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MLB Panic Meter

Getty Images Thursday marked four weeks since the official Opening Day in Major League Baseball’s 2025 season, meaning we’re nearly one month into the six-month marathon that is the regular season.  Something we know about baseball is that teams absolutely cannot win the pennant or even a division here in the first four weeks of […]

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MLB Panic Meter

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Thursday marked four weeks since the official Opening Day in Major League Baseball’s 2025 season, meaning we’re nearly one month into the six-month marathon that is the regular season. 

Something we know about baseball is that teams absolutely cannot win the pennant or even a division here in the first four weeks of a season, but they definitely can bury themselves from playoff contention. Some teams dig too deep a hole to start and are unable to climb out. Others simply play like the bad team they are going to be all season, despite what preseason projections might’ve said.

We last did the panic meter two weeks ago, but some things have changed since then. Let’s revisit. We’ve got two holdovers and two newcomers this time around. Congrats to the Mariners and — though they aren’t fully out of the woods just yet — Braves for graduating from the list in the last two weeks. 

The panic meter is scaled 0-10, with 0 being not a care in the world and 10 being mass hysteria. The 0-4 side is building concern while the 6-10 side is building worry toward panic. A 5 would be the center point between “decent concern” and “slight worry.” 

Record: 11-14

After a 4-1 start, the Rays have been one of the worst teams in baseball aside from the Rockies and White Sox — and those two are in a category by themselves. The Rays have only won seven of their last 20 and three of their past nine. 

Zack Littell and Taj Bradley now sit with ERAs north of 5, while Ryan Pepiot isn’t much better. They’ve gone 3-6 in one-run games and while they aren’t overly bad in many aspects, the Rays don’t appear to be great at anything, either.

The Rays play in a tough AL East and are 2-5 against fellow AL East teams so far with a lot more of those games coming. Perhaps most troublesome, they’ve played 19 games at home compared to just six on the road and they’re still in bad shape. 

Panic Meter: 3

It’s too early to panic much with a record that isn’t all too far below .500, nor are the Rays really that far away from a playoff spot in the standings. Plus, the Rays have shown the ability to play above their perceived ceiling a lot of times in recent years. 

I do think they just aren’t very good and we’re seeing that play out. The home/road split in games played so far is pretty troubling and it’s also a reminder they are playing “home” games in a minor-league park that isn’t really their home. That surely has an impact. 

Record: 10-14

In that same tough AL East, we have the Orioles. Though the record doesn’t look as bad as this statement might suggest, the Orioles have only won one series all year, when they took two of three from the Guardians early last week. They followed that up by losing a home series to the Reds, which included a humiliating 24-2 loss on Sunday. Then they lost a series to the Nationals, who don’t even look like contenders this season. 

The offense hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t been the problem. The Orioles rank 29th in defensive efficiency and dead last in team ERA. Yes, somehow the Orioles have a worse ERA than the Rockies. Injuries have exposed the lack of rotation depth in the organization, leading the Orioles to have a 5.82 starting pitching ERA, 29th in the majors. 

That isn’t how a contender is supposed to look nearly a month in. 

Panic Meter: 4

Zach Eflin’s return to the rotation will help, but otherwise, I have very little hope for a rotation turnaround here. Grayson Rodríguez can’t be counted on to return this season. Charlie Morton is clearly done, given his age of 41 and the mileage on his right arm. Tomoyuki Sugano has a 3.54 ERA in five starts, but with 27 hits, six home runs and only nine strikeouts in 28 innings, that ERA should actually be worse. Dean Kremer has been awful. 

It’s just incredibly difficult to see a road to positivity with this rotation in a very tough division. As I said above, I don’t think the Rays are very good, but I’d say the Orioles are more likely to finish last than first. 

Record: 10-15

The Cardinals started the season by sweeping the Twins (we’ll get to them in a second) and have gone 7-15 since. They just finished a 1-6 road trip. It’s a tough trip to play seven games against the Mets and Braves on the road, but it also might have set them on a path to being sellers this coming trade season. 

Remember, this is a franchise in transition with club president John Mozeliak stepping down after the season to hand the baton to Chaim Bloom. Nolan Arenado is well known to be on the trade block and he might not be alone. 

Panic Meter: 2

The best bet is that they are headed for a losing season that includes selling off veterans before the deadline. There is a sliver of hope, however, which would be that the Cardinals are 8-4 at home and just took home series against the Phillies and Astros before the aforementioned catastrophic road trip. Nine of the Cardinals’ next 13 games are at home and if they keep playing well there, they can hang around. They’ll need to fix the wretched road record (2-11) if they have designs on contending, but for now, they can stay afloat with three good home series in the next two weeks. 

