MLB season kicks off
Last Thursday marked MLB Opening Day 2024, and the New York Mets and New York Yankees find themselves in very different situations early on in the season. The Yankees delivered a sweep to the Houston Astros to start the season 4-0. Newly acquired star Juan Soto’s talent was on full display last weekend, putting up nine hits and a home run against the 2022 World Series champions. Soto also provided a game-saving throw to home plate on Opening Day and a base-hit with two outs in the ninth inning on Sunday to secure a Yankees win.
Unfortunately for the Mets, they found themselves on the losing end of a sweep over the weekend. They struggled offensively as well as from the mound in every game against the Milwaukee Brewers, with largely the only bright spot coming from “the kids” Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez, who contributed the most to the team’s offense. The Mets now sit at 0-4 while the Yankees are 6-1.
The season also comes with subtle new rule changes, including a widened base-running path between home plate and first base, new guidance on infielders blocking bases and a shortening of last year’s controversial pitch timer from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base.
NCAA Final Four
The penultimate stage in the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments is set. For the men, No. 11 NC State will take on No. 1 Purdue, while No. 4 Alabama will face No. 1 UConn. NC State fought hard to get to the Final Four, most recently triumphing over Duke University. Purdue proves to be a tough challenge for the Wolfpack, however, as 7-foot 4-inch Zach Edey stands in their way. Edey put up a monstrous 40 points and 16 rebounds in the Elite Eight vs. Tennessee.
The UConn Huskies have long been the favorites to repeat as champions. Dan Hurley’s squad delivered a crushing 25-point defeat to Illinois in the Elite Eight, but Alabama looks to foil this perfect run in their first ever final four appearance.
The women’s tournament will feature NC State taking on South Carolina and Iowa facing UConn. NC State’s win against Texas to advance was defined by Aziaha James’s seven three-pointers, although a discrepancy regarding the court’s three-point lines also made news headlines. The NCAA confirmed that one three-point line at the Moda Center in Portland was nearly a foot shorter than the other, affecting multiple games. The mistake was the result of a contractor who constructed the courts.
Iowa advanced after winning the long-anticipated rematch with LSU in the Elite Eight. The first half was dominated by LSU’s Angel Reese, who got off to a hot start before reaggravating an ankle injury in the second quarter, which she played through for the remainder of the game. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark got the last laugh, putting up 41 points and 12 assists while leading Iowa to victory. Clark looks to cap off her historic season with what would be her first NCAA title.
USMNT wins CONCACAF Nations League
The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) last Sunday were crowned champions of the CONCACAF Nations League, the largest international soccer tournament in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Thanks to goals from Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna, the U.S. edged out a 2-0 “Dos A Cero” victory over Mexico.
Many have dubbed the USMNT the “kings of CONCACAF,” as Mexico hasn’t beaten the U.S. men since 2019. The win gives the team momentum before hosting the Copa América tournament this summer.
Mulkey article refuels controversy
Monday’s loss against Iowa wasn’t the only news surrounding LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey. A recent Washington Post article offered a damning profile on the four-time NCAA Championship winning coach, rehashing long-existing controversies regarding Mulkey’s alleged mistreatment of gay players and abrasive personality. The Post also reached out to Mulkey’s estranged family members. Mulkey labeled the article “trash” and a “hit-piece.”
jlaforg2@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @Yankees, X
