Friday afternoon went exactly how Notre Dame baseball wanted to start its weekend, and it made it even sweeter beating former head coach Link Jarrett and No. 4 Florida State 16-9 in Frank Eck Stadium.
The Irish trailed 4-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, then erupted for 5-runs to take a lead they would never relinquish. Notre Dame’s offense didn’t let up, as they scored another run in the seventh, and capped off the huge win with a big 8-run eighth inning.
Offensively, it was catcher Carson Tinney leading the way, going 2-for-3 with a homer, 4 RBI and two walks. He wasn’t the only one making their mark with big blasts as Jared Zimbardo, Estevan Moreno, Brady Gumpf, Nick DeMarco, Jayce Lee and DM Jefferson all went yard as well.
While it wasn’t the best pitching performance for the Irish, starter Jack Radel held the Seminole offense in check allowing 4 runs in 5.2 innings, striking out five. Rickey Reeth came in relief and got knocked around a bit to 4 runs in 2 innings, but Chase Van Ameyde shut the door with just one run allowed in 1.1 innings. He struck out the side in the top of the ninth to secure the win.
The victory puts Notre Dame’s season record at 14-9, 2-8 in ACC play. It was clearly a much needed win as the Irish get back on the diamond to conclude the series on Saturday with a double-header, as Sunday’s game was moved to tomorrow due to weather concerns.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Dawn Staley has seen a lot of growth in South Carolina star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley over the last few months.
The Gamecocks coach wasn’t happy with the way the sophomore was playing on either end of the court on Friday, so she lit into her in the third quarter. In the past, Staley knows Fulwiley couldn’t have handled the criticism.
This time, she listened to her coach and elevated her game. Fulwiley scored 16 of her 23 points in the second half, including a couple of dazzling plays to help the top-seeded Gamecocks beat fourth-seeded Maryland 71-67 in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Staley said earlier this season, Fulwiley “wouldn’t have been able to recover from” the harsh words.
“(She’d) shut down. Probably have lost the game. She was the one who really could manufacture her own shots. Make baskets. She just wants to win. I think in those moments I can coach her the most,” Staley said.
South Carolina was locked into a back-and-forth game with Maryland, in danger of becoming the first defending champion to lose in the Sweet 16 since 2013.
The Gamecocks trailed 60-59 with 3:25 left when Fulwiley’s aggressive play decided the game. She hit a layup to begin a 7-0 run that gave the Gamecocks just enough of a cushion.
She converted another coast-to-coast drive and a few free throws over the last few minutes.
“No one in the country has anyone to match that type of speed,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “We were trying to corral her with two or three players. I thought she was no question the most valuable player in this game. She played 20 minutes and had 23 points. We had no answer for her. That’s how elite she is with her speed.”
That speed and big-play ability was on full display in the third quarter. Fulwiley had a nifty pass to Te-Hina Paopao, and then, with 22 seconds left in the period, she dribbled down the left side of the court, flipped the ball behind her back and swished a jumper that gave her team a two-point lead heading into the final quarter.
“Just went out there and tried to help my team to get closer to our next goal which was the Elite Eight and I did that,” Fulwiley said.
South Carolina will face Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Blue Devils beat Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina 47-38 earlier Friday.
Major League Soccer returns for what we expect to be another thrilling weekend of action. Here are the biggest storylines you won’t want to miss.
Fixture of the weekend
It’s third versus first this weekend in the East as Philadelphia Union make the trip to face Inter Miami.
The Union sit at the top of the table and is currently the best in the league statistically, with the most goals scored to date and the best goal differential (+6).
Following a nervy 1-0 win over 10-man St. Louis City last time out, they will want to establish themselves as genuine contenders to go all the way this season with a statement performance.
Tai Baribo is lethal in front of the net (MLS-leading six goals), Quinn Sullivan is carving a name for himself and Andre Blake commands things from the back.
But they all must perform against one Lionel Messi-ran Inter Miami.
The Herons are only two points back and could go top of the table if they win in front of home fans. Miami remains undefeated in MLS, with young talent shining, including Telasco Segovia, alongside their former Barcelona quartet.
