing a new, multiyear agreement through the 2029 WNBA season. With the agreement, Boston becomes the first player in WNBA history to sign a deal under the newly-created Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract (EPIC) provision. “Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023. We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come,” Indiana Fever COO and General Manager Amber Cox said. “Despite already being an All-WNBA caliber player, Aliyah has just scratched the surface in terms of the player she can become. In addition, her intangibles are unmatched. She is a leader, a connector and consistent contributor to our community. There is not a better person to go down in history as the first recipient of this type of groundbreaking agreement.” “I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!” As part of the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the EPIC provision enables top-performing players on rookie contracts to renegotiate the final year of their rookie contract as part of a multi-year extension, contingent upon being named to either the All-WNBA First or Second Team, or named Most Valuable Player within their first three years of play. Boston, who was entering the 2026 season on the fourth, and final, year of her rookie contract, was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2025. Over her first three seasons in the WNBA, the University of South Carolina product has compiled one of the most decorated resumes during that time. In addition to her 2025 All-WNBA Second ================================ INDY FUEL WHEELING- The Fuel travel to Wheeling, West Virginia for the last regular season game of the season. With the playoffs on the line, the Fuel look to round out the season strong against a non-divisional foe. STAY DISCIPLINED On Wednesday, the Fuel allowed in three power play goals that was the difference in the 4-3 loss. Staying disciplined when every point matters will be key for the Fuel. The Nailers have a strong home power play, clicking at 4th in the league at 25%. While the Fuel’s road penalty kill sits at 20th at 77.9%. SCORING FIRST Scoring first has been fruitful for this Fuel team this season, they are 22-7-5-0 when netting the first goal. Similarly for Wheeling, they are 35-5-1-0 when scoring first. The Fuel will have to put the foot on the gas early in this classic battle of the goaltender matchup. ============================================== INDY ELEVEN GAME PREVIEW Indy Eleven at Birmingham Legion FC Sun., April 19, 2026 | 5:00 pm ET Protective Stadium | Birmingham, Ala. Follow Live Watch/Listen: ESPN+, Sirius XM FC 157, Blake Gardner & Morgan Copes In-game updates: IndyEleven Stats: #BHMvIND MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com 2026 USL Championship RecordsIndy Eleven: 2-1-2 (2), 8 pts, #7 in Eastern ConferenceBirmingham Legion FC: 1-2-2 (-1), 5 pts, #11 in Eastern Conference Setting the SceneIndy Eleven takes its four-game unbeaten streak on the road to USL Championship Eastern Conference opponent Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday at 5 pm ET. The match will be televised on ESPN+ with audio also on Sirius XM FC 157 with Blake Gardner & Morgan Copes calling the action. IND BHM 5 Games 5 8 Goals 5 27 SOT 14 6 Assists 3 6 Goals Conceded 6 23 Shots Faced 19 0 Clean Sheets 2 SeriesIndy Eleven leads 8-6-1 | GF 24, GA 19 Recent MeetingsSept. 21, 2025 W, 2-1 HomeJune 28, 2025 T, 1-1 (7:6) Home (USL Cup)June 4, 2025 W, 1-0 AwayOct. 19, 2024 W, 3-2 HomeJune 9, 2024 W, 1-0 AwayAug. 9, 2023 W, 4-0 Home Last Time at BirminghamMidfielder Cam Lindley scored on a laser from 25 yards out in the fourth minute and the Boys in Blue defense recorded a clean sheet for a 1-0 road victory at USL Championship Eastern Conference rival Birmingham Legion FC on June 4. Midfielder James Murphy started the scoring sequence with a feed into captain Aodhan Quinn in the midfield. Quinn sent it wide to defender Finn McRobb who delivered a cross into the area that deflected off midfielder Jack Black outside the area where Lindley fired it into the bottom left corner just inside the post. Lindley’s goal the fifth in his USLC career. Blake’s assist is his 23rd in the USL Championship. Goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made five saves to record his 10th clean sheet as a member of the Boys in Blue. The 23-year-old Sulte made an outstanding save, diving to his right on a shot by Tabort Etaka Preston in the final minute of second half stoppage time to preserve the victory. In the 17th minute, Sulte dove to his left to save a shot from former Indy Eleven forward Tyler Pasher. Birmingham had a good scoring chance in the 56th minute when Ronaldo Damus’ shot hit the left post and the rebound shot by Enzo Martinez just missed. In the 86th, Sulte punched a dangerous cross from Erik Centeno out of harm’s way. Indy Eleven 1:0 Birmingham Legion FCWed., June 4, 2025 – 8:00 p.m. ETProtective Stadium | Birmingham, Ala.Weather: Cloudy, 79 degrees Scoring SummaryIND – Cam Lindley (Jack Blake) 4’ Discipline SummaryBHM – Erik Centeno (caution) 16’IND – James Musa (caution) 27’BHM – Ronaldo Damus (caution) 70’BHM – Kobe Hernandez-Foster (caution) 75’BHM – Roman Torres (caution) 76’IND – Josh O’Brien (caution) 90’+1IND – James Murphy (caution) 90’+4 Indy Eleven Line-Up: Hunter Sulte, James Musa, Pat Hogan, Ben Ofeimu, Finn McRobb (Josh O’Brien 69’), James Murphy, Bruno Rendon, Aodhan Quinn (captain) (Elliot Collier 90’), Cam Lindley (Oliver Brynéus 77’), Jack Blake (Brem Soumaoro 77’), Elvis Amoh (Edward Kizza 69’). Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Reice Charles-Cook, Maalique Foster. Birmingham Legion FC Line-Up: Matt Van Oekel, Erik Centeno, Santiago Suárez, Stephen Turnbull, Jake Rufe, Edwin Laszo (Kobe Hernandez-Foster 45’), Sam McIllhatton (Roman Torres 45’), Danny Trejo (Preston Tabort Etaka 74’), Enzo Martínez (Sebastian Tregarthen 74’), Tyler Pasher, Ronaldo Damus. Birmingham Legion FC Subs Not Used: Ethan Kos, Ereku Temitayo, Finn Calloway, Fernando Delgado. Blake & Herbert USL Championship “Team of the Week”Indy Eleven midfielder Jack Blake and defender Anthony Herbert have been selected to the USL Championship “Team of the Week” after helping the Boys in Blue extend their unbeaten streak to four with a 3-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC on Saturday at Carroll Stadium. Blake became the club’s all-time leader in goals with his 28th on a bicycle kick in the 55th minute. The fourth-year Indy Eleven player broke a tie with Eamon Zayed (2016-17) with the game-winning goal that put his team ahead 2-1. The Nottingham, England, native has scored three goals in three matches in all competitions this season, increasing his career total in USL-C play to 44. He is tied for 13th in the league in goals this season with two in two games, and he ranks fifth in franchise history with 103 appearances in all competitions. This is the 13th time in his Boys in Blue career that Blake has earned “Team of the Week” honors. Captain Aodhan Quinn set up the record-breaking score with a corner kick into the area that defender Paco Craig headed on goal. The ball caromed off the head of Monterey Bay goalkeeper Fernando Delgado high into the air. Blake established position inside the far post and delivered a bicycle kick into the back of the net. The 6’4 Herbert played a brilliant header in the midfield past the back line off a goal kick to record his first Boys in Blue assist and set up forward Loïc Mesanvi’s first USL-C goal in the 68th minute. The Brooklyn, New York, native led the team in chances created (3) and blocks (2) and added eight clearances while winning 5-5 duels. On the season, Herbert is tied for 15th in the USL-C in blocks (4) and he is second on the team in clearances (20). He has started and played the full 90 in the past three matches. Herbert is in his third year in the USL-C after starting his pro career with FC Haka in Finland’s top division in 2022-23. He is a Trinidad International who made his National Team debut in September of 2022 after playing collegiately at St. John’s. Indy Eleven has had five different players earn USL-C “Team of the Week” in five games this season. Indy Eleven Goals (All Competitions) Jack Blake 28 2023- Eamon Zayed 27 2016-17 Tyler Pasher 24 2018-20 Indy Eleven USL Era (2018-) Goals (All Competitions) Jack Blake 28 2023- Tyler Pasher 24 2018-20 Sebastian Guenzatti 16 2023-24 Manuel Arteaga 15 2021-22 Aodhan Quinn 13 2023-Stéfano Pinho 13 2022-23Ayoze 13 2018-22 Indy Eleven Appearances (All Competitions) Ayoze 126 2018-22 Cam Lindley 121 2020, 2023- Brad Ring 115 2014-18 Karl Ouimette 108 2018-22 Jack Blake 103 2023- Don Smart 101 2014-17 Boys in Blue Extend Unbeaten Streak to FourIndy Eleven extended its current USL Championship unbeaten streak to four (2-0-2) and its unbeaten run at home to six (5-0-1) dating back to last season with a 3-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC in front of 9,101 fans at Carroll Stadium. Veteran midfielder Cam Lindley moved into the USL-C Top 20 all-time in assists by setting up the first Boys in Blue goal in the 14th minute. The Carmel native played a phenomenal through-ball from midfield to forward Bruno Rendon, who made a fantastic run from the wide right flank across the back line and delivered a classy finish for his team-high third goal in five games this season. Lindley, who leads Indy Eleven with two assists on the campaign, is tied for 19th all-time with 32 career assists in USL-C play. Forward Loïc Mesanvi recorded his first USL-C goal in the 68th minute to seal the victory. Defender Anthony Herbert played a brilliant header in the midfield off a goal kick past the back line to the speedy Mesanvi, who chested it down and took his time before finishing inside the far post. Defender Paco Craig became the USL-C all-time leader in clearances with 989, breaking a tie with Forrest Lasso. Craig also is the all-time leader in aerial duels won (726), and he is fourth all-time in blocks (174), duels won (1,246), and interceptions (331). Indy Eleven 3:1 Monterey Bay FCSat., Apr. 11, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.Carroll Stadium | IndianapolisWeather: Partly sunny, 65 degrees Scoring SummaryIND – Bruno Rendón (Cam Lindley) 14’MB – Wesley Leggett (Omari Glasgow) 51’IND – Jack Blake 55’IND – Loïc Mesanvi (Anthony Herbert) 68’ Discipline SummaryMB– Joel Garcia Jr. (caution) 25’IND – Noble Okello (caution) 32’MB– Zackery Farnsworth (caution) 75’MB– Eduardo Blancas (caution) 82’IND – Hesron Barry (caution) 83’IND – Kian Williams (caution) 87’ Indy Eleven Line-Up: Eric Dick, Aodhan Quinn (captain) (Kian Williams 75’), Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Hayden White, Jack Blake, Cam Lindley, Josh O’Brien, Loïc Mesanvi, Noble Okello (Edward Kizza 75’), Bruno Rendón (Hesron Barry 69’). Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Logan Neidlinger, Makel Rasheed, Reice Charles-Cook, Mikah Thomas. Paco Craig USL Championship All-Time RankingsAerial Duels Won | 726 | 1stClearances | 989 | 1stBlocks | 174 | 4thDuels Won | 1,246 | 4thInterceptions | 331 | 4thGames Started | 230 | 15thMinutes | 20,401 | 16th Aodhan Quinn USL Championship All-Time RankingsGames Started | 281 | 1stAppearances | 295 | 2nd Tie (Kenardo Forbes)Assists | 61 | 2ndMinutes | 24,633 | 2ndTackles Won | 205 | 19th Tie Most Seasons with a Goal in USL Championship History Dane Kelly – 12 Augi Williams – 11*T-3. Aodhan Quinn – 10*T-3. Alex Dixon – 10T-3. Enzo Martinez – 10 Most USLC Regular Seasons with 10 Assists Aodhan Quinn – 3 (2018-OC, 2021-PHX, 2025-IND) Kenardo Forbes – 2 (2022-PIT, 2023-PIT) Antoine Hoppenot – 2 (2018-RNO; 2022-DET) USL Championship Regular Season Goal Contributions Dane Kelly 132 (106 goals, 26 assists) Enzo Martinez 131 (78 goals, 53 assists) Aodhan Quinn 118 (57 goals, 61 assists) USL Championship Regular Season 50 Goals & 50 Assists Enzo Martinez – 78 goals, 53 assists Aodhan Quinn – 57 goals, 61 assists Solomon Asante – 52 goals, 58 assists USL Championship Assists in Consecutive Games Streaks Aodhan Quinn (PHX) 5 2021 Aodhan Quinn (OC) 4 2018Aodhan Quinn (IND) 4 May 3-28, 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Shutout % (min. 30) Eric Dick 36.3% 32 Clean Sheets, 88 Games Played Team Leaders (USL Championship stats)Stat Player #Goals-Bruno Rendon, 3Assists-Cam Lindley, 2Shots-Bruno Rendon, 10Shots on Target-Bruno Rendon, 7Chances Created-Aodhan Quinn, 13Crosses-Aodhan Quinn, 27Fouls Won-Dylan Sing, 6Duels Won-Josh O’Brien, 33Aerial Duels Won-Noble Okello, 20Clearances-Paco Craig, 35Blocks-Aodhan Quinn, 5Interceptions-Cam Lindley, Hayden White, 6Tackles Won-Josh O’Brien 2026 USL Championship StatsIndividualCategory Player Rank TotalChances Created Aodhan Quinn T2 13Assists Cam Lindley T3 2Shots on Target Bruno Rendon T5 7Loïc Mesanvi T18 5Goals Bruno Rendon T6 3Jack Blake T13 2Saves Eric Dick T6 17Blocks Aodhan Quinn T6 5Anthony Herbert T15 4Tackles Won Josh O’Brien T7 10Shots Bruno Rendon T9 10Save Percentage Eric Dick 10 73.9Aerial Duels Won Noble Okello T10 20Paco Craig T20 17Clearances Paco Craig T10 35Crosses Aodhan Quinn T14 27Tackles Won Cam Lindley T16 8 TeamCategory Rank TotalGoals T5 8Goals Conceded T7 6Shots 9 68Team Highs/Lows Single-Match HighsShots: 17 | Mar. 8 at BKN, Mar. 21 vs. DETSOT: 8 | Apr. 11 vs. MBPossession: 42.5% | Mar. 8 at BKNCorners: 5 | Mar. 8 at BKN, Mar. 21 vs. DET Single-Match LowsShots: 10 | Mar. 28 at HFD, Apr. 4 vs. PITSOT: 4 | Mar. 8 at BKN, Mar. 28 at HFD, Apr. 4 vs. PITPossession: 29% | Mar. 21 vs. DETCorners: 2 | Mar. 28 at HFD, Apr. 4 vs. PIT Opponent HighsShots: 18 | Mar. 21 vs. DETSOT: 8 | Apr. 4 vs. PITPossession: 71% | Mar. 21 vs. DETCorners: 11 | Mar. 21 vs. DET Opponent LowsShots: 9 | Apr. 11 vs. MBSOT: 2 | Apr. 11 vs. MBPossession: 57.5% | Mar. 8 at BKNCorners: 4 | Apr. 11 vs. MB Coach Sean McAuleyHead coach Sean McAuley earned the USLC “Coach of the Month” in May 2024 and he was nominated for USLC Midseason “Coach of the Year” after leading his team to a 12-match unbeaten streak in a two-month span from April 17-June 15. The Sheffield, England, native led Indy Eleven to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals with four straight victories, including a 2-1 triumph at MLS-side Atlanta United on July 9. In 2025, Indy Eleven continued its run of Cup success under McAuley with a 4-0-3 record in cup play. The Boys in Blue won their U.S. Open Cup Third Round match vs. Miami FC on Hayden’s White’s stoppage-time goal from Cam Lindley. In the Round of 32, Indy Eleven played MLS Supporters Shield winner Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, before falling in penalty kicks. In the franchise’s first appearance in the USL Cup in 2025, the Boys in Blue won their group with an undefeated record that included a victory in PK’s (7-6) vs. Birmingham Legion FC and a 2-1 triumph over eventual USL-C finalist FC Tulsa. McAuley is in his third season in Indy after previously serving as interim head coach/assistant at MLS-side Minnesota United FC. McAuley helped Minnesota to playoff appearances in his first three seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2020. In 2015, he hoisted the MLS Cup with the Portland Timbers.McAuley began his playing career with Manchester United and played for Portland Timbers and the Scottish U-21 National Team. ALL: 36-30-19 (.535) | USOC: 6-2-1 | USL Cup: 3-0-2 | USLC: 27-27-16 2026 Roster Breakdown (4/9/26)Goalkeepers (3): Reice Charles-Cook, Eric Dick, Ryan Hunsucker Defenders (9): Hesron Barry, Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Pat Hogan, Alejandro Mitrano, Josh O’Brien, Makel Rasheed, Mikah Thomas, Hayden White Midfielders (7): Jack Blake, Allen Gavilanes, Cam Lindley, Logan Neidlinger, Noble Okello, Mohamed Omar, Aodhan Quinn Forwards (6): Edward Kizza, Loic Mesanvi, Bruno Rendon, Charlie Sharp, Dylan Sing, Kian Williams Newcomers (14)USL-C (6): Paco Craig (North Carolina), Eric Dick (Pittsburgh), Allen Gavilanes (Miami), Anthony Herbert (Las Vegas),Alejandro Mitrano (Miami), Noble Okello (Phoenix), Mohamed Omar (San Antonio)USL League One (1): Makel Rasheed (South Georgia Tormenta)MLS NEXT Pro (5): Hesron Barry (New England), Loic Mesanvi (Minnesota), Charlie Sharp (Toronto), Dylan Sing (Charlotte), Mikah Thomas (Charlotte)Canadian Premier League (1): Kian Williams (Valour FC) Player TransactionsApr. 