The first-ever Dominican Winter League Series is set to begin tonight at Citi Field, featuring two of the most successful teams in LIDOM history, Los Tigres del Licey and Las Aguilas Cibaenas. One of the highlights for Mets fans will be the presence of former Mets players on the rosters of both teams.
Las Aguilas Cibaenas has announced their official roster for the series, which includes former Mets players Juan Lagares, Jonathan Villar, and Daniel Palka. Lagares, known for his exceptional fielding skills, played for the Mets for eight seasons and is a Gold Glove winner. Villar had a productive season with the Mets in 2021, and Palka has spent the past two seasons in Triple-A for the Mets.
On the coaching staff, former Met Melky Cabrera and current Mets roving infield instructor Luis Rivera will be representing Las Aguilas Cibaenas.
Los Tigres del Licey have not yet released their official roster, but former Mets players Hansel Robles and Adonis Medina have played for the team this season. They also have Nabil Crismatt, a former Mets minor leaguer.
The series at Citi Field is expected to draw a warm reception from fans, despite the chilly weather. The game will be played more than 1,500 miles away from the Caribbean ballparks, with players donning hoodies and ski caps during batting practice. The first pitch of the series saw Aguilas Cibaenas claim a 3-0 victory in front of a crowd of less than 10,000.
Overall, the Titans of the Caribbean Series promises to be an exciting event for fans, offering the chance to see former Mets players showcase their skills on the field once again.
In a dominant performance, McKenna Hofschild led the Colorado State University women's basketball team to a resounding 69-49 victory against Le Moyne College. Hofschild wasted no time setting the tempo for the Rams, sinking a pull-up jumper just 45 seconds into the game. From that point on, she showcased her skills, finishing with 24 points, five assists, and one steal in 37 minutes on the court.
Cali Clark also played a crucial role for the Rams, demonstrating tenacity on both sides of the ball with her 12 rebounds and aggressive play. Clark's presence on the interior provided the toughness needed for success, according to Coach Ryun Williams. Meghan Boyd contributed to the Rams' offensive firepower with 15 points and four 3-pointers.
The Rams' defense held Le Moyne to just 19 of 65 shooting, showcasing their ability to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities. Although the Rams shot 25 of 60 from the field and nine of 30 from beyond the arc, Williams believes the team can improve its consistency.
Overall, Colorado State delivered an impressive performance, dominating the game from the beginning and never relinquishing their lead. With Hofschild leading the charge and players like Clark and Boyd stepping up, the Rams are poised for a successful season.
The Big Ten Conference has banned Jim Harbaugh, the coach of the University of Michigan's football team, from coaching the remaining regular-season games. This comes after allegations of a sign-stealing scheme that has rocked college football. Michigan is fighting back and has asked a judge to issue a temporary restraining order to allow Harbaugh to coach in their upcoming crucial game.
The controversy began when the university suspended analytics assistant Connor Stalions last week, who is allegedly at the center of the sign-stealing scheme. The investigation is ongoing, and the NCAA is involved.
Michigan football fans are divided about the ban, with some supporting the decision and others arguing that Harbaugh should be given a chance to prove himself innocent. The ban affects Michigan's chances of making it to the college football playoffs, as they will have to find an interim coach for the remaining games.
The court's decision on the temporary restraining order will determine whether Harbaugh can lead his team in their next game. Michigan's request for the order raises questions about the fairness of the ban and the impact on the team's performance.
The outcome of this case will have significant implications for college football, as it underscores the importance of fair play and the consequences of cheating in the sport.
In a college basketball matchup, the Washington Huskies dominated the Bellarmine Knights with a final score of 91-57. The Huskies' sophomore, Koren Johnson, had a career-high 25 points, leading his team to victory. Keion Brooks Jr. added 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half, helping the Huskies outscore the Knights 56-30. Nate Calmese also made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 13 points for Washington.
On the other side, Bellarmine's leading scorer, Garrett Tipton, was held scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting. Peter Suder, who led the Knights with seven points in the first half, suffered an ankle injury and did not return to the game.
The Huskies showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 62.1 percent from the field, including 10 of 20 from beyond the arc. They also displayed a solid defense, limiting Bellarmine to just 34.4 percent shooting and forcing 20 turnovers. Washington's dominance extended to the boards, where they had a 36-28 rebounding advantage.
Washington's victory is a promising start to their season, showcasing the potential of their talented roster, which includes both high school recruits and transfer players. Coach Mike Hopkins' decision to switch to a man-to-man defense proved effective in this matchup.
Overall, the Huskies' commanding performance raises the question of whether they will continue to dominate in their upcoming games.
James Madison University's women's basketball team started off their 2023-24 season with an impressive victory over Eastern Mennonite, winning 104-31. The Dukes, who are the reigning Sun Belt Conference champions, showed no signs of slowing down as they dominated their Division III opponent. Jamia Hazell led the way for JMU with 17 points and seven rebounds in just 18 minutes of play. Ksyusha Kozlova and Jeriyah Osborne also contributed double-digit points for the Dukes.
It was a complete team effort for James Madison, as they outrebounded Eastern Mennonite 71-23 and held them to a mere 19 percent shooting from the field. Head coach Sean O'Regan praised his team's rebounding effort and defensive intensity, crediting their dominating performance to their hard work and teamwork.
With their season off to a strong start, the Dukes will look to build on their success and defend their Sun Belt Conference title. James Madison was picked to finish first in the conference's preseason coaches poll, receiving nine first-place votes. The team will rely on their experienced players, such as Hazell and Kozlova, as well as new additions like Ashanti Barnes, to continue their dominance in the Sun Belt Conference and make another run in the NCAA Tournament.