Both teams have only dropped points once this season, and that’s set to change on Saturday.
Player of the weekend
Turn your heads to Austin, where one Owen Wolff continues to put the club on his shoulders. The 20-year-old was the team’s first-ever homegrown signing and has proved worthy four years later.
📸 Credit: MLS Communications
In the 2025 MLS season, Wolff has provided the game-winning assist in each of the club’s three victories. And to make things even better, it’s helped Austin FC get off to the best start in club history with nine points in the opening five matches.
According to MLS Communications, another game-winning assist this time against St. Louis City would see him become “only the second player in league history to record four game-winning assists in his team’s first six games of the season” (Sporting Kansas City’s Graham Zusi in 2012).
Two questions ahead of the matchday
Will Vancouver essentially end Toronto’s season?
Sure, it might be early to call it, but a serious turnaround is required in Toronto.
The former MLS Cup champions sit second last in the East with only one point heading into Matchday 6 and a -6 goal differential. The one bonus is Jonathan Osorio, Tyrese Spicer and Deiby Flores are all back from international duty.
Now, along comes Vancouver Whitecaps.
Contrastingly, the visitors sit top of the West after starting the season the best way possible. They just lost for the first time and had four straight wins before that, with a +5 goal differential.
It has been over 1.5 years since the Whitecaps won an away game in MLS against an Eastern opponent, defeating Toronto at BMO Field 2-1 in September 2023.”
Ironically, they could finally do it again while virtually ending TFC’s season simultaneously before it even really began.
Will Chucky Lozano’s return guide his team against LAFC?
Chucky Lozano was removed from MLS’s Player Status report on Friday, revealing he’s clear to play against giants LAFC.
San Diego’s star player was signed to deliver in these big-game moments, and the expansion club hopes he can do so on Saturday.
Lozano was initially sidelined due to a hamstring injury four weeks ago and is expected to feature off the bench, according to reports.
However, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, who grew up in San Diego, admitted the Mexican’s return hasn’t added any nerves. “I’m not sure it changes the way they play,” Cherundolo said of Lozano’s return to the lineup. “It’s just another quality player you have to watch out for.”
Despite being MLS newbies, San Diego are rocking and rolling in their debut season. With one assist from his two appearances, it’s a party Lozano will want to join on the pitch quickly.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was seen on TBS’s broadcast sitting in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the first half, rooting on the Vols, also showing emphatic excitement for a 3-pointer from Zakai Zeigler.
A win for the Vols would send Rick Barnes’ squad back to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season. Here’s what you need to know on why Manning is at the Tennessee-Kentucky Sweet 16 game on Friday:
Why is Peyton Manning at Tennessee-Kentucky Sweet 16 game?
Though Manning appears to be a college basketball fan, he’s taking in Friday’s Midwest Region Sweet 16 game as a fan of Tennessee, his alma mater.
He has been a presence at other Tennessee sporting events over the last year, including Tennessee baseball’s run to the College World Series in past June, when the Vols clinched the national championship.
It’s also a return to one of his old NFL stomping grounds, as the game is being held at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, for whom he played 13 of his 17 NFL seasons.
Manning attended Tennessee to play college football — a decision by the now Pro Football Hall of Famer that broke off from his family history of playing at Ole Miss. His dad, Archie, and younger brother, Eli, both played college football for the Rebels, an SEC foe for the Vols.
Over the course of his four-year career in Knoxville for the Vols, Manning quickly became one of the all-time greatest players in Tennessee history. Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Manning finished his career at Tennessee with a 39-6 record, 11,201 passing yards and 89 passing touchdowns.
The feud between Lakers forward LeBron James and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith heated up this week. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Time and Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images)
This month James angrily confronted Smith, who was sitting courtside at a Lakers game. Smith didn’t appear to respond but days later said on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast that he thought James’ confrontational move was “weak” and “some bulls—.”
Still can’t pick a side? Here’s how some NBA experts feel about the matter.
Charles Barkley: There are only losers in this scenario
During an appearance Friday on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Barkley was asked who had a better week, Smith or James? The Hall of Fame player and TNT analyst said he likes both men but “they both had an awful week.”
