DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Carolina softball team split a doubleheader at the NCAA Durham Regional, defeating Howard 9-1 before its season came to an end with an 16-8 loss to No. 14 national seed Duke.
 
Game 1: Howard 1, Coastal 9 (5 innings)
 
Howard struck first in the top of the first inning when Alyssa Vasquez hit a two-out solo home run over the left-field wall to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Coastal answered in the bottom of the second inning. Keirstin Roose cracked a double into left field and advanced to third on a throwing error. Maddy Jennings then drove her home on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.
 
In the bottom of the third Delaney Keith laced a single through the right side, followed by a two-run home run from Georgia Hood to give the Chanticleers a 3-1 lead.
 
CCU added another run in the bottom of the fourth when Livi Payne lined a sacrifice fly into center field, driving in pinch runner Emma Skovran to make it 4-1.
 
The Chanticleers sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth when Roose ripped an RBI single through the left side to extend the lead to 5-1. With the bases loaded, freshman McKennah Metzger crushed a walk-off grand slam to send Coastal into the regional semifinals with a 9-1 victory.
 
Nicolette Picone improved to 29-9 in the circle, allowing one run on five hits over 5.0 innings.
 
Game 2: Duke 16, Coastal 8 (8 innings)
 
Duke opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a solo home run to center field by Aminah Vega to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Metzger tied the game in the bottom of the second with her second home run of the day, this time over the right-center field wall to make it 1-1.

The Blue Devils regained the lead in the top of the third, scoring on a sacrifice fly to left field and a throwing error to go ahead 3-1.

 

The Chanticleers responded in the bottom of the third with an offensive surge. After Pippin reached on a walk, Keith smashed a two-run home run over the right-field wall to tie it 3-3. Hood then followed with a solo shot to give Coastal a 4-3 advantage.

 

The hits kept coming in the bottom of the third when Roose doubled down the left-field line and Jenning launched Coastal’s third home run of the inning, extending the lead to 6-3.

 

Duke rallied in the top of the fourth with a five-run frame, scoring on a pair of singles and a three-run double by Thessa Malauʻulu to retake the lead at 8-6.

 

The Chants narrowed the gap in the bottom of the fifth inning when Keith reached on walk and advanced to third on a passed ball and a groundout. The third baseman was then able to cross home plate on a Duke fielding error to make the score 8-7.

 

Coastal looked to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning after singles from Metzger and Payne put runners on base, but the Blue Devils held strong to record the final out and preserve their 8-7 lead.

 

The Chanticleers showed their grit in the bottom of the seventh when Keith singled and Hood reached on an intentional walk. Metzger followed with a single to second base, and pinch runner Baxter came home on an errant throw to tie the game once again at 8-8.

 

Duke put the game away in the top of the eighth, bringing home eight runs on a double, two fielder’s choices, a single, a walk, and a passed ball to secure the 16-8 victory.

 

Picone took the loss in the circle, falling to 29-11 on the season after allowing nine runs on six hits.

 

For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (X), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at GoCCUSports.com.

 

In the high-stakes world of college football, the University of Michigan and its co-offensive coordinator, Sherrone Moore, find themselves navigating through turbulent waters. The aftermath of a sign-stealing scandal, with Connor Stallions at its epicenter, has led to a significant setback for Moore: a two-game suspension that casts a long shadow over the upcoming season. This development is not just a personal blow to Moore but also a critical juncture for Michigan’s football program, especially in the fiercely competitive arena of recruiting.

The Ripple Effect of a Scandal

The controversy surrounding the sign-stealing incident has reverberated far beyond the immediate punitive measures. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan’s head coach, has managed to steer through the storm relatively unscathed, securing victories that have kept the program’s hopes alive. However, the implications of Moore’s suspension extend beyond the sidelines and into the living rooms of potential recruits. The timing couldn’t be more precarious as Michigan finds itself in a delicate balancing act, trying to maintain its allure to top-tier talent in the face of adversity.

Recruiting Battles and NIL Dynamics

The landscape of college football recruiting has been irrevocably changed by the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, leveling the playing field in ways previously unimaginable. In this new era, the battle for five-star recruits has intensified, with programs not only showcasing their athletic prowess but also their ability to offer lucrative NIL deals. The suspension of a key figure like Moore could tilt the scales, giving an edge to SEC powerhouses renowned for their aggressive recruiting strategies and robust NIL opportunities. This situation places Michigan at a crossroads, challenging the program to navigate the complexities of modern recruiting while contending with the fallout from the scandal.

