65.5 F
Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Home Blog Page 142

Even Nurse wouldn’t let the Fever Break a victory

By
Jevone Moore
-

Indianapolis, In – Scraping, kicking, and scoring is all that the Indiana Fever knew to do to get that elusive victory this year. The New York Liberty made a house call with Kia Nurse who secured a win in OT 87-81.

The Fever never went away playing tough 48 minutes but just didn’t have an answer for the rookie Nurse who scored 34 points to lead both teams. This scoring barrage is the most points by a Liberty rookie.

“Kia Nurse had a heck of a ball game, said Liberty coach Katie Smith, “but again the defensive side of getting those stops, getting down there and getting a score.”

For the Fever their rookie Kelsey Mitchell dropped her career high with 26 points in defeat.

“We have to maintain a higher level of play at both ends of the floor for longer than 32 minutes,” said Fever coach Pokey Chatman, “We continue having lapses in play that seem to bury us.”

Being tied at end of regulation after coming back from 20 points down can at least be a moral victory.

Veteran Candice Dupree scored 16 points, and 8 rebounds playing 40 plus minutes in the game.

“We’ve shown that we can play defense, we just need to do it for 40 minutes now,” said Dupree, “We got down in the stance and took away whatever it was that they were trying to do.”

Once this team can stay hot a play both sides of the ball the win column will grow.

The Fever outscored the Liberty in the second half by 18 points, because of their grit and determination.

“Get tired of losing.  Everybody in here talking about how young we are and everything else,” said Mitchell, ” But just tired of losing.  So I think that was the difference in the first and second half.”

The Fever will have few days of home cooking and week at home to practice. They will host the Dallas Wings on Friday June 8.

Birmingham comes back to defeat El Camino Real and win Open Division title

By
Eric Ramos
-
Birmingham cheer during the LA City CIF Open Division Boys Baseball Finals at Dodgers Stadium on Saturday, June 2, 2018 in Los Angeles. Birmingham won 4-3. (Michael Yanow / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, Ca – The Birmingham high school baseball team turned to its pinch hitter Andrew Acosta one more time and once again, he came up clutch, and on the biggest stage.

With the Patriots down, 3-2, to El Camino Real in the bottom of the sixth inning, Acosta flared a two-run RBI single to left field. Birmingham would hold on to defeat El Camino Real, 4-3, and win the L.A. City Section Open Division title on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

“Earlier in the season El Co threw me inside and I hit the ball well so I figured that they were gonna feed me away this time,” Acosta said. “That’s what they did. I tried to drive the ball the other way and things worked out.”

The comeback victory gives Birmingham its second consecutive City Section championship.

Birmingham coach Matt Mowry said this was Acosta’s second or third time where he has driven in go-ahead runs in clutch situations this season.

“He did it in Vegas for a tournament for a walkoff win,” Mowry said. “He worked his butt of to get in that spot. We are so proud of that young man,”

After a Daniel Gonzalez doubles a Mike Brumleve single, Amauri Thomas laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Gonzalez scores from third and give El Camino Real a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

The Conquistadors  added a run in the third on Joey Klein’s RBI single up the middle and took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning on an overthrow to first base.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Daniel Gamboa walked and Albert Garcia singled to give Birmingham runners on the corners. Erik Rivas hit a two-out RBI single to get the patriots on the board.

Junior Jack Whisnant replaced El Camino Real starting pitcher Adam Christopher who threw five innings, allowing one run on four hits with five walks. Whisnant hit back-to-back batters before being pulled for Joey Klein.

A throwing error by Klein plates Daniel Velasquez and Birmingham cuts the lead, 3-2, with no outs, setting up Acostas’ go-ahead single.

“We talked to our kids and said hey, how much do you want it?” Mowry said. “They got together in the dugout and they were determined. To get down 3-0, and to be able to rally like that and come back is huge.”

Birmingham earned its sixth City title in school history.

Division I

Verdugo Hills 4 Carson 2 Final

Sparks tested but win 80-72 in 2018 home opener

By
Carlos Gonzalez
-
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) during a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Saprks and the Phoenix Mercury, on May 27, 2018, at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, CA (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

Los Angeles, CA- The Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury have a rivalry brewing, and although it’s not at the level as its rivalry with the Minnesota Lynx, the Mercury have posed a tough test for the Sparks over the years.

“You got Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi,” said Sparks guard Elana Beard. “Those are two of the top players in this league.”

The Sparks were battled and tested in its 2018 home opener but its defense down the stretch allowed them to earn an 80-72 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

Mercury was down by as many as 10 points after a Chelsea Gray free throw with 5:14 left in the third quarter. The Sparks let their guard down defensively, allowing Phoenix to run its offensive sets. The Mercury eliminated that deficit with an 11-1 run.