“I’ve always liked LeBron but him being a bully, it turned me off, Dan,” Barkley said. “But I will say this: Stephen A., the way he reacted was so lame and weak. And Stephen A. is a good dude, man. LeBron, like I say, I blame him for starting the bullying, going on Pat’s show just bullying people. ‘Cause you know LeBron, he’s a control freak. He knows everything he’s doing. He knew when he walked up to Stephen A. what he was doing.
“But the way Stephen A. reacted — going on Gilbert’s podcast, talking tough. Come on, man, you’re better than that. So there’s only losers, Dan, in this scenario. You got the biggest star in the game, you probably got the biggest star on television and they both look bad in my opinion. And what bothers me the most — they’re both good dudes.”
Matt Barnes: Stephen A. crossed the line
The co-host of the “All the Smoke” podcast posted a video Thursday on Instagram in which he stated that he’s taking James’ side.
“He’s been getting scrutinized the whole time [he’s been in the NBA] and he finally came out and was just unfiltered,” said Barnes, a former ESPN analyst who had two stints with the Clippers and one with the Lakers during his 14-year NBA career. “An unfiltered, no-holds-barred with Pat Mac, which was dope. Like, I played against Bron for a long time and I don’t know that side of him. So as a fan, as someone who played against him, I want to know the funny side, the talk s— side of Bron. After 22 years of someone who’s always just [taken] the high road, he was tired of it and let off a clip.
“Obviously Stephen A. is the person who caught it, but it was really at all of the media. … Like, I think you guys forget sometimes that this man is human.”
Barnes added, addressing Smith: “You my dog, but I think you crossed the line.”
And to James, Barnes said: “Keep talking your s—. We didn’t get to see this side of Kobe [Bryant] until later. People want to know what it’s really like, and you gave them a glimpse today, man.”
Adam Silver: I particularly feel protective of our players
The NBA commissioner was asked about the situation while speaking to reporters following a two-day Board of Governors meeting in New York. Silver didn’t mention James or Smith by name and didn’t take sides but did acknowledge “I particularly feel protective of our players.”
“There’s seemingly as much social media interest in this league at times than all the other leagues combined,” Silver said. “So it’s a two-edged sword. Sometimes, it’s measured in column inches, and it’s wonderful to see so much interest in our sport. At the other time, I cringe at a lot of the coverage.
“I would just say in terms of [the] back-and-forth, again I haven’t had an opportunity to watch or read precisely what went on today, but, of course, would like the focus to be on the play on the floor. And I particularly feel protective of our players, of course, but I recognize that there’s a cottage industry out there of media that we are often the beneficiary of that talk about our sport around the clock. But I sure wish it would never become personal.”
Paul George: Both parties aren’t wrong
The 15-year NBA veteran and current member of the Philadelphia 76ers told USA Today he thinks neither side is necessarily wrong but they both could have handled the situation better.
“I think obviously LeBron, stepping in as a father —you know, as a parent, you got a sensitive side to that, him standing up for his son and coming to his defense. But I think at the same time where Stephen A.’s coming from, and I’ve heard his side of the story of not actually attacking Bronny, but more so attacking the words and what Bron has said — you know, the hype that he’s put on his son — I think more so attacking that. And, say what you want, sports is very much involved with being critiqued and it’s the field that you put yourself into. No one is above it. You step into the ring, you gotta take what comes with it.
“So I think both parties aren’t wrong. As two Black men, I think they could’ve handled that better. But, you know, I’m all for both sides getting off what they need to get off their minds.”
Gilbert Arenas: LeBron has a point, but …
Weeks after Smith appeared on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast to discuss the courtside incident, Arenas and his co-hosts talked about the continuing drama on Thursday’s episode. Arenas, who played 11 years in the NBA, said he understands James’ point of view but thinks a conversation between the two men is overdue.
“You gotta figure the man’s got his son involved. Everybody’s passionate about their family. They gonna stand up for their family,” Arenas said. “But if I’m looking at Bron, bro, I would’ve just went and hollered at him, you know what I’m saying, on the political side. ‘Cause look how he did it. Bron went on the McAfee show, bro. If you want to make this about it being in the media, go and have a debate with him. Let’s talk about this. Let’s sit down and talk about this, man.”
