National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Arkansas pitcher Autumn Storms throws a pitch against Arkansas-Pine Bluff during an NCAA softball game on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas did something rare during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons: It watched its baseball and softball teams both reach the NCAA tournament. The similarities end there.(AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)

Title IX: Some violations tough to prove in college sports

Title IX athletics violations aren't as simple as comparing similar teams and seeing how much money is spent on both. Recent Title IX lawsuits and federal complaints have focused on universities that … more

By ERICA HUNZINGER | 6/21/22

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kuemper pulled after allowing 5 goals in Avs' 6-2 loss

Colorado not only failed to take a stranglehold in the Stanley Cup Final after a 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 3 but also wound up with goaltending questions. Darcy Kuemper, after rarely being tested … more

By MARK DIDTLER | 6/21/22

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, June 20, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Burnes, Brewers blank Cards 2-0, move alone atop NL Central

Corbin Burnes pitched seven dominant innings, Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run homer and the Milwaukee Brewers regained sole possession of first place in the NL Central with a 2-0 victory over the St. … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 6/21/22

New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 20, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Cole no-hit bid into 8th, Yanks beat Rays 4-2 for 50th win

Gerrit Cole took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks hit a tiebreaking triple in the ninth as Manuel Margot slammed into the right-field wall and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay … more

By DICK SCANLON | 6/20/22

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz, left, scores ahead of the throw to Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras on a sacrifice fly by Hoy Park during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, June 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Newly promoted Cruz, Madris spark Pirates, rout Cubs 12-1

Newly promoted Oneil Cruz drove in four runs and Bligh Madris got three hits in his major league debut, sparking the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 12-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs. Both rookies were called … more

By JOHN PERROTTO | 6/20/22

Yanks' Cole loses no-hit bid in 8th, Rays' Paredes singles

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole lost his no-hit bid in the eighth inning when Tampa Bay’s Isaac Paredes led off by grounding a clean single to center field. Paredes hit a slider that bounced off … more

6/20/22

FILE - Jeff Weltman, Orlando Magic NBA basketball team president of basketball operations, answers questions at a news conference, Thursday, April 12, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. Jeff Weltman and the Orlando Magic have the No. 1 pick in Thursday's, June 23, 2022, NBA draft. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Orlando still evaluating all options with No. 1 draft pick

College basketball season ended almost three months ago, the NBA draft lottery was more than a month ago and the draft itself is later this week. Seems like the process should be winding down. … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/20/22

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Caleb Kilian, center, hands the ball to manager David Ross during a pitching change in the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Monday, June 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Squirrel chase briefly interrupts Cubs-Pirates game at PNC

The game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates was delayed for a few minutes in the bottom of the second inning when a squirrel ran on to the field at PNC Park. The squirrel appeared to … more

6/20/22

San Diego Padres first base coach David Macias, right, looks to help Manny Machado after Machado was injured while trying to run out an infield hit to Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Denver. Machado, who was out on the play, had to be helped from the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

LEADING OFF: Padres optimistic Machado won't need IL stint

Manny Machado was out of the lineup a day after spraining his left ankle, but Padres acting manager Ryan Flaherty is optimistic the All-Star third baseman won’t need to go on the injured list. … more

By The Associated Press | 6/20/22

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado grabs his left ankle after being injured while trying to run out a ground ball hit to Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Denver. Machado, who was called out on the play, was helped off the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Machado out of Padres lineup, not on IL with sprained ankle

San Diego Padres All-Star slugger Manny Machado wasn’t in the lineup a day after spraining his left ankle and acting manager Ryan Flaherty was optimistic his former teammate won’t need to go on … more

By BERNIE WILSON | 6/20/22

A man lays on Market Street as confetti rains during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade in San Francisco, Monday, June 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Champion Warriors celebrate fourth title in eight seasons

From the moment all those months ago that Klay Thompson uttered “championship or bust,” the Golden State Warriors seemed set to make good on his lofty proclamation.It took Thompson getting … more

By JANIE McCAULEY | 6/20/22

Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, celebrates with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

On Golf: US Open a reminder of what really matters in golf

The U.S. Open began with Phil Mickelson speaking without saying hardly anything. It ended with Matt Fitzpatrick at a momentary loss for words in his proudest moment. More than anything, the U.S. Open … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/20/22

FILE - Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren brings the ball up against Georgia State during the second half of a first-round NCAA college basketball tournament game March 17, 2022, in Portland, Ore. Holmgren is one of the top forwards in the upcoming NBA draft. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File)

Smith, Holmgren, Banchero top list of forwards in NBA draft

Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Auburn's Jabari Smith and Duke's Paolo Banchero are set to make it a forward-heavy start to the NBA draft. The three top the list of players at the position and overall draft … more

By AARON BEARD | 6/20/22

Daniel Suarez (99) drives during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Column: Trackhouse in Nashville as NASCAR's hottest team

No team has come as far in one year as Trackhouse Racing, which comes out of NASCAR's lone off weekend riding high from Daniel Suarez's first career victory. The second-year team has three wins this … more

By JENNA FRYER | 6/20/22

Thomas Ceccon of Italy poses with his medal after winning the Men 100m Backstroke final setting a new world record at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, June 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Ceccon sets world record, Ledecky claims yet another title

Italy’s Thomas Ceccon has set a world record in the men’s 100 backstroke and Katie Ledecky has claimed yet another gold at the swimming world championships in Budapest. Ceccon stunned the … more

By CIARÁN FAHEY | 6/20/22

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, gestures to the crowd after finishing third in the Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 19, 2022. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Hamilton's raised Mercedes bounces champ to needed podium

Lewis Hamilton was energized by a respectable weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished third. It was just his second podium of the season. Mercedes raised its car to help alleviate some … more

By JENNA FRYER | 6/20/22

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, center, poses for a photo with former Storm teammates, New York Liberty forward Natasha Howard, left, and guard Sami Whitcomb during a presentation before a WNBA basketball game between the Liberty and the Storm, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Sue Bird starts farewell tour with emotional win in New York

Nearly an hour after playing her final regular-season game in New York, Sue Bird was still soaking in the moment. The WNBA’s all-time assist leader was on the court signing autographs and taking … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 6/20/22

Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, reacts after a putt on the 13th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Fitzpatrick's victory a win for golf at thrilling US Open

The unsettled future of golf was in the surest of hands over the final four tantalizing hours of the U.S. Open. The sport, almost always at its best when major titles are at stake, went on a wild … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 6/20/22

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado, center, is helped off the field after injuring his ankle while running out a ground ball hit to Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Denver. Machado was called out on the play. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

LEADING OFF: Padres check star 3B Machado's sprained ankle

The San Diego Padres will see how star third baseman Manny Machado is feeling, a day after he sprained his left ankle while taking a tumble running out a grounder. It’s uncertain how long Machado … more

By The Associated Press | 6/20/22

Tampa Bay Rays' Ji-Man Choi swings at a pitch during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. Choi walked on the at-bat. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Rays trying to stay afloat as injuries hurt offense

The Tampa Bay Rays came into the season with Wander Franco at shortstop, Brandon Lowe at second base and Mike Zunino behind the plate. With that kind of strength up the middle, a third straight AL … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 6/20/22