Panic can be avoided in the short term, even if there are legitimate concerns. 

Minnesota Twins

Record: 9-16

The good news: The Twinkies have some momentum after a series win!  

The bad news: It was against the White Sox again. And they lost the series finale. 

The Twins have only won three series this year, including two over the White Sox (and, somehow, the other came against the red-hot Mets). They are 5-14 when they don’t play the White Sox and the 4-2 record against the AL’s worst team isn’t overwhelming.

Injuries have been a concern, but this is an injury-prone group. That’s part of the deal here. 

I’ll again point out that the Twins last season finished 12-27 in their last 39 games. There are some differences, but it is largely the same roster and it’s now been 64 games of the Twins playing like a 109-loss team. 

Panic Meter: 7

They could get hot and turn things around, of course. There’s still plenty of season left for that. We’ve seen teams do things like rip off 23 wins in 30 games. 

For me, I’m well aware that it’s still really early, but if I were a Twins fan, I’d be in panic mode. I’m starting to believe they are just a bad baseball team.

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Cardinal and Gold Scrimmage Primer

AMES, Iowa – The 2025 volleyball season begins this Saturday, August 16 at 1 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum with the annual Cardinal and Gold Scrimmage. Admission is free and there will be no reserved seating. Fans can enter through the South and lower West doors of Hilton. There will be no live video or live stats […]

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AMES, Iowa – The 2025 volleyball season begins this Saturday, August 16 at 1 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum with the annual Cardinal and Gold Scrimmage.

Admission is free and there will be no reserved seating. Fans can enter through the South and lower West doors of Hilton. There will be no live video or live stats at the scrimmage and Iowa State will play four 25-minute sets.

Fans will get the first chance to see the squad featuring 11 returners and seven newcomers.

Following the scrimmage, Iowa State hosts Drake for an exhibition Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. A student watch party for the Aer Lingus Classic will follow. Regular season is two weeks away, beginning August 29-30 at the Bobcat Invitational in Athens, Ohio.

Season tickets are still available at this link. Single match tickets will go on sale at a later date.



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Man’s body recovered from Willamette River in Clackamas County

OREGON CITY, Ore. (KATU) — Authorities are investigating after a man’s body was pulled from the Willamette River in Clackamas County on Wednesday night. Around 7:45 p.m., a 911 caller reported seeing the body floating in the middle of the river near the I-205 bridge. Crews with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas Fire […]

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Authorities are investigating after a man’s body was pulled from the Willamette River in Clackamas County on Wednesday night.

Around 7:45 p.m., a 911 caller reported seeing the body floating in the middle of the river near the I-205 bridge. Crews with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas Fire responded and recovered the body from the water.

READ ALSO | Human body parts in Tualatin River likely a recent death, officials say

Investigators said the body did not show any obvious signs of trauma. The man appeared to have been in the river for some time, according to investigators.

Authorities have not yet identified the deceased.

The Clackamas County Medical Examiner is continuing the investigation and working to determine the man’s cause of death.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949 or use the online email form here. Tipsters are asked to reference CCSO case #25-017022.



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CUI Earns Second-Most D2 ADA Academic Honorees in PacWest

Story Links IRVINE, Calif. – For the third year in a row, Concordia University Irvine featured at least 150 student-athletes who qualified for the annual D2ADA Academic Achievement Award list. Organized by the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association every summer, this tradition honors NCAA DII student-athletes that meet the following requirements: – Hold a cumulative […]

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IRVINE, Calif. – For the third year in a row, Concordia University Irvine featured at least 150 student-athletes who qualified for the annual D2ADA Academic Achievement Award list.

Organized by the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association every summer, this tradition honors NCAA DII student-athletes that meet the following requirements:

– Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

– Have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work (freshmen are ineligible)

– Are an active member of an intercollegiate team during the past academic year (to clarify – this means actively on the team’s roster for the 24-25 school year)

The list included student-athletes from all NCAA DII programs at CUI, including the 13 teams that competed last year in the PacWest as well as our beach volleyball and men’s volleyball teams, and both water polo squads and swimming and diving teams. (CUI women’s lacrosse plays at the club level and thus not eligible for this award).

A total of 152 Golden Eagles made the cut, with ten making it in both cross country and also track and field as distance runners. CUI joined Biola as the only two PacWest schools to boast at least 150 honorees in the league.

