Virginia Tech softball: No. 20 Hokies win 3 in a row, including an upset over No. 12 Georgia
The No. 20 Virginia Tech Hokies entered this weekend’s Georgia Classic with a 7-2 record, with a chance to pick up more impressive victories on their resume.
On Friday, the Hokies began this weekend’s tournament with a 7-2 win over Seton Hall. The Hokies jumped on the Pirates early, when Jordan Lynch hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning. Tech would score again to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, the Hokies added three more runs, making it 5-0. Lynch and Zoe Yaeger would each drive in two runs for the Hokies, while Sophie Kleiman pitched four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking three batters to earn her second win. Addyson Fisher pitched three innings in relief, allowing both of Seton Hall’s runs.
Later on Friday, VT defeated Utah State, 10-3. The Aggies started fast, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but that would be about it for them. Tech scored a run in each of the first two innings to tie the game before exploding for four runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth to take a 10-2 lead. Nine Virginia Tech players had at least one hit against Utah State, with Kylie Aldridge, Lynch, Emma Mazzarone and Gaby Mizelle all recording two hits. Yaeger drove in four to pace the Hokies.
Avery Layton pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out four hitters to improve to 2-0. Bree Carrico was dominant in relief again, pitching 2.2 innings of no-hit ball.
The Hokies were scheduled for two more on Saturday, but the rematch with Seton Hall was canceled due to inclement weather. However, Tech’s game against the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs went on as planned, and the Hokies shocked the home team, picking up a 9-3 win.
Virginia Tech started fast against the ‘Dawgs, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, as Nora Abromavage blasted a two-run home run. Georgia responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, but Tech was not phased. After scoring one run on an error, Aldridge doubled to score another in the second inning, making it 4-2.
The Hokies scored another run in the third inning and blew it open in the fourth, scoring four, led by RBI hits from Aldridge and Abromavage. Tech had 11 hits, compared to four for Georgia. Mazzarone pitched a gem, going the distance, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out nine. She is now 3-1 this season.
Virginia Tech improved to 3-0 against ranked foes already this season and now sits at 10-2 heading into Sunday’s final day in Athens. Saturday was a great day to be a Hokie.
The Hokies took down No. 14 South Carolina twice two weeks ago in the Gamecock Invitational two weeks ago. Can they accomplish the same feat against the Bulldogs in Sunday’s finale?
Ryan Garcia puts on best performance of career to become WBC Champ
Ryan Garcia fought the most complete fight of his career in a fight that he dominated from the opening bell to the final bell while easily defeating Mario Barrios.
With the unanimous decision victory over Barrios on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Garcia became the new WBC welterweight champion to win the first major world title of his career. With a right hand over the top, Garcia dropped Barrios 24 seconds into the fight and would go on to steam roll Barrios the rest of the fight to win unanimously on the judges’ scorecards by the scores of 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109.
Garcia’s biggest win of his career comes on the heels of a lot of drama as he lost a decision to Rolando "Rolly" Romero last May in his bid for the WBA "regular" welterweight title.
After earning the biggest win of his career until tonight in April 2024 when he defeated Devin Haney by majority decision after knocking Haney down multiple times. The big win was short lived due to Garcia testing positive for a banned substance which forced the result to be overturned to a no-contest.
Now that he’s an official champion, Garcia is back in driver seat when it comes to feature fight negotiations and has multiple big-time options in the 147-pound division. Although those on DAZN would like many to believe a fight between Garcia and 140-pound kingpin Shakur Stevenson is next the fight the public wants to see is Garcia vs. Haney 2.
With Haney being the reigning and defending WBO welterweight champion, a fight with Garcia would be a welterweight unification fight that would be must see television. If the version of Garcia that showed up Saturday night against Barrios shows up in the rematch with Haney the man they call “The Dream” will be in for another long night.
The 16-year-old refereeing adult football matches
Being a football referee comes with many challenges, from managing intense emotions, making split decisions and dealing with constant criticism.
But none of this bothers 16-year-old RJ, from Taunton in Somerset.
After developing a passion for refereeing at a young age, he started officiating matches at 14 and now regularly officiates both youth and adult football matches across the county.
He was named Somerset Youth Referee of the year for his "outstanding" contribution to youth football.
"It felt really special," said RJ. "After doing it for only two years, I didn't expect to get anything like that."
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A keen football player, RJ said he started refereeing because he wanted to get more involved in the game.
"I've just loved it ever since then," said RJ. "I like having the role of responsibility."