“We weren’t making them do different things on offense,” said Beard. “

The home team came out more focused on defense in the 4th quarter. It’s ball pressure forced several tipped balls for transition baskets.

“We upped our intensity,” said Beard. “As a team, we committed to getting in the passing lanes, pressuring the ball and just getting our hands on passes.”

Chelsea Gray was a force offensively the entire contest for the Sparks. Once Parker was on the floor, Gray had enough space to display her excellent one-on-one skills. Gray finished the game with 21 points and 9 assists.

Mercury’s length was a problem for the Sparks early on. LA trailed 9-3 before head coach Brian Agler inserted Parker into the game with 7 minutes to go in the 1st quarter.

“We just try to make things difficult for her,” said Parker. “It’s just about making her do what she doesn’t want to do and contesting every shot.”

The Sparks welcome the defending champs, Minnesota Lynx. Gray hit a shot at the buzzer to propel the Sparks 77-76 on the night the Lynx were awarded their rings.

UCLA advances to World Series

By
Phil Sidavong
-
2018 NCAA Super Regional Softball Game Two Arizona vs UCLA at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA- An early deficit didn’t mean much to the Bruins in Game 2 of the Super Regionals.

Following a two-run bomb from Arizona Wildcat Alyssa Palomino, No. 3 UCLA took its time to dissect the No. 14 seed.

Three-straight one-run innings for the Bruins beginning from the top of the second to the top of the fourth allowed the designated visiting team to take a 3-2 lead on Friday.

The No. 3 UCLA Bruins (56-5) would advance to their fourth-consecutive Women’s College World Series after sweeping the No. 14 Arizona Wildcats (43-15), 7-1 and 3-2.

The Bruins stranded 11 total runners in an eight-hit performance while the Wildcats stranded four in a four-hit outing.

”That’s just the name of the game,” UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “It’s easy to watch and say to make the adjustments, but sometimes we can run-rule (an opponent) and sometimes we win by one.”

Despite not being able to convert the runs, there were plenty of chances created especially behind centerfielder Bubba Nickles’ 3-for-3 night (one BB and RBI).

“I usually just try to feed off my team,” Nickles said. “I like to focus on what they’re doing and do what I need to.”

While the Bruins were able to advance, the Wildcats were knocked out of the tournament.

Arizona first baseman Alyssa Palomino’s two-run bomb in the first was simply negated by just two hits in the following six innings.

“We did a lot of good things,” Arizona head coach Mike Candrea said. “Have to give credit where it’s due, Rachel (pitched) great.”

To the chagrin of the Wildcats, Rachel Garcia tossed 10 strikeouts in the effort and she was aided by a tough defensive effort from her team.

“Every at-bat I’d turn around and try to make eye contact with at least one of my teammates,” Garcia said. “I know they have my back and I’ll have theirs.”

UCLA will face the winner of the No. 11 LSU/No. 6 FSU Super Regionals in the first match of a four-team double-elimination bracket.

The other teams in that bracket would be the winners of No. 2 Florida/No. 15 Texas A&M and No. 7 Georgia/No. 10 Tennessee.

”I’m proud of my Bruins and how they’ve set their minds to being able to be in this position and get back to the World Series,” Inouye-Perez said. “I credit the seniors… they set the standard high and they’re excited to (have the opportunity) to be able to finish.”

Trojans can’t overcome scoring barrage

By
Dmitri Hansen
-
NCAA Baseball 2018: USC vs UCLA at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA- An inning of baseball can swing the momentum of a game very quickly, and it can either devastate the opposing team, or motivate them to play better.

USC starting pitcher Quentin Longrie let the first inning get away from him as CSUN scored five runs on four hits.
The Matadors’ Albee Weiss started that scoring barrage by hitting a two run home run with one out.
After that, USC committed an error, walked a batter, then allowed three consecutive singles.
By then, the Matadors led 5-0 and everyone in the CSUN lineup had gotten an at-bat opportunity.
On the eve of each team’s 2018 season finale, that first inning eruption allowed the CSUN Matadors to dominate game two 9-3, and therefore win the series against the USC Trojans.
“I was pleased early on with the at-bats that the kids took. I felt like we got a little bit too much high air as the game went on,” USC skipper Dan Hubbs said. “It’s tough when you’re down by a little bit, the guys are trying to do too much rather than just be on base and see if we can poke a couple across.
USC kept the spark that was their comeback alive after the next two innings, by scoring one in the second and two in the third. By then, it was 5-3 and the damage that CSUN did in the first inning didn’t seem like a lot.

“They did a nice job chipping away and Isaac (Esqueda) did a good job keeping us in there,” USC skipper Dan Hubbs said. “We put ourselves in a position where if we get a single we tie the game and it changed the momentum.”