This is the sixth straight summer that Concordia has featured at least 100 young men and women on this prestigious list.

CUI women’s track and field had the most among the school’s sports with 19 student-athletes this year. CUI baseball sported 15 D2 ADA honorees while the women’s soccer team equaled that mark with 15 players that qualified as well.

CLICK HERE to view the list of our 152 CUI honorees

Congrats to all the hard-working student-athletes on this well-deserved achievement!

CLICK HERE for the full D2 ADA release



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Season Preview: Volleyball – University of Texas at Tyler Athletics

Story Links TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball will begin their season on September 4th against Ferris State inside the HPC as part of the 2025 Patriot Classic.   A LOOK BACK   Last season, the Patriots made their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. They played […]

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TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball will begin their season on September 4th against Ferris State inside the HPC as part of the 2025 Patriot Classic.
 
A LOOK BACK
 

Last season, the Patriots made their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. They played to an 18-9 record during the regular season and went 14-2 in the LSC regular season. That qualified them to the LSC Tournament, where they made an appearance in the semifinals before bowing out. They also earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, falling to #2 seed West Texas A&M in the opening round.
 
The Patriots were led in a big way by Kota Hartman, who went on to be the LSC Newcomer of the Year and earn All-LSC First Team honors. Also joining Hartman in the returning group are All-LSC honorees Saige Rivera, Autumn Perry, and Makhai Lewis.
 
CLOSING THE YEAR STRONG
 
“At the start of the season we were trying to figure out the right lineup and a group that played with great chemistry,” head coach Lyndsay Mashe said. “We had so many new players, and it took some time to develop that. The team was never satisfied with the way we started and showed grit and determination to turn it around!”
 
A STRONG CORE RETURNING
 
“I am excited to have such a strong core coming back. It’s hard to replace the players we lost to graduation, but it’s a great opportunity for others to step in to those roles and help us reach our goals. When you have this many players returning the expectations are high and we are pumped to get back in the gym and see this group go to work!”
 
KEY NEWCOMERS
 
“We have seven freshman we are adding to the team. They are a very talented group, and we are excited to get them in the gym with our returners and really watch them develop and turn into the players we think they can be.”
 
A TOUGH SCHEDULE
 
“Our schedule is for sure one of the toughest in the nation. Our first tournament of the year we start off with Ferris State and Central Oklahoma who should both be in the preseason Top 10 in the nation. We travel to Angelo State and WT twice to go along with the rest of the LSC schedule. I am looking forward to seeing our team rise to the challenge of our schedule!”
 
HOSTING THE PATRIOT CLASSIC
 
“Being on the home floor to start the season is something we are excited about. We have a great record in our gym, so hopefully that will help us with getting off to a good start. Our travel schedule will be difficult, so being able to get a tournament with 4 matches at home is really big. There is nothing like playing in front of your own fans and we have great support here!  I would expect that first weekend the gym will be packed!”
 
The 2025 Patriot Classic beginning on September 4th will see the Patriots face off with Ferris State, Central Oklahoma, Ouachita Baptist, and Mississippi College over three days of action to begin the year. The next week, the Patriots head to the TWU Volleyfest to take on Texas Woman’s, Arkansas Monticello, and Arkansas Tech over just two days of action on September 12th and 13th. The final non-conference action will be in the LSC Challenge on September 18th and 19th against West Texas A&M and Angelo State.
 
The LSC slate begins September 27th as the Patriots take on Oklahoma Christian at home. They then alternate away and home again against St. Edward’s and UT Dallas on September 30th and October 4th before taking on a weekend road trip against UT Permian Basin and Angelo State on October 10th and 11th.
 
The Patriots return home October 17th and 18th against Lubbock Christian and Midwestern State, but then hit the road for a three match road trip from October 24th through the 28th as they take on West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico, and St. Mary’s.
 
The program will then play four of their last six matches at home, beginning with a home weekend against Sul Ross State and Western New Mexico on October 31st and November 1st. They hit the road for the last time against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International on November 7th and 8th and then come back to the HPC to finish the regular season against Texas Woman’s and DBU on November 14th and 15th.
 



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Logan lakeside community might be Utah’s best-kept secret — but not for long

Tucked away in the heart of Cache Valley, something extraordinary is taking shape — and soon, the secret will be out. Welcome to Willow Lakes, a brand-new private lakefront community on the Logan River that’s quickly becoming one of Utah’s most intriguing residential and vacation destinations. Designed for those who crave resort-style living without giving […]

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Tucked away in the heart of Cache Valley, something extraordinary is taking shape — and soon, the secret will be out.

Welcome to Willow Lakes, a brand-new private lakefront community on the Logan River that’s quickly becoming one of Utah’s most intriguing residential and vacation destinations. Designed for those who crave resort-style living without giving up the comfort of home, Willow Lakes offers a rare chance to own a piece of paradise just north of Salt Lake City.

A lake in Logan may sound a little strange at first, but the novelty is the point. For more than seven years, the developers behind Willow Lakes have been working quietly and deliberately on a vision many thought was impossible. They created the largest private lake in northern Utah, designed specifically for all wake sports, tubing and waterskiing. They even included a deep wave surf machine, for year-round recreation and relaxation.

And now that vision is coming to life.

The lakes are officially starting to fill and lots are selling quickly. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning waterfront property in Utah — but want to skip the crowds and high-traffic tourist spots — here’s why you should explore Willow Lakes.

Not just a place to live, but a lifestyle

One of the most exciting things about Willow Lakes is how intentional everything has been, from the layout of the homes to the community amenities. At the center of it all will be a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, which will offer:

  • Full fitness facilities.
  • Massage and spa services.
  • Sauna and red light therapy.
  • Golf simulator.
  • Swimming pool and hot tubs.
  • Pickleball and beach volleyball courts.
  • Lounge and event areas.
  • Deep wave surf simulator.

With so many options at your disposal, you can be as active or relaxed as you want.

Beyond the clubhouse, there’s plenty to enjoy all around you, including over a mile of soft, white sandy beaches and 2.5 miles of private riverfront. It has “luxury vacation” written all over it — only here, it could be your life every day.

A primary residence, vacation home — or both

Willow Lakes is the kind of community that fits whatever lifestyle you’re after. Some residents are local to Cache Valley and looking to elevate their everyday living. Others are coming from the Salt Lake area or out of state, hoping to create a peaceful retreat they can escape to whenever they choose.

It might be your go-to spot for summer getaways and family reunions, or your future retirement home and a welcome escape from the Wasatch Front heat. Whatever your plans, that flexibility is part of what makes Willow Lakes so appealing.

Logan lakeside community might be Utah's best-kept secret — but not for long
Photo: Willow Lakes

Logan is gaining national attention

Speaking of reasons to buy property here, Logan just added a major bragging right. WorldAtlas recently named it one of the 10 Best Resort Towns in America, placing it alongside destinations like Vail, Colorado, and Palm Springs, California.

Among its many perks, Logan is just 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City. It’s surrounded by beautiful mountains and offers easy access to both Bear Lake and the Great Salt Lake’s Bear River Bay. The area’s slightly higher humidity — which is unusual for Utah — helps create lush greenery and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. It is also centrally located to 14 world-class ski resorts.

Logan is also home to Utah State University, a strong health care system and a low cost of living with almost no unemployment. Add in its rich cultural and religious heritage, including landmarks like the Logan Utah Temple and it’s easy to see why people are falling in love with this small mountain city — and why Willow Lakes is right at the center of it all.

Why now is the time to act

With the lake starting to fill and construction moving fast, things are picking up quickly — and so is demand. Three areas — phases 1, 2 and 3 — are currently available, but nearly sold out. Plus, once the lake is full and the amenities are finished, you can expect prices to rise. Right now, Willow Lakes is offering special pre-lake-fill pricing, which gives you a rare opportunity to get in early and claim a premium lot while they’re still available.

It’s not every day a private surf lake opens in Utah. And it’s definitely not every day you can build your dream home on it.

For a map and pricing info, click here.

Come see it for yourself

The best way to understand what makes Willow Lakes so unique is to visit it in person. Walk the beach. Take in the panoramic views unparalleled in northern Utah. Tour the available home sites. Once you’re here, you’ll see why so many are ready to make the move — or at least make it their home away from home.

To learn more or schedule a private tour, contact Grey Wilson with Dwell Realty Group at 435-757-1107 or visit www.willowlakesutah.com.

Just don’t wait too long — once the lake fills up, so will the remaining lots!



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Liberty Track/XC Announces 30 Newcomers for 2025-26

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty track & field/cross country program is adding 30 newcomers for 2025-26, including 15 men and 15 women. The sizable crop of new faces also includes four transfer student-athletes.       “We are excited to have a group of very talented athletes coming into our program,” stated Liberty Director of Track & […]

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LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty track & field/cross country program is adding 30 newcomers for 2025-26, including 15 men and 15 women. The sizable crop of new faces also includes four transfer student-athletes.
     