9, 2026: Signed M Mohamed Omar from San Antonio (USL-C) Mar. 16, 2026: Signed GK Ryan Hunsucker to Academy Contract. Mar. 12, 2026: Acquired D Mikah Thomas on loan from Charlotte Mar. 2, 2026: Signed F Loic Mesanvi from Minnesota United (MLS) Jan. 21, 2026: Signed D Paco Craig from North Carolina (USL-C) Jan. 20, 2026: Signed D Hesron Barry from New England (MLSN) Jan. 15, 2026: Signed M Noble Okello from Phoenix (USL-C) Jan. 12, 2026: Signed F Kian Williams from Valour FC (CPL) Jan. 8, 2026: Signed D Alejandro Mitrano from Miami (USL-C) Jan. 7, 2026: Signed D Anthony Herbert from Las Vegas (USL-C) Dec. 18 2025: Signed M Allen Gavilanes from Miami (USL-C) Dec. 11, 2025: Signed D Makel Rasheed from South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One) Dec. 9, 2025: Signed GK Eric Dick from Pittsburgh (USL-C) Dec. 4, 2025: Signed F Dylan Sing from Charlotte FC (MLS) Dec. 2, 2025: Signed F Charlie Sharp from Toronto FC (MLS) Nov. 26, 2025: Announced 10 players returning from 2025: M Jack Blake, GK Reice Charles-Cook, D Pat Hogan, F Edward Kizza, M Cam Lindley, M Logan Neidlinger, D Josh O’Brien, M Aodhan Quinn, F Bruno Rendon, and D Hayden White. ======================================= INDIANA BASEBALL BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – When the calendar flipped to April, Indiana’s bats picked up at a big rate. A trio of home runs, two from sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny, helped spark a 13-3 (F/7) win in the series opener (April 17) against Abilene Christian at Bart Kaufman Field. The Hoosiers are hitting .347 this month and have won seven of the last 10 games. For the second-straight Friday outing, IU spotted its pitching staff plenty of room to work with. A six spot in the third inning chased the Abilene Christian starter and allowed veteran southpaw Tony Neubeck (W, 5-3) to settle back into the contest. Neubeck provided six strikeouts and gave up just two runs on a night where he didn’t have his best stuff. Freshman right-handed Kellen English pitched the final two innings. Denny returned to the lineup in big fashion, homering in his first at-bat since last Saturday. Eight of IU’s nine starters recorded at least one hit. Sophomore outfielder Cole Decker is hitting .400 in the month of April and provided his first career four-hit effort in the win. Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian had a single in the seventh inning for his 100th career base knock. The biggest thing that IU did on Friday night was save its best bullpen arms. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas will get the ball in tomorrow’s middle game with a chance to win the series. He will have plenty of arms behind him as the Hoosiers go for their fourth-straight win. Scoring Recap Top First Hogan Denny hit a leadoff home run for the second time in the six games. Cole Decker provided an RBI single later in the frame to extend the lead. Indiana 2, Abilene Christian 0 Top Second The visitors scored their first run of the game on an RBI double from Gavin Brzozowski. Indiana 2, Abilene Christian 1 Top Third JT Thompson put the game level with his RBI single to center field. Indiana 2, Abilene Christian 2 Bottom Third The Hoosiers broke it open in the home half of the third inning. Brayden Ricketts hit a back side solo home run over the wall in left field. Denny immediately followed that up with his second solo home run. Jake Hanley came around after a walk to score on a wild pitch. RBI singles from Decker, Will Moore and Landen Fry put a massive, crooked number on the scoreboard. Indiana 8, Abilene Christian 2 Bottom Fourth Ayden Crouse provided an RBI on a groundout to the first baseman. Free passes to Fry and Ricketts with the bases juiced allowed two more runs to come across. Indiana 11, Abilene Christian 2 Bottom Fifth Decker singled through the left side to score Koskie. Indiana 12, Abilene Christian 2 Top Sixth Diego Cardenas homered to left field. Indiana 12, Abilene Christian 3 Bottom Seventh Koskie scored on a wild pitch to end the game in run-rule fashion. Indiana 13, Abilene Christian 3 Top Hoosier Performers #19 Decker, Cole 4-4, 2 R, 3 RBI #2 Denny, Hogan 2-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI #42 Ricketts, Brayden 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB Inside the Box Score • Eight of nine starters for the Hoosiers had at least one hit. Three players had multi-hit games. • On a day where the wind was blowing out, IU’s pitching staff gave up just two extra-base hits. • All of IU’s 11 RBIs came without anyone in the 2-4 holes recording one. • This was IU’s third run-rule victory of the season. Notes to Know • Stop us if you’ve heard this before. Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie extended his hitting streak to 19-consecutive games after a single up the middle in the third inning. His hitting streak has now spanned over a full calendar month and has the chance to reach 20. It would be the first 20-game hitting streak in a single season since 2010 (Alex Dickerson – 21). • Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian joined his classmate, Jake Hanley, in the 100-hit club for the Hoosiers. He got on the board on Friday night with a single in the seventh inning. Malamazian has been a staple of the IU lineup over the last two years and now starts the chase for 200 in the cream and crimson. • Sophomore outfielder Cole Decker is the sixth player from his recruiting class to record a four-hit day for the Hoosiers. He joins his classmates (Koskie, Hanley, Denny, Moore and Malamazian) in that club after putting together a masterful performance of hitting on Friday night against Abilene Christian. Up Next The middle game of this weekend’s series is set for Saturday (April 18) in Bloomington. First pitch is currently set for 2 p.m. but could change because of weather. It will be available on B1G+ and online via IUHoosiers.com/Audio. ========================================== INDIANA TRACK WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., GAINESVILLE, Fla., TERRA HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana track and field team closed the second day of a three-meet weekend on Friday, April 17th. The Hoosiers spread across three meets, closing the Wake Forest Invitational and opening the tom Jones Memorial and Gibson Invitational. “We took a step in the right direction,” said assistant coach Megan Tomei. “I’m really happy with the PR’s the hard work at training is showing. We’re staying hungry and disciplined for the next step.” The second day of action started in Gainesville, Fla. with the sprinters and jump groups. Aliyah Johnson started the day setting a personal best in the women’s 200-meter sprint, ranking 13th in school history. In the 400-meter hurdles, John Colquitt improved on his personal best, finishing third overall with a time of 51.17. His time moves him to eighth all-time on the IU record list. In the field, the Hoosiers saw high performances from the jumps group. Lee Martin started the day with a new personal best in the high jump, finishing third with a height of 2.09m/6-10.25. Alex Smith closed the first day of the Tom Jones Memorial with a fourth place finish in the long jump. Indiana also started competition in the Gibson Invitational with the throws group. Makayla Hunter opened the day with a first place finish in the women’s hammer throw, throwing a personal best mark of 55.03m. Bridget Beyer followed with a personal best (57.97m) in the hammer throw invite, moving her to sixth on the all-time record list. In the men’s hammer throws, Michael Neuenroth made a major improvement to his personal best, improving by nearly 15 feet. His new personal best of 62.73m now ranks sixth on the all-time Hoosier list. Seth Brosseau also saw a win in the men’s hammer throw, throwing a personal best distance of 56.16m. Dalton Boisseau and Rocklan Boisseau closed the first day from Terra Haute, Ind. in the men’s javelin event. Dalton earned the event win with a personal best throw of 66.20m while Rocklan followed in third with a throw of 57-meters. In Winston-Salem, N.C. the cream and crimson closed out the final day of the Wake Forest Invitational with five individual personal bests. Maddie Rocchio and Ava Jarrell started the day running in respective 1,500-meter opens. Rocchio ran a personal best 4:35.25 in Open five, followed by Jarrell who finished third in Open six. In the men’s 1,500’s, matt Kim started in Open seven, finishing fourth with a personal best time of 3:46.02. Later in the evening Joey Rastrelli (4:24.46) and Lily Myers (4:19.09) each set personal bests in the women’s 1,500-meter invites. Claire Overfelt closed the day with the women’s 5,000-meter run. Her time of 16:09.44 finished third in the race and moved her inside the top-20 all-time in Indiana school history. The Hoosiers will be back in action tomorrow morning with the women’s 100-meter sprints in the Tom Jones Memorial. The event is set to start at 9:45 am EST. ============================================ INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS EAST LANSING, Mich. — The No. 55 Indiana men’s tennis team dropped a tight road match against No. 23 Michigan State, 4-3, on Friday. Indiana took the opening point by securing wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. At No. 1, Indiana’s No. 39-ranked duo of Michael Andre and Matteo Antonescu defeated No. 31 Taym Alazmeh and Danial Rakhmatullayev, 6-2, improving their record in dual matches to 11-3 with a 3-1 mark at No. 1 and just one loss in conference play. At No. 3 doubles, Indiana’s No. 54-ranked duo of Sam Landau and Braeden Gelletich improved to a perfect 8-0 by defeating No. 42 Aristotelis Thanos and Mitchell Sheldon, 6-2. Michigan State claimed the No. 2 position, with its No. 75-ranked team of Matthew Forbes and Ozan Baris defeating Facundo Yunis and Jip van Assendelft, 6-2. In singles, Indiana won at No. 1 and No. 4, but Michigan State took four of the remaining six positions to clinch the match. Landau was a standout at No. 1 singles, defeating No. 27 Thanos, 6-0, 1-6, 6-2. Facundo Yunis added a point at No. 4, rallying past Taym Alazmeh, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Michigan State’s No. 16-ranked Forbes defeated Michael Andre at No. 2 singles, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. No. 56 Ozan Baris defeated van Assendelft in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3, at No. 3. Danial Rakhmatullayev defeated Gelletich at No. 5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, and Mitchell Sheldon closed out the match with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Aidan Atwood at No. 6. Indiana closes out the regular season Sunday at noon against Michigan in Ann Arbor. Live video and stats will be available. Michigan Live Stats: http://mgoblue.com/tennis-men Michigan Live Video: https://web.playsight.com/facility/university-of-michigan-tennis/home No. 23 MICHIGAN STATE 4, No. 55 INDIANA 3 Singles Results Sam Landau (IU) def. No. 27 Aristotelis Thanos (MSU), 6-0, 1-6, 6-2 No. 16 Matthew Forbes (MSU) def. Michael Andre (IU), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 No. 56 Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Jip van Assendelft (IU), 7-6, 6-3 Facundo Yunis (IU) def. Taym Alazmeh (MSU), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 Danial Rakhmatullayev (MSU) def. Braeden Gelletich (IU), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 Mitchell Sheldon (MSU) def. Aidan Atwood (IU) 6-3, 7-6 Doubles Results No. 39 Matteo Antonescu/Michael Andre (IU) def. No. 31 Taym Alazmeh/Danial Rakhmatullayev (MSU), 6-2 No. 75 Matthew Forbes/Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Facundo Yunis/Jip van Assendelft (IU), 6-2 No. 54 Braeden Gelletich/Sam Landau (IU) def. No. 42 Aristotelis Thanos/Mitchell Sheldon (MSU), 6-2 ====================================== INDIANA WOMEN’S TENNIS LOS ANGELES – Senior Nicole Teodosescu secured the lone point for the No.72 ranked Indiana women’s tennis team as it fell 1-4 to No.19 UCLA in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon. Key Moments UCLA (14-6, 8-4 B1G) would start with the 1-0 advantage after sweeping Indiana (14-10, 4-8 B1G) at doubles courts No.2 and No.3. N.Teodosescu put a point on the board for IU in singles play against Bianca Fernandez (6-3, 7-5), making the contest a mere one point advantage for UCLA (2-1). After N.Teodosescu clinched court four, the Hoosiers put up a fight through the remainder of play. They faced two ranked players at singles courts No.1 and No.2. At court one, freshman Alessandra Teodosescu forced the match to set three after securing the second. She held the 3-2 edge in the final set before the court was abandoned. Freshman Ameia Sorey dropped singles court two after the pair had the first set tied 5-5. No.49 ranked Mayu Crossley of UCLA would have the advantage through the remainder of the match (7-5, 6-2). At court No.6, sophomore Nicole Sifuentes saw a back-and-forth battle in set one against Kayla Chung, forcing the match tie-breaker points. Indiana was unable to push past the Bruins, falling 1-4 after Chung took set two. Doubles 1. #36 Olivia Center/Kate Fakih (UCLA) vs. #90 Alessandra Teodosescu/Hi’ilani Williams (IND) 4-2, unfinished 2. Mayu Crossley/Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer (UCLA) def. Elisabeth Dunac/Nicole Sifuentes (IND) 6-0 3. Kayla Chung/Ahmani Guichard (UCLA) def. Chase Boyer/Nicole Teodosescu (IND) 6-0 Singles 1. #13 Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer (UCLA) vs. Alessandra Teodosescu (IND) 6-4, 4-6, 2-3, unfinished 2. #49 Mayu Crossley (UCLA) def. Amelia Sorey (IND) 7-5, 6-2 3. Kate Fakih (UCLA) vs. Elisabeth Dunac (IND) 6-3, 1-6, 1-2, unfinished 4. Nicole Teodosescu (IND) def. Bianca Fernandez (UCLA) 6-3, 7-5 5. Olivia Center (UCLA) def. Hi’ilani Williams (IND) 6-2, 6-3 6. Kayla Chung (UCLA) def. Nicole Sifuentes (IND) 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 Order of finish Doubles: 3,2 Singles: 5,4,2,6 Up Next Indiana will stay on the West Coast to face No. 10 USC on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Marks Stadium in Los Angeles. =================================== PURDUE SOFTBALL PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Purdue (28-15, 7-9 Big Ten) toppled Rutgers in game one behind three home runs, two from Freshman Anna Moore. Moore had her second two-homer game of the season, which was enough to set Purdue’s freshman home run record with her 10th and 11th of the year. The Boilers had six extra-base hits on the night with two homers from Moore, a homer from Haley Painter, and three doubles from Moriah Polar (2) and Bella Douglas. Purdue earned 12 hits with 12 RBI, while Julia Gossett went the distance on the mound, going all five innings surrendering just three hits. As a team, Purdue continues to set records this season, moving into sole-possession of four place for single-season runs scored (264), sole possession of fourth place for RBI (244), and sole-possession of third place for single-season home runs (39). BOILER BITS Offensive Highlights Anna Moore: 3-for-4, 6 RBI, 2 HR (grand slam), 3 R Khloe Banks: 3-for-4, 3 R Haley Painter: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 3 R Moriah Polar: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, 2 2B Pitching Breakdown Julia Gossett: (W, 11-8) 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 23 BF Purdue jumped out to an immediate lead, plating three runs in the first inning. Painter began the scoring, driving in two runs on her seventh home run of the season. The Boilers then immediately reloaded, with an infield single from Moore who then scored on Delaney Reefe’s RBI single up the middle. Purdue added a lone run in the top of the third when the Scarlet Knights walked in a run, earning an RBI for Kylie Franks. Moore began her record-breaking campaign in the top of the fourth with a two-run blast, her tenth home run of the year. Just an inning later, after Purdue plated two runs on a two-RBI double from Polar, Moore hit her 11th home run of the year, a grand slam. Purdue has hit three home runs in back-to-back games, and the victory over Rutgers marks the 10th multi-home run game of the season for the Boilers. Purdue is back in action tomorrow against Rutgers for game two with a 3:00 p.m. est start time. =================================== PURDUE TRACK GAINESVILLE, Fla. and WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Purdue Track & Field’s Ashley Odiase (200m) and Nathan Walker (5000m) shake up Purdue’s Friday’s split squad action. Men’s Notes • Walker ran 13:58.07 in the 5000m to enter Purdue’s record book at No. 5 and become the fifth Boilermaker to break the 14-minute barrier in the event. In two races this season, Walker has two performances in Purdue’s top five after he entered at No. 5 in the 10,000m (29:14.15) on March 26. • Elliot Ryba finished tied for fourth in the high jump (2.09m / 6-10.25). It was his second-best clearance of the outdoor season. • Leo Maxwell finished fourth in the collegiate section of the hammer throw (62.80 / 206-00). Women’s Notes • Ashley Odiase opened Purdue’s competition with the seventh-best 200m performance in program history (23.45) to finish seventh in the collegiate section of the event. She previously ranked eighth and jump one spot ahead of teammate Marissa Palmer. • Britannia Johnson threw a personal-best 56.49m (185-04) in the hammer to finish fifth in the collegiate section. • Marissa Palmer ran 23.52 into a headwind in the women’s 200m invite to improve her No. 8 spot in program history by 0.03 seconds. • Jila Vaden jumped 5.95m (19-07.50) for her best long jump mark in over a year. Next Up Purdue concludes the Tom Jones Memorial with a busy day on Saturday, April 18. ================================= NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL Villanova and Notre Dame will open their 2026-27 basketball seasons on Nov. 1 in Rome. The men’s and women’s teams from both schools will play a doubleheader in the Italian capital that day in what has been named the Eternal City Tip-Off. It is no shock that these two schools were chosen to take part, given that they are two of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. Plus, this is a pairing that will remind Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, of home. Well-known as a sports fan, particularly of the Chicago White Sox, the pope is very familiar with these teams. Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he lived less than a two-hour drive from the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind. And he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova in 1977, at the same time creating a foundation for eventually joining the priesthood. “Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sports, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” said the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the president of Notre Dame. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans. We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history.” In Italy, the teams will meet in a welcome reception at a spot overlooking Rome, have the opportunity to attend a shared mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and take part in a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV before the basketball games. Cultural and educational events also are being built into the itinerary. “This extraordinary experience reflects the very best of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission — uniting faith, learning and community in a global setting,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, the president of Villanova. “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.” Fox Sports will broadcast the games. The men will tip off at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the women at noon. The playing venue has yet to be announced. =========================================== NOTRE DAME MEN’S LAX SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 1 Fighting Irish travel to Durham, North Carolina, for their final road test of the regular season, taking on No. 16/15 Duke in an ACC clash at Koskinen Stadium at noon ET on Saturday, April 18. The game will air on ESPNU. GAME DETAILSLocation: Durham, North Carolina | Koskinen StadiumSchedule: April 18 —Noon ETTV: ESPNULive Stats: FightingIrish.comTwitter Updates: @NDlacrosseFor a more in-depth look at the matchup – Game Notes: Notre Dame THE DUKE SERIES • Saturday will be the 35th meeting all-time between Notre Dame and Duke. • The Irish hold a slight edge in the all-time series, leading the Blue Devils with a record of 18-16. • Notre Dame has won each of the last seven meetings and eight of the last nine dating back to the 2021 season. • The Irish defeated Duke in last season’s matchup, winning by a score of 14-7 in Arlotta Stadium during the regular season. • Notre Dame has won each of the last five matchups against the Blue Devils by three or more goals. • Will Angrick, Matt Jeffery, Fisher Finley and Jalen Seymour each scored in last season’s victory over Duke while Thomas Ricciardelli finished with 10 saves. RESUME BUILDING • Notre Dame has never shied away from playing the top teams in the country and has racked up wins, especially over the last few seasons. • The Fighting Irish are 28-8 against ranked teams since the beginning of the 2023 season. • Sixteen of the 28 wins have come in blowout fashion with the Irish winning by five or more goals. • Furthermore, Notre Dame has faired just as well against the best of the best, posting a record of 21-5 against teams ranked in the top 10 of the USILA poll at the time of the matchup since the beginning of the 2023 season. • The Irish are 5-0 against ranked opposition this season and 4-0 against top-10 teams (UNC, Richmond, Georgetown and Ohio State). ND VS. TOP-RANKED TEAMS • Saturday’s game against No. 1 North Carolina marked the 12th time the Irish have faced the USILA’s top-ranked team in program history and the first time they had faced the country’s top-ranked team in back-to-back games. • With the win, Notre Dame to 7-5 against No. 1 teams. • Since 2015 the Irish have especially excelled against No. 1 opponents, posting a mark of 7-1 in those matchups. • The Irish recorded two wins against the nation’s No. 1 team this season, coming in a 12-8 win over Richmond and a 10-5 victory against UNC. • Notre Dame became the first team to record wins over the top-ranked team in consecutive games. LOCKDOWN DEFENSE • Notre Dame enters the weekend allowing just 8.22 goals per game, ranking fourth in the country and first in the ACC. • The Fighting Irish turned in arguably the best defensive performance of the season, holding UNC to a season-low five goals in the 10-5 victory. Only two of the five goals were scored in settled six-on-six possessions. • Notre Dame held Maryland to eight goals in College Park, which is tied for the Terps lowest scoring output in a home game since the advent of the shot clock in 2019. • Schwitzenberg earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors following the ranked road win. • Notre Dame then allowed just eight goals in the road win over Ohio State and four in the victory over Michigan, its lowest goal output in a game this season. • Thomas Ricciardelli made 14 saves in the win over Ohio State, earning ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. • Notre Dame held Richmond to just eight goals, tying its mark for the lowest they have scored in a game this season. • The Irish had their most disruptive performance of the season in the win over No. 3 Georgetown, limiting the Hoyas to just nine goals while recording a season-high 19 caused turnovers. • Lyght finished the contest against Georgetown with a season-high three caused turnovers and two ground balls. • Donovan has been a menace to opposing attacks, recording 10 caused turnovers and 30 ground balls. • The short-stick defensive midfield unit that consists of Christian Alacqua, Chris Reinhardt, Kyle Bergen and Miguel Iglesias has impressed this season as well. HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE • Notre Dame enters the weekend averaging 13.33 goals per game, ranking it 12th in the country despite facing four of the top-12 ranked defenses in the country. • The Irish also rank 10th in the country in points per game with a mark of 21.33 through nine contests. • The Fighting Irish are sharing the ball at a high rate, averaging 8.0 assists per game, which ranks 12th in the nation. • Notre Dame has been efficient shooting the ball, posting the 15th-best mark in the country shooting at a clip of 32.0 percent. LYGHTS OUT • Lyght enters the 2026 campaign as the top defensive player in the country, having been named the USA Lacrosse Preseason Defenseman of the Year. • The junior was selected as the Schmeisser Award co-winner following an incredible sophomore season in 2025. • The defenseman was named ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year following the 2025 regular season as voted on by the league’s coaches. • Lyght was also named a USA Lacrosse First Team All-American following the 2025 regular season. • In the win over UNC last season, Lyght held UNC’s prolific attackman Owen Duffy to just one assist on the day, matching his career low for points in a game. • This season’s matchup against Duffy he limited the junior to two points off a goal and assist and the assist came off a man-down situation in which Lyght was not on the field. • Lyght consistently draws the No. 1 option for the opposing attack throughout the season. BACK BETWEEN THE PIPES • Goalie Thomas Ricciardelli returns in goal after earning the starting job in 2025. • The senior is 8-1 on the season, making 97 saves while allowing 7.96 goals per game, ranking fifth in the country. • Ricciardelli has recorded a save percentage of .500 or better in eight of nine games this season. • The shot stopper turned in arguably his best performance of the season in the win over No. 1 UNC, making 16 saves while allowing just five goals while adding three ground balls and a caused turnover. • The New Canaan, Connecticut, native allowed a season-low four goals while making 11 saves in the win over Michigan on March 14. • In the win over No. 1 Richmond, the senior was masterful, making 14 saves while allowing just eight goals to help the Irish knock off the top-ranked Spiders. • Ricciardelli impressed in his debut season, leading the ACC and ranking sixth in the country goals against average (9.14). • The shot stopper made 158 saves during the 2025 campaign while allowing 121 goals. • The goalie saved at least 50 percent of shots he faced in 10 of 14 games last season. • In his first NCAA Tournament appearance, Ricciardelli turned in an incredible performance against No. 2 Ohio State, making 15 saves while allowing just six goals for a mark of 71.4 percent. EVERYBODY EATS • The Irish can beat you in a number of ways, as the attack has been very balanced this season. • The Fighting Irish have four attackmen that have recorded at least 17 points through nine games. • Josh Yago (20G, 12A) leads the team in points with 32 followed by Luke Miller (20G, 8A) and Brock Behrman (12G, 11A). Teddy Lally (10G, 7A) has excelled off the bench, adding 17 points to bolster the unit. • Will Maheras has paced the midfield with 19 points (11G, 8A). Matt Jeffery (9G, 5A) has added 14 points. Jalen Seymour (9G, 2A) has recorded 11 while Will Angrick (7G, 3A) has 10 on the season. • Nineteen different players have registered a goal this season and 24 have tallied at least one point during the 2026 season, including 18 with multiple points. DOMINATE THE DOT • Tyler Spano has stepped up and produced big-time performances in the month of April, taking on two of the top FOGOs in the country. • Facing Brady Wambach of UNC, who entered the matchup with the best percentage in the country, Spano won 10-of-17 faceoffs against the Tar Heels along with six ground balls to help the Irish win the possession battle. • A week prior he faced Richmond’s Vincent Gaylord, who came into the game ranked in the top 10 in faceoff winning percentage in the country, and won 16-of-22 faceoffs while also scooping up nine ground balls and adding an assist. • Spano has won 59.0 percent of faceoffs on the season (69–of-117) and has a team-high 39 ground balls. INSTANT IMPACT • A number of newcomers to the 2026 squad wasted no time making a first impression. • Graduate transfer Josh Yago leads the team in points with 32 (20G, 12A) after posting at least three points in eight of nine games this season, including season-high five-point efforts in wins over No. 3 Georgetown, which helped the grad student earn ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors, and No. 1 Richmond. • Teddy Lally has 17 points on the year off 10 goals and seven assists. The freshman has recorded multiple points in five games this season and notched his first career hat trick in the win over No. 1 UNC with three goals. • Junior transfer Tyler Spano has won 69-of-117 faceoffs at the dot with the Irish and leads the team in ground balls with 39. • Aidan Diaz-Matos scored a goal within the first minute of the season opener off a faceoff win and is 49-of-88 at the dot on the year and is third on the team in ground balls with 28. • Miguel Iglesias has made an impact at both ends of the field as a SSDM, scoring a goal in two games while also putting in sound defensive shifts. • Christopher Iuliano has played multiple positions for the Irish, filling in at close defense against Bellarmine and playing LSM for the majority of the season while also registering shifts on the wings for faceoffs. The freshman has 11 ground balls and seven caused turnovers. FROM THE GRIDIRON TO THE LACROSSE FIELD • Two Notre Dame lacrosse players on the 2026 squad also are on the football roster, as Matt Jeffery and Dylan Faison are both dual-sport athletes. • Jeffery was the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2025 after making an impact in the midfield. • Faison was the No. 1 ranked incoming player in the class of 2026 before he reclassified and joined the Irish for this spring semester. • Jeffery has been productive in his sophomore campaign, posting 14 points off nine goals and five assists despite drawing a pole in the majority of matchups. • Faison has broken into the rotation as of late, playing on the second-midfield line and scoring his first career goal in the win over No. 1 Richmond. RECORD-BREAKING DAY • The Fighting Irish turned in the best offensive performance in seasons history against Bellarmine on Feb. 17. • Notre Dame scored a program-record 29 goals, surpassing the previous mark of 28 against Mount Union which stood since the 1983 season. • The Irish also set the program record for points in a game with 48 off 29 goals and 19 assists. • Thirteen players combined to score the 29 goals with Brock Behrman, Will Maheras and Jalen Seymour each recording the first hat tricks of their career. • Brock Behrman led the team with seven points off four goals and three assists, all career highs. CORRIGAN ALL-TIME DI PROGRAM WINS LEADER • With the win over No. 1 Duke on April 10, 2021, Baumer Family Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Kevin Corrigan broke the NCAA record for most wins at a DI program with 311, passing Bob Shillinglaw (Delaware). • Corrigan became just the third coach in NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse history to reach the 300-win mark at a single school with the win over Marquette on April 10, 2019. • Corrigan is one of just four active Division I coaches to reach the 300-win mark in his career. • Corrigan has an overall record of 378-181 in his 40 seasons of coaching. • The head coach is 368-166 in his 38 seasons at Notre Dame. • Corrigan is the longest tenured men’s lacrosse coach at the DI level. =============================================== NOTRE DAME BASEBALL TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Notre Dame baseball team fell 11-0 (7 innings) at No. 8 Florida State on Friday in game one of the three-game ACC series. The Seminoles scored a pair in the bottom of the first for an early 2-0 lead. Xavier Hirsch then struck out the side in the top of the second as the righty forced Florida State into stranding a runner on base. Hirsch added two more strikeouts to his total in the bottom of the third to keep the Seminole off the scoreboard. Florida State used a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 4-0 before Hirsch notched his career-best seventh strikeout of the game. Hirsch added an eighth strikeout to his total before inducing a grounder to force the Seminoles into stranding a runner in scoring position in the fifth. The Seminoles plated seven in the bottom of the sixth for an 11-0 lead. Brandon Logan drilled a shot off the left field wall and had an incredible, athletic dive while avoiding the tag at second for a lead-off double in the top of the