In the bottom of the fifth, a golden opportunity rose and the Trojans had the bases load with one out. The Trojans had finally got to Isaac Nunez, the pitcher that shut them down all game.
Enter, Jayson Newman.
Newman was thrown into the game at that point and got two crucial outs that ended the inning and stranded three Trojans.

“He’s been coming out of the ‘pen all year for us and has been phenomenal,” CSUN left fielder Albee Weiss said. “He’s got some great stuff and he comes out there with tenacity and relentless attack that nobody can really rival.”

The following inning after that shutdown, the Matadors put up four runs on Isaac Esqueda, the pitcher that CSUN couldn’t hit, and that was all she wrote for the Trojans.
“I thought we ran hard all night, that was the key today,” CSUN skipper Greg Moore said. “We ran hard from first to second, apply a little bit of pressure. We got out of the box aggressively, we moved pitch to pitch pretty well.”

Bruins jump on Arizona early, take game 1 of Los Angeles Super Regional

By
Carlos Gonzalez
-
2018 NCAA Super Regional Softball Arizona vs UCLA at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

Los Angeles,CA- Closed mouths don’t get fed.

The bats for UCLA’s softball team have been nothing but quiet this season. The Bruins hit 4 home runs Thursday night and defeated the Arizona Wildcats 7-1 in the Super Regional.

“This team is just hungry,” said senior Madeline Jelenicki. “This team I lose.”

Jelenicki lead the Bruins tonight with 2 home runs and 3 RBI’s. Senior Kylee Perez also hit a home run and scored the game first run in the 1st inning off a double for Aaliya Jordan.

UCLA scored in each of the first 3 innings and clobbered in 5 more runs in the 5th inning.

“Tonight I was most proud of my team. My team did a really good job of playing UCLA softball,” said head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “I thought we had a great approach and a great meter at the plate.”

Rachael Garcia was on the mound once again for the Bruins. She struck out 8 batters and didn’t allow a hit until the 4th inning. Garcia was coming off 500 pitch regional round and two complete games on Sunday.

“As a personal goal I try to be 1% percent better every game,” said Garcia.

Garcia did damage on the other side of the mound as well. Garcia hit a two run homer to start the 5th inning scoring parade for the Bruins. Garcia has homers in back-to-back games giving her 11 for the season.

Jelenicki slammed the door on the Wildcats with her second home run of the game to give UCLA its biggest lead of the game.

UCLA is looking for its 4th consecutive ticket to the Softball College World Series and even though the Bruins have had success against the Wildcats, Inouye-Perez isn’t looking past their close-out game tomorrow night.

“The scoreboard wipes clean, we have to get after it again.”

First pitch is scheduled at 6pm at Easton Field.

USC in extra innings drops game one

By
Eric Ramos
-
NCAA Baseball 2018: Washington vs USC at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)
USC at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rick Gurrola / fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA- With the game tied 1-1 in the 10th inning, CSUN’s Ben Martz drew a walk and rounded first base on his way to second base. Martz got into a rundown between bases with Joey Cooper on third base.

As Martz dove back to first, the throw bounced off his helmet and allowed Cooper to score, giving CSUN a 2-1 lead and ultimately the victory against USC in extra innings on Thursday at Dedeaux Field.

“Defensively, we played well up until that play,” USC coach Dan Hubbs said. “Offensively, we didn’t do a good job adjusting. Our guys weren’t patient and we didn’t put anything together.”

CSUN took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a leadoff double and a sacrifice fly. USC’s Stephon Dubb got on base with a leadoff walk and later scored on a grounder by Brandon Perez to make it a 1-1 game. USC loaded the bases in the third inning but couldn’t plate the go-ahead run.

USC starting pitcher Kyle Hurt did all he could to help the Trojans, allowing one hit and one run in seven innings of work. Hurt struck out two batters, walked four and retired 10 batters in a row at one point.

“He (Hurt) commanded three or four pitches in the zone,” Hubbs said. “He was able to throw his fastball and he had his changeup working. That’s two really strong starts for Kyle to finish the year. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

USC will look to bounce back on Friday when they host CSUN at 6 p.m. and will wrap up the season on Saturday at 2 p.m.

 

UCLA Softball wins two too advance

By
Carlos Gonzalez
-

Los Angeles, CA – Facing an uphill battle going into Championships Sunday at Regionals, UCLA Softball dropped Cal State Fullerton in back to back games to advance.

In the night cap which was the Bruins third elimination game in a row, Rachel Garcia three-run homerun slammed the door in the fifth inning 6-4 ballgame.

This performance by the No 3 Bruins this weekend will carry them to next week for the Super Regionals as they host foe No 14 Arizona.

