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Ball State University – Official Athletics Site

MUNCIE, Ind. – – Powered by a two-run blast from redshirt senior catcher McKayla Timmons, the Ball State softball team closed the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Buffalo Sunday afternoon at the Ball State Softball Stadium.   With the win, the Cardinals improve to 29-14 on the season and move to 14-7 in Mid-American Conference […]

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MUNCIE, Ind. – – Powered by a two-run blast from redshirt senior catcher McKayla Timmons, the Ball State softball team closed the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Buffalo Sunday afternoon at the Ball State Softball Stadium.
 
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 29-14 on the season and move to 14-7 in Mid-American Conference play. With two MAC series left in the regular season, Ball State is currently fourth in the league standings with its .667 winning percentage. 
 
The Cardinals are scheduled to play two games at league-leading Ohio (16-5 MAC) Tuesday, before hosting second-place Central Michigan (16-7) for a three-game set this coming weekend.
 
After dropping both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader to the Bulls (16-29; 9-13 MAC), Ball State was able to capitalize on a third-inning UB error to score the game’s first run. With leadoff batter Maia Pietrzak at second following a single and advancing on an out at home, Timmons dropped a dribbler off the tip of the bat back at the Bulls’ pitcher. However, her throw went over the first baseman’s head and Pietrzak was able to cross the plate.
 
The Bulls would counter with two runs in the top of the fifth, taking a one-run lead of its own. However, Pietrzak and Timmons would team up again in the bottom of the frame to turn the tide. Pietrzak started with a two-out bunt single, setting up a two-run blast from Timmons to drive in what proved to be the game-winning run.
 
From there, junior pitcher Ella Whitney and the Ball State defense went to work and shut down the Bulls. Whitney would ultimately get the pitching win, her 18th of the season, by holding Buffalo to six hits and two runs over her 7.0 innings of work. She also struck out a pair of batters.
 
Redshirt junior second baseman McKenna Mulholland also make a pair of spectacular plays over the final two innings, part of an all-around solid day backing up Whitney. Over the course of day, she collected three putouts and five assists capped by a diving stop and flip to second for the final out of the game.
 
She also tracked down a pair of foul balls down the first base line, made a spectacular relay throw to get a runner out at the plate and started an inning-ending double play in the third.
 
NOTES:
– Along with her solid defensive play, Mulholland walked and was hit by a pitch in Sunday’s contest … She has now been hit by a pitch a league-leading 15 times this season which ties the program’s single season record.
 
– Timmons’ fifth-inning home run was her second of the series, 15th of the season and 56th of her Ball State career … It was also her 199th career hit.
 
UP NEXT:
The Ball State softball team travels to Ohio Tuesday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader against the league-leading Bobcats. Ohio currently has a two-game lead over the Cardinals in the league standings with a 16-5 league mark.



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Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark Discusses Post-House Priorities

Share Tweet Share Share Email Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark joined the Triple Option podcast this week, hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram, and Rob Stone, to outline his top priorities as college athletics enters a new, unsettled era. In the detailed conversation, Yormark highlighted three key battlegrounds: the House settlement, College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion, […]

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June 15, 2025

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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark joined the Triple Option podcast this week, hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram, and Rob Stone, to outline his top priorities as college athletics enters a new, unsettled era.

In the detailed conversation, Yormark highlighted three key battlegrounds: the House settlement, College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion, and long-term governance of collegiate sports.

 

“I take everything home with me,” Yormark said. “It’s a 24/7 job, and you can never turn it off. There are a lot of big national issues that we’re dealing with. And right now, I would say the big three are the (House) settlement, CFP (College Football Playoff), and future governance, meaning the role of the NCAA in this new age of collegiate athletics.”

Yormark acknowledged that while the June House settlement—slated to take effect July 1—addresses transformational areas like NIL, multiple gray zones remain.

“There’s a lot going on in our space right now, and I’m sure everyone knows, but it’s not just football and basketball,” Yormark continued. “I mean, we sponsor 25 sports here, 15 of which are women’s sports, and we think there’s a lot of growth there, so there’s a lot to manage and a lot to do.”

Yormark finished his thoughts by saying, “But I will tell you that coming from professional sports, there’s nothing like college athletics. It’s a purpose-driven industry, and at the core is our student athlete.”

Brett Yormark is steering the Big 12 through a seismic realignment in college sports. He seeks not only to implement major changes driven by court rulings and playoff momentum, but to shape them.

His push against entrenched interests, such as SEC bias and NCAA flaws, marks a clear declaration: the Big 12 intends to lead, not react.