The Path Forward

As Michigan looks to the future, the questions loom large. How will the program adapt to the evolving landscape of college football, where the lines between athletic success and financial incentives are increasingly blurred? Can Michigan leverage its storied history and academic prestige to overcome the hurdles presented by the suspension and the broader implications of the NIL era?

A Reflection on Resilience and Redemption

The saga of Sherrone Moore and the Michigan football program is more than a story of scandal and suspension. It is a testament to the resilience required to navigate the highs and lows of college athletics. As the Wolverines prepare to face the challenges ahead, they do so with the knowledge that adversity often paves the way for growth and redemption. The true measure of their success will not be found solely in wins and losses but in their ability to rise above the fray and continue to inspire the next generation of athletes. In the end, the legacy of Michigan football and its ability to weather the storm will be a powerful narrative of perseverance in the face of adversity.

LUBBOCK, Texas – The No. 12-seeded Red Raiders (47-12) advanced to the Lubbock Regional Final after taking down Mississippi State (38-18) 10-1 in six innings on Saturday afternoon at Rocky Johnson Field. NiJaree Canady improved to 27-5 in the circle and hit her second home run in as many games while Lauren Allred led the way with five RBI including the game-ending three-run homer.
 
Alana Johnson built off her four RBI performance last night with a 3-for-3 day at the plate and an RBI. Mihyia Davis recorded a hit and scored three runs from the lead off position as she set the tone for the Red Raider’s offense.
 
Alexa Langeliers, Bailey Lindemuth and Hailey Toney all picked up two hits and were rock steady in the infield after a couple of tough plays in the first inning. Langeliers turned a double play in the third inning to get Texas Tech out of a jam.
 
Demi Elder added to the run total with a solo home run into the left field bleachers in the second inning.
 
How it happened:
Canady struck out the first batter she faced to open the game but a pair of singles and walk loaded the bases with two outs. The Big 12 Pitcher of the Year had no trouble though, as she got the next batter to pop out with the very next pitch.
 
The offense delivered in the first inning as Davis led off the game with a single and was pushed over to second on a ground out by Langeliers that worked like a sacrifice. With two outs, Johnson ripped a ball into left field to score Davis and bring in the first run of the day. Lindemuth added to the total with an RBI single to right field to give Tech a 2-0 lead.
 
The Bulldogs went down in order in the next inning as Elder pushed Tech’s lead to 3-0 with a solo homer.
 
Mississippi State had something brewing in the third, but Langeliers stepped up to make a 4-3 double play to eliminate the threat and hang a zero on the scoreboard.
 
Tech was held scoreless in the third inning – the only time they would not score in the game. Allred drove in two runs with a single in the fourth inning before Mississippi State got its lone run of the game, ending Tech’s streak of 33 straight scoreless innings.
 
Canady got the run back and then some as she planted a ball into the bleachers, actually landing it in the trash can, for a two-run homer. The junior now has 10 home runs on the season.
 
Allred ended the game an inning early after Davis walked and Langeliers singled. The sophomore took the second pitch she saw on a line over the left field wall to end the game and give Tech its 47^th win of the season.
 
Ticketing
Texas Tech Athletics will be opening up a limited amount of infield tickets online for tomorrow.
 
UP NEXT: Tech will play at 2 p.m. tomorrow against the winner of today’s games.
 

With the regular season in the books, the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament is on the horizon. Teams will converge on Hoover Metropolitan Complex next week, and the full bracket and seeds are officially set.

Texas secured the regular-season title Thursday night with a victory over rival Oklahoma. That gave the Longhorns the No. 1 seed in their first season in the SEC, and the rest of the bracket came into focus throughout the weekend.

Now, the field is in place. Here is the full bracket and seeds for the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament, which gets underway Tuesday from Hoover Met.

