Amory’s Janiya Cockerham and Saltillo’s Levin Darsey have been voted Daily Journal Athletes of the Week for April 20-25.
Cockerham, a freshman on the softball team, went 4 for 6 with two home runs in a two-game playoff sweep of Ripley. In the pitcher’s circle, she allowed one earned run on five hits with 14 strikeouts and five walks over 10 innings. Cockerham received 48% of the vote in the Female Athlete of the Week Twitter poll, beating out Emma Kate Beckham of Wheeler and Layla Owens of Itawamba AHS.
Darsey, a senior on the baseball team, went 7 for 8 with a double, a home run, seven RBIs and four runs scored in a two-game playoff sweep of Greenville. He earned 43.7% of the vote in the Male Athlete of the Week poll. The other nominees were Nettleton’s Ace Carroll and New Site’s Jayden Greene.
Itawamba and Northeast’s roads might be different, but they still lead south.
Both schools’ softball teams will soon turn their attention to the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.
Itawamba got there with its arms.
The Indians boast the third best team ERA (2.52) in the MACCC. The effort is led by former Mantachie standout Ramsey Montgomery and former Pine Grove standout Lizzie Meeks. Montgomery was second in the conference in ERA (1.95) and first in strikeouts (194). Meeks was fifth (2.32 ERA) and fourth (119) in those respective marks.
“I don’t think we can put into words what they not only mean for our team, but for our program,” ICC coach Carson Owens said. “I think we’ve taken a big step forward this year as far as our program goes.”
Northeast got there with its bats.
The Tigers boasted the third highest on-base percentage (.454) and the second-best slugging percentage (.625) in the conference. Kendall Bragg was second in the conference with a .463 batting average. Sophie Gant’s 60 RBIs were good for fifth.
“This has been a year that we have relied on our offense, and our offense has come from behind in a lot of games,” Tigers coach Jody Long said. “And our offense is definitely the biggest contributor to our success this year.”
Games will be played at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville and Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson. Pearl River and Co-Lin will each host separate double-elimination pods, with the winner of each playing for the region championship.
Both the Tribe and Tigers are in the Pearl River pod. Itawamba’s tournament journey starts on Sunday when it faces Jones at 5 p.m. Northeast will take on Meridian on Saturday at 4 p.m.
“If we can execute and be sound and solid defensively,” Owens said, “I think we have a really good chance to go really far.”
“We’re going to have to really play well. I think they’ll play well,” Long said of Meridian. “And whoever can throw that last punch on Saturday will come out on top.”
OXFORD – A lot has changed since the last time Ole Miss men’s golf won an SEC championship.
First off, there were only 10 teams in the SEC back in 1984. Billy Brewer was the Rebels’ head football coach. And current head coach Chris Malloy, the 2025 Golfweek Coach of the Year, was 6 years old and living in Virginia.
You could say last Sunday was a long time coming in Oxford.
“I saw something yesterday or the day before that put it in perspective. Ronald Reagan was president (and) ‘Ghostbusters’ was the movie coming out,” Malloy said.
Coming off a program-best third-place finish at the NCAA Championships in 2025, expectations for the Rebels were sky high in the preseason, particularly with the anticipated return of NCAA individual champion Michael La Sasso. La Sasso participated in three fall events for Ole Miss before joining LIV Golf in late January, less than a month before the team’s first spring season tournament at the Watersound Invitational. Add in an ice storm that devastated Oxford, and it was a perfect mix of everything going wrong at once.
But here came Ole Miss, overcoming its circumstances to power through the regular season and take down No. 1 Auburn in the SEC Championship semifinals and No. 3 Florida in the finals to claim the program’s first conference title in more than four decades.
The Rebels’ lineup of senior Tom Fischer, senior Cameron Tankersley, senior Cohen Trolio, junior Collins Trolio and freshman Daniel Tolf defeated the Gators 4-1 in match play. Fischer, Tankersley and Collins Trolio each won their matches, while Cohen Trolio and Tolf’s matches ended in ties.