seventh. Parker Brzustewicz dropped a single into center field for his second hit of the game as the Irish battled to keep the game alive, but the Irish were unable to push the duo across in the 11-0 final. Parker Brzustewicz went 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk. Brandon Logan was 1-for-3 with a double. Bino Watters had a hit, drew a walk and was hit by a pitch in his three plate appearances. Drew Berkland added a hit for the Irish. Xavier Hirsch posted a career-high eight strikeouts and matched his longest outing of his career with 5.0 innings on the mound while shouldering the decision. Eli Thurmond and Aiden Zerr combined for an inning on the bump. The Irish (17-16, 7-12 ACC) look to game two of the series, which is set to start at 2:00 p.m. ET at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday. ================================ NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S TENNIS CARY, N.C. – The 10th-seeded Notre Dame women’s tennis team put up a great fight against the second-seeded North Carolina. The Fighting Irish won the doubles point to go up 1-0 in the match against the nationally ranked No. 6 Tar Heels, but couldn’t sustain the momentum in singles, ultimately losing 1-4. The Blue & Gold won back-to-back matches to reach the quarterfinal round, now 9-12 all-time in the ACC Tournament. It marked their third appearance in the ACC Quarterfinals. In doubles, North Carolina’s top pair of No. 7 Maltby/Kajuru defeated Notre Dame’s top pair of No. 41 Molnar/Pozder, 6-0. Then, Rawles/Hanford recorded their best doubles win of the year, knocking off No. 5 Brantmeier/Hamilton, 6-4. ND then clinched the doubles point on court three with Matsuno/Van Zyl besting Frey/Zampardo, 7-5. UNC, whose top three singles competitors rank 2, 15, and 36, respectively, all won in straight sets on courts 1-3. With Notre Dame’s back against the wall, the Irish women on courts 4-6 were absolutely battling to keep the ACC Tourney dreams alive. Rylie Hanford lost the first set 4-6, but dominated the second 6-0. She was then down 2-4 in the third, before battling back to make it 4-5. Meanwhile, Gabriella Rawles won her first 7-5, but dropped the second set by the same score. Freshman standout Jessica Kovalcik was holding tough against Anna Frey on court five, winning the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6(6). Unfortunately, Frey got in the zone and won the next 10 straight games. Finally, No. 121 Maddy Zampardo clinched on Hanford on court four, 6-4, in the third set. #10 seed Notre Dame (18-9) – 1 | #2 seed North Carolina (234-2) – 4 National Rankings: #44 Irish vs. #6 Tar Heels DOUBLES – 1 1. #7 Maltby/Kajuru (UNC) def. #41 Molnar/Pozder (ND), 6-0 2. Rawles/Hanford (ND) def. #5 Brantmeier/Hamilton (UNC), 6-4 3. Matsuno/Van Zyl (ND) def. Frey/Zampardo (UNC), 7-5 SINGLES – 2, 1, 3, 4 1. #2 Reese Brantmeier (UNC) def. #71 Bianca Molnar (ND), 6-3, 6-3 2. #15 Ange Oby Kajuru (UNC) def. Akari Matsuno (ND), 6-2, 6-2 3. #36 Tatum Evans (UNC) def. Sophia Holod (ND), 7-5, 6-3 4. #121 Maddy Zampardo (UNC) def. Rylie Hanford (ND), 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 5. Jessica Kovalcik (ND) vs. Anna Frey (UNC), 7-6(6), 0-6, 1-4, unfinished 6. Gabriella Rawles (ND) vs. Theadora Rabman (UNC), 7-5, 5-7, 1-1, unfinished =================================== NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame women’s basketball has its first signee of the 2026 transfer portal cycle. On Friday, the Irish announced Anaya Hardy will join the team after spending the first two years of her college career at Louisville. The 6-3 forward made 27 starts for the Cardinals this season, averaging 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. She also led the team with a .667 field goal percentage and posted three double-doubles. “We are so excited to welcome Anaya to our Notre Dame family!” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey said. “She brings great energy and presence to our front court, and her athleticism will light up the arena. Her ability to run the floor, rebound and defend at a high level will make an immediate impact.” Hardy hails from Detroit and was on the 2024 AP All-State First Team, MLive’s Metro Detroit Dream Team and the Detroit Free Press All-Area First Team. She averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game as a senior in high school. Hardy brings height and athleticism to an Irish frontcourt that lost Malaya Cowles and Gisela Sanchez this season to graduation. She will join top-100 recruits Amari Byles and Isabella Sangha as the forwards on the roster. In addition to returning All-American Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame signed five top-100 recruits this offseason, including No. 9 overall player Jacy Abii. Both Abii and No. 28 recruit Jenica Lewis were McDonald’s All-Americans. ============================ NOTRE DAME MEN’S TENNIS CARY, N.C. – The third-seeded Notre Dame men’s tennis squad took 11th-seeded North Carolina’s best shot on Friday afternoon during the ACC Quarterfinals; however, the heroics of junior Kyran Magimay lifted the Fighting Irish to a 4-3 victory. The Irish improved to 21-6 on the year. Notre Dame has now punched its ticket to the ACC semifinals for just the second time since joining the league (the previous was 2018). They will play two-seed Virginia on Saturday at 10 am ET. North Carolina had won two straight before today’s match, defeating 14-seed Virginia Tech and 6-seed Clemson. The Tar Heels rode that momentum to steal the doubles point from the Irish and go up 1-0 in the match. All three doubles matches were decided by the score of 6-4. Sebastian Dominko and Perry Gregg were the lone pair in the win column in doubles, defeating a ranked pairing of No. 34 Jones/Wright. Just a little over an hour into singles play, the intensity of the match quickly revved up. The Blue & Gold retaliated swiftly, earning victories on courts two, six and one to go up 3-1. No. 75 Perry Gregg earned a ranked win over No. 79 Roan Jones, 6-2, 6-1. Luis Llorens Saracho dispatched Logan Zapp, 6-1, 6-2. Then No. 18 Sebastian Dominko bested No. 125 Chris Xu, 6-3, 6-4. Yet, moments later, the Tar Heels quickly netted the match at 3-all with straight-set victories on courts three and four. Thus, it all came down to Kyran Magimay vs. Constantinos Djakouris on court five to decide the overall match. Magimay had already claimed the first set, 7-5. Now, right when the team match was tied at 3-3, Magimay just broke Djakouris in the second set to go up 2-1. The junior made the most of it and held serve, putting himself in the driver’s seat, later up 4-2. Yet, Djakouris battled back and later tied the set at 4-4. Next, in the biggest point of the match, Magimay immediately broke Djakouris right back to go up 5-4. Magimay then served for victory and clinched it, 6-4. #3 seed Notre Dame (21-6) – 4 | #11 seed North Carolina (15-11) – 3 National Rankings: #24 Irish vs. #46 Tar Heels DOUBLES – 1, 3, 2 1. Dominko/Gregg (ND) def. #34 Jones/Wright (UNC), 6-4 2. Ratiu/Xu (UNC) def. #62 Llorens Saracho/Nad (ND), 6-4 3. Mayew/Zapp (UNC) def. Lee/Thompson (ND), 6-4 SINGLES – 6, 2, 1, 3, 4, 5 1. #18 Sebastian Dominko (ND) def. #125 Chris Xu (UNC), 6-3, 6-4 2. #75 Perry Gregg (ND) def. #79 Roan Jones (UNC), 6-2, 6-1 3. Ian Mayew (UNC) def. Giuseppe Cerasuolo (ND), 6-4, 6-2 4. Niels Ratiu (UNC) def. Peter Nad (ND), 7-5, 6-3 5. Kyran Magimay (ND) def. Constantinos Djakouris (UNC), 7-5, 6-4 6. Luis Llorens Saracho (ND) def. Logan Zapp (UNC), 6-1, 6-2 ================================= BUTLER TRACK The Butler track and field team concluded action in the Wake Forest Invitational in Winston-Salem, NC on Friday afternoon. Anna Niebrugge finished first in the women’s 100-meter race with a time of 11.70 seconds. Niebrugge also finished third in the women’s 200-meter with a time of 23.96 seconds. Both of these times for Niebrugge fall inside the limits for qualifying for the NCAA East Preliminary. Joe Pierro earned his personal best in the men’s 100-meter event with a time of 10.59 seconds that earned him fourth-place. Pierro also earned second-place in the men’s 200-meter race with a time of 20.98 seconds. Pierro’s times also fall inside the qualifying limits for the NCAA East Preliminary. Pierro and Niebrugge’s 200-meter runs were the first time in Butler history that a man has run the event in under 21 seconds and a woman has run it in under 24. These two were achieved within 20 minutes of each other. For the women’s team, Carys Glyn-Jones also earned gold in the women’s 800-meter open 2 round with a time of 2:11.19. Glyn-Jones also earned ninth in the women’s 1500-meter open 3 round with a time of 4:36.30. On the men’s side, three bulldogs placed in the top-five in the men’s 5000-meter invite 2 group. Brendan Thomas earned third with a time of 13:53.64. Seth Mahony finished fourth with a time of 13:54.01. Eli Fullerton rounded out the Dawgs in fifth with a time of 13:55.10. In the men’s 5000-meter invite 1 group, Kyle Fullerton finished fourth with a time of 14:05.21. Other Top Bulldog Performers Included: Poppy Healy earned eighth in the women’s 800-meter open 10 round with a time of 2:11.21. Ryan Elston earned sixth in the men’s 800-meter invite 2 group with a time of 1:49.69 Graham Tomori earned seventh in the men’s 1500-meter invite 6 round with a time of 3:52.53. In the men’s 5000-meter invite 3 race, David Slapak finished 13th with a time of 13:50.28 and Matthew Forrester finished 14th with a time of 13:50.75. Up Next The Bulldogs will return to action next weekend in the Clark Wood Invitational in Louisville, Ky. More information on the event will be available on Butlersports.com. ======================================= BUTLER BASEBALL A four-run eighth inning pulled Butler back into the contest before the Bulldogs dropped a 12-11 decision to Georgetown Friday afternoon at Bulldog Park in Indianapolis. A five-run top of the third gave Georgetown a 6-1 lead before the Bulldogs utilized a Gavin Gilmore grand slam in the bottom half of the frame to pull within, 6-5 through the first third of the game. Trailing 12-7 after the top half of the eighth inning, Butler once again clawed back into the contest thanks to a three-run home run by Danny Gavin and a solo shot from Matthew Rhoades. The 12-11 score held up after the two teams traded zeroes in the ninth inning. Eight of Butler’s 11 runs were manufactured by the team’s three home runs on the afternoon. The Bulldogs had nine hits and drew five walks in scoring their 11 runs. Georgetown had 13 hits on the afternoon, led by a 4-for-4 performance from Jordan Kahn and a 3-for-4 day from Travis Ilitch. Connor Peek added a two-run home run. JT Raab got the start for Georgetown, picking up the win by pitching the first five innings. He struck out nine while allowing five runs. Grayson Bradberry took the loss for Butler, allowing nine runs (six earned) in 4.2 innings on the mound. The teams reconnect Saturday for the second game of the three-game series at Bulldog Park. Due to the forecast, Saturday’s first pitch has been pushed back to 3 p.m. =================================== BUTLER SOFTBALL WASHINGTON, DC – The Butler softball team was unable to score in the first game of a BIG EAST series on the road at Georgetown, dropping the contest by the final score of 4-0. The Bulldogs (17-17, 9-7 BIG EAST) and Hoyas (15-17, 8-8 BIG EAST) are currently sitting fourth and fifth in the conference standings. Georgetown used three singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly to score two runs in the bottom of the first inning. One frame later, an error allowed the Hoyas to score a third. In the fourth inning, Georgetown used a single followed by a double to make the score 4-0. Katie Petran (7-6) pitched a complete game for Butler and took the loss. In 6.0 innings, she allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks. She struck out three. Bulldog Bits Makena Alexander’s triple was her second this season and of her career. Up Next Butler remains in Washington, DC, to continue the three-game BIG EAST series with Georgetown. First pitch of game two is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. ==================================== BUTLER TENNIS Butler dropped a 4-1 decision to fourth-seeded Georgetown on Friday morning in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament in Cayce, S.C. The Bulldogs came out firing early as Riccardo Baldi and Rahulniket Konakanchi took home the win at No. 1 doubles, defeating Arthur O’Sullivan and Cyrus Zia, 6-4. Georgetown evened doubles play with a win at No. 3, leaving No. 2 as the deciding match. Siddhartha Lama and Arnesh Singh defeated Joshua Lamm-Bocharov and James O’Sullivan, 7-5, clinching the doubles point for Butler. Momentum shifted for the Hoyas in singles play. Arthur O’Sullivan (No. 1), Joshua Lamm-Bocharov (No. 3), Jacob Mann (No. 5), and Cyrus Zia (No. 6) won their matches to clinch the result. Rahulniket Konakanchi and Ronin Kasday were both in tightly-contested, three-set matches before the team result was decided. The loss ends the season for the Bulldogs. Georgetown advances to Saturday’s semifinals, where it will face the top-seeded St. John’s Red Storm. GEORGETOWN 4, BUTLER 1 Singles 1. Arthur O’Sullivan (GU) def. Riccardo Baldi (BUT) 7-6, 6-1 2. Rahulniket Konakanchi (BUT) vs. James O’Sullivan (GU) 1-6, 7-6, 5-5, unfinished 3. Joshua Lamm-Bocharov (GU) def. Nicolas Arts (BUT) 6-1, 6-1 4. Jonah Hill (GU) vs. Ronin Kasday (BUT) 6-7 (7), 6-4, 2-0, unfinished 5. Jacob Mann (GU) def. Siddhartha Lama (BUT) 7-6 (8), 7-5 6. Cyrus Zia (GU) def. Nicholas Shirley (BUT) 6-4, 6-1 Doubles 1. Riccardo Baldi/Rahulniket Konakanchi (BUT) def. Arthur O’Sullivan/Cyrus Zia (GU) 6-4 2. Siddhartha Lama/Arnesh Singh (BUT) def. Joshua Lamm-Bocharov/James O’Sullivan (GU) 7-5 3. Burke Pablo/Henry Williams (GU) def. Nicolas Arts/Nicholas Balthazor (BUT) 6-3 =================================== IU INDY SOFTBALL MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The IU Indy softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Robert Morris on Friday, falling 11-7 in game one before suffering a tough 8-7 loss in nine innings in the nightcap. In the opener, the Jaguars jumped out early, plating two runs in the first and another in the second to take a 3-0 lead. IU Indy continued to battle offensively, finishing with 12 hits, highlighted by a home run from Paige McPhearson and another from Molly Kable. After Robert Morris answered with a four-run third inning, the teams traded blows throughout the middle frames. The Jaguars regained a 7-6 advantage in the sixth, but the Colonials responded with a decisive five-run inning to pull away and secure the 11-7 win. Game two proved even more competitive, as IU Indy collected 16 hits and held a 6-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. Callie Dickerson led the way with a perfect 5-for-5 performance and three RBI, while multiple Jaguars contributed multi-hit efforts. Robert Morris rallied with five runs in the seventh to force extra innings. IU Indy briefly regained the lead in the ninth on an RBI single from Adeline Blackwell, but the Colonials answered with a game-tying solo home run before walking it off later in the inning to complete the doubleheader sweep, 8-7. IU Indy will look to bounce back and salvage the series as the Jaguars close out the three-game set with a single game tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. ==================================== IU INDY TRACK WOMEN TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A small group of Jaguars continued efforts at Indiana State’s Gibson Invitational on Friday (Apr. 17) as freshman Elisa Algozine wrapped up her first collegiate heptathlon and four others competed on the track in the evening. Freshman AnnMarie Gibson keyed the evening efforts as she competed her first collegiate 3,000m steeplechase, immediately moving to No. 10 on the program’s all-time list. Gibson turned in a time of 11:58.49, placing seventh among the 12-runner field. “This was such a great opportunity to get to race the steeplechase today. It’s been a race that I have always found interest in and I am so grateful I had the chance to compete in it,” Gibson said. “It was an amazing experience. The race was tough, both physically and mentally, but also so surreal in the best way. I couldn’t have done this without my coach and teammates being constant supporters by