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Texas Tech Grant McCasland values culture, mitigates distractions building his team

The Texas Tech athletic program has made national news with its name. Image and likeness (NIL) program over the last month. It has been reported that the school has spent upwards of $55 million across all of its sports programs, and it is alleged that they are using their gains in that realm to buy […]

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The Texas Tech athletic program has made national news with its name. Image and likeness (NIL) program over the last month. It has been reported that the school has spent upwards of $55 million across all of its sports programs, and it is alleged that they are using their gains in that realm to buy next year’s softball World Series.

Buying a team, or the implication that a program is willing to spend money on a championship, implies a lack of importance in culture. Texas Tech has been building its football, basketball, and softball programs with the power of an elite NIL program. That does not mean they are sacrificing culture at the same time. Men’s basketball head coach Grant McCasland recently spoke out about that very issue.

Grant states, quite simply, that he will not add players or staff who will impact team building. He is implying that team building is more intricate than buying the best available player on the market. McCasland has excelled in the transfer portal, snagging game-ready players from other power conference teams. His recent statement indicates that he has had a more analytical approach to team building. Knowing that amassing talent alone is not the way to win a championship shows the leadership of McCasland and his team.

The Red Raider hoops program has a bright future, built with precision and thought. According to McCasland’s statements, these public and powerful initiatives surely resonate across all Texas Tech programs and serve as a testament to Tech’s willingness to utilize NIL, within certain limits.

Gran

Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland r. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

– Enjoy more Texas Tech coverage on Texas Tech On SI –

Texas Tech receives commitment from massive offensive lineman

Looking to make history at Texas Tech, GM James Blanchard turned down Notre Dame

Texas Tech football adds another commitment to 2026 recruiting class

Texas Tech working to flip elite wide receiver committed to rival Baylor





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A deep dive into the futures of Alabama Football, SEC teams and top Power Four teams

In the current era of one-season massive roster rebuilds, the duration of two seasons of college football is tantamount to forever. At the end of the 2026 season, Alabama Football will be three seasons into its post-Nick Saban era. What can Crimson Tide fans expect? ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg thinks he knows. Previously, ESPN has provided […]

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In the current era of one-season massive roster rebuilds, the duration of two seasons of college football is tantamount to forever. At the end of the 2026 season, Alabama Football will be three seasons into its post-Nick Saban era. What can Crimson Tide fans expect? ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg thinks he knows.

Previously, ESPN has provided three-season Power Four Power Rankings projections. Rittenberg’s latest projection covers only the 2025 and 2026 seasons. His conclusions are subjective, using the criteria: returning quarterback, likelihood of a multi-year quarterback on the roster, offensive line and defensive line outlook, roster management, star power, and coaching staff.

Alabama football fans will not love Rittenberg’s ranking of the Crimson Tide program. Alabama is the fifth-highest ranked SEC football program at No. 10 overall. Nine SEC football teams are in the top 22 of the rankings, led by Texas at No. 1 and Georgia at No. 3. Also ranked in the top 22 are No. 8 LSU, No. 9 Tennessee, No. 15 Florida, No. 16 Ole Miss, No. 18 South Carolina, and No. 22 Missouri. The rest of the SEC is No. 27 Oklahoma, No. 28 Texas A&M, No. 37 Auburn, No. 47 Vanderbilt, No. 52 Kentucky, No. 55 Arkansas, and No. 59 Mississippi State.

Among the other three Power Four conferences, the Big Ten has seven programs in the top 25; the Big 12 and the ACC have four each. Five Big 12 programs are ranked below Mississippi State, as are three Big Ten programs.

Alabama Football Program Ranking

Two main factors reduced the Alabama Crimson Tide’s program ranking. One is not having a returning starting quarterback. The other is that Kalen DeBoer must prove themselves by making a College Football Playoff field. Given those criteria, Rittenberg’s No. 10 ranking for the Alabama Crimson Tide is more plausible.

Rittenberg did not factor 2025 Strength of Schedules into his projections. However, using his program rankings, the Alabama Crimson Tide will play at least six 2025 teams ranked in the top 27 programs for the next two seasons. Getting through that gauntlet with only a loss or two would indicate that Rittenberg’s No. 10 program ranking for the Crimson Tide is too low.



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Standout baseball transfer commits to Florida Gators

The Florida Gators have landed a talented baseball transfer who had a strong 2025 season for another program in the Sunshine State. That player is Jaden Bastian, according to Jacob Rudner of Baseball America. Bastian, who plays center field, is transferring to UF from Jacksonville. He is considered one of the top college baseball players […]

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The Florida Gators have landed a talented baseball transfer who had a strong 2025 season for another program in the Sunshine State. That player is Jaden Bastian, according to Jacob Rudner of Baseball America.