The 11th-ranked Rebels learn their postseason fate May 6 at the NCAA selection show.
“They rallied around each other. They had that confidence. … I didn’t have to tell them a whole lot. We were thrown a couple of haymakers,” Malloy said. “ … That’s how our semester started. And to go from that moment – which, a couple of pretty low moments – I didn’t have to say a whole lot to the guys. They knew the task in front of them. They knew what it looked like.”
There may not have been a singular moment when Malloy, who took over as Ole Miss’ head coach in 2014 after serving as the head coach at USF and as an assistant at Florida State, realized his current group was one that would make history. But there were certainly signs.
Ole Miss blew a large lead in the Mossy Oak Collegiate in mid-April but was able to rally on the back nine and finish as co-champion. That was “a turning point” Malloy said, as it showed a “bit of a different team, a little bit of a different confidence.” There was also something different in the air the very next week when the Rebels arrived at the Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia for the conference championships.
“I know people aren’t going to believe me, but when we showed up over in Sea Island, we got there on Monday, the practice round was Tuesday, and walking off that practice round – I told only a couple of people – but I said it was going to be a special week,” Malloy said. “Those that know me, I don’t say that a whole lot. … Just felt like a team of destiny.”
For Malloy, Sunday was far more than a culmination of 12 years of hard work as the Rebels’ head coach. Malloy played collegiately at Ole Miss in 1999 and 2000 and has led the Rebels to nine straight NCAA regionals. Rebels head football coach Pete Golding is one of Malloy’s best friends – Golding was texting Malloy throughout the final against Florida to a point where Malloy had to tell him to stop – and Malloy is caddying for Golding at The Drummond Co. Celebrity Pro-Am in Birmingham, Alabama.
Malloy is an Ole Miss Rebel at heart. That’s precisely why the newest trophy in the golf offices means so much to him.
“I love Ole Miss. I love it with all my heart. That’s what makes this even more special,” Malloy said. “ … I love Ole Miss. I love Ole Miss golf certainly, and there’s nobody that (head coach) Kory (Henkes) has rooting harder for her than me. … Jamie (Trachsel) at softball (I’m) rooting harder, baseball. I mean, all of them. I’m Ole Miss through and through and always will be.
“ … At University of South Florida, I’ve won (a) conference championship. At Florida State, I was an assistant (for) one. Those were all special. This is just a little bit more special. It’s your alma mater, and I love it with everything.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be at an impasse with Aaron Rodgers after the decision was made to place an unrestricted free agency tender on the 42-year-old quarterback, but team president Art Rooney II just provided a key update.
Making a guest appearance on The Insiders from NFL Network, Rooney claimed that, although he believed the situation would’ve been resolved by now, there should be an end to Rodgers’ waiting game in the “next few weeks.”
“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said. “He’s been keeping us up-to-date on his plans. Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
“Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
Steelers president Art Rooney II discussed Aaron Rodgers’ decision, draft week in Pittsburgh and more on The Insiders @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/KyHuS5Vk2V
Veteran track builder and flat track supporter Dennis Pearson has passed away at the age of 71.
Pearson learned under renowned track builder Harold Murrell as a teenager before making his own contributions. Pearson built tracks for a number of racing disciplines, including flat track, Supercross, and NASCAR Sprint car events. Pearson later worked for Progressive AFT, where he was known as “Dr. Dirt” for his work preparing racing surfaces.
A celebration of life has been tentatively scheduled for May 30, in Oakdale, California, with another memorial planned for the summer in his native state of Michigan.
Begin Press Release:
AMA Pro Racing Mourns the Loss of Former Track Builder Dennis Pearson
Dennis Pearson and Sherry Murrell accepting Harold Murrell’s Hall of Fame plaque. [Photo: Provided by Cheryl Pearson]
AMA Pro Racing is saddened to learn of the passing of longtime track builder and flat track supporter Dennis Pearson.
Born September 10, 1954, in Indian River, Michigan, Pearson was part of a family deeply rooted in racing. His brothers Scott, Paul, and Gordon were all involved in competition, continuing a family tradition that spanned generations.