encouraging me, not only during the race, but during and outside of practice.” Fellow freshman Emily Bruns followed with a personal best effort in the 5,000m race with a time of 19:33.26, taking 10 seconds off her prior best. Senior Julynne Spidell closed at 19:51.50 and freshman Carson Parks spun a personal record time of 20:41.07. Earlier in the day, Algozine closed out the heptathlon, beginning with a long jump of 4.31m (14′ 1.75”). She followed with a javelin throw mark of 23.98m (78-8) and an 800m time of 2:44.68 in her final event. All total, she stacked 2,590 points in placing 23rd overall, climbing two spots in the standings in the final day. The Jaguars will close out the three-day Gibson Invitational on Saturday (Apr. 18) with a full slate of athletes competing. MEN WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – IU Indianapolis sophomore Riley Nixon broke the program record in the 1,500m event as members of the Jaguars’ men’s track team continued to excel on Friday (Apr. 17) at the Wake Forest Invitational. Nixon took advantage of a strong field and ideal conditions to spin a time of 3:47.24, breaking the previous record by nearly two-tenths of a second. Nixon’s time was four seconds faster than his previous best as he finished fifth in a tightly contested heat. Later in the day, Luke Shappell clocked a time of 3:47.43, just missing a new personal best in the process. Earlier, freshman Eli Oetken popped a major personal best with a 1,500m time of 3:51.89, taking eight seconds off his prior best. “It felt great to run and it was even greater to break the record,” Nixon said. “I can’t wait to break it again at conference.” On Friday night, a group of Jaguars competed at the Little State Championships at Indiana Wesleyan, competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. The unseasonably warm conditions made fast times a near improbability as the Jags focused on racing at the two longest distances. Sophomore Joey LaPatra earned a runner-up finish in the 5K in a time of 15:32.11 while veteran Matt Mitsch was fifth overall at 15:38.72. Junior Nolan King was sixth overall at 15:40.27 as five Jags finished in succession. Behind King was Sam Grimes (15:43.13), Cameron Smith (15:47.76) and Zach Risner (15:48.72). Later in the evening, two Jags competed in the 10K event, paced by sophomore Carter Schorr’s third-place finish at 32:57.13 in his first collegiate 10K. Behind him, Indiana-transfer Travis Hickner made his IU Indy debut with a time of 33:33.45, placing fifth overall. Seven more Jaguars are slated to compete at Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday to conclude the meet. ====================================== BALL STATE BASEBALL KENT, Ohio – The Ball State baseball team rallied for six runs in the fifth inning and scored the final 11 runs of the game in an 11-3 win over Kent State on Friday night at Schoonover Stadium. The Cardinals (19-18, 13-6 Mid-American Conference) got a three-run homer by Charlie Keller to go ahead 5-3, and Ryan Muizelaar (single), Brady Davidson (double) and Brett Griffiths (single) followed with RBI hits to tack on three runs for the six-run fifth. Ball State added three insurance runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a run-scoring double from Muizelaar, and starting pitcher Brendan Garza shut down the Kent State offense for the balance of the game to lead the Cardinals to the series-opening victory. The Golden Flashes (26-10, 13-6 MAC) plated one run in the first frame and two runs in the second to build a 3-0 lead, but the visitors responded with a pair of tallies in the third as Keller scored on an error and Gavin Balius came home on a grounder off the bat of Brayden Huebner to make it a 3-2 score. Garza (4-3) struck out five in 8.0 innings of three-run ball (one earned) to earn the win for the Cardinals. Owen Quinn came on in relief and got one strikeout in a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Muizelaar went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored to lead an offense with five players recording multiple hits. Huebner, Davidson, Keller and Max Kalk notched two hits on the night for Ball State. With the win, the Cardinals moved into a tie for first place in the MAC standings. “Our boys played a solid game,” Ball State head coach Rich Maloney said. “After the second inning we executed at a high level in all facets of the game. Excellent pitching performance and the situational and timely hitting was outstanding.” Kent State starting pitcher Ciaran Caughey (4-2) allowed seven runs in 4.0 innings pitched to be hit with the loss. Nolan Belcher hit a home run but was the only player for the Golden Flashes with multiple hits. The second game of the series is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday. ====================================== BALL STATE SOFTBALL OXFORD, Ohio – – The Ball State softball team used an eight-run fourth inning in Friday’s nightcap to secure a doubleheader split versus Miami at the Miami Softball Stadium. Leading 2-1 entering the fourth inning courtesy of a two-run double from sophomore shortstop Addison Zimpleman in the top of the first, the Cardinals (17-24; 4-16 MAC) used four bases loaded walks and a bases loaded hit by pitch to take complete control of the game. The final three tallies of the frame came from a bases-clearing double from senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck, extending the lead to 10-1. It was DeRoeck’s second double of the game and team-leading 15th of the season. Zimpleman also drew one of the three bases-loaded walks to tie with DeRoeck for game-high honors with three RBIs apiece. Overall, the Cardinals finished the game with 10 runs and six hits, while drawing seven walks and being hit by two pitches. In the circle, redshirt junior Bridie Murphy picked up the win, throwing the final 3.0 innings and allowing just three hits to a RedHawks squad which leads the league in batting average. Freshman Grace Gray started the contest, throwing the first 2.0 innings and allowing three hits and one run. In the opener, the RedHawks (32-14; 13-7 MAC) jumped out to a one-run lead with an RBI single in the second inning. The Cardinals counted with a three-run third with the first two runs scoring on a single to left field by redshirt senior left fielder Jessica Hoffman. In the next at bat, senior pitcher/designated player Ella Whitney smashed an RBI double to center, pushing Ball State ahead by two. Unfortunately, the RedHawks used an RBI single in the bottom of the third and four home runs over the following three innings to claim the 7-3 victory. Ball State is scheduled to close its three-game series at Miami Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first pitch at the Miami Softball Stadium. ======================================= BALL STATE WOMEN’S GOLF COLUMBUS, Ohio – – On a day which saw just four of 148 rounds finish below par, the Ball State women’s golf team shot +55 (631) Friday over its opening 36 holes at the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational. Battling eight of the nation’s top 81 teams on the challenging Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University Golf Club, the Cardinals finished the day 10th among the 14-team field and finished ahead of three of the four other Mid-American Conference teams in the event. No. 36-ranked and host Ohio State currently leads the tournament at +13 (589), followed by Kent State in second at +16 (592). For the Cardinals, senior Sabrina Langerak turned in the lowest round of the day at +4 (76) in her first tour of the 6,319-yard, 72-par course. She would go on to shoot +6 (78) in her second round and is tied for 28th among the 74-golfer field at +10 (154). Sophomore JJ Gregston carded Ball State’s lowest second round, at +5 (77), and is tied for 42nd overall at +13 (157). Both Langerak and Gregston would finish the day with three total birdies. Senior Sarah Gallagher led Cardinals with six total birdies on the day, including four in her first round which she finished at +5 (77). Her six birdies are tied for 13th among the field. The final round of the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational is set to begin at 8 a.m. with the Cardinals starting on holes 11-14. Ball State Individual Results T28. Sabrina Langerak: +10 (76-78=154) T42. JJ Gregston: +13 (80-77=157) T50. Sarah Gallagher: +15 (77-82=159) T61. Sophie Korthuijs: +18 (80-82=162) T63. Jasmine Driscoll: +19 (82-81=163) ============================= BALL STATE SOFTBALL OXFORD, Ohio – – The Ball State softball team used an eight-run fourth inning in Friday’s nightcap to secure a doubleheader split versus Miami at the Miami Softball Stadium. Leading 2-1 entering the fourth inning courtesy of a two-run double from sophomore shortstop Addison Zimpleman in the top of the first, the Cardinals (17-24; 4-16 MAC) used four bases loaded walks and a bases loaded hit by pitch to take complete control of the game. The final three tallies of the frame came from a bases-clearing double from senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck, extending the lead to 10-1. It was DeRoeck’s second double of the game and team-leading 15th of the season. Zimpleman also drew one of the three bases-loaded walks to tie with DeRoeck for game-high honors with three RBIs apiece. Overall, the Cardinals finished the game with 10 runs and six hits, while drawing seven walks and being hit by two pitches. In the circle, redshirt junior Bridie Murphy picked up the win, throwing the final 3.0 innings and allowing just three hits to a RedHawks squad which leads the league in batting average. Freshman Grace Gray started the contest, throwing the first 2.0 innings and allowing three hits and one run. In the opener, the RedHawks (32-14; 13-7 MAC) jumped out to a one-run lead with an RBI single in the second inning. The Cardinals counted with a three-run third with the first two runs scoring on a single to left field by redshirt senior left fielder Jessica Hoffman. In the next at bat, senior pitcher/designated player Ella Whitney smashed an RBI double to center, pushing Ball State ahead by two. Unfortunately, the RedHawks used an RBI single in the bottom of the third and four home runs over the following three innings to claim the 7-3 victory. Ball State is scheduled to close its three-game series at Miami Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first pitch at the Miami Softball Stadium. ======================================= INDIANA STATE BASEBALL DAYTON, Ohio – Nine hours and five minutes after the first pitch of the day was thrown, the final out was recorded at Nischwitz Stadium as Indiana State swept a marathon doubleheader over Wright State to secure the series win over the Raiders on Friday. Indiana State claimed the 8-7 opening win in a 14-inning contest that started at 3 p.m. and lasted 5:30 in a game that featured 32 combined hits, 20 combined walks, and 36 combined runners left on base in the game. The Sycamores utilized a late RBI single from Mason Roell, while Carson Seeman (4-0) worked two scoreless innings to secure the victory. The evening contest only went 3:20 after first pitch was thrown at 8:45 p.m., with Colby Morse (S, 3) recording the final strikeout to end the 6-3 game just after midnight to complete the day-long affair in Dayton, Ohio. Caden Miller and Nick Sutherlin connected on back-to-back home runs in the top of the sixth inning to put Indiana State in the lead as the duo combined for five RBIs in the contest, while Owen Roberts (1-1) worked 3.1 innings in scoreless relief in the win. Game One: Indiana State 8, Wright State 7 (14 inn.) Indiana State was able to hold off a rallying Wright State team in extra-innings on Friday night as the Sycamores topped the Raiders, 8-7, in 14 innings in the first game of the day. The Sycamores nearly won in regulation as Indiana State had two outs and a 6-5 lead following a long fly ball to Carter Beck. However, the relay back into infield went over Jeremy Martinez’s head at the plate and rolled into the dugout allowing Brett Denby to score on the play to send the game into extra innings. Indiana State retook the lead in the top of the 13th as Ray Jesse singled home Mason Roell to give the Sycamores the 7-6 lead. Wright State responded with Cy Turner’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the frame, and the Raiders put two runners in scoring position with two outs in looking for a walk-off. Shortstop Nomar Garcia came up with arguably the defensive play of the game in fielding a short hop on a bouncing ground ball to short and throwing across the diamond at a sprint to get the batter and end the inning with the score tied at 7-7. The Sycamore bats finally broke through in the top of the 14th as Emil Estrella led off the inning and was moved to second base on Caden Miller’s sacrifice bunt. Nick Sutherlin singled him over to third, before Mason Roell connected on the go-ahead single back up the middle scoring Estrella to put the game at 8-7. The Raiders put a runner on third in the bottom of the fourth on Patrick Fultz’s one-out triple off Indiana State reliever Carson Seeman (4-0), but the Sycamore right-hander retired the final two batters with Carter Beck hauling in the final out on a fly ball to center to secure the opening win. Emil Estrella had four of Indiana State’s 19 hits in the contest, while Mason Roell and Jeremy Martinez had three hits apiece as the Sycamores continually pressured the Wright State pitching staff in the game. Caden Miller added a single and was walked four times, while Estrella added a season-high three stolen bases in the win. Carter Beck doubled and homered in the win, while Colin Sander tripled to help power the Sycamore offense. Carson Seeman worked two scoreless innings in picking up his fourth win of the 2026 season. The Sycamore right-hander allowed one hit while walking one and striking out one overall. Indiana State utilized 10.1 innings out of the bullpen on the day with Jack Armstrong, Colby Morse, Justin Hoff, Hunter Small, and Seeman all working multiple innings on the mound. How They Scored Indiana State struck first as Caden Miller singled home Carter Beck in the top of the first inning to put the Sycamores ahead 1-0. JP Peltier singled home Cy Turner and Keegan Holmstrom singled home Braylen Blomquist to put Wright State ahead 2-1 after the bottom of the third inning. The Sycamores rallied back for three runs in the top of the fourth inning as Colin Sanders’ triple to right scored Caleb Niehaus, while Carter Beck (RBI double) and Emil Estrella (RBI single) both drove in runs to put Indiana State ahead 4-2. The Raiders took one back in the bottom of the fifth on Gus Gregory’s solo home run to make it a 4-3 game. Indiana State went up 5-3 in the top of the seventh as Mason Roell scored on Nomar Garcia’s sacrifice fly. JP Peltier’s RBI grounder brought home Braylen Blomquist to make it a 5-4 game in the bottom of the seventh. Carter Beck put the Sycamore lead back to two runs with a solo home run in the top of the eighth. The Raiders made it a 6-5 game in the bottom of the eighth as Parker Falkenstein scored on a double play ball. Two Indiana State errors led to Wright State tying the game up in the bottom of the ninth with Brett Denby scoring on an errant throw to the plate to even the score at 6-6 and send the game into extras. The teams swapped runs in the 13th with Ray Jesse’s RBI single scoring Mason Roell in the top of the inning to put Indiana State ahead 7-6, before Cy Turner connected on a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to even the game. Indiana State scored the final run in the top of the 14th as Mason Roell connected on an RBI single up the middle scoring Emil Estrella to provide the final 8-7 scoring margin. Game Two: Indiana State 6, Wright State 3 The Sycamore offense came to life in the top of the sixth inning on back-to-back Caden Miller and Nick Sutherlin home runs, while Owen Roberts (1-1) pitched 3.1 innings in shutout relief as Indiana State secured the series win over Wright State with the 6-3 win on the opening day of the series with the doubleheader sweep. Trailing 3-1 after the Raiders rallied in the bottom of the fourth against Indiana State starter Ty Brooks, Roberts took over pitching around runners on base over the next two innings but keeping Wright State off the scoreboard. The Sycamore offense responded to the freshman pitcher’s efforts in the top of the