“We are excited to have a group of very talented athletes coming into our program,” stated Liberty Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Lance Bingham. “They exemplify the character of athletes who will add to our team as we seek to honor the Lord through the things we say and do. We expect a number of these student-athletes to make an immediate impact on our program. We are looking forward to a great year!”
 
Women’s Newcomers
Eden Alexander
Mid-distance
Purcellville, Va. (Home Schooled)
800 – 2:10.25, Mile – 4:58.29
 
Mackenzie Babcock
Distance
Cottage Grove, Wis. (Monona Grove High School)
1,600 – 4:51.56
 
Mackenzie Boggess
Jumps
Clover, S.C. (Clover High School)
Long Jump – 19-4.75, Triple Jump – 40-1.5
 
Lara DeFazio
Jumps
Sewickley, Pa. (Eden Christian Academy)
Long Jump – 18-6.5, Triple Jump – 37-6.25, High Jump – 5-4
 
Isabella Frattura
Javelin
Sparta, N.J. (Sparta High School)
Javelin – 150-3
 
Sophie Gonzalez
Hammer
Guatemala City, Guatemala (Wake Forest)
Hammer – 204-4
 
Gracelyn Laudermilch
Distance
Rome, Pa. (Northeast Bradford High School)
1,600 – 5:03.21, 3,200 – 10:47.12
 
Mia Lee-Bowens
Hurdles
Middleborough, Mass. (Middleborough High School)
100 Hurdles – 14.26
 
Kate Loescher
Distance
Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge High School)
800 – 2:12.84, 1,600 – 4:44.33, 3,200 – 10:17.87
 
Kona Moore
Heptathlon/Pole Vault
Lynchburg, Va. (Liberty Christian Academy)
Pole Vault – 12-6, Long Jump – 18-2.5
 
Emily Norris
Heptathlon
Carmel, Ind. (Carmel High School)
200 – 24.63, Long Jump – 19-3, Javelin – 147-11
 
Alivia Rivera-Norman
Hurdles
Odessa, Texas (Permian High School)
100 Hurdles – 13.92, 300 Hurdles – 42.77
 
Adelle Schlotterback
Hurdles
Fort Wayne, Ind. (Carmel High School)
300 Hurdles – 43.90
 
Shelby Smith
Sprints
Williamstown, W.Va. (Williamstown High School)
200 – 24.99, 400 – 56.10
 
Ellie Stine
Throws
Broken Arrow, Okla. (Lincoln Christian School)
Discus – 154-2
 
Men’s Newcomers
Patrick Adams III
Hurdles
Allendale, Mich. (Cornerstone)
60 Hurdles – 8.04, 110 Hurdles – 14.35, 400 Hurdles – 52.20
 
Robbie Annett
Distance
Anchorage, Alaska (Grace Christian School)
800 – 1:53.21, Mile – 4:15.14
 
Nathan Haas
Javelin
Port Matilda, Pa. (State College Area High School)
Javelin – 204-4
 
Chase Johnson
Pole Vault
Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus High School)
Pole Vault – 16-9
 
Jayron Lewis
Throws
Williamstown, N.J. (Williamstown High School)
Shot Put – 59-5, Discus – 175-4
 
Zane Lindquist
Distance
Alta, Wyo. (Home Schooled)
1,600 – 4:24.51, 3,200 – 9:18.60
 
Michael Long
Mid-distance
Sterling, Va. (Ave Maria)
800 – 1:47.54
 
Grattan O’Neill
Distance
Huntsville, Ala. (Home Schooled)
3,200 – 8:56.21
 
Andrew Picataggi
Decathlon
Williamsburg, Va. (Warhill High School)
400 – 48.88, Long Jump – 22-9
 
Jamar Smith
Decathlon
Lynchburg, Va. (E.C. Glass High School)
Long Jump – 23-8, 110 Hurdles – 14.20
 
Jacob Tarkington
Mid-distance
Johns Creek, Ga. (Home Schooled)
800 – 1:50.69
 
Marshall Toney
Jumps
Williamsburg, Va. (Warhill High School)
Triple Jump – 46-11, High Jump – 6-5
 
Reagan Wise
Pole Vault
Cary, N.C. (Campbell)
Pole Vault – 16-10
 
Isaac Yarnell
Sprints
Altoona, Pa. (Hollidaysburg Area High School)
100 – 10.55, 200 – 21.16
 
Kyrhan Young
Sprints
Houston, Texas (Atascocita High School)
100 – 10.45, 200 – 21.50



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