THURSDAY SPORTS, JULY 17, 2025
AMATEUR BASEBALL – THURSDAY
Alexandria vs. Corsica
Mitchell Aces vs. Parkston Rays
Garretson vs. Parkston Mudcats
Winner/Colome vs. Mt. Vernon
Wessington Spring vs. Kimball/White Lake
Winner vs. Plankinton
Madison vs. Canova
MITCHELL KERNELS
— Mitchell Gold 16-and-under (18-9) hosts Rapid City for a doubleheader starting at noon on Wednesday.
— Mitchell Black 14-and-under (17-14) hosts a doubleheader against Brandon Valley on Sunday.
— Mitchell White 13-and-under (8-16) hosts Pierre for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
LEGION BASEBALL – WEDNESDAY
Parkston 8, Crofton (Neb.) 5 – Taite Klumb with three RBI’s and a double. Carter Sommer with three shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
Colton 4, Alexandria 1 – Ben Wilber with two hits, a double and RBI for Alexandria.
Madison 7, Scotland/Menno/Freeman/Canistota 2 – Evan Scharberg with two RBI’s in the loss.
Winner/Colome 12, Chamberlain 0 (5 innings)
HIGH SCHOOL
— Starting in 2027, high school baseball nationwide will require the use of a double first base to help reduce collisions and improve player safety. The new rule looks to prevent injuries by clearly separating the space used by runners and fielders at first base. However, South Dakota may not automatically adopt the change, as the state’s High School Baseball Association often modifies national rules, like using wood bats and unique pitch count regulations in the past. The double first base has already been used in college baseball.
MINNESOTA TWINS
— The Minnesota Twins start the second half of the season at Colorado on Friday night at 7:40 pm. The Rockies have the worst record in baseball at 22-74 and are on pace to lose a record 125 games. Meanwhile, the Twins are 47-49 on the season and are four game back in the American League Wild Card race.
CLASS B AMATEUR BASEBAL POLL – FINAL REGULAR SEASON
1. (Tie) Dell Rapids PBR and Canova Gang
3. Winner-Colome Pheasants
4. Garretson BlueJays
5. Castlewood Ravens
6. Dell Rapids Mudcats
7. Milbank Firechiefs
8. Tabor Bluebirds
9. Humboldt-Hartford Gamecocks
10. Redfield Dairy Queen
Others receiving votes: Alexandria Angels, Platte Killer Tomatoes and Kimball-White Lake Nationals.
NBA
— Edge rusher Von Miller is joining the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract. The NFL’s active sacks leader is 36-year-old as his deal comes a week before the start of training camp. Miller was cut by Buffalo in a salary cap-saving move in March after injuries derailed his time with the Bills.
— Rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron reported to training camp with other Denver Broncos rookies on Wednesday after reaching agreement on a contract, leaving Shemar Stewart of the Cincinnati Bengals as the only unsigned first-round pick from April’s draft. Barron, selected at No. 20 by the Broncos, agreed to a four-year deal worth just over $18 million that included a signing bonus of $9.8 million.
— San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who is scheduled to make $7.5 million in the final year of his deal, wants a new contract or a trade. It marks the second straight summer the 49ers have a receiver who wants to be paid or traded — Brandon Aiyuk. Jennings has approached the 49ers about his request, but little progress has been made. If a new deal is not reached by the time training camp starts next week, Jennings plans to request a trade to a team willing to pay him. Aiyuk, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is scheduled to make close to $25 million this season under the extension he signed in August.
NBA
— Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns have agreed to a buyout on the final two years of his contract. The buyout paves the way for Beal to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Beal is expected to give back $13.9 million of the $110 million he’s owed from the Suns, which allows Phoenix more flexibility as it tries to rebuild its roster.
NHL
— The NHL has released the full 2025-26 schedule. It is the final 82-game season before the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in and increases to 84. Alex Ovechkin begins his 21st season on Oct. 8 when he and the Washington Capitals host Boston. Ovechkin is at 897 career goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record and can now surpass 900. After raising their second consecutive Stanley Cup banner on opening night Oct. 7 against Chicago, the back-to-back defending champion Florida Panthers host Philadelphia two days later.
SOCCER
— Soccer faces growing challenges from extreme heat, as seen during the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. this summer. Rising global temperatures are making summer tournaments increasingly dangerous for players and fans. Scientists warn that continuing to hold events in June and July could lead to severe heat-related illnesses. FIFA has introduced measures like extra water breaks and shaded benches but still faced criticism from players. Experts suggest shifting tournaments to cooler months, though this disrupts traditional soccer calendars. With the 2026 and 2030 World Cups scheduled in hot regions, addressing heat risks is becoming urgent as climate change worsens.
WNBA
Minnesota Lynx 79, Phoenix Mercury 66 – Kayla McBride with 18 points
New York Liberty 98, Indiana Fever 77 – Breanna Stewart with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists
Atlanta Dream 86, Chicago Sky 49
Seattle Storm 67, Golden State Valkyries 58
Las Vegas Aces 90, Dallas Wings 86
— Caitlin Clark was ruled out for Wednesday night’s game against the New York Liberty after suffering a right groin injury vs. Connecticut on Tuesday. The status of Clark for All-Star festivities this weekend in Indianapolis remains uncertain. She was named a participant in Friday’s 3-point contest earlier Tuesday and was previously announced as a starter and captain for Saturday’s All-Star Game.
MLB
— The MLB All-Star Game, which featured the event’s first swing-off to determine the winner, averaged 7.1 million viewers Tuesday night on Fox.. It was Fox’s most-watched telecast since the Super Bowl, but it was a 3.5% decrease from last year. Kyle Schwarber’s three home runs gave the National League a 4-3 victory in the swing-off after the American League rallied to tie the score at 6-6 in the ninth inning after trailing 6-0 in the seventh. The audience peaked at 8.1 million viewers from 8:15-8:30 p.m.
— A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break. Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened Tuesday night when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star Game win in Atlanta. Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at the home when the burglary occurred.
— Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one. Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus. Eovaldi would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.
— Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him. He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram. In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread.