Sports
Former Alabama prep standout gets a hit in his first MLB at
Former Thompson High School standout Drew Avans made his Major League debut with the Athletics on Tuesday night and got a hit in his first trip to the plate in the big leagues. Seventeen days short of his 29th birthday and after seven seasons in the minor leagues, Avans came up from the Las Vegas […]


Former Thompson High School standout Drew Avans made his Major League debut with the Athletics on Tuesday night and got a hit in his first trip to the plate in the big leagues.
Seventeen days short of his 29th birthday and after seven seasons in the minor leagues, Avans came up from the Las Vegas Aviators when the Athletics placed first baseman Nick Kurtz on the 10-day injured list with a hip-flexor strain.
Trailing the Houston Astros 11-1 on Tuesday night, the Athletics put three reserves on the field in the bottom of the seventh, including sending Avans out to play right field. He caught a flyball off the bat of Houston shortstop Jeremy Pena in the bottom of the eighth before leading off the ninth for the A’s.
“A little nervous to begin with, but after the first couple pitches, it’s just another game,” Avans said. “I knew I was going to get one at-bat, and I just wanted to get a good pitch to hit and not miss it.”
Avans dropped a 1-0 sinker from Astros reliever Forrest Whitley into center field for his first MLB hit.
“Just shows the professionalism of Drew,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said, “coming in prepared and ready to go up and take an at-bat.”
An honorable-mention All-State selection in 2013 for Thompson High School in Alabaster, Avans hit .200 in his first season at Southeastern Louisiana and .330 in his final one. Across four seasons, Avans hit .308 for the Lions before the Los Angeles Dodgers chose him in the 33rd round of the 2018 draft.
Avans spent six seasons in the Dodgers organization before signing a minor-league contract with the Athletics in November.
Avans came up from Las Vegas leading minor-league baseball with 62 hits in the 2025 season. In 48 games for the Aviators, Avans hit .328 with 16 stolen bases.
Across seven minor-league seasons, Avans had a .277 batting average with 116 doubles, 37 triples, 55 home runs and 177 stolen bases in 691 games. He spent the previous four seasons with Los Angeles’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.
Avans did not play in the Athletics’ 5-3 loss to the Astros on Wednesday. The Athletics play the Toronto Blue Jays at 6:07 p.m. CDT Thursday at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The Athletics are playing their home games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, this season as they await the completion of their ballpark in Las Vegas to complete their move from Oakland.
Avans is the sixth player from an Alabama high school or college to make his Major League debut in the 2025 season, joining Texas Rangers first baseman Blaine Crim from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, Washington Nationals pitcher Cole Henry from Florence High School, Detroit Tigers pitcher Chase Lee from McAdory High School in McCalla and Alabama, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson from UAB and Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Tyler Tolbert from Hewitt-Trussville High School and UAB.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
Sports
PubMatic launches AI-powered sports marketplace with game moment curation
(Stock image via Pixabay, Graphic by The Desk) Key Points: PubMatic’s new Live Sports Marketplace allows ad buyer clients to target key moments during live sports in real-time. PubMatic has partnered with FanServ at launch, allowing marketers to buy opportunities against major franchises like the NFL, NHL, MLB and WNBA, and teams like the Minnesota […]


Key Points:
- PubMatic’s new Live Sports Marketplace allows ad buyer clients to target key moments during live sports in real-time.
- PubMatic has partnered with FanServ at launch, allowing marketers to buy opportunities against major franchises like the NFL, NHL, MLB and WNBA, and teams like the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians.
- The Live Sports Marketplace aims to address key challenges with sports advertising, including low engagement during irrelevant game moments and managing unpredictable audience spikes.
Independent ad tech firm PubMatic has introduced a new AI-powered Live Sports Marketplace aimed at revolutionizing programmatic advertising for live sports across streaming platforms.
The offering enables advertisers to target high-impact moments in real-time, leveraging proprietary technology that analyzes live game data to deliver granular, event-level curation.
The platform debuts with FanServ as its launch partner, providing immediate access to premium sports content from the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The partnership also includes exclusive local programming for teams such as the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, and Cleveland Guardians.