PHOENIX — Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday as the team continues its push to secure its young standouts on long-term contracts.
Pfaadt’s deal begins in 2026 and includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option in 2032.
The 26-year-old Pfaadt was one of the team’s most consistent pitchers last season, finishing with an 11-10 record and a 4.71 ERA while setting career highs in wins, starts (32), innings pitched (181 2/3) and strikeouts (185).
Pfaadt also gave the team an unexpected boost during its postseason run to the World Series in 2023, going 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA over five starts.
He’ll make $799,400 this year before the new contract kicks in next season.
Pfaadt’s deal is the latest example of the D-backs signing young players to long-term extensions, joining shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (four years, $45 million) and reliever Justin Martinez (five years, $18 million).
Pfaadt was a fifth-round pick out of Bellarmine in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Rays opened their season on one of the most positive notes possible, but the overarching reality of their situation remained as clear as the unobstructed sun in the sky.
One of two MLB teams forced to play this season and beyond in a minor league stadium notched an Opening Day win with a walk-off homer from rookie Kameron Misner, defeating the Colorado Rockies 3-2. Per OptaStats, Misner is the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run on Opening Day for his first career homer.
The game saw the Rays enter the seventh inning down 2-0, but they tied the game with a rally featuring a double from emerging star Junior Caminero and RBIs from Jonathan Aranda and José Caballero. Misner’s dinger came at the expense of Rockies reliever Victor Vodnik.
All of that was played at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training stadium and home of their Single-A affiliate Tampa Tarpons. The Rays are set to play the entire season there after their longtime home of Tropicana Field was shredded by Hurricane Milton in the offseason.
Rays games are going to be unusual this season. So are A’s games. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The whole situation has become an embarrassment for MLB, which has seen two separate disputes over a stadium result in teams deciding to play 2025 at a stadium usually used by minor league teams. The other is the Athletics, who at least have a plan to move from Sacramento to Las Vegas once construction on their new stadium is done (which will still take years from now).
The A’s are scheduled to begin their tenure at Sutter Health Park — the home of the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants — against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
The pressure has been on Rays owner Stuart Sternberg in particular, which was audible Friday when fans started chanting “sell the team.”
“Sell the team” chants already on opening day. This is going to be a long season for the Rays pic.twitter.com/KgWIOlwj9T
It’s at least worth noting that Steinbrenner Field overall appeared to be a pleasant atmosphere, if not limited by its capacity of 11,026. Tropicana Field was considered one of the worst stadiums in MLB and the brighter, more intimate feel of a minor league stadium is a positive.
Especially when fans have a walk-off win to celebrate.
The Tampa Bay Rays opened their season on one of the most positive notes possible, but the overarching reality of their situation remained as clear as the unobstructed sun in the sky.
One of two MLB teams forced to play this season and beyond in a minor league stadium notched an Opening Day win with a walk-off homer from rookie Kameron Misner, defeating the Colorado Rockies 3-2. Per OptaStats, Misner is the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run on Opening Day for his first career homer.
The game saw the Rays enter the seventh inning down 2-0, but they tied the game with a rally featuring a double from emerging star Junior Caminero and RBIs from Jonathan Aranda and José Caballero. Misner’s dinger came at the expense of Rockies reliever Victor Vodnik.
All of that was played at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training stadium and home of their Single-A affiliate Tampa Tarpons. The Rays are set to play the entire season there after their longtime home of Tropicana Field was shredded by Hurricane Milton in the offseason.
Rays games are going to be unusual this season. So are A’s games. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The whole situation has become an embarrassment for MLB, which has seen two separate disputes over a stadium result in teams deciding to play 2025 at a stadium usually used by minor league teams. The other is the Athletics, who at least have a plan to move from Sacramento to Las Vegas once construction on their new stadium is done (which will still take years from now).
The A’s are scheduled to begin their tenure at Sutter Health Park — the home of the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants — against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
The pressure has been on Rays owner Stuart Sternberg in particular, which was audible Friday when fans started chanting “sell the team.”