After moving to California as a teenager, Pearson began working under renowned track builder Harold Murrell, at the age of 17, learning the craft of building and preparing race surfaces. Over the course of his career, he contributed to a wide range of racing disciplines, including flat track, Supercross, and NASCAR Sprint car events, helping construct and maintain tracks such as the San Jose Mile.
Pearson later worked within the Progressive AFT paddock for several seasons, where he earned a reputation for his dedication to the sport and its competitors. Known affectionately as “Dr. Dirt,” he took great pride in delivering well-prepared, consistent racing surfaces, always with the riders’ best interests in mind.
He was deeply passionate about flat track and the community surrounding it, treating riders and teams like family while bringing care and craftsmanship to every track he touched.
Pearson is survived by his children, Denise and Kyle, and grandson Wyatt, along with their mother, Cheryl, his brothers Gordon, John, Paul, and Scott, his sisters Mary Lou, Paula, Susan, and Stacy, and his extended family.
Plans for celebrations of life are being finalized, with a tentative gathering scheduled for May 30th in Oakdale, California, and a second memorial planned later this summer in Michigan.
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Los Angeles FC looks to claim a home edge when it hosts Toluca in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup blockbuster on Wednesday.
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Both LAFC and Toluca are looking to end their recent form ruts when the pair face off in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final four on Wednesday. The two semi-finalists meet at BMO Stadium in what promises to be an explosive affair between the two top-ranked teams in North America.
LAFC has already evaded one Mexican powerhouse to reach this stage after sending Cruz Azul out of the competition following a 4-1 aggregate win in the quarters. Likewise, the Red Devils are targeting another West Coast victim after destroying the LA Galaxy 7-2 over two legs in the last round of the tournament.
Toluca striker Paulinho scored five times across the two legs, facing another MLS mainstay, and is looking to advance his quest for the Golden Boot (six goals). LAFC’s Denis Bouanga is only one behind on five thus far in the competition, having scored a 97th-minute penalty in the second leg against Cruz Azul to salvage a 1-1 draw on the night, while David Martinez has also impressed with four finishes of his own.
Both teams come into this collision on the back of wins, having recently ended their respective winless droughts on the domestic front. However, the pressure is on LAFC in particular to steal the upper hand on home soil ahead of what promises to be a pressure cooker of a return leg at the Estadio Nemesio Diez next week.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Carlos Prates of Brazil reacts against Leon Edwards of England during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“The Nightmare” wants gold.
No. 5-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight Carlos Prates meets former champion Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC Perth main event this weekend (Sat., May 2, 2026) inside RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For Prates, it’s simple: win, and he believes a title shot is next.
“He’s a really good striker, a dangerous guy and a good boxer,” Prates said during UFC Perth media day. “He’s a former champ — all respect to him, but I think it’s my time. He already knows how it is to hold the belt — he lost, so now it’s going to be my time…Of course, this makes me next for the title. Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry are fighting in August, and I’ll get the winner.”
With a crowded Welterweight title picture, nothing is guaranteed — but Prates believes his resume separates him from the pack.
“After I beat two former champions in a row and no one else did that, I’m going to be next,” he added.
Prates is coming off a statement-making knockout of Leon Edwards at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first person to ever stop the British fighter (watch highlights). If he can do the same to Della Maddalena — something even Makhachev couldn’t accomplish — his case only gets stronger.
And don’t expect him to leave it in the judges’ hands.
To checkout the latest and greatest UFC Perth: “Della Maddalena vs. Prates” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
The Penguins are heading back to Philadelphia for a do-or-die Game 6 against the Flyers.
After dropping the first three games of the series, the Penguins have rattled off two straight wins to avoid elimination. Pittsburgh is looking to become the fifth team in NHL history to pull off a reverse sweep and first squad to complete a 3-0 comeback since the 2013-14 Kings.
A victory on Wednesday night would send the series back to Pittsburgh for a winner-take-all Game 7. Can the Pens keep their Stanley Cup dream alive?