“FanServ was built by fans, for fans, and now, with PubMatic, we’re redefining how brands reach and engage fans through programmatic sports advertising,” said FanServ CEO Brad Friedman. “This partnership is about more than just access, it’s about precision and possibility.”
“By combining FanServ’s deep sports expertise with PubMatic’s unique event-level curation, we’re empowering brands to connect meaningfully at the exact moments that matter most, across every platform they love,” added Ben Goodfriend, the Vice President of Demand Partnerships at FanServ.
The launch comes as PubMatic reports significant momentum in its sports advertising business. Live sports activity on its platform more than tripled in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The company has already surpassed its total 2024 live sports volume, setting the stage for another record-breaking year.
In addition to FanServ, the new marketplace offers access to major sports publishers and platforms, including MLB, Spectrum Reach, Fubo, DirecTV and Roku. Coverage spans professional leagues like MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and WNBA, along with alternative and international sports such as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), NASCAR, Formula 1 surfing, tennis, cricket, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Live Sports Marketplace addresses persistent challenges in programmatic sports buying, such as inefficient ad placements during low-engagement moments and the inability to scale during audience spikes. PubMatic’s solution introduces several key features:
- Event- and Channel-Level Targeting: Advertisers can target specific teams, games, or pivotal moments using AI-driven insights across fragmented streaming environments.
- Dynamic Scheduling: The platform continuously imports live TV schedules, allowing advertisers to engage viewers in real time.
- Infrastructure Resilience: PubMatic’s proprietary tech stack is built to handle sudden surges in viewership, ensuring smooth ad delivery even during peak moments.
- Automation and Scalability: Designed for future growth, the marketplace supports automated deal creation and reporting to streamline campaign management.
“This revolutionary technology and premium partnership with FanServ transforms fragmented live sports inventory into programmatically accessible, of-the-moment opportunities, setting a new standard for precision and impact in digital sports advertising,” said Nicole Scaglione, the Vice President of Connected TV and Online Video at PubMatic.
Live sports viewership is expected to reach more than 114 million TV viewers this year, according to research from eMarketer. At a time when the industry is rapidly shifting away from traditional TV, PubMatic says the Live Sports Marketplace aims to position it at the front of this transformation by offering advertisers the tools they need to continue delivering impactful campaigns when audiences are the most engaged.
Sports
16 of the Best Female Football Players To Know
Once sidelined and underestimated, women’s football has risen with remarkable force over the past two decades — transforming from a marginalized pursuit into a global movement. Historic wins, record-breaking transfers, sold-out stadiums and increasing media coverage have all signaled a long-overdue shift. Yet, the fight isn’t over. Female players continue to push for parity in […]

Once sidelined and underestimated, women’s football has risen with remarkable force over the past two decades — transforming from a marginalized pursuit into a global movement. Historic wins, record-breaking transfers, sold-out stadiums and increasing media coverage have all signaled a long-overdue shift. Yet, the fight isn’t over. Female players continue to push for parity in pay, resources, visibility and respect — not just as athletes, but as voices for equity and change. We need to continue to champion and celebrate the women at the heart of that evolution.
So, we’ve rounded up some of the best female footballers around the world — from Beth Mead‘s creative dominance at Arsenal W.F.C and outspoken advocacy and Bunny Shaw‘s Golden Boot-winning brilliance for Manchester City Womens to Ada Hegerberg‘s pioneering stand for equality, each of these athletes embody more than just skill, they represent resilience, leadership and vision. With the Euros 2025 currently playing out in Switzerland, we wanted to include the players we are keeping an eye on, too. There obviously so many more than these sixteen amazing players to have on your radar, but keep scrolling to see some of our absolute faves.
Alexia Putellas
Klara Bühl
Sandy Baltimore
Alisha Lehmann
Michelle Agyemang
Lia Wälti
Alessia Russo
Vivianne Miedema
Beth Mead
Beth Mead joined Arsenal Women’s Football Club in January 2017 from Sunderland, UK, and has since become one of the team’s most influential players. Initially a central striker, Mead transitioned into a wide attacking role at Arsenal, where her creativity, pace, and vision have flourished. She is renowned for her ability to deliver precise crosses and create chances, holding the record for being one of the top three players with the most assists in the Women’s Super League (WSL). On the social front, Mead has continued to use her platform for good — most recently teaming up with Arsenal and Persil in a powerful campaign challenging the stigma around periods in sport, helping to create a more open and supportive environment for young athletes everywhere.