2025 SEC Baseball Tournament bracket

Tuesday, May 20

Game 1: No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 16 Missouri – 10:30 a.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 2: No. 12 seed Oklahoma vs. No. 13 seed Kentucky – 1:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 3: No. 10 seed Florida vs. No. 15 seed South Carolina – 5:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 4: No. 11 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 14 seed Texas A&M – 9 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Wednesday, May 21

Game 5: No. 8 seed Tennessee vs. Winner of Game 1 – 10:30 a.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 6: No. 5 seed Georgia vs. Winner of Game 2 – 1:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 7: No. 7 seed Ole Miss vs. Winner of Game 3 – 5:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 8: No. 6 seed Auburn vs. Winner of Game 4 – 9 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Thursday, May 22

Game 9: No. 1 seed Texas vs. Winner of Game 5 – 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 10: No. 4 seed Vanderbilt vs. Winner of Game 6 – approx. 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Friday, May 23

Game 11: No. 2 seed Arkansas vs. Winner of Game 7 – 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 12: No. 3 seed LSU vs. Winner of Game 8 – approx. 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Saturday, May 24

Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 – 1 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 – approx. 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Sunday, May 25

Championship Game: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 – 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2

It all comes down to next week at Hoover Met as the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament gets underway. From there, it’s off to the NCAA Tournament as the road to Omaha begins.

During his career as a head coach, Urban Meyer coached all over. That included with the Florida Gators in the SEC and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten. Now, as an analyst, he believes the Big Ten has passed the SEC as a football conference.

Meyer made an appearance on Another Dooley Noted Podcast. There, he argued that the Big Ten has passed the SEC. At least, he believes the top of the conference has done so, even if it doesn’t have the same kind of depth.

“Well, you know what the SEC’s done? It’s raised the level,” Urban Meyer said. “But the Big Ten has passed the SEC at the upper part. If you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would’ve said it’s not even close. Because it’s not.”

The Big Ten has won the last two national championships, with Michigan and Ohio State going home with titles. This past season, the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff, the Big Ten got four teams in compared to only three SEC teams. That’s after a run where the SEC won five out of six national championships from 2017 through 2022.

For his part, Urban Meyer got to Ohio State in 2012 and coached the Buckeyes through 2018. Along the way, he won a national championship and likes to think that he helped change the Big Ten’s approach at the top.

“When I first got to the Big Ten, even Shelley said, ‘What in the world? This is a slow man’s game up here,’ and I like to think that the Buckeyes really changed that. Then everyone else started investing in their schools,” Meyer said. “And started recruiting the best player, not just the footprint. As a result, the Wolverine team two years ago was one of the best teams I’ve seen. The Buckeyes team this year is one of the best I’ve ever seen. You’re seeing Penn State, and some of these teams have great success.”

Narratives can shift quickly in college football. All it’s going to take is another SEC team win it all next season to resolidify the SEC atop college football. Certainly, the SEC has the depth to do so too. It’s just a matter if someone at the top can pass the Big Ten at the top.

“So, I’m anxious to see the SEC fight back for that because next year’s another year. And I’ll close with this. The SEC, that SEC-Big Ten fight, the top obviously the last two years goes to the Big Ten,” Meyer said. “But still, that middle to the bottom, it’s the SEC by far. You’ve got eight teams, nine teams in the SEC that think they can go win a national title, no other conference has ever had that.”

Hunter Dickinson recently capped off his college basketball career, having played for the Kansas Jayhawks and Michigan Wolverines.

Dickinson spent his last two seasons at Kansas, playing under head coach Bill Self.

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They entered last season as the No. 1 team in the nation. The Jayhawks showed promise, yet streakiness, in Dickinson’s last season, leading to a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament.

While the end of Dickinson’s career may have left a sour taste, he recently shared some exciting news.

On Sunday, Dickinson took to social media, reposting the Kansas Jayhawks’ announcement of the class of 2025 men’s basketball team, highlighting those who graduated from the university.

Dickinson didn’t just graduate, however; he has earned his master’s degree from the University of Kansas.

“Master’s Degree,” Dickinson said.

During Hunter Dickinson’s last season with the Kansas Jayhawks, he posted 17.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

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In his five-year college basketball career, the former blue-chip recruit, averaged 17.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Early into his career, Dickinson established himself as one of the best centers in the nation.

Hunter Dickinson began his career with the Michigan Wolverines in 2020. He committed to Michigan as a four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 10 center and the No. 43 overall player in the nation, per 247Sports.

Dickinson played under former NBA star Juwan Howard at Michigan before the Wolverines head coach was fired from the program.

After the 2023 season, Dickinson made the unexpected move to Kansas and wound up finding success on and off the court with the Jayhawks.

Related: Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson Makes NIL Announcement Amid NCAA Tournament

Related: No. 1 College Basketball Recruit’s Father Almost Brought to Tears by Kentucky’s Mark Pope