sixth as Caden Miller connected on the game-tying two-run home run off Wright State starting pitcher Griffin Paige (2-5) to even the game. The very next pitch, Nick Sutherlin connected on a towering drive that sailed over the left field wall to put Indiana State in the lead. Roberts came out in the seventh inning and worked a 1-2-3 frame, before turning the ball over to Jaxon Sparks in the bottom of the eighth. The freshman left-hander was able to get a double play ball on his first pitch off the mound to limit the damage in the frame. Indiana State added insurance in the top of the ninth as the Sycamores loaded the bases against WSU reliever Evan Boeckmann. Caden Miller singled home Nomar Garcia for the first run in the frame, while Nick Sutherlin worked a full-count, bases-loaded walk scoring Carter Beck to put the score at 6-3. The Raiders nearly rallied back in the bottom of the ninth as Wright State loaded the bases with two outs in the inning. Colby Morse (S, 3), in his second appearance of the day, was able to retire Keegan Holmstrom on strikes to end the contest and secure his third save of the season. Caden Miller and Nick Sutherlin combined to drive in five of Indiana State’s six RBIs in the contest, while Carter Beck drew two walks and scored twice in the win. Owen Roberts worked 3.1 innings in scoreless relief, scattering four hits and two walks while striking out two in his first collegiate win. Ty Brooks worked 3.2 innings allowing three hits and three runs while striking out five in the start, while Jaxon Sparks and Colby Morse closed out the contest with the final 2.0 innings on the mound. How They Scored Carter Beck opened up the scoring in the top of the third inning with a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Caleb Niehaus to put Indiana State ahead 1-0. Wright State evened the score in the bottom of the third as Cy Turner scored on a wild pitch to put the score at 1-1. The Raiders went ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth as Patrick Fultz connected on a sacrifice fly scoring Gus Gregory, while Cy Turner tripled to right field bringing home Zac Butler to put Wright State ahead by two. Indiana State responded in the top of the sixth inning as Caden Miller and Nick Sutherlin connected on back-to-back home runs to put the Sycamores back in the lead. Miller’s two-run shot brought home Carter Beck, while Sutherlin connected on the very next pitch with a solo shot over the left field wall to make it a 4-3 lead. The Sycamores added insurance in the top of the ninth as Caden Miller connected on an RBI single to right scoring Nomar Garcia, while Nick Sutherlin drew a bases-loaded walk to provide the final 6-3 scoring margin. News and Notes Carter Beck extended his on-base streak to 23 games after reaching safely in both contests on Friday. Caden Miller’s on-base streak reached 18 consecutive games after reaching safely in both games. Mason Roell’s hitting streak reached 15 consecutive games following his 3-for-7 game in the opener, before ending in the evening contest. Caden Miller and Nick Sutherlin hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning in game two of the doubleheader, marking the fifth time the Sycamores have hit back-to-back homers and the second time the duo has combined to achieve the feat after doing it earlier this week on April 14 in the first inning against Indiana. Indiana State improves to 12-3 all-time against Wright State with the pair of wins. The 14-inning win on Friday afternoon marked the longest game played by Indiana State since April 17, 2012, when the Sycamores topped Valparaiso, 2-1, in a 16-inning contest played at Bob Warn Field. Up Next Indiana State and Wright State will close out the series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch at Nischwitz Stadium set for 1 p.m. ET. The game will be carried live on 105.5 The Legend and ESPN+. ====================================== INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL MURRAY, Ky. – Indiana State opened its weekend series at Murray State with a strong defensive showing and a complete-game gem from Lauren Sackett, as the Sycamores earned a 2–1 victory in Friday’s opener before continuing to compete throughout a tightly played 5–1 finish in Game 2 at Racer Field. Indiana State set the tone for the day with one of its sharpest pitching and defensive performances of the season, backed by timely offense and a dominant outing from senior right-hander Lauren Sackett. The Sycamores broke through in the third inning when Lauren Marsicek singled down the left-field line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Morgan Goodrich. Two batters later, Addie Burns delivered the decisive swing, launching a two-run homer to right to give Indiana State a 2–0 lead. Burns finished the game with two hits and all of ISU’s RBI, continuing her strong week at the plate. Sackett took care of the rest, tossing a complete-game seven-hitter with five strikeouts and just one run allowed. She worked efficiently throughout the afternoon, inducing 11 groundouts and stranding 10 Murray State runners. The Racers pushed across a run in the sixth, but Sackett closed the door in the seventh, securing her 11th win of the season and helping Indiana State open the series on a high note. Indiana State struck early again in the nightcap, as Morgan Goodrich opened the game with an inside-the-park home run to right-center to give the Sycamores a quick 1–0 lead. ISU continued to create traffic in the fourth and fifth innings, including back-to-back hits from Madison Poulson and Addie Burns, but Murray State used timely defense to keep the game close. The Racers responded with single runs in the first and third before adding two more in the sixth. Indiana State continued to compete throughout the contest, highlighted by hits from Poulson, Burns, Marsicek, and Emi Jeras, along with a strong relief effort from the Sycamore defense that limited Murray State’s scoring opportunities in the late innings. The Sycamores showed consistency at the plate, recording five hits and putting runners on base in five different innings. The Sycamores also continued to flash strong defensive play, committing no errors across the doubleheader and keeping both games within reach from start to finish. How They Scored Game 1 – Indiana State 2, Murray State 1 Marsicek singled and advanced on a bunt; Burns homered to right, scoring Marsicek (2–0). Huels singled up the middle, scoring Broemmer (2–1). Game 2 – Murray State 5, Indiana State 1 Goodrich homered inside the park to right-center (1–0). Minor singled through the left side, scoring Warner (1–1). Waldron bunted for a hit, scoring Holcombe (2–1). Hicks scored on an error (3–1). Huels singled to short, scoring Waldron (4–1). Schyck grounded out, advancing runners; Wolf scored (5–1). News and Notes Lauren Sackett earned her 11th win of the season, throwing a complete-game seven-hitter with five strikeouts. Addie Burns recorded four hits and two RBI across the doubleheader, including a two-run homer in Game 1. Morgan Goodrich hit her first inside-the-park home run of the season in Game 2. Lauren Marsicek reached base three times on the day and scored in Game 1. Up Next Indiana State and Murray State conclude the weekend series on Saturday afternoon at Racer Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. ===================================== PURDUE FT. WAYNE TRACK MEN TERRE HAUTE, Ind. & WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Purdue Fort Wayne men’s track and field program completed day two at Indiana State’s Gibson Invitational and completed the Wake Forest Invitational on Friday (April 17). Sam Dunnett highlighted the two days of competition, breaking his own 1500 meters school record at Wake Forest. His time of 3:42.85 is the fastest in the Horizon League. Boden Genovese also ran in the event, running a personal record 3:50.10. Luca Merita completed a personal record decathlon at the Gibson Invitational, finishing with 5329 points. He set two personal records during competition: 100 meters (11.14) and shot put (12.56m). His final points number is the most in the HL. Noah Morris ran a school record, and league fastest, 200 meter dash at the Wake Forest Invitational, but the 20.89 time did not count due to wind. The sophomore also ran the Horizon League’s second-fastest 100 meter dash, running a personal record 10.53. Hunter Crew tossed a personal record 53.71 meter hammer throw at Indiana State, the second-furthest mark in the league. Brevin Miller threw the second-best javelin throw at the Gibson Invitational, reaching 54.69 meters. The mark only sits behind his own previous mark. The Mastodons will finish out competition at the Gibson Invitational tomorrow (April 18). WOMEN TERRE HAUTE, Ind. & WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s track and field program completed day two at Indiana State’s Gibson Invitational and completed the Wake Forest Invitational on Friday (April 17). Ali Sparks highlighted the two days of competition, breaking her own hammer throw school record at the Gibson Invitational. The senior’s mark of 56.91 meters stands as the furthest mark in the Horizon League. Bella Hodges ran a personal record 2:10.49 800 meters in day one (April 16) at the Wake Forest Invitational. Her time is first in the league. Ava McAlexander completed her first collegiate heptathlon at Indiana State, recording the HL’s third-highest 3183 points. She finished the event with four personal records: 100 meter hurdles (17.39), 200 meters (28.32), high jump (1.40m) and 800 meters (3:01.14). The Mastodons will finish out competition at the Gibson Invitational tomorrow (April 18). ====================================== EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL PEORIA, Ill. – Weather halted action in the top of the 5th inning as the University of Evansville softball team faced off against Bradley. The Purple Aces hold a 2-0 lead in the contest, which will resume on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Following the completion of that contest, the teams will play the series finale. Friday’s opener saw the Braves take a 4-0 win. Game 1 – Bradley 4, UE 0 Two runs in the second and a pair in the third saw Bradley finish with a 4-0 win in Friday’s opener. Braves starting pitcher Abby Rusher allowed just four hits in the full seven innings and struck out four batters. Bradley opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. They recorded three hits, including two triples, as they jumped in front. Keghan Pye hit a single for the first UE hit of the day before Brooke Voss added a double in the third, however, the Braves got out of the jam. In the bottom of the third, the Braves stranded the bases loaded but doubled the lead to 4-0 as they accumulated three walks and two hits. Evansville looked to get on the board with some 2-out momentum in the top of the 5th. Pye and Emma McDonald each singled before a fly out ended the threat. Over the final two frames, the Aces were retired in order as the Braves secured the win. Kate Ridgway suffered the loss as she gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings. Gracie Hollingsworth threw the final 2 2/3 frames and kept the Braves off the scoreboard. Pye led the offense picking up two of UE’s four hits in the contest. ============================================ EVANSVILLE TRACK TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Evansville track & field team completed day one of competition at the Gibson Invitational on Friday, with 14 Aces seeing action. Women Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio/Orange) placed 13th in the hammer throw, recording a mark of 48.02 meters. In the javelin, Holland Morris (Florence, Ky./Randall K. Cooper) placed 17th with a mark of 30.18 meters. Two Aces competed in the 5000 meters, with Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) placing 25th with a time of 19:18.83, while Kyndall Anthis (Patoka, Ind./Princeton Community) took 33rd at 19:52.02. Men Cole Johnson (Salem, Ill./Salem Community) placed 12th in the javelin, posting a mark of 46.34 meters. Two Aces competed in the hammer throw, with Tyler Cherne (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) taking 18th at 46.63 meters and Beau Baldwin (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mt. Vernon) placing 24th with a mark of 43.71 meters. Woody Burrell (Cedarburg, Wis./Cedarburg) recorded a personal best in the 3000 meter steeplechase, taking sixth place with a time of 9:52.06. Five Aces competed in the 5000 meters, led by Tanner Spence (Carmi, Ill//Carmi) in seventh place with a time of 15:17.82. ====================================== SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball hitters were stymied by the University of Tennessee at Martin in falling, 10-1, Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 20-18 overall and 4-9 in the Ohio Valley Conference this season, while UTM goes to 19-18, 6-7 OVC. The Screaming Eagles were limited to one run on four hits throughout the nine frames. USI picked up its only run in the sixth when senior shortstop Clayton Slack singled in senior first baseman Patrick McLellan. McLellan doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a groundout. UT Martin scored all of the runs it would need in the fourth inning when the Skyhawks scored seven times. They would seal the game with three more runs in the seventh for the eventual 10-1 decision. On the bump, junior right-hander Abdriel Figueroa started and took the loss for the Screaming Eagles. Figueroa (2-4) allowed the seven runs in the fourth inning, giving up seven hits and two walks in the game. Up Next for the Screaming Eagles: The Screaming Eagles and the Skyhawks continue USI’s Alumni Weekend with game two Saturday at 4 p.m. USI’s 2016 NCAA II Midwest Region Championship team will be honored during the game Saturday. New for the USI-UTM series, fans will be allowed to tailgate up to 15 minutes before the first pitch at 4 p.m. The tailgate location will be located down the left field line. Guidelines for tailgating can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com. The three-game series is scheduled to conclude Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans are encouraged to watch social media and USIScreamingEagles.com for any schedule changes due to weather. Links to follow the Screaming Eagles during 2026 can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and the USI Baseball Schedule. The final game of the homestand is Wednesday when USI hosts the University of Evansville for a 6 p.m. matchup. ====================================== SOUTHERN INDIANA SOFTBALL EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball travels this weekend for the second of back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference road series when the Screaming Eagles visit Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday and Sunday from Edwardsville, Illinois. The three-game series is set to begin on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and concludes with a Noon doubleheader on Sunday. USI Softball (13-22, 10-8 OVC) aims for a second-straight OVC series win on the road to jump SIUE (19-24, 10-8 OVC) in the conference standings. USI heads into the weekend tied for fifth with SIUE and only a half-game back of fourth place. SIUE leads the all-time series against USI, 59-28-1, as the two sides add to their long history dating back to the early 1980s, and includes several meetings as Great Lakes Valley Conference rivals. Last season, the two sides split a pair of games in respective 8-0 run-rule contests. The third game was canceled due to the weather. The Screaming Eagles are coming off their second road series win in OVC play last weekend at Tennessee Tech University, taking two of three games. After dropping a narrow 4-3 contest in the series opener, USI rebounded to win the next games, 3-0 and 2-1. In last week’s trip to Tennessee Tech, freshman outfielder Katelyn Marx led USI in hitting with a .500 batting average. Junior catcher Alyssa Mumaw was not too far behind with a .444 batting average and led the team with three RBIs. In the circle, freshman pitchers Anna Kemp and Mia Kiegel headlined the pitching staff with two strong performances against the Golden Eagles. Kemp turned in her third complete game and USI’s first solo shutout of the season in the 3-0 middle game of the series, striking out three and allowing only five hits in the process. Kiegel made her first career start and earned her first career win in the series finale, giving up just one run and striking out four in four innings of work. Following last weekend’s effort at the plate, Marx jumped into the team lead with a .343 batting average. She is tied for second on the squad with 13 RBIs. Senior outfielder Caroline Stapleton is right behind Marx in batting average, hitting .330 with a team-high 28 runs scored. Junior infielder Sydney Long has a team-best 17 RBIs. USI has seven players with 10 or more RBIs. After last Saturday’s shutout and 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday’s series finale, Kemp (4-9) has a 3.87 ERA with a team-high 46 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched on the season. Sophomore pitcher Kylie Witthaus (3-6) has thrown a team-high 88 innings with 44 strikeouts and a 4.61 ERA. SIUE is coming off a non-conference midweek doubleheader sweep against the University of Missouri-Kansas City, winning 13-2 in five innings and 6-5. Going back further, SIUE has won four of its last five games after capturing two of three games last weekend in conference play against Lindenwood University. The Cougars’ offense is led by freshman catcher Ashley Duran. Duran paces the squad with a .326 batting average, four home runs, and 22 RBIs. Senior Gretchen Trello has hit .325 with 11 RBIs, and sophomore infielder Raegan Duncan is batting .293 with 15 RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Avery Arwood and freshman hurler Mia Volpert lead the pitching staff. Arwood (6-6) has a 3.83 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 84 innings of work, while Volpert (6-8) has a 3.94 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 76.1 innings pitched. The three-game series between USI and SIUE can be seen with an ESPN+ subscription. Additional coverage and live stat links are available on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com. ===================================== VALPO BASEBALL Valparaiso University baseball starting pitcher Adam Guazzo (Huntley, Ill. / Huntley) had his best day in a Beacon uniform, tossing 6 1/3 shutout innings and leaving with nobody on base and one out in the seventh, but host UIC rallied after his departure to beat the Beacons 4-3 on Friday at Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago. How It Happened Guazzo worked six up, six down over the first two innings. UIC mounted its first threat in the third, lashing out three hits to load the bases with one away. Guazzo recorded his fifth strikeout of the day for the second out, then with the bases loaded and two down, the third baseman and pitcher collided on a pop fly and the ball dropped, but the batter was not running the ball out and Guazzo threw to first for the final out of the inning. After Louie Kegerreis (Murrysville, Pa. / Franklin Regional) led off the fourth with a double, Cal Schembra (Greenwood, Ind. / Center Grove) went the other way with a 387-foot home run over the left-field bullpen to make it 2-0 Beacons. Later in the inning, Gavin Bennett (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) grounded a run-scoring single to right, extending the lead to 3-0. Guazzo flipped a scoreless bottom of the fourth, then went back out for the fifth and worked out of a runner-at-third, nobody out jam with no runs across thanks to Javin Gauthier (De Pere, Wis. / De Pere) getting the lead runner into a rundown on a sharp ground ball to third. Guazzo retired the side in order in the sixth, then got the first out of the seventh on a nice catch by Schembra. Guazzo left after 6 1/3 shutout innings, his best outing in a Valpo uniform. Right after Guazzo walked off the mound, the UIC bats came to life. A walk, single and RBI double from the six through nine batters in the order made it 3-1, then a two-run single by leadoff man Will Flannigan leveled the score at three through seven. The bottom of the eighth began with an infield single on a close play at first. The play was reviewed, but the umpires decided that the ruling on the field stood. That proved to be a big call as later in the inning, that runner crossed the dish to put UIC ahead 4-3 with what proved to be the game-winning run. Inside the Game Valpo featured the exact same starting lineup (batting order and positions) as its previous game on Tuesday vs. Notre Dame, including the starting pitcher. The last part of that makes that a rather uncommon occurrence in baseball. Schembra’s home run was his fifth of the season and first since April 2 at Washington. Guazzo’s 6 1/3 innings marked a career long, outdoing his previous long of six innings on March 8, 2024 at The Citadel. Guazzo struck out six and walked none while yielding just five hits. His six strikeouts were one shy of his career high of seven, set on May 12, 2024 at Murray State. He worked 7 1/3 innings without issuing a walk this week, counting his inning on Tuesday at Notre Dame. Eight of the nine Valpo batters had at least one hit, and Bennett led the team with two. There was only one total walk issued in the game by both teams. Valpo fell to 1-8 this season and 2-17 over the last two seasons in one-run games. Up Next The Beacons (9-24, 2-8 MVC) and Flames will continue the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago. The game will air on ESPN+. ====================================== VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL The Valparaiso University men’s basketball family just got bigger. 7-foot center Kai Yu (Zhuhai, Guangdong, China / Link Prep [Liberty / Bradley]) has joined head coach Roger Powell Jr.’s program for the 2026-2027 season. “Kai is someone who is really excited about Valpo,” Powell said. “He values me and my coaching style, which is part of the reason we got him. He has great size and versatility along with a feel for the game. He also has the ability to stretch the floor and will add more size and skill to our front court. I’m excited to sign our first 7-footer since I’ve been here.” Yu played against Valpo four times in the last two seasons, first when he made his collegiate debut against the Beacons while playing for Liberty in the season-opening Total Athlete Tipoff on Nov. 4, 2024 in Xenia, Ohio. He then took part in all three Valpo/Bradley matchups as a member of the Braves in 2025-26, including the double overtime thriller in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis. “We played Valpo three times this past season, so I think Coach Powell really knows me,” Yu said. “Coach Powell is a cool guy. The most important thing to me is that he is a Christian who believes in Jesus. I try to find a coach who is a Christian so I can build my faith. The campus is beautiful. The students are nice. I really like it at Valpo.” After moving to the United States from his native China to play at Link Year Prep – the same school that has produced Valpo standouts Cooper Schwieger and All Wright – Yu spent two years at Liberty University, where he redshirted in 2023-24 before playing in 15 games in 2024-25. Yu brings postseason experience to Valpo’s roster as he played in the 2025 NCAA Tournament against Oregon while playing for the Flames before playing against Dayton in the NIT while playing for the Braves in 2026. “My favorite memories of basketball are playing in March Madness and in the NIT,” Yu said. “Those were big moments for me.” Yu appeared in 29 of Bradley’s 34 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2025-26, averaging 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor. He scored 12 points in a road win at Drake on Jan. 31 and had a season-high seven rebounds on Feb. 3 at Valpo. “I think I do my job well, and my job is whatever the coach wants me to do on the court,” Yu said. “Even when I don’t get a chance to finish the ball, I try to play defense and rebound.” The opportunity to play basketball in the United States at a place like Valpo is a dream come true for Yu, who started playing at age 12. “In high school, my coach always watched NCAA D1 basketball,” Yu said. “I thought if I could play NCAA D1, that would be amazing. When I was done with high school, I came to America, and I started getting offers after my year of prep school. At first, I could speak zero English and couldn’t understand the culture. Everything was new for me, but I am getting better.” Yu, who plans to study communications, enjoys watching TV shows and movies in his spare time. He is a Marvel fan, and Avengers is his favorite. Yu has a twin brother Sean, who played basketball at Newman University in Kansas and is now playing professionally in China for the Shanghai Sharks. “I am excited to play at Valpo because I played against them three times this past year, so I feel like I know them already,” Yu said. “The amazing thing is that almost everyone is coming back. We have a good chance to be a good team and have a nice team culture. Summer is important for me; I have a lot to work on and look forward to getting to work.” ============================================ VALPO WOMEN’S GOLF Conference championship time is here for the Valparaiso University women’s golf team as the Beacons prepare to embark upon the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championship, which will begin on Sunday and run through Tuesday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. This marks the first location change for the MVC Women’s Golf Championship in four years, as the event was played at Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, Ill. in each of the last three seasons. “The advice I’ve gotten about the golf course from some people who have already played and visited is that it is a modern golf course,” Valpo head coach Jill McCoy said. “It’s big, it’s wide, I’m not going to say it’s easy, but hopefully it’s a little wider than what we just played in Terre Haute, so that will give us a little more confidence moving into this tournament.” The Beacons recorded their best team round of the season so far in Round 1 of the final regular-season tournament, which occurred this past Sunday at the Indiana State Spring Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. “The team has worked a lot on maintaining composure,” McCoy said. “Everybody is going to have a bad hole; it happens. Not letting that ruin a round and continuing to push through those and play one swing at a time is crucial. That’s all you can do because that’s all you can control. Do that for 18 holes and then add it up and hope that it’s better than you thought.” Senior Taylor Skibinski (Michigan City, Ind. / Michigan City) just turned in her second top-10 finish of the season. She leads the team in scoring average at 80.40. “It’s going to be emotional,” McCoy said. “I’ve coached Taylor since she was about 8 years old. She is part of the family, for sure. I was just thinking about this last night – I can’t believe it’s over, that it’s been four years and she is moving on. I’m looking forward to having these last three rounds of golf with her and getting as much out of it as she possibly can. Not only has she really improved her game over the last four years, but she’s a hard worker and a great person. I couldn’t ask for a better player.” McCoy’s daughter Katelyn McCoy (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton) is a redshirt junior who is undecided on whether or not she will return for a fifth season. “It’s hard and a lot of fun to always want to make sure I have a good balance between being Coach and wanting to be Mom too,” McCoy said. “It’s fun coaching someone who you have a little bit of a different relationship with and you can scream at and yell a little bit harsher than everyone else, but trying not to do that because she doesn’t deserve it as a player.” Skibinski and Katelyn were the team’s two returning players. Freshmen Nora Meek (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek), Katie Estridge (Biloxi, Miss. / Biloxi) and Maddie Soffin (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton) joined the program this season, while junior Keira Cotter (Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada / Guelph) transferred in and junior Rachel Gatten (North Ridgeville, Ohio / Lake Ridge) joined as a walk-on. “The team atmosphere has been the best that I’ve had in the last eight years of coaching – it’s been phenomenal,” McCoy said. “The girls who joined the team have really found their way, and Katelyn and Taylor have both been inviting and supportive. They’ve all bonded well – they play games at the hotels; I’m just impressed with what they do as a team. Moving forward without Taylor and Katelyn, we have a good foundation. The others have a sense of what that team culture is and why it’s so important, so we’ll be able to continue that as we move forward.” ======================================= UINDY WOMEN’S LAX INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 3 UIndy women’s lacrosse team dominated in Friday afternoon’s GLVC contest against William Jewell, 28-2. But the highlight of Friday’s game was Olivia Bladon, who set the all-time program record in goals, surpassing Abigail Lagos as the all-time leader in goals with 229. Along with Bladon’s career goal record, two other records were etched into the record book, as Margaret Galloway had six assists in today’s game, putting her tied for 5th all-time in assists in a single game. While the Greyhounds themselves set a new record for most goals in the first half in a game in program history with 19. Alexa Versaci and Sage Da Silva each had four goals a piece, which brought the tally of hat tricks to four, including Megan Gehrt and Bladon. The Greyhounds also extended its record to a perfect 3-0 against William Jewell, scoring the third most goals in program history today with 28, which matched UIndy’s 28 goals they scored against Notre Dame College in 2021. INS & OUTS A staggering 11 Greyhounds found the back of the net on Friday, including Amanda Hurry and Natalie Chapman. Chapman’s goal marked the first of her two year career at UIndy, while Hurry scored only her second collegiate goal, with her only other goal coming against Thomas More in 2024. Highlighted in Friday’s scoring barrage was Bladon, whose second goal in the first quarter put her atop the UIndy record book with 229 career goals. Bladon continued to eclipse that number, with four more first half goals, and giving her her fourth career six-goal performance. The Greyhounds’ offense wasn’t the only bright spot on Friday, as the defensive effort from UIndy held William Jewell to only five shots, the Cardinals’ fewest in a game in program history. Along with stellar shot stopping, the Hounds scooped up 16 ground balls as a team, including; Bladon, Ella Fornek, Galloway and Maggie Durkin who each had two on the afternoon. Freshman Sadie Nugent and Sophia Griswold-Beltz both added another goal to their names in the fourth quarter today, with both notching their first career multi goal games in the 26 point win over William Jewell. INSIDE THE BOX – All three Greyhound goalies made an appearance in Friday’s contest, which is the first time this season all three have played in a game together. – Seven Greyhounds had a perfect shooting percentage, with all seven’s shot total matching their goal total; Bladon, Chapman Da Silva, Durkin, Gehrt, Hurry and Versaci,. – Reese Fahlke had a career best six draw controls, bringing her season total to 35, only behind Malaena Michielin and Bladon. UP NEXT The Greyhounds remain at home for Senior Day on Sunday at 11 a.m. against No. 24 ranked Rockhurst, which will be the sixth ranked matchup for UIndy this season. ====================================== UINDY BASEBALL INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Indianapolis fell to the University of Missouri-St. Louis 7–5 in a tense matchup at Bill Bright Field on Friday. Indianapolis collected 11 hits and launched a home run, but Missouri-St. Louis sealed the victory with two runs in the tenth inning. Aidan Pearson pitched 6 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 10 hits with no walks, and he struck out 4 batters on 90 pitches, 60 of which were strikes. Drake Downing followed with 4 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 2 hits and issuing 2 walks while striking out 1. Downing threw 55 pitches, 29 for strikes, and was charged with the loss, bringing his record to 2-5. INS & OUTS Indianapolis took an early lead in the first inning when