Bunny Shaw
Since joining Manchester City Women in 2021, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw quickly made herself one of the most dangerous strikers in the WSL. With her mix of strength, smart movement and sharp finishing, she’s become the focal point of City’s attack. In the 2023–2024 season, she scored 21 goals in just 18 games — enough to win the WSL Golden Boot even after an injury ended her season early. Her link-up play with teammates like Lauren Hemp has been key to City’s success, and her ability to hold up the ball and finish under pressure sets her apart. Off the pitch, she’s captain of Jamaica and their all-time top scorer, proving her impact goes far beyond club level.
Mayra Ramirez
Born and raised in Colombia, Mayra Ramírez joined Chelsea W.F.C. in January 2024 as the most expensive signing in women’s football history at the time. (Her £384k deal was later overshadowed by Naomi Girma in at the beginning of 2025.) Ramírez’s journey reflects serious dedication — before turning pro, she travelled 35 kilometres from her hometown of Sibaté each day to train, a work ethic that still defines her game. Known for her power, athleticism and goal-scoring ability, she made an immediate impact at Chelsea. In the final game of 2024-2025’s season, she scored twice and assisted two more in a 6–0 win over Manchester United Women to help seal the WSL title. She carried that momentum into this year, playing a key role in her team’s 3-0 triumph over Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final. Strong, direct and technically sharp, she’s added real presence to Chelsea’s front line, especially in the absence of Sam Kerr, and has quickly adapted to the pace and demands of the English game.
Fridolina Rolfö
Hailing from Sweden, Fridolina Rolfö is a key player for FC Barcelona Femeni since arriving in 2021, bringing strength, pace and versatility to the team. Usually out on the left wing but just as comfortable leading the line, she’s no stranger to the big stage, with her winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final proof of that. Off the pitch, Rolfö is equally driven. In our recent interview, she spoke openly about the importance of giving women’s football the same visibility, accessibility and funding as the men’s game. It’s something she’s passionate about, and as a PUMA ambassador, she uses her voice to help push the sport forward while continuing to perform at the highest level.
Trinity Rodman
In 2023, Trinity Rodman became the youngest player in WSL history to hit double digits for both goals and assists and to this present day, she’s a key force for both the Washington Spirit and the U.S. Women’s National Team, the latter team she won Olympic gold with in 2024. But there’s more to her than highlight reels. During her episode of Alex Cooper‘s Call Her Daddy podcast last year, she spoke candidly about growing up largely without her father, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, and the ongoing challenges in their relationship — a side of her story fans rarely see. Still, she’s carving her own path, combining fearless play with a powerful voice off the pitch. As an Adidas athlete and author of a children’s book, she’s using her platform to push for better visibility and investment in women’s sport.
Racheal Kundananji
Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji is known for her exceptional goal-scoring prowess — netting 33 goals in 43 Liga F appearances, playing a pivotal role in this landmark move. In february last year, she joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $788,000 at just 23. Her expensive transfer is thanks to her exceptional dribbling, goal-scoring ability and knack for breaking down defenses. With all her achievements, she’s proved her consistency and impact on the field. Kundananji is already a key figure for both club and country, and before turning pro, she played barefoot in local Zambian tournaments, showcasing her passion and determination from a young age.
Ada Hegerberg
In 2018, Ada Hegerberg became the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or, cementing her status as one of the game’s greats. As Lyon’s star striker, she holds the all-time record for goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and has helped the club to multiple European titles. But her impact goes beyond the pitch. In 2017, she stepped away from Norway‘s national team in protest over gender inequality in football, returning five years later when she felt progress had been made. Now back as captain, she continues to lead by example.
