Hilltoppers drop finale at Rice
The Western Kentucky baseball team fell in its series finale against Rice 8-2 on Sunday at Reckling Park in Houston.
A solo shot by Tristin Garcia in the top of the first gave the Hilltoppers an early lead, but the offense went quiet from there, adding only one more run throughout the rest of the contest.
“It was great to see Sean (Bergeron) back out there for a second time (since returning from injury),” WKU head coach John Pawlowski said in a news release. “I was really impressed with how he went about his business, and he handled his pitch count very well, so that was encouraging. Unfortunately, as a whole, we just didn’t play great baseball today. I liked the way we competed, but we didn’t execute at a high level. To win in this conference and to do what we want to do you have to be able to execute at a high level, we just didn’t do that today.”
Bergeron earned the starting nod for WKU, allowing just one hit and two runs (both unearned) while recording two strikeouts in four frames. The Hilltoppers utilized four relief pitchers from there in Jake Kates, Logan Bowen, Mason Vinyard and Aaron Shiflet, with the group combining to allow six runs (four earned) while striking out six batters in four innings of work.
At the plate, the Hilltoppers tallied five hits and two walks, with two players producing multi-hit performances. Garcia went 2-for-4 in the contest, collecting a double and home run to go along with two runs, while Ty Crittenberger added a 2-for-3 outing.
Frost to sit out 5 days in 2022
Scott Frost will be barred from coaching for five consecutive days this season as part of Nebraska’s negotiated settlement with the NCAA for allowing an unauthorized staff member to do hands-on special teams coaching two years ago.
The NCAA contacted Nebraska after a media report on the January 2021 resignation of special teams analyst Jonathan Rutledge and possible violations he committed in his role. Rutledge is now special teams coach at Division III Catholic University.
The NCAA said Monday that Frost failed to demonstrate he monitored Rutledge’s activities. Videos of practices showed Rutledge worked directly with players during special teams drills. Rutledge also was found to have assisted with or made tactical decisions during games in 2020.
During his five-day suspension, Frost will not be allowed to be present in the facility where practices are held or communicate with football staff or players. Frost also will be barred from studying video with players or coaches or participate in team meetings or recruiting. He also must attend an NCAA regional rules seminar at his own expense.
Mets cut slumping Canó with almost $45 million left on deal
NEW YORK – Robinson Canó was cut Monday by the New York Mets with nearly $45 million remaining on his contract, ending an ill-fated marriage and perhaps signaling the end of his decorated major league career.
The slumping Canó was designated for assignment in a move announced about an hour before teams were required to trim their active rosters from 28 players to 26. Relegated to a part-time role this season, Canó was a casualty of the crunch as the first-place Mets chose to keep younger, more versatile bench players instead.
The 39-year-old Canó, who sat out last season while serving his second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, is batting .195 (8 for 41) with one home run, three RBIs and a .501 OPS in 43 plate appearances.