Gavin Duran walked and then scored on Chase Mason’s double to left field, making it 1-0 after the first inning. UMSL tied the game in the second inning. Cade Grevengoed doubled and scored on Justin Simard’s single through the right side. The score was 1-1 after two innings. In the third inning, Mitch Bonczkowski doubled to drive in a run, followed by Owen Faith’s two-run homer, which put the Tritons ahead 4-1. The Greyhounds responded with Austin Bode scoring on Mason’s RBI single, bringing the score to 4-2 after three innings. Indianapolis narrowed the gap in the fourth inning when Bode hit a two-run homer to right field, scoring Luke Smock and tying the game at 4-4. Missouri-St. Louis added a run in the top of the inning, making it 5-4 in favor of the Tritons. In the fifth inning, the Greyhounds tied the game again at 5-5 when Mason scored on a pinch-hit RBI single by Jack Kerno. The game remained tied through the ninth inning, sending it into extra innings. In the top of the tenth, UMSL took the lead with Bennett Cagle’s RBI double and Grevengoed’s RBI single, making it 7-5. Indianapolis was unable to score in the bottom of the tenth, resulting in a final score of Missouri-St. Louis 7, Indianapolis 5. Bode hit a home run and drove in two runs while also scoring twice. Mason collected three hits, including a double, and added two RBIs with one stolen base. Duran contributed with two hits and drew two walks, scoring one run. Pearson pitched six innings, striking out four batters, despite allowing five earned runs. UP NEXT The teams return to Bill Bright Field tomorrow at for a double header on Saturday, April 18 beginning at noon. ======================================== MARIAN SOFTBALL Mishawaka, Ind. – In their final regular season match-up against Bethel, Marian softball took the double header sweep, recording the regular season sweep over the Pilots. After the wins, the Knights move to 27-12 overall on the season and 19-11 in the Crossroads League. Game 1 | Marian 12-2 Bethel Marian struck early in the match-up with a solo home run into left center field from Abby Madere, taking the one-run lead in the top of the first inning. Haley Webb started things off at the top of the second inning, getting hit by a pitch to score Lily Wendt on the play. Ella Piercy followed up with a single into left center, scoring both Mallorie Beutel and Ally Malone on the play. The Knights continued the inning with a double into right center for Madere to score both Delaney Rundle and Piercy and extend the lead to 6-0. Bethel pushed back at Marian’s lead with an RBI double, followed by a runner scoring off a wild pitch to bring the margin down to four. Webb quickly countered at the top of the third with a single to left field to score Beutel and extend the lead to five. After a dry fifth inning for both teams, Mystic Means extended the lead, scoring off a wild pitch, followed by Abbey Hofmann scoring on a fielder’s choice by Mati Hughes. Wendt finished off the inning with a single into center field to score Lucy Kemp and extend the lead to 10. The Knights recorded three quick groundouts in the bottom of the sixth, taking the 12-2 run-rule win in six innings. Abby Madere led the way in game one, going 2-3 from the plate with four RBIs on the day. Mallorie Beutel also had a multi-hit day, going 2-4 from the plate. Both Lily Wendt and Ella Piercy recorded a pair of RBIs, while Haley Webb and Mati Hughes recorded one each. In the circle, Lexi Smith took the start, pitching all six innings and recording the win while striking out four batters. Game 2 | Marian 2-0 Bethel Like game one, the Knights took an early lead in the top of the first with Mati Hughes reaching on a fielder’s choice to score Abbey Hofmann on the play. After holding the Pilots scoreless in the first and second innings, Abby Madere struck with a single into right center to score Hofmann and extend the lead 2-0. Unlike game one, the rest of the innings went pretty quickly for both teams, only recording a combined total of two hits, before Marian attempted to extend their lead in the seventh inning, recording a pair of hits, but came up short with the inning ending with bases loaded on a fielder’s choice. Bethel attempted a push with a single into left center with two outs on the board, but Macy Coan was able to get a swinging strikeout for the next batter and take the 2-0 win. Delaney Rundle led the way in game two, going 2-3 from the plate, while Abbey Hofmann also recorded a pair of hits in the game, going 2-4 from the plate. Abby Madere and Mati Hughes both led the way in RBIs with one apiece. The Knights will be back in action tomorrow as they travel to Marion, Ind., to take on Indiana Wesleyan in a doubleheader starting at 1 PM. =================================== ROSE HULMAN SOFTBALL TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The Rose-Hulman softball team hosted Franklin in an HCAC doubleheader on Friday. The team dropped both games of the doubleheader with final scores of 8-2 and 7-5. The losses drop the team to 11-15 overall and 1-7 in the HCAC. Rose-Hulman played well in the first game of the day. The team got on the board first with a solo homer by Jessica Newsom in the bottom of the first inning. The Fightin’ Engineers held Franklin scoreless until the fourth inning, where they put up three runs to jump in front. A single by Aubrey Smith brought in a score by Newsom to make the score 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth. This would be the final run scored by the Fightin’ Engineers in game one, as the Grizzlies would rattle off five scores across the final two innings to earn the win 8-2. Newsom was the star in game one, finishing 3-4 at the plate with two runs scored and one RBI. Smith led the team in the circle, pitching the entire 7.0 innings with two strikeouts. The second game of the day proved to be a defensive battle. Both teams were held scoreless through the first five innings. Franklin broke the scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Grizzlies added four more runs in the seventh to make the score 7-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Rose-Hulman mounted a comeback, started off by a double from Rosie Travioli that scored a run by Abigale Shearer. Emily Hodges reached on a fielder’s choice that scored a run by Caledonia Coleman to make the score 7-2. Newsom made a huge dent in the Grizzlies’ lead with a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh that hit off the scoreboard in left field. The three-run shot brought in scores by Hodges, Travioli, and Newsom to cut the deficit to 7-5. Franklin would hold off the Rose-Hulman comeback to defeat the Fightin’ Engineers and complete the sweep. Travioli was a perfect 3-3 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Newsom finished the game 2-4 with one run scored and three RBIs. Audrey Theuring suffered the loss in the circle, pitching 6.1 innings with two strikeouts. Rose-Hulman will return to action in a doubleheader against Monmouth for Senior Day on Sunday, April 19, at 1 PM and 3 PM. The team will honor their senior class before game one of the doubleheader. ========================================= ROSE HULMAN BASEBALL FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Fightin’ Engineers fell in both games of their double header against the Franklin Grizzlies, by scores of 8-2 and 15-8. Game One The Grizzlies took game one by a score of 8-2, where they recorded 13 hits to ten from Rose-Hulman. The Fightin’ Engineers scored both of their runs at the top of the fifth, as Sam Erickson and Michael Hines scored on consecutive at bats. Hines and Jackson Harms each hit 2-4 at the plate, while Issei Takahashi and TJ Pipkins recorded one RBI. Liam Richardson recorded a career-high seven strikeouts while giving up just one walk in six innings on the mound. Game Two Franklin would continue to thrive in game two, as they won by a score of 15-8, where both teams recorded 17 hits. Connor O’Connell had a near-perfect showing at the plate, as he hit 4-5 while adding one RBI. TJ Pipkins scored a team-high three runs while hitting 3-4 with one double. Mason Rasmussen would also hit 3-4 with two runs, two RBIs, and one double. Harms hit a team-high four RBIs, and he would score one run on 3-5 hitting with one double. Rose-Hulman will return home for a double header with Bluffton on Sunday, April 19 at 1 and 4 PM. =================================== 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 1899 – John McGraw, only 26, made his managerial debut with the Orioles. He led them to a 5-3 victory over the New York Giants, a team he would later manage for more than 30 years. 1923 – The debut of Yankee Stadium is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74,217. Bob Shawkey, aided by Babe Ruth’s three-run home run, beats Howard Ehmke and the Red Sox 4-1. 1925 – Charles Ebbets, Dodgers president, dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field, won by New York 7-1. No N.L. games will be played on the April 21, the day of his funeral. Ed McKeever, the new club president, will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and die on May 27. 1945 – In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns’ 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. 1946 – Jackie Robinson debuts as second baseman for the Montreal Royals (International League) and is the first recognized black to play in organized ball this century. A home run and three singles against Jersey City start off the season in which he will win the IL batting championship at .349. 1947 – Dodger scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher on the third day of the season. Taken to the stadium in a taxi, Shotton manages the club from the dugout in street clothes, a la Connie Mack. 1950 – Sam Jethroe becomes the first black to play for the Boston Braves. He has two hits in his major league debut, including a home run. He will go on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year. 1950 – The first opening-night game was held in St. Louis. The Cardinals, behind a complete game by Gerry Staley and home runs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2. 1958 – Following a downtown parade in the morning, the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets an N.L. single-game record with 78,682 fans in attendance, as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits two home runs for the Giants, including the first at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After he scores what would have been the tying run in the ninth, Giants infielder Jim Davenport is called out for failing to touch third base. 1964 – Sandy Koufax fans the side on nine pitches in the third inning, becoming the first pitcher to do it twice, but Cincinnati wins 3-0. 1965 – California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the eighth inning of his major league debut by Jake Wood’s double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings. 1981 – Reds pitcher Tom Seaver strikes out Keith Hernandez in the fourth inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to register 3,000 career strikeouts. 1982 – The Atlanta Braves defeated the Astros 6-5 in Houston to set a National League record as they won their 11th straight game to start the season. 1986 – Despite allowing no hits (and only three fair balls hit) with ten strikeouts in five innings, Texas rookie Bobby Witt is lifted in a game in Milwaukee. Why? Witt walks eight, and throws four wild pitches, allowing two runs. Texas rallies for three runs in the ninth to win 7-5. 1987 – Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run, a three-run shot off Pittsburgh’s Don Robinson in the top of the ninth inning, to give the Phillies an 8-6 win. Schmidt is the 15th major league player to reach 500 home runs. 1991 – New Comiskey Park opens with fanfare and a rout. The Tigers are the stars of the day as Detroit mauls the White Sox 16-0. ========================================================= TV SPORTS TODAY Saturday, 4/18/26 MLB REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVKansas City Royals vs New York Yankees1:35pmRoyals.TVYESCincinnati Reds vs Minnesota Twins2:10pmReds.TVTwins.TVNew York Mets vs Chicago Cubs2:20pmMARQSNYSan Francisco Giants vs Washington Nationals4:05pmNBCS-BAYNationals.TVTampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates4:05pmRays.TVSN-PITChicago White Sox vs Athletics4:05pmCHSNNBCS-CAMilwaukee Brewers vs Miami Marlins4:10pmBrewers.TVMarlins.TVDetroit Tigers vs Boston Red Sox4:10pmNESNSN-DETBaltimore Orioles vs Cleveland Guardians6:10pmMASNGuardians.TVSt. Louis Cardinals vs Houston Astros7:10pmCardinals.TVSCHNAtlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies7:15pmFOXTexas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners7:15pmFOXLos Angeles Dodgers vs Colorado Rockies8:10pmRockies.TVSNLASan Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Angels9:38pmPadres.TVFanDuel Sports WestToronto Blue Jays vs Arizona Diamondbacks8:10pmDiamondbacks.TVSNNBA PLAYOFFSTIME ETTVConference Quarterfinals Game 1: Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers1:00pmPrimeConference Quarterfinals Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets3:30pmPrimeConference Quarterfinals Game 1: Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks6:00pmPrimeConference Quarterfinals Game 1: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers8:30pmABCGOLFTIME ETTVPGA Tour: RBC Heritage1:00pmGOLFLIV: at Mexico City1:30pmFOXPGA Tour: RBC Heritage3:00pmCBSLIV: at Mexico City4:00pmFS1UFLTIME ETTVSt. Louis at D.C.12:30pmABCOrlando at Birmingham4:00pmFOXMOTORSPORTSTIME ETTVARCA Menards Series: Tide 1501:00pmFS1IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach3:00pmNBCO’Reilly: Kansas Lottery 3007:00pmCWCOLLEGE BASEBALLTIME ETTVAuburn at Florida12:00pmESPN2Georgia Tech at North Carolina12:00pmACCNMississippi St. at South Carolina1:00pmSECNGeorgia St. at Coastal Carolina7:00pmESPNUTexas A&M at LSU8:00pmSECNCOLLEGE SOFTBALLTIME ETTVArizona at Oklahoma St.3:00pmESPN2North Carolina at Florida St.3:00pmACCNTexas at Georgia4:00pmSECNSouth Carolina at Missouri6:00pmSECNGeorgia Tech at Virginia Tech7:00pmACCNSouth Carolina at Clemson9:30pmACCNSOCCERTIME ETTVEPL: Brentford vs Fulham7:30amPeacockSerie A: Udinese vs Parma9:00amParamount+fuboTVBundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs Augsburg9:30amESPN+fuboTVBundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund9:30amESPN+fuboTVBundesliga: Union Berlin vs Wolfsburg9:30amESPN+fuboTVBundesliga: Werder Bremen vs Hamburger SV9:30amESPN+fuboTVEPL: Leeds United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers10:00amPeacockEPL: Newcastle United vs AFC Bournemouth10:00amPeacockLigue 1: Lorient vs Olympique Marseille11:00amFanatizbeIN SportsfuboTVSerie A: Napoli vs Lazio12:00pmParamount+fuboTVEPL: Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion12:30pmPeacockLa Liga: Barcelona vs Espanyol12:30pmESPN+fuboTVBundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt vs RB Leipzig12:30pmESPN+fuboTVMLS: Toronto FC vs Austin1:00pmMLS Season PassLigue 1: Angers SCO vs Le Havre1:00pmFanatizbeIN SportsfuboTVMLS: CF Montréal vs New York RB2:30pmMLS Season PassSerie A: Roma vs Atalanta2:45pmParamount+fuboTVEPL: Chelsea vs Manchester United3:00pmPeacockCopa del Rey: Atlético Madrid vs Real Sociedad3:00pmESPN+fuboTVLigue 1: Lille vs Nice3:05pmFanatizbeIN SportsfuboTVMLS: Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami4:30pmMLS Season PassLiga MX: Cruz Azul vs Tijuana7:00pmfuboTVMLS: Atlanta United vs Nashville SC7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: New England vs Columbus Crew7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: New York City vs Charlotte7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Orlando City SC vs Houston Dynamo7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Philadelphia Union vs DC United7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Dallas vs LA Galaxy8:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Minnesota United vs Portland Timbers8:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Real Salt Lake vs San Diego8:30pmMLS Season PassLiga MX: Monterrey vs Pachuca9:00pmVIXMLS: Seattle Sounders FC vs St. Louis City9:30pmMLS Season PassLiga MX: América vs Toluca11:00pmCBSSNfubotvVIX About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” APRIL 17 THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” APRIL 18