Sakina Karchaoui
Sakina Karchaoui has become a standout figure in French football, known for her dynamic play and leadership on the field. Born in Salon-de-Provence in 1996, she began her football journey playing with boys in her neighborhood, but her professional career took off with Montpellier, followed by a stint at Lyon and now, she brings her talents to Paris Saint-Germain. Karchaoui’s versatility has seen her excel as both a left-back and a midfielder, a transition encouraged by former coach Hervé Renard, who recognized her potential to influence the game more centrally. Beyond her club success, Karchaoui has been a vital part of the French national team, earning over 85 caps and contributing to their international campaigns.
Sports
Hofstra Dominates CAA Academic Honors with League-Leading Eight Team Excellence Awards
By: Len Skoros Story Links Hempstead, NY – The CAA has announced the recipients of the Team Academic Excellence Awards for the 2024-25 academic year, and Hofstra earned a league-best eight awards with the baseball, men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, softball, men’s tennis, and men’s track […]

Hempstead, NY – The CAA has announced the recipients of the Team Academic Excellence Awards for the 2024-25 academic year, and Hofstra earned a league-best eight awards with the baseball, men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, softball, men’s tennis, and men’s track and field programs taking home the honor.
“What a tremendous accomplishment for our athletic program to earn eight CAA Team Academic Awards,” said Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. “In a league that puts a great deal of emphasis on academics, it just shows how dedicated our student-athletes are to succeeding in all areas of their collegiate experience.”
The Team Academic Excellence Award recognizes the institution with the highest collective grade point average in all 22 sports sponsored by the CAA. The team GPA is a calculation of the grade point average of each student-athlete who appeared on an institution’s roster throughout the final day of their respective championship seasons during the 2024-25 academic year.
Ten different schools had at least one team receive a Team Academic Excellence Award. Following the Pride’s eight winners, Campbell, Monmouth, UNCW, Northeastern, and Villanova had two teams honored. Charleston, Drexel, Elon, and North Carolina A&T each had one team recognized.
The Team Academic Excellence Award winner in 19 of the 22 sports recorded a team grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
The Hofstra women’s lacrosse program earned the Team Academic Award for the fifth consecutive year, while baseball, men’s lacrosse, and men’s track and field each claimed their second consecutive award. The women’s lacrosse team posted a 3.64 grade point average during the academic year. Baseball compiled a 3.35 GPA, while the men’s basketball team recorded a 3.23 GPA in 2024-25. The Pride men’s lacrosse program had a 3.51 GPA during the academic year with men’s track and field posting a 3.49 GPA. Men’s soccer compiled a 3.52 GPA, while softball posted a 3.59 GPA, and men’s tennis had a 3.82 GPA in 2024-25.
Sports
Women’s Volleyball Announces 2025 Schedule
Story Links The defending Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Champions Lindenwood women’s volleyball announced its full 2025 schedule on Thursday. The Lions will play 26 regular season matches, including nine inside Hyland Arena Lindenwood’s season begins at the Hampton Inn and Suites Seahawks Classic in Wilmington, N.C. as the Lions take […]

The defending Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Champions Lindenwood women’s volleyball announced its full 2025 schedule on Thursday. The Lions will play 26 regular season matches, including nine inside Hyland Arena
Lindenwood’s season begins at the Hampton Inn and Suites Seahawks Classic in Wilmington, N.C. as the Lions take on UNC Wilmington and NC Central on August 29, followed by Virginia Tech on August 30.
The following week, the Lions head to Springfield, Mo. for the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational and will face Missouri State (September 4), DePaul (September 5), and UTSA (September 6). To conclude non-conference play, Lindenwood will compete in the Iowa Tournament, taking on East Texas A&M on September 20 and Iowa on September 21.
Conference play will begin with a pair of road matches at Eastern Illinois on September 26-27. The home opening series will be the following week against UT Martin on October 2-3, which will begin a stretch of five-straight home matches. The Lions will welcome SIUE on October 7 and Morehead State on October 10-11.
The Lions will hit the road for two matches against Tennessee State October 17-18 and return to the court 10 days later in a matchup with SIUE on October 28 in Edwardsville, Ill. Lindenwood comes back home to take on Western Illinois, October 31 and November 1, before traveling to Cape Girardeau to face SEMO on November 7-8.