With its back against the wall in game one, UCLA’ softball team stays alive in the Los Angeles Regional round with a 3-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton.

The Bruins were lead once again by Pitcher Rachael Garcia who threw a shutout. This time, UCLA was able to take the lead in the 4th inning and Garcia did the rest with the dominating out. Garcia struck out 6 batters and went 5 innings without conceding a hit.

UCLA’s Bubba Nickles continued her strong plate appearances against the Titans. Nickles crushed a double with two outs to bring in the games first 2-runs.

With a 3-0 lead in the 7th inning, the Titans were going to go down swinging. Fullerton was able to get a runner on base with one out. Garcia forced Fullerton into a double play to keep UCLA’s hopes alive.

Now 5 PAC-12 teams advance to the Super Regionals on the Road to the Final Four!

No 1 Oregon vs No 16 Kentucky

No 3 UCLA vs No 14 Arizona

No 8 ASU vs No 9 South Carolina

No 5 Washington vs No 12 Alabama

 

 

Dallas Wings Enjoy Energetic Home Opener

By
Ariawna Talton
-

Arlington, TX – In a Sunday afternoon home opener, the Dallas Wings did not disappoint an audience of lively fans. In fact, the Wings gave the home crowd every reason to anticipate a season full of great performances from a dynamic Dallas duo.

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Liz Cambage combined for 46 points, as the Wings defeated the Atlanta Dream 101 – 78.

After a rather competitive first quarter, the Wings began to apply serious pressure to the Atlanta Dream’s frontcourt. Center Liz Cambage scored 17 points in the first half alone and did an exceptional job securing several tough rebounds. While she only scored four points in the second half, the Wings enjoyed a comfortable lead of more than 20 points.

Wings’ fans appeared to be quite impressed by the newly acquired Cambage. Her footwork, her wingspan and her overall hustle solicited several jolts of energy from the crowd.

Forwards Kayla Thornton and Karima Christmas-Kelly provided great energy on defense for the Wings, in addition to their scoring of 13 and 15 points respectively. Christmas-Kelly led the team in rebounding, with a total of 10 boards. Her aggressive drives to the basket got her to the free-throw line more than any other player on the court. She made 11-14 from the foul line.

Kaela Davis’ contributions off the bench proved invaluable, as her tenacious defense frustrated the Dream. She also contributed 15 points in 28 minutes.

Five Wings players finished in double digits. Even rookie Azura’ Stevens showed flashes of what’s to come, including her long distance shot that put the Wings over 100 total points. Overall the Wings appear to have a very balanced plan of attack. Perhaps the season-opener in Phoenix, an 86-78 loss was just a way to shake off the dust.

With Diggins-Smith at the controls, Cambage holding down center and very capable role players spreading the floor – the Wings give the home crowd great hope for the young season.

In attendance to celebrate Sunday’s home opener were special guests – Dallas Cowboys running back Rod Smith, rap artist Dorrough and gospel artist Kirk Franklin.

Oregon State clears the bases for the win

By
Eric Ramos
-
EUGENE, OR - November 25: Benny The Beaver during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers in Eugene, OR. Oregon. Final Score Oregon 69 Oregon State 10. (Photo by Ben Ludeman / fi360 news).

Los Angeles, CA – Oregon State second baseman Nick Madrigal fouled pitch after pitch with a full count before he slapped a bases clearing triple to right field for a 7-1 lead in the sixth inning.

That was more than enough for starting pitcher Bryce Fehmel who threw eight solid innings to help No. 2 ranked Oregon State defeat the Trojans 8-1 on Saturday at Dedeaux Field.

In the second game of a three-game series, Fehmel allowed one run on five hits as he confused the Trojan with a variety of pitches.

USC falls to 24-25 overall and 11-12 in Pac-12 play while the Beavers improve to 42-8-1 overall and 18-7-1 in conference.

An RBI-single by Trevor Larnach and a sacrifice fly by Adley Rutschman gave Oregon State a 2-0 lead in the first inning. USC got a run back in the bottom of the first inning on Stephen Dubb’s RBI-single but that’s the only run the Trojans would manage on the day.

Oregon State third baseman Michael Gretler hit a shot over the left field fence for a 2-run home run and a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning.

USC starting pitcher Quentin Longrie lasted four innings before being replaced by freshman lefty John Beller who struck out six but gave up the big triple to Madrigal in the sixth.

The Trojans wrap up the series against Oregon State on Sunday at noon.

 

1...141142143...203Page 142 of 203

Recent Stories

Full Image 360

Full Image 360

Follow us on Instagram @fullimage360/

fi360 News
Contact us: editor@fi360news.com

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© @fi360News powered by Full Image 360