Follow along right here for live updates and highlights from Game 6 between the Penguins and Flyers.
Penguins vs. Flyers score
Click here for the complete box score from Game 6.
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Penguins vs. Flyers live updates, highlights from Game 6
(All times Eastern)
8:54 p.m.: Halfway through and the game is still 0-0.
Shots are 17-14 Pittsburgh.
8:51 p.m.: Christian Dvorak gets the puck shorthanded and goes around the goal, then goes far-post but it’s saved by Silovs.
Then, on the other end, Egor Chinakhov rattles one off the post and the puck stays out.
8:49 p.m.: The Penguins are heading back to the power play, with Luke Glendening getting called for slashing.
With 14:26 remaining in the middle frame, Pittsburgh will have its second man advantage.
8:47 p.m.: After a Flyers icing, there’s a stoppage in play and Dan Muse is justifiably upset.
The Flyers skaters were tired, and now they got some rest.
8:41 p.m.: Philadelphia almost broke the tie, but the puck can’t get into the net even with all the chaos in front of Silovs.
8:38 p.m.: The second period is off in Philadelphia.
It’s a scoreless affair so fair.
End of the first period: Penguins 0, Flyers 0
8:20 p.m.: It’s scoreless at the end of one.
While both teams had their chances, Vladar and Silovs made the saves necessary. Pittsburgh holds the shot advantage 12-11, and both teams are 0-for-1 on the power play.
8:14 p.m.: Pittsburgh is back to full strength after limiting Philadelphia to just one shot on the power play.
The Penguins also had a shorthanded opportunity, with Dewar getting right in front of Vladar but can’t get the puck past the Flyers goaltender.
8:09 p.m.: Now, Philadelphia will get its first opportunity on the man advantage. Noel Acciari is heading to the box for a slashing penalty.
8:08 p.m.: The Flyers kill off the power play, and Pittsburgh is now 3-for-18 on the man advantage in the series.
Moments later, Drysdale misses the net after getting out of the box.
8:04 p.m.: The Penguins are the first team to head to the power play tonight.
The penalty is on Jamie Drysdale, who goes to the box for interference. It’s a big opportunity for the Penguins to strike first.
8:01 p.m.: With 8:42 left in the first, it’s still scoreless in Philadelphia.
Both teams have had chances, but the goaltenders have passed the test so far.
7:53 p.m.: Ever since the opening minutes, the Flyers have had the better chances. Tyson Foerster had a chance right in front of Silovs, but the goaltender used his stick to make sure he didn’t get an opportunity.
7:50 p.m.: Pittsburgh has been the better team early on, but Owen Tippett gets the first Grade-A opportunity, going backhand-to-forehand and forcing a save by Silovs.
7:00 p.m.: There’s not many better in elimination gmes than Sidney Crosby, who can pass Mario Lemieux for second all-time in franchise history points in elimination games with a point tonight.
Penguins vs. Flyers will air locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Game 6 will also be available to stream on SNP 360 and fubo.
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Penguins vs. Flyers Game 6 start time
Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Penguins vs. Flyers is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 29. Game 6 will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Penguins vs. Flyers schedule: Philadelphia leads 3-2
Athletics pitcher Luis Severino gets the start against the Kansas City Royals tonight in West Sacramento. | Scott Marshall-Imagn Images
The A’s let one slip through their fingers last night against the Royals, but the good news is the two teams are back at it tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The lack of clutch hitting was the key last night, so let’s hope the guys in Kelly Green & Gold can mash when it counts in today’s matchup.
Luis Severino gets the start for the Athletics today. Severino, the 32-year-old righty out of the Dominican Republic is 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA in six starts in 2026. He’s struck out 32 in 31.1 innings so far. Severino has a career 5-1record with a 3.67 ERA against the Royals with 32 K’s across 41.2 innings. He’ll go up against 34-year-old righty Michael Wacha for the Royals. Wacha is 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA this year over five starts. Over the course of his career, he has started three games against the Athletics and gone 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA and twelve strikeouts.