Lindenwood will have its final two road matches the following week against Southern Indiana November 13-14, before concluding the regular season at home against Little Rock on November 18-19. The OVC Tournament is scheduled for November 23-25.
Sports
Two Beach Pairs in Germany for the 2025 World University Games
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 17, 2025) – Two USA Volleyball beach teams are in Rhine Ruhr, Germany, for the 2025 World University Games, July 16-27. The beach volleyball competition will run from July 22-26, where the U.S. teams will compete against top collegiate athletes from around the world. Representing the U.S. on the women’s side […]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 17, 2025) – Two USA Volleyball beach teams are in Rhine Ruhr, Germany, for the 2025 World University Games, July 16-27. The beach volleyball competition will run from July 22-26, where the U.S. teams will compete against top collegiate athletes from around the world.
Representing the U.S. on the women’s side are Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig, both standout athletes from Florida State University. The duo has been on a roll this summer, winning gold at the U23 NORCECA Beach Continental Tour in the Cayman Islands. They followed that performance with another gold at their first Beach Pro Tour Futures event in Geneva, Switzerland, and added a bronze medal at the Futures stop in Montpellier, France. Koenig and Durish earned their spot in Germany by winning the 2025 World University Games Trials earlier this year.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them (Alexis and Audrey),” said women’s head coach Patty Dodd. “They are a dynamic and steady duo.”
On the men’s side, Gage Basey (University of Colorado) and Thomas Hurst (UC Irvine) will compete for the red, white and blue. The pair has shown strong form in 2025, highlighted by a silver medal at the NORCECA U23 Intercontinental Tour in the Dominican Republic. They’ve also claimed top finishes at home, including winning the AVP Virginia Beach tournament and the men’s open division at the Pottstown Rumble. Basey and Hurst also won the 2025 World University Games Trials to secure their roster spots.
“I’m excited to work with USA Volleyball at the World University Games coming up,” said Dan Friend, head coach of the men’s team. “We have a great USA staff – coaches, trainer, analyst and lead. We also have some phenomenal and talented athletes that will represent the USA at the highest level, helping USA compete for medals.”
This event marks a return to the World University stage for several members of the U.S. delegation. Both coaches, Dan Friend and Patty Dodd, led the U.S. beach teams at the 2024 FISU World University Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Durish earned a silver medal at that event alongside partner Xolani Hodel, while Basey and Hurst placed ninth overall.
Coaches and Support Staff
Men’s Head Coach: Dan Friend, Lewis University men’s indoor head coach
Women’s Head Coach: Patty Dodd, USA Volleyball Beach NTDP Coach, MB Sand
Medical Provider: Alexis Colon, Long Beach State
Performance Analyst: Will McDonald, Baylor
Team Lead: Chelsea Tupuola, USA Volleyball Beach NTDP Lead
Sports
Ryan Schoppe earns CSC Academic All-America honors
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State men’s track & field athlete Ryan Schoppe was named College Sports Communicators (CSC) third team Academic All-American, the organization announced Wednesday. This marks the second straight season Schoppe has been named to the CSC Academic All-America third team, becoming the fourth Cowboy track athlete to be named to the team on […]

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State men’s track & field athlete Ryan Schoppe was named College Sports Communicators (CSC) third team Academic All-American, the organization announced Wednesday.
This marks the second straight season Schoppe has been named to the CSC Academic All-America third team, becoming the fourth Cowboy track athlete to be named to the team on multiple occasions. Overall, Schoppe is the 132nd OSU student-athlete to be named a CSC Academic All-American and the 25th to be named to multiple teams.
On the track this season, Schoppe was a first team All-American as a member of the Distance Medley Relay indoors and helped the DMR run the second-fastest time in world history on tracks of legal length. He finished his track career as a two-time NCAA Champion as the DMR anchor in 2023 and 2024 and was a four-time Big 12 Champion.
Schoppe also scored the third most points in program history at the indoor conference meet with 41.5, finishing behind only Kirubel Erassa (2011-14, 59 points) and Alex Maier (2020-24, 54.75 points).
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
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