Bastian, who plays center field, is transferring to UF from Jacksonville. He is considered one of the top college baseball players in the transfer portal. Last season, Bastian hit .302/.433/.552 with 11 homers, 10 doubles, 5 triples and 33 RBI. Additionally, he recorded 36 stolen bases in 2025.

Bastian, a native of Winter Garden, Fla., just completed his sophomore season with the Dolphins. He also had a productive freshman season, when he posted a slash line of .263/.421/.465 with 6 home runs, 2 doubles, 25 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Here are Florida’s other baseball pickups thus far since the season ended:

RHP Russell Sandefer commits

Florida landed UCF right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer on June 6. Sandefer went 2-3 this season and recorded a 3.38 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 50.2 innings as a sophomore for the Knights. He had the third lowest ERA on the team.

C/DH AJ Malzone commits

The Gators landed their second commitment on June 5 from junior college catcher/DH AJ Malzone of Wabash Valley College in Illinois. In 2025, he batted .347 and had 10 homers, 58 RBI and a .602 slugging percentage over 58 games.

RHP Ricky Reeth commits

Notre Dame pitcher Ricky Reeth committed to Florida on June 5 for his final year of eligibility. This season Reeth posted a 4-2 record, 4.31 ERA and 43 strikeouts against 12 walks in 22 appearances. He allowed 23 earned runs and 44 hits in 48 innings.

Not a member of Gators Online?

CLICK HERE to join the Gators Online community! It’s the top place for passionate Florida fans to find the best insight and news in the market. 

Boasting a talented collection of experienced journalists, we dig deep into recruiting and provide breaking news and analysis on UF sports.

We have exciting news to announce from our good friend Andy Luedecke from MyPerfectFranchise.net. He is a big baseball fan and from his line of work he has seen first hand the fantastic traits that baseball players bring to the franchise world. Andy is offering up a donation of $500 – $1000 to Florida’s Baseball NIL collective if any member of GatorsOnline.com purchases a franchise. We think this is a cool opportunity to help the UF baseball program!

Now is the perfect time to contact Andy to learn more. Remember his services are 100% free and he’s here to help if you have any questions about business ownership! Go to MyPerfectFranchise.net to learn more or you can text or call Andy at 404.973.9901.



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Can College Sports Commission police money paid to athletes?

In the handful of days since details became public about how the new rules around college athlete pay will work, there are still many unanswered questions.  But the one that seems most important to the coaching staffs that must build rosters is as old as time: Will the new College Sports Commission truly be able […]

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Can College Sports Commission police money paid to athletes?


In the handful of days since details became public about how the new rules around college athlete pay will work, there are still many unanswered questions. 

But the one that seems most important to the coaching staffs that must build rosters is as old as time: Will the new College Sports Commission truly be able to police the money that will inevitably change hands under the table? 

The thing about the so-called “Wild West” era of name, image and likeness, as unregulated and messy as it seemed at times, was that everyone knew the score. It might not seem logical for a booster collective to pay $750,000 for an unproven left tackle, but it was, in a strange way, all above board and out in the open.

The new world after the House vs. NCAA settlement is going to be different in several ways, at least on paper:

  • A $20.5 million “benefits cap” per school that will go up incrementally every year 
  • An online clearinghouse run by the prominent accounting firm Deloitte where athletes have to register outside NIL deals over $600 for approval, powered by an algorithm that measures market value. The idea is to sniff out booster-fueled deals that have created what some administrators like to call a fake market for players, while allowing athletes to pursue the so-called “real NIL” like product endorsements.
  • A still somewhat opaque arbitration process an athlete can use if a deal gets rejected, where a supposedly independent person (or persons) will have the final say on whether a deal goes through.
  •  Some kind of subpoena power that would be used in such a process, though it’s unclear exactly how far-reaching that power will be (Are we talking about bank and tax records? Text messages?) and the impact of non-compliance. Would a court of law really intervene to enforce the subpoena?
  • And, perhaps most significantly to the fan experience that has been turned upside down by a completely unregulated transfer environment, schools will have the ability to offer multi-year contracts with buyouts and penalties. If, for instance, a player wants to transfer after the first year of a two-year deal, the buyout paid by the new school would count against its cap.

We know all this stuff will, at some point, be subject to further lawsuits and scrutiny unless there’s some kind of Congressional intervention. The entire idea of imposing certain earning limits on athletes without some type of collective bargaining process is probably a loser in the long-term.

Even in the halls of NCAA headquarters these days, there’s a hint of a Jerry Seinfeld attitude about whether some of these limits will hold up after years of getting their rear end handed to them in court: Good luck with all that. But ultimately, this is what the power conferences wanted. This is their show. They created the CSC, they agreed on these rules and they’re the ones who ultimately must figure out something else if this doesn’t work. 