“Sell the team” chants already on opening day. This is going to be a long season for the Rays pic.twitter.com/KgWIOlwj9T
It’s at least worth noting that Steinbrenner Field overall appeared to be a pleasant atmosphere, if not limited by its capacity of 11,026. Tropicana Field was considered one of the worst stadiums in MLB and the brighter, more intimate feel of a minor league stadium is a positive.
Especially when fans have a walk-off win to celebrate.
Fan favorite LaMelo Ball is out for the remainder of the season so he can have procedures to clean up nagging issues with his ankles and wrist, the team announced Friday.
OFFICIAL: LaMelo Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery to address a right ankle impingement. He will also have a minor procedure on his right wrist. Ball is listed as out for tonight’s game vs TOR and will miss the remainder of the season.
Ball had played through pain in recent weeks, according to reports, but with the Hornets more focused on the lottery than winning games, the smart play is to shut their leading scorer down. Charlotte currently has the third-worst record in the league (18-54), and the three worst teams each have a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick, however for the team with the fourth-worst record that falls to 12.5% (and the risk of falling further down in the lottery increases, too).
Ball averaged 25.2 points and 7.4 assists a game this season for the Hornets. He was the leading fan vote getter among Eastern Conference players, although he did not make the All-Star team (he was not a starter due to the player and media votes, then the coaches did not select him as a reserve).
Ball, 23, is part of a young core in Charlotte with Brandon Miller (22), Mark Edwards (23, although he is in trade rumors) and possibly even Miles Bridges (older at 26). That core, however, isn’t winning many games right now, and this team still needs a true No. 1 option to build around.
There has been some talk about the Hornets trying to trade Ball this summer, but his market would be limited. Part of that is his max contract, Ball has four years and $168.6 million remaining on his extension that kicked in this year. The other part of that is he is seen in league circles as more of a floor raiser than a guy who is the point guard of a contender. That is due to Ball’s defensive struggles, plus the perception that his stats are more “empty calories” than those leading a team to wins.
Ball should be healthy and ready for summer training, then when training camp opens in the fall. Who will be with Ball in Charlotte next fall is the big question.
“I should be able to start throwing on my feet on Monday,” the pitcher said from the clubhouse in Houston ahead of Friday’s game.
Blackburn added that the news he’s received about his knee so far has been good and “everything has progressed really well.” Of course, the 31-year-old said it is “frustrating,” but he’s glad the issue isn’t worse.
“It could have been structural damage, it could have been a lot of other stuff instead of, we just have to drain this and kind of wait a week and then we’re able to just kind of pick up where we left off,” he said.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Blackburn’s knee had already responded “really well” to the injection he received on Monday to deal with inflammation. Stearns announced that the veteran right-hander would start the season on the 15-day IL on Wednesday, and that he would be shut down from throwing for 7-10 days.
“Right now it’s just kind of waiting those seven days to just rotate on it again,” Blackburn said Friday.
Blackburn said the injury first presented itself after his final outing of the spring on March 22. He woke up the following morning and the knee was sore but “nothing crazy.” It wasn’t until the morning of Monday, March 24, when there was a “sack of fluid in there” that had to be drained. A gel was then injected.
The veteran wasn’t sure what caused the injury, but revealed an MRI showed “a little bit of cartilage that just seemed a bit pissed off.”
Stearns was upbeat about the situation, and expected Blackburn to return at some point in April. He’ll presumably slide into the bullpen, after Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill beat him out for the final two spots in the starting rotation this spring.
It has been a rough start to Blackburn’s tenure with the Mets on the injury front since he arrived in Queens at last season’s trade deadline. A line drive off his right arm sent him to the IL in August before a back injury led to a spinal procedure that ended his season.
“I feel for him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said on Friday. “He’s been through some freaky injuries, some scary ones. Especially the one that he was dealing with the back and the fluid and all that, pretty scary.
“And then he worked so hard in the offseason. He’s having a really good camp and feeling good and then for this to pop up his last start in spring training. He’ll get through it.”
When asked about his auspicious time with the Mets, Blackburn just shook his head and, with a wry smile, said, “I don’t know. I really don’t know. Just part of it, I guess.”