RJ said he had learned to take difficulties faced on the pitch in his stride, after having to hand out a red card on his first game.
"I did freeze a little bit, but then I kind of regained [the reason] why I do it and took full responsibility."
Since starting his role, RJ said refereeing had helped him in all areas of his life.
Daniel Chalk, PE teacher at Monkton Wood Academy, described him as a "confident" pupil who helped to coach and referee football games at the school.
"It's brilliant for us. He helps with the key stage three football sessions after school and he's done countless amounts of refereeing for us."
Martin Peters, Somerset FA referee development officer, said it was "unusual" to find a 16-year-old refereeing for adult games.
"We have loads of 16-year-old referees, but not a lot of them want to go into the adult game," he said.
"And that's what makes this so unique with RJ that he's probably very much a minority 16-year-old that's gone into adult football."
Somerset FA is trying to encourage more young people to train to become referees.
"The big problem we have is trying to get them into the adult game," Peters explained.
"It's about coming into the game with discipline – being strong and confident in every decision that you make."
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'White humiliated Aspinall' - Hearn warns Benn after exit
Eddie Hearn says he is ready for the "battle" with Zuffa Boxing's Dana White after the fledgling boxing promotion poached Conor Benn.
Benn's departure sent shockwaves through the boxing world after Hearn and his Matchroom organisation stood by the Briton during a two-year doping scandal.
UFC president White has pledged to take over boxing and has been involved in a war of words with Hearn in recent weeks.
"I've not spoken to him [White] for a couple of weeks; I had a couple of texts with him," Hearn told BBC 5 Live's Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast.
"It's going to be a long, hard battle. But I'm also privileged and honoured that it seems to be a battle between me and him. And I'm well up for it.
"I think it's a blessing to be in those kinds of battles."
Benn had been signed with Matchroom for his entire professional career, but Hearn admitted the 29-year-old was not tied to a long-term contract.
The deal with Zuffa Boxing is reportedly for one fight but still worth eight figures for the Englishman.
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Hearn labels Zuffa Boxing as 'ruthless'
Hearn said he expected "loyalty" from Benn after standing by him during his doping suspension, which was eventually lifted in November 2024.
Benn's profile rocketed in part thanks to the doping scandal, which was intertwined with an epic two-fight rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr.
Hearn described losing Benn to Zuffa Boxing as "painful" but insisted Benn has now aligned himself with "ruthless" operators.
"Look at what they did to [UFC heavyweight champion] Tom Aspinall. Tom Aspinall literally had his eye gouged out in a fight and Dana White basically called him a cry baby and cast him aside, humiliated him in front of everybody, while the guy is having operations to save his eyesight," Hearn said.
"Dana White wouldn't do what I did for Conor Benn. But we're different people, and we have a different passion for the sport.
"You're a pawn in the game if you're Conor Benn, aren't you? We're different organisations.
"I've said it before: these guys are very, very powerful, ruthless people. They don't care about the sport of boxing.
"In my opinion, they don't care about the fighters - it's just a business to them."
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Man United lining up move for 35km/h “total professional” to turbocharge their midfield
Manchester United are looking to build a new-look midfield unit in the summer, and they have identified Felix Nmecha as a target.
According to TEAMtalk, they want to sign the 25-year-old German midfielder, and it will be interesting to see whether they make an official offer. He has been a key player for Borussia Dortmund, and the German outfit will not want to lose him easily. They could demand a premium for his signature.
Felix Nmecha has excelled in Germany
Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl has labelled him as “an incredibly important player”.
Manchester United need more drive and creativity in the middle of the park, and the German International could be ideal for them. He has shown his capabilities in the Bundesliga, and he has the technical attributes for the Premier League as well. The opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world will be tempting for him.
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Nmecha could be a superb option
Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha runs with the ball. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
If Manchester United can sign him for a reasonable amount of money, it could be a superb investment for them. The player has all the tools to develop into a quality Premier League midfielder with the right guidance. Apart from his ability to create opportunities and drive the team forward, he can also help defensively. He is a towering midfielder with an imposing physique and genuine pace. The 6’3″ midfielder recorded a top speed of 35.4 km/h in the Bundesliga this season.
Niko Kovac describes him as “a meticulous worker, a total professional, and a great person”.
Meanwhile, Nmecha has come through the ranks at Manchester City. He might feel that he has unfinished business in the Premier League. He will look to make his mark with Manchester United and establish himself as a quality Premier League midfielder.