National Sports - The Morning Sun

Corey Conners tees off on the 18th hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament, Friday, March 31, 2023, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez )

Rodgers moves into 3-shot lead at Valero Texas Open

Patrick Rodgers took a step toward his first PGA Tour victory — and his first Masters appearance — on Friday, shooting a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead midway through the second round of … more

By TIM PRICE | 3/31/23

Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo practices for their Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Houston. Connecticut and Miami play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

UConn players navigate Ramadan fast during Final Four

For UConn players Adama Sanogo, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra a traditional pregame meal before Saturday night’s national semifinal against Miami won’t be possible. The three are Muslims who … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 3/31/23

Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks paces in front of his bench in the fourth quarter of a Sweet 16 college basketball game of the NCAA Tournament against Tennessee in Seattle, Saturday, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Caean Couto)

All female officials in women's Final Four for 1st time ever

The NCAA has an entirely female crew working the national semifinals and championship game at the women's Final Four this weekend. It’s the first time that’s ever happened according to the … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/31/23

San Diego State guard Adam Seiko, left, and guard Triston Broughton talk during practice for their Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Houston. San Diego State and Florida Atlantic play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

Looking for a Final Four edge? Think offensive efficiency

The saying goes that defense wins championships. But it's largely been top-tier offenses winning the NCAA championship in March Madness. This weekend's Final Four in Houston features two highly rated … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/31/23

FILE - Gianna Clemente drives from the fifth tee during the second round of the LPGA Tour Kroger Queen City Championship golf tournament in Cincinnati, Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The 15-year-old from Ohio has reached the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at the home of the Masters. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, FiIe)

Gianna Clemente making name for herself in return to Augusta

Gianna Clemente (cluh-MENT) is back at Augusta National. But it's under different circumstances. She was a 9-year-old finalist in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship in 2017. Six years later, she … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/31/23

Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley watches practice for their Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Houston. Connecticut and Miami play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

At Final Four, UConn in familiar territory as it faces Miami

All this buzz about how a wildly unpredictable March Madness led to a Final Four nobody could’ve possibly seen coming overlooked one small detail. That detail is UConn. When Connecticut tips off … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 3/31/23

Vancouver Canucks' Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

No Pride jersey for Canucks' Kuzmenko, cites family

Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is the sixth NHL player to decide not to wear an LGBTQ+ themed warm-up jersey when Vancouver holds its annual Pride night. Kuzmenko is from Russia. Vancouver coach Rick … more

3/31/23

Karen Khachanov, of Russia, returns a volley against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, in the first set of a match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 31, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Daniil Medvedev advances to Miami Open final

Daniil Medvedev has beaten fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Miami Open. It came on the day that Wimbledon announced Russians will be allowed back in the event … more

By MARK BERMAN | 3/31/23

San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher speaks during a news conference in preparation for the Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Houston. San Diego State will face Florida Atlantic on Saturday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Final Four: FAU, San Diego St ready for mid-major semifinal

Florida Atlantic and San Diego State are giving the Final Four a mid-major flavor. Their national semifinal marks the second time two mid-majors will meet in the Final Four since the NCAA Tournament … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 3/31/23

South Carolina's Aliyah Boston shoots during a practice session for an NCAA Women's Final Four semifinals basketball game Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Up next for unbeaten South Carolina is Clark and Iowa

South Carolina and Iowa will meet in one of the most highly anticipated Final Four matchups in women's basketball history. The undefeated Gamecocks are looking to become the 10th team to go through a … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/31/23

FILE - Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark answers a question during a news conference in New York on March 11, 2022. Minor leaguers ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball ahead of the season's start Friday, March 31, 2023. “It’s a historic day for these players,” union head Tony Clark said in a statement. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Minor league players ratify collective bargaining agreement

Minor leaguers ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball ahead of the season’s start. MLB owners are expected to vote on the agreement next week. The Major … more

3/31/23

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Logan Gillaspie, right, starts to deliver a pitch to Boston Red Sox's Connor Wong, as the pitch clock ticks to five seconds, during the eighth inning of an opening day baseball game at Fenway Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Oddsmakers skeptical of scoring spike from MLB's new rules

Here’s one baseball fans might not have bet on: at least one prominent oddsmaker thinks starting pitchers will go deeper into games this season. Eric Biggio, baseball lead trader for Caesars … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 3/31/23

Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May holds up the championship trophy after Florida Atlantic defeated Kansas State 79-86 in an Elite 8 college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament's East Region final, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Final Four: At Florida Atlantic, it's not 'F-A-Who?' anymore

Nobody will ever mistake Tobacco Road for 777 Glades Road, which is the address of one of history’s most unexpected Final Four party crashers. But there in the upscale retirement town of Boca … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 3/31/23

FILE - Tiger Woods hits his second shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Feb. 16, 2023, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Fans now flock to Woods wondering if it might be their last chance. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang, File)

MASTERS '23: Tiger draws big roars with a touch of nostalgia

One thing hasn't changed through the years. Tiger Woods is must-see golf. But it's different than it was 20 years ago when Woods was healthy, younger and at the peak of his game. Players who have … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/31/23

UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after cutting down the netting from the 82-54 win against Gonzaga of an Elite 8 college basketball game in the West Region final of the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

A look at each Final Four team, through advanced stats

The advanced stats can tell us a lot about the teams in this year's Final Four. San Diego State is great defensively and not at all great on offense. Miami is basically the opposite. UConn has looked … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 3/31/23

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning of an opening day baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, March 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Renfroe makes no-look catch in right, delighting Ohtani

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe made an amazing, no-look catch for the highlight reels on opening day. Playing his first game with the Angels, the right fielder could only grin ear to … more

By JANIE McCAULEY | 3/31/23

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws against the Oakland Athletics in the fifth inning of an opening day baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, March 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Shohei Ohtani strikes out 10 in Angels' opening loss to A's

Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 over six scoreless innings in his season debut coming off the World Baseball Classic title before Oakland capitalized once he exited with Aledmys Díaz rallying the … more

By JANIE McCAULEY | 3/31/23

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Tatum, Brown help Celtics demolish NBA-leading Bucks 140-99

Jayson Tatum scored 40 points, Jaylen Brown added 30 and the Boston Celtics steamrolled the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks 140-99. The Celtics shot 22 of 43 from 3-point range and moved within two games … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 3/30/23

Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) scores the winning goal as Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Michael Hutchinson (31) tries to defend in overtime of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Bruins wrap up Presidents' Trophy with win over Blue Jackets

David Pastrnak scored his 53rd goal of the season 41 seconds into overtime and the Boston Bruins wrapped up the Presidents’ Trophy with their franchise-record 58th victory, 2-1 over the Columbus … more

By KEN POWTAK | 3/30/23

Padraig Harrington, Ireland, tees off on the twelth hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez )

Veterans Harrington, Kuchar share early lead at Texas Open

Veterans Padraig Harrington and Matt Kuchar each shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to share the early lead with MJ Daffue and Roberto Diaz in the weather-delayed first round of the Valero Texas Open. … more

3/30/23