Some of the people that put a lot of time and effort into creating this new setup are understandably annoyed by cynical commentary about whether it will work before it even gets off the ground.

However, many of the biggest cynics are inside their houses.

Based on the messages I’ve received from coaches who – let’s face it – understand how the real world works a whole lot better than the C-suite folks, there are legitimate concerns about whether the CSC and Deloitte will truly be able to follow the money.

What if, for instance, an athlete strikes a deal with a booster and just … doesn’t report it to the clearinghouse? Will there truly be a mechanism to find it and police it? That was always the NCAA’s problem with enforcement: It was difficult, if not impossible, to compel cooperation without subpoena power.

Though arbitration proceedings like the one outlined in the House settlement will provide some type of subpoena power, how far reaching will it be? Will its power vary by state? Will it truly be enforced? And if someone gets busted, will the school avoid penalties by claiming they didn’t know? If so, we’re kind of right back where we started. 

Additionally, as sports attorney Darren Heitner pointed out this weekend on X, the language in the rules makes it somewhat questionable whether Deloitte could reject a deal funded by a booster collective but presented by a corporate entity like a car dealership being used as a pass-through.

Don’t scoff: Lack of imagination is what got these guys into a bad situation in the first place. When NIL became legal in 2021, few saw the true impact of collectives coming.  

And the whole thing about buyouts limiting transfers? What if agents just simply don’t allow their players to sign a contract that would truly limit their ability to change schools without repercussions for themselves or their new school? It’s not like athletic departments have done a great job negotiating those things when it comes to their own coaching contracts. 

At this stage of the game, it’s not productive to say the new system is doomed. While it seems a longshot given the current political climate and governmental priorities, perhaps Congress will come in and codify this stuff to some extent. And maybe all of the guardrails built into the CSC will keep things orderly to some extent. 

But now that power point presentations and Q-and-A documents are being circulated in advance of the July 1 implementation, the people who deal with recruiting realities on a day-to-day basis are wondering whether they’re in for a fair fight or this is simply a new way for cheaters to perform a very old trick.

Better to poke those theoretical holes in it now, because in just a couple weeks, you can guarantee some people are going to try to find real ones. 

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Bruce Pearl claims ‘nobody had a better year in college basketball than Johni Broome’

Auburn forward Johni Broome emerged as one of the top players in college basketball last season, earning All-American and SEC Player of the Year honors starring for a Bruce Pearl-led Tigers team that made just its second Final Four in program history. In his fifth and final season of college basketball, Broome averaged 18.6 points, […]

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Auburn forward Johni Broome emerged as one of the top players in college basketball last season, earning All-American and SEC Player of the Year honors starring for a Bruce Pearl-led Tigers team that made just its second Final Four in program history.

In his fifth and final season of college basketball, Broome averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He finished as runner-up in National Player of the Year honors behind Duke‘s Cooper Flagg, who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Pearl however believes that nobody had a better year in college basketball last season than Broome, he revealed on Andy Katz’s “The Sidelines with Andy Katz” podcast.

“Johni Broome wasn’t the best player in college basketball last year and the [NBA] Draft will probably point that out in terms of being a pro prospect, but nobody had a year in college basketball like Johni Broome,” Pearl said. “Nobody affected winning more than Johni Broome. Every level, whether it be high school coming out of Tampa Catholic or being overlooked in AAU basketball or having to go to Morehead State first instead of the SEC or ACC first coming out of Florida. “

Pearl says Broome’s NBA future depends on team

“And he was too slow at Auburn and he wasn’t gonna be able to move his feet quicker or be a good athlete [Pearl said while mocking his doubters], and all he did was become All-League his first year, All-American his second year and National Player of the Year in his third year.”

Broome, who turns 23 in July, is currently projected to be drafted by the New York Knicks with the No. 50 overall pick in On3’s latest NBA Mock Draft.

“He’s not gonna get drafted high. He’s probably not gonna get drafted in the first round. He might maybe the right team. And so again he’s just gonna have to prove them wrong. He’s an elite passer, he’s an elite scorer, he’s an unbelievable kid and he’s a great teammate. He just knows he’s got it. He just knows how to play. Is he a freaky athlete? No. But he’s affective, and the right team that needs a piece and a guy that can play right away as a backup stretch-five man. If he goes to the right team, he’ll do good in the NBA.

When it comes to Broome’s future, we’ll have to wait and see where he ends up. Wherever it may be however, Bruce Pearl will always be his No. 1 supporter.



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